Tag: Vanderpump Rules Recap

45

It’s part two of the Vanderpump Rules reunion.  Lala is still trying to understand things that have nothing to do with her and Katie is just mad…pretty much the whole time.  First it was Lala coming at her, then the Scheana/Schwartz make out gets brought up, and finally Jo comes out to try and speak her truth.  That doesn’t go so well, as Schwartz tries to gaslight Jo into thinking they were never a thing.  James jumps in at the very end, proving that maybe he’s the number one guy in the group.

Things are going GREAT for Lala and Katie so far.  Not… Lala is coming in hot, calling Katie out for acting differently off camera.  Lala reminds Katie that she had a lot to say about Ariana when the cameras were down, but when Lala tried to bring it up while filming, Katie wouldn’t bite.  Katie claims she chose not to talk about it because she was “over it” and didn’t want to make Ariana feel guilty.  And she was certainly not resentful towards Ariana, as Lala insinuates.

Schwartz points out that Katie was probably scared to not be #TeamAriana, but Ariana backs Katie by calling her 100% authentic. Ariana states that Katie is valid in her feelings and Lala just misses the Katie who would also be a truth teller, delivering facts and having uncomfortable conversations. Lala felt like Katie was treating her like the enemy, but believes they will be back to being good friends, even after this touchy conversation.  When Andy points out that Katie looks p*ssed, Lala retorts, “well, that’s standard….” And also an easy way to have Katie remain angry with you, Lala.

Because Katie was not mad enough, Andy decides to switch topics and bring up the make out session between Scheana and Schwartz.  To be clear, this happened YEARS ago, during a time when Katie HATED Scheana coming into the group.  Scheana buried this secret because the last thing in the world she wanted was to hurt Katie. Schwartz apologizes to Scheana for coming on to her and for being a “sloppy, drunken fool.”  If not for Scheana’s repressed memory of the evening coming to light during glamping, this would have stayed quiet.

Scheana stands by the fact that every guy in the group has hit on her.  James denies it.  Sandoval also denies it, however, Scheana’s got a LOT of details… Speaking of hook ups, Katie’s revenge bang with Max gets discussed.  Schwartz claims to have manifested this so he could show the world he was a bigger person in this kind of situation, but you know it’s killing him, since Max is his bff.  Katie plays coy when asked if she hooked up with Max a second time, so…she did?

The Lake Tahoe trip was NOT a “Sandoval redemption trip,” but rather a way to try to get the group together after the chaos of the past year.  Schwartz gets questioned for calling Ariana the queen of the group and Ariana believes that Schwartz is the ONLY person who thinks she has an ego.  Just wait til she sees Lala go off about this on the finale episode…

Ariana understands where Scheana was coming from this season as she struggled to be loyal to Ariana, but wanted to let Sandoval back in her life. Scheana desperately tries to show Ariana how much she means to her.  Ariana’s boundaries are a hot topic and Andy points out that Lala had boundaries in 2022 about communicating with her ex, so why was everyone giving Ariana such a hard time?

Lala says that the giant difference is that there was a child involved. Katie believes that Ariana is still allowed to have boundaries, but Lala doesn’t understand how Ariana can sleep in the same house as him, yet claim boundaries, especially after having a new boyfriend “10 days later.”  Ariana reminds Lala that she supported her boundaries and that Lala doesn’t have to understand her boundaries, but rather respect them.

The fan photo where Scheana has her arm around Sandoval gets brought up.  Ariana admits that she was slightly uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as Scheana was when Ariana didn’t tell her she was going to be on Dancing with the Stars (Scheana’s DREAM position).  Ariana says she remained tight-lipped because of production and she was afraid that if she told Scheana, she may have been over-heard. Andy makes a plug to have Scheana on DWTS and Scheana poo-poos it, as she has plans with her band…but maaaaybe next year.

Ally enters ready to read Andy’s chart, and Jo enters ready to be eaten alive by Katie. The whole Jo segment left me feeling uncomfortable, since Schwartz refuses to call what they had a relationship, when it very clearly was one.  Schwartz and Jo met through Kristen Doute, but it’s strange how they connected…and how Jo wound up crashing at Schwartz’s when she could have asked her FRIEND Kristen.

Schwartz states that it started platonically, but it evolved into a sexual relationship and refers to Jo as “an escape.” Katie actually felt bad for Jo because she saw her situation with Schwartz very differently. Schwartz claims he never texted Jo that he loved her, but he really did say he loved her because he cared about her.  Schwartz believes that he was transparent with Jo, but Katie believes that Schwartz was “displaying f*ck boy behavior.” Jo reaches for a tissue and nods as the girls talk about the disconnect. Jo points out that it’s sad to see there was a relationship and it’s even more sad that Schwartz refuses to use the word relationship when discussing their time together, opting for the word “magic” instead.

Schwartz was scared to put labels on what they were and Jo is hurt because she felt like Schwartz’s dirty secret, whereas he has hard-launched a new girlfriend now.  No one is sure what to make of Jo.  Ariana dislikes her because she believes Jo knew about Rachel and Sandoval and Katie, well, Katie makes her opinion very clear. Katie claims she was so mean about Jo because she didn’t trust her and claims she used “colorful descriptors” when talking about Jo. Katie tells Jo it’s not about her, but Katie behaved that way towards Jo because of all she was dealing with.  The last thing Katie needed was Jo…but that sounds like a Katie problem.

When it comes to James and Ally, they embrace the airport shade and embrace their role as parents to some cats and Hippie.  Speaking of Hippie, Rachel came out to say that the dog’s bad behavior was a result of how James treated her as a puppy, but James states that Hippie has transformed since being home with him.  Ally throws shade and says that the group hasn’t really inspired her to get married and have kids, despite James wanting it, like yesterday.

Lala has been sober for almost 5 ½ years and she thanks Andy for acknowledging her sobriety.  James hasn’t had a drink since April and Ally shares that she didn’t like who James was when he was drinking.  Ally actually moved out of the house for two nights (and no she did not crash at Schwartz’s) and states that if James were to start drinking again, she would leave.

According to Andy, the real star of VPR this season is Ann, Sandoval/Ariana’s assistant (no, it isn’t Summer Moon, much to Scheana’s chagrin).  Ann decided to work for Ariana because she wanted to work with and for other women.  Sandoval felt like he got kicked in his gut when this happened, but wastes no time throwing Ann under the bus when it came to “attempted dog murder.”  Sandoval states that it could have been him OR Ann who left Ariana’s bedroom door open, causing their dog to eat something and get very sick.

In Ariana’s eyes, there is no doubt that the dog stays with her in this break up.  After all, she purchased the dog.  This causes Sandoval to roll his eyes, setting off James.  James points out that Sandoval was fine when Rachel took Graham from him and wonders how Sandoval had no problem with that then and now here he is making a mockery of the situation.  Sandoval gets defensive, as he always does, and blurts out to James, “I’m keeping my mouth shut about the things I have heard” about him.  James tells Sandoval that he is “galloping so far ahead of you I can’t even see you.”  Touché, James.

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THE VANDERPUMP RULES REUNION?

2

It’s part one of the season 11 Vanderpump Rules reunion.  This time around, there are no couches, only chairs, and there are no restraining orders, so luckily all parties can be on set at the same time.  However, that does NOT mean that Scandoval is a thing of the past.  In fact, the majority of this first part focuses on Rachel, Sandoval, and Ariana.  Where they’re living, who they’re living with, and just how quickly Ariana “dropped” Katie to head to Broadway.  Intent vs. impact seems to be the theme…

The reunion kicks off the way any great Bravo show does: 7 hours prior.  We viewers get a snippet of what’s to come and the fact that they will be watching the finale episode live, together, makes me cringe.   But that will have to wait.

For now, Andy is here to step in as mediator, since Ann, the infamous assistant of the season, is not available (Andy’s joke, not mine).  LVP realizes that there’s a lot to work out within the group, but Sandoval feels like he’s in a better space than last year.  According to Ariana and Katie, by the time the reunion airs, Something About Her will be open (but upon a quick Google search, that place still hasn’t opened its doors). In the meantime, Ariana is having the time of her life and Lala is prepping for the arrival of her baby by buying a house in the Valley.  Scheana and Brock have ALSO purchased a house in the Valley, which seems like insurance to get on another show in case VPR falls through…

Andy points out that during the season Sandoval and Ariana lived under the same roof.  Ariana has filed a petition action to forge the sale of the house, but she cannot talk about it as it is an ongoing legal issue.  Ariana is currently not living in the home and Schwartz is still on the fence about moving in with Sandoval. As everyone teases them about being grown up roommates, Sandoval is the only one not laughing about this and explains that his dad is in his 60’s and still has roomies.

When it comes to Rachel, LVP calls her absolutely ridiculous.  Sandoval wanted her to come to her own decision about returning to the show and Lala feels like they might’ve had a “productive conversation” should Rachel have come back.  However, Lala explains that she would not have changed how last year’s reunion went down, referring to the fierce loyalty to Ariana.

Sandoval calls Rachel a “coward” for not coming back, considering they both are responsible and he has chosen to face the truth.  Sandoval believes that the rumor that he groomed Rachel implies “pedophilia,” but Lala, who evidently has a LOT to say, disagrees with him.  Lala does admit to being a projector, but understands that Rachel’s lack of responsibility remains a big issue.  Sandoval reminds the group that they were equal partners in this affair and it’s wild that Rachel is now going after both him and Ariana with a revenge porn lawsuit. Sandoval admits that it’s one thing to go after him, but for Rachel to go after Ariana is a new level.

When it comes to suicidal ideations, Sandoval talks about the ups and downs.  Lala and Scheana feel like that might have played a role in why they chose to soften towards him, but Ariana remains stoic.  She doesn’t appreciate how Sandoval spoke publicly about her mental health.  Sandoval says that he felt as if Ariana used that as a “manipulation tactic” to keep him in the relationship, but no one is buying it.  Sandoval further claims that the reason he put Ariana’s issue out there on camera was because, “I didn’t believe it.”

Sandoval gets called out for comparing the affair to George Floyd and OJ Simpson.  He does his best to talk his way out of that, claiming that he simply meant that his affair should not have been as newsworthy as the important issues were.  Katie points out that Sandoval should think before he speaks because there’s something called “intent vs. impact.”  It doesn’t matter HOW Sandoval meant it because the impact of the statement is more important and long lasting.

Lala shares the exciting news that she is expecting a little girl with donor #1, the one they selected at the party.  Regarding her custody agreement, Lala gets emotional explaining how she has yet to reach one. Lala talks about how close she is with Randall’s first wife, Ambyr, and that although dating is on hold, “no man or woman is safe.”

Scheana talks a little about her post-partum OCD and the intrusive thoughts that come with it.  Because Lala, Scheana, and Brock feel like a throuple, Scheana admits to worrying that Lala and Brock could get together.  She blames this intrusive thought on Scandoval.

When it comes to Brock, he shares that he is up to date on his child support, but has yet to see his other children.  He is not sure how to move forward with them, but gets emotional talking about how Summer is his second chance at being a dad.  When Katie calls him an amazing father, that speaks volumes, considering she is a harsh critic.

Ariana has had herself a YEAR.  DWTS, a new cocktail book, a. new. man.  And then some.  Being on Broadway has been great for her relationship, as Dan lives in NY, but she still remains steadfast on being bicoastal.  Ariana states that it will take a long time to fully process the affair and so she refuses to put her life on hold while she tries to navigate the aftermath.

James gets a bit salty talking about the double-standard he faced when he moved on “quickly” with Ally.  Ariana, apparently, started dating Dan rather fast, yet no one gave her sh*t.  James claims to be over it, but it seems like it is very much still bothering him.

Speaking of relationships, Sandoval has a new girlfriend, Victoria.  She is a successful model who used to date Leonardo DiCaprio. Good thing she has never watched the show.  Does she know what she got herself into with this guy?!

After a decade, the doors of Pump were closed for good eight months earlier.  LVP has moved some stuff over to TomTom, and she claims that it was because of all the backlash that came after the affair. In truth, no one knew if the TomTom “brand” would survive the scandal…not even LVP.

LVP gets shady talking about Something About Her, claiming that the timeline for the restaurant was greatly affected by disagreements and Ariana continuously being away.  More on this topic later…

Ariana admits that she hasn’t watched any of the season because she didn’t want to get dragged back to a dark place.  She states that Lala has been transparent and Ariana understands that Lala was working through stuff herself, so there’s no beef there.  But, Katie and Lala did a lot of head butting this season.  Lala claims this tension stemmed from a DM that Katie sent her.  According to Lala, the DM said, “Get rid of your lawyer cuz what you need is a therapist.  You’re a f**king clown.”

Katie tries to clarify what she said, but Lala felt like Katie jumped down her throat. Katie wanted Lala to see herself in Ariana’s shoes and she didn’t appreciate how Lala tried to tell Ariana how to deal with the sh*t.  Lala explains that she felt “abandoned” by Katie and Katie wonders if it’s because she didn’t want to jump on the Tom train like Lala did.

Lala then goes on to make a big accusation: Katie acts differently off camera than on camera, saying things off camera that she then denies if brought up on camera.   For one, Lala claims that Katie said that Ariana abandoned their restaurant and that this time last year, Ariana was not caught up on the rent for the shop. Katie vehemently denies confiding about this stuff with Lala, but does admit that she didn’t get a heads up about Ariana heading to Broadway.

Lala states that her and Katie are supposed to be the truth tellers and that maybe Katie lived in the comments too much, trying to figure out how to play to the fans because “it’s no secret that Ariana is a fan favorite,” so no one wanted to go against her on camera. Lala also made this same claim about Scheana and James, suggesting they play to the audience.

Apparently, at some point, Katie lost it on Lala, threatening, “if you’re gonna f**k with my business Lala, then I’m gonna f**k with yours.”  To that, Lala retorts, “And honest to God I wanted to say you to Something About Her is really Nothing About Her,” a jab that Lala knew would cut deep.  Ariana looks on in confusion as this all unfolds…and it’s just part one.

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THE VANDERPUMP RULES REUNION?