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On this week’s episode of The Real Housewives of Potomac, Tia’s mother arrives for a three-month stay, potentially bringing some much-needed support as Tia and her husband continue dealing with the fallout from the dating-app scandal.
Courtney organizes a birthday celebration for her husband, Alexis , hoping the gathering will finally bring the husbands together. Instead, the party becomes a magnet for conflict. Ashley keeps the drama moving, Gizelle finds herself under fire, and Stacey delivers a few pointed comments aimed at Courtney. Meanwhile, the ongoing tension surrounding Robyn and Gizelle’s podcast remains impossible to ignore.
Karen reveals that trouble in her marriage began long before she entered recovery. (Yes, this is the same relationship connected to his memorable “I think I love her?” comment.) She is now working with a trauma therapist and recognizes that the process must be for her own well-being—not for a storyline. Even as a reality-TV personality, Karen has drawn a firm boundary: cameras will not be allowed inside her therapy sessions.
Gizelle meets up with Robyn, and the two wait for Ashley to arrive—an increasingly familiar pattern. Robyn says she has noticed Ashley seems different lately, while Gizelle remains determined to repair the strained relationship between them.
Robyn is facing backlash over the podcast, even though she insists the show is simply focused on current events. She explains that Wendy was offended by something discussed on the program, but Gizelle offers little sympathy. Instead, she doubles down on her accusation that Wendy is scamming people.
Ashley uses the conversation to tell Robyn that the podcast has hurt her as well. The situation makes it appear that Gizelle is coming between the two friends, particularly now that Ashley has grown increasingly close to Gizelle and seems to be occupying the role of her new best friend.
Robyn urges Gizelle and Ashley not to lose perspective on what matters outside the show. She also believes Gizelle should have taken concerns about Tia’s husband directly to Tia. Instead, the women laugh after interpreting Robyn’s criticism as proof that she thinks they are delusional.
Thiemo and Stacey enjoy an intimate dinner while reflecting on their relationship and the effort it took to reconnect. Stacey’s ex has encouraged her to become more financially responsible, and she admits that the divorce ultimately taught her important lessons about managing money. Then Stacey’s dog arrives at the table wearing an engagement ring, and Thiemo proposes to her all over again. The couple says they plan to marry soon—before he has a chance to change his mind. Lol?
Wendy and Gizelle meet for a conversation that quickly becomes emotional. Wendy has made a donation to the National Brain Tumor Society in honor of Gizelle’s father, making Gizelle’s decision to publicly call Wendy a scammer even more painful. Wendy explains how those accusations carry additional cultural weight for her as a Nigerian. Gizelle acknowledges that she had not considered that perspective and apologizes, but Wendy says she has now seen Gizelle’s true character and will remember it.
Gizelle then pivots to her upcoming visit to Congress, where she plans to share her father’s story. Because Wendy is such a confident public speaker, Gizelle asks her for advice on preparing for the appearance.
Tia gives Courtney and Alexis a tour of a possible new home. The couple hopes to put down roots in the DC area after years of renting. Courtney discusses her work as an event planner and tells Tia that she is arranging Alexis’s birthday celebration. Husbands and wives will be invited.
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Gizelle and Ashley organize a wellness and fitness event for GnA, continuing their tradition of supporting charities that matter to them. Robyn joins the gathering, where the women discuss the upcoming birthday party for Courtney’s husband.
Gizelle praises Wendy’s help with her congressional appearance, while Robyn brings up the podcast controversy. Robyn understands that Tia is worried about how to explain the situation to her children, yet Gizelle had been prepared to mention it while reading a listener’s letter on air. She hinted at Tia’s circumstances, but Robyn removed the reference during editing. Robyn questions why Gizelle is not prioritizing friendship, while Gizelle insists they are not responsible for putting Tia’s “business in the streets.”
Courtney clearly understands how to produce a party—after all, she planned Cynthia Bailey’s wedding. She is eager to celebrate Alexis and introduce him to the other husbands, although Karen’s husband was not invited. Tia also arrives without her husband, meaning the much-promoted gathering of the men is already missing two key guests.
Gizelle uses the party to challenge Tia over telling Wendy about the “s” word, signaling that their disagreement is far from over. Before the conversation can go much further, Monique arrives. Tia pushes back, pointing out that Gizelle cannot decide which information is acceptable to share. Ashley had told Tia that Gizelle discussed her situation on the podcast, claiming she wanted Tia to hear it directly and get ahead of the story. The explanation, however, only makes the entire situation feel even messier.
Gizelle warns Tia that she will no longer share information with her. Tia, meanwhile, says she has no interest in maintaining a friendship with someone who appears willing to sacrifice anyone for a paycheck. Her priority is protecting her children, and she believes Gizelle is eager to expose details that Tia is trying to keep private.
When Robyn arrives, she confirms that Gizelle referenced Tia’s situation on the podcast. Faced with that admission, Gizelle finally acknowledges that she made the comment. It looks like Robyn may at last be demanding accountability from her longtime friend.
The lack of plus-ones makes the evening especially uncomfortable when Courtney brings Alexis out to meet the group. Ashley is late, but her arrival instantly makes her the focus of attention because she was the one who alerted Tia to the podcast incident.
Ashley eventually arrives with her boyfriend, making him one of the very few men at the celebration. As more guests filter in, the women learn about Stacey’s renewed engagement and enthusiastically celebrate the prospect of another wedding. Stacey adds that she already has a wedding planner—one she describes as very “credible,” a remark that sounds like a pointed jab at Courtney.
Courtney points out that Stacey called her a few weeks ago and it felt like Stacey was prepping her to be the planner. Stacey shades out describing Courtney’s event and luckily the tension is broken the minute Cynthia makes her entrance. Courtney confides to Cynthia that these ladies are crazy.
Ashley admits that she thought it was weird of Robyn to talk about Gizelle’s podcast edit in FRONT of people. What a reach. Robyn makes it clear that Gizelle talked sh*t, so she is not the bad guy.
Ashley and Robyn got into a screaming match during dinner on the RHOP
Robyn reminds Ashley that she is the one who started the whole thing by going on stage and laughing at Tia’s situation. The ladies get into a screaming match, going back and forth talking about who is messier, which is laughable. The attention finally gets brought back to the birthday boy and the night ends with a (forced) toast.
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