The Real Housewives of Orange County reunion for season 19 kicks off with a bang. In part one, viewers see the return of Katie, who was absent from the latter half of the season, and encounter a supposedly “new” Tamra. However, her frequent outbursts whenever Shannon speaks suggest otherwise. When Gretchen joins the cast, tensions rise as she aims to dispel rumors and confront Tamra with the truth.

The reunion begins with Andy welcoming the housewives. Shannon appears rejuvenated after a week at the Golden Door, while Heather enjoys the convenience of a short commute. Emily shares her triumph over a challenging season by shedding 25-30 pounds. Meanwhile, Gina is thriving in her real estate career, and Katie is excited to be back on set. Thankfully, Jenn avoided Ryan’s fashion advice, and Tamra reassures everyone she’s not quitting, especially now that Teddi has received an all-clear on her health scare.

Although Tamra aims to be less reactive, even Andy notes her behavior hasn’t changed much. Tamra attended Alexis’s wedding and feels uneasy discussing its beauty in Shannon’s presence. The drama continues as Jenn finds herself caught in the middle, having been uninvited and then reinvited due to choosing Shannon over Alexis—a situation she finds exhausting.

Shannon expresses her frustration, feeling she didn’t receive the understanding Tamra often demands. Dubbed “Tamra Grudge” for her behavior throughout the season, Tamra claims Alexis alleged Shannon was attempting to push her off the show, but Shannon dismisses this. Katie seizes the opportunity to stir the pot, accusing Shannon of calling a producer about Tamra, a rumor Andy quickly dispels.

Shannon mutters that she did not get the grace Tamra always asks for.  She refers to Tamra as “Tamra Grudge” for the way she behaved all season.  Tamra explains that Alexis said that Shannon was trying to ice Tamra out to try and get her off the show, but Shannon scoffs at this.  Katie loves a chance to throw someone under the bus, so she calls Shannon out.  Apparently, Jenn told Katie that Shannon called a producer about Tamra, but Andy debunks this rumor.

When it comes to NOT trusting Tamra with sensitive information, Heather explains that she is a “historical friend” of Tamra’s.  Her inconsistent and unpredictable behavior is what makes Heather a bit leery. After all, Tamra throws people’s secrets in their faces to hurt them.  Take for instance, when Tamra brought up Shannon’s dad’s drinking habits on screen.  Tamra wonders why it’s ok for Shannon to discuss her familial drinking back in 2020, but when she brings it up, she gets in trouble.

Shannon gets emotional and Tamra claims she was not trying to single her dad out, since it was not her place at all. Jenn wonders when Tamra might look in the mirror and realize the issues are all stemming from HER. Tamra’s plan is to stay calm, apologize, and take accountability.

Katie was accused of “stirring a pot of deception” this season. The viewers rallied around Katie after the lie detector episode and it is clear that the women are shocked by the support Katie is receiving.

Katie is still claiming she only sent the voice memo of Shannon freaking out to her husband, Matt, but Alexis also said she heard the recording.  Before Shannon has the chance to question Katie, Tamra jumps in and brings up how Shannon filmed Vicki back in the day without her knowing it.  Shannon claims this was done for safety during a fight between Vicki and her husband, but that’s a prime example of Tamra being Tamra and dredging up the past.

Last year at the reunion, Emily brought up Katie’s custody battle with her children.  Katie still wonders why Emily thought that would EVER be an ok thing to do and doesn’t understand why she has to explain herself 12 years later.  Emily is tired of Katie using bloggers and journalists to fight her battles and Katie apologizes for what occurred. 

Jenn is still suffering from amnesia any time she is in the hot seat and can’t remember saying Katie was a con artist.  She merely thinks things do not add up with Katie.

Katie told US Weekly that she felt set up and believes Emily was behind the whole lie detector situation. According to Emily, Katie said on camera she would take a lie detector test. Emily admits a lie detector is ~36% accurate and Emily’s only input was that the women come up with the questions anonymously. Emily denies setting Katie up and states she already knows Katie is lying- no machine needs to figure that out.

Tamra points out that Emily says a lot of things in her confessionals about her, but does not say the snide comments to her face. When Shannon comes in to remind Tamra she makes snide comments too, Tamra jumps down her throat. Emily apologizes for saying Tamra never had girlfriends, but I think her fingers are crossed.

Gina addresses the alleged racist comments about Katie’s clothing.  Gina feels like it may have triggered a trauma in Katie and Gina says she is sorry.  Katie thinks it seemed inappropriate and denies calling her the r word, rather it had undertones of that type of behavior. Katie is the first Asian on Orange County in 18 years and so she does not take any of this lightly. Katie accepts Gina’s apology and Shannon gets in on this apology tour. Katie hopes there is a chance to move forward.

In the meantime, Gretchen is prepping to clear up all the BS.  She continues to deny saying that Tamra drugged her and she is ready to show them that Gretchers means business.

Emily can barely hold it together as she talks about her son Luke. Thanks to some viewer moms, Emily was alerted of PANDAS, a condition that can develop within a kid after having strep throat. Luke had a bad case of strep throat in January and all of his symptoms are associated with this, especially as a child on the spectrum. She goes on to explain that Luke is going to have laser treatment on his brain to reduce the swelling. When it comes to her relationship with Shane, Emily calls it solid, but she wishes she had more emotional support. The Wife Swap episode did help her open her eyes to how much Shane does in their household. 

Jenn gets to share that Dawson graduated from boot camp, despite passing out and Tamra had a conversation and HUG with her estranged daughter Sidney. Shannon’s daughter is still traveling in Europe.

It’s been 12 years since we’ve seen Gretchen (Jon-Benet Ramsey or Pink Elsa) on this stage. Gretchen explains that she is an influencer as her main source of income and that Slade is a consultant and sits on the Liberace foundation board (what?!). Guess Tamra can’t be responsible for Slade not having work…

When it comes to Gretchen and Slade’s relationship, Heather makes it clear that their finances are no one’s business, but because of her reservations about his financial situation, it seemed like the proposal was fake. Andy even admits he thought Gretchen would want to get married on TV and have Bravo pay for the wedding. Tamra muses, “in God’s eyes, don’t you think you should be married?” and Gretchen retorts that they had a ceremony…just no legal paperwork.

Gretchen wishes she did not bring up the Tamra affair rumor (which has been denied by all parties), but Tamra calls BS. Emily is irritated because Tamra and Gretchen called a truce and then this happened.  The 17-year feud with Tamra has been exhausting. Gretchen apologizes, but points out that the alleged affair is in the press.  It’s weird that Tamra is the only one who can bring up old dirt on people and Tamra actually proves this point TWICE while talking to Andy.  Shannon calls it “pure hypocrisy” before Tamra bites her head off. Looks like Tamra’s plan to stay calm, apologize, and take accountability can go right out the window as she goes back and forth with Gretchen about who is the worst liar…

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THIS REUNION EPISODE OF RHOC?