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On this episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, the women are juggling birthday celebrations, bruised feelings, and the ongoing work of repairing friendships. Of course, with this cast, nothing stays simple for long. The Tres Amigas are still not completely back on solid ground, and Heather finds herself needing to answer for behavior the group sees as judgmental.
Getting older is also becoming a hot topic among the ladies. Emily, Gina, and Tamra get candid about menopause, with Tamra revealing that she is planning a “night of seduction” with Eddie after admitting their sex life has been going through a bit of a dry spell.
Carmella, Jenn, and Heather connect over the emotional milestone of sending children off to college before the conversation shifts to Heather’s tension with Emily. Heather feels as though criticism is coming at her from every direction, though she insists she is not being overly sensitive. As Heather grows closer to Carmella, the rest of the group starts questioning what is really behind the sudden friendship.
The confusion stems from Heather previously making comments about Carmella to Tamra, only to now turn to Carmella for real estate advice. Gina, who is also a real estate agent and considers herself a stronger friend to Heather, cannot make sense of the shift. She is especially unwilling to let it slide after recalling that a drunk Heather called Carmella trashy in Vegas — and now appears eager to become her new best friend.
Vicki is not really being herself lately and the ladies wonder if Vicki is editing herself because of her boyfriend, Michael. Vicki is very clearly hiding him from the group, but why?
Gina goes on to say that Vicki told her Mike has the ring, but there is one stipulation: he told her, “you’ve got 90 days to not piss me off” and then he will propose. If she makes him mad before 90 days, the countdown starts all over. Talk about a threat! Her boyfriend is dictating the terms of this relationship and it’s weirding everyone out. Now they are questioning if he really is this good guy Vicki claims he is and Tamra wonders if perhaps he DID already propose, but took it back.
Vicki is focused on taking care of her life so she can whoop it up more with her boyfriend. According to Vicki, they talk about their future often, but because she is still working, it’s becoming hard. Michael calls her out for “talking a big game” about slowing down with work. Vicki questions their life plan and Michael runs off from the camera at that exact moment. Interesting…
Because Shannon mentioned she was lonely, the ladies have decided to throw her a birthday surprise. Heather and Jenn are the first to arrive at Shannon’s house with balloons in tow. Gina, Emily, and Carmella enter posing as pizza delivery and Vicki and Tamra round out the surprise. Shannon is feeling extra special (especially since she did just have a random make-out sesh with a guy) and she is hopeful for a great year.
It comes to everyone’s attention that Shannon is going to lunch with ONLY Tamra (dos amigas?- gasp!) and Shannon becomes a little uneasy. In the past, one on one time with Tamra never ended well for Shannon and so she begins to question this plan that she agreed to.
Jenn visits with her sons and tries to uplift them as they try to navigate their feelings. Her sons do a great job advising one another, which is refreshing to see.
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Tamra’s seduction weekend is underway. In an attempt to spice things up, she has reserved a hotel room for her and Eddie to rekindle their flame. Tamra is working hard to save her marriage, especially since Eddie did mention that it might be time to file for divorce. She is promising not to let this marriage go and Eddie is open for time to focus on each other.
Later, Shannon admits to Tamra that she is not comfortable having a one-on-one with her, and so she is trying to get Vicki to join the date. Tamra is annoyed because Shannon is being wishy-washy, but agrees to a tres amigas lunch to celebrate Vicki’s birthday.
Shannon is not trying to push this rekindled friendship with Tamra too quickly, so she is looking forward to being with Vicki on her birthday with Tamra. But, instead of going to lunch with them, Tamra joins Jenn, Heather, and Emily for lunch. Tamra is annoyed that she tried with Shannon, so she just sent flowers from “Tamra Grudge” to Vicki. Tamra did not even tell Shannon and Vicki she was not coming. Shannon now realizes that Tamra truly has not changed.
Over at the dos amigas lunch, Vicki learns that the rumor is swirling about her ring. Vicki is aghast that anyone would think that Michael gave her an engagement ring, but then took it back…and she is more annoyed that Tamra is giving this rumor life. Vicki knows that Michael would never put up with this kind of drama.
It’s time for Heather to fess up for sh*t talking Carmella. Sure, she likes Carmella now, but Emily demands Heather admit to calling her trashy. Heather claims she pre-judged Carmella and feels badly for talking negatively. Emily explains that Heather’s extreme behaviors toward Carmella are weird and Heather is adamant that she will talk to Carmella about using this word trashy,
Jenn is hosting a garden party and has invited an intuitive reader along for the ride. Vicki explains that her birthday was good, but quiet…and things are awkward once Shannon arrives, considering Tamra blew her off the day before.
The reader begins her spiritual journey with the group and of course there are naysayers amongst them. Jenn believes the universe gave her the word fearless and Shannon thinks that it told her to stop worrying. Emily wrote down guilt and Heather wrote down confident, particularly about her friendships. And Gina is beyond irritated about Heather using Carmella as her realtor, but is trying to hold back.
Heather takes Carmella aside to admit that she f*cked up by being judgmental and calling her trashy. Heather apologizes for pre-judging and they decide to move past things. That was almost too easy!
The ladies sit down for some snacks and toast Vicki, the birthday girl. Tamra addresses the elephant in the room: Shannon is still not comfortable with Tamra. Tamra still believes that Shannon is the one who started the demise of their relationship and in the midst of their fight, Shannon falls into a sneezing frenzy. Shannon acknowledges that Tamra has been kind to her, but she needs time to heal.
Gina blurts out that she told Vicki about the engagement rumor. Vicki gets insanely defensive and is also mortified because Michael is going to freak once he learns the ring has become a topic of conversation. Vicki makes it clear that he is private and that she is sick of Heather constantly interrupting her while she is trying to make a point.
However, at the end of the day, why is Vicki’s boyfriend hanging onto a ring and not proposing? Vicki tries her best to diffuse the situation as the party wraps up. But before they leave, Carmella gifts Shannon and Vicki with some VERY generous treats…but this time, no vibrators…
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THIS EPISODE OF RHOC?