The drama intensifies on the latest episode of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island. Tensions flare as Liz and Alicia find themselves at odds, while Kelsey and Rosie can barely stand each other. Meanwhile, Rulla’s patience wears thin with Jo-Ellen’s meddling in her marriage. In an attempt to mend fences, Rulla plans an end-of-summer gathering but pointedly excludes Jo-Ellen from the guest list. While some feuds seem to be simmering down, Rosie stokes the flames by spreading rumors about Rulla and her husband’s alleged infidelity.
After an uncomfortable restaurant encounter, Liz leaves Jo-Ellen behind, prompting Jo-Ellen to call Alicia to express her frustration. Jo-Ellen is hurt by Liz’s accusations of disloyalty and insincerity. Alicia empathizes with Jo-Ellen, questioning why Liz would doubt someone she considers family. As they discuss the fallout, both women dread the awkwardness that looms over their next group outing.
Rulla pays a visit to her husband’s workplace, partly to check on an injury and partly to ensure his fidelity. Seizing the opportunity, she proposes hosting an Arabian nights-themed end-of-summer party. Her husband, Brian, is enthusiastic about the idea, but they both agree that Jo-Ellen should be excluded to avoid further drama. Despite Jo-Ellen’s past transgressions, Rulla feels a twinge of guilt for leaving her out, although the rest of the ladies are invited.
Meanwhile, Ashley finds herself in a predicament while preparing tacos her family likely won’t eat. She discusses the fate of Audrey’s lease with her parents and Jared. Although Jared acknowledges the success the location has brought, he grapples with the decision to close it, given the personal fulfillment it has provided him. Ultimately, despite deliberating the pros and cons, he decides against selling, leaving Ashley visibly displeased.
As Ashley prepares tacos (that her husband and children likely will not eat), she talks with her parents and Jared about Audrey’s lease. There are pros and cons of keeping the place, but Jared explains that Audrey’s HAS been successful in many different ways. However, he understands that the most beneficial thing to do is close it, despite Audrey’s bringing him fulfillment. After a lot of back and forth, he lands on not wanting to sell the place and Ashley looks less than thrilled.
Over at the Rhode Island State House, Liz and Dolores meet with a senator and a state representative. Dolores admits to being star-struck and Liz applauds them for the incredible legislation making menopausal women a protected class in the workplace. The senator befriended the chairman of labor and explained to him how important this is to women, considering how debilitating menopause can be.
Liz openly discusses how embarrassed she was going through menopause and wonders how many women are forced into early retirement because of it. Dolores talks about wanting to be a pioneer for women going through menopause and they are hopeful that their cannabis product can help those experiencing it.
Rosie brings some pink balloons and flowers to Alicia, who is so grateful after that “ride of hell” with Liz. Alicia wonders why Liz didn’t come to her house apologizing after “crushing someone’s soul.” Ooph. Alicia opens up about her issues with Liz and states that she does not like that Liz is trying to discredit her. Alicia wonders how things will shake out at Rulla’s upcoming party.
Rosie has zero plans to talk to Kelsey and suggests that she have her own party with Alicia. On top of everything else, the ladies are sitting on this video evidence of Rulla’s husband’s affair. Rosie believes that Alicia should be the one to bring Rulla’s attention to the matter, but she is unsure Alicia has it in her to drop this on Rulla.
Later, Rosie and Alicia are getting ready for Rulla’s party and it’s awkward when they FaceTime Jo-Ellen, considering she is not invited. In the meantime, Rulla is getting decked for her Aladdin. Rulla claims that she is “good” with Brian and so, she is ready to host.
Ashley is the first of the group to arrive and she’s a bit…uncomfortable knowing that Rulla’s husband is seeing another woman per the video she saw thanks to Jo-Ellen. Alicia is a bit leery about seeing Liz considering she has yet to speak with her since the Sinatra night. Liz admits that her reaction with Alicia was knee-jerk, but wants to just have a good time…if that’s possible.
Once Rosie enters the party, Kelsey realizes it’s just best to try and co-exist with her at this point. Kelsey makes zero point of “seeing” Rosie and it’s evident that she just “wants to hate” Rosie.
Alicia is sitting on this infidelity video with Brian, but she is finding it difficult to break the bad news to Rulla about Brian and so, she decides to wait because she doesn’t want to ruin the night ala Liz.
The friction between Rosie and Kelsey and then the fight with Alicia and Liz is making this quite an awkward evening. But when Alicia makes her way over to Liz, the rest of the women abort the situation, leaving Liz and Alicia alone to sort out their issues.
Alicia does not want to fight with Liz and feels sad by the way Liz attacked her. Liz did not give Alicia compassion and apologizes for trying to belittle Alicia’s feelings. It’s a big step for Liz to say she is sorry, but Alicia will not forget what was said. Liz claims she is not a heartless person, but things sometimes spill out of her mouth before she thinks.
Rosie’s husband, Rich, seems hell bent on trying to be the peacekeeper between Kelsey and Rosie. Rosie claims she just wants to get along and Kelsey claims she just tried to make a joke. Kelsey does apologize for hurting Rosie’s feelings and Rosie apologizes for her reaction to the situation. For the time being, they toast to moving forward and things are looking up for the friend group.
As the night wears on, Rulla catches up with Rosie and Alicia. Rosie admits that Rulla was a “big topic” of conversion during the girls’ trip and explains it was really messed up what they learned at the mansion. Rosie asks Rulla outright if she knows about the video and now Alicia is a deer in headlights. Rosie shares that Jo-Ellen called them all downstairs to show them a video of Brian cheating, dated the day before polo. Rulla muses how valid the date of the video is and Rosie makes it clear that everyone is talking about it.
Rulla wonders why Alicia did not tell her and does not appreciate that Rosie chose this time and place to bring up *the* video. When Brian walks over, Rosie lets him know that there is a a video (courtesy of Jo-Ellen) of him kissing a blonde woman. Brian claims he trusts Jo-Ellen as much as “gas station sushi” and states that there are so many things about Jo-Ellen, but he takes the high road by not saying anything. Hmmm.
Rulla is trying to move past things, but all these bombs keep getting dropped on her regarding her husband’s infidelity. She pushes on and Alicia proposes a toast: “B*tches love summer.” Where is the lie?
Later, Kelsey and Liz decide to go clamming. They last about ten seconds and lament the end of summer, but are excited about an upcoming Block Island trip. Kelsey is trying to bring all the ladies together so they can mend friendships.
Jo-Ellen packs for the overnight and she is wondering how things will go considering the last time she saw Liz, things ended terribly. Jo-Ellen realizes that Liz does not respect her and if Liz pulls this again, there is no coming back. Jo-Ellen believes she deserves an apology, but Liz does not care, nor does she think she was wrong. Liz states, “It’s just rich when someone who hurts you becomes the victim.” Liz feels like she has Jo-Ellen’s number now and so she deserves everything that Liz has ever said to her. They’ll be on an island together…trapped. What could possibly go wrong?!
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE RHORI EPISODE?