Leave it to Tamra to find unflattering pictures and use them to embarrass someone. On this episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Gina‘s New Orleans trip gets underway, but the group is still fractured. Tamra’s issues with Jenn have not been resolved, and Gretchen is just looking for Tamra to take accountability. Fat chance of that happening; however, chatting about relationship issues, commiserating over financial woes thanks to exes, and laughing about sex is always a good way to get the ladies on the same page.
Gina is having a housewarming party, and although it certainly does not live up to Heather’s soirees, she is going all out in her own way. She proudly gives a tour of the new space, and as Emily says, it is a “visual interpretation of how much she has grown.”
Jenn explains her meetup with Tamra and how it went sideways fast. Jenn denies ever being obsessed with Tamra, despite what Tamra claims. Gina tells Jenn that Tamra shared a “former fatty photo” of Jenn, and this leaves Jenn aghast at how low Tamra is willing to go.
When Heather arrives, she talks about her quick jaunt to Paris, and when Tamra enters, the whole vibe changes instantly. The ladies split up to eat lunch, and Tamra talks about Teddi’s bleak news regarding her tumors.
In the meantime, Heather continues to (somewhat) defend Tamra to Jenn… because she miiiiight be scared of Tamra? The fat photo that Tamra shared was done maliciously, and Jenn is appalled that Heather claims to see two sides to every action. Jenn lets Heather know that she is “bamboozled” by Tamra.
Tamra admits to Katie and Gretchen that she believes Jenn is acting like a single, white female toward her. Tamra is also irked that Jenn is seeking out friendships with people that she knows Tamra does not like… like Gretchen, for one. Gretchen is over Tamra’s antics and calls Tamra delusional.
At some point during this disjointed get-together, Gina is able to get all the ladies together to announce the upcoming trip to New Orleans. They are all thrilled, except for Tamra, who excuses herself during the excitement. You see, the last time Tamra was in New Orleans, she was with Teddi when she fell down the marble stairs before her brain tumor diagnosis. NOLA brings painful memories for Tamra, but Gretchen feels like Tamra is just playing victim.
The Housewife kids are highlighted: Tamra’s daughter is growing on Spotify, singing songs about cannibalism, and Katie is thrilled to have her older son living with her. Speaking of sons, Emily continues to feel guilt surrounding her son Luke’s eating disorder and impending autism diagnosis. She feels as though Luke is co-dependent on her, so this upcoming NOLA trip will be hard for them both.
Jenn and Ryan get wedding-ready in the gym, and Jenn talks about her struggles with body image and confidence. The fat photo of Jenn that resurfaced thanks to Tamra is not doing Jenn any favors with her issues. On top of that problem, Jenn is navigating some pretty gnarly financial woes thanks to her ex-husband, Will. He has not made any payments to support the children, and Ryan is stuck bearing the financial burden. Ryan has demonstrated his reliability and stability since all of Jenn’s kids live with them. Despite the mess Jenn is currently wrapped up in, she is beyond ready to say “I do” to Ryan, knowing that he will be her forever.
Shannon and Gina have a girl date, and they chat about what’s been going on lately. Shannon thinks that Tamra’s behavior is hypocritical. How can she show former fat pictures of Jenn but claim she is growing to become a better person?
Gina opens up to Shannon about the mess she is navigating with Travis’ ex. Gina has not seen Travis’ son in three weeks, and the ex has not been sending him to school. Gina feels like this is retaliation for Travis moving back in with Gina. Whatever her motive, this ex clearly won’t let go of Travis, making it nearly impossible for Gina to move forward.
The ladies arrive in New Orleans in shifts (there are only so many first-class, direct flights!), and group one is ready to sight-see. Gretchen, Katie, Gina, and Emily cruise on the Mississippi River (a fact they did not know) and chat about the group. Emily lets the group know that Shannon threatened Jenn “not to turn on her,” which confuses Emily because she is trying to get everyone on the same page (or so she says). For that to happen, Gretchen needs Tamra to take accountability for her actions, but how can Gretchen reconcile with people who continue to hurt her?
Group two joins the party, and they head to dinner, despite the issues brewing between Tamra, Jenn, and Gretchen. The restaurant they are dining in is haunted, which makes things interesting. Jenn talks about how Ryan confronted Will regarding child support, and Katie and Gina commiserate about how difficult it can be with an ex and finances. Gina goes on to talk about Travis’s ex-wife, and everyone is appalled — lawyer Emily advises her to take this to court.
In the end, the group has a good time. They joke about sex positions, Jenn’s “broken” vagina, and videos, that is, until Katie shared she has made a sex tape, to which Shannon retorts, “Of course Katie has, she records, that’s what she does.” Ooph. They are all having fun, but alas, a mere 24 hours later, things go awry in typical Housewife fashion…
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