1
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island are at it again. A lavish party hosted by Liz ends in tears and fighting. Jo-Ellen tries to tell Rulla that her husband is still having his affair, but Rulla will hear none of it, despite her husband’s silence. As the rumor mill swirls, Liz and Kelsey have an explosive fight. For such a tiny state, it is clear that there is lots of drama…
Jared and Ashley head over to Rich and Rosie‘s (small) house. We learn that Rosie’s husband likes to flip houses and so he is turning their home into his next project. While the guys talk, Ashley and Rosie head inside to catch up about Kelsey’s admitted polyamorous relationship. They also wonder how things will be between the group at Liz’s upcoming Studio 54 party. Rosie even admits that she feels bad for Jo-Ellen about the whole Rulla situation.
Liz explains the recent drama to her husband Gerry. She’s sick of Alicia wondering if Dino (a friend) and Liz have this “torrid affair” and continues to deny anything like that. Liz is realizing that it’s too much when a good friend wonders about something like this. Once Gerry started sport fishing, he was away 3 weeks out 4 and when Gerry was going to be gone, he would actually call Dino to say “look out for Liz.” According to Liz, there’s nothing happening.
Liz has decided to host a Studio 54 party for her husband (ala Rachel Zoe) and has invited everyone…even Jo-Ellen and Rulla. This should make for a tricky situation considering Jo-Ellen is beefing HARD with Rulla and her husband, Brian. Brian told Jo-Ellen’s job that she is accusing him of having an affair…which he is… and then Brian allegedly wrote an email to Jo-Ellen’s marketing team. He then reached out to a colleague in her company about the situation. Jo-Ellen does not appreciate them messing with her husband and family, so HER husband promises he will have a talk at the party.
Kelsey realizes that the hot topic is who she is dating and so we get to meet Bill, “Kelsey’s other man.” The don’t ask, don’t tell relationship works both ways evidently. Her parents know what her relationship is with her boyfriend, but they want her to have more for herself. She has known Bill since 7th grade and she has grilled him about his future. Bill has always known that she is in a relationship and Kelsey claims she is keeping him at arms length until she knows where her relationship is going. Bill wants Kelsey to “make some big girl moves” now, but Bill cannot offer Kelsey the life she is currently living now.
Alicia’s house is currently under construction and so HER dolls are front and center in the living room. All this time, I thought the dolls were Alicia’s daughter’s, but alas, they are HERS! Alicia apologizes to Liz about the winery and claims she is an open book. For instance, Liz has been engaged for 9 years because she is not in a hurry to get married. Alicia admits that her fears of financial help is one big reason why she is not rushing a wedding. She hates that she has to ask him for money.
Alicia changes the subject to Gerry’s party, but no one is sure what is happening with Rulla. Speaking of Rulla, she is hosting a Lebanese brunch. Rulla feels very comfortable with this group of women and she admits that the kids sense a difference in the house due to the damage from the “extramarital involvement.” Rulla shares that she has to make careful decisions, especially because children are involved. She has never thought about divorce with Brian, mainly because of her culture, but she HAS been divorced once before (shh). Rulla is not looking forward to the drama at Liz’s party once she sees Jo-Ellen.
Ashley is thrilled to be having a date night with her husband because she is a parent in the trenches with her littles. Instead of having some romantic chatter, her hubby talks about the issues at the coffee shop. His frustration is reaching a breaking point, considering he is working his butt off and not even bringing home a lot of money, thus making Ashley still have to “work” aka…influence.
Date nights continue with Rosie and Rich who are out celebrating their one year anniversary. Rosie explains that she may not be having children because of the rocky relationship she has had with her mother. Rosie is relatively certain that she will never want kids, but her husband still seems on the fence.
It’s the day of the party and everyone’s primping for the event. It seems like everyone understood the assignment with these looks. Rulla is trying to be as calm as possible heading to the party with Brian.
Dino, Liz’s “other guy,” being there instantly reminds people of the affair rumors. Kelsey thinks this is Liz’s way of showing the ladies that this is normal. Almost as normal as Kelsey’s other man rolling up to the event as Kelsey’s plus-one… but not according to Kelsey. Apparently, this is not their “hard launch,” as he is friends with Gerry separately and would have gone to the party anyway. Ok…
Alicia is happy to see that Rulla showed up, whereas Brian shows up wearing two costumes: “One for Studio 54 and then the other one: the faithful husband.” Ooph, Alicia. Rulla is denying that there was any effort to try and get Jo-Ellen fired from her job, but we all know the truth will come out…
Jo-Ellen and her husband find Rulla and her husband. The group heads to a table and right away, Brian is forced to explain the work stuff with Jo-Ellen. Brian says that certain things were being perpetuated by Jo-Ellen and his friend said he could talk to her boss. Messy, messy. Jo-Ellen’s husband is mad that Brian never came to him with the issues and Jo-Ellen reminds Brian that calling a job is crossing the line.
Jo-Ellen reminds Rulla that everyone knows about the affair, despite Rulla trying to keep it hush-hush. Rulla refers to this “indiscretion” as “water under the bridge,” but Jo-Ellen swears on her kids that the affair is still on-going, which legit makes Rulla twitch.
Brian, the guilty party, remains mum and states “we all have things we do, I’m not telling anything.” Awkward. Jo-Ellen claims she is simply trying to protect Rulla from her horrible husband. Liz interrupts the back and forth to bring the crew back to the party. Rulla continues to believe that Jo-Ellen is making things up…
As Rulla heads home with her husband, things seem tense. Brian’s calm and quiet attitude speaks volumes.
In the meantime, the party continues. Liz wants to have time with Gerry and Dino at the sea wall to show their friendship and shut down the rumors. Kelsey tries to talk Liz out of this, but Liz flips out, telling Kelsey to “f*ck off.” Welp, that escalated quickly. Kelsey runs after Liz, who is clearly mad at these rumors. Liz yells she has nothing to hide, but maybe Kelsey does. According to Liz, Kelsey has more to hide than she does. Kelsey knows Dino, but how remains mysterious. Man, these women are truly all connected. Liz and Kelsey never fight, so this is concerning.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE RHORI EPISODE?
