Liz and Alicia are at odds, Kelsey and Rosie simply do not like each other, and Rulla is tired of Jo-Ellen getting involved in her marriage. On this episode of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, Rulla decides to host an end of summer party to try and get the ladies together, but black-lists Jo-Ellen. As some fires get put out, Rosie adds fuel to the infidelity rumors swirling around Rulla and her husband…
After Liz leaves Jo-Ellen at the restaurant, Jo-Ellen calls Alicia to vent. Apparently, Liz thinks Jo-Ellen is a disloyal, disingenuous human-being and it’s really affecting Jo-Ellen. Alicia realizes that Jo-Ellen was just being supportive and wonders why Liz even questioned her in the first place, considering she is like family. Alicia feels bad about this whole falling out and Jo-Ellen points out that the next group outing is going to be super awkward based on the way things ended between them.
Rulla arrives at her hubby’s workplace so he can check her toe. Well that, and to be sure that he is not with anyone else… Rulla points out that they should plan an end-of-summer hookah Arabian nights party. Brian is on-board and they get busy prepping for the evening that will reflect Rulla’s culture. Brian and Rulla agree that they cannot have Jo-Ellen there, since she is always stirring the pot. Despite all the bad that has been done towards her, Rulla feels bad keeping Jo-Ellen off the guest list, but everyone else will be invited.
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?