6
Gretchen is still cleaning up and playing damage control over the rumors she recently brought up about Tamra. She claims that it was shared with Heather and Emily in good fun, but of course, The Real Housewives of Orange County turn this into some serious drama. Tamra is feeling backed into a corner and wonders why she is not getting the support she needs from her “friends.” But when she finds out no one feels like they can trust her, Tamra up and quits. Again.
Right after Tamra storms away post Gretchen fight, she turns around to invite all but Gretchen to her spring fling event. A power move or just plain bananas? Either way, Tamra is thrilled to be prepping for a six-person event (Shannon, included). Shannon did reach out to Tamra about Teddi, and so it appears as though an olive branch was extended.
Tamra fills Eddie in on the recording studio rumor that is swirling, thanks to Gretchers (as Emily likes to call her). It turns out that Tamra reached out to the wife of said boy band affair, and we learn that Jenn recently started following this guy on Instagram. Messy, messy.
Heather is also on Tamra’s sh*t list because, apparently, Heather was “into” the rumor Gretchen was weaving. According to Tamra, Heather never called to check in on her, and so she is disappointed that Heather did not side with her.
Heather and Shannon meet up for some Kintsugi, a traditional Japanese art form that symbolizes the repair of broken things. This is a perfect activity since so many of these friendships are in dire need of repair.
Of course, the conversation turns to Tamra’s studio sing/moan, and Shannon is thrilled that, for once, she is not involved in the Tamra beef. Heather just wants Tamra to learn how to communicate in a “calm, reasonable way,” but fat chance of that happening.
In the meantime, Gina fangirls over Tamra’s alleged affair because, as a millennial, that is a big discount. She laughs about this with Emily while they shop, but they both agree that Tamra’s aggressive reaction to the rumor was a bit over the best. Emily points out that in L.A., Heather admitted that she can’t trust Tamra, and it seems as though all of the women feel that way, too.
As the pottery gets glued, Shannon spills to Heather. She tells her that the ladies cackled over Heather’s new interest in comedy and improv. Heather feels this is disappointing, and she threatens to read her IMDb again — she WAS a sitcom actress, after all. Heather wants support from her “friends,” not behind-the-back comments.
Jenn brings her sons to the tattoo parlor so Dawson can get some fresh ink before he heads off to the Marines in July. Jenn becomes emotional about him leaving, but she remains a proud momma. To distract from the tattoo process, Jenn chats about her wedding to Ryan. Her boys think it is a little weird that Jenn is heading down the aisle, but they are supporting her.
The chit chat continues until suddenly, Dawson’s coloring changes in the tattoo chair, and he passes out in a scary moment. He comes to with the help of the tattoo artists, and after freaking everyone out, all seems normal.
Later, Emily explains that Luke’s diagnosis is complicated. He needs a lot of support in and out of school, but today that they have a road map of where to take things with Luke, Emily feels empowered. Plus, with Shane on board to change his parenting style, things have gotten better.
Tamra is ready for her spring fling cake decorating event, and she admits to getting softer in her old age. But she’s not soft enough to invite Gretchen to the event. During Gretchen’s family photo shoot, Shannon calls to check in and see if she is okay, but Gretchen is not upset to be left out of the day.
Emily is the first to arrive at Tamra’s. She comes ready to stir the pot by pointing out that Gretchen was not demonstrating very Christian behavior in the way she treated Tamra the night before. Tamra feels like Gretchen is “hiding behind the Jesus curtain.”
For seemingly no reason whatsoever except to make drama, Emily admits that Heather told her she cannot trust Tamra. Emily goes on to add that she doesn’t trust Tamra, and neither do any of the women she was with in L.A.
Tamra claims she is loyal to a fault, but the reality is that Tamra is unpredictable. Tamra storms off (in her own house), stating she is hurt by Emily, leaving Emily standing awkwardly in the kitchen with the poor cake decorator.
When Gina arrives, she is shocked to hear Tamra huffed away in her own house. Tamra reemerges and wonders why she can’t be trusted when all she does is support others. Emily apologizes, and Tamra makes it clear that she did NOT sleep with the unnamed boy band member, but Tamra has a tip that Jenn started to follow this singer on Instagram.
Before the cake decorator gets underway, the ladies chat about the liars in the group. Gretchen seems to be like a Katie — they both lie so much that they believe it. Something in Tamra’s gut is telling her that Gretchen told Katie that Tamra drugged her… and that is illegal. To get to the bottom of this, Tamra has a sit-down planned with Katie.
Upon hearing this, Emily is aghast that Tamra would actually believe anything that comes out of Katie’s mouth today, just because it would work with Tamra’s narrative against Gretchen.
Emily points out that THIS is why she doesn’t trust Tamra. But Tamra is tired of that double standard since everyone is all good with Gretchen. She’s not running around telling the ladies to stop talking to Gretchen!
Tamra tells Heather this is the last time she will film because Heather has hurt her. But Heather spins it and tells Tamra that SHE is hurt, too. She doesn’t appreciate Tamra sh*t talking her career. Heather calls Gina over, and Gina admits that she did not know Heather was a comedian, especially since she never found Heather that funny.
Tamra watches this unfold (proudly, it seems), and Gina and Heather take it outside. Heather explains that she is trying to jump back into her career, but the lack of emotional support from her friends is blowing her mind. When Gina apologizes, Heather makes it clear that she had to audition and GET INTO the improv program, so put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Once all the cakes are (somewhat) decorated, Tamra brings out her evidence and shows that Jenn today follows the alleged boy-band affair guy on Instagram. Jenn explains she did this because Gretchen told her about it, but according to Tamra, a friend wouldn’t do that.
Admittedly, Jenn was hoping that if she followed this guy, maybe he would fill her in on some hot gossip. Tamra calls Jenn’s behavior an act, and even the other ladies call Jenn’s move messy.
Heather goes in to check on Tamra, who once again says, “I’m done.” Heather admits that she doesn’t trust Tamra with her feelings, and so, Tamra does not want to be a part of the group anymore.
Tamra’s tears stop very quickly once she feels like she has to defend herself, though. She tells Heather this is the lowest part of her life and claims Heather was aggressive with her. Heather points out that she tells Tamra her feelings, but then Tamra gets angry. What kind of friendship is that?
Tamra storms off… again… and so the rest of the group decides to head out. Heather tries to help clean up, and so does Emily, but Tamra yells out, “I’m dealing with the f*cking most difficult thing in my life right today, and you are not helping.” What a visceral reaction.
Tamra continues to spiral and sarcastically thanks Heather for “understanding and being a friend.” She tells Heather to have a great season, and she claims, yet again, that she is done. “Absolutely done.” Heather tells the other ladies that Tamra quit, again, but this time, it’s apparently Heather’s fault.
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THIS EPISODE OF RHOC?
About the Author
