Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Episode 2 Recap: The Return of Tom Sandoval

Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Episode 2 recap
Photo by: Casey Durkin/Bravo via Getty Images

Welcome back for our Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Episode 2 recap. Last time, Schwartz struggled with feeling iced out of the group. Let me pause to shed a tear. Meanwhile, Ariana returned to TomTom for the first time since she uncovered Sandoval’s affair with Rachel Leviss. And Sandoval finally turned up in the last few seconds of the episode. This week’s episode, “The Ultimate Betrayal,” deals with Sandoval feeling “betrayed” by his bestie, Schwartz.  Here’s everything you need to know about Pump Rules, Season 11, Episode 2!

Sandoval is back

Sandoval has returned from New Zealand after filming Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. He met up with his assistant, Ann, in the kitchen.

Although Sandoval told Ann that everything was hunky dory with Schwartz, that is not the truth. Shocking, I know. “Things are very much not okay between Schwartz and I. He just recently went on Jax [Taylor’s] podcast and talked sh*t about me,” Sandoval said in his confessional. “I feel betrayed by my friend.” Well, maybe Sandoval should chat with Ariana about betrayals. After all, she knows exactly what that feels like. Right, Rachel?

In a clip from the podcast, Schwartz slammed Sandoval for abandoning Schwartz & Sandy’s to pursue his band. “I know he’s very passionate about the band but like the optics of it just looks like he doesn’t give a f*ck and he’s living out his rock star dream,” Schwartz said.

Ariana rains on Sandoval’s parade

Sandoval announced that tomorrow is his birthday. In fact, he wants to host a party. But don’t worry- even Ariana is invited! Ann said that Ariana had plans, so Sandoval graciously offered to spring for a hotel for her. Ann sent Ariana a message explaining where in the house Sandoval would be so that she could take Mya outside. Maybe they could just put a bell around his neck.

A producer asks what it is like sharing an area with an ex. “F*cking stupid,” Ariana said. Sandoval replied, “Awkward.”

Then Ann had to tell Ariana about Sandoval’s birthday plans. “That’s not happening. I think that’s very disrespectful and inappropriate,” Ariana said. “If he wants to have a party, he can have it somewhere else.”

And she threatened to call the cops if there were people there making noise. Ariana is no longer obligated to put up with Sandoval’s all-night parties. This situation is hellish. I feel awkward just watching Ann trying to relay these messages.

Goodbye to Pump

Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Episode 2
Photo by: Nicole Weingart/Bravo

Lisa and Ken attended the closing party at Pump. The rent was increasing, and Ken wanted to begin his retirement. So, after 10 years, Pump is closing. Scheana, Lala, Ariana, Katie, and Schwartz were all there. When Schwartz stopped by Lisa’s table, all the girls left for a quieter spot.

Lisa is concerned about Schwartz & Sandy’s. Schwartz explained how Sandoval has made their brand toxic. The partners told Sandoval to step back from the business, and that if he came in, they would “close the doors.” Wow. But Schwartz didn’t expect him to go off on a tour with his band and not contribute behind the scenes. For some reason, Lisa didn’t think that Schwartz should blame Sandoval for causing trouble for their bar. Say what now? She urged him to talk to Sandoval.

James enjoys his new life

Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Episode 2 recap
Photo by: Casey Durkin/Bravo

As James and Ally walk around their peaceful neighborhood, they discuss getting a dog. Ally wants to ensure they are both ready for such a big commitment. A few days earlier, Lisa asked James where Graham Cracker was since Rachel was in a mental health facility. Graham was a gift for Rachel from her parents. James still misses Graham Cracker, and he doesn’t know where Graham is living.

A birthday compromise

Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Episode 2
Photo by: Casey Durkin/Bravo

Jason, Sandoval’s friend and the manager of the band, arrived. Many of Sandoval’s friends disappeared after Scandoval, so he is counting on the few that have stuck by him. Sandoval was bummed out because he hadn’t heard from Rachel for several weeks, and he misses her. He is “still very much in love with” her and wants to keep their relationship going.

Meanwhile, Ariana and Lala met up for smoothies. Ariana agreed to Sandoval hosting 12 people until midnight. As for moving out? Ariana will happily move once the house is sold, and she will not cave to Sandoval trying to intimidate her. Lala pointed out that Sandoval is “getting off on making you uncomfortable.” That is probably true and gives me the ick.

While Sandoval wants to buy Ariana out of the house, she isn’t satisfied with the “measly” amount of money offered. Since Sandoval ruined their life, she doesn’t want him to keep the home.

In other exciting news, Ariana admitted that for the first time, she has wondered about having kids with her new boo, Daniel Wai.

Scheana’s struggle

Scheana stopped making music because of the blowback she received from her single and video for “One More Time.” But Scheana is mounting a musical comeback.

She is also dealing with her diagnosis of postpartum OCD. And leaving their daughter, Summer Moon, with a nanny is a big deal for her. It just so happens that she has known Tori since was 16 years old and feels comfortable with her.

Brock has been pushing for this for a while, but Scheana has been struggling. My heart is breaking for Scheana right now.

The two Toms meet up … finally

Sandoval and Schwartz finally meet up. It wasn’t long before Schwartz called out Sandoval for the mess that he left him in. Sandoval apologized, but he had to tour because his bank balance was overdrawn. Why? Because Ariana hadn’t paid the bills for about eight months. According to Sandoval, he has paid for everything for their house, and Ariana wasn’t thrilled about reimbursing him. I can’t stop laughing.

Then Sandoval launched into how Schwartz hurt his feelings. Schwartz explained that while they asked Sandoval to step far away from the establishment, he expected him to pitch ideas or help in some way. Schwartz told his bestie that it seemed like Sandoval didn’t care about the business at all. Finally, Sandoval uttered a few more apologies.

Schwartz was invited to Emo Nite by Scheana. And when Sandoval asked Schwartz if he was going to stick with him for his birthday, Schwartz replied, “I feel like … umm, I’m going to do what’s best for me.”

A surprise invitation

Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Episode 2
Photo by: Nicole Weingart/Bravo

Schwartz visited Ally and James at their house. Ally was making Schwartz’s birth chart. She launched her new astrology business and felt that he needed some “direction.” Amen, sister!

As the trio was discussing Schwartz’s chart, James received a text from Sandoval. He invited James and Ally to his house for his birthday. Schwartz admitted that he was going for a little while. James said that they would try and stop by briefly.

Sandoval’s birthday party

Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Episode 2 recap
Photo by: Nicole Weingart/Bravo

So far, the guests include Sandoval’s band members, Billie Lee, and Kyle Chan. Schwartz buckled and ditched Emo Nite to see Sandoval, and even brought him a cake. I’m stunned that Schwartz couldn’t stay mad for more than 10 minutes.

James and Ally headed over to Sandoval’s birthday party. James expected to hear Sandoval apologize for betraying him by cheating with Rachel. Ally refused to go in, as she was Team Ariana.

James asked Sandoval to have a chat. He told Sandoval that he waited months for a text that never came. Sandoval was “overwhelmed” and apologized. James asked Sandoval if he was sorry about betraying him, and Sandoval tried to bring up Kristen Doute.

James wasn’t going to listen to drama from a decade ago. And Sandoval refused to own his behavior if James didn’t own up to betraying him by hooking up with his ex, Kristen. James stormed out like a true Bravo star. And he peed on Sandoval’s bushes on the way out. Classy!

You can catch Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules on Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.

TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT PUMP RULES SEASON 11, EPISODE 2? DOES SANDOVAL OWE JAMES AN APOLOGY? DID SCHWARTZ LET SANDOVAL OFF THE HOOK TOO EASILY?

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