Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18 Episode 7 Recap: Shannon Melts Down – Again

RHOC Season 18 Episode 7 recap.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media

Last week, half the Real Housewives of Orange County ladies took a trip to La Quinta. But after roasting Gina over an open flame like a S’more, things took a turn for the worse. In this week’s episode entitled “The Gloves Are Off,” Shannon opens up about an impending lawsuit from John, which leaves her in tears. Gina and Emily are at one another’s throats after Heather hijacked the original conversation. But Tamra, Katie, and Jen all seemed to have an ice trip to Big Bear, that is, until Alexis gets a call that sends her spiraling. Here is your Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18, Episode 7 recap.

The prosecution rests?

Emily Simpson continues to complain on Real Housewives of Orange County.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media

You have to give it to the ladies as they know how to enjoy a night away from their families. Each household is waking up with a whopper of a hangover. Shannon is passionate about the stacks and stacks of receipts that she has saved, proving that she paid for John over the years. Shannon has always said that she paid for every single thing when it came to her relationship with John, but she tends to exaggerate. According to the mother of three, he never paid for a meal or plane ticket. That said, Shannon isn’t exactly known for her truth-telling skills, bless her. In her confessional, Heather notes that Shannon’s whole issue was whether he was ever committed to her if he couldn’t pick up a meal, like not even a Burger King. 

I don’t know about you, but I love some Heather logic. The podcaster made a valid argument, as the ladies now question whether John’s $75,000 lawsuit is credible. Shannon claimed the money was an attempt to pay her back and was ALLEGEDLY a gift. Which, of course she does. Heather notes, “Here’s the problem. The whole reason why Shannon has been upset all these years has been that he really committed to her if he couldn’t even pick up a meal.” Heather adds, “This is why you always have to wait to hear the defense; the prosecution tells a very good story. Shannon is the prosecution.” If ever I were in trouble, I’d want Heather on my defense team; I’m just saying. 

Big Bear breakdown on Real Housewives of Orange County

RHOC Gina Kirschenheiter after playing flag football.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media

As viewers met up with the Big Bear crew, we got to see a side of Jen that we hadn’t met yet. Alexis asked if her ex-husband, Will, had been able to pick the kids up on time. Jen revealed that she wished she, Will, and Laura (Will’s girlfriend and Jen’s former friend) could communicate better. Tamra then whips out her Instagram to show Jen a video of their family night, leading her to burst into tears. Jen is stressed as she shares, “In this video, Will is big and full of life. But that isn’t how he was with me. And that’s a hard pill to swallow.” It was also nice to see Katie, Alexis, and Tamra open up about their feelings regarding divorce. Dare I say it brought the mini-group closer. 

La Quinta fallout

RHOC cast at Heather Dubrow's party.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media

Nobody wants to play pickleball when you are staying at a multi-million dollar mansion. But at least you don’t have to wait for the courts. And there are some cute outfits. After it was clear that neither Emily nor Gina had any athleticism, the women got down to business. I hate seeing two good friends fight. Emily came in hot, accusing Gina of letting Heather manipulate her in a fantastic Godfather montage. And I have to say, she ain’t wrong. Gina has fallen on the sword one too many times to stay in Heather’s good graces.

But Gina has her own worries and notes she doesn’t want to see Emily become “The Grand Bitch.” What kind of title is this? Should the Grand Dame, Karen Huger, be worried? But before we can even question the royal title, Gina has lost her sh*t. The Long Island native turned into a mini John McEnroe as she threw her rackets and balls and started cursing. Luckily, a locked door and sprinklers brought these two back together rather quickly. 

The gloves are off on Real Housewives of Orange County

RHOC stars trying to eavesdrop.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media

As both trips wound down, Alexis received a phone call from Johnny J, and it was not good. Alexis took refuge in the guest bathroom with Katie by her side. Lex was in tears—literal tears over something Shannon allegedly had done to John. Even with productions’ urging, Alexis declared she wasn’t at liberty to discuss what pushed her John to the limit.

But it seems our newbie, Katie, got the hot goss. And it turns out John has Ring camera footage of Shannon allegedly almost running over his daughter. Jesus, take the wheel (away from Shannon, PLEASE)! Last week, viewers were privy to information after Alexis revealed having video footage that would ruin Shannon’s life. However, the episode ends with Shannon revealing during her sit down with Tamra that her lawyer made an offer that John could refuse.

Real Housewives of Orange County continues on Thursdays at 9/8c on Bravo.

TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY SEASON 18, EPISODE 7? DO YOU THINK ALEXIS IS WRONG FOR WANTING TO RELEASE THE VIDEOS? WOULD YOU SUBSCRIBE TO JEN’S ONLY FANS?

X