Previously on Real Housewives of Rhode Island, Liz and Jo-Ellen’s explosive fight took the spotlight away from Rich’s gig. Contrary to what Liz believed, Alicia’s family backed up that she was homeless, and were furious Liz suggested otherwise. When Jo-Ellen met with her to hash things out, Liz denied they were ever best friends, and claimed she didn’t tug her hair or push her chair (despite video evidence). Liz called Jo-Ellen “the devil” while Jo was heartbroken to realize Liz didn’t care about her.
What happened on Real Housewives of Rhode Island Episode 11?
This week on Real Housewives of Rhode Island Season 1 Episode 11, “Stay Calm and Carry On,” Brian and Rulla host an Arabian Nights-themed end of summer party. Jo-Ellen is obviously not invited, and is still reeling from her fight with Liz. Someone finally tells Rulla about the video.
Jo-Ellen and Alicia are fed up with Liz
Recovering from her fight with Liz, Jo-Ellen calls Alicia on the ride home. She says Liz acted like a “psycho” who called her delusional for thinking they were friends. Jo-Ellen doesn’t know why it hurts her so much. “I just have to suck it up … that’s what I did in my childhood, that’s what I’m going to do now.”
Alicia assures her she didn’t do anything wrong. Like Jo-Ellen, Alicia is reexamining her relationship with Liz. She thought they were like family, but while she still loves her, Liz is too mean.
Rulla and Brian put on a united front
Rulla goes to see Brian about her “gimp toe” (his words) after the nail was ripped off. She was mostly distressed this happened during sandal weather.
They plan an end of summer party, and he suggests nodding to her heritage with a “hookah party”- she changes it to Arabian Nights. Brian is all too happy when she suggests belly dancers.
Rulla and Brian go all out for their parties, including an annual pre-New Years Eve bash. She even suggests getting a camel for this one. All the ladies are invited … except Jo-Ellen, obviously. It’s more likely that a genie would pop out of a bottle than Jo-Ellen get an invite. Brian even jokes he’ll have “police detail” to keep her out.
Rulla hasn’t seen some of the girls since the polo match, which really puts into perspective how many group events she skipped.
Jared recommits to Audrey’s … sorta, kinda, maybe
When Ashley makes dinner for Jared, their kids, and her parents, Audrey’s impending lease comes up. She questions if it’d be better in the long run to let it go. But Jared can’t even put his love for Audrey’s into words. Ashley, on the brink of tears, goes over to hug him because she thinks he’s about to cry … but he’s not. I think breaking into tears at an instant is just a you thing, Ashley.
For now, he wants to extend the lease because people booked it for wedding afterparties. When asked if he’d give it up for Ashley, she says she wouldn’t ask him to. At first, Jared says the best thing would be to close and go out on top. But in an instant, he talks himself into keeping it. Their youngest son screaming and crying is an incredible punctuation for the scene.
Liz and Dolores spread awareness about menopause
I wonder if Liz’s attitude towards the younger cast is disappointment that Dolores didn’t film more. Because she seems happiest in their scenes together. And they have a mission to spread awareness about menopause.
This week, they go to the Rhode Island State House and meet with the lawmakers that made menopausal women a protected class in the workplace. Liz and Dolores talk candidly about menopause, their plans for a gummy, and how previous generations were made to suffer in silence because no one wanted to hear about it.
I don’t know if this scene will win fans back to Liz, but it is awesome that she’s putting a spotlight on something so important and underdiscussed.
Rosie and Alicia get ducked
Rosie goes over to Alicia’s to cheer her up (producers zoom in on her poor parking job like she’s John Barlow). When she sees the pink balloons and flowers, Alicia is overjoyed, gushing about how much she loves Rosie and what a good friend she is. Rosie also brought arts and crafts for Alicia and Celina. Apparently “ducking” is a thing in the Jeep Wrangler community, where drivers put rubber ducks on other Jeeps. “I love getting ducked,” Rosie says. And Rosie, true to form, wants to make hers pink, sequined, and over-the-top, with mini sunglasses, crowns, and bandanas.
Alicia says Liz should’ve brought balloons and rubber ducks as a peace offering, adding, “That’s what I would’ve done, if I crushed someone’s soul.” Alicia tells Rosie how her family had her back. Liz called, but she didn’t answer.
Rosie and Alicia aren’t looking forward to seeing Kelsey and Liz at Rulla’s party. Rosie jokes they should “pull a Rulla” and call out sick. But she also feels concerned for Rulla, and that they need to tell her about the video already. It’s not fair to talk about her behind her back- Rosie knows that from experience.
Rulla’s Arabian Nights party is a hit
“I love an Arabian Night,” Alicia says on the way to Rulla’s party, hoping for a magic carpet ride, a camel, or a donkey. Meanwhile, Liz starts to feel bad for yelling at Alicia.
Jared only makes a brief appearance, because he has to do trivia. Kelsey apologizes for the scene at the last trivia night. Rulla looks amazing, but Brian’s best compliment is “I feel like I should have a stack of ones.”
Rulla does a dance routine with an incredible light-up cape, but there’s also a pro belly dancer, which Brian gets close to (Kelsey jokes that he should cover his eyes). Alicia puts off telling Rulla about the video – she doesn’t want to ruin the fun like Liz!
Rosie and Alicia try to be the bigger people
Rosie dresses as “Evil Princess Jasmine” from Aladdin. I don’t know if a producer insisted she and Kelsey wear the same headpiece, or if it’s a coincidence, but it’s a fascinating touch. The tension between Rosie and Kelsey is so palpable, Ashley wishes she could escape on a magic carpet.
Bill and Rich ultimately force them to talk to each other. Kelsey admits they weren’t in the right place for her siren joke. Rosie thinks it’s the worst apology ever, but apologizes for her reaction. She knows Kelsey will probably annoy her again, but promises not to take the bait next time. Kelsey insists all Rosie has to do is stop lying. Rosie cheers with water, so they joke it’s cursed, but I’m sure that’s not the real reason this won’t last.
Alicia also decides to be a bigger person and approaches Liz. She’s tired of the negative energy from fighting. Everyone else scurries away to leave them alone. Alicia insists she wasn’t trying to attack Liz. And Liz, with the same creepy smile she had during her fight with Jo-Ellen, says she was “tag-teamed” and Jo-Ellen didn’t remind Alicia that she knows Liz’s heart. But Liz admits she overreacted and apologizes.
Rosie drops a bombshell on Rulla
That’s not the end of the tough conversations for Alicia and Rosie. Because, without warning Alicia, Rosie tells Rulla about the video. She tells her it was right before polo, because the date was on the car dashboard. Also, everyone is talking about it. Rulla looks right at Alicia and asks why she didn’t tell her. Alicia says because she didn’t want to know about it and hates that she does.
Rulla doesn’t appreciate Rosie cornering her with this- she doesn’t know how to process it. Just then, Brian comes up, and Rosie and Rulla fill him in. Brian instantly denies it and says someone probably changed the time stamp. When Rosie shares it came from Jo-Ellen, Brian says “I trust her as much as gas station sushi.” Rulla says that no matter how many designer clothes Jo-Ellen disguises herself in, she’s still a cockroach. Brian calls her “Ho-Ellen” and threatens to reveal her secrets. Rulla insists she’ll find out the truth for herself – she has her ways. For now, the girls and Brian do a shot, with Alicia suggesting they cheers to “bitches love summer.” She adds, “I do love you guys, it’s a trauma bond.”
Will the Real Housewives of Rhode Island be happy as clams on Block Island?
Kelsey and Liz try and fail at clamming. Kelsey has her own end of summer gathering planned, an overnight trip to Block Island. A (very different looking) Liz got married there, so Kelsey predicts she’ll be in a better headspace on that trip.
Jo-Ellen is nervous to see Liz again. Despite everything, she still loves Liz, so she’s very hurt. She wants an apology, but Gary doesn’t see that happening.
Kelsey asks Liz if she thinks she was wrong, and she says no. Even when she overreacts, she thinks it comes from a place of truth. She also accuses Jo-Ellen of doing terrible things and then making herself the victim. She thinks Jo-Ellen was premeditated, and if that sounds like paranoia, “Even paranoids have enemies.”
Gary thinks Jo-Ellen should put it to bed. We’ll see how that goes next week, which is already the season finale! I’m not ready to say goodbye to the RHORI ladies yet!
Real Housewives of Rhode Island airs Sundays at 9/8c on Bravo. Episodes are available to stream on Peacock.
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