Welcome to the recap for Vanderpump Rules Season 12, Episode 2. Last week, the new cast made their debut, and they definitely delivered on the drama. Natalie had just come back from being suspended for having a meltdown at her ex Paulo and Demy while at SUR. Meanwhile, Marcus might also be suspended, as Lisa sent him home for sneaking sangria during his shift with newbie Jason. And Marcus was also in the doghouse with his girlfriend Kim, who felt his friendship with Natalie was highly sus. Here’s exactly what went down in Vanderpump Rules Season 12, Episode 2: “Manifest and Chill.”
What happened in Vanderpump Rules Season 12, Episode 2?
Oh, to be 22 again. At least, that’s what the cast thought when Audrey invited them all to celebrate her 22nd birthday. However, what turned out to be the best night of Audrey’s life turned out to be the worst for Kim. While Audrey partied and got closer with Chris, Kim and Marcus started falling apart. Marcus got busted for telling Kim one story while telling Natalie another. Was Kim ready to say goodbye to Marcus?
Kim and Marcus were the “Ross and Rachel” of SUR
The aftermath of Lisa’s staff meeting had left everyone shook. No one was sure what was going to happen to Marcus. And that included Lisa.
She sat down with her business partners, Nathalie and Guillermo, to discuss it further. In her confessional, Lisa said, “Marcus has been with us many years. But I don’t know whether to suspend him, fire him, or throttle him.” However, with the infamous SUR photo shoot coming up, odds are Marcus would be back front and center.
On top of that, Marcus was still on the outs with Kim. But Kim described them as “Ross and Rachel;” they weren’t actually broken up and would always get back together. Demy scoffed; she’d be rich if she had a dollar for every time they broke up and got back together. Demy’s attitude towards them was the meme, “I ain’t reading all that. I’m happy for you tho. Or sorry that happened.”
Someone who did not care about that drama was Audrey. She had big dreams of coming to LA and making it as an actress. Could Audrey be SUR’s new sketch comedy queen? Still, her more immediate goal was a potential relationship with another wannabe actor, Chris.
Meanwhile, Marcus was enjoying his banishment from SUR and met up with his brother Aaron for a pint. He didn’t seem remorseful for his actions but more so that he got caught. However, he was nervous for his upcoming meeting with Lisa. Then there were the ongoing issues with Kim.
He was upset that Kim thought there was more to his “sister” relationship with Natalie. And this was making him second-guess everything. Marcus said, “I would rather be peaceful and steady than in love, living my life like a goddamn maniac.”
Venus put his manifest coaching skills to work on Audrey
When Audrey found out that Venus was a manifestation coach, she almost “creamed her pants.” However, Venus put Audrey to sleep instead when he explained the book “The Secret” to her. Venus said, “The power of belief is enough alone to get what you want.” Audrey added, “And a little delusion.”
Then they dished how excited they were for her upcoming 22nd birthday party. Just don’t expect a pouty “It’s my birthday!” from Audrey. Venus then spilled some major tea. He said about Marcus, “At the end of the day, he has an actual issue with drinking. And he does it at work all the f*cking time, so this is a great time for him to be held accountable.” Venus quipped if they reviewed all the footage, “his ass would be f*cking fired.”
Later on it was boys’ night with Marcus, Venus, Shayne, Jason, and Chris. They got down to business talking about all the girls. Chris told them he had gone out with Audrey, and he was shocked she was only 21. They all agreed she was the most mature out of all the girls at SUR. Chris said in his confessional, “Audrey does not strike me as a typical LA girl. She’s spicy, but she’s like also innocent and sweet; that’s hard to find here in LA.”
While their relationship was just beginning, Marcus and Kim’s was faltering. He told the group she was a completely different person when she drank. In his confessional Marcus joked, “When me and Kimberly fight, I would say that she’s a lot like a werewolf. You know, when the sun goes down and the moon comes out, she turns into Michael Jackson from the Thriller video.” Just what every girlfriend wants to hear.
Lisa gives Marcus another chance
Not only did Audrey have big dreams of making it in LA as an actor, but so did Chris. That’s why he moved across the country from New Jersey, much to his father’s dismay. Chris shared he comes from a big Italian family with only around “100 cousins” (including Jason). He felt that if he stayed behind, he’d probably have a 9 to 5 and kids. How terrible!
He said, “Chasing the life that I really genuinely want, I’d rather do that and fail then just settle in Jersey without even trying.” I think we’re zero for zero on movie stars from SUR. Could Chris be the first?
The moment had finally arrived for Marcus to meet up with Lisa. She said in her confessional, “If Marcus thinks he’s invincible at SUR, he’s got another thing coming. There’s a million out-of-work actors looking for a job. Don’t push me.”
But things got real real fast between them. Lisa wondered what was going on because he had been drinking a lot lately. Marcus teared up and shared he had lost both his parents over the past few years.
Lisa reminded him he had Kim to go to for support. Marcus shook his head and felt that she couldn’t understand what he was going through. Lisa knew he was going through a hard time and didn’t want to make things harder. She said in her confessional, “I’m not going to suspend Marcus. When somebody’s struggling, you need to bolster them. You can’t take anything more away.”
Marcus got the good news he was invited back to SUR, and Lisa even set him up with some grief counseling. Marcus admitted he needed help and said, “I just feel like right now this job is all I have.”
Audrey had the time of her life, while Kim had the worst
Life was good for Audrey. She was turning 22, got herself a penthouse, and had everyone meet her on the hotel’s rooftop to celebrate. Then her crush Chris gave her a full-on lap dance. While Audrey was having the best night ever, Kim was having her worst.
Marcus arrived and started to chat with Natalie. So, Kim went over to confront them. Natalie was more than happy to talk with her, but Marcus exited stage left. Natalie remained civil this time and they soon realized that Marcus had been duplicitous with them. He was exaggerating the text messages Natalie sent and was the one pushing the “brother-sister” narrative.
When they confronted Marcus, he spun it that it was all Natalie’s fault. Cut to footage of him telling his brother Aaron they are like brother and sister. Venus shouted, “B*tch, I know you’re lying!”
So, Marcus ran off. He was too busy dealing with the loss of his parents. In his confessional, he said, “For me to sit here and pretend I even give a sh*t about what they’re talking about, I don’t.”
He then twisted the knife further when he told McKenna, the DJ at SUR, that he had fallen out of love with Kim. Kim then ran to Natalie for comfort. This was one step too far for her. Were they officially over?
As she sobbed, Audrey was happily shrieking from the lap dances. Audrey said, “I have no idea why Kim is crying right now. All I have to say is best … birthday … ever.”
Vanderpump Rules airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo. It can be streamed on Peacock the next day.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF VANDERPUMP RULES SEASON 12, EPISODE 2? DO YOU THINK KIM AND MARCUS WILL BREAK UP?
