Welcome to the recap for The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 19 Episode 1. Last season was all about Jenn. The yoga instructor had to fight for her love, but this season, she might be taking a back seat. Now all eyes are on Katie, and she seems to be fighting an uphill battle. The premiere showed Shannon supposedly loving her single life and Jenn trying on bikinis for her wedding. Emily revealed some heartbreaking news, and Tamra is working on herself. So here’s exactly what happened in The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 19, Episode 1, called, “Revolving Door of Lies.”
There’s no crying over squeezed oranges on Real Housewives of Orange County
The girls are back in town, and to say I am excited is an understatement. There is something about this group of women that just feels right. The episode starts off with Shannon in a new house and a new mindset. Thank goodness, because I couldn’t take another season of her continued heartache. Everything seems status quo. Everyone hates Katie. Tamra is looking like fire. And the Dubrows are talking about reverse cowgirl. All is right in the OC.
Shannon has moved on and is in her no-boy era. Her lawsuit with John is settled, and she wants no ties to him. However, she settled for $60k, so enjoy that wedding, Alexis! But she’s planning a party at the Golden Door, so all Shannon’s energy is laser-focused. I almost forgot how much this woman loves a crystal. It turns out Shannon has a new ally, and her name is Katie. The two are BMW shopping and couldn’t be better friends.
Will nobody think of the babysitter?
Katie is still going on about Emily claiming her daughter said Heather was mean. It turns out that Emily is still upset about the entire scenario. The rumor is Katie did, in fact, give information to a podcaster. Not cool. As the episode deepens, more is revealed. After the reunion, Katie alleged that Emily’s former babysitter searched her out. But the group thinks Katie was the one digging for more information. The entire scenario feels yucky since the number one rule of housewives is never to involve the children. Emily is so furious that she has had to hire a lawyer due to Katie’s inability to let sleeping dogs lie.
As the scene cuts to Travis and Gina, the duo has finally moved back in together. Their home is gorgeous and well-deserved. But Gina is coming in with some weird AF cult-like mentality. She explains to viewers she recently went on a trip to Bali, where she “Connected with the wind.” Whatever that means. She clearly had an Eat, Pray, Love experience, but she sounds a bit kooky. But hey, more power to her. However, Gina is still holding a bit of a grudge, with – you guessed it, Katie. Even though Gina and Katie seemed to squash their beef in season 18, it’s all back tenfold. Gina is standing her ground when it comes to the golf announcer. Very early on, it is clear Gina and Emily will always be ride or die, and sorry Katie, but you are on thin ice.
Emily broke hearts on Real Housewives of Orange County
Emily is dealing with double trouble with the twins. But Luke is really struggling, and he hasn’t been eating. Emily shared that Luke had been diagnosed with ARFI, which is Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is a relatively new eating disorder “characterized by highly selective eating habits or limited interest in food, and is more common in boys. Unlike other eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, ARFID does not involve concerns about body image or weight. Instead, children with ARFID avoid foods due to factors like Sensory issues.”
Emily’s bravery will undoubtedly help other families in the same situation. But as a Emily stan, my heart broke for her. She cried, telling cameras, “He doesn’t understand he feels hungry. Food in general disgusts him. Smells also bother him. He doesn’t process eating like we do.” She shared that Luke has a low mood because he doesn’t eat anything. Em also noted that he is starving. She shared, “I’m worried he doesn’t get the nutrition he needs. I’m worried he’s the weird kid at school.” On top of the new diagnosis, Emily shares that he will also need to get tested for autism because they believe he might be on the spectrum.
Hello, Tammy Sue!
Tamra makes her way back to Season 19 with a breakout therapy session. She’s digging up everything dark and shady inside her. And she is addressing her trauma, which includes her divorce from Simon, Sidney’s refusal to have a relationship, and her dad leaving the family. Tamra doesn’t respond in ways viewers would like her to, but that’s okay. The OG is a work in progress, and she needs grace. Sometimes I think fans forget that. But it’s good to be reminded. Thanks, T.
Boundaries are good on RHOC
Katie is gonna have a hell of a season. Everyone seems to hate her. But Gina and Emily are still gonna sit down over coffee. I just hope a half-caff mocha doesn’t get tossed across the table. And we quickly learn that he truth will ultimately not set Katie free. Gina doesn’t hold back, telling Katie she is aware of her lies and that everyone is questioning her motives. With not one donut hurt during the meeting, the ladies finally met up for their first group get-together.
For over $12k a stay, you too can spend a day at the Golden Door. Shannon wants the ladies to gain clarity and to heal their issues. But Emily’s made a list of grievances with Katie, and I’m here for the petty. In the CliffsNotes version, she notes, “You lied about the paparazzi photo. You lied about others snubbing you at a party, you lied and said you owned your home in San Diego. You reached out to Gina under false pretenses that you’re buying a home in Newport. When in reality you just wanted to infiltrate the group of friends.” The list literally kept going.
I don’t think the Golden Door has the power to fix Katie or the group’s disdain for her. The biggest takeaway from the sit-down happened to be that Tamra lives rent-free in Jenn’s head. But that is a story for next week. Katie did try to extend a hot pot olive branch, but the girls are mostly seeing it as a chance to boil Katie alive.
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Thursdays at 9 PM/EST on Bravo. It can be streamed on Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK KATIE CAN MEND THE BURNED BRIDGES THIS SEASON?
