Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18, Episode 10 Recap: Will Nobody Listen to Katie Ginella?

RHOC's Jennifer Pedranti looking confused amid Season 10 filming.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media

The last episode of Real Housewives of Orange County ended on a cliffhanger. With Shannon’s face bloodied and bruised due to her DUI, Heather was left with nothing else to do but grab her pearls. This week’s episode entitled “Catwalks and Catfights” has the ladies of the OC up in arms. Nine Lemons Beador’s lawsuit takes a turn after learning that there is Ring camera footage. Katie really wants Heather to understand her side in paparazzi-gate. Gina is on defense when she realizes rumors about her and her career are spreading around town. 

When all else fails, eat

RHOC stars Gina K, Heather Dubrow, and Tamra Judge filming Season 18.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media

The cameras pick back up just after Shannon shared her gruesome photo from the night of her DUI. Shannon is fragile and broken after driving into a house, but she pulls herself together for the girl’s dinner. Thankfully, Heather kindly extends her glam squad.  I’m not sure if this dinner has a theme, but thanks to the ladies’ outfit choices, it feels like a fraternity pimps and hoes bash. 

Shannon begins the dinner by asking that no one talk about John or Alexis as she just wants to laugh. Obviously, she couldn’t help herself and launched into an explanation of her day, claiming it was not about money with John. Even after she offered the full amount to settle, he allegedly wouldn’t accept it and wanted a non-disparagement clause. In typical Shannon form, she adds, “I will never ever be in the same room again with her. Well, apparently, that’s happening tomorrow. But after that, I’m out.” The night ended with Tamra sticking her finger up Emily’s butt.

Emily has the chat

The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18, Episode 10 recap
Photo Credit: Bravo

Emily finally gets her chance to sit down with Alexis to try to make her see the reason for picking on Shannon. Emily wants to talk “woman to woman,” claiming the whole scenario “seems dirty and salacious.” But Lex isn’t entertaining the idea. Alexis doesn’t understand that telling the other OC women about the Ring footage is just as bad as if she were to reveal them. In quite the soliloquy, Alexis shares her gripes, saying, “I’ve been fucked over bad in this too. I’m sick of people taking pity on her.”

It was clear that Emily went into the conversation with the hopes that Alexis would soften. But she’s on the John Janssen defense train, and she keeps missing her exit. Needless to say, the chat didn’t go well. Alexis is martyring; as she feels that everyone thinks she is a terrible person for falling in love with Johnny J. In the background, John can be heard saying, “It’s amazing people assume that Alexis and John are scheming on how to hurt Shannon.” Alexis agrees, saying, “Stop creating storms and live in peace.” Does Alexis need just as much support as Shannon?

Heather is like Fort Knox

RHOC stars Emily Simpson and Heather Dubrow.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media

Katie opened up to Jen and shared that she had been told to tell Heather about the text receipts. Personally, I think it would be best if Katie let it all go, but I think we know that isn’t about to happen. Shannon disturbs the wood bath before Katie can dredge up the past by coughing up a lung. But it was a great exercise in letting things go. However, viewers quickly learned no amount of stress tea could help calm Shannon down. Katie takes the moment to go backward. Heather, on the other hand, just shuts the newbie down. She doesn’t even pretend to play nice and literally doesn’t let Katie get one word out.

All Katie wants is to be heard, but instead, she feels disposed of. Heather admitted that she felt terrible for shutting her down but didn’t feel bad for shutting her down due to poor timing. HD (I feel like this is her CEO power nickname) says, “I’d have more respect if she said, ‘Hey, I messed up.’ All I’m hearing is whose fault it is.” Fair.

The show must go on 

RHOC Season 18 star Gina Kirschenheiter yelling at someone.
Photo Credit: Nicole Weingart/Bravo

All Heather wants is support from the women for her fundraising event. As the clothes get wheeled out, there is an immediate issue. Cameras catch Emily in an uncomfortable moment saying, “I feel like I had to bring my own jeans cause they didn’t have pants big enough to fit me,” after learning all the other women were given black slacks. Emily’s heart is hurt as she cries in her confessional about having to wear the same dress as Alexis. Come on, honey get it together.

I understand she is triggered by the word “oversized,” but I don’t like how Emily feels she has been given the “big girl look.” She’s gorgeous and playing down her worth. Stop it, girl. FYI, Emily wore it best. It doesn’t make sense that Gina told Katie to bring up the information. Tamra repeats what Katie said, noting Gina told her you’re probably right about the pap photos. Heather hears what Tammy Sue is saying.

Gina breaks down

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

As I watched Episode 10, I started feeling like Gina was going to get the undeserved wrath of Fancy Pants. I thought the drama was squashed last week. But Heather sets Gina up for a night of worrying, stating they need to talk. Gina claps back, saying, “I should forever be bent over waiting for my spanking from Heather.” The next day the winery trip goes tits up. Gina is livid that she is being involved in the drama, telling Katie, “I’m not okay with it, and you’re making your bullsh*t my bullsh*t.” 

The new information that relaunched the kerfuffle is that, according to Katie, Gina is only staying close to Heather for “real estate connections.” At this point, Gina is East Coast heated. She starts to yell at Katie, saying, “Prove it. Bring all the texts and receipts.” But Heather believes Gina and the last thing the blonde needs is someone spreading lies. Gina breaks down in tears, saying, “I could really use friends on my side.” 

Somewhere between the white wine being served and crying, Gina and Katie call a truce. But two people who are not burying a hatchet: Shannon and Alexis. One thing is steadfast: Shannon and Alexis will not be moving forward. On her way out the door, Shannon does a Godfather lean-in on Alexis, whispering in her ear, “I know you wanted to speak with me. I’m not interested.” 

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

TELL US – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON KATIE SO FAR? WILL HER TRUCE WITH GINA LAST? IS SHANNON MISERABLE ABOUT SOMETHING EVERY SEASON?

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