Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18, Episode 11 Recap: Fiestas and Freakouts

RHOC Season 18, Episode 11 recap.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media

This week’s episode of the Real Housewives of Orange County stepped up the drama. This week’s theme was “Singled Out,” as multiple ladies felt they had been left behind. Jenn hosted a pool party to show off Ryan’s home. But Shannon didn’t attend and instead flew to St. Louis to host a Dos Amigas show with Vicki.

Jenn has learned some life lessons

RHOC's Katie Ginella and Jennifer Pedranti filming.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media

This week’s episode opens simply enough as the women all catch up. But I will say watching Gina and Shannon bond is a scary, yet intriguing sight. After getting a beautiful tour of Shannon’s abode, she dolled out some decent advice to her former foe about taking a moment for herself. Katie and Emily have their own meet-up with Jenn, too. But is this considered cheating on Emily’s part since her allegiance is technically to Gina?

Jenn pops up out of nowhere to pay for the coffee, which is a nice gesture, but I imagine her bank app sent her a low balance alert afterward. Jenn is looking for parenting advice as she tells her friends that her kids need chores and consequences. She admits that a hard life lesson she learned was that she should have invested in herself. And let me tell ya that hit home: “I need to lay the hammer down, and I don’t know how to do that,” Jenn states. The talk doesn’t go well with her son as Dawson is a typical spoiled 16-year-old who is used to getting what he wants. You can’t blame him for bad parenting. But before Jenn gets too carried away, she invites everyone to a pool party at Ryan’s home. 

It’s not about the dress code

RHOC stars Gina K, Heather Dubrow, and Tamra Judge at a party.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media

Skip back to Emily’s catch-up, and she is still very upset from last week about having to bring her own jeans to Heather’s charity event. Again, she felt like it was being pointed out to her that she wasn’t fitting into a mold. But did Fancy Pants purposely do that? Please. This woman who has her own issues in life is not worried about Emily’s waist. I can’t imagine Heather purposefully going out of her way to exile Emily into just jeans. Heather might be unaware of how much work Emily has put into herself, which isn’t Heather’s fault. Emily can’t kick the feeling that Heather still looks at her as the big girl, and that’s Emily’s issue – not Heather’s. The lawyer cried, “I’m very emotional. I got a testosterone plant in my butt,” as if that explained everything. 

There are a lot of side chats in this episode as Katie once again opens up about her divorce and split with her children. Kaili, Katie’s daughter, is the perfect housewife in training as she states she isn’t about mean men. Ever the seer, Tamra tells their daughters, “Be careful who you procreate with.” It’s interesting to get the kid’s point of view as both daughters agree they don’t think marriages end well. Sophia doesn’t want children to know that it’s “So irresponsible to commit to something that big.” Tamra is caught breaking down in her confessional, admitting, “Simon wasn’t a great husband and not a great dad. I still hate him so much.” Yikes, I thought those two had hashed stuff out long ago. 

The struggle is real 

RHOC Season 18 Episode 11 recap.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media

Finally, we are at Jenn’s poolside get-together, and the star of the show is Sparkles, the dog who single-handedly greets everyone at the party. But even with an overly friendly Golden Retriever, Emily is a ticking time bomb. Before the ladies have had an ounce of tequila, Emily quips, “I’m not on Ozempic. That’s why I have to wear jeans.” Ugh, Emily, stop! I wouldn’t say I like this self-deprecating side of the lawyer. FYI, someone needs to tell these women’s glam squads that the high ponytails and Botox don’t mix. In fact, the whole look is scary.  

To make matters worse, Alexis comes in hot or, should I say, cool as a cucumber, which puts everyone on edge. She alludes to issues with Shannon, sharing she is exhausted by the baggage. It turns out that John is more than Alexis bargained for, but breaking up is not an option. For one brief moment, humor strikes the scene as Tamra and Emily hide from Alexis, with Tammy Sue quipping, “John has a type.” 

Emily unleashes her frustrations on Heather 

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

After one margarita, Emily has had enough. The “annoying and looney” Alexis has done Emily’s head in and it didn’t take a lot for her to unleash her inner demon, who is now also going to be “annoying and looney.” The lawyer tells Heather, “When you asked for our measurements, you asked me to bring jeans; I thought everyone else was bringing jeans. What bothered me was when I realized I was the only one who didn’t have anything on by Susan Bender. I felt like I was being singled out, and it killed me.” 

Heather genuinely seems shocked by the information and doesn’t understand all the insecurities, saying, “I thought I was giving you a starring role. I wanted to make sure you felt like a star.” However, Heather became a little catty in her confessional after explaining that the women had all sent their measurements and then noted that “The dress was tight on Emily.” Meow, kitty has claws.  

Dos Amigas was one too many

RHOC's Shannon Beador continues to complain.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media

Heather became way too defensive when she wasn’t being shown in a good light. Which, it’s about time because these baseless attacks against Heather are … boring. The fight erupts as Emily accuses her of being cold and condescending. Heather then asks, “Will you be quiet,” to which Emily replies, “No fuck off.” Okay girl.

The party ends with Heather saying, “I don’t give a sh*t.” Maybe we should have gone to Shannon’s show instead. However, the Dos Amigas were in their own land of delusion. Vicki noted they were selling out shows like they were Adele, cut to half-full audience and crickets. Shannon says they were “Not completely well received by everyone” in an understatement, and Vicki opens the show by saying, “I want a shot of tequila. We aren’t driving tonight.” Good lord.

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

TELL US – DO YOU THINK EMILY HAD A RIGHT TO BE THAT UPSET OVER JEANS? DO YOU THINK HEATHER SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE UNDERSTANDING? DO YOU THINK EMILY MIGHT NEED THERAPY?

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