'Real Housewives of Orange County': Mother knows best

If the color-reading psychic dude from this episode had been around when I was younger, I never would have believed him if he said I'd be mildly obsessed with a show about a gaggle of wealthy (and tan) housewives.

On to the show ...

The episode mostly centered on the minor riff between Lynne and Gretchen. Basically, Ms. Gaudy Cuff-maker (aka Mama Bear) was peeved that Gretchen took Alexa shopping and, in the process, tried to have a therapy session. So Lynne and Gretchen took their dogs for a stroll to discuss the issue. And then they talked about it on the phone. And then they talked about it (again) over dinner. And, as always, Slade had to weasel his way into the situation. Why? Because it's what he does. Apparently he's an expert on the complexities of being a teenage girl. Glad Lynne finally said it: "he's a poser." I just wish she and husband Frank wouldn't have sat idly as Slade offered his expert opinion. 

But let's not give him too much thought. 

With the Florida trip over, a less-bitter Vicki decides to host a slumber party in an effort to bond with the ladies. I'm trying to play the game here. I understand this is a show. And I understand that, in order for it to work, these gals have to seem like they somewhat interact. But these forced get-togethers are causing me to suspend my disbelief more than I would watching an admitted scripted docu-series. 

But then I snapped out of it when I saw that Alexis, my favorite pious housewife, brought jello shots. Of course she did. Of course.  But I think I was more surprised that she was actually given permission by her husband to venture out into the world for a long period of time without him ... and then she revealed she wouldn't be sleeping over because, among other things, Jim doesn't know where the bowls are or how to change a diaper. Of. Course. 

When Alexis mentioned earlier in the episode that she basically feels the need to be "perfect all the time" when her husband is around, I saw a glimpse of her frustration with this marriage situation. There are hints of her desire to let loose -- you could hear it when she talked about the fun she had at Tamra's wig party. But her obsession with being perfect is stifling all that. Hopefully she'll listen to that color-reading psychic Doug, er, Dude, er, DOUGALL and have a "slob" dinner night.

But back to the slumber party ... When I heard that the ladies were going to toilet paper ex-housewife Jeana's house, I got even more excited! Finally, someone who'll say what I'm thinking! Nope. All we got was exterior shots of her house. And, really, was there a point to toilet-papering Jeana's house if her gardener is likely the one to have to clean it? Poor Jorge. 

And in this episode, tension between Tamra and Simon, though still present, is a bit muted. It's sad to hear her talk about how divorce can be avoided if they talk things out knowing that, since the season stopped filming, Simon has filed for a divorce (if you tune-in to "Watch What Happens," you got a bit more scoop about the situation from the housewife). But things this week dealt more with Ryan ... at the end of the episode he apologizes to Simon for using his car or something else I care nothing about. And Simon commends Ryan, saying, "the first step to becoming a man is realizing we all make mistakes and owning up to them ..." -- and that's when I switched channels to MTV's "Jersey Shore." Sure, there was only about one minute left, but still. I did it on principle. Between Slade and Simon, my tolerance for ridiculousness is waning.

Wait. That doesn't explain my viewing of "Jersey Shore" then, huh? 

So what did you think of the episode? Was Lynne overreacting to Gretchen's attempt to bond with Alexa? And are you excited about the return of "The Real Housewives of New York City"?

-- Yvonne Villarreal

Photo: Gretchen Rossi. Creit: Bravo

Comments

[Janey]

I wouldn't let my daughter go anywhere near Gretchen! i can't imagine she would be a good role model for ANYONE. that being said, Lynne did give permission (she shouldn't have but anyway she did), so Lynne was wrong to act like she didn't know what was going on about it.

RealityBitesW/Venom, loved your take.

[Neda Logan]

Lynne I hope you read this, I pray you read this. You and your husband have got to stop Alexa in her tracks. I just watched the espisode and she is out of control. I must have said "are you kidding me" 100 times. Who is the parent. I have never in my life seen a child talk back, disobey, and disrespect their parent to the extent she is, EVER. But as she said on camera tonight "my parents have NEVER grounded me" " i know how to handle my parents". I wanted to jump thru that screen and say "EXCUSE ME. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE" needless to say she is not my child but I feel sorry for her because it is not her fault. She is who she is because no boundaries were set and hopefully she will be okay. If she doesn't get it before she leaves LIFE will definitely set the boundaries for her. I am going to take some motrin for my headache caused by watching this scene in the show tonight. One last thing, Gretchen may not be perfect but she is clearly trying to help you and your husband. But it is flying over your head like Southwest.

[Barry]

To Lynn and Frank,
It is no wonder that Alexa the drama queen is out of control. Instead of coming down hard on her when she was 13, you have allowed her to do what she wants to do whenever she wants to do it. One time my daughter (16 at the time) was grounded but when my wife and I returned from dinner at about 7:30 PM she was gone. There were no cell phones at the time so we waited and waited until she came home at around 10:45 PM. I then told her that if we had to sit in front of the front and back doors she was not going to go out for a month and we meant it not like you two. Frank, how do you know that she is not doing anything "bad" if you don't even know where she is? How do you know if she is having sex or not........ you don't!! Lynn, you are totally wrong. You have to watch the episodes to see this dumb look on your face which kind of says that you're lost and don't know what to do. You do not, repeat, do not have to be a parent to know how to parent. What is needed is common sense and the will to stick by your decisions but apparently you do not have at least one of them.

[Donella]

I dont feel that Lynn should have gotten offended with Gretchen taking interest in trying find out whats going on with her 17 year old daughter. If anything she should appreciate it. Gretchen may be able to relate and give her sound advice based on the mistakes she made as a teenager cause I get the feeling she's been there and done that. Lynn and her husband on the other hand obvisouly do not have a clue what it takes to raise a teenager. I am the mother of two a 21yr old who is away at college and a 17yr old who is home with my husband and I, both girls. There is no way either of my daughters would have left the house without permission, not let me know where they were and who they are with, or come home after curfew without my permission, not to mention leave after I tell them they are not to leave. As a parent you have to set rules and make sure your kids/teenagers as Lynn always says understands there are consequences they have to suffer should they not follow the rules called punishment simply by taking her cell phone, grounding her and letting her know that she is not allowed to leave the house without permission, simple things like that called discipline works if you stick to your guns on punishments. Parenting is also about teaching your children and talking to them so that you at least get them to understand you are there to guide and teach them and things you say are not to be taken lightly, If they dont listen while you have them there to guide they may later make mistakes that may cost them as an adult when they are on their own. Both Lynn and her husband need to spend more time home being parents to make sure Alexa follows the rules (she is out of control) and teach there daughter she needs to have some respect for them as parents. She to me seems to think its all fun and games and thats fine to an extent because she is a teenager but there comes a time when you have to know right from wrong and Alexa is just acting all wrong. It may be too late since she is now 17yrs old and clearly has no regard how she treats her parents because she knows she will get away with everything she does, they never hold her accountable for her actions and they are the ones taking care of her. Does Alexa pay the bills? Is she taking care of herself? I dont think so! So disturbing even her sister sees it, they have no one to blame but themselves. I'd like to add Ive experienced the challenge from my 17yr old when she was 15yrs old and broke the rule not letting me know where she was or checking in with me and it was only 4pm, when she came home her cell phone was taken (because I pay the bill to reach you, not for you ignore my calls and gossip with friends), she was on punishment for 2 weeks which meant no going anywhere but school and home without my permission and to ensure she understood I meant business I dropped her off and picked her up from school as well as had daily discussions with her on the importance of letting me know where she is and checking in when she is supposed to so I know whats going on and my heart is at peace. She now understands in the event something happens, Im responsible for her and as long as thats the case I need to know her whereabouts and friends. You have teach your children daily its called being a responsibile parent and not worrying about being a friend or to harsh, life is harsh look at the state of the economy today. They all need to grow up and put Alexa in some plays or something cuz her crying and upset act is so last year. I know this is a bit much but I love watching OC housewives and to see this was a big NO NO NO in my book.

[Kristi]

I do think Lynne took her reaction to the extreme and what's worse, is that her face was a little scary ! How long after her 'face-pull' did this episode happen (party at Alexis'). Her eyes looked like they were gonna pop and I do not recall ever seeing her blink....not too hot.

[annie]

Gretchen, FYI. Lynne does have the right to tell her daughter what do to since she popped her out between her legs. Unfortunelty, for you, you have the right to tell that vibrator you put in between your legs what to do, since you had fun with that.

Best Regards...

[hannah marcella]

you are so very pretty and funny but tamra is more prettier than you
and you are a bitch grethen