'Real Housewives of Orange County': Is that all there is?

What. the. heck?

After all the drama, the fighting, the money problems ... they end the season like that? Hello! I sat through hours of footage this season that included way too many shots of Lynne's gaudy cuffs and Alexis' tragic fuschia ensemble. I deserved more than a Simon-Tamra fight -- especially since we already know the outcome of that relationship! I was expecting to see Jim change a diaper or something mind-blowing.

The closing episode saw the housewives -- past (kind of) and present -- reunite for a little soiree at the St. Regis Hotel. As they got ready for the snoozefest of a party -- wait, why was it important for us to see them get ready? I don't need to see Tamra struggle over what dress to wear. I have no desire to watch Gretchen paint her lips red. And I could have really done without seeing Slade in a tank top. And what was with Vicki's dress? I heart the gal, but that thing looked like the wind might blow it off at any second. And Michael, you really should have worn slacks.

As mentioned, the drama of this episode focused on Tamra and Simon. During the limo ride to the party, things got a little heated. It's the same story. Simon thinks Tamra has changed since she became friends with Vicki. He had no real evidence to prove it. He just rambled on and on about how she's like Vicki and how he's not Donn. Blah blah blah. And then Tamra struck back with some bleeped words and I was back in. Then she threw in this zinger: "If you were working and making money we wouldn't be in this situation." Bam! And then this: "I want a divorce!" By the time the show returned from the commercial break -- and the Barneys finally arrived AT the party -- Simon managed to remove the tail between his legs to attempt to reconcile. How convenient. Heaven forbid they walk into the party without the facade of a perfect marriage. Even when he's trying to make things right, he's demanding: "Give me a kiss." "Get over here." Ick.

On to the party ... everyone's there. Former housewives Lauri and Jeana. Even Alexis' newly reconstructed mother. Then Lynne and Frank showed up -- with their very own pair of girls gone wild. At this point, there are no words. Forget a youthologist. Those girls need an old-fashioned timeout. Did Alexa really order a martini? Oh, brother. And wait. Was that Lynne and Frank's way of disciplining them ... by not disciplining them? Is that, like, reverse psychology or something? The young mothers featured on "16 and Pregnant" wouldn't even allow such behavior. Side note: What was with Jim inviting Frank to church? Awk.Ward.

Then there was that interaction between Lauri and Gretchen over Slade. I don't know what's worse, that Gretchen believes anything Slade says or that she thinks he's a "catch." But to be fair, I also didn't really see why it was any of Lauri's business.

But the focus would quickly return to Tamra and Simon. Tamra was itching to share her feelings with someone about her failing marriage. And when it came time to do just that, she turned to the person she kind of left hanging: Vicki. And Vicki was there to listen ... she kind of was a little too pro-dump Simon, but I would have been too. And, of course, when Simon heard that Tamra was crying he went to seek her out. Not to really see if she was OK. But to find out if she told Vicki about their argument in the limo because -- gasp! -- that just does away with his whole "we have a perfect marriage" theory. And Tamra didn't help matters. Pretending her cryfest was really about her wanting Simon and Vicki to be friends. Like Vicki, my jaw dropped. Be a woman, Tamra! Just tell the truth. Simon eventually realizes his secret has been found out. And like a little boy who was caught lying, he runs home.

And that was the last episode. Sure, we got the usual "where are they now?" capsules at the end: Lynne and Frank moved into a condo; Alexis is now working for her plastic surgeon (reader, you can insert your own snarky comment here); Gretchen and Slade are still not married; Simon filed for divorce, etc.

But all that didn't matter because I felt cheated.

Show Trackers, what did you think of the episode? Think there should be another season with the OC gals? If so, who should leave and who should stay?

-- Yvonne Villarreal

(Photo credit: Bravo)

Comments

[Sicily]

I think that Vicki & Tamra should stay. They should bring back Jeana, Lauri & Tammy. I liked those women. Malibu Barbie (Alexis), Gretchen & Lynne (and her two rehab-destined teens) need to go. Alexis is absolutely boring & should be thanking Vicki for making her a little relevant for the show. Gretchen is not a housewife & is continuing to lie about her relationship with that guy Jay (whose name she has tattooed on her ring finger, the same finger that she wears Jeff's "engagement" ring on by the way). Lynne is also quite boring & if it weren't for the eviction & those terrible daughters of hers, she would have received absolutely no air time this season.

[Marcie]

Not too long ago Gretchen attempted to step-in with the hopes of "being there" if Alexa needed someone to talk with? She saw that Alexa was struggling, and having been there, wanted to help with redirecting her so that she would not go down the path Gretchen took. And that is what Laurie is trying to do when she speaks to Gretchen about Slade. If only Gretchen would get it. Gretchen would probably pipe in and say "nobody knows what really takes place off camera." That is what Lynn said about her daughters!

Gretchen was so right with what to do with the Curtin girls upon finding they were drunk. Mom and dad are still in the dark. Mom and dad don't even react when one of their girls flips them off; they don't react when they are told to "f" themselves. Every time one of the girls tells them to "f o," mom and dad stop and give that dopey-eyed look and say "she'll grow uuuup." As for Alexa, she keeps crying that she wants life to be back like it used to be. Could it be that the girl wants to go back to pre-television life when her life was not broadcast to all of her schoolmates? Could it be that loosing their living arrangements, her parent's lack of parenting skills, etc. is hitting her square in the face in front of her friends and those that are not friends and are more disgusted with the show? Mom and dad need to get control PDQ before the scourge from the streets take her down. Those girls could get pregnant, get big and tell their parents that they are just enjoying eating a lot and the stupid parents would believe it. I hope the school officials are paying attention.

What an ass Simon is to stand in judgment of Tamra's outfit selections. Everything was wrong. He was egging her on. And then he arrives in a shirt that should have been tucked in according to his high standards, and it looked like he was wearing jeans. Could he have put on a pair of dress pants for the occasion? Apparently not! Nothing applies to him, just Tamra! Then Mr. Control had to make sure that Tamra was not talking about what took place in the limo. He had to be all over that. Then poof...he realized he was not in control and left. Simon's comments to the woman in reference to Tamra bringing him and then leaving him to himself…wait a minute, Simon can say that but Tamra can't make similar comments? And, Simon does not normally talk about this stuff to just anybody…who is that woman he was making the remarks to? His parting "control job" was to make damn sure that HE filed for divorce. I feel for Tamra and what she is probably going to experience battling over custody from now until those children are grown. I bet Simon will be in control of all of that too.

Vicki's dress sucked. Gretchen's dress was gorgeous (if only it did not come with that Slade accessory thingy). Kara's dress was gorgeous. Alexis' mother was drop dead gorgeous! (lol) Alexis going to work and Jim allowing it (lol)…let's just end it here, why bother.

Next year should probably be the last year for these chickees. Bravo should cast a new OC show with actual housewives, the kind that don't work.

Well, the year can't go by fast enough! See ya then!

[Kevin on Earth]

HELL YEAH bring back the OC Housewives! They are the original and the best and still my favorite. I find all the other HW's shows unwatchable (altho i can take short doses of NYC as well).

That said, i really didn't like this season ending "party." and enough with all these past housewives who aren't even on the show anymore. I didn't mind Jeana being there (at least she was on this season). and i have to admit that i did like Lauri stirring up trouble with Gretchen about Slade. Hey Gretchen, fair warning there, kid!

During the show, I was shooting Simon the finger and shouted GO EFF YOURSELF at the tv to him. I hate to say it (because of their kids), but she is surely way better off without him. He's really shown his mean streak this season. Hey Simon, it's not Tamra changing (she's the same since her first epi), IT'S YOU AND YOU'RE LACK OF A PAYCHECK. He's been an a-hole ever since he stopped bringing home the bacon. But Tamra should've waited til after the party to talk to someone about it. (but Luv ya Tamra!!)

Hope Simon's off the show next year. Tamra, Vicki KEEP. but Vicki stop crying so much if you're back next season, it doesn't suit you. maybe Jeana will come back it would be okay but if not, no biggie. I really don't like Gretch the Wretch but if she's still with Slade, then i hope they're back. It's trainwreck gold. Alexis is another trainwreck but i really don't like her and wouldn't cry if she weren't back. She (and her schlump of a husband) mostly make me gag, the show could do better tham them. LYNNE & Co., ENOUGH, they got to go!!!! but bye-bye cuff business if she's off the show, then everyone will forget her cuffs in 5 minutes i think.

[vicki hmm]

where did alexis get her finale dress. i love love want want it. i just got her black flower ring (finally) at www.stelladot.com/boutiquemix. i saw that question on a blog somewhere so. but i need that dress. didn't tamara and vicki look like they coordinated their outfits. no words on slade. no words.

[Julia Howard]

Ugh... I'm so over the Real Housewives of O.C. Can you say boring? How many episodes of these women having lunch at some strip mall can we watch? And, don't get me started on Alexis and her annoying husband. Ditch her, she sucks.