'Real Housewives of New York City': Reunion recap, Part 2 of three

Ever wondered what witnessing a public stoning would be like? Well, if you tuned in for Part 2 of "The Real Housewives of New York City" reunion, there was no need to wonder. The casualty wore a black dress and teal-colored suede pumps (which, if you happen to know where I can get a pair, please make use of the comments section). Her name? Jill Zarin. Her crime: a season's worth of catty behavior. Host Andy Cohen had a few of the stones -- courtesy of die-hard viewers (and Jill critics) everywhere -- lined up on his handy little flash cards. The ladies sitting nearby supplied the other stones.

And so it was. The miniseries-esque reunion laid out Jill’s many missteps and questionable behavior for all to poke and prod. Whether she contended that she's always her friends' "biggest cheerleader" in the face of accusations that she tried to sabotage Bethenny’s spinoff show or tried to justify -- and apologize for -- how she dealt with news of Bethenny's father's death, it provided minute upon minute of cringe-worthy and "who is she kidding?" moments. And a few attempts by Jill to walk off the set. If I could roll the tape as evidence, I would.  I don't know if, at this point, there's any way she can recover from the backlash. There's no skating around it -- even if she rents out the rink and twirls in a hot pink outfit. 

But it wasn't all sticks and stones.  

The intentional comedic relief -- sorry, Kelly! -- Sonja Morgan, finally joined the mix to stir the drink with her straw self.  Only she didn't even get a chance to do much stirring because attention shifted to lollipop-loving Kelly, who apparently moonlights as a spokesperson against bullies when she's not burning pancakes or warming up her vocal cords for all those high-pitched "Hi-yeeeeees."

It finally came time to get some answers on the wacky girls trip in St. John, only Kelly's answer was almost as nutty as her behavior on the trip (which Bravo was kind enough to rehash, I'm guessing, in case Jill were to demand evidence). So what was Kelly's reasoning for all the yapping about satchels of gold, cartwheels and jellybeans? She was a victim of "systematic bullying." Feel free to check if that was an epidemic in the year 1979. I know I did. 

Kelly claimed that Bravo forced her to go on the trip -- which Andy repeatedly denied -- and that she contended that she doesn't consider her behavior a breakdown, but rather a breakthrough. She went on to say her involvement was meant, in her mind (the one where gummy bears aren't processed candies), to serve as a public-service announcement for victims of bullying. Again, if I could roll a tape for evidence, I would.

Cue a mentally exhausted Bethenny saying, "This is not a normal person. It’s like talking to Humpty Dumpty," as a frustrated Kelly made her way off set.

To be continued (again).

Other notable moments:

-- When Jill was asked why she had saved Bethenny's infamous voice mail for two months, Jill didn't have an answer, but Kelly did: "Maybe she wanted to hear [Bethenny's] voice."  Was her mind like mid-cartwheel or something? My mind hit a virtual glass door when she said that. Satchels of gold! Satchels of gold!

-- I'm not usually a fan of reunion shows just rehashing footage from the season, but I thoroughly enjoyed the look back at some of the best zingers from the season.  My favorites: "Diarrhea of the mouth is not a real ailment," "Mountain out of a holemill" (FYI, I would totally pay any amount of money to take a class in Ramonics) and Kelly's head-scratching Robin-Batman metaphor.

-- The lack of voice time for LuAnn -- although she did try.

-- Sonja's legitimate concern that one-night-stand-fearing Kelly isn't having enough sex. Maybe if Kelly popped in Barry White's -- er, LuAnn's -- CD, finding a companion wouldn't be so difficult.

So what did you think of part two of the reunion, ShowTrackers?  Can Jill recover from the hostile response to her behavior this season? Was anyone else disappointed that the clip of Ramona's catwalk debut wasn't playing on loop? If Kelly is like Humpty Dumpty, are the unprocessed ingredients of jellybeans and lollipops enough to put her back together again?  Share your thoughts in the comments section.

-- Yvonne Villarreal

Photo: Bethenny Frankel, Andy Cohen and Jill Zarin. Credit: Bravo.

Comments

[christi]

Bethany and Jill: Not all friendships can be repaired once trust is broken. Sometimes, it's best to forgive, learn the lesson and move on. There's a reason why people come into each other's lives and a reason they must go -- so we can learn and grow. Perhaps both ladies have learned more about themselves.

Ramona: It's very brave to look at yourself, recognize what needs to change and then make an honest effort to do so without losing your authenticity. But to do it in the public eye takes real courage. Bravo.

Alex: One of the hardest things to do is create boundaries and find our voice while in the midst of extreme challenges and external noise. But natural poise and reserve is a lovely compliment to boundaries.

Sonja: A woman with a heart that's both passionate and compassionate is a rare combination. It's a gift that shouldn't be overlooked or taken for granted because it's the heart of a true friend, and those are rare indeed.

LuAnn: When a person has class and manners, they don't sing about it, write about it, lecture and judge others' lack of it. Most of all, they don't taint it with the stain of self importance. They reflect it through a natural grace that's as innate as one's spirit.

Kelly: The best gift we can give our children is the capacity to guide them with clear thinking. If our glasses are foggy, then our minds are cloudy and our hearts perceive and convey darkness where it doesn't exist. It would be nice if lollipops and gummy bears could cure that, but they can't.

[KP]

Jill and Kelly need to go! Jill is so annoying, willing to blaim everyone else than herself for problems. Kelly, is just crazy. Get rid of both of them!

[ROBBIE D.]

Kelly can say, do and be whomever she chooses to be. I've been with my wife for 32 years (who I happen to think is off the 10 chart just like Kelly)and I'm completely & totally in love with Kelly. Kelly sitting there on the couch in the white dress displaying the absolutely most gorgeous legs, hair, face (perfect face structure) & body left me looking at the clock hoping the show would somehow last longer. I've only seen clips of the show, never an entire show but this is one where I turned my phone & computer off so I could watch Kelly! I breifly turned my phone on, called my best friend in Los Angeles and had hiim turn the show on so I could show him the new "girl" I was in love with. At one point he asked me if I heard what "she'd" said, I told him no. His response was; I thought you were watching the show? I told him I am but I'm not overly concerned with what anyone is saying except Kelly! Thus I really don't need the sound until she talks, since I've not seen the show, I can only guess why the other women appear to be so jealous of Kelly and attacking her! I'd attack her too but only in a different manner....BUT I'd just hang out with her! Shooting Pool, Movies, Dinner, Happy Hours....& just talking and laughing.

[elizabeth degtoff]

Tell Bethenny there is a test/treatment (sometimes called scapel-less surgery] in which a cream is applied twice daily for 2 weeks or more and precancerous invisible lesions come to the surface. The treatment is excellent but is uncomfortable and unlovely. It is expensive, takes time and once one starts it,it should be completed regardless of how it looks. I live in Florida, my doctor recommended it and I am very glad I did it -- and my face looked a lot like that man's. I wanted a card to hand out explaining I was not contageous, that the condition was not permanent, that in a relatively short time I would again look "normal" and people should not be afraid of me. Healing took longer than I'd expected -- less than 6 weeks - but precancerous areas were identified and treated before they were visible. I admire all the women and want to implore them to have a little kindness for themselves and each other. Relax - look around and admire what is good in this world. Smile, enjoy our blessings.

[emm]

Yeah right ROBBIE D.. Like you've only seen clips of the show. If your wife is so great where did you get all the adjectives to describe Kelly. I do not have one friend whose husbands watch the show.. They'd rather watch something more manly like MLB.. I do however have a GAY friend who loves the show. Him I can understand.. he's like one of us girls. He's funny and loves to give his input on the hopusewives. I'd much rather talk to him about housewives then my husband. I think your obsessed with Kelly and your overlooking the idiotic person that she is..

[Susan]

I wonder if you are watching the same show as me. Did none of you see or understand the systematic bullying that Betheny, Ramona and Alex did against Kelly. Come on! Betheny is a nasty piece of work and plays on her rough life, you are not alone Betheny stop playing the sympathy card and own up to your nasty dagger mouth. Ramona, you are just a nasty nut job and Alex, beware, I don't really think you fit in with these two, they will turn on you soon. Jill, stop appologizing to Betheny, you don't need to. Lu Ann, you really are a lady and Kelly, we love you.

[Team Bethenny]

Jill is disgusting to watch, her reps have clearly told her to play victim at the reunion shows, a task which her ugly screwed up facial expressions failed miserably.
Jill is a mean girl, and mean girls finish last!

[Hibs]

My goodness, these women are so bitchy & annoying I can't watch it anymore. This is the show for fat bitchy women who are bitter with their lives & think horrible behaviour is ok.