The Real Housewives of Orange County, Episode 6: "Showdown at the Hoedown"
For this recap, I think it's best that we start at the end before circling back to the beginning. I'm sure there are tons of people who watched this episode and thought that Heather turned the bull up and that is the reason that Tamra got thrown off and hurt her arm. I have watched the sequence multiple times and I'm not entirely convinced that is what happened. We all know that the producers are perfectly capable of editing things to make it look a certain way, just look at the Jersey finale last year. They edited the shit out of that. They were showing people talking to people they weren't talking to, and it looks like they did that here. You hear Heather saying "Turn it up" and then there is a shot of her with the mechanical bull operator. Except, it doesn't look like Heather's lips are moving when she is there or if they are, they don't look like they are saying that. I can't imagine that a trained... they have to be trained, right... yes... no... maybe... bull operator would just let someone turn it up to a dangerous level no matter how much they were being paid. The whole thing just seems like the producers were trying to ratchet up the drama and the only way they could do that was with some creative editing. If you'd like to hear Heather's side of the story, you can find it here.
Let's be real. This was sort of a placeholder episode. It seemed to be setting up more interesting things to come. There is the escalation of the Shannon/Heather conflict, Vicki agreeing to go to Oklahoma with Brianna and Ryan, more tension in Shannon and David's marriage etc. These things will pay off in other episodes, but just like a scripted television show, you have to sometimes slog through the boring in order to get to the interesting.
The majority of the episode takes place at Heather's hoedown, but there is some stuff outside of that going on. Vicki is really taking this Brianna move to Oklahoma very well. She's understanding. She acknowledges it's hard, but is giving her daughter wings to fly and... oh who are we kidding? Vicki is making this all about her, as per usual. She is so ridiculous. Brianna is reaching out to her. She is trying to include her in this, but all Vicki do is make idiotic comments about Ryan coming to work for her. That's right, Vicki. Ryan is going to leave a career in the military to sell real estate for his mother-in-law. Eventually, Vicki agrees to go.
Hoedown time!! It's the standard Housewife stuff you've come to expect. There is a station where you can write notes that will be buried in the foundation of the house. Terry hearts the onion ring station. Lizzie hearts line dancing. She also appreciates the advice Tamra gives Lizzie about Vicki, but she's a little confused because she thought Vicki and Tamra were friends. Oh Lizzie. Sweet, pretty, naive Lizzie.
It's getting time for the groundbreaking and Vicki and Shannon are nowhere to be seen. This is kind of strange especially since Shannon literally lives right down the road. The Dubrow's continue with the ceremony and Vicki, Shannon, et. al, show up during. No big deal, right Vick. No one was paying attention, so it's all good.
Shannon is not in a good place. Is she ever, though? What is the point of all this feng shui, if you are still so highly strung all the time? Seriously. "Dr." Moon is not earning that money. First, David buys shots for Vicki and some hot baseball players wife. I thought it was funny that they are neighbors, but had never met. Shannon is not pleased that David doesn't introduce her, so her response is to drink more. Well done, Shannon.
Heather approaches Shannon and asks her why she was so late. Shannon is clearly flustered, but to be fair, Shannon is probably flustered when a waiter asks for her order at a resaturant. "WHY ARE YOU BADGERING ME?! WHY ARE YOU SO CONCERNED WITH WHAT I WANT TO EAT?!" Shannon blames David, which seems to be her go to. Apparently, David coaches the girls basketball team, they always have practice on Saturdays, but Shannon never mentioned that to Heather, which is a little odd. If you have a standing engagement that may make you late, why not say anything? Shannon freaks out. She feels humiliated and scolded by Heather, which, I mean, she was kind of, but whatever.
I can only suppose that hell has frozen over, because Vicki actually apologizes to Lizzie. It seems genuine-ish. As genuine as Vicki can get anyways. If I were Lizzie I would feel good about it because they seal it with a shot. Taking a shot with Vicki is like becoming blood brothers. Let's ignore that Vicki asked Lizzie if she was Mexican when she was Cherokee. She made it almost all the way through without insulting Lizzie. That's progress.
Vicki doesn't do so well where Heather is concerned. She is back to the snoring when Heather is trying to talk and being ridiculous. Tamra acts like she wants everyone to get along, but I'm not sure she does. She's laughing about stuff and it just doesn't come off as very genuine. And then you know Vicki is Vicki. She doesn't like being friends with girls, being a good friend or letting her children be happy. No big deal.
Then the bull thing happens. David is shouting lewd things at Heather while she's on the bull which made me uncomfortable, then Tamra gets bucked off. She makes a huge deal out of it but she's fine. Whatever.
So, the feud between Shannon and Heather rages on. I'm curious. Whose side are you on? I'm firmly Team Heather. I'd love to hear from you guys. Let me know in the comments.
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