"The Real Housewives of Potomac," Episode 2: "All Tea, All Shade"
The ladies of Potomac tried to get back to their etiquette roots this episode to mixed results. We also saw the return of original Potomac Housewife, Katie Rost, as her long talked about casino royale night came to fruition. We were also introduced to her replacement, the fabulous, Monique Samuels. Let's break it down.
They are three main set pieces this episode with a couple of outliers. Let's start with those.
Gizelle mainly spends the episode focusing on her dating life with new man, Kevin. Gizelle and Kevin have known each other for a decade or more and he seems more interesting than Herman, the one dude she spent some time with last season. Kevin seems like a cool guy and they have some chemistry but I felt like their scenes could be spent on more interesting things.
Ashley is still having issues with OZ and her husband. The main issue with OZ is that it's empty, which Robyn and Charrisse find out when they head there for dinner. I can't imagine many people are into eating emu or camel burgers. Robyn is a good sport, but Charrisse continues to be her aggravating self. She certainly thinks she is Lisa Vanderpump and let me tell you Cha Cha. You are not. Ashley claims in her interview that she wants to change the menu but Michael is against it. The couple has an awkward exchange later in the episode as they discuss their wedding date, which Ashley doesn't remember. When kids are brought up, Michael reminds her that they said they would talk about kids once the restaurant breaks even and continues to do so. I'm worried that the Darby's may be the first Potomac marriage to crumble from the pressure and scrutiny of reality television cameras and from the looks on their faces, the Darby's are too.
The ladies gather at Katie Rost's charity event for Imagination Stage. This was the same event that Katie was begging the other ladies to be a part of last season. Only Charrisse agreed and it seems like Katie wanted less of a chair and more a guest list, which is reinforced when the email invite(?!) features a glamour shot of Katie from last year's reunion more prominently than the charity itself. The whole thing is very reminiscent of Karen's charity launch "gala" last year that Katie heavily shaded. The only difference is there are some janky looking gambling tables at casino royale. You know, this is for the kids though. Let's just focus on them. Cue Imagination Stage "tribute" to the Jackson 5. Oh. Let's focus on something else.
Like new Potomac Housewife, Monique Samuels. Monique comes to the group by way of Cha Cha, but don't hold that against her. Monique is married to former Washington Redskin Chris Samuels and runs his foundation. She may not have a house in Potomac, but she does have four, don't get it twisted Gizelle. I love when producers get in on the shade. You know they were being shady premiering Monique at a charity event hosted by the woman she's replacing. Well-played producers. Well played. Monique is a great addition to the show. She's gorgeous. She's over-the-top. Who brings their assistant to a workout session and then serves champagne and strawberries after? You can tell that she is confident and will give as good as she gets. It will be fun to watch her spar with Gizelle. She also has some mad rapping skillz. I'm not sure what Gizelle's play was asking her to spit at the Willard during high tea and then shading her for doing it during her interview. Welcome Monique.
Karen invites Robyn over to her house to play pool and discuss her plan to try to heal the group by mending Gizelle and Charrisse's relationship. Karen also debuted her rainy day outfit which looks similar to what your mom wears after her first Taylor Swift concert to prove to you that she's still "hip" and "with it." Karen's plan is very Karen. She wants to invite the ladies to the swanky Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. for high tea. The way they can resolve their issues like grown women. Karen includes Robyn in her plan because she feels as if Robyn is caught in the middle of Gizelle and Charrisse. Robyn admits that she is and that if she were Charrisse she would be much more upset at Gizelle. Karen is surprised that Robyn would say such things about her "ride or die."
The ladies including Monique meet for high tea and it goes better than one would expect. Once everyone arrives, Gizelle immediately apologizes for what she said with no qualifiers. After the jaws are picked up off the ground, Charrisse kind of apologizes, but not really. It was more of a I'm sorry you feel that way kind of apology. It's good enough for Gizelle. For now.
Remember last week when I mentioned that Karen was kind of low-key and not her usual self. Well, she comes roaring back this week. After the tension between Gizelle and Charrisse is kind of resolved, she decides to tell everyone how SHOCKED she was by Robyn's shit talking behind Gizelle's back. She disguises her blatant pot stirring by saying she just wants everyone to be up front to prevent future issues. Robyn goes off, but Gizelle is again surprisingly calm. She knows how Robyn feels, but she is going to have a conversation with her in private about Robyn's convo with Karen. I'm not sure what Karen is trying to accomplish here. Does she want to splinter Gizelle and Robyn? If so, why? Interesting.
So, what did you guys think of Monique? Did you buy Karen's reasoning? How long do you think the detente between Gizelle and Cha Cha will last? Are the Darby's headed for divorce? Do you hope to see more of Katie as the season progresses? Let me know in the comments.
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