The Real Housewives of New York City Recap: Having a Ball

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As a seasoned observer of human dynamics and a student of life’s intricate tapestry, I find myself drawn to the enigmatic dance between Erin and Ubah. It’s like watching two cats circling each other, their tails bristling with tension, yet neither one ready to pounce.

I’ve allowed Jenna “Lyons” a considerable amount of freedom when it comes to sharing aspects of her life on this reality TV show, mainly because I admire her, believe she adds depth to the program, and consider her an excellent Housewife. However, after witnessing her yard sale, I feel that she’s crossed the line. I understand Jenna’s desire to keep her relationship private, and there are certainly other topics she can discuss – such as her business, her son leaving for college, or interactions with the other women – that have nothing to do with her relationship status. However, it appears that her reluctance to disclose personal details might be hindering the narrative.

The show missed an opportunity to delve deeply into Jenna’s stoop sale, an event that garnered attention from both the New York Times and The Cut. Given its significance, one would expect the show to provide comprehensive coverage, perhaps even featuring some of the other characters visiting. However, this was not the case. Instead, we only got a glimpse into Jenna’s struggles with letting go of items in her closet, hinting at a larger issue—her need to create more space for her girlfriend to move in. Regrettably, the show didn’t explore this relationship aspect directly. In essence, Bravo paid Jenna a substantial amount for coverage similar to what the New York Times provided, which was minimal at best.

I was equally surprised that none of you could spare some time to film with Jenna for just a few minutes, considering her popularity in the fashion world and how eager one might expect anyone would be to be there. Only Ubah and Racquel, who are close to Jenna’s size and can wear many of her clothes, were absent during the fitting for the Beyoncé dress, which I found strange. This event seems more like a sidelight or an extra on the show rather than a significant part, and that is my main issue with Jenna. When she fully embraces a role (like her cell phone and lawsuits at Jessel’s Clueless party), she brings the most excitement among the cast members, but too often, she is limited by self-imposed restrictions. What really infuriated me was when a producer asked about the amount she made from the sale, and Jenna refused to answer. Really? We’ve seen it addressed in various places; couldn’t you provide some insight? “I earned more than $5,000 but less than $50,000” would have been a perfectly acceptable response. We don’t need an exact amount, but isn’t a ballpark figure too little to ask? It appears so.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve always found Jenna to be captivating without needing to be relatable. However, if she were to lower herself, even for a moment, like during her yard sale, it would only add to her charm.

Sai’s injury prevented her from attending Racq-Mel’s engagement party, while Erin, in a bit of an irony, was the one who didn’t quite grasp the essence of the event. She mistakenly thought the “ballroom” theme was related to the fairytale ending of Beauty and the Beast, not understanding the nuances of the ballroom culture. She’s puzzled about the dress code and the categories, unaware that a brief watch of the influential documentary “Paris Is Burning” could clear up her confusion. The film is just 87 minutes long, shorter than many podcast episodes!

Let’s begin our ranking by focusing on those outfits that stood out least during the party, which was indeed a spectacular event and the highlight within the entire episode.

6. (First Person) In an evening, I don a white sequin gown adorned with a golden cape – quite the norm for me. The gathering’s theme was “Glitterific,” but my choice of attire is simply my style, making any event a fitting stage for my ensemble. It’s not about pushing boundaries or stepping out of my comfort zone; it’s just another night in my sparkling wardrobe. Chop!

5. Jessel and Pavit: Competing in the “Night of a Thousand Madonnas” category, Jessel donned an outfit inspired by Madonna during her “Material Girl” era and truly shone. The reason she didn’t place higher was because her costume was too exaggerated. Instead of going with an exact portrayal of Madonna, a more subtle Madonna-inspired look might have been more appropriate. Also, if you’re aiming for a vogueing-themed party, wouldn’t a ’90s version of Madonna be more fitting? Pavit truly excelled when he arrived in a Versace-patterned silk shirt, embodying the essence of a ’90s Miami Nightclub Homosexual. If Jessel’s outfit had been just a decade later, it might have earned top marks.

4. Reword: She’s quite sparkly, dressed in a silver gown with a slit reaching her navel, a long, vibrant red wig, and ornate sunglasses reminiscent of Lady Gaga 1.0. However, she slightly lowers her style rating due to needing to free herself from an entangled bra during the party, as advised by Jenna.

3. In the spirit of “Opposites Attract,” Erin and Abe (also known as Gabe or Gay Abe) decided to dress each other for a unique twist. This bold move showcases Abe’s confidence, as he donned drag on a national television program, a move that requires both comfort with one’s gender identity and sexuality that not everyone in his position would possess. Erin’s participation adds to the charm, and she certainly upped the heat level between them. However, Abe’s remark still holds: he could have chosen something more alluring for himself.

2. Jenna: Just as expected, she nailed the assignment, earning perfect scores all around. The objective was to dress up as something you’re not, to explore a different identity, and Jenna chose none other than Brynn’s. She donned a snug, white, sequined gown, showcasing her ample cleavage. Her hair was a striking long white wig, and she had elongated pink nails that she playfully licked upon arrival. To complete the look, she added a fake derriere. (The most entertaining moment of the entire episode occurred when she told everyone it was all artificial, and Jessel quipped, “Welcome to being a woman. Nothing is genuine!”) However, when Jenna appeared in all white, embracing Racquel in black with a Grace Jones-inspired hood, I secretly hoped they could portray Emma Frost and Selene in an all-female adaptation of the Hellfire Club. (This one was for the X-Men enthusiasts.)

Winning the event was crucial for them since it was their gathering. As usual, Mel caught my eye with her stylish vest featuring tattoos, cornrowed hair, and allure. However, Racquel truly stole the show that night, exuding elegance in a black hooded gown reminiscent of Grace Jones. Dorit Kemsley’s reunion dress aspirations were surpassed. Although it’s not fair to compare Housewives, Racquel’s appearance at the event was notable as she wore the heart-shaped YSL coat that Bronwyn Newport from RHOSLC mentioned there are only a few of in existence. The question remains: whose coat was it? Was it Bronwyn’s, Rihanna’s, or perhaps the one kept in a museum? I suspect none of them possess it. (While we all admire Bronwyn at the moment, I can’t wait for her second season when we begin to see that she might be more full of it than we currently perceive.)

Following Brynn’s engagement celebration, there is an impactful conversation between her and her ghostwriter, during which she discusses the progress of her combined self-help book and memoir. Throughout their discussion, Brynn reveals her experiences with surviving a sexual assault and how it has significantly shaped her life. While details are sparse, this revelation sheds light on many aspects of Brynn’s past, including her relationships with Gideon, family life, and romantic endeavors. This conversation offers profound insight into why certain elements of Brynn’s behavior now make sense, filling in a missing piece of the puzzle for us as readers. Although I remain hesitant about purchasing the book, the understanding gained from this conversation has proven incredibly valuable.

The episode concludes with tension between Ubah and Erin, which seems to be a conflict arising from either trivial or significant issues. Let’s call it a “vibe disagreement” since the reason for their argument remains unclear. It could be about anything, really – the “vibes.

It appears that Erin has been claiming that Ubah is targeting her, and based on recent events, it certainly looks like Ubah may indeed be challenging Erin. Erin has accused Ubah of being a liar and a manipulator. For instance, at dodgeball, Erin claimed there were no secrets between them, only to later receive a text from Ubah stating that they weren’t friends and questioning whether Erin was genuine or just putting on a show for the cameras. (If any of these women were acting for the sake of the program, we might have a more interesting show.) In summary, it seems that Erin’s suspicions about Ubah are valid; it looks like Ubah is taking aim at her.

Ubah’s predicament lies in the fact that Erin seems to be expressing her issues but not directly addressing them with Ubah. However, Ubah contends that she hasn’t wronged Erin, but the evidence appears to contradict this claim. (It’s as if Jesus wept over Erin Mew Mew Lichy’s predicament in this dispute.) Ubah also mentions her reluctance to discuss this matter with Erin, which seems inconsistent with her current stance. If Ubah is upset that Erin talks about her behind her back but not to her face, isn’t she doing the same by discussing Erin with others instead of confronting her directly? This situation seems to hint at something intriguing. Ubah claims that whenever she speaks to Erin, she manipulates what is said and doesn’t truly listen. Sai suggests that Erin listens but fails to understand and often believes her own fabrications. So, let’s hear the facts! Produce the evidence. It seems clear to me that everything they’re saying holds truth; I can see the tension simmering beneath the surface, ready to burst like an eye emerging from a decaying corpse in the Hudson. Yet, none of them will acknowledge it. They all keep things under wraps, keeping the tension subtle and unresolved, maintaining a peaceful facade. Because if Jenna won’t reveal how much money she received via Venmo at her yard sale, no one in her circle will ever speak up about anything meaningful.

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2024-12-04 07:56