The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Recap: What Happened to Dessert?

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As a seasoned television critic with a penchant for reality shows and a heart for women empowerment, I’ve seen it all – from catfights to tearful confessions, but none have quite moved me like this latest episode of Salt Lake City Housewives. The raw emotion, the unfiltered truth, and the solidarity displayed by these women was nothing short of breathtaking.

In this latest episode, I must say it was outstanding! There were instances throughout this season where I questioned whether Salt Lake would maintain its charm, but the recent episodes leading up to the finale have proven there’s no cause for concern. The performances were at their finest and most genuine, a quality not always present this season. I had been eagerly anticipating the moment when Bronwyn would reveal her true self all season long, and until last week, I wasn’t sure it would ever happen. What truly astounded me was the depth of her vulnerability. I don’t use that term in a derogatory sense; rather, it was surprising to see an actress portraying a loving wife with such intensity that I didn’t expect her to bare something so personal. It was touching to witness how Bronwyn’s honesty and sorrow led to stronger and more believable relationships with characters like Heather and Angie — and created a greater distance between her and Lisa, who has never appeared more cold-hearted than in this episode.

Let’s start with the dog bite. Last week, I felt gaslighted by how little anyone focused on the fact that Bronwyn was MAULED by a dog and still was on this trip to Mexico. I was really happy to see footage that everyone did talk about it, but I felt even worse for Bronwyn when Heather brought up how Todd didn’t come to the ER until her daughter showed him its severity on FaceTime. What can you even say? It made me think about how bad things have to be on a daily basis (infidelity aside) for that not even to be a sticking point in her retelling of the story. A lot of times, people in bad relationships will know which details to leave out of stories so their friends don’t question their partner. That Bronwyn was so open about that detail (and the infidelity, which I will unpack in a moment) speaks volumes about how she wants Todd to be seen by her friends. She went from starting this season presenting herself as having an unconventional but incredible marriage to slowly reaching a level of honesty I don’t think I’ve seen from any first-season Housewife.

It’s surprising to see how this trip appears to be heavily promoting Vida Tequila, sponsored by Lisa. This excursion seems to have more branding and self-promotion than usual for a “Housewives” trip, with almost every action of Lisa seeming to benefit her personally. It’s a bit uncomfortable to see how she emphasizes the generosity and specialness of the trip when it’s primarily focused on her product, which doesn’t appear to excite many people. However, it was nice to see the women start their boat party by enjoying themselves! I must admit that there were moments this season where I wondered if these women could naturally be funny together, so it was refreshing to see them laughing and dancing.

Indeed, the brief sense of contentment didn’t linger – it rarely does! Fortunately, the pivotal event that could significantly influence the final two episodes of this season seems to be centered around Britani. I’ve always admired her, and my feelings haven’t wavered throughout this season. I believe she delivered exceptionally well: Her motives are consistently transparent, and it seems she yearns for visibility above all else.

Regarding the subject of support, Bronwyn’s gradual breakdown due to her growing irritation with Lisa took me by surprise during the early part of this season. She eventually reached a breaking point, skillfully articulating her reasons for reacting so intensely or why she’s worked so diligently to preserve her polished facade. In essence, her life is disintegrating in plain sight, and she can no longer mask the fact that she doesn’t have things as under control as she once appeared.

Lisa isn’t the one you’d turn to for comfort during tough times among this group, yet her coldness surprised me greatly. I’ve rarely witnessed such indifference from a friend, as if saying, “I’m dealing with problems beyond your comprehension, and I can no longer hide it.” It was unexpected that Lisa, in the midst of Bronwyn and Todd’s marital issues (like infidelity), couldn’t even approach her to show support. This season, Lisa’s behavior has made her the clear antagonist of the show.

Among the most poignant moments this season is Bronwyn’s confession, but it would have been even more heartbreaking if not for Robert Jr.’s struggle with sobriety. What made her revelation particularly striking was her openness and acceptance about the path she has chosen, which seems to be a rare occurrence in reality TV. In other shows, infidelity is often portrayed as just another problem in an already troubled marriage. However, Bronwyn’s honesty about comparing it to Todd’s approach towards his business ventures, suggesting it’s simply an inevitable part of him that she accepts because her love for him surpasses any love she has ever felt, was genuinely nauseating.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that this scene left me pondering some thoughts. Was Bronwyn’s revelation about Todd merely an impulsive confession in a moment of emotional honesty, or was it a subtle way to expose and punish him for his cruel nature? It’s not uncommon for women on shows like Housewives to conceal their husbands’ less admirable traits, even during a divorce. Take Kyle Richards, for instance, who continues to defend Mauricio on Beverly Hills.

Heather turned around all the irritation she caused earlier this season by standing up so strongly for Bronwyn at that crucial moment. She is often accused of projecting her own experiences onto others, but on this occasion it was completely justified and necessary. This response seems like the natural reaction to such news, which is why Meredith and Lisa appear alien to me now. I have never in my life come across a woman who would defend “both sides” when someone speaks about their husband cheating on them. I strongly believe that the term “girl’s girl” has lost its meaning, but I concur with how the women later explained their response as being more related to Todd rather than Bronwyn in this narrative.

Meredith claimed she was crying due to slut-shaming, but if she was so upset, wouldn’t she have discussed it with Brittani, the one being shamed? I suspect her reluctance to be honest about her life is due to blaming Angie or anyone she perceives as inferior. Indeed, Angie handled it well by dismissing the foolishness. Lisa’s unwarranted intervention highlights her belief in her influence within the group. Both Lisa and Meredith are aware that their tactic of portraying themselves as victims has lost its effectiveness.

I too believe Lisa was caught off guard by the solidarity these women showed in opposing her behavior. When she arranged sleeping quarters based on who was in her good books and who wasn’t, she assumed she was meting out punishment to silence them. However, much like an employer who assumes offering free snacks will prevent workers from organizing for improved wages, she underestimated the situation. It’s clear now that she was outsmarted. This episode undeniably set a new standard for the season. I must admit, these women have won my admiration and affection to an extent I could not achieve if I tried.

Snowflakes

It’s wonderful that Mary managed to join the journey, and it’s reassuring to observe, even during their short encounter, that Robert Jr. appears to be improving.

• Pastrami soup … I kinda need it now.

Is Vida Tequila known outside of this series, and why does Lisa mention it as if it’s on par with Casamigos?

After Lisa angrily left, Mary asked, “Whatever became of the dessert?”, a moment that made me wish I had her impeccable comic sense.

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2024-12-19 23:54