Following an unpredictable and inconsistent reboot season, it’s truly disappointing that the standout episode of the year was dwarfed by the simultaneous broadcast of the Grammy Awards. Despite Beyoncé’s historic win for Album of the Year after five nominations, there should be recognition elsewhere for the almost two-minute scene of Housewives panicking amidst a noticeable dog waste smell – it was nothing short of extraordinary! I can only hope that the Emmys share my perspective on this matter, even though it might be wishful thinking.
Let’s not jump ahead and instead focus on the main topics of this episode, which were quite amusing, particularly in comparison to other franchises like Salt Lake City. Although the finale provided some hilarious moments, it also set significant storylines as we conclude this rather unpredictable season. Key developments include (1) Karen Huger’s fall from grace, (2) Stacey’s solidification as a permanent Housewife, and (3) Wendy’s emergence as a key figure for the show’s future.
a woman who overcame dropping out from UVA after an assault, a failed first marriage, and struggled to find a husband who could support her and her children, only to end up being the one providing for them financially due to his poor financial decisions. She’s now stuck in this exaggerated persona that doesn’t reflect her true standing in the community as someone who may struggle with alcohol and possibly infidelity.
Many people might feel they’ve lost any sympathy for her after multiple DUIs, and I respect their viewpoint. However, personally, I find Karen and her story quite sad. She seems to be living in denial, hiding behind sharp comments and a self-righteous attitude that didn’t fool those around her. After years of doing this, even when she might be in the right, her credibility among the cast is so low that she ends up losing more respect than gaining it, despite her attempts to criticize others.
As I watched the unfolding drama in this season’s reality show, I find myself utterly amazed at Karen’s relentless attempts to stir up trouble, which, unfortunately for her, seem to be consistently backfiring. Her attempt to reprimand Stacey for breaking ranks was met with swift dismissal and a quick exit; she then chose to remain silent during the Strut for Strays event, expressing vague concerns about adopting two dogs that left viewers puzzled and indifferent.
The climax came when Karen was confronted by the rest of the cast regarding her reputation for treating newcomers like strays, attempting to form alliances before they even stepped in front of the camera. This tactic has been evident in the past with Mia, whose alliance with Karen we witnessed on screen, and this season with both Keiarna and Stacey who clung to her as the series progressed.
Now, it appears that the women have Karen cornered, leaving her no room for evasion or another grand pronouncement of being a Grande Dame – and to add injury to insult, she is now facing felony charges and the very real possibility of jail time. It’s quite an intriguing turn of events!
It was only a matter of time before this conflict occurred, but what left me stunned was the party instigating it – none other than the newcomer Stacey Rusch. Throughout the season, I’ve been discussing whether Stacey is intentionally playing naive for the cameras or genuinely living in another reality, and today we finally got our answer: Stacey is shaping up to be a formidable Housewife. From organizing a charity event as the season finale to getting into both minor and major disagreements with all the women as the season ended, the ex-QVC host really found her niche and made an indisputable case for her comeback.
The initial indication of her growing influence can be seen in the scene featuring her acquaintance AJ Johnson from the show Chicagolicious. AJ has experience in reality TV, as demonstrated by his quick criticism of TJ, who possesses a charming and stylish demeanor reminiscent of an everlasting pair of beige suits. His subtle contempt for TJ’s over-the-top humor and his perceived status as a career guest actor resonated with me, adding the necessary snarky dynamic that this season seemed to lack. In just a few minutes, I became hooked and eagerly anticipated seeing these two personalities back on my screen next season.
As Stacey prepares for the event, she’s sharp as a tack – it’s not so much her attire (a bit like if Natalie Cole decided to perform at a figure skating competition complete with wig), but her intellect that shines brightly. The fundraiser itself is a bit of a chaotic mess, fitting for the style of philanthropy you’d find on Housewives: there are waiters without shirts, puppies running about uncontrollably, and aerial dancers flailing aimlessly – all adding to an unexplained ‘vibe’.
When Gizelle tries to provoke her by wearing a gaudy blush-toned dress suitable for a child’s first communion, Stacey simply brushes off the jab like it was nothing, comparing Gizelle to Big Bird. When Karen attempts to confront her, Stacey remains unflustered, reminding Karen of their past support and expressing that she doesn’t deserve this retaliation; this composure leaves Karen’s already questionable villain act looking pathetic.
During their back-and-forth, when Karen takes a sip from her drink and Stacey asks, “What are you sipping? Hard liquor?” I knew she was ready to take the win. Though Karen may try to convince herself that her demotions mean something, Stacey can handle the stress and Karen clearly wasn’t prepared for the reaction – even in confessional interviews, all she manages is weak mutterings about moving violations, which seems rich coming from someone with such a history.
Essentially, Stacey has every reason to switch loyalties in the ongoing game of musical chairs on ‘Housewives’, as Karen’s actions have potentially led to her own demise. Stacey soon starts sharing negative comments about Karen with other cast members, emphasizing that she owes no loyalty to Karen Huger and referencing Nene Leakes: “I spoke my mind, and what I said is exactly what Karen told me.” While Stacey may appear to be siding with Mia Thornton, it seems more likely that she’s using Mia as a way to publicly condemn Karen’s behavior. Indeed, Stacey does criticize Karen, pointing out how her supposed kindness always comes with strings attached – acting both kind and cruel at the same time. This hypocrisy is particularly clear to Wendy Osefo. In summary, Stacey has every right to change sides, but it’s debatable whether she genuinely supports Mia or simply sees her as a way to confront Karen’s actions.
In the finale of Housewives, it’s clear that Wendy is at a significant turning point. After enduring some tough seasons, she seems to have reconciled with most of the cast members. Interestingly, she is now emerging as a strong foundation for the women in the future. This might seem surprising, but it’s hard to argue against the fact that she has established herself as the one connected to DC’s Black elite, backed by her impressive education, connections, and solid family life (not forgetting her new pet).
Securing an interview with Karine Jean-Pierre for Bravo and providing a tour of the White House isn’t a simple task, and Wendy skillfully conducted this before Karen’s background check would reveal her guilty verdict. Despite offering a generous gesture to Karen by inviting her to share this moment, the dog adoption event made it clear that their relationship is mainly for convenience. For four seasons now, viewers have seen that Karen sees herself as superior to Wendy, despite all of Wendy’s achievements. However, in her self-deluded mind, Karen persists in believing she is somehow above Wendy.
In terms of Wendy, she appears unfazed by that disclosure, showing no signs of shock or distress. As Karen tries to refute the instances where she disparaged Wendy at Tally Ho’s, claiming Wendy isn’t from Potomac, Wendy asserts that Karen has slandered her beyond a shadow of a doubt. Gizelle echoes this sentiment, stating that she had tried to warn Wendy but was rejected because the messenger wasn’t trusted. Throughout the entire ordeal, however, Wendy maintains her composure, delivering what might be her most impressive performance of the season. Among all the women present, Wendy’s personal brand is stronger than ever, her career offers numerous exit points, and she has successfully navigated reality TV without compromising her professional and social image off-camera. Previously, I had my reservations about her ability to continue on this show, but for now, it seems I was mistaken.
As time runs out at the event, things take an unexpected and hilarious turn for the worse. Instead of confetti bursting, someone accidentally triggers the fog machine, causing all the tiny dogs to panic and soil themselves. The scene quickly turns into a farce, with women in prom dresses scurrying around in disgust and discomfort due to the strong odor of waste, trying to flee from the main area without getting any on their clothes so they can return them undamaged. With the women shouting, Karen Huger retching, and TJ pleading for them not to leave an event that’s clearly wrapping up, Lucille Ball could not have orchestrated a funnier sequence – and in many ways, this was a fitting end to the season. Though there was a lot of mess, there were also laughs and a hint of optimism for what’s to come.
As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’d like to express that our captivating series has reached its climax this week. Normally, I would conclude the season with a list ranking each Housewife, friend, and their performances. But, given the length of this recap, it’s best saved for later—specifically during the reunion, where we can delve into the dramatic events unfolding in Potomac.
The anticipation is high as we approach the season finale! Will Karen get her much-talked-about comeuppance? What prompts Mia to walk away from the reunion entirely? And what shocking revelations about Stacey and TJ’s relationship does he expose? Join us next week for all the answers. Until then, stay tuned!
Cherry Blossoms
– I haven’t made up my mind about the cast ratings yet, but I have to admit, I found a disconnect between Keiarna’s tagline and her performance this season. She seemed less focused on business matters, and considering Greg attended the reunion, it appears that her separation from him may not have lasted as long as necessary.
As a cinephile, I find myself appreciating the authentic portrayal of Ashley’s family dynamics more than others might. They represent a traditional NoVA family with deep roots, and their unwavering support for her, despite the turmoil she creates in other aspects of her life, provides a refreshing contrast. Moreover, it offers valuable insights into why she clings so strongly to her social status whenever possible.
Seeing her family’s reaction to her failed singing career was both amusing and relatable, and their attempts at holding each other accountable and learning from past mistakes over the years resonate with me. If Ashley continues in the series, I eagerly look forward to more of these heartfelt family moments on screen.
As a cinema enthusiast, I must admit that Giselle’s storyline this year was rather slim, yet I found myself captivated by her heartwarming moments with her daughters. A moment came when they attempted to plant a tree, only to discover they lacked even a digging fork to loosen the soil – a predicament that had me shouting in empathy! I’m certain their grandfather, watching from his celestial gathering, couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene.
This season, I’ve kept quiet about it, but the person responsible for styling and fitting Stacey’s wigs this year should step forward without delay. While the Whitney Houston bob didn’t suit her at all, most of her wigs this year have had issues, with the gravest error being that they were carelessly positioned behind her hairline, offering little effort to blend seamlessly. Stacey is a stunning woman who deserves a hairstylist who won’t make her appear unflattering. I am confident that this will be rectified next season.
Read More
- “I’m a little irritated by him.” George Clooney criticized Quentin Tarantino after allegedly being insulted by him
- South Korea Delays Corporate Crypto Account Decision Amid Regulatory Overhaul
- What was the biggest anime of 2024? The popularity of some titles and lack of interest in others may surprise you
- Destiny 2: When Subclass Boredom Strikes – A Colorful Cry for Help
- Deep Rock Galactic: The Synergy of Drillers and Scouts – Can They Cover Each Other’s Backs?
- Sonic 3 Just Did An Extremely Rare Thing At The Box Office
- Final Fantasy 1: The MP Mystery Unraveled – Spell Slots Explained
- Influencer dies from cardiac arrest while getting tattoo on hospital operating table
- Smite’s New Gods: Balancing Act or Just a Rush Job?
- Twitch CEO explains why they sometimes get bans wrong
2025-02-03 21:54