The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Recap: Augusta, Osage County

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This week on our beloved series, “Wealthy Women’s Escapades at a Residence in Augusta, Georgia,” the affluent women embarked on various activities within a residence in Augusta, Georgia. They allowed their help to endure scoldings from their mothers for mistakes like over-drying grits or serving incorrect ice, and even for having a knife out on the counter as an option for cutting slices of the numerous cakes displayed under glass domes. They listened to a friend engage in a personal chat with her mother, only to disperse swiftly when it concluded, much like cockroaches startled by a light, only to be detected by their friend who discerned their poor acting skills. Back at their Beverly Hills abode, they splurged on striped paint for the hallway, feeling that the public would never approve of further spending, yet here they are, going ahead with it!

Regardless of the activities wealthy women engage in, it’s clear that the main topic of discussion among fans will center around allegations of racism involving Sutton’s mother, Reba. To phrase this more tactfully, it’s important to recognize that we all live in a society with deep-rooted racial bias, and we often carry these prejudices unconsciously. Born in 1943 in the Deep South, Reba would have been raised and lived under conditions vastly different from those experienced by people born later. It’s plausible to assume that she may not have had the same opportunities to confront and challenge her own biases as someone born in more recent times. While it’s unlikely that she has ever worn a bedsheet as a hood, it is possible that she exhibits behaviors with potential racial implications of which she might be unaware.

In the last episode, it’s noticeable how she behaved towards Kyle and Garcelle. Upon meeting them, she seems to find Kyle attractive and is friendly towards her. However, when Garcelle presents a scarf as a gift, she appears suspicious and uncomfortable, questioning Garcelle’s intentions, although eventually accepting the gift. This behavior is also seen when Kyle returns from a run; Reba warmly greets her, discussing her route, offering advice, and engaging in conversation. This might be because Kyle had previously criticized Sutton, which seems to be one of Reba’s ‘love languages.’ When Garcelle joins for a chat, Reba focuses more on questioning her assistant Avi than interacting with Garcelle directly. It doesn’t seem like she was intentionally rude to Garcelle, but it appears that she treats her differently compared to Sutton’s white friend.

The most significant disagreement arises when Garcelle talks with Reba about Sutton. For quite some time now, a heated conversation between them has been hinted at in the show previews, with Garcelle telling Reba, “Sutton takes great pride in how far she’s advanced, and all she really wants is for you to express your pride in her achievements and your affection for her as well.

Reba’s response didn’t appear to be racially motivated. Instead, it seemed like she was expressing her belief that Garcelle wasn’t fully aware of the complex issues between them and should mind her own business. However, it might be wise for Reba to consider Garcelle’s insights, even though she might come from outside the family, as she could be providing valuable information. The conversation then lightened up, suggesting a good rapport between them, with Reba appearing to appreciate Garcelle’s charm and her ability to make older people comfortable. This is likely due to Garcelle’s experience in such situations, a burden she carries but handles gracefully.

It’s possible that the dialogue might have taken a different turn if Kyle had been the one speaking instead of Garcelle. However, I believe Reba would still have perceived it as overstepping, as Kyle demonstrated an awareness of this in the previous episode. The reason Garcelle excels as a Housewife is because she’s not shy about addressing tough topics, asking challenging questions, and navigating complex issues with her charisma. Kyle, on the other hand, tends to avoid such confrontations and instead focuses on being supportive and friendly. In the most Kyle-like moment of the episode, Kyle was getting her makeup done and praising Sutton’s mom, despite their strained relationship. Kudos to Kyle for standing up for her friend in that situation.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Sutton and Reba’s bond is intricate, and they share striking similarities. Just as Avi stumbles with Reba, he learns to seek Sutton’s approval before arranging the table because she often has suggestions. Or consider how she prepares her crab cakes, discarding ingredients and scolding Avi for his mistakes – it seems like a scene right out of Reba’s playbook.

However, the most significant aspects become apparent when Sutton pays a visit to the house where she spent her childhood and where her father tragically took his life over two decades ago. (It was fortunate that her friend arranged this visit, or I would have been mortified if they simply knocked on the door like Meghan King Edmonds, hoping to accidentally meet a long-lost relative in some Irish town.) Reba was reluctant to go due to the emotional turmoil it would cause. Frankly, I couldn’t have missed this opportunity to show up and make light of the new owner’s interior design choices. “Look at that gigantic bocce court they installed in the front yard, swallowing up the entire lawn! The nerve!

For Sutton, revisiting those places brought an intense sense of pain, as they were associated with her father and the realization that she hadn’t been able to pierce through his cloud of drugs and alcohol during their last encounter. These spaces also triggered memories of the immense sorrow she and her mother experienced in that house after the incident, a sorrow compounded by Sutton accidentally burning the Christmas crab cakes while her father was in another room taking his own life. Additionally, it’s understandable that Sutton might feel bitter towards her mother, as she harbors resentment for knowing that her father, who was on sleeping pills, Xanax, and alcohol, had a loaded gun in the house – a fact that could have potentially prevented the tragic event.

Nevertheless, this is the release they require. This is precisely what the show offers these women, placing them in situations that force them to confront not just their current circumstances but also the truth about their past, revealing how they ended up at this juncture in their lives where they’ll go to great lengths for fame, recognition, and a modest Bravo salary. Sutton isn’t dwelling on her predicament; instead, she’s dealing with it proactively.

The discussion between Sutton and her mother during dinner preparation carries great significance. Sutton desires for her mother to acknowledge her capabilities, not just as a business owner and fashion entrepreneur, but also as an individual who can accomplish tasks. Initially, I found it peculiar that she sought recognition for this, but now, given her mother’s background as a psychiatrist and her aspiration for Sutton to be a working mom herself, it seems more understandable. Sutton isn’t aiming for the title of fashion prodigy; rather, she seeks validation from her mother for her career choice that reflects well on her family. Even Reba chuckles delightfully upon realizing that Sutton has become the career-oriented woman that Reba was, demonstrating a striking resemblance to her mother in ambition.

In simpler terms, Garcelle set the stage for this discussion between Reba and Sutton when Sutton mentioned her doubt about whether Reba acknowledges or is proud of her professional accomplishments. However, Reba doesn’t understand why she needs to express this, finding it cliche and overused, much like saying “I love you.” Similarly, Boz shares that she and her girlfriend Keeley have never explicitly said the phrase “I love you,” as they both feel that if they do, it might seem insincere or unearned. In the same vein, Reba’s response to Sutton about being proud of her comes across as weak and inadequate, almost to the point of losing its intended impact.

Following our discussion, I believe Sutton will receive something akin to what she desires. Her mother may not shower her with lavish praise or embody the emotional outpouring that Sutton yearns for. Yet, she has agreed to attend Sutton’s fashion show despite her disdain for traveling, her distaste for staying in Sutton’s son Phillip’s room, and her aversion to the aquarium.

In essence, she will demonstrate through action her desire to be an active part of her daughter’s life, expressing pride in her accomplishments, albeit imperfectly. She may not utter the words “I’m proud of you,” but she has offered four words that carry just as much weight: “We can do better.” These words should resonate deeply within Sutton, signaling that the healing process between them, which has been delayed since their father’s passing, could finally be set in motion.

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2025-02-12 06:54