The Real Housewives of Dubai Recap: Sweet Caroline

As a longtime fan of reality TV and someone who has watched my fair share of Bravo’s “Real Housewives,” I have to admit that this latest episode of RHDC left me utterly fascinated. The dynamics between the ladies in Dubai are nothing short of intriguing, and it seems that Caroline Stanbury is at the heart of it all.

Over the past year and a half, I’ve been intrigued by the transformation of Caroline Stanbury, who I first met on “Ladies of London” around ten years ago. Back then, she was known as the British queen of girlboss, gaslighting, gatekeeping, with her unyielding silver tongue to match. In Dubai, we’ve seen hints of that side of her. She’s had moments where her sarcastic wit has shone through, which she dismissively labels as “British humor” when tensions ease. But this week, Stanbury revealed the very thing that made her a beloved character on Bravo in a brilliantly calculated move – showcasing her as a true Housewife with a capital H.

The episode opens with the chaotic fallout of the previous night’s heated dinner. Both Brooke and Taleen are still feeling the tension – Brooke is expressing her anger to Sara, while Taleen publicly apologizes for her role in the escalation with her husband. In my opinion, both women share blame – Brooke provoked the conflict through her antagonistic behavior at the event, while Taleen admits to being drunk and retaliating with low blows, leading her husband to intervene. Lesa reminds them that their behavior is inappropriate and potentially dangerous for expats, not due to any respect for women but simply as a means of upholding social order in an elegant society. With a Bali trip scheduled in two days and emotions still running high, the women are discussing strategies for dealing with each other’s volatile temperaments, exchanging voice messages and video calls. Further developments will follow.

Caroline, on the other hand, is primarily concerned about her expensive white sofa. Although she’s upset about how her housewarming party didn’t go as planned and was a disappointment for her guests, her major worry is that her costly alabaster sofa, which is more of an art piece than a functional item, might not be suitable for her household if a baby is to be introduced. It seems unlikely that she would consider covering it with plastic or using a stain protector like Scotchgard, given her preference for elaborate furnishings that can’t handle minor damage. Thus, I don’t anticipate her taking such precautions, and she’s off to Bali with the “eat, pray, party” motto in hand.

Women gradually make their way into Dubai’s airport for their early-morning Indonesia-bound flight, including Ayan in her wedding attire. However, they soon discover that Brooks is conspicuously absent, causing a slight flare-up of anxiety among them. I can relate to their apprehension, but find the prank unimpressive. As a spectator, I couldn’t let myself be drawn into their concern; I’ve seen too much reality TV to be swayed easily. If Brooks was indeed in danger or out of reach, a producer would have intervened and shared the news immediately. I strongly suspect that the producer overseeing her knew full well that Brooks wasn’t planning to attend.

Despite concerns, the first-class crew is all set for takeoff to Bali. However, Sergio feigns compliance, infuriating the entire group before eventually jetting off to Spain. Seemingly unable to cope with solitude, his mind is filled with “tiki tiki” thoughts and Pinterest plans for their shared bathroom. Once he’s dealt with his separation anxiety, he departs Stanbury, leaving behind an old poster of himself – a throwback image with bleach-blond hair and ludicrously short shorts.

Bali offers a refreshing new environment for the group, who prioritize comfort and indulge in various luxuries. They’re thrilled about the expansive Intercontinental Suite, private chef services, and avoiding any room assignment issues. The women are all unwinding, excited for their girls trip. Although Brooks’ anxiety lingers at a low level, Stanbury reassures everyone bluntly, “I don’t need to worry about Brooks; she can handle herself in any situation.”

Although there’s a common belief that Brooks causes discord among the group, Stanbury has the least transparent connections with the other women. She quickly cut ties with both Brooks and Sara due to seemingly minor offenses. In an unexpected turn of events, she made amends with Ayan swiftly after having them support her in the reunion and trying to exclude her. Stanbury’s relationship with Lesa is strained at best, while Taleen, the newcomer, is struggling to find her place within the group following insults. At any instant, the group might come to the realization that Stanbury bears equal responsibility for the fractured relationships as Brooks’s disruptive behavior.

As a seasoned observer of human behavior and a dedicated reader of women’s fiction, I cannot help but be intrigued by this passage from Stanbury’s narrative. From my perspective, it seems that our housewife protagonist is grappling with deep-seated jealousy and insecurity, masking her true feelings behind veiled accusations of spiritual interference.

It’s becoming more evident that the connection between Brooks and Sara isn’t as accidental as it appears. Based on my observation, I assume their shared foundation stems from their mutual complaints about Stanbury pressuring them during the first-season reunion. This common ground of annoyance has evolved into a strong friendship where they exchange meaningless comments about being girlbosses in Dubai. However, I strongly suspect that Brooks brings out Sara’s savior complex, which Stanbury disapproves of and attempts to suppress. In no time, Stanbury manages to create discord between Brooks and Sara. Eagerly waiting for her chance, Stanbury intends to share a voice message of Sara expressing her dislike for Brooks during dinner: “I must confess, I’m not particularly fond of Brooks.”

During lunch, Ayan played a voice message he received from Lesa to Stanbury and Taleen. However, it was Lesa who originally recorded the voice note. Ayan and Sara have a strained relationship and are only beginning to mend it. Lesa is annoyed that Ayan disseminated the voice message without considering the implications, an error for which Ayan quickly apologizes. Yet, Lesa soon recognizes that Caroline’s manipulations are the real problem. In a clever move, Caroline (1) fueled tension between Sara and Brooks, (2) placed Ayan under scrutiny, (3) drew Lesa and Ayan into Sara’s line of fire, and (4) shifted focus from the escalating issues between Taleen and Brooks. The drama generated by Caroline is textbook reality TV manipulation at its finest. Finally, the authentic Caroline Stanbury makes her presence felt on screen.

Golden Nuggets

It was amusing to notice Ayan and Brooks switching up their hairstyles at noon – let’s have more of such light-hearted moments!

Ayan’s fear of venturing deep into the ocean due to the presence of Jinns is genuinely felt. In every Muslim household, children are brought up hearing tales and legends about Jinns – I have my own share of such stories. It’s intriguing to observe how Ayan conveys this belief in a simple and unassuming manner, rather than using it as an opportunity for moralizing like Sara does.

Despite finding some of Ayan’s fashion selections seemingly unnecessary, I admire her determination to express herself boldly. She expressed, “I’ll face God in haute couture.” In contrast, my mother always encouraged me to prioritize wearing comfortable undergarments.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve been deeply moved by the way Lesa’s husband takes charge at home while she handles numerous responsibilities. It’s a beautiful portrayal of what a partnership should be, and I fervently wish for her to find peace and reassurance in this shared experience someday.

2024-07-24 22:55

The Real Housewives of Dubai Recap: Sweet Caroline

Golden Nuggets

Read More

Minority Mindset