Recap: RHOC Season 8 Reunion Part 1 - Episode 19

Andy Cohen sits down with Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Barney, Gretchen Rossi, Alexis Bellino, Heather Dubrow and Lydia McLaughlin to revisit the drama from season eight. The epic reunion begins as Vicki and Gretchen go head to head digging up the past as they vie for Tamra's friendship. The drama then turns to new housewife Lydia who is called to task about her outspokenness and forced to defend herself against accusations of stirring the pot. And then the tension hits a boiling point when original housewife Lauri Petersen returns to defend her claims of Vicki's infidelities instigating an explosive fight that changes the nature of their friendship. Read our recap below!

This week the ladies of Real Housewives of Orange County are sitting down with Andy Cohen for a reunion special and by the looks of it, it’s the most dramatic reunion in RHOC history that Bravo decided they had to split it the reunion in three parts! The reunion starts and there’s already tension in the room, it’s clear that is basically it’s everyone versus pageant queen herself, Gretchen Rossi! There’s so much drama that the ladies had to dig up drama that happened 4 seasons ago, is this really necessary? Ugh!  Next Andy Cohen stirs the pot by asking Tamra is she trust Gretchen, Tamra says no cause Gretchen lies too much. Then Tamra goes after Gretchen for not owning up that she cheated on her previous fiancé Jeff when he was dying in the hospital, but she has photographic evidence of it of Gretchen kissing other men. Lydia is surprised to hear this just like the rest of us that she takes over for Andy and plays host and questions Alexis these accusations are true since during that time Alexis and Gretchen were best friends. Alexis pulls a Lauri and says that Gretchen did inappropriate things but didn’t see any signs of cheating. Gretchen of course continues to deny all these cheating allegations and turns it around towards Vicki. Gretchen reminds everyone that she won a court case from her ex boyfriend/former friend/former family friend/former stalker; damn this is so confusing that it makes me doubt Gretchen. Tamra and Vicki insist it has nothing to do with the court case since they witnessed Gretchen act inappropriate.  

A look back at Lydia's most memorable moments is shown, which of course includes scenes with her vs. Slade due to the cheeseburger comment. Lydia says that she's a lot smarter than people give her credit for and goes on by calling herself a genius. Next Andy Cohen brings up the Magazine Cover  and that’s when we all get surprised when we see Heather vs. Lydia. They go toe to toe over the Beverly Hills Lifestyle cover, Lydia states that she is not in charge over the decision of her magazine cover and states she is not A list enough to be on the cover and they chose Marilyn Monroe instead. Heather can understand being bumped off the cover for Marilyn Monroe's home, however she doesn't appreciate being laughed at by Lydia and her husband. Next Heather calls out Lydia for doing a 10 page spread on her own magazine. Lydia pulls out the magazine to show everyone and then Heather and Lydia disagree over a 4 page blog that apparently Heather wrote not so nice things about Lydia during their time in Mexico. The conversation ends when Lydia reveals maybe she shouldn’t hang out with Heather and calls her a princess during the process which pisses off Heather more. Off topic, I don’t know if it’s me but Heather reminded me of Countess LuAnn during the interview, maybe because she’s classy?  

Next Lauri is brought out to face Vicki and first explains why she's so different this time around. Lauri says her second marriage really damaged her confidence but things changed when she met her now husband George. Vicki and Lauri used to be best friends and now, they are clearly out to ruin each other's reputations. Lauri continues to say she caught Vicki in a room with a man and a women however she doesn’t know if they were naked or not, my question is if you don’t know then why open your mouth then? Lauri is questioned why she chose to bring this up now after 7 years later and they bring up the email Vicki got from George’s ex mother in law. Lauri insists that email was embarrassing for her husband and was damaging. Vicki insists she didn’t mean to hurt Lauri,and states the email was spread by Jeana Keough not her. Vicki tells Lauri she came back to the show to ruin Vicki’s reputation and she will never be friends with her again. Lauri says she wants Vicki out of her life and Vicki reminds her she’s been out of her life for the past 7 years. Vicki then accuses Lauri of cheating on George! Before you know it Gretchen takes over and goes off at both Vicki and Tamra and makes it all about her. Gretchen questions them why is it’s ok for them to accuse everyone else of cheating but it’s not ok to accuse them, Gretchen thinks all of this “It’s Bullshit!”

Next week the drama continues as the first ladies of Bravo continue to tear each other up!

The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Mondays at 8/7c on Bravo.

Photo Credit: Bravo