"She is totally classless trash," Vicki Gunvalson states, referring to Alexis Bellino. So starts Episode 13 of The Real Housewives of Orange County.
The girls are still at the table eating, continuing their lunch from last week. The table tries to explain to Vicki that she can be offensive sometimes, especially with her work ethic "thing." Tamra tells Vicki not to act like a victim, which doesn’t go over well. Vicki thinks her friends (Tamra) don't have her back. "Is this gang on up Vicki day?" Alexis asks Vicki to consider simply saying, "Hey, I screw up sometimes," and explains that they are trying to help her, but Vicki tells her "you don't even know me." This is not happening at this lunch table right now and Vicki leaves. Briana's not happy about being put in the middle of this and says it's BS and is why she doesn't hang out with girls. She felt like the only adult at the table and goes out to find her mom. "I'm taking the high road again," Vicki cries. Briana explains that her mom is not taking the high road by standing outside and they go back in. Is Vicki done with the "mean girls"? (Where's Jeana?!)
Vicki comes back to the table. Briana, in her situation and stress right now, tells them that this is BS. Alexis asks that they join hands and pray. And so they pray. For a long time. Fight to prayer = 31+ flavors in this dysfunctional lunch. Amen. Then Tamra spills her drink. "The prayer came out of nowhere; the damage was done; she's a hypocrite, period." Vicki shares.
Virgin American lands back in Orange County where we find Simon and Tamra sitting on the couch talking about the trip, the girls, how Simon thinks Tamra should hang with the kids more. He tells her had a great time with the kids while she was gone and that the drama is creating too much unhappiness in her life. Tamra thinks Simon doesn’t like her having her freedom. She mentions Lynne and Frank's possible divorce. Divorce is serious, the "D" word. When someone brings that up, its serious, Simon states.
Slade and Gretchen take off for Palm Springs where Gretchen's parents (who have been married for 39 years) have rented out Merv Griffin's fabulous personal estate. Gretchen wants Slade to get to know her parents better, as they are getting more serious. Brenda thinks that Gretchen should take time to figure things out and should not be in a relationship and has made that clear to Slade, Mr. Smiley shares. Brenda and Scott (Gretchen's mom and pop) are already there and they all go on a tour of Merv's house. They see Merv's bedroom, his private office, the stables and horses with a full sized horse track--it's all so exciting! Gretchen's parents are hilarious as they make a ton of Slade jokes as they walk around the estate. (Watch the episode, Boo!)
Frank Curtin confides his story of money problems and his remorse for lying to the family. He's not sure about their marriage. Lynne does not want to be around him now and she and the girls are at her mom's house for awhile. Lynne feels that Frank did not protect her (not cool) and so she needs some time away. Frank says of his daughters, "If they're going to choose sides, they need to choose their mom. I screwed up, not their mom." It's up to Lynne if they stay married; it would be his choice to stay married forever.
Back at the Gunvalson home, Briana drags herself in after working the night shift at the hospital. She's exhausted. They are still uncertain exactly what she has. They don't have the biopsy results yet. Briana confides that waiting is the hardest part, and it feels like forever. Does she have cancer? She goes to bed as Vicki begins to start her day worried about her daughter's future.
Slade feels blessed to have this relationship with Gretchen's Father, Scott, as they go on a bike ride and he tells Scott about his intentions regarding his daughter. Scott explains that it's Gretchen's mom that he's going to have to talk to. Brenda and Gretchen make breakfast. Slade tells the camera that starting this "next level" is tough. Slade cannot imagine being with anyone but Gretchen for the rest of his life. He has to talk to Brenda and he needs to ask Gretchen an important question.
The Bellino's invited Pastor Franklin and his wife for breakfast as Alexis feels guilty about how she spoke to Vicki in San Francisco and she wants to discuss it. They pray. Jim says that when you say that you are a Christian, a label is put on you that is unattainable. They discuss Alexis' style choices of tight, low-cut dresses, her huge knockers, and the occasional glasses of wine that she has. People judge her and it can be offensive.
The pastor explains that you don't have to look like a nun. God can use your beauty, use who you are to open the hearts of people. He (God) doesn’t require perfection; he requires a heart.
Jim Bellino jumps in, "Use your gifts (looks are a gift).
After the argument with Vicki in San Francisco, the next sermon Alexis heard was "Watch Your Tongue" which she felt was God's message piped down to her to tolerate Vicki. She was touched.
Jim explains that the San Francisco lunch turned out well after all because of Alexis' prayer with Vicki and Briana.
Christians need to find their own way Alexis confides. She is on her own walk with God and she will work out her own salvation. She says she prays every day. "God is the Almighty loving God" and he will not judge her for her tight dresses, etc.
Back in Palm Springs, they are cooking steaks and drinking. Gretchen's mom is a tough cookie and it will take her a while to understand that Slade is an important part of Gretchen's life, Gretchen says. She asks her mom and dad what the secret to marriage is? There is no secret they say. Then Gretchen explains her idea of "leasing people": Instead of marrying them lease them. The threat of a better model coming down the line will cause a person to stay tuned up. Mom and dad think it's a horrible idea. Then she drops the bomb that she is afraid to get married again. Mom points out that everything is going pretty fast and that she should commit to herself first. Gretchen says that she doesn’t want to wake up one day and regret anything. This must be that "tough next level" Slade mentioned previously.
Finally, we see Frank Curtin in his own tough next level. He has asked his girls (Lynne, Raquel, and Alexa) to come and talk to him in his motel room (Alexa opted out). Not such a happy reunion, as Frank compliments his girls and asks them what's going on. Lynne says they are not having a good day and Alexa is just over this. Over it. She is tired of people not telling her what is really going on. Frank is eternally sorry. Alexa asks her dad to tell her the bad news, be honest, don't lie. Lynne asks him what is causing him to constantly lie to her, something in his past?
Frank, again, admits that he has made bad decisions and spent money irresponsibly. Lynne just wants a house to live in; she doesn’t ask for a lot. There has been a pattern of living beyond their means, it's their MO, but this jolt has been like a "near-death" experience for Lynne. At this point, she doesn’t believe Frank is sorry or will change. Frank says he's changed and promises that he will communicate the good, bad and in-between to his girls from now on. Lynne says she can promise Frank a day at a time, but not forever right now. Frank pleads that it's not too late.
Alexa looks on. He apologizes to Alexa and says he loves her.
Then, suddenly, Frank feels a family vacation coming on, which is BS coming from her dad, as he makes promises he can't keep, says Alexa. She feels her life is not normal and she wants to be a normal teenager and not move every six months. She's almost 18 and her dad is still saying things will change, it may be too late. She feels she can't trust him and cries; she's confused. Why are they focusing on her problems, when they can't take care of their own?.
She breaks down, saying this whole thing is stressing her out badly and leaves.
Watch scenes from next week's Real Housewives of Orange County. Then watch a clip from 1966 of the Merv Griffin Show with Betty White and Allen Ludden to cheer you up! Betty White is a sexy pistol.
Also, read the Real Housewives of Orange County Blogs--start with Alexis.
The blogs are not submitted together and so keep checking back to read who has what to say about whatever. I wonder if Real Housewives could get into the Bad Girl's Club? I think they have to work a job in that show. Vicki would like that!
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