Well, ladies, we’re one episode away from the season finale, and Rhode Island has apparently decided that the best way to celebrate the end of summer is with an Arabian Nights party, unresolved grudges, and a secret that could make an already complicated friendship situation considerably worse.
Last time, Liz and Jo-Ellen had their spectacular falling-out in Boston. There was hair pulling, chair pushing, accusations of fakery, and a whole lot of denial. Jo-Ellen left feeling betrayed, Liz remained convinced she was the victim, and the rest of the women were left trying to figure out which side of the friendship battlefield they were supposed to occupy.
Let’s just say the group chat is probably exhausting.
The Boston incident continues to have consequences, particularly for Rosie and Alicia. The two women have information about one of their castmates that they are debating whether to reveal. Rosie and Alicia discuss when and how to bring it up, knowing that the information could cause considerable damage.
And here’s the thing about Housewives secrets: once two women know something, the secret is already halfway to becoming public knowledge.
Rosie and Alicia are weighing the consequences of speaking up against the possibility that keeping quiet will make them look complicit. Neither seems entirely comfortable with the situation, but neither is eager to unleash another round of chaos without thinking it through.
Meanwhile, Rulla and Brian are preparing to host an end-of-summer Arabian Nights party.
Because apparently nothing says peaceful entertaining like inviting a group of women who have recently been involved in multiple public arguments and then putting them all in an elaborate themed setting.
The party is an opportunity for everyone to come together after the Boston disaster. But there is a significant difference between inviting people to the same event and actually repairing their relationships.
Liz and Jo-Ellen are still estranged, and the tension surrounding their friendship is very much alive. Neither woman seems particularly interested in making the first move.
Jo-Ellen has been hurt by Liz’s treatment of her, while Liz remains convinced that Jo-Ellen has been dishonest and disloyal.
At this point, the two women could probably attend separate parties in different states and still find something to argue about.
Rulla and Brian’s party brings the group face-to-face for the first time since Boston, and the atmosphere is understandably complicated. Old friendships, new alliances, and unresolved accusations are all coming along for the evening.
And with Rosie and Alicia holding information that could affect another woman’s life, there’s another layer of suspense hanging over the gathering.
The question isn’t simply who is going to fight with whom. It’s who knows what, who has told whom, and whether the truth is finally going to come out.
One thing is certain: Rulla’s Arabian Nights party is not exactly giving us the relaxing end-of-summer gathering its hosts might have envisioned.
Between Liz and Jo-Ellen’s broken friendship, the continuing fallout from Boston, and the information Rosie and Alicia are debating whether to disclose, the women have plenty of unfinished business.
And that’s where we find ourselves heading into the finale.
The season has given us a sugar-daddy relationship, allegations of infidelity, a Miss Slam Pig pageant, a hair appointment that ended in a physical confrontation, and a Sinatra performance that turned into a friendship funeral.
Now we’re one episode away from Block Island.
If Kelsey thinks a group trip is going to repair these relationships, she may want to reconsider her vacation insurance.
Rhode Island, we’re almost at the finish line. And somehow I suspect the clam chowder is going to be the least controversial thing on the menu.
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