In the words of Dolores, “this friend group needs professional help.” Amen to that. On this episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, everywhere you turn, women are bickering. Melissa holds an Envy fashion show and Teresa has her first live podcast performance. Two very different events, but the drama never ends. When Danielle and Jennifer are put in the same room together, it is clear that a reconciliation is off the table…
Melissa and Joe are out for dinner with Melissa’s mother, Donna. Melissa discusses the stress over her upcoming Envy fashion show, but she is thrilled to be back in action doing what she loves. The conversation changes to Donna’s future, as she is now widowed for the second time in her life. Donna admits to not wanting to be alone forever, and Melissa understands that as Donna gets older, she needs to be able to help her out more and more, especially since this past year. Donna just hasn’t been the same and Melissa is noticing a change.
Margaret heads over to sit down with Dolores and clear the air about everything Jackie insinuated. Margaret feels like Jackie purposely tried to put something in Dolores’s head, but wants it known that she “never said a bad word” about Dolores. Since Joe’s recent health scare, Marge claims she doesn’t have time for petty BS. But, she thinks that Paulie is part of the reason Dolores tends to lean towards Teresa. Margaret feels as though Paul likes Teresa and Louie more than her and Joe. She does admit to saying that if Dolores was still with David, this [rift] wouldn’t have happened, and to that Dolores retorts that if she was still with David, she wouldn’t be going out with anyone, anywhere. Dolores knows that Marge talks a lot crap, but she has been a good friend to her in the end. Margaret lets Dolores know that she will have only one conversation with Jackie about their beef.
As Danielle preps for the Envy fashion show, she talks about her excitement to be invited back stage by Melissa. She explains how Teresa won’t be in attendance and that the last time she saw her, Teresa defended Jen. Danielle is hurt that Teresa didn’t have her back and refers to Jennifer as the devil, but promises that she won’t say anything to Jen at the fashion show.
In lighter news, Danielle is amped because her children will be starring in a music video for Kidz Bop. She has asked her husband, Nate, to invite her father to the filming. Danielle explains that since their rift, Danielle is nervous of being rejected by her father and so she relies on Nate to be the go-between. Nate is hopeful that he can help mend this relationship.
Jen FaceTimes Teresa as she gets ready for the fashion show and Teresa talks about her excitement for her first live podcast. Funny how she has something big coming up RIGHT after Melissa’s fashion show. Speaking of Melissa, she is busy putting the finishing touches on the models when Danielle shows up early to support her. Danielle promises to be cordial with Jen, which may be easier said than done.
Dolores knows that this “friend group needs professional help” and worries about the dynamic within the group. We’ve got Jen and Danielle beefing and Jackie and Margaret on bad terms. Fessler is unsure if she will talk to Rachel and states that she is was only trying to protect Rachel’s family. Danielle refuses to talk to Jennifer since she would only have nasty things to say. What next?
The fashion show is bumping and Melissa is thrilled to have this opportunity to make Envy bigger and better. She has done the ladies a solid by supplying them clothes from Envy to wear to the event…well, everyone except Jackie. Margaret claims she is not going to go tit for tat with Jackie, yet throws shade when she lets Jackie know she did not get sent an Envy dress to wear from Melissa. Jackie is annoyed that once again, she was left out.
Side note: Frank is back after the loss of his dog and so he has had to postpone his engagement. He knows he has to plan something asap, which in turn makes the guys wonder about a bachelor party, of course…
Jackie immediately runs over to tell Dolores, Jen, and Fessler that Marge LOVED sharing everyone was given Envy clothes to wear, except her. Dolores feels like Jackie is overdramatic, but admits that Margaret only said that to be mean. At that moment, Marge enters to talk to the “other” group. Dolores is happy to see that Margaret apologized for not checking on Jennifer after the fight, as this could be a glimmer of hope for the ladies…maybe.
The show begins and Jennifer questions the concept of having a fashion show when Melissa didn’t really design any of the clothes. Not shady at all. She also points out that there are no male models in this show, and insinuates that will make Melissa’s life easier with cheating rumors. In the end, a miracle does occur and it seems like everyone pretty much puts their issues aside to celebrate Melissa and Envy.
Later, Danielle and her kids prep to film the Kidz Bop video. Danielle learns that her dad will not be coming due to some complications with her step-mom’s surgery. It sure seems like her dad has an excuse every time and Danielle is bummed that he is missing out on these organic moments to reconnect.
In the meantime, Teresa is amped to be having her first live podcast in church-like setting with her co-host Melissa, aka “the good Melissa.” Jen, Fessler, and Jackie are in attendance to support their girl, Tre. We learn that the theme of the show is finding peace and Teresa explains that she is beyond stressed lately, in regards to Louie’s ex and cryptically mentions some people in her circle. The idea of forgiving and forgetting comes up, which leads Jen to say she is not likely to forgive Danielle after what she did to her.
Not only is Dorinda in attendance, but Danielle manages to make it in time after the Kidz Bop video. Jen is shocked to see her there, but Danielle explains that she made the effort so she can support Teresa. Jen is busy telling anyone with ears what happened between her and Danielle, but Danielle chooses to stay calm and watch the show, for now, despite the tension being thick.
The live podcast begins and Teresa starts off by reading an excerpt from her diary. The portion talks about protecting her peace and her family. She advises everyone to stay true to themselves and when there is a short break in the show, the gang meets up to kiss up to, I mean tell Tre, how proud they are of her.
Danielle and Jen are ticking time bombs and Danielle keeps throwing digs Jen’s way. When discussing the show’s venue, Danielle blurts out that she is shocked the church-like space did not “burn down” with Jen’s “a*s in it, honestly,” and there’s a little back and both exchange between Danielle and Jen. Teresa states that she wants to try and help fix their relationship and Dolores tries to remind everyone that this night is about Teresa, but the bickering starts up again.
As she passes Jen to leave the room, Danielle bends down and whispers to her, “By the way you look like sh*t” (which is rich considering Danielle’s outfit of the night) and then heads out the door. Jen is aghast and does not appreciate the fact that everyone sat there silent after that comment. But Dolores ain’t gonna stand for that. She jumps right in Jen’s face and tells her to go talk to Danielle the way Danielle talks to her…but Jen makes it clear if she *handled* things with Danielle, she would choose to “pop the b*tch…”
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