It wouldn’t be a finale of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City without an explosion. This time, it came courtesy of Lisa Barlow. During the final dinner in Puerto Vallarta, Heather Gay proposed a dangerous game of sharing the meanest things they'd ever written about one another. The women played, to varying degrees, but after Whitney Rose evoked Monica Garcia’s name in reference to Lisa, all hell broke loose. It was Whitney’s words about Lisa that cut the deepest. With a false accusation about Lisa and her husband, Lisa was the only one who didn’t accept an apology. Instead, she went on a destructive tirade, looping in an innocent bystander in Angie Katsanevas as she brought up her marriage. While Whitney was not innocent here, Lisa’s breakdown was unwarranted, and her further attacks prove that if she’s being brought down, she’ll sink everyone else in her path to prove her point.
Her actions are incredibly reminiscent of Teresa Giudice of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. When her back is up against the wall, she will also hurl insults and accusations toward others to put herself on equal footing. For Lisa, her marriage is off limits, and yet she tears down Angie's and Bronwyn Newport’s. For Teresa, her kids and her husband are off limits, and yet she will denigrate her rival’s families. The problem with both housewives is they are the star of the story in their own minds — the others are merely players.
Lisa Barlow and Teresa Giudice Play by Their Own Rules
When it comes to Lisa Barlow and Teresa Giudice, they simply play by their own rules. The hypocrisy runs rampant. To call them victims would not be accurate, but in their circumstances of confrontation, they would likely take that title. The biggest issue for both women is that they always feel attacked when they perceive negative attention. Because they've built up such a wall, when that vulnerability is even slightly penetrated, their guard goes up and they launch their own attack. From there, trying to have a civil and level-headed conversation is simply impossible. They reach for things that are unwarranted, and somehow leave unscathed. Well, mostly in Teresa's orbit. As seen in Puerto Vallarta, the other women acknowledged Lisa's wrongdoings and attempted to remove themselves from the situation.
One of the most notorious catchphrases on RHONJ revolves around the kids being off-limits. It began with how often the children were looped into situations, even stemming back to Ashlee Holmes and Danielle Staub. Yet, when it comes to Teresa, she doesn't play by the same rules. When Jackie Goldschneider evoked Gia Giudice's name in a comparison — which we all know was impossible for Teresa to grasp — it set up a storyline that never ceased. As much as everyone ever tried to explain to Teresa that Jackie was not accusing Gia of "doing coke in the bathroom," Teresa heard what she heard, and a tirade ensued. And yet, when Luis Ruelas, the extension of Teresa as her husband, tosses threats toward Margaret Josephs' son, it's okay to her, because "she attacked first."
Accountability Is Not in These Housewives' Vocabulary
When Lisa and Teresa feel their backs are up against the wall, they get into this defensive mode that is all about attacks. Rather than trying to understand the other side of the conversation, they push back with combative energy. Both friends and foes of Lisa's can see right through it. They continue to call her out for it, which makes her more irate. That's not the case for Teresa. Her rivals understand her actions. Her loyal lapdogs? Well, they just add fuel to the fire. Because there is no accountability ever taken, they can get away with murder. Lisa's feet are being held to the fire. Teresa's? Not so much.
Their inability to own up to the truth or accept any sort of criticism has become a fatal flaw. Especially when they won’t admit defeat. There is a false equivalency when the words “I’m sorry” are uttered. It’s never authentic. And it stems from not wanting to ever have to genuinely be wrong. It’s not always about them, and yet, to them, it is.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City airs Wednesdays on Bravo in the U.S. All episodes are available to stream on Peacock.
