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Embezzled by Robyn (RHOP S5 Pt. 2) · Mention It All Again

• Casey: Hey, welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome back to the Mention It All Again podcast. I'm one half of your favorite duo, Casey, and I'm here with the always elegant Blake. Blake: Wow, thank you so much. I just I loved the welcome, welcome, welcome. It sounded like you were getting into a song there. Casey: Well, my god, this is like such a random deep cut, but I was I like stopped myself because I was like it's too random, but now I'm gonna do it anyway. So here we are. The movie, She's the Man, featuring Amanda Bynes, if you're familiar with it. The principal of the school she transfers to is like welcoming her, and he's like, Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome. Welcome, welcome to Lyria. It's the guy it he's he's Uncle Ian from the Chipmunks. Do you know him? Blake: aren't there like so many different chipmunks movies? Casey: I'm not choosing references for you. Like yeah, but the same Uncle Ian is in every movie. Okay, you're clearly not familiar with the monks. You're not. Don't lie. Don't don't lie. Blake: No, I'm a familiar with the monks. There's something in my eye. Okay, I'm f I've I'm familiar with the cartoon version. my god. I'm like something jumped into Casey: Clearly not. You're clear you're you're Blake: my eye as we started this. Casey: It's the lie. It's the lie that you're telling right now about your familiarity with the Alvin and the Jipmong series. Like Blake: Hey, during Halloween I love watching the cartoons, but the actual movie? I haven't watched that since I was a baby. Casey: Like what are you what what there's a cartoon? Blake: That's where it started. Are crazy? Casey: Ha ha ha Blake: clearly CLEARLY Casey: Well, I mean obviously the chipmunks in the live action like they're not like real. Blake: Yeah, there's CGI. Yeah, I mean it would be hard to like train chipmunks to do all that. Are you kidding me right now? Casey: So right cartoon like what the fuck? Blake: That that's it like started off as like a literal child's cartoon, like a Sunday morning Saturday morning cartoon. my god, you're insufferable. Casey: I've never seen this before. Do they sing on do they sing on that one too? Do they have hits from that one? Because in the movies they have hits. Blake: yes. Yes. But the movies I think the hits were more like covers of like pop songs. Casey: Like, you know what's on one of my playlists? Like that could come on at any moment. Like it's on like one of my regular playlists is Witch Doctor, Alvin and the Chipmunks version. Whoo! Wow, they did their big one. Blake: I love that one. That one's so good. Casey: They chewed that one right up. Blake: So who's the actor that plays this uncle? Casey: Uncle Ian. And he's in have you seen I feel like I already know the answer that you've seen all of these things is no. Have you Blake: Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome. Casey: seen Arrested Development? Blake: yes, like some episodes. Casey: He's Tobias Funke. that's the actor. He plays all these three roles. The guy Blake: really? Why do I think Ocle Ian was like hot? Casey: that sings my song. that's Dave. Dave is the parent of the chipmunks. And he's not even like that hot, but he's hotter than Uncle Ian, even though I think I'd rather Blake: Ooooo that's why I was confused. No, but he's like yeah, conventional. Casey: go Uncle Ian's way, 'cause he's got some charisma. my god. Blake: Okay. right. Wow. Casey: Let's get let's get on track here. 'cause we're not re watching the Alvin and the Chipmunks movies this week, unfortunately. But never say never Blake: Well, actually, surprise, that's what I watched this week. You're gonna have to do this by yourself. Casey: We're like, thanks for tuning in and looking at our schedule. It was a lie. We're doing Alvin and the chipmunks today. Trapped. Blake: We wanted to confuse you. Everyone shuts it off. They're like, I actually don't have to listen to that. Thank you. I think that counts as a stream, so rebrand. Casey: Well you were here for the little beginning part, weren't ya? When you thought we were gonna get back to the real housewives. But alas. But we are gonna get back to the real housewives, even though I could give you a intense recap of the Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. One day, Blake, I'll show you the the filmography. The full the full filmography. Blake: We can do a little special. We can do a special. One day once we've once we finished every single Housewives episode, Casey: Right. Blake: we're gonna have to think of something quick. And here it is. We're starting the list right now. It's gonna be Alfred in the Casey: It's so Blake: chipbox. Casey: It's so good. But today where we are, where we said we were going and where we actually are going is to finish out Potomac Season 5. So we're looking at the back end of the episodes, episode 12 through the reunion. And it's another doozy for the girls. I mean, we left them in a in a bad spot. We had we had the brawl, the infamous brawl between Candace and Monique. And the infamous Monique Apology press conference where she like Blake: The ap the apology that was geared towards everyone not named Candace who she beat up. Casey: The acknowledgement of the event occurred. Blake: Wait, I I I I have a question for the listener, and you know, I would love for you guys to answer however you feel free, however you would however whatever makes sense if you want to DM us or comment or whatever. But Casey and I have had like a this little back and forth, and I I want you guys to settle it because I'm very open to being wrong. And but I would love to know like what you want. So like don't act shocked, Casey. So We we always talk about like whether we should whenever Casey: Ha ha Blake: we start a new season, if we should do the taglines. Like like read them out like in our own dramatic voices. we started off like playing the clips, but I do think it's more fun to read them. But Casey was like, I feel a little bit like weird about like I feel like it's like cringe or something. And which is Casey: I do feel a little weird when I when I do the reading. Blake: Right, which is why we have we're we've been inconsistent, if you haven't noticed. If you haven't noticed, I'm sorry I brought it to your attention. If you have noticed, then we're addressing it right now on the pod. But I want you guys to tell us, is that something that like is that something that you enjoy tuning in and hearing to like begin the episode? Or is it sort of like unnecessary and like weird and like you know, like which side do you take? 'Cause I again I'm open to the to being wrong. I just we both just have different opinions on it. So we've kind of Casey: As am I. Blake: done a tug of war and like one episode will have it, one episode won't. So I think that we need to we need to get some opinions. If we get a couple of you to to to just tell us what you think, we'll listen. What I think I think that's w if we need to do a democracy. For this one issue, we need to do a democracy. So Casey: Yeah, no, I would happily capitulate if that's what the listeners wanted, as I would to anything Blake: Yeah. Casey: the listeners want. Okay, that sounds like psycho. Not anything. Most things. Reasonable things. Blake: You know, we're just start we're just starting off, so I think I think at this point I would do anything you guys wanted. As long as it would mean that you stay loyal, you keep streaming. Cash in now 'cause 'cause Casey: Cash in now because it's gonna get cut off. Blake: once we blow the motherfuck up, the offer is rescinded. But I am interested. maybe we'll post a poll on our social media, although it'd be amazing if you guys just you listened and just did it on your own accord. But I look, we can't ask for much. I know times are tough. So let us know. Casey: Just vote. Blake: Just vote, just vote. And Casey: Just vote. Blake: with that, lead us into our the post brawl of it all. Casey: The post brawl world i looks scary for Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: for the ladies. They're not sure where to go, especially for our sister. Our sister who's down right now, Ashley Darby, and she had had has at the at the moment that of this episode a cheating scandal going on with Michael, which we talked about as the whole first half of the season we talked about in our part one episode. So if you missed it. Give her a little look see. But they're trying to work through it. She fe like feels like she understands why he did it or whatever that means. But they're trying to go to couples therapy and you can tell and this already kind of started to emerge in the first half of the season, but Michael literally tries to blame his cheating on baby Dean. Like he literally is like, you know, and and what Has our home life been like it's been all on baby Dean, hasn't it? Yeah. Yeah it has. And that has made things hard for me. That's been really hard for me. Mindre, like his wife has postpartum depression. Blake: As a s as a seventy year old man As a seventy year old man I just I I really think it's it's really disrespectful to our marriage that my wife is focused on this lump of meat that we popped out together who requires us to pay attention to it to survive. Like, do you hear yourself in your stupid crocodile dundee accent blaming your wife? Casey: For real. And on top of it all, like right. So there's that. You know, that's first of all, that's your wife who you're like you're supposed to allegedly love and like protect respect. There's number Blake: The wife who is the mother of your new child like Casey: one. Number two, you wanted this child. Like you asked for this child. You begged for this child. So like to now be like, I didn't expect it to be taking up time. Blake: And also like I I also Casey: What did you expect it to do? Like why did you want it then? Blake: wasn't in I didn't think I was gonna have to be a part of that. Like I I thought we would be able to have the same life and the kid could just be over there and I could just tell people that I have a kid now. Like Casey: Right. I know that my amazing bloodline is carried on. So I'm all set. I don't want to actually see or have to interact with that child though. That's so weird. Like maybe later on when he's proven to be a handsome football star who's g going to Harvard. Blake: Who looks just like me who's also a handsome football star. Casey: Well, that's exactly what I was gonna say. Ignore that, you know, this is your wife, this is your child. Ignore the two most important things. This is your clone. You're not rocking with your clone. Like, come on. How are you not? Blake: Like you've no loyalty to anybody if you can't rock with your clone. And I'm sorry, that baby's gonna take a lot of hits in his life because he looks like you, and you can't even you can't be the one to support him. If if you can't love your baby, how the hell is anyone else Casey: Literally it's gonna take hits Blake: gonna love your baby? Am I right? Casey: How y how the hell is your baby gonna love itself? Like that's honestly parental theory, like, whoa. Blake: that's that's true. and that baby will be going to therapy, unfortunately. Like Casey: abs absolutely. They'll be going to like a group sesh where Michael won't attend, obviously, because Ashley will be doing the emotional Blake: I Casey: upkeep of his antics. Blake: I feel like those kids will disown their father at some point in their lives. Both of them. Casey: I hope so. We can only hope. We can only hope it is like a Angelina Jolie like situation where like they just kind of become chicer as a group with no father in the in the family unit. Like and then the kids are like, We'll see you. Blake: Yes, yes. And I see that for them. Casey: We're good with never like really even claiming you again. We're just gonna ditch your last name and move on. Blake: Like if you wanna send us a check here or there, we'll take it, but we don't need it. Casey: What even was Ashley's name before Darby? Let's see. is Blake: Wasn't it bulch or something? Casey: that what it is? 'Cause that's what's in her yeah, you're right. That's what's in her Instagram handle. Blake: Which honestly sounds way more Australian than Darby does. Bulch. Bulch Casey: But he's such a loser. Like, this is so lame. Like, this therapy session is so lame. And It's sad to watch, but you know, nothing new. And Ray and Karen are also having issues around this time over over her newfound fame of being a real housewife. which like it is a it is a difference. Like I'm not like mocking that. It's just funny, like, to be having that conversation as what what would you call a housewife? A c a C-less celebrity? That feels maybe too generous. Blake: Yeah, I would love to like really dive into like what the tiers are because Casey: I know. Blake: I feel like for the for the specific like you know, group of Bravo fans, like they're everything, so it can skew like how we view it. But in the broader like culture I mean, unless you're like Nene Leaks or something, like Casey: Right. Like obviously there are exceptions like certain housewives would place because of either their earlier career or what they've done with their housewife career in rare cases. But for the most part, Blake: Yeah. Casey: I feel like D to C is where we're living tier. Blake: Especially when this was season five, so like she wasn't really this was if this is the first year that Rey's really feeling the impacts of her fame, then she's probably F tier at this point. Cause the show's been on for Casey: Yeah. Blake: like eleven seasons, like Casey: Right. This was a long time ago, yeah. So, you know, they're kind of beefing and like you can tell she's a little peeved as much as she'll like allow herself to show on camera. You know, Karen isn't gonna get flapped on on her show as much as she can prevent that. so she's like a little bit annoyed, but he says that the fame and the fortune have gone to her head. So you know that there's animosity there. and we also already knew this because when she was drunk back at Monique's Lake House, she talked about. This, which again, we talked about in our part one episode, but that'll be important later. and then post brawl for Candace obviously is like the most rough world view. She's not having she's straight up not having a good time. Like she's really, Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: really traumatized after this fight, and she decides to file criminal charges against Monique, and they show like a shot of the Montgomery County District Court, which personal lore. I grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland, so like. Like I know exactly where this court is, and I have friends who had to go there to deal with underage drinking charges. So how beautiful. How beautiful is that? Yeah. I know it's it's stunning. I know. Blake: Wow. Boots on the ground. Casey: So yeah. And Robin is also trying to f dig her way out of some legal troubles with the IRS. I guess is that even is that legal monetary troubles with the IRS because she owes a bunch of money. money in taxes. so she's launching embellished, which is her hat brand. And she says there's a big hole in the market. And at first I was kind of laughing, like, is there a hole in the market for like kind of ugly hats? Like just to be like honest. But later on what she says is what they talk about is that they're silk like or satin lined to like protect the hair. And that I could imagine is a hole in the market. So like that's actually like quite smart. So Shame on me. I actually owe you a huge apology, Robin. I'm so sorry. And I love your hats. Blake: Rent was due and she created embellished. And we ha we have to respect women's businesses because women's businesses matter. They just do. Casey: Women in the workplace. Yes, they do. They just do. And Candace is is trying to process her her trauma as we move along. And she like is having dinner with a friend and talking about how like all around our house she has sticky notes that say like, You're okay. And heal, girl, heal. Like she like is trying to yes. Blake: Is she a horse? Casey: And she is no, I don't mean that. I don't know why I said yes. Don't get mad at me, you guys. Blake: Yeah. Casey: I just I just be talking. but she's trying to get better and like it's definitely like, you know, trying to create like this narrative of like how this is affecting her, both for like the viewer's impression and like that she's building a literal case. So like this is like the defense that she's building is like I'm dealing with this. And like, I would imagine that you'd be a little bit affected by it that Event, like I I think that's legitimate, and it doesn't get better because post-fight, Monique is like liking things on social media and tweeting things, and Candace is telling her friend this, and they like zoom in on a bunch of comments, and one of them is like pow in big capital letters with a fist emoji, like you ended her, Monique mama, and Monique is in the comments with like five kissy faces, like Blake: Well, she said she doesn't regret it, so Casey: Like, so Candace is like, I maybe wouldn't have gone this route, but she continues to double down and like make a mockery of it. And that's partially why it's even more disappointing that Karen won't pick a side. Like she is intentionally playing the middle, and Candace is disappointed by that because they were like really close. They kind of had this like motherly, like mentor, mentif kind of relationship going on. Like Candice thanked her at her. what was it, the anniversary party that she had at the beginning of the season? Right. Blake: the yeah, the f the one year marriage anniversary, Casey: So, like, you know, they had like kind of this bond, so it is like sh surprising to her that Karen, especially being of a woman of like etiquette in class, won't like condemn kind of like an obviously wrong thing. So it does seem kind of kind of weird. So there's some some drama amongst the ladies with like the reaction to the fight and that like carries through the whole season. but Monique is charged with second degree assault and she has a criminal summons to appear in court. So that makes its way around the group and like socials and the worlds. So that's that's out there. And because of that, Monique doesn't get invited to like any events for the rest of the season. We pretty much only see her with like one on ones or like before an event or like debriefing an event. They try to keep the peace and she's the one who doesn't get invited. And the first one that she doesn't get invited to is Wendy's sippency. And Wendy is like, you know, I mean unfortunately this is a baby like christening. Like I can't have two people in the room that would fight. So like, you know, whatever. And she's Candace's friend. Blake: And Wendy's also like Candace's friend, yeah. She's like not not at all sympathetic to Monique at this point. Casey: No, definitely not. They talk about the charges when they're at the sippancy, like the women are kind of gathering, and Giselle is like, I wonder like what differentiates like the levels of assault. Like, should we look it up really quick? And Karen, like, loudly is like, I'm gonna go get some water. So, like, she clearly doesn't want to engage in the drama of this for whatever reason. It's definitely like it's kind of out of character for her. If the fight had been between Giselle and Robin, she would be singing a much different tune than this. Like. Blake: Yeah, I think that Karen like it's interesting to me that she's willing to say, that sh you know, if it were her, she would press charges. But at the same time, she wants to support Monique and wants to support Karen Candace and I can only like chalk it up to she just genuinely doesn't want to be put in A tough space, but like at the end of the day, it would be completely fine to just say like, yeah, what she did was fucked up and like I will support you through all of this and we can like acknowledge what she did was fucked up. I'm not gonna talk shit about her as a person, but I'll talk shit about what she did. Casey: Right, but I can say like that this was wrong, which she isn't willing to do. Blake: She's not really yeah, she's she's not willing to do that and you know, I also I maybe it has to do with the fact that she just seems like she's going through a lot and like does doesn't have the capacity to handle Casey: Yeah. She's busy. Blake: like Well, she and Ray are just it's not good with them. Ray can't even say I love you. She's drinking. Casey: No. And she's drinking. And like we know now. That she like has had a drinking issue for like a very long time, obviously, because of recent events. So like this was probably during the era that she was going to the legal seafoods at my local mall and getting drunk and like driving home that Ashley alleges and Karen confirms. So like this is kind of what this time is giving. I could be wrong. So if I'm slandering, my bad. But it seems like this is where where we're at. And you know, the women have varying responses at the sip and seed to like all the legal happenings because they kind of feel like now we've taken this to like a new place. Like we had it at one spot and now we're going to another level which is gonna be even more exhausting for everybody involved. But Giselle kind of feels like is the goal for her to go to jail and the whole group is like, no no I'm sure the goal isn't jail and Candace is like, we don't want her to go to jail. Are we sure? Like sh Blake: Ha ha. Casey: that's not off the table for her. Like she definitely like even if it's just bravado, she definitely says that, which the women like don't love. I think Giselle definitely feels like there should be a consequence, but definitely not jail. Like that's too far. Robin feels like it's a little bit too far. Karen, we don't know. Ashley doesn't like this because she's also playing a little bit of the middle between Monique and Candace since her and Candace War Rocky. and Ashley like tries to stick up for Monique while she's not there, and the women immediately shut her down because Ashley wasn't there for the fight, like she was in the bathroom. So she starts trying to talk, and everyone's Ashley, like you were in the literal bathroom, like you can't really like jump on this. Blake: Like famously we have that like screenshot of like Ashley walking out of the bathroom. The producers put like that little Casey: Right. Blake: banner at the bottom that says Ashley returning from the bathroom as the fight's happening. She did not know what the fuck was going on. Casey: So Candace is like, is she paying you to say this? Like why are you jumping in with this? Like what's what's the point? And Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: Ashley tries to like end her back and is like, I'm married to a millionaire. What do I need to be paid for? And Candace goes, Congrats. Not for long. Like so like they're like still sort of beefing even though they've made up. Like there's still animosity there, especially because Ashley is sort of team Monique. So that's happening. And sidebar when Candace is saying that to Ashley, Chris, what's his last name? Her Chris. Blake: Pass it. Casey: Chris of Candace. okay. Chris, like, gets so close to her face, like how my mouth to the microphone level close and goes, shut up. And it's like Whoa, like I knew something was off with you. Like, we really like needed to end him earlier than he was ended. Because in the beginning he was getting so praised, like around this time, because he was surrounded Blake: Ugh. Casey: by so many other like shit men. But how disgusting. Get your musty, bald mouth out of her space. Like, obviously, like you can say, like, Blake: I'm surprised. Casey: calm down, but like I was like, whoa, I'm a little gagged, yeah. Blake: It's aggressive. I'm surprised that they're still together and they have a baby now. Casey: Both using the words shut up and getting that close to your face like in public are like not light offenses. So I was surprised. and Karen tries to like end their time at the sippency by being like, you guys need to respect my position. Like this is really hard for me. Like the middle is a hard place to be in and it's a difficult like wave to ride. And Robin says, I mean like no one's like really feeling that bad for your position and picking the middle is choosing Monique. And I I agree with her. I think like in my mind when I watch this and when I rewatch this, like they're they both make wrong choices, but the aggressor in the situation is Monique and she's the one who continues to like provide like the like violence the situation when they're trying to be calmed down, like chasing her and all that. So like I was always feeling like, why not just say it was wrong and then s and then say I'm still gonna be her friend like you were saying. Like just give her that, Blake: Yeah. Casey: like that you don't agree with these actions, but you believe in people owning up to their mistakes and healing and growing from things that they do wrong, especially someone of a high character. Blake: Yeah, like I'll hold her accountable. I'll hold her accountable, but like as her friend, like I'm not gonna abandon her at a time when like everyone else is and I understand why you guys don't want anything to do with her. Like I still will be here for you, Candace, because you were not in the wrong. But like I'm also not going to just jump ship and like abandon Monique completely, Casey: Right. Blake: but I'm gonna be completely honest with her when I see her. Like, you don't have to pretend like nothing happened, do you know what I mean? Like Casey: Right. And like if I'm Candace, maybe I have to draw lines with people that won't fully choose sides. Like if that's like how I feel. Like because I I probably Blake: Right. As long as you're Casey: would feel some type of way with like when she goes on social media and continues to like perpetuate the the feud a little bit. I would probably feel some type of way if someone was like my best best friend, which I'm not saying Karen is, but if that was the case, I would probably have to be like, You need to pick a side. Like at this point with this still going on, like I am not comfortable with anyone who's around this person. Like But again, they're on a show. These are your coworkers. These are not her like lifelong friends that owe her this level of loyalty. Blake: Right. Casey: So there are two sides to the situation, but I do think that Karen would have done herself a favor by just condemning the the act of like grabbing her and not letting go and and slamming her Blake: Right. Casey: head against like the table. She was both slamming her head down and hitting her. Like it was like that that is a little crazy. Like you gotta, you gotta admit that that's just not cool. Blake: Think we can all like if you have eyes and your brain connects to your eyes, you can see that that was wrong. Like Casey: And I don't think that like I if I am the judge of the situation, I don't think that there should be any like legal punishment for what she did besides like you know, just like Blake: yeah, I don't agree with that either. Casey: she already has public judgment, like that's enough, like in this situation. This isn't like a repeatedly violent woman, like, you know, she got in a fight, someone really pissed her off, and she got in a bad fight. Like it happens to some people, not all, but some. Blake: And if I were Candace If I were Candace, I would also, you know, maybe obviously like Yes, there's clearly one action that took it too far, but I would also take this as a moment to like reflect on maybe Casey: For sure. Blake: I don't contribute positively to certain situations such that obviously it's not her fault Monique beat her up, but like she egged her on. She clearly like Does try to get under people's skin and provoke an emotional response. And I would maybe take that as like a okay, like I'm not perfect either. Like I Casey: Right, the Kenya print of like then you kind of get to then not hold yourself accountable because you were wronged in the more like what's the right word? Larger way, like just in the more like with more gravity. Yes. So then you don't have to like address the small things, which like Blake: Yeah, but can't Yeah. You didn't do the worst thing. So like you you're completely fine. But Candace is always, even up until this season of Traitors, like always thinks that she is correct and everyone else is wrong. And like this season of traitors when she got outplayed by Rob. And look, I was on her side, like I wanted her to win, but she got outplayed, but she couldn't admit that, so she was finding ways to be like Rob was dirty and you lied and all these things and it's like at the end of the day like you do at some point need to just recognize that like you're not perfect. And like you're not entitled to life going exactly the way you want it to. And like that's kind of the thing with Candace that ultimately makes it so hard for me to like get there with her. Cause I'll have moments like she's funny, she dresses amazing, she's she's gorgeous, but then she does these things where it's very spoiled brat, single child, only child coded. And then I'm like, girl, like you are how old? You need to figure that out, you know? So Monique, as you mentioned, is not really getting an invite to a lot of things happening this season. And she's having her not for lazy moms podcast show. So she calls up practically everybody. Well, she calls up Robin, Wendy, and Karen. and invites them to come. She's like, you know, I I you guys I want you guys to see the growth. Like I want you to see how I'm becoming a different person. her her like the t the topic of the episode she's doing is like the new me or something. Which like coming off the heels of like beating somebody up is really funny because it wasn't like made in response to that event. Like it just was like her being like me changing and like everyone's just like, right. So she's like, I want you guys to come and like see my growth and like How I'm putting in the work. Which is funny because it's like, no, you just want people to like come support your podcast show that like you have only sold twenty tickets to. and so Robin says, like, I'll think about it. Wendy is like, honestly, no. but she's like, Thanks for the invite though. Ashley says she'll be there, Karen says she'll be there. Ultimately, Karen is sick. Well, she says she's sick, who knows? With Karen. Ultimately, Ashley's the only one who shows up. And Ashley at this podcast show, which happens to like be in like a restaurant or something, she tells Monique that Karen had told Candace that like if Monique had beat her up, she would have pressed charges. And Monique is like, Wow, I need to like bring this up with her 'cause that's fucking crazy. which goes to the point we were just saying, like, clearly Karen has feelings about what happened and understands that it was wrong. But like she's trying to navigate it in a way where it's like, I don't and I really don't care and I just wanna be friends both people. But then you're gonna go as far as to say, I would also press charges against Monique, like the one you're trying to be friends with. Okay. That doesn't make sense. so Casey: Like that's what I mean. I don't understand how the middle is even working for her. Like I would be annoyed if with her if I was either Candace or Monique. Like from both sides, I'm I would be unhappy, which is what happens when you ride the middle. Like I'm such an anti the middle person. Like I'm like pick a fucking side. Tape exactly. Right. Blake: Right. No, pick a fucking stance. No one's saying you have to like cut somebody out of your life, but like make it clear what your opinion is. Like actually being a Casey: Like you have one. Just say it. Blake: a good friend is when you tell somebody like, I'm not gonna like I'm I am your friend, but like you are wrong here. Like, you know what I mean? Casey: Right. And if you don't have an opinion then lame. Like I have an opinion on everything, so Blake: Right, like I'm sorry. And it's like you're also on a TV show where like the whole like point of this is that everyone gossips about each other. So if you don't have an opinion, quote unquote, but then you go tell somebody on the show I would fucking throw her ass in jail, okay, it seems like you might have an opinion. Like, what are you talking like she's but that's so Karen, like that's so Karen. So Wendy, this is like The season of events. Everyone wants to have an event and it's like so funny that like there's one person who like now can't be invited to events because everyone's like making a point not to invite her. So Wendy is hosting Wine with Wendy, which is an event to create change in the community. I guess by drinking alcohol, which like if drinking alcohol Casey: So true. Blake: creates change in the community, then I am a fucking activist. Like, let's fucking go. Shocker She does not invite Monique. and I will say, like, mostly this event is not that interesting except for we get this gorgeous We have this very amazing Robin moment. Let me play the clip. So if you're just listening, Robin is wearing the craziest wine-red curly long wig. Burn that. I don't like that. And it's funny cause like like these women are are one to talk about a bad wig. But it just so happens that like Robin makes it such a point to have such a like a cropped pixie at all times to show up in such a different vibe, especially for like wine with Wendy. Maybe she was trying to do like a red wine kind of vibe or whatever, but which I love a theme. Her innovation. Casey: Her innovation, her fearlessness, and her courage to play with form, color, shape. Blake: I do think it's I do think about this because you know like I I don't know if you've had this like thought, but like I have at points been like, you know, I want a haircut, like I maybe I want to go short like nothing crazy, but like, you know, I don't wear wigs, clearly, so like whenever I get a haircut, it's just like, is it gonna be shorter or like am I gonna buzz the sides? Like what am I it's very like minimal, Casey: Right. Right. Blake: but I'm like, my god, that that's a whole commitment. And it's like When you're wearing when you like wigs, when you have that universe open up to you and it's like I could just like put on whatever, I do have to like give that th that those flowers to to like any woman who puts on a wig 'cause it's like she really just was like, I'm gonna walk in with this entirely new hairdo and see what people fucking say about it. Like I do have to give her credit for that. so Casey: She's fearless. Blake: at this wine with Wendy, community changing event. Giselle says that Wendy was gossiping to her about how Karen and Wendy got together and Karen was like really drunk and was like kinda spilling her tea to Wendy and was telling Wendy that like she put up half of her money to save Ray from his like tax woes, which we will probably soon at some point do a recap of that season. Y'all remember Uncle Ben and like the Casey: Tax reform. Blake: tax reform that the shirt that Giselle was wearing. so she's like spilling all this and and she says that Karen was like drunk as hell and also she was talking about this when they were at the lake house and they were all like pounding fireball. So like clearly Karen's at a place where she's like dealing with a lot with her relationship. and everyone kind of is just like, yeah, I think she's just going through a lot, which like duh, I mean and they also acknowledge that like Karen's Karen's a very guarded like She's very intentional about what she lets out. So she's like spilling this clearly, like she kind of wants people to know what she's going through. Candace pulls Karen aside and lets her know that she feels like Karen is choosing Monique's side of the squabble. And Karen denies that and says that, you know, Candace, you have a powerful mouth. And I protected you, you know, I protected you last year, and I'm offended that you expect me to like pick a side firmly. And she said, like, if if you had beat Monique up, and she uses this phrase, if the shoes were reversed, I would I would also be doing the same thing and supporting you as well. And Wendy tries to like get involved as well as Karen's friend or as Wen Candice's friend and tries to like also explain to her how Karen is not being the best friend to Candace. And she's Tells the both of them, like, I will not be badgered into submission. Like, she's not really like willing to hear what they have to say. she also says like there's something medically wrong with Monique and she's gonna stand by Monique until she sees the medical report. Casey: Like, my God. And like, what a crazy thing to say. And it comes up at the reunion and they're like, we address this together. Like, it you know, I didn't love it, but like, you know, we're great friends and we can move on from things. Like, so they just kinda like Blake: being like sure like it is it weird that I'm I'm not disowning Monique yes but obviously she's a mental patient and like I need to see the files like until I see the files I'm riding with my mental patient friend like that's like Casey's Casey: I hope that people use that to defend me sometime. Like that's really beautiful. Blake: not well guys like she needs a friend and and I do want to see her medical records and I'm gonna I'm gonna violate HIPAA I'm gonna break into that fucking Casey: the reports will show that something overcame me and it was not my Blake: Ha ha. Casey: spirit truly that did that, that acted in such a way. Like Let's clear my name, my good name. And that's like literally what Karen is sort of implying here. I mean, she makes a lot of jumps this season, like in her reasoning and like lying and exaggerating. So this is one of one of the beginning moments of that. But Giselle has now figured out this information from Wendy about Karen, both getting very drunk and then talking about Ray, like when she does it. So it's like a double, it's a double-edged sword for Giselle to go after her. And she invites Karen out to lunch with her and Robin. They're at like a little tea, a little tea shop. And Karen on her way there says, I know I'm about to get something. Like you cannot roll up to hang out with Giselle and Robin, the green-eyed bandits, and not be ready for some mess. So she's ready Blake: Not be walloped. Casey: and she's right. So she was absolutely right. So she pulls up and Blake: Ha ha ha ha. Casey: you know, Giselle tries to make it seem like she's there to talk about something else and she goes, Robin, how's embezzled going? Like, girl, it's embellished. Blake: Ha ha ha ha! Ha ha Casey: House embezzled, my girl. And then she's like, like, sorry. Like and Karen's like, You're wrong. You're wrong, Jill. You're you're wrong for that. Blake: That's crazy for Giselle to say that is crazy. Casey: For like the opening line of this little luncheon and Robin just kind of is like, Whatever, like it's amazing. Like the hats are flying off the shelf. Like the Blake: Ha ha. Casey: it's amazing. and she tells them that she's having like a little hat Event, a little hat photo shoot with the girlies to take pics in her hats and like you know, just Blake: Yeah. Casey: again, an event to to put her hats on the screen of the Potomac Housewives. So that's happening. And again, Monique is not invited. I don't even know if we need to keep specifying this for the rest of any event. Unless we say Monique is there, she's not there. So Blake: Yeah, Monique's not invited to anything else. Let's save some time. Casey: Right. and you know, they they talk to Karen about the drinking and Karen kind of like evades it in her way, but she kind of tries to flip it around, end of lunch. They have such a great these three dynamic where they're constantly just throwing shit at each other and seeing what'll stick and n usually sometimes this isn't true, but usually they don't get very phased by like what the other brings up. And Karen goes, Robin, I have to be transparent about something. Someone sent me a text about your taxes. The concept of someone gossiping about your taxes, I'd be mad as fuck. Like, leave me alone. Like, leave my finances Blake: Ha ha ha ha. Casey: alone. Like, unless you're my accountant, unless you're TurboTax. Like, why are you texting Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: about my taxes? That's crazy. That's crazy. Blake: Like Karen just wanted to inject some chaos into Robin's day. She was like, Robin, I hope you're having a wonderful day because I'm about to ruin it. Casey: She's like, how can I bring up her taxes? She has thought that, I guarantee, many a time in her existence. And it's Blake: That's probably in her contract. Like you have to ruin Robin's day. Casey: so funny. And Robin hits her right back with: You should know that I can't speak too much about that from your situation with the taxes. Like, it's just. Blake: But like cluck it. Like, I'm sorry, how are you gonna even try it? Like, Karen. Free Uncle Ben? Casey: Yeah. Like a little bit. And you know, I just I just love it. And they have a couple more moments like this that makes me very excited that Robin is coming back even in just a friend capacity. 'Cause I do appreciate her unflapability to use one of our podcast favorite terms. She is unflappable. Blake: I think that the friend the friend position is perfect for Robin to be honest. Casey: Literally to quote her, I just took a DNA test and it turns out I a hundred percent don't care. Blake: Like she's kind of a key, like in retrospect. Casey: Thank you. Like that's my sister. Like that's my sister. I connect with her. Like that's hilarious. Like she really submitted that. I was like, let's go. Like let's run this season. Like Blake: The Lizzo tagline, like she did not gaff at all. Casey: The Lizzo tagline five years after that song was popular and to end it with Blake: I Casey: not that I'm a bad bitch, no, I don't care at all. I Blake: And I a hundred percent am still in bed. Casey: love her. but you know, back to Doom Doomsville, Ashley Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: Ashley is at the therapist this time by herself, I'm sure, because deadbeat Michael probably refused to go back to couples therapy after one session, as as men do, as men who are in the wrong so often do. Like they like, fine, we all can go to therapy. Especially if they don't immediately side with him. Blake: Right, especially if the therapist's a woman and they're like you always Yeah, I was gonna say you side with the wife, you're always there to like s it's a women thing, like female power Casey: She's only on yours my god. I've recommended this this to you before, but there's a show on Paramount Plus called Couples Therapy and it's literally like real couples going to therapy with this therapist lady who's like, she's so fab, like she's so kind. Like you'd you'd love her. It Blake: That's triggering though, like Casey: kind of is, but it's like entertaining as hell. And like that happens so many times where they're like, You guys are colluding. Colluding Like Blake: Like no you're just wrong. Like objectively, you're just wrong. Casey: And if anyone colludes like that, like with strangers based on pure gender, it's men. Like men collude. Like men see other Blake: I mean Casey: men and they're like Blake: Is that not Vanderpump rules in a nutshell? Have we not said that like 30 fucking times? Like, please Casey: Wake that up. I know. it's it's a central tenant of my life. Like I will bring that up whenever anyone tries to be like, ooh, like no no no no. This is a different situation. Blake: If anything, the women on that show could afford to collude a little bit more. Casey: That is the statement about the world, the history of the world, that women could afford to collude. Blake: That's so true. Casey: A lot more and then we would be better off. Like I that's this is exactly what I'm saying. my god, it's like crawling out of my skin. Back to Ashley. Back to back to my sister who's down bad. She she like in her solo session is like we've made a lot of progress, Michael and I. Like, we don't believe you. Why isn't he here then? Like Okay, and it how long has it been? A week? I mean, granted, we don't know like w when this was filmed in relation to certain other scenes, like when they edit it into the episodes, but like You made a lot of progress from a major cheating scandal in one week and then your man is not at couples therapy, basically. But then right after that, she's like, We're both super unhappy. Like, we don't have a great sex life right now because I don't feel very sexy. Like I feel like a mother. I don't feel like a like a sexual like person. Like because your body becomes like totally at will for this child. Like so she's saying like I don't which is crazy. Like everything I hear, whenever I hear a woman talk about pregnancy, I'm like, I just don't want that to happen to me. Like Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: And I feel so bad for her. Like she has this postpartum depression and I feel bad, like this pressure that women put on themselves, like to get right back into sex, because it is like, you know, it's because we feel this like inherent, like my man's gonna leave me or cheat on me, which obviously there's a reason why she feels this pressure to like get back into sex with him because he's out with other women. So like I just feel horrible for her. Michael and even though it's not his fault, baby Dean, they they've stolen the light. From from my Shayla. They they've absolutely stolen her sparkle. Like, it's sad. It's sad to see. And the therapist is sad to see too. But she's like, yeah, I know this sucks. And unfortunately, some people have this go on for over a year. Which, why would you say that to her right now? Like, that's that's not gonna make her feel better. And Ashley's gagged. She's like, wait, what? Like this is I'm gonna feel like this for basically like another nine months. Blake: Okay, but it's also like But then she literally doesn't even wait that long before she gets pregnant again. So like Casey: I know, I know. It's because of him. It's literally he has her in mother prison. Mother prison is so real. Like that's a real thing that happens. Like they jail you. Blake: I believe it, but and but it's also like there was a scene at at some point earlier in the show, not this season, but like earlier in the show, where like she's negotiating a prenup or a postnup, I guess, with Michael based on how many kids they have. And so I'm like I would like to think that she was like, Yeah, like this guy probably is not gonna be my like you know, rest of my life partner, but like we already have a baby together. He's clearly that's not changing him. He's still a piece of shit. Might as well just like pop one one more out because I want another one anyway. And then we can decide like how that goes. Casey: Yeah, I mean I think sometimes like women get enchanted with like having kids, so like it doesn't necessarily like Men would hate this little snippet. Like it doesn't necessarily like matter like who it is, like that like you're gonna have another kid that's half you and like it doesn't really matter what the other half is, like because you know like it'll be a kid that is there and alive. So like whatever, like that's the easiest way to have it. You know what you're dealing with with him as a father. It's not like going and Blake: Right. Casey: picking up another baby daddy, which is then like opening a whole other can of worms, literally. Like, devil you know. Blake: Right, or like, you know, having to get older, like right, and she's like at the prime to like have children at this moment, so like might as well just like do it and then not have to worry about freezing eggs or anything like that. Like I get it. Casey: Like who knows what what's going on in her head. But this chat with her therapist basically segues her into being like, you know, this is kind of alarming that I could be depressed for like another year. Like I need to take action and book a vacation and I need to start like growing some boundaries with like my with my child because like you know, she had been really attached. We talk about it in our earlier episode of like baby Dean is a main cast member in the first half of season one. Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: But she's ready to demote him to a friend for for the second half and baby dean is gonna stay home and they're gonna do a group cast trip which Ashley is is the host of so that's kind of like where we are going next and there's a funny little moment where she's telling the group like that she's gonna take them on this trip and they all can't figure out what where Blake: Ha ha. Casey: they're going. They were so happy to be going to China or Nigeria or Portugal they really were not sure about that flag. Which to be fair, I'm not very geographically inclined. Like I probably would not have recognized that flag either, but I would not I would not have guessed China in my own defense. Like that's definitely not right. Blake: I think China's a pretty obvious like red flag. so, you know, we're learning something. I think it's it's an educational trip i for the people who never took geometry in school. Casey: Geometry. Blake: A geography. Casey: I honestly wasn't sure if you were like doing like a funny and like you were gonna be like, yeah, girl, I was making a joke. Like, don't call it out. Like, now it's not funny. But I was I didn't think you were. Blake: Yeah. I might keep that in actually. Casey: Yeah, I think you should. Well keep it keep it real. Blake: That was funny. Casey: but Yeah, they're they're at the embellished the embezzled photo shoot event question mark, whatever they're up to. They're like in like a storage unit. I don't even know where they are. and they're excited about the trip, you know, they're excited that baby Dean is staying home. They're excited that of course Monique isn't attending, as as we said. but at the event, while they're all in their lovely hats doing some free promo, Wendy is like, Blake: Yeah. Casey: I need to address something with Karen. And I need to like talk about because there's been come some rumors going back and forth between the two of them. Like Wendy's been telling the girls about Karen getting drunk and what what she said about Ray. Karen's been talking a little bit of smack about Wendy, like always saying she's a doctor. And like Karen's like, I mean, she's not like a doctor of medicine. Like it's not that big of a deal. So, you know, Wendy's like, let's just like get it all out on the table. We've been like a little shady, and Giselle has been kind of passing stuff between. And Robin, too, pretty much everyone really. and she starts off by basically being like, 'I'm like not one to ever brag about my degrees.' But, and before she can even get into it, they like play a montage of all the times she's mentioned her degrees and her education and all that good stuff. So obviously, like Wendy, like, just come on, just let just let that go. Like, you guys were both like talking about each other. I don't think that Karen was. You know, they're they're beefing about that and and Karen isn't even really bothered by it. She's like, honestly, I'm more bothered by Giselle and something must be wrong in Giselle's relationship with Jamal for her to try and create this drama for me. Like, this is Giselle's fault. So she doesn't even like take it at Wendy right at this second, but they kind of like go back and forth and Wendy's like, You were mocking me, and Karen's like, I I might have mocked you a little bit, but I'll just show you like what I did. Yeah. It's so good. I mean, like, what a moment. That's like one of my favorite Potomac scenes. It's just like the way they all start joining in. Like Blake: Right, like I just I love when like they can all take a moment to realize Casey: It's family. Blake: they're being silly and stupid and like l Casey: Like even Wendy had to laugh. Like they were fighting, but even Wendy was like, my God. Like this is not real right now. And I love the clip of Wendy actually walking down the stairs. And like she's slinking a little, but it's like Blake: She is. Casey: one one eighth of a slink. Like she's walking pretty normally to pick at it is crazy. Yeah. Blake: The angle is certainly not as you know, tilted, but at the same time I could see what she meant by Casey: No, I do too. It's it's f hilarious. I mean, like she she ate that. and it kind of like settles them for the moment. But then they like they have this argument about the degrees and like the the throwing shade kind of like multiple times throughout the rest of this season. And it like gets a little old, but Blake: Yeah, honestly, like Wendy, I think, is suffering from that first season housewife thing of like you've never Casey: For sure. Blake: watched yourself back before, so like you might think you don't talk about this a lot, but like you actually do, and she probably did watch it back and realize like, shit, I do that's something I do talk about a lot. So while the women are slithering, Monique decides to counter sue Candace for her second degree assault. She said, if I'm going to jail, you're going to jail. Casey: See you there, mama. I'll I'll g I'll get the bed right next to you, girly. Blake: I'll keep it warm for you. so Ashley tells Michael that Monique had asked her to write a statement about her altercation with Candace regarding how the year before Candace like threw a butter knife at her. and she says that she's willing to do this because when Michael was being accused of like grabbing the producer's like tushy and all those things. Monique had her back. Like the Samuels had the Darbies back. Casey: Yeah, and Giselle like later implies too that they like which I didn't really understand this, but the Samuels somehow had a hand in like they had the footage or like they helped stop the footage from getting out or like something about like Blake: Yeah. Casey: it was on camera and like they maybe like were able to keep it from getting out for a little bit because they do play it at the reunion. So like it does get out now. But that Blake: Well 'cause Casey: is also a part of it. So like clearly they they were colluding to use a A new buzzword. Blake: Cause yeah, she says like they show a clip where like Monique was like, you know, we don't have cameras in the basement. They said it happened in the basement, so we don't know what happened. Like, which, you know, does sound a kind kind of a little bit shady, but yeah, that's what she means by like the Samuels had our back. Casey: Gotcha. Blake: So the women go to Portugal, they have this group dinner. Karen orders a glass of milk while everyone's ordering champagne, wine, whatever, and she says it's 'cause she has a stomach ulcer. But everyone like, no, I think you were just too embarrassed by the fact that the last time you spoke to Wendy, you were so fucked up that you're like trying to keep it together and not spill more of your beans. at the dinner, Wendy asks Ashley if she's worried about Michael cheating while they're in Portugal. And Ashley says, to reiterate what she said in therapy, no, because I understand why he did it. And she like then mentions that like she had, I guess, at some point, like kind of cheated on Michael like it was with a woman, but like she was like, I I I can't be that mad or Casey: Right. They were like open ish, like they were like sort of question marked on the rules at a point so and like she crossed a line but not like the line, how she like kind of Blake: Yeah. Casey: views his thing as like they slept together in this you know, he fell asleep but he didn't have sex with her. Like she got off on like a same technicality. Like 'cause they like sort of are fine with some play with others, it seems, but not like the the play with others. Yeah. Blake: Yeah. The the transgression. So she's like, No, I get it. Like, we talked about it. So everyone's like, okay. Ashley is telling the others that she has to tell Candice at some point on this trip about the statement she wrote from Monique, and she feels bad because she's just started to like kind of grow a friendship with Candace, if you remember, when she consoled her outside of the sippency, her sippency for baby Dean, when Candace left in a huff. Karen turns the sights onto Giselle and she's like, you know, why doesn't Jamal hang out with you more? And she asks Giselle, like, is he not proud to be around you? Because like, if a man's proud to be around a woman, like he hangs out with her a lot. And Giselle is like immediately defensive. And Robin joins in against Giselle and is like, you know, we all share our partners, our husbands, our boyfriends, whoever, and you know, you don't share your man. In this group, and we all have to do that. so everyone is sort of kind of wondering what's going on with this Jamal situation because she's keeping it very close to the chest. after the dinner, Ashley goes to her room, she calls Michael, and you know, she's like the babysitter told me that you're not home yet. It's like 10 p.m. You were supposed to be home and relieve the babysitter and be home with like baby Dean. and like the baby's supposed to go to sleep and needs her dad to like go to s needs his dad to go to sleep. And Michael in in quotes says that he can't be molested like this, you know, by his wife asking him to care for the baby, and he hangs up. Casey: Like you know about molesting, wouldn't you, Michael? Blake: You would know something about that, you little freak ass crocodile looking ass bitch. And Casey: Like this is so sad too, because like she really like tried to like be strong about being away from baby Dean and he fucks it up on like night freaking one. Like, are you serious? Men are so useless. Blake: And he's like upset. And she starts crying and she tries to call him back and he like doesn't answer her call. And so she's just like crying herself to sleep and she's like, I wanna go home, I wanna see my kid Which I'm just like you can't let your your wife have like a three day trip to Europe without like making her feel bad about the fact that y'all chose to have a baby together. Anyway Casey: Like men want children in the same way that like when you're a young kid and you want like a dog and your parents are like, You're gonna take care of it for one week and then I'm gonna have to wipe its shit from its butt and walk it at four in the morning and, you know, clean up its piss. Like that's what's happening here. Blake: That's exactly what Michael's doing. Yep. It's horrible. It's horrible. So Casey: Yes. Like, like she can't go away for one frickin' week. She hasn't left. She hasn't been apart from that baby. Blake: It's not even a week. They're gone for like three or four days. And he's like the first night, he's like, it's only ten. I'm I work went late. Like, can't you just stop molesting me? Like it's your it's your child too. Like that's your son. That's your spawn. Casey: The concept of it being a molestation for your wife to ask you to go home to your child at the hour of 10 p.m. Blake: Ha ha ha ha. Casey: Like fuck off. God, he's so irritating. Like, this is why your Australian restaurant didn't succeed. Your bad karma, not any other reason. The amazing menu was was a testament to time. But God, I like, Blake: Not any other reason. The menu is delicious. Casey: he really enrages me right now. Like Blake: And so the women end up going to lunch the next day, and Giselle brings up Wendy and Karen's friendship. And Wendy, you know, again brings up this topic of her how it bothers her that Karen keeps talking about her education. And she's like, I put so much into my education. And you can tell Karen is like over it, because Karen hasn't really been talking about it since like the first time Wendy brought it up, but Wendy can't let it go. So Karen's like, you know, you have a right to be emotional about that. And she like just fully apologizes. And when Karen fully apologizes, that's how you know she like does not want to talk about it anymore. Like she's like, I'm sorry. Like, can we please? This is the third time. And Candace mentions to Giselle that Karen was wondering if Giselle's intentionally hiding Jamal from them. And Giselle just fully calls Jamal on over FaceTime to like be like, look, I can get him. Right here, like this is my man. And Karen Karen says that Giselle wants to judge everyone else's life, but she's like she won't talk about Jamal, and then she says that, you know, Jamal lives in her phone. Because the only time she's ever talking to him is in her phone. 'Cause he has she doesn't bring him to any events. Which clocked. I'm sorry. Casey: I mean that's true and like partially clocked, but also like they are in a long distance relationship. Like what are they supposed to do? No, I mean I know, but like okay, Blake: But every scene that they have together is also like embarrassing. Like Casey: yeah, like there's other things, but like I don't know. Obviously he wasn't gonna be around, but if that's what you wanna go on, then l then lo then let's do it. Blake: I mean but she doesn't really talk much about him and I don't know. Casey: I mean I probably wouldn't either, but Blake: Cause he's embarrassing. Casey: Right. Like whatever. Just let that be her situation. Like Blake: That's the point. I mean, it is what it is. Casey: Like it's I don't know. I do feel like I like normally would say like I not that I like am super like hell yeah, this was a great like move, but I do feel for her that like he's the he's the father of their children. Like that creates an extra dimension, like where I feel a little bit less like, like why'd you go back to that? Like it's not like she can really get away from him. So I understand like the like allure of like a family being together. I think I'm not in that space of life, but like more so Blake: Like sure. Sure, I'll hand that to her. Casey: at least at least there's that and it's not just like he they have no ties and she's going back to him. Like that would be like unacceptable completely. Not that it's fully amazing. Anyways Ashley kind of decides like mid-Portugal trip to like fully reignite her issues with Candace, which like I guess she decided when she like started, you know, making this statement for Monique, really, but so she's really just committing to it. But she tells the girls that she still has resentment towards her, like from their past issues, anyways. And, you know, Robin and Giselle feel confused by this because there's been this whole turn for the two of them. So like, why are we doubling back? And Ashley's like, Well, I'm just thinking. again about all the stuff she said about me on social media and like all of that good stuff and Robin goes I mean she would tweet that about anyone like it's just a general character flaw it's not about you like Candace is like literally sitting right there and Candace is like thanks Robin like thank you so much like Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: Amazing and another amazing defense. Like this group, like they will defend their girls down. Like don't play. But Blake: It is true. Casey: no And like love, beautiful one. I'll add that to my to my list of defenses for my friends when I know that they're wrong. Like amazing. Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: And Robin is not only hardworking in lines like that, but her embezzled business is absolutely booming. So much so that she has to log on and review the the photos for the website on vacation. You know, girl, girl boss. She does not take days off at the embezzled HQ. So she's like on her balcony looking at the photos and she goes down to look at them with with Giselle. And you know, they're flipping through like the catalog and you know, Candace is, beautiful, she looks so good, like, so chic. Wendy looks great. Giselle, love this pick of you. Like, and then they hit Karen's and the editors have it go to like just kind of like eerie music. And Robin says as she like flips through the Karen gallery, like, there's just something about these I'm not Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: Giselle is like, mm-hmm, mm-hmm. I see that. And Robin's like, it's not youthful. It's not feeling youthful to me. Like, and literally, like, this is so like they're just too funny to me. I'm sorry, you can't make me hate them. Cause then Giselle hits her right back Blake: Ha ha ha ha. Casey: with in dead seriousness, like, you need to think about your business. You need to think about what's best for the business. And and I think that you should probably delete these from the website. And Robin's like, I'll think about it, I'll I'll give it some thought. But I think you're probably right. Right, I think you know, it's it's about business at the end of the day. It's like wow, Blake: Ha ha ha ha. Casey: like you guys are everything. Like that's everything. Like Blake: It's about business at the end of the day. It's not about Karen's feelings. That old Casey: I it's it's about your business. Blake: hag. She can't she's gonna stop you from making any sales. Casey: Like the Karen pick would make that much of a difference in sales. Like, holy fucking hell. Like they're not real life. Like imagining a customer opening up the Karen pick Blake: my god, I ca I can't buy this for my daughter. Casey: I gotta go. That's what's gonna drive them away from the embezzled site. Like, awesome. And on the back of this scene where they've already like arguably humiliated Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: Karen, Robin just kind of like adds on just to really drive this scene home. She goes, Remember years ago too, when Karen was drunk as hell with us, and she was talking about how much she hates Ray's dick, and she Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: said all of that. that before they had the tax issues. So clearly, clearly that's not why they cooled off. Like boom. And we just like move on. Like so that's just kind of like dropped into the canon, you know, by Robin. And it's incredible. Blake: I we're not harboring any sort of feelings about Garen. It's about business. Casey: And what makes it what makes it incredible and funny is that they do this to each other and they both just keep it pushing. And that's like great housewives to me. Like I don't have to get Blake: Yeah. Casey: upset about this as a viewer because you guys aren't going to. Like I don't have to feel Blake: Right. Casey: so bad about this. I get to laugh and enjoy it because I know that Karen's not gonna like actually be upset by this. Like I'm not I'm not bullying her. Like we're all this is community. We're all in on this together. Like it's beautiful. It's community. Blake: We're roasting each other. It's a roast. Like it's supposed to be a little bit of a jab. Casey: It's stunning. and you know, Ashley decides right at this time that they're reviewing the embezzled shots. She's like, let me go tell them about my statement. Like, you know, this is probably let me go see what they have to say. Like, I'll soft launch it here and then and then I'll move on to Candace next. And you know, Giselle and Robin are are anti this, both of them. And like, that's what I mean of like I'm a I'm a defender of those two, as anyone who knows me will say. But I think that sometimes history gets rewritten with them of like they're always so evil and always so like one-sided, but like they do like take up for Monique at points, they take up for Candace at points. Like, I actually feel like this season they are are pretty fair in their assessment of like what's going on at most moments, and I think this is another one where like they're telling Ashley, just like, okay, first of all, you clearly have no intention of being good with Candace if you're making this statement, which like, yes, like obviously. Obviously this is gonna ruin the goodwill that you've built up. Like you already like are adding on to the fire and this is coming right off of her like being like, I think I still have some resentment. So like yeah, you think? Like I'd I'd say so. And that's what Robin says. Like this is clearly like you just trying to get back at her in like a very in like a very big way. Like that's maybe not what you wanna do. And she tells them about like the, you know, they did this for us, so we They covered up our sexual harassment, so we have to cover up their physical assault. So it's a little it's a little tit for tat. which like isn't even a great example, really, isn't even a great reason, really. But she also says, you know, Monique is a mother and she has children, and I really just can't stand by and let her be at risk of going to jail, and that's like her main, her main, main thing. But both of them are like you could have written a Like supporting Monique, like just being like, her temperament is not this, you know, she's gonna grow from this instead of like writing a statement against Blake: Discrediting Candace. Casey: asking something pointed. Like you can now see what direction their lawyer is trying to take this, which is like going after Candace's like anger in her past history of quote unquote violence, you know, like the butter knife and the tweets like that Ashley like that she wrote to Ashley. So they're trying to build up a a counter narrative that they're both that they're either both the aggressors or it was actually somehow just Candace all along. Like Blake: Right. Casey: so that that's nuts and Giselle and Robin say that this is nuts. Like yeah Blake: And like Ashley her like r you know, like I I guess suppressed frustration with Candace jumps through because she's like, I guess we could just call it even and they're both just like, even like okay, so so you're doing this like intentionally against Candace. Like this is not Monique asked and I'm friends with Moni like you want like this is kinda you kinda like sh putting it to her. which is a you know, it's like when we're talking about potentially going to jail, it's kind of a crazy way to Casey: Right. High stakes and y we've already done this whole song and dance of you guys like making up after your big beef from last year. So like why did we just do all of this? Like Blake: Right. Like you said like you have to tow the line because you just made inroads as friends and then you're suddenly gonna just say we can be even. It's like so now Casey: You don't gaff now? Yeah. Blake: you actually never wanted to be her friend. So the women have another dinner, you know, as housewives are wont to do, and Karen decides that she can order champagne even though she has a stomach ulcer. And in Giselle's confessional, she's like, she googles it. I don't even believe that she actually Googled it. She just like types a couple things in, puts her phone down and goes, Yep, if you have a stomach ulcer, one glass of champagne can kill you. I mean, Karen will take that chance. Let me tell you that. and she again says, like, I just think that she she just didn't want to embarrass herself. But you know, it was just for for that one night, I guess she got over it. Now she can drink. Robin at the dinner announces to the women that her embellished hat line website is live. And shockingly, you know, they acknowledge th that, well, Karen's not on the website. And Robin's like, yeah, so just didn't really and Karen's like, honestly, I'm good. It I don't care. Like she really like it was sh Casey: That's what I mean. It's perfect. Blake: she had like such minimal feelings about it. Like you couldn't even tell she just didn't care. Casey: 'Cause they're in a they're in a Id gaff war. Like whoever shows that they care more is becomes the loser in the situation. Like both Robin and Blake: That's very true. Casey: Karen have to just hit her back with like the crazy things that they say. They have to just be like either a quick one right back or just a whatever. Whatever. I don't give a hell. Blake: Yeah. And Karen at this point does not have a quick one, so she's like, I I'm good. I actually didn't want to be on your website. And then she pulls out that I actually also have my own business. It's a wig line and I'm holding a launch party and everyone's invited except for Monique. I shouldn't have even had to say that, 'cause Monique is not invited to anything this season. And the women end up end the night having some sort of like fetish Like it's like they they're like getting into like leather and like getting into like BDSM sexy lingerie and they're gonna have like a end of Portugal party and like a suite and this is Giselle in her outfit. She's like whipping a couch while she's wearing these like leather booty shorts and this like red corset top. And she looks amazing. But like, why are you whi- Casey: Queen. The queen. Blake: Why are you like flogging Karen? Is my question. Wendy. Casey: Giselle being crazy. Blake: Wendy shows up in like some kind of like a trench coat. It's and then Karen is straight up wearing, like, you know when people like people wear like a Pleather like blazer and like pleather pants and it's like it there's nothing like BDSM leather about it. It's fully like like Forever Twenty One kind of leather. Casey: Leather. Yeah. Blake: Like that's Karen like did not she was like, I'm not doing that. So she wears like a regular fucking outfit. And Robin looks at her and goes, You kinda look like Corella Deville and Karen goes, You look like a whore on the street corner, but I ain't say nothing about it. And like part of it's like, well that was kind of the point though. Like Robin did Casey: Right. Blake: the assignment. Like, it's not really offensive. Like, that's the point. and Giselle, I feel as though like she she made a very valiant effort, like, to show up in like her sex kitten, like lingerie leather flogging, whatever. But like ultimately she did not beat the ace allegations. Like her heart's not fully in it, and that's okay. But I do think we should acknowledge that she tried, and she did try hard. I think she tried harder than she typically does when it comes to beating the allegations. this is also the moment, you know, coochie out, butt crack out, titty's out, and Ashley goes, I'm gonna talk to Candace about the statement. So, you know, she's like Candace, Monique asked me to write her a statement, and you know I'm worried about what could happen to her. So I I did it. And she says that, you know, she put down the butter knife incident. She talked about the reunion where they were attacking each other. She talked about like what Candice has said about her on Twitter. and she's like, it doesn't hurt you. It just helps Monique. And Wendy's like, No, actually, like you just talked about three instances of Candace looking crazy. So like it does actually hurt Candace, and paints her as like being kind of like temperamental. Casey: Like obviously. Blake: And Robin, who was just privy to this conversation earlier, says, You did this as revenge against Candace, which like Ashley fully admitted to doing. And Candace says that she sees Ashley. I see you. We see each other. Casey: We see each other. Blake: And Wendy calls Ashley a snake, and Candace tells Ashley to go fuck herself. And then she starts crying. And she's like, I've been on anxiety medication because of all this. And then she gets up and leaves. And I love when Ashley is like the responsible party for things going left because the way that she sort of like acts a little bit aghast that like that was the outcome when like there was only one way things could have gone. She's she kind of gets up and she's like, All right, well, I'ma go to my room. I this is kind of a lot. It's like, what did you think was gonna happen? What did you think was gonna happen? Like, truly this is like very high stake situation. That you are like piling onto. Casey: I'm sorry, I love her. I love her. I love her bad. I'm sorry. I don't know. Like this is crazy work and I still love her, but I don't know. Blake: Ha ha ha ha. Casey: Something's wrong with me. Like I just she's really doing doing her job. At all costs, she can be being cheated on. Baby Dean is being watched by no one. Michael's at the club. Like she has postpartum depression, boobs leaking, and she's still gonna show up to work. She's gonna actually Blake: she Casey: unrest. The feud that she just healed just to give us a show. Like, wow. Blake: To give us a show, you have to respect it. You do. Casey: You absolutely and I I do. I respect women and women's stories matter. They just matter. Blake: This woman's this woman's story matters. Casey: Absolutely. And Karen's story of her wig line launch event matters. And she has this event and it's like again, all these events are seem very Quickly thrown together based on the location. Everyone looks like they're in like a pop-up, like storage unit-esque weird space. Like at all of them. The last like four. And this one is no different. It kind of looks similar to the the Kenya Moore hair spa opening in a way. But just to drop that in there. But what Karen does here is to avoid Avoid her lie of like she told the group that Monique she wasn't gonna invite Monique, but then she told Monique that like she would invite her and it can be up to her, but she only invites her to come like before the start. So Monique is there and they're kind of like having a little kiki before everyone else gets there. And the editors have it as like a text pings on Karen's phone, like while she's sitting there with Monique, and it's a text from Candace that says, I'm on my way, Chile, or C-H-I-L-E child. I still read it in my head as Chile. I'm on my Blake: That's probably for the best. Casey: way Chile. So she says she's on her way Chile. And Karen, like, clearly is worried. Like whether that's the real text or not. Like, I don't know. Like, that would be shady if they added that in there. Blake: Ha ha. Casey: I hoped. like the real verbatim text, but Karen like looks looks stressed and she's kind of like well thanks for coming by Monique. Like let's get you out of here. Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: And they have like one minute before start of event. Like Monique is getting into her Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: car and Karen's like, bye, I'll see you around. and then Candace stroll in like right as Monique's leaving. and Robin, Robin shows up, Wendy shows up, they they talk about how it's like kind of a weird space. Robin goes, Are we in the back of a strip mall? And Wendy's like, Well, this is cozy, I guess you could say. So, like everyone's feeling weird about it. Giselle's not coming to this one because Karen's business partner slash like wigologist apparently talks shit about Giselle. So there's like a side beef between Giselle Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: and the hairstylist. So she can't come. You know, everyone gets a wig at the event. They all look a mess. Robin particularly is in like a like a Sia Bob wig. Like it's like a thick white Blake: my god. Casey: bang. And while she's in this one, she kind of tries to hit Karen real quick. 'cause they like are asking her again about the ulcer, not ulcer, drinking, not drinking, like Blake: Yeah. Casey: 'cause she keeps going back and forth between like having a drink and not. And Robin tries to bring up like the POV of like, like are you just like embarrassed and she goes, are you not drinking because you know you what you might say when you're drunk? And Karen, without missing a beat, goes, No, but you should be concerned about what Juan might say when he's drunk. Like boom. Blake: They have such a gorgeous synergy. Like I love their relationship. Casey: Like it's so gorgeous. Like, and they're both in these funk ass wigs, like staring each other down. Absolutely fearless. Like, wow. Blake: Ha ha ha ha. Casey: I admire them so much. Like, it's actually so gorgeous. And everyone else standing around them is so gagged. Like, just as the audience is. They're like, this exchange Blake: Ha ha. Casey: was crazy, and neither one of them are even reacting. They're just kind of still Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: staring at each other like. Right. And it's so good. And th it kind of turns around because like while the energy's like going towards Karen, kind of questioning her, there is this conspiracy afoot. Because obviously Candace like just missed Monique's arrival. And the women find out that Monique was there before him. And Candace tells them, Wait, I was supposed to come early. Like I was late. Like Karen told me to arrive. fifteen or twenty minutes earlier than I really did. So did she intend for us to cross paths is basically the the question mark that's coming up. And Candace like tries to bring it up with Karen like while Robin kind of starts the momentum and says like you know what's what's going on with this Karen? Like let's talk about the fact that you told me to come early and that Monique was here. Like what what what's that about? And Karen literally like mind you, they're talking in like a calm voice as I am. They're kind of like, What's the deal with this, Karen? Like, you know, you can imagine that Candice would be mad, but she's still like she's not there yet. She's just saying, like, why don't you explain to me what's going on? And Karen looks at them, Robin and Candace. like they're screaming and throwing things and she's like I have guests here you you need to stop this you you both need to cool this is not the place is not the time and they're both like whoa like we're not trying to do anything like okay like whatever but we're just asking you and Karen's getting louder and louder Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: and she's like Ray get my coat get my coat Ray and they leave like they literally leave her own wig launch party and there's plenty of people there not just the housewives there's other other guests there And Ray just puts on Karen's coat and they they get out of Dodge. And Candace is still there with the women. Like they wrap up because like they're not also gonna storm out, but like how awkward. And Candace is talking to them about her little conspiracy. And at that point, Ashley kind of like Does her amazing work and adds a little mix in of like what side is Ashley on? And she goes, Yeah, Karen actually like reiterated to Monique boots, like you have to come. It's gonna be so important for you to like show that like you're gonna start like showing back up again and speaking your truth and all that good stuff. And Candace is getting upset and Robin again, great work, ladies. Robin goes, So basically what I'm getting is that Karen prioritizes Monique's place in the group over. your mental health. Wow. Blake: Ha ha. Casey: Telling. And it's like, wow. Like that is so telling. Gag her Robin. Blake: Dropping that seed, dropping that seed. Casey: Like Robin and Ashley just Blake: Plantin' tree. Casey: doing like a like a little like one-two like on candice right now. Like Giselle wasn't there, so they had to pick up the good work and and make sure that things got done at this wig launch event, even after Karen stormed out. Like we have to we have to lay some groundwork and Blake: We still we still gotta keep the party going. Casey: work there is work to be done. Blake: We are going to shock Karen with this conversation. Casey: Ab so friggin' lully. Blake: And so, you know, we get to the infamous season finale where Robin and Juan are hosting a holiday party, and Juan is planning to propose at this holiday party. Ashley informs Michael that Juan is planning to propose to Robin, and Michael is like, Well, Giselle must be lying about that because Juan wouldn't do that. And Ashley's like, What do you mean? Like What do you mean, like her ex-husband who's been living they've been living together, raising their family together, like been kind of low-key, like this has been their whole thing, like eventually we're gonna get married. Like what do you mean like he wouldn't do that? And he's like, I've already said too much. I'm not gonna go there. Like I and she's like, do you know something I don't? And he's like, I've already I can't, I've already said too much. Which is like, you know, like it's like Casey: He's so weird. Blake: I think we're supposed to be like, my god, like what does he mean? But nobody actually thinks he n fucking has anything. Like he Casey: Right. Like shut up. Blake: Clearly this is a case of like you're just upset that like this guy that you were thinking eventually maybe it could happen between the two of you is like gonna lock it down again and you just are like in denial that it's happening. So they throw their party, Giselle arrives, of course, without Jamal. She's Jamaless, which I have to say again, to everyone's point, yeah, she never shows up with him. No one ever gets to speak to Jamal. He lives in the phone, to Karen's point. Michael tells Giselle and Ashley that he actually asked Juan if this is the big night and Juan seemed reluctant. And like like it's just like no like that didn't happen. Like you made that up. And Giselle even Casey: Like what? The wand whisperer, like he sensed his reluctance in his tone, Blake: No, and Casey: like Blake: Giselle even like says this in her confessional. She's like, I think you might just be upset that like your boy is gonna no longer be your boy. Like he's gonna be with the woman, you're not gonna be able to get him anymore. Like the illusion is shattered, and it's like what else are we supposed to make of that? Juan does literally propose within the next five minutes, so clearly not that reluctant. Casey: Gag it. Blake: and Michael has this moment where he's sort of like it's like the f very first stage of grief where he's like, I'll play the clip. first of all, he's so shocking, like physically Casey: Jeez. Blake: to look at. Second of all, what do you mean no like he's this is him being like, okay, we can still do a bachelor party and like we can still maybe like get so drunk that we maybe fuck and like it's still gonna be okay, like I can still do what I wanted to do. And Juan's over here just like, yeah, we can go play some poker or something. Like Guan is not trying to fuck you, sir. You look you look Casey: Like like you're so scary. Blake: You look like if a skeleton was randomly colored red. That's what you look like. Casey: This clip has been memed so much of like him cheersing the cup too. Blake: Ha ha ha ha. Casey: He was so happy. It's Blake: He's so scary He's so scary Casey: so scary, wow. Blake: So Karen tries to tell the women that like Monique is sorry, and Candace is like, that can't be true because she's been trashing me online. She's been liking posts that have been like, pow, pow, like you really ate that bitch up. and then the entire party is you know, ruined by Michael coming face to face with Candace's Chris. Casey: This battle of the balls, like Blake: I was gonna say, you know when it's like I hate both of you and like you both suck and you're both wrong, but like I guess I have to pick a side. But it's like Casey: You know what I was thinking when I was watching the clip? I was like, you know the the Oppenheimer brothers from selling sunset? I'm like not there in a fight Blake: No, cause Michael tells Chris, like, you're going to jail, you bald Casey: Okay. Blake: headed bitch, and I'm like, Which one are you like, cause you both are, like, you're both going to jail, I guess. The Casey: And you both could go to jail. Blake: cops show up, they're like, We we're arresting the bald headed bitch and they're and both of them are like, fuck. shit. I guess it's me. Casey: Literally the Oppenheim brothers got mad as hell this night and they had a brother deva the brother fight. Like my god, it's so funny. Blake: And then Michael's like yelling at production, and it's like unclear what he's yelling about because at that point, like Chris and Candace like are not in the vicinity, but he's like still yelling, and Ashley is like like so distressed. Like, stop it, you're embarrassing me. This is unacceptable. She's like, they're doing their jobs. And I'm like, Ashley, like, how are we here? How are we here right now? Like, maybe. And the the party ends, Ashley and And Michael get into like a fight on the sidewalk, and Ashley's like, if I did this, if I did what you did, and I'm like, Ashley, like in one season he's cheated on you and then also caused an altercation, and also ch re rejected the concept of parenting your baby together. Is that not like enough just gen like in one three-month sa season of filming that happened? Typically that would be enough in like Casey: Right, ignoring the sexual h harassment claims from the f earlier Blake: Aside from whatever has happened in anything else, like this happened in one season, and this is like a enough, I think, for like a marriage as a whole to be ended. And then like the the like end of season placards, it's like, like she's up to this and she's up this. It's like the next day, Ashley and Michael and baby Dean went to the Bahamas and they're living it up together and Ashley's pregnant again. And I'm like, the day after? The day after that happened? Like you're fighting on the sidewalk. And then the day after you're like, let's go to the Bahamas. I love you. So, you know, Monique, I shouldn't have to say this, but I will. She's not at this party. But she does, we get a little flash into her confessional. And she says that the court essentially decided to drop both of the complaints because they realized it was just kind of giving like reality TV fodder, like they didn't take it seriously. and we get this amazing moment with her. I'm so sorry, but like her laugh just the fact that she can cackle like that like I I can't be mad at her for any like you actually not guilty. Casey: She looks so good in that confessional too. Blake: No, she looks incredible. The way that she's like this whole season happened and she's like you're not gonna you asked to get dragged, you're not I'm not going to jail because you asked to get dragged, and she's like ha ha ha like the the she whipped out such an iconic cackle and for that I can't be mad at her and That's how we end the season, then we move on to the reunion. I mean, that's where we end with all these ladies. Casey: And the reunion is a different world, literally, because like it's COVID time suddenly, which is so jarring. Like it's like, my god, like no. Bummer. Like The jump Blake: No, I hate that. Yeah, it like it brings you it brings you to like a dark time in life. Like Casey: from the finale party, like no existence of it to like massed up like socially distanced reunion chairs, like it's Blake: Every chair is like thirty feet away from each other. Like they have their like plastic shields on their faces. Like Ashley's like Casey: And they were brave enough sorry, go ahead. Blake: No, I gonna say Ashley's like belly is like out to here. Like she's like, you know, I'm I'm carrying. Casey: She is large. Blake: Yeah. Casey: And like they're they were brave enough to come and show up to a reunion during COVID, but doubly brave because they decide on this yellow group palette, which is a tough color to go with for like a formal, like long ball gown, like when you're trying to slay event. And that's how you know these are all crazy, crazy face cards. Like this is a beautiful, beautiful group of women. And Robin has probably the I think the craziest look of the the night and even that, like it's like you can still like she still is beautiful. Like it's crazy. But I wanna comment if you're watching, you'll see the picture I'm speaking of. But I wanna comment on her s wig. It's like a yellow bob Blake: It's shocking. Casey: that has like what pattern even is that? It has like a print on it. Like it looks like someone stamped it with like a cheetah print. Blake: It looks like someone stepped on it with their like boot. Casey: Like it looks like you gave it to like a young craft craftinista who like had a little like zebra print stamp and like she got a hold of the wig before the reunion and like went to town on top of it. Cause it doesn't even look like Blake: Yeah. Casey: well done. It it and and Blake: And then like the little earring dangling from underneath the bob, but it's like the ear is much higher than where the bob ends. So like is the earring string that connects the like jewel like that long? Like Casey: Like she chose a dangly earring that goes longer than the bob. Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: So you just see this like little pendant. And it is a question mark of like, why is its stem so long? Or is your ear drooping? Or is there tons of jewels behind the hair? Like, you know, if I drew it, like, are there three more stones dropping down? That's what I think is the most likely. But what an insane earring accessory choice. I mean, Blake: Yeah. Casey: like wow, but even never the Nevertheless, she persisted, and they all still look great, and like that's that's real power. And they show them, like, you know, they kind of give a little bit of like COVID, like, like everyone's masked. Look at us being so cautious on camera and make sure this is send this to the health department. Like everyone's masked up Blake: Yeah. Casey: backstage, so they show us around, and Monique backstage has T'Challa the bird in the dressing room, and she has her dress laid Blake: In a mask. Casey: on the bed. her receipt book and like it zooms in on the tabs of her binder and every woman has a tab and it plays a little like voiceover of her going call me the accountant my. She's so so she's th so threatening. Like, I will call you the accountant. I believe her. Believe women. Like, if she wants to be an accountant, then Blake: Like you don't know what an accountant does, I I don't think. That's not really what it is. Casey: so be it. And a funny moment that we get that I feel like people have talked about a little bit online, like this is one that people have noticed before. It's just kind of like in the mix of of the reunion drama. But Robin and Ashley have this exchange about baby Dean that is killer. Blake: Alright. Casey: Was that not rude? Blake: She like willingly stepped in a heaping pile of shit right there. Was that not rude? Casey: Was that not rude, Blake: Robin's like I genuinely don't know how to respond to that. Casey: And aside from that being literally so Fucking funny. We got a earring reveal and it is it's like five stones. Blake: Yes, we saw the earring. Casey: And it looks good on the side where like on one side the bob is like tucked behind her Blake: Where the bob's behind the ear. Casey: ear. So she almost should have just worn the one and not the one on the side where the combover is, which I'm not even Blake: Y like Yeah. Casey: a stylist or even really that stylish of a person, and I could have told you that much. So there you have it. Call me next time. Call me for this year, Robin. I'll consult on Blake: Yeah. Which that shows the level that she's on. Casey: your earring choices. Happily. For free. For free. That's right. Call today. Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: but yeah, incredible. And one thing that is I feel important to the narrative of Potomac is that Andy asks a viewer question about if the women feel that colorism has affected like their experience on the show and and how people have responded to some of the like more inciting events of the season and you know, this is the question that that launches a thousand ships for this franchise. Like this is gonna become a a big issue and one that's gonna drive, I mean arguably drives Candace off the show and Robin, you could say, as the casualties of of the fan debate that like emerges about this. And it's definitely like a big issue and the women start to handle it really well. Like Wendy speaks about how Ashley calling her and Candace like aggressive and ferocious are low key enabling people who have those prejudiced views to feel like, yes, like let me like go go after them. Like it's almost like a dog whistle kind of thing. And obviously Ashley doesn't want to like feel that way, but the women all just kind of say, We need to be more careful about the words that we use. And Robin says, you know, that's not something you can say about dark skinned women, especially when like they're not being so like when really like it's it's pretty mild compared to like what people would actually use the word ferocious for. Like I feel that now aggressive has become more like understood of like you gotta be a little bit more careful with that. But ferocious is is e even more extreme, I feel like like that's a little bit crazy, but Blake: Ferocious is like that's like you know, I'm thinking like tiger, I'm thinking lion, I'm thinking Casey: Like Blake: like crocodile, like dinosaur. Casey: Someone would have to like take an escalation between them and I up to like a knife comes out for me to be like that was ferocious for like you know like Blake: Yeah. Casey: that's like whoa we like really are like fighting now. But unfortunately this conversation gets derailed because Monique is like absolutely on one, ready to come in, guns blazing this reunion and she like chimes in from what is starting to be, I feel like a really good productive conversation between, you know, a group of dark skinned and light skinned women. Like I think it actually would have been really productive for them to keep going for a little bit, but Monique totally ruins it and it's like exactly like these words are just like what you guys call me, like hood rat and and ghetto and all that stuff and it turns the conversation like off of it being productive because it becomes like a fight again. So that's unfortunate, but it is like the first kind of instance of Potomac where like we don't get to handle that question appropriately, which is unfortunate because it I think it would have helped them to to elaborate. Blake: If they had been able to sort that issue earlier on, we might not have had to get to a place where it was constantly plaguing these women. Casey: Like especially 'cause Robin was on that like on like she was right there with them, like helping to Blake: Yeah. Casey: educate Ashley, like so it actually was going in like a productive direction, but alas. I felt sad about that. I was like, man. And then we get to such hateful places. Like that sucks. so sad to say, but yeah, Monique and Karen both come in like on ten. and they kind of join up to tag team Giselle at the end of the part one reunion, which is so crazy because like Giselle, like in terms of a Giselle season, like this is not one of her most offensive seasons. Like she relatively like is Blake: Yeah. Casey: reasonable. She's Blake: And she wasn't really particularly coming for Karen much, I wouldn't say. If anything, Karen was coming for her more. Casey: I wouldn't say like really anybody. She was stirring up drama between Karen and Wendy, but just like on things that both of them were saying. Like it's not like it's really her f issue. But Blake: And it was like it was like earlier on like once, like it wasn't like a bone she was carrying the whole time, I don't think. Casey: I think so too. Like I don't feel like she has a lot to answer to at this reunion if I if I feel that way, but they feel differently. and you know, they start In on the Jamal of it all again. And Karen like lists a bunch of rumors about him. And Monique kind of jumps in and is like, Yep, no, I've heard the same stuff. Like, and I spoke to this woman who is his longtime girlfriend. And you know, she's also a pastor. And Candace kind of like chimes in and is like, she's been sitting on this one for a long time. Like, she was ready to drop this when it got convenient. Like, so allegedly this had been in the in the air and Monique pulls out her receipt book and gets some stuff out and is like you know Giselle's like this is not real and Monique goes really like is this not his phone number and reads Alpha number that they then bleep out and it like goes quiet and Andy says is that his phone number and Giselle says Yes and like everyone gags like hard both there on the set and in the audience but for me it's like I don't feel like that proves anything. Like anyone could just like get your phone number, like and say it was you. Like I don't know. I wasn't really gagged by that. Blake: But also his his his history though, it's like Casey: Well yeah, like I'm not saying that like it doesn't mean it wasn't him, but like I didn't take that to be like the smoking gun that they all act like it is. Like he's a public figure. I'm sure his phone number is Blake: I'm I'm I'm Casey: accessible on the internet. Blake: I'm always gonna be defending the binder moment. Like that's whether it ultimately is fake or not, number one, Giselle's response to it to me showed someone who was accepting of the fact that yeah, this is probably true, and I honestly don't wanna like really push back that much because it's probably gonna make me look stupid. But also, the fantasy that I want to live in is that this was truly like a full on like my last dying like fight before I'm over it and done with the show. Like and she landed that plane and it was just iconic. So I'm not picking it apart. I think she she fucking this was this this we have to acknowledge. No, Casey: I see both sides of it. Blake: we have to acknowledge though like she was the first and only to do the like reunion receipt thing where it actually landed because so many have tried since then to have a receipt at a reunion and I think ever since then it's like it it's not supposed to be a thing that people do constantly. And I think she Casey: Yeah. Blake: did it because it really made sense for where she was at, like with the cast. But like people try it so many times. It will never hit the same and also like I do feel the way she presented it, the things that she had in her binder were legit. I don't Have any proof to back that up? It's Alexia said, My proof is in my head. It's what I believe, or whatever the hell she said. but like yeah, I mean. Casey: Okay, but I I both agree with you and disagree with you. Because I I like I get this moment and it works and it like is iconic. And we'll we'll play a clip in a second after I say this little piece because it doesn't work for me totally. Like it does and it doesn't. But why it doesn't for me is number one this is a total misdirect off of her actions of the season. Like, right, Blake: Well that's the point. That's the point. Casey: no, I know, but like for me, that's annoying. annoying. Like I would rather like I don't know. Blake: She was never gonna she was never and like I'm not saying this is good or bad, but she was never going to like fess up to like, yeah, I was r you know, like Casey: But like Giselle didn't really do any like Giselle was against her because like Giselle didn't like her actions at the fight, but like there really wasn't enough for this level of vitriol from I think either Monique or Karen towards Giselle. Like it felt a little out of place and like for Monique to do this, like in the midst of her, like okay, yeah, fine. Blake: Let's let's play the clip. Casey: I mean crazy work. Blake: I mean yeah, I don't look, I I you know, I I hear your point, but at the same time in terms of like housewives history this is just always gonna be hu Yeah. Casey: I d I'm not disputing that. I'm not. But like in the wake of like the whole drama of the season being this this vicious fight that happened and like the ensuing charges occurring, if you're trying to prove that you don't have anger issues, this was a little bit of a crazy strategy for the reunion. Like I like respect that's what I mean. I respect it, but I disagree with it. I admire it, but I'm afraid of it. Blake: Well and all and like in in part two of the reunion, like they air unaired footage of the fight, where, you know, they show Candice yelling to Monique like as she's in a you know, a right after the fight happened Monique was pulled away into a different room and she's yelling like, you know, quote unquote, like you're fired because you're a ghetto hood rat bitch and Monique is this is the when Monique is like Trying to open the door, and the producer's like, No, I really don't want you to do that. And she's like trying to open the door and they air this footage where she says, you know, if I'm done with this show, I might as well wear her out. And so it's like, you know, like none of this really shows that like she's, you know, acknowledging maybe that like she has a lot of pent-up rage that has come out against Candace. and you know, Candace says that Monique was well aware that she started the fight and continued to perpetuate this narrative that Candace initiated the fight by throwing the glass and there's this whole conversation about how Monique's trying to frame it as like the reason she started swinging was because Candace like initially hit her with the glass, which like, you know, if you watch it, that's not true. There was glass that was like tossed, but not in like a very intentional way, more of like a My hands are flailing as my wig's being grabbed and like I might have thrown the glass in my hand. But it's you know, she's she's definitely trying to rewrite the narrative. I mean no one is no one in terms of the fight is saying that Monique didn't, you know, wasn't in the wrong in terms of that. Casey: Right. Right. And you know, I probably just have a hard time with it 'cause Giselle is my main sister on this cast, so I've Blake: Yeah. Casey: never been able to fully fully enjoy the moment, even though I I recognize the iconery and the delivery and it doesn't help matters that she looks so good while she's delivering those reads. I mean like she just couldn't look better. Like wow. Blake: Yeah. Yeah, she ate it up her last reunion. Casey: It's really crazy. But yeah. I just feel like it's a little bit misdirected. And like what wasn't in the clip is like she starts her thing by saying too, like, Like your kids hate that you're back with him too, and then launches into a later defense being like we should never talk about each other's kids. Like which they all do all the time. It drives me nuts. Like they will literally mention Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: another woman's kid and then in the next breath be like, Never talk about my kid. And it's like Blake: Ha ha. Casey: Like what? Like you can't even say the word kid or son? Like where where does the line draw but like, you know, whatever. Moving al right along to They kinda get into the the fallout of the brawl and they talk about Ashley writing what she did for Monique and she says it was a really easy decision because Monique's a mother and like of what she was facing like for jail time basically. And Candace says, I mean, if she's like such a mother, then she really should have been thinking of her children when she was chasing me around the barn and whacking me in the head. I do agree. I do agree. It's hard to then take the mother defense of like she's a mother. And it's like, yeah, she was a mother when she was beating the shit out of Candace at that at that wine barn. Like she was a mother then too. Like that doesn't really change anything. but you know, obviously, do I think she should go to jail? No. So, like, what it's backing up is a little bit crazy, but you know, funny and and valid. and Monique tries to like, you know, talk about her healing, and she says that her therapist recommends. That she write a letter to Candace, but she didn't like that idea. So she decided to write a song because she's always been a songbird and like she's always Blake: A rapper. Casey: expressed herself through song. and as she's talking about this, like Candace whiffs out her phone and starts reading the lyrics out loud, and the cadence of it is so good. I have it clipped. Blake: Give you what you asked for 'cause I care, huh? Casey: care hul and them saying that in tandem like if Monique had any sense she would have clipped that soundbite put it on a remix and said Candace Monique Drag Queen's Blake: Actually like Casey: remix I mean Candace would have sued her but it would have been awesome for a moment. Blake: They should have like they should have talked it out on the remix. Like that would have been that Casey: Girl so confusing. Blake: would have been everything. Imagine. Like my god. On the dragon. Casey: on the drag queens remix. The song being called Drag Queens is so crazy. And I mean writing the song is crazy and like publishing it for consumption. Like marketing it at the reunion as like your therapy and then like putting it out there as like a real like song is crazy. Blake: At the end of the day, she did not give a fuck to even be perceived as someone who feels bad for what happened. For what she did. Casey: Like, alright, like whatever, mama, like we we love the song. Like, get what you asked Blake: Yeah. Casey: for, hun And she like tries to like defend this, and it's like I I had to get in the studio and I I had to express myself. Like I just had to. And Andy's Andy's shady lady, he interrupts and he's like, Are you a recording artist? And she's like, I've always been recording songs before Housewives, I was recording. And he goes, It's not great. I mean, did you really like think it was gonna be like a hit? Like, whoa, like that's that's wild. Like you didn't even say it wasn't a hit to like Kim Blake: Wow and Casey: Zosia. You could have just let her have her. Her song moment, but no, he was not feeling the not feeling her oats in that moment. Blake: Ha ha. Casey: and after that they move on to the husband section, which as you can guess about me and usually Blake too, we don't give a toot about the husband section really ever. One thing that I do wanna talk about is Chris Samuels is such a weird my god, he's so weird. He has like one of the weirdest husband performances. I I didn't even like recall this because he's so irrelevant to me, but But one thing that they addressed pretty quickly into like him coming out. He online, like on an Instagram live or like a TikTok live, I guess this is pre-TikTok, whatever. On an Instagram live, probably with Monique, he says, like, whoo, like these women are always testing my wife. Like they're so crazy. I wish I could turn into Bruce Jenner and slap the shit out of them all. And then he says, like, I'm just like s I was so mad at these women for plotting on my child. Like that's why I said that. Which like, okay, number one, crazy statement, 'cause you're both being transphobic and threatening domestic violence against your wife's coworkers. Like Blake: Other women, when you're like a seven foot tall, like large man, you're trying to like beat the shit out of women, like okay, and then we add the transphobia. It's just like all all around. Casey: Like, okay, okay. And like Monique's silent, Blake: Who asked you? Casey: like she has nothing to say about this. Giselle is like disturbed. I mean, like, yeah, it's disturbing. Blake: I'm disturbed, Giselle. Casey: I would also be disturbed. And that's not even the only weird thing that he does. Because Well, I'll preclude this. I'll I'll sandwich in the middle of Chris Samuels being a weirdo. They talk a little bit about Robin and Juan's proposal. Not much, because Ray, I guarantee you, at Karen's behest, interrupts the Robin Wan proposal segment and is kind of like, When's the wedding gonna be? And Robin, like as she starts to be like, he's like, 'Cause I just wanna make sure it doesn't conflict because I think we're gonna be celebrating our our anniversary and we're gonna be renewing our vows. And Karen's like and like she stands up and like gets around the couches and goes and hugs him and it's like It's like yay. Like, my God. Ray is like actually prisoner. Yeah. Like, I don't Blake: He's like, I still don't love you, but Casey: know what she has on Ray, but like she literally held him at gunpoint the night before and said, the second they start talking about Wab Wobbin, Robin's proposal, the second they start talking about Robin's proposal, make sure you repropose to me right at that moment. Cause Blake: Ha ha ha. Casey: I need that to happen. Like, my literal God. So like he does that. Blake: And then Chris Samuels is like, I'm not done. I'm not done. Casey: He's like, wait, wait, now me and my wife need to have a moment too. Like he like stands up out of his chair and is like Can just say something really quick? Like, my wife is so strong and she's been so strong and this has been so hard. And like, Monique gets up and hugs him in the exact same way that Karen gets up to hug, right? Like, it's so performative and dumb. And like she's like crying, and he like from the hug, like all dramatically, like stares at Giselle over the hug and goes, I guess hurt people hurt people. Blake: Please, please. Casey: You're a weirdo. And they talk about this in this part, like, and I think part two a little bit too. Like, Chris Samuels and Monique keep implying like there was this plot against their child. Like they keep saying there's this plot Blake: Yeah. Casey: against their child. And that's why Monique has this hatred for Giselle this whole time. Like, that's like why she's been on one. And that's why Chris comes on one about, and that's why he wanted to beat the shit out of the women. He wants to turn into a trans. Transgender woman. He was low-key emitting something there. Wow. Blake: And you know what? I wish him well in that endeavor, and I support that. Casey: In that journey. Blake: And I'm happy Casey: But yeah, the plot thing is about the trainer rumor, which we discuss, yes. It really wasn't Blake: The Cherice thing, which was not even like relevant to Giselle or anybody, so Casey: Giselle's push. Like, and Giselle even says that. She's like, that wasn't my thing. Like, I came over to your house and was like, your kid looks cute. And you on camera were like, doesn't he look like his daddy? Like and Giselle was like, Yeah, like who else would he look like? And that's what the scene is on camera. So she's like, I mean, I kind of thought you were like poking fun at there being rumors. Like I didn't I thought maybe you were just kind of owning it, like and like obviously maybe she's being like lightly messy, Blake: Y'all came in so hot. Casey: but there was no plot. And e Andy, there's like Blake: No Casey: a clip and Andy and all the women are like, There's no plot. Like no one was plotting. Like I why do you keep saying this? And like you can't keep using it as a defense after everyone has already disputed that like there was Blake: Right. I think at this point Casey: So he tries to like Blake: there's like Casey: end the reunion on his terms and it's very strange. Blake: Yeah, there's like such fatigue about like whatever they're talking about at this point. And then, you know, we end the reunion and that that's the last we see of Monique and Chris until we get Monique like seasons later without Chris, and then we find out, of course, that they were in a very unhappy marriage. And a lot of it starts to make a lot of sense. well, anyway, thank you guys for tuning in. as always, appreciate all the love, appreciate all the support. Next next episode is Going to be our Halloween episode where we will be diving into all the Halloween parties and all the Halloween episodes across all the franchises. so stay tuned for that. Please follow our Instagram, the Mention All Again Podcast, follow our TikTok, M-I-A-A podcast. And if you like this episode, subscribe to our YouTube channel, Mention All Again Podcast, like give us a review. That would be amazing. We would really appreciate it. And as I said at the beginning of the episode, let us know if you want that the taglines or if you don't like And then I guess we'll see. We'll see who wins. Casey: Or if you want a a secret third option, like if it's like yes taglines, but I don't want you to read them dramatically, like you can you can give us that too. Like like Blake: Yeah, you can whatever you whatever your opinion is is fine with us. Anyway, love you guys. Thank you so much. We'll see you next week. Bye-bye. Casey: Pi