RHOP is back! Well, not everyone.
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Season 9 is the first season without Robyn Dixon. In case you forgot, Bravo, HW fans, and even Robyn’s fellow cast mates were not pleased after 1/2 of the “green eyed bandits” concealed her marital issues during filming. Robyn spilled the tea behind a pay wall on her podcast after the season wrapped.
We also are sans Candiace Dillard Basset. The pint size mother-to-be has opted not to return to the franchise to focus on growing a tiny human. I’m sad we won’t get to see Candiace’s motherhood journey, but prioritizing her health is respectable.
We’re down two Potomac ladies, but Bravo sure filled the void introducing fresh faces. More on them later.
For now, let’s start from the top!
RHOP Opening Scenes
The episode premieres with a reenactment of Karen Huger’s DUI. I’m not sure what value it added to the episode beyond Bravo’s preferred dramatic opening. We didn’t see anything new, but I get it was a stylistic choice.
Speaking of stylistic choice, the ladies title cards are very cutesy. They give cartoon, Hello Kitty vibes. I suppose it’s meant to feel like Japanese cherry blossoms which are regional to the area. I like it!
As I’ve mentioned in all my recaps of late, I really enjoy the style Bravo is taking. The creative team at Bravo HQ is clocked in.
My Favorite Frenemies
Gizelle and Karen embody the term, “frenemies.” They love to hate each other, and I absolutely love the whiplash. Are they friends? Are they sworn enemies? Honestly both and that makes for layered drama.
Through the DUI drama, the ladies actually seem concerned for Karen’s well being. They did throw shade at the situation, as they should. But the undercurrent is empathy and you could feel it.
I had to laugh during the lunch scene between the Potomac matriarchs. The staff at the restaurant, nay — Karen’s PR team — worked overtime to give the impression that Karen is a choir girl LOL.
You Are Not The Father (Maybe)
Cameras caught back up with Mia Thornton, and her ex-husband, Gordon. Last season ended with Gordon questioning the paternity of their 8-year-old son, Jeremiah. Now, Mia shares that Inc, her new beau, is adamant that he is the father.
A lot of Bravo fans are turned off to Mia discussing her son’s paternity on national television. However, Mia says that since Gordon opened Pandora’s box last season, she’s letting it play out.
Samantha Bush, aka BravoHistorian, brought up a great point. “We” criticize Housewives for concealing their lives and for not having storylines. On the flipside, many viewers are clutching their pearls over Mia airing this out publicly. I get both sides. Where do we draw the line as a collective? What is entertainment for entertainment sake and what is exploitive? Everyone has a different line in the sand which is difficult.
My opinion? I think Jeremiah looks just like Mia and Gordon. What do you think?
Wendy Resigns As a Professor
I’m all for living in your truth, and discovering who you are, no matter the age. Having said that, how many times is Wendy going to pull a bait and switch? She’s grappled with her profession for two seasons now. At least she finally pulled the plug and resigned from John’s Hopkins. Hopefully her candle line and talk show are worth it.
I’m beginning to tire of Wendy, if I’m honest. I’ll see how her behavior continues to play out, but she’s so transient. Something about her reads disingenuous.
Fresh Potomac Faces
Now that Robyn and Candiace have exited stage left, a new group of ladies are ushered in. In the premiere, we meet both Stacey Rusch and Jassi Rideaux.
Stacey worked for QVC in Philadelphia, has one daughter, and is in the process of splitting from her ex-husband of 16 years.
Jassi is a CEO of various businesses, including Rideaux Hair, Rideaux Properties (for real estate), and Chateau Rideaux Network. She’s also engaged to Darius Harris. Darius is a linebacker on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad and played for the Kansas City Chiefs in back to back Super Bowls.
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And yes, she’s met Taylor Swift.
Hattitude > Attitude
The pièce de résistance of the RHOP premiere is Gizelle’s “hattitude” party. I thought it was corny that Gizelle implemented the ladies must wear funny hats if they had an attitude. None of the ladies donned one though despite the attitude and shade thrown.
We all clocked Gizelle’s shade of naming the non-alcholic drink, The Grand Dame.
Prior to Karen’s arrival at the party, the ladies had a round table discussion about the amount the queen of Potomac consumes. And still consumes after not one, but two DUIs.
Karen’s press conference in season 3 walked so Gizelle’s party could run!
The hats, though super cute, were made for a petite head. Certainly my head would have never allowed for the hats Gizelle presented to the women.
Gizelle has a “reasonbly shady” moment when she gives Mia “The King Hat.”
“Mia’s pimpin two men,” the ladies joked.
This then snowballed into Gizelle and Karen expressing concerns over Mia’s children. Mia admitted to Gordon and the women that Jeremiah caught Mia and Inc together in bed. This, coupled with the public paternity debacle has the ladies questioning Mia’s parenting.
Wendy shockingly had Mia’s back and told the ladies to fall back on the inquisition.
RHOP Final Thoughts
The premiere wasn’t super engaging but I think it’s teeing up for an explosive season quite nicely. I also really enjoy Stacey and Jassi’s integration into the group. We have been asking for something to change on Potomac and Bravo sure listened with the cast shake up.
You’ll notice I didn’t mention much of Ashley, because, well, who cares about Michael Darby anymore?
I do have high hopes for season 9!
