Winter is coming? Nay – RHOSLC came, saw, and CONQUERED.
Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City premiered last night, and in true SLC form, they delivered. From the 2 new additions, editing style, and instant drama, it feels so good to be in the land of diet coke and delusion.
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Production Style
The season opens with a culty, true crime feel. That editing style continued throughout the episode as well. Production utilized many flashbacks leading up to Lisa’s Besos Party (more on that later.)
I loved the drone footage and zoom ins of the ladies in their houses. Over time, I think we’ve lost the opulence of the Housewives, and it’s catered more toward fights and drama. But never forget that these shows are supposed to be dripping in diamonds, excess, and opulence. I want to feel poor in my apartment that houses my white appliances. I don’t want to relate to someone living in a casita! I want grand homes with grander staircases. I love that we are getting back to that.
RHOSLC is so campy and cookey. I think editing really plays into the cookey aunt vibe and we love them for it. Watching them feels like an acid trip in the best way.
Lisa’s Besos Party
In honor of Valentine’s Day, LB hosts a “Besos Party”. The ladies each bring a friend, which is the perfect way to introduce new cast members. Heather brings Britani Bateman who we found out has an on again, off again relationship with Jared Osmond. Osmond as in Donny and Marie.
Lisa brings Bronwyn Newport, who is a full-time cast member. Bronwyn is who I think Dorit Kemsley thinks she is with outfits. I appreciate couture (not costume) from the ladies. RHOSLC is known for theatrics. I don’t mind boy shorts and a puffer jacket here and there.
By the end, LB pulls a Meredith and tells Whitney that “she can leave.” Classic.
RHOSLC Newbies
While at the party, Mary M Cosby and Bronwyn get into it with ‘friend of’ Britani. Upon sitting down, Britani immediately puts her foot in her mouth when she says she loves Bronwyn’s costume. The “costume” in question was a YSL fur cape that retails for $15,000. Only three are currently made. Rihanna has one, a museum has the other, and one Bronwyn Newport has the third.
Britani then puts her other foot in her mouth insinuating that Mary, “grew up poor” and thus can relate to her. Cringe.
Overall, I like both Bronwyn and Britani’s addition to the casting. Both ladies seem to have a lot of depth to them. Neither appears to be a wallflower or intimidated which is great for a newbie. Let’s hope they don’t teeter to “team too much,” however.
I tend to be more into Bronwyn due to the anomaly that she is in Utah and the Mormon culture. She mentioned she got kicked out of BYU for being a “good time girl.” She also is a democrat which is not the norm for SLC. I’m excited to see more of them and their integration into the group.
Mary and Angie K
This friendship was such a surprise. But before we get there, MARY IS BACK. I have mixed emotions about Mary. On one hand she genuinely frightens me, and on the other hand I love her quips. There is no filter from what she says in her head versus what comes out of her mouth.
I will say, this is only episode 1, and she is more likable in my opinion than her former seasons. Something is different and I can’t put my finger on it. I think Angie K is also quirky in the way that Mary is, she just is more palatable. I think this friendship will be fun to see playout on the show.
Meredith Vs. Whitney
Whitney was in hot water for most of episode 1. The firing squad began with Meredith Marks. As soon as the pair greet each other, Meredith immediately calls her out for copying her business ventures. Particularly, Whitney’s bath bomb line. Everyone knows Meredith is the queen of the bubble bath LOL. The fight was rather petty but again, we love petty mess. Not everything needs to be as intense as scamming the elderly out of money and serving a prison sentence. Fighting over bath bombs is welcomed.
Besos Dinner from Hell
The night came to a head when Lisa Barlow ushers the group to the dinner table. Before the doors open to reveal a stunning table scape, LB takes an opportunity to call Whitney out for mentioning her unfavorably on a podcast.
Whitney says that Lisa is the villain of this season. This did not sit well with our Diet Coke Queen.
Lisa begins her inquisition on Whitney, which then snowballs into the entire table calling Whitney a liar. However, none of this is to be outdone by Angie K and Meredith’s feud.
Angie couldn’t take more pleasure in reminding Meredith that she owns her house rather than being a “renter.” Clearly Angie is still mad at Meredith’s “attempt” to get her home taken away with the Greek Mafia allegations. She’s self made!
Earlier in the party, Angie also presents a scroll of all the grievances she’s had against Mere. Usually when a HW brings a prop, it almost never lands. However, I didn’t mind how outlandish it was. I thought it was fun and camp, which is exactly the RHOSLC brand.
RHOSLC Final Thoughts
I think we are in for a fun season. I was nervous that it would be a letdown following the intensity of reality von tease. Like many viewers, I was disappointed with Monica Garcia not returning because I think there’s more story to be told there. If the rest of the episodes keep delivering like this, we’ll all be thinking, “who is Monica?”
