Bravo's The Real Housewives of....

[Taoboi]

RHOA

 

I'm sorry, you all. But I felt it was an uneven episode. But again, the potential for buzz and promotion was right there for a good season. They could have had their version of BH S9 with LVP's exit. They filmed enough to build up to it, to show both sides, and then Kenya's final (?) exit. And then getting to the incoming Drew/Porsha drama and the return of Shady Phae Phae...just like Camille's return that season, too. All I got from this episode is that it will be slanted with no Kenya Confessionals, barely any scenes (with that brief Brit v Kenya drama happening in the background), and basically being a FOH without being one barely. It seems to me that Bravo's cutting their nose to spite their face. And that will color everything they did because this is screaming overproduced. 

 

That said...there were things that I liked. Since we are being spiteful, at least Production focused on someone who the audience knew...Shamea. I liked her in Season 9 going up against Shady Phae Phae and their drama (fighting over their friendships with Porsha) always rang true and was organic. But since then, she's been there except for being Porsha's lapdog and a good twerk. I didn't hate her though. And I liked the fact that she knew everyone. And the fact she STILL knows everyone makes her a good anchor for the show. 

 

As for the newbies...I was already ready to dislike Brit so this episode did not help that. I feel Angela is going to be the dark horse which I loved pre-season because there was so little out there. But now? She is giving S1 RHOA Housewife. And then Kelli...is a LOT, but I like her. And I looooove her backstory.

 

And since it happens later, I did like Production already setting up the potential rivalry between Drew and Porsha with the Dennis stuff and the light tension between Porsha and Shamea. Until then, seeing the newbies be in some mess with OGs (Brit with Kenya, Kelli with Porsha) did keep things moving. 

 

PORSHA. I fell out with liking Porsha when it became clear how overproduced she was. And we know it took her being pregnant and the highlight of Season 11 for me to even like her. So you can guess how I feel about her right now. She was always Production's favorite, and it was more of the same for me. Just putting on a show. That said...not boring me and I like someone is speaking for the audience in the form of Kelli. And I thought it was interesting that 1) she came to her BFF's birthday late and 2) pulled BFF aside quickly (and off camera) to apologize. So they have the Eileen Davidson/Ex Soap Opera Star BH Friend Pact? Hmmm.

 

SHAMEA. It's been said online...but it was a whole other thing to see how wealthy Shamea truly is. YASSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! And it explains how she and Kandi know each other because wealthy people move together. And I did think she was talking too much in her intro, but the end of that monologue...well-played, Shamea. You got me as a fan again. The only time I did not like her was she was still being that lapdog for Porsha while also stirring the pot a little bit.

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 I need her to keep standing on her own two feet...while still being Porsha's BFF of course. 

 

DREW. I did finish out last season (finally) so it was so funny to see so little of her in the premiere. For all that mess at the reunion, she resonated even though she was far from a saint in the break-up of her marriage. And at least Kenya is in her corner for now, which was good to see given how much Kenya was there for her at the reunion. And LOL at Tampa Ralph being banished to the basement. 

 

KELLI. My favorite of the newbies so far. At first, I was like...she resembles Messy Mia in the face. And her personality (just not lying) felt like a mix of Mia and Latoya from Season 13, too. But once she talked about her backstory...I liked her and mad respect for her. And going ahead and coming for Porsha. So far, so good. She was giving interesting backstory and a feud. A start.

 

ANGELA. Her vibe is giving 'wealth whispers.' And I love it. I just sense that she might be good. But her pedigree so far is superb. I look forward to more.

 

BRIT.

Anyway...

 

KENYA. Given she's been radio silence (and for the most part reminds so though she has already started to poke at what has been shown), I was hoping that she would at least get some Confessionals or something. I can understand the edit down, but that's just slanted 'writing.' And we are already coming off HW seasons where people want to manipulate the narrative. Just show it all. There were too many moments where it felt like something was going on, for it to be cut off by Production and it looks weird or abrupt. But with what was given, I was happy to see her with Drew. And then she did make it to Shamea's birthday event. And of course...there's the feud with Brit. And she outmaneuvered her in Round 1 by her move to make it sound like they were about to talk...only for her to ignore her and focus on Kelli. How Kenya. 

 

Feels more like a hard reboot vs a soft reboot. Cautiously optimistic for now. 

THIS.