S5.E8: The Desert and the Deserted

[ZettaK]

Bronwyn and Todd take the couples to Palm Springs to celebrate their 10th anniversary, but once in the desert, the divisions in the group become clear; even after being uninvited on the trip, Heather makes her presence known in Palm Springs.

First aired on 11/6/2024.

[Emmeline]

Oh Lordy, Lisa Barlow should not have called Heather from the resort her host is paying $20,000 a night for.

[FlyingEgret]

I am sure Lisa will apologize to Bronwyn for this faux pas; oh wait, it's Lisa, she's never wrong...

[Straycat80]

I hate when they include the huzzband’s in these shows. The women are enough to carry the show.

I don’t care about the fight between Bronwyn and Heather but Lisa should not have called Heather in front of the others. 
Someone should have told Todd that feral fighting is expected on housewife trips. It’s probably in their Bravo contracts. 

[Marley]

What does Seth do for work? Has he ever said I can’t remember.

The whole divided groups thing doesn’t work for me. This is when housewife shows start to suck.

I don’t need to see the husbands so much.

Do these ladies not know how to take a shot?

Bronwyn talking about the price of the trip is lame. We get it.

Heather is really being lame tho she is thinking too high of herself. She was idiotic in her meeting with Bronwyn. This argument about her tho is so boring lol. Who gives a fuck why does it need to be talked about so much just have a fun weekend.

Whitney shut up pls.

I don’t know what Todd expected being on a housewives show. Not sure why he had to get so involved tho not really a fan of that.

Edited November 7 by Marley

[bosawks]

A newbie schedules a trip that excludes others but included husbands who get involved in drama.

Why not do all the things that suck in one episode to purge ourselves and we can get back to enjoying the rest of the season.

I hate it when they exclude cast members, even when it’s ones I don’t find enjoyable.

 

Edited November 7 by bosawks

[dmeets]

If Todd thinks that was drama, he ain’t seen nothing yet. He clearly regrets Bronwyn doing the show.

I think I liked it better when Lisa and Meredith were feuding.

[dancingdreamer]

I'm normally keep  the husband  out,  or at least to a minimum, but this was a couples  trip. I didn't  mind Todd telling  John that he and Lisa need to leave if she can't  stop arguing with a, b  or c. That was shady AF calling Heather, at least  Angie said she was going to text Heather later in her room. Lisa is strange this season, she doesn't  like Italian food, because  it's too fresh, said nobody ever. What a twit she is, saying something  for attention.  

I didn't  miss  Heather, just like I didn't  miss Alexis on the London trip.

Beware  Todd, you ain't seen nothing  yet! 

I don't  mind Bronwyn, she's not perfect,  but she adds some much needed spice.

[Chatty Cake]

Mary was spending the weekend with her son?  Doesn’t she spend every weekend with him since he lives with her and has no job? Maybe she was scared of leaving him alone in her house. Or maybe Mary just wasn’t in the mood.
I thought Bronwyn was the one going on too much about the Heather phone call. Did Lisa need to call Heather at that moment, no but it wasn’t that big of a deal. Bronwyn should have invited her on the trip. 
I thought Todd was rude to step to John Barlow about Lisa. He seems like a dick! 
Bronwyn did a shitty job on the trip, Everyone should have been included. Plus her dough boy husband trying to dictate how everyone should act was a big turn off. The trip is rather lame. Hopefully Heather plans a real trip for the ladies.

Edited November 7 by Chatty Cake

[Palimelon]

I’m surprised Angie hasn’t “planned” a trip to Greece yet. The Atlanta HWs already went to Athens, and Kyle and Erika from BH went to Mykonos, but there are still lots of other nice places they could go to, like Corfu, places in Crete, the Kalamata region, etc.

[Baltimore Betty]

5 hours ago, dancingdreamer said:

Lisa is strange this season, she doesn't  like Italian food, because  it's too fresh, said nobody ever. What a twit she is, saying something  for attention.  

She totally lost me and by the look on the others faces, she lost them too. Too fresh? She could have said she didn't like garlic or tomatoes or something a bit more sane but she went for the food being too fresh.  Perhaps Bronwyn could muster up something expired in a can for Lisa.

The girls knew what they were doing when they called Heather and it was bitchy. Your host leaves your friend off the guest list for a reason, don't flaunt your facetime call in her face, do that shit in one of your rooms away from your hostess.

Mary says she would be spending the weekend with her son but her son will be spending the weekend with his drug of choice and popping out of his room like the clock on Fortnum & Mason's building, on the hour a little figure comes out and asks for money then retreats back into their little hidey hole only to pop out again in an hour.

I would love if Angie planned a HW trip to Greece, I am a sucker for scenery. I wonder if she knows much about Greek culture?  The ancient Greeks would have been less than thrilled to see Angie in that yellow long line girdle she was wearing, it was a really awful look. 

Seth running thru the house looking for a bathtub for his wife was sweet and yet at the same time pitiful, Meredith has to grow up and deal with a shower, it's only a few days.

The jeweler shows up and displays her wares, none of the other HW's are there so the "wow" factor is not as much (she contemplates buying a pair of what we call the Erica Jayne diamond studs), and all we hear is Angie slapping the water during diamond buying time, lol.  

Seth telling Meredith he has to leave in the morning, I doubt that was the first time she heard that he had to leave but I also think he didn't want to be there and listen to Meredith whine about the lack of tub. Seth is not wrong I looked at a couple of airlines from Palm Springs to Cleaveland and it is an all-day trip.

Lisa's bikini top, it looked very odd, like since when were her boobs that large? something looked off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[amarante]

I don't understand why someone has to physically leave in order to be at a surprise meeting on Monday.

Almost everything can now by done by Zoom

[Arynm]

Lisa and Heather clearly think they are the queen bees of this show, but dividing the ladies into camps is never a good idea and they are not irreplaceable, contrary to what they might think.

Todd is a grown ass man, he is clearly too adult for this show. Bronwyn will need to have a talk with him, the fights are part of the deal. I did like him stepping to John and telling him Lisa needs to stop.

I loved the private jeweler, I just thought that the the jeweler was there for just them, no need to flex with the other ladies so Bronwyn didn't need them there.

This Lisa Heather Bronwyn fight is dumb, Heather should just say sorry, she's acting like an asshole.

Lisa is also an asshole, who says food in Italy is "too fresh" what does that even mean? You can get Mcdonalds in Italy so settle down. She needs to calm down, something is going on with her.

[J80134]

Brownwind spent a lot of money on her "friends".  It's telling that she thinks they should now be beholden and loyal to her. It worked on Angie, at least for the weekend. 

Mary was participating more this season, but she too is already tired of these ladies and thier petty crap.

I predict Lisa will leave and take the tub lover with her.

[Pi237]

Lisa’s boobs looked huge this episode. New ones?  She’s so self-centered. “Then, everyone can apologize to Me! Giggle-giggle” Ugh. Brownwyn was right, Lisa expects her friends to stick up for her at all times, but she doesn’t reciprocate.  However, Brownwyn overreacted to the Heather call. These women act like they’re in middle school. You can’t be friends with her if you’re friends with me! Grow up. Just say, “oh that’s Heather?, hi Heather, we all wish you were here!” That would’ve annoyed Heather more anyway because she’s looking to play victim. 
 

Lisa-Italian food is too fresh. Lmao if it’s not deep fried with a Big Gulp, Lisa’s not interested.  God bless her husband. He must get run over by her on the regular.  It’s All about Lisa All the Time. 
 

speaking of, Seth had his only authentic moment when he said during his talking head that Meredith has high expectations and he can’t ever meet them.  She gave it away when she said it didn’t add up. Seth looks half drunk or high all the time, so I don’t think it’s cheating. I think he just wants to use or drink without being nagged about it and he can when on the road for work. 
 

Todd was like everyone’s cranky Dad who storms down to the basement and tells your friends to keep the noise down on that crazy music or everyone has to leave.  He clearly has never seen this show.  
 

Weird they made that jewelry lady drive out to show them those crazy expensive pieces, then just basically said, ‘well think about it’  do they have Dubrow money? Or Money Money!? Gorgeous place they were at. 
 

Angie annoyed me during her first season, but she cracks me up now. And her husbands thighs-holy hell, man, someone doesn’t skip leg day. 
 

I agree-get this cast to Greece. Just because I know I’ll never get there. And Angie would be so obnoxiously over the top, it would be hilarious. 

 

[Palimelon]

Quote

Lisa is also an asshole, who says food in Italy is "too fresh" what does that even mean? You can get Mcdonalds in Italy so settle down. She needs to calm down, something is going on with her.

Honestly it seemed like she wanted to use the phrase "Al dente" but couldn't remember the words or what it exactly means.

Edited November 7 by Palimelon

[dmeets]

21 minutes ago, Arynm said:

She needs to calm down, something is going on with her.

I suspect the producers told the ladies who demanded Monica be fired that fine, they’ll fire her, but they’d better bring the drama this season to make up for it. And so as a result they’re all extra with the squabbling, Lisa in particular.

I can’t explain the fresh food complaint however, that’s just unhinged.

[amarante]

I think the jeweler was fine with driving from LA to Palm Springs for what is a substantial client. It isn't that long of a drive and it is probably the only time that both the Bronwyn and Todd would be together that close. People who work on commission work a lot harder to make a sale and accumulate good will.

I think Todd has serious money. He was a CEO of Palm as well as an EVP at HP. Anyone with half a brain would have accumlated a substantial stock portfolio and he seems to still have skin the game based on his travels

I was surprised by her choice of jewelry because aesthetically they were very boring - not much design as they were just diamonds. 

[Marley]

Yea Angie’s husband Shawn was very attractive to me this episode. He looks really good in shorts lol. Plus he seems to love Angie & put up with her over the topness at times. Idk I could be wrong but he was really doing it for me this episode.

[Pi237]

Same. Rowr 

[Saph]

Todd & Bronwyn & their $MM+ diamonds...nice way for the Producers to cast shade on Whitney's cheap-ass Alibaba jewelry line (or on Merediths, for that matter).

[Baltimore Betty]

36 minutes ago, Saph said:

Todd & Bronwyn & their $MM+ diamonds...nice way for the Producers to cast shade on Whitney's cheap-ass Alibaba jewelry line (or on Merediths, for that matter).

I did not even think about that but yes it was a fantastic shade.

Knowing how Bronwyn loves the whimsy of couture and decor I am surprised she was interested in such run of the mill diamond stud earrings and tennis necklace. I would have guessed colored gemstones since she has an entire closet full of Judith Leiber bags.

Also, that jeweler had zero personality...nothing about her made me want to spend my millions with her.

[Pi237]

Meredith annoys me, but I loved how open she was about getting a hearing aid. Also, that she didn’t act like it meant she had one foot in the grave, or that it was anything to be embarrassed about. Very cool of her. 

[ZettaK]

I didn't miss Heather either. She better be careful.

Todd obviously already regretted joining the show. But we will see. He is rich, and used to dictate how things are supposed to be. 

Are the Barlows going to be asked to leave, after all? The suspense (not really).

Only Lisa could have a problem with food that is too fresh (Italian in this case, who doesn't like Italian food?). Everybody wants the freshest, local, etc. food possible, but Lisa loves her fast and junk food. 

Lisa had larger implants.

Mary wanted to stay in SLC to watch over her son. Filming locally only takes a few hours. 

Edited November 7 by ZettaK

[ZettaK]

10 hours ago, Palimelon said:

I’m surprised Angie hasn’t “planned” a trip to Greece yet. The Atlanta HWs already went to Athens, and Kyle and Erika from BH went to Mykonos, but there are still lots of other nice places they could go to, like Corfu, places in Crete, the Kalamata region, etc.

And a million other areas. The SLC HWs film in the winter, but the climate in Greece is mild, especially in the south part of it, and most islands. The OC HWs went to London in April and the weather was bad. 

[Arynm]

5 hours ago, amarante said:

I was surprised by her choice of jewelry because aesthetically they were very boring - not much design as they were just diamonds. 

I agree, maybe she tones down the jewels because the clothes are doing the heavy lifting. She still wants the rocks however, I know I would if I had access to that kind of money.

I have been begging for diamond studs for forever and my curmudgeon husband is telling me no. Can you believe it!

[dancingdreamer]

9 hours ago, Baltimore Betty said:

Lisa's bikini top, it looked very odd, like since when were her boobs that large? something looked off.

I thought  they looked bigger than usual,  maybe her bikini  top was xxs. 

[lasu]

This whole situation with Lisa and Bronwyn is really about Gwen's dad's parents, right?  Everything with Heather is  perfect stand in for the other situation.  Bronwyn keeps saying she wants Lisa to listen and understand her side, and not just tell her she's wrong and Heather is right.  Things had already starting going south between Gwen/Bronwyn and the grandparents at this point, and Lisa is squarely in the middle of that one, and seems to be more Team Grandparents.  There is no way the issues from that situation, which are INCREDIBLY real, are not going to spill over into the RH nonsense fights.

Which also explains why Todd seems to have no fucks to give for Lisa.  While I don't think Lisa did anything wrong or had anything but good intentions with any of that, Todd seems very protective of Gwen and was super unhappy the Grandparents were popping back up, and in a way that didn't seem productive to his step-daughter.

Finally, it seems Bronwyn is trying to purchase her continuation on the show.  They apparently did pay for this trip, and legit, that was one of the nicest houses across the franchises.  Which again explains why Todd felt so comfortable scolding the naughty children.  It's a pretty impressive flex, NGL, and since this is a show about flaunting wealth, I can't see how I could disapprove.

What I understand less is why Lisa is turning so hard on Bronwyn.  Even if you thought Bronwyn was completely wrong with Heather (or the grandparents), why go so hard?  Calling Heather was an aggressively bitchy move, especially singsonging the "wish you were hereeeee" at the end while pointing the phone DIRECTLY at Bronwyn.  I've probably just forgotten something, though, lol.

[albarino]

18 minutes ago, lasu said:

Finally, it seems Bronwyn is trying to purchase her continuation on the show.  They apparently did pay for this trip, and legit, that was one of the nicest houses across the franchises.  Which again explains why Todd felt so comfortable scolding the naughty children.  It's a pretty impressive flex, NGL, and since this is a show about flaunting wealth, I can't see how I could disapprove.

Todd is an ass; I don't care how wealthy he is.  He can spare me with the whole--I'll give them some money to rent a car to leave business...If I were John, I would have said I would talk with Lisa but please count me as gone because I don't feel comfortable in your presence (and thank you so much for your hospitality).  Bronwyn seems kinda scared of him; they don't strike me as equal partners in that relationship.  Well, I guess it is because they aren't.

lasu, interesting perspective on the real business between Lisa and Brownwyn and Gwen's grandparents.  Hadn't thought about that.

[JenE4]

$5.4 million on a necklace and earrings?!?! 👀 Since we didn’t see money exchange hands and Brownyn was going to think about it, I think she just flew this woman in with the most expensive jewelry she could possibly acquire just to show off…unless/until we see her wearing them.

Later, Bronwyn looks like a sullen teen getting reprimanded by dad for her sleepover guests getting too rowdy. Todd must have absolutely no clue what his wife signed up for here. A cast trip is designed for round-the-clock chaos and conflict! 

i never related to a housewife more than watching Angie hanging off that giant float struggling to get the ball with the paddle, and immediately after retrieving the ball after hitting it in the water, she proceeds to kick it back in! Granted, the volleyball court shouldn’t have bordered on the water for exactly that reason, but it was hilarious. 

Edited November 8 by JenE4

[swankie]

On 11/6/2024 at 11:38 PM, bosawks said:

A newbie schedules a trip that excludes others but included husbands who get involved in drama.

I may be the Lone Ranger here but I DON'T LIKE BRONWYN!  She's doing way too much too soon for my liking.  She's acting like she's been on the show from the beginning.  And I didn't like her old doddering husband inserting himself in "women bidness" tm Nene Leakes.  Making Lisa and her husband leave when it was his wife creating the curfuffle and getting loud with Lisa made me mad.  Tell your wife to take a chill pill.  How bout that?  And train your dogs to stop crapping in the house.  Seeing all of that poop laying around was disgusting.  Her house has to stink.  😵‍💫

[SemiCharmedLife]

I wish the producers would skip the women and their petty arguments and pan the rooms and exterior of the house very slowly so I can catch everything!  Who would waste their time there on fussing and fighting?

[Glama]

2 hours ago, swankie said:

I may be the Lone Ranger here but I DON'T LIKE BRONWYN!  She's doing way too much too soon for my liking.  She's acting like she's been on the show from the beginning.  And I didn't like her old doddering husband inserting himself in "women bidness" tm Nene Leakes.  Making Lisa and her husband leave when it was his wife creating the curfuffle and getting loud with Lisa made me mad.  Tell your wife to take a chill pill.  How bout that?  And train your dogs to stop crapping in the house.  Seeing all of that poop laying around was disgusting.  Her house has to stink.  😵‍💫

I don't like Bronwyn, either, she's way too much, but I have to say I like how she's taking on Heather and standing her ground. Lisa calling Heather was a b*tchy move.

I loathe Todd. I can understand him not wanting the trip ruined by arguments, but the way he went about it felt wrong. He came in hot with his arms crossed and it felt like he was accusing Bronwyn of the chaos, too. If I were him, I would've first hugged Bronwyn and asked if she was okay. The way he told her what was going to happen next (either things calm the fuck down or Lisa leaves with John), and Bronwyn looking down and biting her lip, it looked like Bronwyn was nervous and/or scared. I'm not saying she was but it sure looked like it. I don't like that kind of energy between a married couple. 

Angie and her sports antics 😅 That was so funny! I like her and her husband's energy. Seth seems really nice. 

Edited November 8 by Glama
Typo

[ZettaK]

On 11/7/2024 at 6:42 PM, albarino said:

Todd is an ass; I don't care how wealthy he is.  He can spare me with the whole--I'll give them some money to rent a car to leave business...If I were John, I would have said I would talk with Lisa but please count me as gone because I don't feel comfortable in your presence (and thank you so much for your hospitality).  Bronwyn seems kinda scared of him; they don't strike me as equal partners in that relationship.  Well, I guess it is because they aren't.

lasu, interesting perspective on the real business between Lisa and Brownwyn and Gwen's grandparents.  Hadn't thought about that.

Yes, Todd was rude, and I mentioned in a previous post that he is used to dictating how things should be. This is what also happens when you marry for money. He also belongs to an older generation. For those who watch the Beverly Hills HWs, Tom Girardi, Erika Jayne's husband was rude to her on tv, and essentially even told her to shut up. Todd didn't do this- yet. He is generous toward Bronwyn, but Tom was, as well.

ETA: Tom Girardi is 32 years older than Erika Jayne. 

Edited November 11 by ZettaK

[ichbin]

Being an a**h*le with money doesn't make one any less an a**h*le. 

[rlc]

I'm over the pearl clutching about the fact that apparently, some of these women talk about the other women when they're not around! Egads- on a housewives show? Someone please get me my smelling salts while I recline on my fainting couch.

Putting aside the fact that Todd is acting like he doesn't realize what he and his wife signed up for- he scares me. Also, from a quick google-search, they are wealthy but not $5.4 million jewelry wealthy. Bronwyn is too much. She does not have to like Heather or invite her on the trip, but it is offensive to invite Mary knowing full well that her grandpa/husband won't go on the trip, but not invite Heather because she's single (her original pretense for why she wouldn't invite Heather).

As for the phone call- let's not pretend for a second that production wasn't in Lisa's ear telling her to check on Heather.

Weren't Lisa and Meredith sitting out by the pool before everyone else arrived at the pool? How were they avoiding the others if they were already out there?

Justin is even thirstier than Whitney, and I barely noticed Lisa's boobs- I was too busy staring at Todd's droopy ones.

[Natalie68]

20 hours ago, albarino said:

Todd is an ass; I don't care how wealthy he is.  He can spare me with the whole--I'll give them some money to rent a car to leave business...If I were John, I would have said I would talk with Lisa but please count me as gone because I don't feel comfortable in your presence (and thank you so much for your hospitality).  Bronwyn seems kinda scared of him; they don't strike me as equal partners in that relationship.  Well, I guess it is because they aren't.

lasu, interesting perspective on the real business between Lisa and Brownwyn and Gwen's grandparents.  Hadn't thought about that.

She had a look on her face like she knows what is coming next because she will be in trouble with him.  

[princelina]

Todd may or may not be an ass, but they all know they're on tv, so this is the type of "character" he wants to portray himself as - the alpha male who's not going to take nonsense from any of these chicks!  Unfortunately for him no one seems very impressed 😂

[JohnnyU]

On 11/7/2024 at 6:14 PM, lasu said:

What I understand less is why Lisa is turning so hard on Bronwyn.  Even if you thought Bronwyn was completely wrong with Heather (or the grandparents), why go so hard?  Calling Heather was an aggressively bitchy move, especially singsonging the "wish you were hereeeee" at the end while pointing the phone DIRECTLY at Bronwyn.  I've probably just forgotten something, though, lol.

Just my opinion but what I think may have been forgotten is that Lisa comes across as a class A narcissist.

she seems jealous as hell of her “friend” brownwind who may be snagging a bit of the spotlight light from her.  
 

and if her calling heather was authentic and not producer-driven, she (if a narcissist) is prone to creating drama and chaos and inciting situations to hurt and even destroy others.   
 

I do not like Lisa.  She reminds me of an extremely toxic narcissist in my life.  She seems toxic.  Just my opinion

[Slider]

While I do believe Lisa's call to Heather was producer driver, Angie also talked about calling Heather, so I don't think it was inappropriate.  I'm not loving Bronwyn.  I can't quite explain it.  She's not some huge defender of Lisa like she claims to be, and her house is flat out disgusting.  Clean up after the dog shit!  Nothing between Lisa and Bronwyn screams that they are friends.  They don't even act friendly towards each other.  

Todd can leave.

[Palimelon]

Quote

Angie also talked about calling Heather

Yeah but to be fair to Angie, she was talking about calling Heather later, in her own room, probably while alone.

[Slider]

4 minutes ago, Palimelon said:

Yeah but to be fair to Angie, she was talking about calling Heather later, in her own room, probably while alone.

True.  But Bronwyn was going on and on about how she called on "her" trip.  And they would have filmed it with several of the HW's in Angie's room anyways.  

[Palimelon]

Actually, I was mistaken, if you go back and watch the show, Angie said she was going to text her (Heather) from her room and say hi.

So no, Angie was not going to call her. Now, if they were going to film several women in Angie's room just texting Heather hello, that would have been funny.

[Chatty Cake]

On 11/8/2024 at 2:40 PM, rlc said:

 

Justin is even thirstier than Whitney, and I barely noticed Lisa's boobs- I was too busy staring at Todd's droopy ones.

Bronwyn is certainly earning her jewelry and ugly designer clothes if she has to climb on that when he’s in town. And to top it off he’s a mean asshole! 

[RealHousewife]

3 hours ago, Slider said:

While I do believe Lisa's call to Heather was producer driver, Angie also talked about calling Heather, so I don't think it was inappropriate.  I'm not loving Bronwyn.  I can't quite explain it.  She's not some huge defender of Lisa like she claims to be, and her house is flat out disgusting.  Clean up after the dog shit!  Nothing between Lisa and Bronwyn screams that they are friends.  They don't even act friendly towards each other.  

Todd can leave.

For real. A lot of us enjoy these shows for the lifestyle porn. I don't care how big and beautiful your house is if it's covered in shit. So gross. Poor Heather had to watch where she walked. 

[ZettaK]

4 hours ago, Palimelon said:

Yeah but to be fair to Angie, she was talking about calling Heather later, in her own room, probably while alone.

Yes, Angie mentioned she was going to text Heather from her room later on.

Edited November 11 by ZettaK

[snarts]

Eh, I like Bronwyn because she's quick, logical & intelligent. She immediately sussed out Heather's need to be queen & constant shit stirring. She then articulately detailed Lisa's hypocrisy & narcissism. She also talks fast enough that Lisa can't talk over her like she tries to do with everyone else.

What does Seth do? Retail? There used to be a lot of retail company HQs in Columbus. Not sure if that's changed.

Edited to add, I was too curious. It is retail. Looks like he jumps companies every few years. https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-marks-34a1348

 

Edited November 12 by snarts

[CharlizeCat]

Big Lots has declared Chapter 11. 

[ZettaK]

Seth's college degree is in Sociology, not in Business, so he doesn’t have the basic knowledge. I guess he eventually learned on the job (?). 

He mentioned on the show he was working in Ohio and Mississippi. He is working in Ohio again. 

Edited November 14 by ZettaK

[Emmeline]

I hope Seth isn’t having an affair.  I think Meredith looks really good this year.