S5.E9: Revenge is Best Served in Coach

[Starlight925]

Bronwyn's husband Todd is one ugly sourpuss of a man.  Curmudgeonly.  Tom Girardi indeed.

Bronwyn is not a U.S. citizen yet.  I wonder if that's one of the reasons she stays with him.  That, and his ability to swipe his black Amex for a $4 million necklace.

He speaks to her like a shamed child, and she dutifully obeys.

Uncomfortable to watch.

Edited November 16 by Starlight925

[RealHousewife]

Looks like a lot of us were reminded of the Girardis. At the top of my head, the only relationship on Bravo where there is a much older husband who treats his younger wife as an equal is Lisa & Ken. The age gap isn't as huge as the relationships above, but still large, and Lisa was only 21 when they got married. He not only respects her, he worships her. 

While I do believe people genuinely fall in love despite age gaps, I think men who go after much younger women are often misogynistic jerks. I've had better experiences with men around my own age or a bit younger. 

[Sweet-tea]

Has Justin gotten heavier over the seasons or is it just his face? He has bull frog face. 

[albarino]

10 hours ago, Starlight925 said:

Bronwyn is not a U.S. citizen yet.

What did I miss?

[Palimelon]

She is originally Brazilian, moved to the UK, got British citizenship there, then moved to the US. Apparently she solely only uses her British citizenship, as she either doesn't use her Brazilian citizenship or let it expire.

She is also probably a permanent US resident, as marrying an American citizen gets your a green card. At this point she could still get US citizenship even if she divorces him.

Edited November 16 by Palimelon

[politichick]

33 minutes ago, Palimelon said:

She is originally Brazilian, moved to the UK, got British citizenship there, then moved to the US. Apparently she solely only uses her British citizenship, as she either doesn't use her Brazilian citizenship or let it expire.

She is also probably a permanent US resident, as marrying an American citizen gets your a green card. At this point she could still get US citizenship even if she divorces him.

She is a US citizen now and casted her first vote this year.

[Palimelon]

Ah, that's good to know. Someone else posted the site that she still wasn't a US citizen yet.

[StevieRocks]

Yikes. It looks like Bronwyn is going to get fired, I mean divorced from her job, I mean marriage soon. 

[StevieRocks]

Snooze---I know the Greek, Angie<?>, or whatever her name is, spends a lot of time rehearsing her lame, corny lines in the mirror with a hairbrush, but she's not cute or funny or entertaining in any way. 😔

[ZettaK]

18 hours ago, snarts said:

It's 1.5 hours, Delta has three nonstops/day

But Bronwyn said it was only a 47 minute flight (so they would be ok in Coach), it can't be a non-stop flight to SLC she was talking about. 

12 hours ago, RealHousewife said:

Looks like a lot of us were reminded of the Girardis. At the top of my head, the only relationship on Bravo where there is a much older husband who treats his younger wife as an equal is Lisa & Ken. The age gap isn't as huge as the relationships above, but still large, and Lisa was only 21 when they got married. He not only respects her, he worships her. 

While I do believe people genuinely fall in love despite age gaps, I think men who go after much younger women are often misogynistic jerks. I've had better experiences with men around my own age or a bit younger. 

Ken is 12 years older than Lisa Vanderpump. Tom Girardi is 32 years older, and Todd is something similar. 

[ZettaK]

2 hours ago, Palimelon said:

Ah, that's good to know. Someone else posted the site that she still wasn't a US citizen yet.

I did a couple of weeks ago. It was from her IG, a post and photo from May. She said she was waiting for her citizenship (she only tried to become a citizen relatively recently), and she was not sure if she would have it by the election date. It seems she did. And she was a legal resident because of her marriage, or even before because she worked in the U.S. before she met Todd. 

[Palimelon]

But did she have a green card, ie, permanent residency before the marriage? Just curious, since you can be a legal resident on a work visa before getting the green card.

[ZettaK]

Just now, Palimelon said:

But did she have a green card, ie, permanent residency before the marriage? Just curious, since you can be a legal resident on a work visa before getting the green card.

There are different kinds of work visas which last for a short period of time only, but people who are not born in this country, or are not married to a citizen try to get a permanent residency visa (Green Card) in order to work, and live in the U.S. because it is valid for 10 years, and it is renewed almost automatically. They can (try to) become a citizen in the meantime. The waiting period for those married to an American citizen until they can apply for citizenship is three years after they get a green card. I have no idea in what category Bronwyn was, that's why I mentioned she could have become a legal resident before, or after her marriage. 

[RealHousewife]

22 minutes ago, ZettaK said:

But Bronwyn said it was only a 47 minute flight (so they would be ok in Coach), it can't be a non-stop flight to SLC she was talking about. 

Ken is 12 years older than Lisa Vanderpump. Tom Girardi is 32 years older, and Todd is something similar. 

I've read as much as 16 years, but most sites show a 15-year gap between Ken and Lisa. 

[Palimelon]

Quote

There are different kinds of work visas which last for a short period of time only, but people who are not born in this country, or are not married to a citizen try to get a permanent residency visa (Green Card) in order to work, and live in the U.S. because it is valid for 10 years, and it is renewed almost automatically. They can (try to) become a citizen in the meantime. The waiting period for those married to an American citizen until they can apply for citizenship is three years after they get a green card.

Oh, I know all that. I was just curious if she already had her green card before she got married or not.

[ZettaK]

6 minutes ago, RealHousewife said:

I've read as much as 16 years, but most sites show a 15-year gap between Ken and Lisa. 

It could be, I don't doubt the information. But it's still half the age difference than the age difference of the other two couples. Well, of the Girardis at least. I just checked, and Todd is "only" 26 years older. Bronwyn is 39. 

2 minutes ago, Palimelon said:

Oh, I know all that. I was just curious if she already had her green card before she got married or not.

I have no idea.

Edited November 16 by ZettaK

[RealHousewife]

1 minute ago, ZettaK said:

It could be, I don't doubt the information. But it's still half the age difference than the age difference of the other two couples. Well, of the Girardis at least. I just checked, and Todd is "only" 26 years older. Bronwyn is 39. 

I have no idea.

Correct, that's why I mentioned I know it's not as huge an age difference, but still a big enough gap where it could have easily been a situation where the husband talks to his wife like she's a child. Lisa said even when she was 21 and Ken was 36 or whatever, that he always valued what she had to say. 

Hopefully Todd is at least a nicer guy than Tom Girardi . . .

[SweetieDarling]

59 minutes ago, ZettaK said:

But Bronwyn said it was only a 47 minute flight (so they would be ok in Coach), it can't be a non-stop flight to SLC she was talking about. 

Bronwyn said it was a 65 minute flight then a male voice chimed in "a whole hour and a half"

[albarino]

I always watch these shows a day or two later so I miss some of the action around here.  My general impressions:

1.  I'm sure this location was some sort of a Shangri-La but it struck me as an upgraded Motel 6 in the middle of nowhere.  I'm not a fan of racing so that part of the trip was ho hum as well.

2.  I didn't miss Heather (and I think I'm the only one on the board who likes her) and I didn't miss Whitney either.  Was she there? 😀

3.  I consider Lisa to just be Lisa, the character.  I indulge her persona (much like I do with the Grande dame ) and know she is over the top, but dang, she really went out of her way to be disagreeable this episode.  She should have hired her own private jet; I think everybody in the universe would prefer to fly first class if given the choice so we get it.  Sometimes being a good guest is to just shut up.

4.  Speaking of shutting up--Todd, like it or not, he was the host.  What an ungracious bore.  I think if I were there, I might have needled him a lot just to see him shut me down.

[ZettaK]

4 hours ago, SweetieDarling said:

Bronwyn said it was a 65 minute flight then a male voice chimed in "a whole hour and a half"

I re-watched and she said at the Palm Springs house that it was a 65 minute flight, and a minute later on a confessional that it was a 47 minute flight. Either way, not anywhere near to the 1 hour and 50 minutes of a direct flight to Salt Lake City. But it doesn't matter because any flight in Coach would be a horror for Lisa!

[snarts]

31 minutes ago, ZettaK said:

I re-watched and she said at the Palm Springs house that it was a 65 minute flight, and a minute later on a confessional that it was a 47 minute flight.

You do realize that the published flight time is actually gate to gate, right? Actual time in flight is far less. The air distance from PSP to SLC is 540 miles while planes travel at nearly 600 mph. 

Imagine how pissed Lisa would've been if Bronwyn had indeed booked them on connecting flights through LAX when there are 3 nonstops from PSP to SLC daily. John even checked to see if there were first class seats available on the later flight because apparently, Henry will be fine a few more hours so his mom isn't at all uncomfortable or inconvenienced.  

Edited November 16 by snarts

[SweetieDarling]

9 minutes ago, snarts said:

You do realize that the published flight time is actually gate to gate, right? Actual time in flight is far less. The air distance from PSP to SLC is 540 miles while planes travel at nearly 600 mph. 

Imagine how pissed Lisa would've been if Bronwyn had indeed booked them on connecting flights through LAX when there are 3 nonstops from PSP to SLC daily. John even checked to see if there were first class seats available on the later flight because apparently, Henry will be fine a few more hours so his mom isn't at all uncomfortable or inconvenienced.  

I wonder what her team of lawyers has on John that he puts up with her insanity.

I can't even imagine being another passenger on the plane and having to listen to her complain for the entire flight, regardless of how long it is. 

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that Lisa, along with not carrying or flying coach, probably doesn't do connecting flights if direct flights are available

Edited November 16 by SweetieDarling

[FlyingEgret]

I wish John had done what i thought he was going to do - book Lisa in First Class on a different flight with a layover while he remained on the original direct flight. I was really looking forward to those fireworks!

[Palimelon]

Quote

You do realize that the published flight time is actually gate to gate, right? Actual time in flight is far less. The air distance from PSP to SLC is 540 miles while planes travel at nearly 600 mph. 

This website tracks flights times and flight routes, and it looks like traveling from Palm Springs to Salt Lake City averages out to an hour and 45 minutes.

https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/SKW3726/history/20241116/2046Z/KPSP/KSLC

[princelina]

On 11/14/2024 at 11:21 AM, heatherchandler said:

 Also what grown man says “biatches?” 

The kind who bathes with his wife on tv and mentions his "taint" 😖

[RealHousewife]

12 hours ago, princelina said:

The kind who bathes with his wife on tv and mentions his "taint" 😖

And talks about his wife's work friend having the best rack. 

[Yours Truly]

Unpopular opinion but I don't dislike Todd. We've seen him for only minutes and in circumstances that would make anyone grumpy. I'll never understand the leaps and bounds that happen when analyzing these cast of characters. 

I don't personally care for the age difference in their marriage cause I think it can cause issues but ehhhh, if they like it I love it. I'm not going to go fishing for any little thing that "confirms" that marriage is either a sham, doomed, a business arrangement or whatever. These people are grown and know exactly what they are doing and made whatever agreements they made when they exchanged rings. I could care less what the true dynamic is surrounding someone else's marriage. Just give me the light hearted drama, "scandal" and petty cattiness and leave the heavy, unnecessary, personally hurtful storylines for Jerry Springer.  

In this day and age, I'm not interested in treating any arrangement between a couple as anything but a MUTUAL agreement regardless of what that may be. I'll roll my eyes, shake my head all day long but I sure as hell ain't gonna be particularly offended by it or try to make it out to be something troubling or dangerous. Browynn is in no real danger so clutching pearls about her interactions with her husband is a real snooze. People accept a lot in relationships. It's really not that big a deal. Totally not interested in the direction the ladies may be taking it but of course they will over dramatize everything and pretend Browynn needs intervention. All for the sake of bringing Browynn down and not really cause anyone is worried. Ugghh, so predictable. 

[politichick]

15 hours ago, Yours Truly said:

Unpopular opinion but I don't dislike Todd. We've seen him for only minutes and in circumstances that would make anyone grumpy. I'll never understand the leaps and bounds that happen when analyzing these cast of characters. 

I don't personally care for the age difference in their marriage cause I think it can cause issues but ehhhh, if they like it I love it. I'm not going to go fishing for any little thing that "confirms" that marriage is either a sham, doomed, a business arrangement or whatever. These people are grown and know exactly what they are doing and made whatever agreements they made when they exchanged rings. I could care less what the true dynamic is surrounding someone else's marriage. Just give me the light hearted drama, "scandal" and petty cattiness and leave the heavy, unnecessary, personally hurtful storylines for Jerry Springer.  

In this day and age, I'm not interested in treating any arrangement between a couple as anything but a MUTUAL agreement regardless of what that may be. I'll roll my eyes, shake my head all day long but I sure as hell ain't gonna be particularly offended by it or try to make it out to be something troubling or dangerous. Browynn is in no real danger so clutching pearls about her interactions with her husband is a real snooze. People accept a lot in relationships. It's really not that big a deal. Totally not interested in the direction the ladies may be taking it but of course they will over dramatize everything and pretend Browynn needs intervention. All for the sake of bringing Browynn down and not really cause anyone is worried. Ugghh, so predictable. 

I don't dislike him either. He's a no nonsense guy who knows little to nothing about these silly shows but went along with this because he loves his wife. Also, he made it clear before the trip that he didn't want to deal with any bullshit and then there was Bronwyn, who I really, really like, in the thick of it.

In addition, 

Spoiler

In the next episode, he shares his extreme disappointment in her behavior and that he had never seen her behave like that in all of the years they've known each other. When she asks what he thinks she should have done instead, he said, "Leave. Leave with your dignity."

 

[Yours Truly]

30 minutes ago, politichick said:

I don't dislike him either. He's a no nonsense guy who knows little to nothing about these silly shows but went along with this because he loves his wife. Also, he made it clear before the trip that he didn't want to deal with any bullshit and then there was Bronwyn, who I really, really like, in the thick of it.

In addition, 

  Hide contents

In the next episode, he shares his extreme disappointment in her behavior and that he had never seen her behave like that in all of the years they've known each other. When she asks what he thinks she should have done instead, he said, "Leave. Leave with your dignity."

 

See this is what I see too. A man that has gone along with his wife cause it's something she wanted to do and isn't too keen on putting on a show at personal costs. I don't get why that's such a bad thing. This whole, well it's a reality show bub, you HAVE TO perform for us attitude really turns me off to these shows. This started off as a guilty pleasure of mine and was just some mindless fun wathcing women put there foot in their mouths all while showing me pretty things like homes, pools, jewelery, fashion and trips. Some of the conflict is relatable but mostly it's just a little bit of catty fun that I can laugh about in the comfort of my own home. 

Now a days the demand that the cast just deal with it without complaint and show up with every deep dark embarrassing detail of their lives without complain is a total drag. And its funny too, cause while the huzzzzbands aren't actually welcome on our screens they somehow still have to behave and go along with all the nasty bullshit. Now granted, nothings worse than a thirsty inappropriate husband like Seth or attention whore like Joe Gorga but when a husband has a legitimate gripe because they've been a target or because the disrespect gets out of control I'm not mad at it. 

I don't think attributing Todds sour mood during filming is some huge red flags about their marriage. I think it's just what it is. Frustration from being in a situation thats ridiculous and trying to navigate these interactions because let's be honest people. The normal reaction to all these nasty little dust ups that happen would be a whole lot more intense and charged if it were to happen during a regular group dinner and no cameras. How many of us would simply throw someone out of their homes for going to far, screaming at guests, call names and having tantrums. But since they aren't allowed to truly shut shit down in that manner we are left with the seething undertone as well as the cameras to catch it all.

Regular scenario, I calmly tell my guest to leave because they are being disrespectful and disruptive to the group. Housewives world you have to be diplomatic and patientbecause removing the problem or the cameras is not really an option so your stuck. Yeah so I'll cut Todd some slack. Especially since his biggest "sin" is showing his disapproval for the terrible behavior oh and wanting to shut down personal conversation at the table that has no business being group discussion. I commend cast members for being stubborn about what will and will not be a part of the show's itinerary.

People say that being on a show requires you to share everything and I've never agreed with that. Even in personal relationships there are things that you don't even tell friends and you sure as hell wouldn't share with co workers so this whole idea that a personal situation is SUPPOSED to be a part of the show annoys the crap outta me. Some stuff needs to be private in order to GET THROUGH it so Bravo can miss me with the idea that their lives should be a complete open book. That part always drives me crazy. I don't mind private shit being kept private. I'm not that desperate to be that much in anyone's biz to that degree.   Especially if it's going to be detrimental to them (aka Kim Richards). I'll survive, I'll be okay, if I don't get to revel in your life's disrepair.

I personally, don't really want to be privy to watching a whole cast tear someone's life apart. Ya'll can keep that off my screen. Thank you very much. 

Edited November 19 by Yours Truly

[Pi237]

I felt sorry for Todd after the fifth time Brawnwyn told everyone there that she's only with him for his money and acted repulsed at the idea of sex with him. Maybe that's how they joke with each other, but I don't think so. Her behavior was mean and insulting to him. I was liking her until that display.

[princelina]

4 hours ago, Yours Truly said:

The normal reaction to all these nasty little dust ups that happen would be a whole lot more intense and charged if it were to happen during a regular group dinner and no cameras. How many of us would simply throw someone out of their homes for going too far, screaming at guests, call names and having tantrums. But since they aren't allowed to truly shut shit down in that manner we are left with the seething undertone as well as the cameras to catch it all.

Regular scenario, I calmly tell my guest to leave because they are being disrespectful and disruptive to the group. Housewives world you have to be diplomatic and patient because removing the problem or the cameras is not really an option so you're stuck. 

 

Haha I don't know that I'd throw someone out of my home, but what I WOULDN'T do is keep inviting jerks around, especially on vacation!  That's why I laugh when they call each other "friends", and I laugh even harder when instead of "friends" they say "this group" 😂. Until she scored a TV show I doubt Bronwynn and Todd ever thought of sharing their anniversary with a crowd like this! 😄

[SemiCharmedLife]

13 hours ago, Yours Truly said:

See this is what I see too. A man that has gone along with his wife cause it's something she wanted to do and isn't too keen on putting on a show at personal costs. I don't get why that's such a bad thing. This whole, well it's a reality show bub, you HAVE TO perform for us attitude really turns me off to these shows. This started off as a guilty pleasure of mine and was just some mindless fun wathcing women put there foot in their mouths all while showing me pretty things like homes, pools, jewelery, fashion and trips. Some of the conflict is relatable but mostly it's just a little bit of catty fun that I can laugh about in the comfort of my own home. 

Now a days the demand that the cast just deal with it without complaint and show up with every deep dark embarrassing detail of their lives without complain is a total drag. And its funny too, cause while the huzzzzbands aren't actually welcome on our screens they somehow still have to behave and go along with all the nasty bullshit. Now granted, nothings worse than a thirsty inappropriate husband like Seth or attention whore like Joe Gorga but when a husband has a legitimate gripe because they've been a target or because the disrespect gets out of control I'm not mad at it. 

 

I see Todd as the antithesis of Seth, who seems to say crazy things for attention or to look "cool."  Todd is not a reality show wannabe.  His wife signed them up for this and he's a bit over it.  I think Mary's husband also went tv silent after the first few seasons.  Their behavior seems more "normal" to me than some others.

[Stats Queen]

Not sure how to start a new thread and well bad day, too much wine.

We’re at another Kimosabe - do they have a partnership with Bravo?

[ZettaK]

On 11/16/2024 at 6:12 PM, snarts said:

You do realize that the published flight time is actually gate to gate, right? Actual time in flight is far less. The air distance from PSP to SLC is 540 miles while planes travel at nearly 600 mph. 

Imagine how pissed Lisa would've been if Bronwyn had indeed booked them on connecting flights through LAX when there are 3 nonstops from PSP to SLC daily. John even checked to see if there were first class seats available on the later flight because apparently, Henry will be fine a few more hours so his mom isn't at all uncomfortable or inconvenienced.  

I was answering you who put the published time in an earlier post, SweetieDarling, and I also mentioned what Bronwyn said on the show. 

[ZettaK]

I don't dislike Todd, but he addresses his wife as if she is a misbehaving toddler.

[SweetieDarling]

On 11/21/2024 at 4:30 AM, ZettaK said:

I was answering you who put the published time in an earlier post, SweetieDarling, and I also mentioned what Bronwyn said on the show. 

You and I heard different things. The flight time I heard aligned with the timing of the direct flight that Snarts theorized they took. 

[ZettaK]

On 11/22/2024 at 9:19 AM, SweetieDarling said:

You and I heard different things. The flight time I heard aligned with the timing of the direct flight that Snarts theorized they took. 

We were both right about what we heard. Bronwyn mentioned two different flight durations on the same episode. At the house in Palm Springs, and a confessional after that scene.

[ladle1]

On 11/12/2024 at 9:41 PM, ZettaK said:

He made some comments about Brooks, Meredith's son.

I believe you mean "Mar's son." 

[ladle1]

On 11/13/2024 at 9:56 PM, 65mickey said:

Agree this is the real housewives show no need to drag the husbands in. 

Ugh, one thing I hated about the NJ franchise was that at a certain point it became just as much about the husbands (who sucked) as it was about the wives. 

Is Todd an alien descended from a planet where there is no access to any prior seasons of RHW? Because that's the only way I could understand his expectations for this trip.

What's happening with Mary and her son is not something that needs to be on our screens. At all. 

[ladle1]

On 11/14/2024 at 1:11 AM, princelina said:

bet when Seth Marks shouted, "Proof beeyotch!" she was wishing he had left for Ohio already! 😂. On the other hand - I've always liked Angie's husband until tonight when he primly twittered, "He said beeyotch but was really calling you all bitches!!"  Shame on you, Shawn.  

I swear to everything that is good and holy, if we have to endure a whole plotline for the rest of the season about how Whitney thinks she's owed an apology for being called "beeyotch" and Seth Marks claims it's just an expression, I swear... I just swear. The good news is that Seth is seldom around long enough to be an active part of a multi-episode story arc. 

Bronwyn strikes me as someone who makes blustery, public claims that seem to be putting down her husband, to cover for the fact that there's a power imbalance in that marriage and it's not in her favor. That, or this kind of interaction is, like, dominance/submission foreplay for Bronwyn and Todd... But, ew, now I have that image in my head... 

Anyhoodle, I thought Meredith was very... dare I say... tactful in discussing Bronwyn's dynamic with Todd in her confessional? And, I'm finding myself sympathizing with Mary, and Heather is annoying me, so I don't even know what end is up anymore.