S10.E14: A Storm Is Coming

[missy jo]

Now look I HATE with the fire of a thousand suns how easy and acceptable it is for people to joke about slapping up a bitch, slap a hoe, get her in line, all that but I hate it AS A WHOLE. I'm not going to crucify every man I come across that thinks it's a topic to joke about. I may express my disappointment about it but I sure as hell ain't gonna lable them wife beaters either. They took that one detail and ran with it to silly town and Brianna is really holding on tight to that one which is rich considering the verbal/aggressive abuse she condoned from her own husband. The hypocrisy reeks.. Uggghh, Brianna is just a very ugly person.

 

 

I'm a feminist who's also around a lot of guys with crude senses of humor. Couple a bad joke with too much to drink, and it happens. I'd bet anything that it was not meant literally, and it's been made into such a huge deal that it's caused years of stress and heartache for all involved.

 

Regarding the house versus hotel thing, a lot of family and friends *insist* you stay with them, even if you'd rather not. (I like and need my own space.) But I don't for one minute think that's Brianna's issue. She's just fine with "the family home." It's all about sticking it to her mother over Brooks again, and her arbitrary rule of not sharing oxygen with him.

Edited September 9, 2015 by missy jo

[islandgal140]

Shannon looked modern and pretty at lunch with Heather. The color was great on her. She needs to continue on that route and retire the grandmotherly blouses she likes to wear in her THs. Up your game girl. No more grandma-wear and mannerisms, I beg of you! You are 51, not 81 sweetie.

 

 

 

She really did. I just wish she would give up on the black polish. Ugh. I now hate the sight of it. 

 

Ragin' Ryan on the season finale of season 8 was a left turn I never expected, nor saw coming but man what fodder for the reality gawds!!! I have never seen an ancillary character so totally take over a finale before. All else fell by the wayside.  Than to have his wife Brianna brush it off and refuse to talk about it at the reunion was some WTF'ery, which kinda ticked me off. Well, I will say that I am happy that Brooks and Vicki are no longer together but probably not even for the reasons most would give. I'm happy because Brianna won't have it to complain and harp on about and maybe she can turn inwards and look at her life and her choices.

 

Vicki is always Vicki but she does step rather gingerly around Ryan, doesn't she?

 

Meghan ought to change her name to Sloan Kettering since she is the resident cancer treatment specialist. Brooks can very well be faking. I don't know. Dude is shadier than a 20 foot oak tree - at night - but to even pose the question of why someone in Stage whatever wouldn't want to undergo chemo (if there is still hope?) is just offensive to me. If this all is true, we have no idea what the doctor could have said to him. Maybe that prompted him to stop? Maybe his life wouldn't be any more extended with the treatment so why keep pumping your body with poison making you sick for an extra few years that he won't enjoy anyway. It is just so personal and this hammerhead should STFU and stay the hell out of it. 

[Bebecat]

I think Icky is only afraid of Ryan in the sense of forcing Brianna to choose, as clearly Brianna would choose Ryan over Icky. So she treads carefully in that one area of her life.

[Former Nun]

Then she about faced and said they had no relationship and that Donn was abusive to Vicki, my assumption is she meant emotional abuse.

 

 

Maybe Vicki explained to Briana that there was money involved.  A LOT OF MONEY...and Briana readjusted her priorities.

[Snarky McSnarky]

Meghan ought to change her name to Sloan Kettering since she is the resident cancer treatment specialist.

It is just so personal and this hammerhead should STFU and stay the hell out of it. 

Hilarious!  This really is the Season of Cancer on RHOC.  Just when we thought they had beaten the subject into the ground in every conceivable way, Meghan chimes in with her own version of Ancestry.com: Cancer Edition.  Maybe there are people related to her that would prefer to keep their family's medical histories confidential.  Oh, well.  Too late now.  No such thing as Health Information Privacy in Meghan-Land.

Edited September 9, 2015 by Bella Roche

[AnnaMayWong]

She really did. I just wish she would give up on the black polish. Ugh. I now hate the sight of it.

Ragin' Ryan on the season finale of season 8 was a left turn I never expected, nor saw coming but man what fodder for the reality gawds!!! I have never seen an ancillary character so totally take over a finale before. All else fell by the wayside. Than to have his wife Brianna brush it off and refuse to talk about it at the reunion was some WTF'ery, which kinda ticked me off. Well, I will say that I am happy that Brooks and Vicki are no longer together but probably not even for the reasons most would give. I'm happy because Brianna won't have it to complain and harp on about and maybe she can turn inwards and look at her life and her choices.

Vicki is always Vicki but she does step rather gingerly around Ryan, doesn't she?

Meghan ought to change her name to Sloan Kettering since she is the resident cancer treatment specialist. Brooks can very well be faking. I don't know. Dude is shadier than a 20 foot oak tree - at night - but to even pose the question of why someone in Stage whatever wouldn't want to undergo chemo (if there is still hope?) is just offensive to me. If this all is true, we have no idea what the doctor could have said to him. Maybe that prompted him to stop? Maybe his life wouldn't be any more extended with the treatment so why keep pumping your body with poison making you sick for an extra few years that he won't enjoy anyway. It is just so personal and this hammerhead should STFU and stay the hell out of it.

SO good!

[MerryMary]

It would have been nice if Vicki offered to watch the boys for a few days sometime so Brianna and Ryan could get away.  Brianna looks worn out.  I noticed a few episodes ago when Vicki thought Briana needed a chick trip, her plan was to go to Vegas with Brianna and have her mother watch the kids.  Then she dramatically remembered that her mom was dead.  

 

Anyway, the car is nice but it's not what Brianna needs most right now.    

[Bronzedog]

Unless someone lives with you and is always bumming rides or is calling you to talk about the miles they have to walk to work everyday, IMO, a car is a weird gift. I know we don't see much of them, but Ryan and Brianna are an odd couple. She grew up with a controlling mother and in earlier seasons seemed to have an independent streak but then marries someone who seems to be controlling and not about to give her much independence. Of course maybe she likes being controlled.

[Miss February]

Brooks and Vicki have been going out of their way this season to show on camera how religious they are, so why are they living together without being married?  That's a big no-no in Christianity.

 

Vicki probably went nuts on Brianna at the hotel suggestion because she (Vicki) cannot stand even the thought of precious hours of attention on herself being lost during the hotel stay.

 

And in that last scene with Brianna, Vicki once again demonstrated how impossible she is to talk to, how she does not have actual conversations.  She is a person who cannot be reasoned with.  Ever.

[zoeysmom]

Vicki should have respected Brooks's wish and kept his cancer OFF camera and NOT a part of HER storyline. Vicki knows how much Production like to twist things  on camera, no matter how serious they are, yet here we are, seeing Brooks questioned about his cancer/claim. Once again, Vicki is putting someone she claims to "love/care about" second to her keeping her Orange.

 

BUT, Briana did NOT ask Vicki to kick Brooks out of his bed or the house or else she would not visit her. Vicki once again took it upon herself to do this and Briana is once again being vilified for her mothers actions. IMO, even had Briana not said 1 word to Vicki about Brooks staying elsewhere during the visit, Vicki would have used that against Briana later on in the season to garner support from viewers. It is the same trick that Vicki did to Briana last season, she does/says things then blames Briana in the end.

How is Brianna being vilified-this is in Briana's mind.  I think it is great Brooks leaves the house when Briana arrives so the kids get to stay at grandma's.  Briana is the one bringing up kicking him out of his bed-Vicki did not say he minded in the least.  How do we know Brooks didn't say I want to get the hell out of here if Briana is visiting.  Who in their right mind would want to be around Briana?  Vicki took it upon herself because she wanted to see her grandchildren in her home.  Vicki said he was traveling why does Briana not leave it at that?  She wants to be a martyr.  I think this was such a nothing event and Briana was the one wanting to drag it out.  Vicki was talking about where the family would stay in the house and Briana wants to stay at a hotel.  If Briana wants to stay at a hotel-for whatever reason -then she should say that and not use Brooks as an excuse.  Vicki has no business dictating if Briana just wants to stay at a hotel just because and Briana can't use Brooks living with Vicki as a reason for staying at a hotel if he is not in the family home. 

 

The thing is since this has aired Vicki and Briana have gotten together in OKC and NYC.  I just think they both make a huge deal out of things that should be a little less public.  The dinner and gifting of the car would have been plenty of Briana.

[stumpy]

Meh, whether Brooks was joking or serious about hitting her - I would never have anything to do with him either.  i can't say I would handle it like Brianna, I'd most likely just tell Vicki over and over like a broken record that "we've already talked about this".  Allow Vicki to visit but not go to her home.  If Vicki stays with Brooks long term, I'd be willing to take the fall out/consequence from not visiting Vicki in her home.  His statements were that bad to me that I really wouldn't have anything to do with him again.  Although Ryan taping it makes it seem like he encouraged on some level, however I would never marry a Ryan either.

 

while I think Brianna is drama prone with Vicki, I do think she's trying to do the best for the situation that she can with her limited tools.  Being raised by a narcissist really does a number on a person, it's clear to me Brianna doesn't have a normal meter like others do.

[WireWrap]

How is Brianna being vilified-this is in Briana's mind.  I think it is great Brooks leaves the house when Briana arrives so the kids get to stay at grandma's.  Briana is the one bringing up kicking him out of his bed-Vicki did not say he minded in the least.  How do we know Brooks didn't say I want to get the hell out of here if Briana is visiting.  Who in their right mind would want to be around Briana?  Vicki took it upon herself because she wanted to see her grandchildren in her home.  Vicki said he was traveling why does Briana not leave it at that?  She wants to be a martyr.  I think this was such a nothing event and Briana was the one wanting to drag it out.  Vicki was talking about where the family would stay in the house and Briana wants to stay at a hotel.  If Briana wants to stay at a hotel-for whatever reason -then she should say that and not use Brooks as an excuse.  Vicki has no business dictating if Briana just wants to stay at a hotel just because and Briana can't use Brooks living with Vicki as a reason for staying at a hotel if he is not in the family home. 

 

The thing is since this has aired Vicki and Briana have gotten together in OKC and NYC.  I just think they both make a huge deal out of things that should be a little less public.  The dinner and gifting of the car would have been plenty of Briana.

Briana didn't bring it up on camera, that was Vicki and IMO, from past experience, she has a right to be worried about viewer backlash. Briana said that she does not feel comfortable kicking a sick Brooks out of his bed/home and would feel better if she/kids stayed in a hotel instead and Vicki got upset and created a scene. Briana kept her voice calm and steady, it was Vicki that got up, walked away and raised her voice, not Briana.

 

Look at all the comments calling her spoiled, a brat, nasty, controlling, selfish and then we have those that outright blame Ryan for wanting to stay in the hotel, that he "controls" Briana even though we did not hear a peep out of him on this matter. Yes, IMO, she is being vilified about wanting to stay in a hotel. Vicki made THE decision about where Briana/kids would stay WITHOUT consulting her first, which is a$$backwards IMO. And AGAIN, I do believe without a doubt that Vicki would have thrown it in Briana's face that she HAD to force a sick Brooks out of her home just to make Briana happy ON CAMERA at the reunion!

[zoeysmom]

It would have been nice if Vicki offered to watch the boys for a few days sometime so Brianna and Ryan could get away.  Brianna looks worn out.  I noticed a few episodes ago when Vicki thought Briana needed a chick trip, her plan was to go to Vegas with Brianna and have her mother watch the kids.  Then she dramatically remembered that her mom was dead.  

 

Anyway, the car is nice but it's not what Brianna needs most right now.    

Might be nice if Ryan's folks stepped up to the plate and offered the same.  Vicki pays for vacations to Disneyworld.  So she is proactive in helping them get away.  Vicki does mention in her twitter that she is babysitting the boys so I do think Ryan and Briana get alone time when Vicki is around.  There is not much good to say about Vicki but I do think she is a pretty devoted grandmother.  14 trips in a year seems to be an indication she is involved.

[WireWrap]

Meh, whether Brooks was joking or serious about hitting her - I would never have anything to do with him either.  i can't say I would handle it like Brianna, I'd most likely just tell Vicki over and over like a broken record that "we've already talked about this".  Allow Vicki to visit but not go to her home.  If Vicki stays with Brooks long term, I'd be willing to take the fall out/consequence from not visiting Vicki in her home.  His statements were that bad to me that I really wouldn't have anything to do with him again.  Although Ryan taping it makes it seem like he encouraged on some level, however I would never marry a Ryan either.

 

while I think Brianna is drama prone with Vicki, I do think she's trying to do the best for the situation that she can with her limited tools.  Being raised by a narcissist really does a number on a person, it's clear to me Brianna doesn't have a normal meter like others do.

Brooks never said that he was "joking" when he made that statement about "slapping her to keep her in her place" as far as I know. His only excuse was that he was drunk when he made it and he never claimed that Ryan encouraged him or tricked him into saying it that I have heard/read.  

 

I listened to that recording and did NOT get the impression that he was joking in any way shape or form but I DID get the impression that he believes slapping a woman is not a big deal and that sometimes it needs to be done.

 

I also, would NOT want to be around him at all and I would refuse to allow my kids around him as well. It is Vicki's decision if SHE wants to date him but it is Briana's decision whether or not she and her kids want/should be around him and they need to respect each others decision. As much as Briana dislikes that Vicki was still dating him she seemed to have backed off on full out opposition and was just requesting he be kept away from her/family, which is her right.

Might be nice if Ryan's folks stepped up to the plate and offered the same.  Vicki pays for vacations to Disneyworld.  So she is proactive in helping them get away.  Vicki does mention in her twitter that she is babysitting the boys so I do think Ryan and Briana get alone time when Vicki is around.  There is not much good to say about Vicki but I do think she is a pretty devoted grandmother.  14 trips in a year seems to be an indication she is involved.

Does anyone know anything about Ryan's family? Maybe they can not afford to travel like Vicki does or buy cars for Ryan either or if they can, they chose not to publicize it like Vicki does.

 

Yes, ITA, I do believe that Vicki loves her grandkids.

[Anne Thrax]

Briana has not learned that Vicki's gifts come with looooong strings....

 

I doubt this comes as a surprise to Briana -- she's lived with her mother since birth.  Children usually know who their parents are better than most others.  For instance, as Michael showed us in Ep. 13.  I think Briana expected this as standard operating procedure for her mother; Vicki is simply starting her usual Plan B, kill the kid with kindness and the kid is sure to knuckle under.  Narcissists have whole bags of manipulation tricks that they use again and again.  Probably because sometimes they work!

[Anne Thrax]

I have never been to the OC and am not familiar with the cost of living there, but would it really have been impossible for Ryan to find a place that was less expensive?

One bedroom apartment, in a decent neighborhood of course, $1,800/mo. and up.  

[announcergirl]

I can't stand Brianna. She is a spoiled asshole, period.

[MatildaMoody]

Vicki/Brianna: I don't think Brianna is using her kids as manipulation. If she was, Vicki wouldn't have seen them 14 times in a year. If anything they're too enmeshed. I'd have to have a conversation with my mother if she came to my house and stayed for the weekend or whatever every month. And I love her and we have a great relationship. I just think she doesn't like or trust Brooks, so doesn't want her kids around him - that simple. And that's her right as their mother, Vicki doesn't have to agree or understand. Why should she be uncomfortable and unhappy just so Vicki gets her way? That's crazy. I'm sorry, but I think Vicki was in the wrong.

 

My personal opinion is that Brianna loves having her mom visit because it allows her someone to talk to who also understands how isolated she is in this completely new place (I wouldn't be surprised if this is a pattern that Vicki and her own mom followed when Vicki first moved out to California with the kids). No matter how dysfunctional Briana and Vicki's relationship is, they are definitely close and love each other. They are just too much alike for either of their own good. I can just imagine a Briana throwing a Vicki-sized guilt trip if Vicki hadn't visited her as much as she had over the course of the year. 

[stumpy]

I think it's pretty entitled for parents to expect grandparents to provide babysitting for get aways or pay for housekeepers.  A gift is gift is a gift - you want a housekeeper?  Guess what, since you don't have a car payment you can afford to get on your own.  

 

Having the expectation that any grandparent needs to step up to the plate and provide this stuff to a young couple who choose to have children is just an idea that is beyond me.  Vicki has visited a lot, has taken them on trips, has housed them and on and on and on.  Asking for more is just pure entitlement and greed.

[SFoster21]

I honestly believe Vicki is afraid of Ryan. She tones it down around him. She asks permission to take her grandson from Briana. The night of his rage against Lydia's mother, she was calm and spoke softly. If I remember correctly, she also defended his actions in a TH. I think she walks on egg shells around him out of fear.

I frankly feel that that is the only way to deal with V. She needs controlling, u ask me.

[zoeysmom]

Briana didn't bring it up on camera, that was Vicki and IMO, from past experience, she has a right to be worried about viewer backlash. Briana said that she does not feel comfortable kicking a sick Brooks out of his bed/home and would feel better if she/kids stayed in a hotel instead and Vicki got upset and created a scene. Briana kept her voice calm and steady, it was Vicki that got up, walked away and raised her voice, not Briana.

 

Look at all the comments calling her spoiled, a brat, nasty, controlling, selfish and then we have those that outright blame Ryan for wanting to stay in the hotel, that he "controls" Briana even though we did not hear a peep out of him on this matter. Yes, IMO, she is being vilified about wanting to stay in a hotel. Vicki made THE decision about where Briana/kids would stay WITHOUT consulting her first, which is a$$backwards IMO. And AGAIN, I do believe without a doubt that Vicki would have thrown it in Briana's face that she HAD to force a sick Brooks out of her home just to make Briana happy ON CAMERA at the reunion!

Vicki never brought up sick Brooks-that is on Briana.  I can see you are very protective of Briana and Ryan and I just don't care for either of them.  Briana,  Ryan and Vicki could disappear off the show and it would not hurt my feelings.  I would rather have Jeana and see the adult version of her children for awhile than Briana, Michael, Ryan or Ryan.   They just have no progress in their relationships. Vicki gives her daughter a $50,000.00 present and it is not good enough or it is for the wrong reasons.  If Brianna does not like it trade it for a lifetime of maid service or better yet therapy and happy pills-I just don't get what is going on.   I have no desire to see Tamra start another fight at a party with Brooks or incorrectly relay what was said about someone that causes a fight.  That has just played out too many times.  Briana is never happy she is either, tired or crabby.  The only time she has been happy is when she and Ryan were packed off and headed to OKC and lo and behold life sucks for her there as well.  To me, it is time to change the channel on Vicki and Briana.

[WireWrap]

I think it's pretty entitled for parents to expect grandparents to provide babysitting for get aways or pay for housekeepers.  A gift is gift is a gift - you want a housekeeper?  Guess what, since you don't have a car payment you can afford to get on your own.  

 

Having the expectation that any grandparent needs to step up to the plate and provide this stuff to a young couple who choose to have children is just an idea that is beyond me.  Vicki has visited a lot, has taken them on trips, has housed them and on and on and on.  Asking for more is just pure entitlement and greed.

What? LOL Briana did not ask for anything, a new SUV, housekeeper, babysitter...well anything. Posters here thought Vicki could have hired a housekeeper instead of buying Briana a new car because she, Briana, looks tired/worn out. LOL

[Maharincess]

Briana had an SUV already and I disagree, a housekeeper would have helped her daughter more than another vehicle. The problem is that Vicki could not get the BIG reveal on camera paying for a housekeeper like she did with giving an SUV on camera.

I can picture Vicki having three housekeepers lined up in Briana's yard for Briana to choose from.

[Anne Thrax]

I don't get the problem with Brianna and Brooks, he's not going to be present at the house when she stays there. That doesn't make him or her 'look bad'.

There much be more to Brianna's problems with Brooks than there're telling us.

 

When you're dealing with a world-class narcissist such as Vicki, the plan might be that after a day or two, Brooks just shows up there with an excuse why he has to be "home" now.  Briana already told her mother that she would never want to throw a sick person out of their bed, so it wouldn't surprise me a bit if Vicki had in mind to pull such a number.  With Bri and the kids all settled in,Vicki would use it to try to shame Briana into not making poor Brooks leave again, in hopes for her daughter to solve her predicament by just putting up with it.

[WireWrap]

Vicki never brought up sick Brooks-that is on Briana.  I can see you are very protective of Briana and Ryan and I just don't care for either of them.  Briana,  Ryan and Vicki could disappear off the show and it would not hurt my feelings.  I would rather have Jeana and see the adult version of her children for awhile than Briana, Michael, Ryan or Ryan.   They just have no progress in their relationships. Vicki gives her daughter a $50,000.00 present and it is not good enough or it is for the wrong reasons.  If Brianna does not like it trade it for a lifetime of maid service or better yet therapy and happy pills-I just don't get what is going on.   I have no desire to see Tamra start another fight at a party with Brooks or incorrectly relay what was said about someone that causes a fight.  That has just played out too many times.  Briana is never happy she is either, tired or crabby.  The only time she has been happy is when she and Ryan were packed off and headed to OKC and lo and behold life sucks for her there as well.  To me, it is time to change the channel on Vicki and Briana.

I agree that it is time for Vicki and her family to leave the show. I thought they should have let her go long ago. I feel for Ryan because I do think so many believe he is an a$$ based on last season only even though he was diagnosed with PTSD. We have seen no behavior to say that he flips out on people like he did or that he is still paranoid about anything/anyone any more either. I feel bad for Briana because I do believe that Vicki set her up to use her/Brooks feud for a storyline last season as well. Does that mean I think they are without fault in any of this, No, but I place most of the blame on Vicki because I really believe she will do say whatever it takes to keep her Orange, even if it hurts her children.

 

I must say, although I don't mind Jenna, I did not like her kids and really do not want to see them all back on the show at all. They need some new, interesting, HW's on this show and not someone "desperate" like Tamra and Meghan or with a marriage in crisis like Shannon either. LOL

I can picture Vicki having three housekeepers lined up in Briana's yard for Briana to choose from.

I think if she could have pulled that off, she would have tied bows around their necks, lined them and their cleaning equipment up and had Briana pick 1 of them. LOL

[AnnA]

I agree that it is time for Vicki and her family to leave the show. I thought they should have let her go long ago.

 

Yes!   Yes!  Yes!

 

There is nothing about Vicki that's in the least bit entertaining.  She's a shrew and her 15 minutes (10 seasons) are up!

[MatildaMoody]

 

 

Brooks never said that he was "joking" when he made that statement about "slapping her to keep her in her place" as far as I know. His only excuse was that he was drunk when he made it and he never claimed that Ryan encouraged him or tricked him into saying it that I have heard/read. 

I listened to that recording and did NOT get the impression that he was joking in any way shape or form but I DID get the impression that he believes slapping a woman is not a big deal and that sometimes it needs to be done.

 

I have listened to that recording and never heard him say anything about "slapping her to keep her in her place." The thing I heard was a garbled sound of Ryan laughing with lots of clicks on the audio, and then Brooks exclaiming "I would kick her ass." Then, there were more garbled sounds, then Ryan laughingly says "that's not right." And then Brooks says "It's not? What's not?" Then, there were more garbled sounds and clicks and Brooks says, "that's how we do it in the South?" Then, there is garbled conversation where Brooks is thanking Ryan for helping him up the stairs and Ryan is telling Brooks to just sleep it off. Then, there were more garbled sounds. Then there were some clicks and another conversation that sounds like it was recorded on the phone versus in person where Brooks says that he is being read the Riot Act for being drunk and Ryan keeps saying "Riot act? Isn't that a police thing?"  Then, Brooks tries to drunkenly and incoherently explain what Riot Act means only to confuse himself in the process.

 

Brooks never said he was joking because he most likely has no memory at all of the conversation. That doesn't excuse Brooks at all! I just don't think that it proves anything either. Ryan was clearly willing to not only befriend Brooks and record him, he was willing to string many partial conversations together in order to "prove" that Vicki should not have a relationship with Brooks.

 

For me, and I realize it is just my opinion, Ryan's behavior during these multiple recordings was much more suspect than anything Brooks incoherently spewed out during those conversations. Especially, if you count how many different conversations it took for Ryan to come up with anything remotely substantial and Brooks was incoherently drunk during each one. To me, those recordings sound like Ryan making sure Brooks was shit faced (whether by habit or Ryan's design) and then only recording and/or discarding the parts he knew would make Brooks sound bad.

 

And the thing that irks me is that Ryan didn't need to make Brooks sound bad. Brooks was sleazy enough all on his own. If Briana, Ryan, and Tamra had just accepted that Brooks was dating Vicki and there was no drama to be had there, Vicki would have dumped Brooks long long ago. But, Vicki has shown us that she is extremely stubborn (like a 13 year old) and she refused to "lose" to the naysayers. Seriously, the public backlash against Brooks alone would have been enough for Vicki to dump him if her costars hadn't started chiming in. 

[stumpy]

What? LOL Briana did not ask for anything, a new SUV, housekeeper, babysitter...well anything. Posters here thought Vicki could have hired a housekeeper instead of buying Briana a new car because she, Briana, looks tired/worn out. LOL

 

I never said Brianna said or asked for any of this.  It's my response to the idea that Vicki should have done something different, IMO, she's provided more than enough to Brianna and Ryan.  That's all my post was.

[WireWrap]

I have listened to that recording and never heard him say anything about "slapping her to keep her in her place." The thing I heard was a garbled sound of Ryan laughing with lots of clicks on the audio, and then Brooks exclaiming "I would kick her ass." Then, there were more garbled sounds, then Ryan laughingly says "that's not right." And then Brooks says "It's not? What's not?" Then, there were more garbled sounds and clicks and Brooks says, "that's how we do it in the South?" Then, there is garbled conversation where Brooks is thanking Ryan for helping him up the stairs and Ryan is telling Brooks to just sleep it off. Then, there were more garbled sounds. Then there were some clicks and another conversation that sounds like it was recorded on the phone versus in person where Brooks says that he is being read the Riot Act for being drunk and Ryan keeps saying "Riot act? Isn't that a police thing?"  Then, Brooks tries to drunkenly and incoherently explain what Riot Act means only to confuse himself in the process.

 

Brooks never said he was joking because he most likely has no memory at all of the conversation. That doesn't excuse Brooks at all! I just don't think that it proves anything either. Ryan was clearly willing to not only befriend Brooks and record him, he was willing to string many partial conversations together in order to "prove" that Vicki should not have a relationship with Brooks.

 

For me, and I realize it is just my opinion, Ryan's behavior during these multiple recordings was much more suspect than anything Brooks incoherently spewed out during those conversations. Especially, if you count how many different conversations it took for Ryan to come up with anything remotely substantial and Brooks was incoherently drunk during each one. To me, those recordings sound like Ryan making sure Brooks was shit faced (whether by habit or Ryan's design) and then only recording and/or discarding the parts he knew would make Brooks sound bad.

 

And the thing that irks me is that Ryan didn't need to make Brooks sound bad. Brooks was sleazy enough all on his own. If Briana, Ryan, and Tamra had just accepted that Brooks was dating Vicki and there was no drama to be had there, Vicki would have dumped Brooks long long ago. But, Vicki has shown us that she is extremely stubborn (like a 13 year old) and she refused to "lose" to the naysayers. Seriously, the public backlash against Brooks alone would have been enough for Vicki to dump him if her costars hadn't started chiming in. 

Oh, Ok, but "kick her ass" is not any different IMO. I do believe there was something happening between Vicki/Brooks that prompted Ryan to record him in the first place. Briana did mention Brooks grabbing/pushing Vicki during the reunion. Vicki only said that Brooks never hit her but I don't think she denied that he grabbed and pushed her. IMO, there is something that we don't know here that has caused Briana to have such a visceral reaction to him beyond the tabloid interview he gave and this recording.

 

I disagree that Vicki would have put Brooks out of her life sooner had Briana backed off. IMO, Vicki can NOT be by herself without a man for more than a couple of heart beats at a time. For all of Vicki claiming she is an independent, self sufficient woman, she reeks of desperation for male attention. AND, she/Brooks began their "relationship" well before Vicki separated from Donn and it is my opinion that he is the reason that Vicki decided to divorce Donn in the first place. I think Vicki does what Vicki wants no matter if someone agrees or disagrees with her.

[Aunt Kiki]

Yes!   Yes!  Yes!

 

There is nothing about Vicki that's in the least bit entertaining.  She's a shrew and her 15 minutes (10 seasons) are up!

Well said!

[Bronzedog]

I actually wouldn't mind seeing more of Lizzie. I don't think she was given much of a chance. As long as all her screen time isn't all about changing her kid's diaper like it was last season or chastising Christian about lack of boners.

[Anne Thrax]

Why does Briana bother to go to California if mom is back east every three weeks?

Because Briana is bored to a coma in Oklahoma.  in OC, Nana takes care of the kids while Briana goes out with her friends.

[Aunt Kiki]

I can't stand Brianna. She is a spoiled asshole, period.

She is her mother's daughter.  IMO she tried to take a separate path in the early seasons but finally gave in and became a Vicki mini-me after her boyfriend cheated on her and dumped her - the relationship (and Briana's virginity) that Vicki tried to micromanage.  Not only did Vicki humiliate her on camera, but the boyfriend ended up betraying her - and that's when I noticed the change in Brianna.

 

The girl knows exactly how to play her mother - and since Vicki seems to think the most precious gift she can give is her money, Briana takes full advantage.

I wonder if it's payback of sorts from Briana's point of view. 

 

I recall when Briana told Vicki in the early seasons that she really didn't have a close connection to Donn - how could Vicki be that oblivious not to figure that out after the man was her children's father figure for many years? - and then several posters here answered the question - she such a narcissist that she didn't see past her own needs.

 

I wonder if Briana is happy in her marriage.  She doesn't look happy.  She's a fool if she's staying in the marriage to prove everyone wrong.

 

[AnnA]

I wonder if Briana is happy in her marriage.  She doesn't look happy.  She's a fool if she's staying in the marriage to prove everyone wrong.

 

Maybe Briana doesn't look happy because Vicki came to visit.......again!

 

ETA:  She made a point of saying Vicki had been there 14 times in a 12 month period.  I can't speak for anyone but myself but I know damn well that I wouldn't be happy if Vicki came to visit me.

Edited September 10, 2015 by AnnA

[Aunt Kiki]

Maybe Briana doesn't look happy because Vicki came to visit.......again!

 

ETA:  She made a point of saying Vicki had been there 14 times in a 12 month period.  I can't speak for anyone but myself but I know damn well that I wouldn't be happy if Vicki came to visit me.

On one hand, she's said that her mother is her best friend.....on the other hand, she isn't happy with her mother's life and seems to be as defensive as her mother in justifying her choices in life. 

 

IMO they have such a sick co-dependent relationship that Briana wants her there.  It's almost like she needs validation that Vicki loves her more than she loves Brooks and Vicki travelling to Oklahoma proves it - and takes Vicki away from Brooks.

 

I'm with you - if I had that horrible excuse of a woman in my life, I'd take the same steps as her son did to make sure she doesn't know where I live.  I'd gladly work two jobs to make sure that I had childcare covered.

[AnnaMayWong]

Vicki never brought up sick Brooks-that is on Briana. I can see you are very protective of Briana and Ryan and I just don't care for either of them. Briana, Ryan and Vicki could disappear off the show and it would not hurt my feelings. I would rather have Jeana and see the adult version of her children for awhile than Briana, Michael, Ryan or Ryan. They just have no progress in their relationships. Vicki gives her daughter a $50,000.00 present and it is not good enough or it is for the wrong reasons. If Brianna does not like it trade it for a lifetime of maid service or better yet therapy and happy pills-I just don't get what is going on. I have no desire to see Tamra start another fight at a party with Brooks or incorrectly relay what was said about someone that causes a fight. That has just played out too many times. Briana is never happy she is either, tired or crabby. The only time she has been happy is when she and Ryan were packed off and headed to OKC and lo and behold life sucks for her there as well. To me, it is time to change the channel on Vicki and Briana.

Thank you, zoeysmom. You, definitely, expressed my sentiments.

[AnnaMayWong]

I have listened to that recording and never heard him say anything about "slapping her to keep her in her place." The thing I heard was a garbled sound of Ryan laughing with lots of clicks on the audio, and then Brooks exclaiming "I would kick her ass." Then, there were more garbled sounds, then Ryan laughingly says "that's not right." And then Brooks says "It's not? What's not?" Then, there were more garbled sounds and clicks and Brooks says, "that's how we do it in the South?" Then, there is garbled conversation where Brooks is thanking Ryan for helping him up the stairs and Ryan is telling Brooks to just sleep it off. Then, there were more garbled sounds. Then there were some clicks and another conversation that sounds like it was recorded on the phone versus in person where Brooks says that he is being read the Riot Act for being drunk and Ryan keeps saying "Riot act? Isn't that a police thing?" Then, Brooks tries to drunkenly and incoherently explain what Riot Act means only to confuse himself in the process.

Brooks never said he was joking because he most likely has no memory at all of the conversation. That doesn't excuse Brooks at all! I just don't think that it proves anything either. Ryan was clearly willing to not only befriend Brooks and record him, he was willing to string many partial conversations together in order to "prove" that Vicki should not have a relationship with Brooks.

For me, and I realize it is just my opinion, Ryan's behavior during these multiple recordings was much more suspect than anything Brooks incoherently spewed out during those conversations. Especially, if you count how many different conversations it took for Ryan to come up with anything remotely substantial and Brooks was incoherently drunk during each one. To me, those recordings sound like Ryan making sure Brooks was shit faced (whether by habit or Ryan's design) and then only recording and/or discarding the parts he knew would make Brooks sound bad.

And the thing that irks me is that Ryan didn't need to make Brooks sound bad. Brooks was sleazy enough all on his own. If Briana, Ryan, and Tamra had just accepted that Brooks was dating Vicki and there was no drama to be had there, Vicki would have dumped Brooks long long ago. But, Vicki has shown us that she is extremely stubborn (like a 13 year old) and she refused to "lose" to the naysayers. Seriously, the public backlash against Brooks alone would have been enough for Vicki to dump him if her costars hadn't started chiming in.

[stumpy]

Vicki and Brianna have an interesting clinical relationship.  Not so much entertainment for a reality show.

 

I think Vicki would be hysterical without her family or Brooks involved.  The relationships with them just drags her entertainment level down.  Hell, watching Vicki on a first date would be reality comedy gold.

[AnnaMayWong]

I am of the same opinions, MatildaMoody.

--

Edited September 10, 2015 by BookElitist

[breezy424]

I didn't get the impression at all that Briana was unhappy about her mother visiting her.  Didn't Briana say that it's nice that her mother comes and helps her out and gives her someone to talk to?  I'm no fan of Briana but I can understand that she's having a hard time making friends and working two jobs with two little kids. 

 

Yeah, she was very uncomfortable with the SUV gift but I think that she knows her mother well enough to realize that she should pick a car and be done with it.  Choose your battles.  And she knew the trip to OC was a battle more important to her.

[FozzyBear]

She is her mother's daughter. IMO she tried to take a separate path in the early seasons but finally gave in and became a Vicki mini-me after her boyfriend cheated on her and dumped her - the relationship (and Briana's virginity) that Vicki tried to micromanage. Not only did Vicki humiliate her on camera, but the boyfriend ended up betraying her - and that's when I noticed the change in Brianna.

The girl knows exactly how to play her mother - and since Vicki seems to think the most precious gift she can give is her money, Briana takes full advantage.

I wonder if it's payback of sorts from Briana's point of view.

I recall when Briana told Vicki in the early seasons that she really didn't have a close connection to Donn - how could Vicki be that oblivious not to figure that out after the man was her children's father figure for many years? - and then several posters here answered the question - she such a narcissist that she didn't see past her own needs.

I wonder if Briana is happy in her marriage. She doesn't look happy. She's a fool if she's staying in the marriage to prove everyone wrong.

I also feel like the breakup with her first boyfriend was HUGE. Now I never really loved Brianna(I always thought she was rather pleased with herself for being an pretty average kid. Nothing wrong with being average, but Brianna always acted like she deserved a medal for graduating High School without a baby or a drug problem), but she just struck me as an normal spoiled girl. After the breakup? Wooza! She was angry. Very angry. I think her boyfriend leaving her was the first time in her life she didn't get what she wanted. I think in Brianna's world you followed the rules and got the prize, end of story. When her boyfriend left her even though she had done everything "right" she kind of lost it. She transformed into a bitter middle aged divorce at the age of 23.

[AnnaMayWong]

I also feel like the breakup with her first boyfriend was HUGE. Now I never really loved Brianna(I always thought she was rather pleased with herself for being an pretty average kid. Nothing wrong with being average, but Brianna always acted like she deserved a medal for graduating High School without a baby or a drug problem), but she just struck me as an normal spoiled girl. After the breakup? Wooza! She was angry. Very angry. I think her boyfriend leaving her was the first time in her life she didn't get what she wanted. I think in Brianna's world you followed the rules and got the prize, end of story. When her boyfriend left her even though she had done everything "right" she kind of lost it. She transformed into a bitter middle aged divorce at the age of 23.

Bullseye, Fozzy Bear!

[stumpy]

Good point, Fozzy Bear.  I also think on top of that being on the show that young and getting so much attention didn't help her.

[breezy424]

Just to clarify about Vicki and Briana's conversation about where she would stay in the OC, they were talking having time together and Briana said that she would be out there in a week and a half and then Vicki said that Troy would stay upstairs, etc.  Then Briana said that they don't have to stay at the house.  So, Briana was the first one to say they would be in the OC but Vicki was the first one to talk about where they would stay.

 

IMO, if Briana doesn't want to stay at her mom's, that's her decision.  Vicki has the right to say she's unhappy about it but it's Briana's call. 

[Bebecat]

As far as Ryan's parents doing their part...do we even know their financial situation? Most people do not have the flashy bucks to show off with like Icky does, as long as she is getting plenty of credit snd acknowledgement for it. God, she makes me ill. Everything has strings attached with her.

Reminds me of when I bought my brother's old when I went to college. I took over the payments, but in his mind, it was still his, and he sometimes showed up at my college and "borrowed" it. Later I moved to L.A. (As far from him, in NY as I could, lol) and then HE moved to L.A. and picked up where he left off, inspecting the car, lecturing me about it, etc. lol. But he was not otherwise nearly as intolerable as Icky. Still... She alwYs expects something, mostly undying gratitiude, when she gifts someone with someone they may not have even wanted.

[OhGromit]

When you're dealing with a world-class narcissist such as Vicki, the plan might be that after a day or two, Brooks just shows up there with an excuse why he has to be "home" now.  Briana already told her mother that she would never want to throw a sick person out of their bed, so it wouldn't surprise me a bit if Vicki had in mind to pull such a number.  With Bri and the kids all settled in,Vicki would use it to try to shame Briana into not making poor Brooks leave again, in hopes for her daughter to solve her predicament by just putting up with it.

 

Totally agree with this.

[Muffyn]

I do wonder if Briana was exaggerating when she said Vicki had visited 14 times in the year.  They see each other a lot, I'm sure, but I think she was (half) joking with that number especially when you factor in the times Briana has been to CA or the family has gone on vacation together.  

[Ubiquitous]

I thought she indicated the bump was in her armpit. I have gotten those before and I was told the same thing-probably an infection from shaving. They said the same thing-monitor it and if it got any larger go back.

I know it's wrong, bht I would laugh it turned out to be cancerous but everyone thought she was being a "copy cat".

[Ubiquitous]

I hate to ask, but what anal leakage?

Incontinence, AKA "poopy-pants syndrome".

I actually asked for the "Shannon Beador" when I was out the other night, Vodka, cranberry juice in a tall glass with ice and a lime. The waitress totally knew what I wanted since she watches the RHOC too!  Shannon should bottle it up and sell it and be the next Bethenny Frankel.

I thought Shannon's drink of choice was vodka and perier?

[zoeysmom]

I also feel like the breakup with her first boyfriend was HUGE. Now I never really loved Brianna(I always thought she was rather pleased with herself for being an pretty average kid. Nothing wrong with being average, but Brianna always acted like she deserved a medal for graduating High School without a baby or a drug problem), but she just struck me as an normal spoiled girl. After the breakup? Wooza! She was angry. Very angry. I think her boyfriend leaving her was the first time in her life she didn't get what she wanted. I think in Brianna's world you followed the rules and got the prize, end of story. When her boyfriend left her even though she had done everything "right" she kind of lost it. She transformed into a bitter middle aged divorce at the age of 23.

Briana took the break up hard and no one and I mean no one would have ever known of what happened to Colby had Vicki not decided to make public, via her blog, that Colby had married and Briana ended up on a business trip with Vicki-here is the story seventh paragraph  http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/season-6/blogs/vicki-gunvalson/my-people

Apparently Briana was miserable then feeling there were no good dating candidates on the state of California. Could it possibly be Briana is just unhappy?

I do wonder if Briana was exaggerating when she said Vicki had visited 14 times in the year.  They see each other a lot, I'm sure, but I think she was (half) joking with that number especially when you factor in the times Briana has been to CA or the family has gone on vacation together.  

Last season Briana moved in March, I believe to OKC and the Reunion taped in mid-July and Vicki mentioned she had already been there seven times.  I just wonder if all VIcki's business trips are routed through OKC.