S12.E19: Season Finale: Candle Wicks and Lunatics

[lunastartron]

20 minutes ago, LilaFowler said:

Is Jeana Keough a possibility? I imagine the producers are still trying to find allies for Vicki to film with.

Jeana filmed in season ten and eleven but was edited town to cameos. It doesn't seem like production finds her very interesting. 

Evolution recently gave a podcast interview in which they basically laughed at Gretchen for being desperate and thirsty to get back on the show. They always seem to speak positively about Alexis (as in the 100th episode retrospective) but noted that she hasn't made any efforts to get recast since her tenure ended. 

Lauri's son is still charged with murder, I think. 

Lizzie doesn't seem like an also-ran that the network or show-runners would ever be eager to revisit. 

[zoeysmom]

1 hour ago, biakbiak said:

I am curious why Michael doesn't like David because he specifically said David not Shannon. 

I haven't noticed Michael really bonding with any of the husbands.  His statement seemed to lend credence to Kelly's statement he has difficulties getting along with others.  Eddie, David and Jim seem to get along and Diko and Doug seemed to have a relationship=-based on Diko being featured in his magazine.   

[biakbiak]

1 hour ago, SheTalksShit said:

interesting. I didn't see that part. 

It's why he suggests getting an Uber to go to the party when Vicki announces she is an hour from leaving her house.Shannon offers to see what type of car was sent and if it's big enough pick them up because they live close Michael says he doesn't want to spend 30 minutes or more with David and they should call an Uber.

I hope M/S didn' have a falling out because I loved Megan's instant dismissal of Lydia and Peggy saying Shannon was wrong when she wasn't. 

[yourmomiseasy]

4 hours ago, njbchlover said:

Who knew that Vicki had a "business partner"?  And, an actual board of directors which Micheal is now a part of (who was that other guy)?  Surprise, surprise....

The creepy scammer that is Vicki's new business partner was on early in the season.  It was an episode that talked about her new office.

 

4 hours ago, hoosier80 said:

So Coto Insurance has a board of directors?  And surprise, surprise, her son Michael is now on the board.  Even Helen Keller would've seen that coming.  And they all have to wear headsets at work?  They have that many calls into an insurance agency?  We have a regular call center where I work, so those folks will have headsets on most, if not all the time.  A few others who are on long conference calls will wear headsets (and pace around - a big pet peeve) some times.  Then when the partners or whomever they were cane into the meeting room, I saw Shah - and did a double take.  I was like oh no, don't tell me it's a crossover with the Shahs show.  I don't think it was.  Michael looked just thrilled; he looks like a trapped animal.  I bet he'd be happier working somewhere else.

Peggy, you're a moron.  Diko tried to squash the issue with David and Shannon.  He basically tried to make nice.  (You just know Diko is so pissed at her for blowing it and losing her orange.) Then Peggy says oh no I didn't say I was hurt.  Cue editors with clip of her saying, "I was hurt, hurt, hurt".   Then she says oh I said I was hurt.  I'd be having such headaches being around her, from the constant whiplash.   Yes, yes, yes.  No, no, no.   I just say GO, GO, GO.  Translation:  leave, scoot, vamoose, drive away in one of your cars, go by bye,   Take Lydia with you.  And the Coto President, too.

Tamra, your daughter had you at the graduation, but I don't think she's ready for you to be back in her life full time.  Not sure I blame her, either. 

Lydia was sure jumping on the Shannon is crazy train.  Nice Christian values, but she wanted or needed a nice big paycheck.  Shannon, you're better off without David.  I think I might be screaming like a banshee with all these fake, crazy broads saying shit about me 24/7.  

Kelly, if you're that unhappy, get out.  Do not take advice from Vicki about relationships.  Just do not.

A California corporation has to have a board.  Mine consists of me -- the board meetings are scintillating.  It's a little more important when the company has multiple owners/partners.

 

2 hours ago, biakbiak said:

I am curious why Michael doesn't like David because he specifically said David not Shannon. 

I caught this too and am so curious. 

 

Peggy is a bitch for saying if Shannon doesn't calm down she's not going to have a husband.  She knows the marriage is a weak spot for Shannon and keeps poking at it.  Shannon was not wrong about Peggy always changing her stories, but Shannon needs to express herself without shrieking so she'll be heard.

[Duke2801]

Yea as far as season finales go, this one was kind of a dud. I hope this is the last we see if the Armenian blow up doll, as well as Pinhead and her ball-less hype man. 

 

3 hours ago, HunterHunted said:

I think it's so interesting that the season preview footage showed Peggy and her family marching about the Armenian genocide, but I don't think that footage ever aired. The producers thought repetitive arguments about Peggy's cancer and whether Shannon was having issues with other wives were more interesting than any footage Peggy could deliver.

Oh I could have sworn that they did show them marching on one episode. Or maybe I am thinking of the season preview? 

2 hours ago, lunastartron said:

Shannon is a pig. And despite their maliciousness during season nine, I've come to realize that Heather and Tamra were fundamentally correct re initially clocking her for a pathetic drunk. Abstractly, I know there's a vast difference, morally speaking, between Vicki's transgressions and those of Shannon but I find them equally repellent. It's just so gross to watch Shannon be celebrated and coddled by her co-stars and Andy alike after she spent the past four years doing such casually nasty stuff like telling David she needed to be more intoxicated to endure the St. Regis getaway he planned (and then wondering why he isn't plying her with romance and sexual overtures); stumbling drunkenly out of multiple parties while sobbing and cursing; hurling plates at cast mates; admitting she physically assaulted her husband during a blackout; and literally crying because said husband took her out to a family dinner for their anniversary and gave her a necklace that wasn't to her liking. She is monstrously spoiled and her behavior on anyone over ten - let alone 53 - is not normal. 

I disagree with the majority of what you've assessed about Shannon, but vive la difference. However I do feel the need to point out that Shannon did not say - or imply - she needed to get drunk to "endure the St. Regis getaway." She was clearly referring to the *cameras* capturing them starting to get amorous--not the act of getting amorous itself. 

[film noire]

4 hours ago, lunastartron said:

 She is monstrously spoiled and her behavior on anyone over ten - let alone 53 - is not normal. 

I think Shannon is hard to watch, especially through female eyes. She's become a living checklist of what society hates in a woman; impetuous, drunk, gobby-mouthed, shrill, clumsy, big arsed, soft-bellied and raging.  She's the total negative package, when it comes to every ideal of American womanhood.

And I find alot of it repugnant to watch...but there's also a kind of primal rage in how she's acting that I've found (this season) intriguing;  a woman who is done with trying to jockey for position within the Most Fuckable Bitch in the Harem world, done trying to dry hump that hollow leg one more time, hoping it will finally give her an orgasm. It's as if she just read the fine print in her Woman Contract, and can't BELIEVE the riders she never stopped to take in before -- who the fuck WROTE this fucking deal for me? Where did I sign up for THIS shit? -- she's so angry at all of it, and I have a grudging respect for that.

She's displacing the anger everywhere it shouldn't go  -- throwing plates and screeching and demanding footnotes to conversations when she herself is, at best, a drinking buddy to the truth -- but as undignified as her expression of that anger has been, there's dignity in feeling that anger, when you're coming to grips with realizing your value was based on being visually consumable, not on being a complex human being.

So maybe it is normal - not evolved, not good, not smart, not mature, not decent, not kind -- but normal to react like that when you find out it was the lift of your ass and the nip in your waist that society cared about all along, and not a single thing that really mattered in the making of you as a person. Your only value skin deep; nothing more. How could the reacton to that -- the reaction to something so ugly -- be anything but ugly itself?

Edited November 14, 2017 by film noire

[sasha206]

9 hours ago, Chicklet said:

Is Peggy on the spectrum? She absolutely cannot connect with any other human being. 

Some people are just assholes.  She is one of them.

[sasha206]

Speaking of assholes, somehow Kelly made me love her this year.  Watching her annoyance with Peggy and her husband were enjoyable to watch.

[Chit Chat]

3 hours ago, yourmomiseasy said:

Tamra, your daughter had you at the graduation, but I don't think she's ready for you to be back in her life full time.  Not sure I blame her, either. 

A few months ago there was an article about the graduation in People magazine.   IIRC, it was reported that Simon is the one who wanted to invite her.  He thought she should be there for that milestone.   Her daughter asked her not to post any pictures of her online, which Tamra did anyway.  That's what made her daughter mad.  Someone correct me if I am not remembering this correctly.  ;) 

Also, I wish Kelly would quit trying to force her mother to do things just because she thinks she should do them (get out and have a social life.)  Her Mom has stated that she worked with people all of her life and she is simply enjoying some quiet time.  I don't think Kelly can accept the fact that some people want some alone time.  She doesn't want to be the party animal Kelly wants her to be.  Not all of us have a need to "whoop" it up all of the time, not that there's anything wrong with that!  

[Should Be Working]

2 hours ago, film noire said:

I think Shannon is hard to watch, especially through female eyes. She's become a living checklist of what society hates in a woman; impetuous, drunk, gobby-mouthed, shrill, clumsy, big arsed, soft-bellied and raging.  She's the total negative package, when it comes to every ideal of American womanhood.

And I find alot of it repugnant to watch...but there's also a kind of primal rage in how she's acting that I've found (this season) intriguing;  a woman who is done with trying to jockey for position within the Most Fuckable Bitch in the Harem world, done trying to dry hump that hollow leg one more time, hoping it will finally give her an orgasm. It's as if she just read the fine print in her Woman Contract, and can't BELIEVE the riders she never stopped to take in before -- who the fuck WROTE this fucking deal for me? Where did I sign up for THIS shit? -- she's so angry at all of it, and I have a grudging respect for that.

She's displacing the anger everywhere it shouldn't go  -- throwing plates and screeching and demanding footnotes to conversations when she herself is, at best, a drinking buddy to the truth -- but as undignified as her expression of that anger has been, there's dignity in feeling that anger, when you're coming to grips with realizing your value was based on being visually consumable, not on being a complex human being.

So maybe it is normal - not evolved, not good, not smart, not mature, not decent, not kind -- but normal to react like that when you find out it was the lift of your ass and the nip in your waist that society cared about all along, and not a single thing that really mattered in the making of you as a person. Your only value skin deep; nothing more. How could the reacton to that -- the reaction to something so ugly -- be anything but ugly itself?

No one has ever addressed the deep-rooted causes and motivations of Shannon’s overwhelming midlife suffering, rage, and unhappiness with such insight and accuracy before. I think you’ve nailed it. 

[Lizzing]

Maybe Lydia really did remove Doug's balls because those pants were awfully slim cut.

It cracked me up that after Vicki came back to the party after being in the bathroom* that the right side of her hair was messed up and no one told her, not even Kelly during their "I can't live with Michael" scene.  The woman must not have a soul who is her friend.  On the upside, while she did wear one of the typical HW dead Muppet vests, at least her dress was a dark color that didn't read super tight on TV.  Sure, it probably was three sizes too small, but it wasn't as glaring as those white dresses she wears.

I will give the OC ladies this: they have come a long way in finale parties from Jeana's backyard (hers or Vicki's?) and a couple of deli trays from the local Ralphs.

*We know she doesn't use the bathroom for regular human functions, as she's told us numerous times, so I can only assume that's where she stashed Brooks for some mid party nooky.

[CrinkleCutCat]

Adding screen shot so I can address original post and reply!

What IS normal? That is such an offensive proposition.... surely we all now appreciate how varied and different we all are? ‘Normal’ precludes anyone with a disability, a mental health issue, a weight difference, a differing opinion.....etc etc etc.  I have no time for the label of NORMAL. 

 

As for Shannon... it took me a couple of reads to realise what you meant FilmNoir.  Shannon is our mirror.... the mirror for some of us who are a similar age....those of us who have been ‘pretty’ who become invisible when our desirability wanes.... I see her rage and I see myself. I understand what you mean about her being hard to watch, because she reflects ourselves. Shannon is me.... struggling with hormones and weight fluctuations and the way that messes with your whole construct of self...am I really that shallow that my weight defines me? Yes? Am I really defined by the attention of others, especially the male gaze? Yes? Bring on the shame now.....

 

I think I now understand why Shannon, in some cases, brings out such negativity from us. We don’t like what we see in ourselves. Shannon is a mirror to us.  I, personally, love her for this, and thank her for honestly representing my own struggles re identity and desire, and therefore value.

I also enjoy how she embraces what I now enjoy... the freedom to express yourself with a disregard of judgement.

Edited November 14, 2017 by CrinkleCutCat

[oakville]

8 hours ago, njbchlover said:

Who knew that Vicki had a "business partner"?  And, an actual board of directors which Micheal is now a part of (who was that other guy)?  Surprise, surprise....

I was surprised by the business partner. Michael looked bewildered at being promoted to the board of Directors.

I doubt franchising her business would work. 

[ghoulina]

Ewww, creepy Ryan sighting! He shaved off that nasty beard, thank God. But nothing, short of a paper bag, would ever make that dude look normal. I'm glad Tamra kept the Sydney stuff to a minimum, because nothing irritates me more than her playing victim over a situation she created. 

Damn, Kelly is really over Michael, huh? I always kind of want to see more of Michael, because for the most part he comes off as fairly quiet and normal, and her complaints about him seem so different from what we see. But then he made that comment about being stuck in the car with David and I just thought that was weird. I know David is an ass to Shannon at times, but I've never seen him be anything but cool with the other dudes. I just feel like Michael is maybe very controlled on screen, and there's more that we don't get to see. 

They're divorcing now, so I guess that's moot. 

I DID really enjoy Kelly and Shannon cutting up together. The reenactment of "who?" - "it was YOU!" was my favorite part of the episode. I'd love to see their single escapades next year. 

Damn, that was one fancy candle party. Probably cost more than a years worth of candle sales. 

Of course Vicki has nothing to say to Eddie. Of course as soon as they get back from their big make-up trip, she's got friends planting stories about Tamra in the press. Vicki is fake as fuck and she does not think she owes anyone anything. She's the real victim here, and she is going to make them pay. I'm so over that old hag. 

I hope Peggy and Diko are not coming back. They are both so full of shit. Diko tries to downplay the way he got Shannon all riled up, and Peggy straight up lies about it. Maybe "truth" means something different in Armenia. 

So Megan is going to try and have another baby, good for her. But Lydia? You snip the dude and then want to defrost his sperm and try for a girl? What was the fucking point???? She is nuts. 

[Juniebaby]

There is no way Peggy wanted to do this show, it was all Diko.  She clearly was not ready physically/emotionally for many reasons and I’m sure he told her to do it.  What bothered me the most is when she wanted to leave and he told her to stay and smile and she had that crazy stepford wife smile on and told everyone he told her to smile so she’s smiling.  That’s some scary controlling s**t.  She likes to hold it over the women that she still has a husband but she sold her soul for that (if she had one).

[ghoulina]

8 hours ago, hoosier80 said:

Kelly, if you're that unhappy, get out.  Do not take advice from Vicki about relationships.  Just do not.

I think it was last year, Kelly was complaining about being unhappy, and Vicki basically told her she just has to stay and work it out. I think she totally regrets leaving Donn and her answer to everything is to just cling to the man. 

 

7 hours ago, remmybrat said:

Did any one else think as, I do Kelly's mom's make over was a waste of good money? She didn't look any different tome.

YES!!!! Thank you. Her hair was slightly different, but she looked like the same, old Magda. 

 

7 hours ago, CrinkleCutCat said:

Dikko was having none of that when Peggy wanted to leave the party early....none of it!

Yup. He was like a parent at a soccer game - "You signed up for this, now get out there and play!"

 

6 hours ago, SoCal4Us said:

Do you know which one?  Hope it's Heather.

I'm hoping for Alexis!!!

[Alonzo Mosely FBI]

If Shannon is off kilter due to her unhappy marriage and approaching menopause, added with a dash of anxiety I can totally forgive her. I think inside she is a good and decent person.  She drinks a little too much IMHO and might want to get a handle on that.

Lydia is such an atrocious person, all about appearances with Nobleman and her husband. Her princess hair made me want to gag. She is a special snowflake. 

Peggy is something else. She is so insulated from the real world and vicious when someone calls her out. Mean. 

WTH was David's collar up like that for? Calm down,  Don Johnson! 

If Tamra has any chance with Sidney she needs to keep Sidney OFF TV. HELLO TAMRA?!

Meghan's candles ? Boring. 

Brianna, that green form fitting dress? Just NO. 

[bosawks]

Leave it to the OC to make the combination of such innocuous words as "candle" and "party" a prospect that makes my blood run cold....

[esco1822]

5 hours ago, yourmomiseasy said:

Peggy is a bitch for saying if Shannon doesn't calm down she's not going to have a husband.  She knows the marriage is a weak spot for Shannon and keeps poking at it.  Shannon was not wrong about Peggy always changing her stories, but Shannon needs to express herself without shrieking so she'll be heard.

Also, Peggy technically doesn't have a husband so maybe she shouldn't be commenting about anyone else's circumstances. 

[bichonblitz]

Not a single bit of interaction between Tamra and Vicki at the party. I thought that was interesting. 

[njbchlover]

1 hour ago, CrinkleCutCat said:

Adding screen shot so I can address original post and reply!

What IS normal? That is such an offensive proposition.... surely we all now appreciate how varied and different we all are? ‘Normal’ precludes anyone with a disability, a mental health issue, a weight difference, a differing opinion.....etc etc etc.  I have no time for the label of NORMAL. 

 

As for Shannon... it took me a couple of reads to realise what you meant FilmNoir.  Shannon is our mirror.... the mirror for some of us who are a similar age....those of us who have been ‘pretty’ who become invisible when our desirability wanes.... I see her rage and I see myself. I understand what you mean about her being hard to watch, because she reflects ourselves. Shannon is me.... struggling with hormones and weight fluctuations and the way that messes with your whole construct of self...am I really that shallow that my weight defines me? Yes? Am I really defined by the attention of others, especially the male gaze? Yes? Bring on the shame now.....

 

I think I now understand why Shannon, in some cases, brings out such negativity from us. We don’t like what we see in ourselves. Shannon is a mirror to us.  I, personally, love her for this, and thank her for honestly representing my own struggles re identity and desire, and therefore value.

I also enjoy how she embraces what I now enjoy... the freedom to express yourself with a disregard of judgement.

Thank for for the most insightful post I think I've ever ready, CrinkleCutCat!!  You are SPOT-ON!!!!  :-)

Edited November 14, 2017 by njbchlover

[Carolina Girl]

10 hours ago, njbchlover said:

Who knew that Vicki had a "business partner"?  And, an actual board of directors which Micheal is now a part of (who was that other guy)?  Surprise, surprise....

Ali to Michael on being named to the "Board" - "This is a really big thing."

Un no....  Being named to the Board of APPLE is a "really big thing."  

This is Mommy patting him on the head.  

[ghoulina]

10 minutes ago, bichonblitz said:

Not a single bit of interaction between Tamra and Vicki at the party. I thought that was interesting. 

Well, according to Tamra, a friend of Vicki's put a story about Tamra's family in the press shortly after their return from Iceland. This is classic Vicki, if you ask me. She is never going to give up, but she wants to have her casserole and eat it too. She wants to party and be chummy with Tamballs, but she is still pissed at everyone who she perceives betrayed her over Brooks. So she's going to make them pay. One way or the other. 

[Cherrio]

1 minute ago, Carolina Girl said:

Ali to Michael on being named to the "Board" - "This is a really big thing."

Un no....  Being named to the Board of APPLE is a "really big thing."  

Coto Insurance?   Ha Ha     Who would buy anything from a con and a liar?   Does she hand out old bottles of cancer juice for her clients?

These franchises will never happen. Just one more scamming lie.

2 minutes ago, ghoulina said:

Well, according to Tamra, a friend of Vicki's put a story about Tamra's family in the press shortly after their return from Iceland. This is classic Vicki, if you ask me. She is never going to give up, but she wants to have her casserole and eat it too. She wants to party and be chummy with Tamballs, but she is still pissed at everyone who she perceives betrayed her over Brooks. So she's going to make them pay. One way or the other. 

Vicki said it herself more than once. She got what she deserved to Shannon and that she was going to punish her castmates.

Vicki isn't sick, she is just a REALLY BAD PERSON.

[yourmomiseasy]

2 hours ago, ghoulina said:

But Lydia? You snip the dude and then want to defrost his sperm and try for a girl? What was the fucking point???? She is nuts. 

This way she has an excuse to undergo IVF and pick the sex?

[Mindthinkr]

1 hour ago, Alonzo Mosely FBI said:

Lydia is such an atrocious person, all about appearances with Nobleman and her husband. Her princess hair made me want to gag. She is a special snowflake. 

I got a laugh when she was holding up both of her husband's suit jackets to see which one went better with how she looked/what she was wearing. That makes me agree with your appearances comment totally! Thank goodness no two snowflakes are alike. 

[Normades]

6 hours ago, Duke2801 said:

However I do feel the need to point out that Shannon did not say - or imply - she needed to get drunk to "endure the St. Regis getaway." She was clearly referring to the *cameras* capturing them starting to get amorous--not the act of getting amorous itself. 

My impression from that event was that she was definitely saying she needed to drink to get amorous with David.  It wasn't clear to me that she was referring to cameras.  YMMV

[KungFuBunny]

The makeover for Kelly's mom by Priv.

I think they were going for the fresh and dewy look, unfortunately her face is so arid it sucked up all of the moisture like quicksand. It was also the wrong shade of foundation leaving it looking dried and cracked

Edited November 14, 2017 by KungFuBunny

[islandgal140]

Welp, I watched the entire season, 19 episodes, 19 hours (less commercials, of course) and this says it perfectly

Who needs to go:

Peggy? A conversation with her is like a troll bridge mindfuck riddle with no answer. 

I was subjected to half a season of gawd awful ball cutting puns and a fucking theme party, just for that 'lil woodland troll to hop on a table, into some stirrups and get inseminated via turkey baster? Where they do that at? Please exit stage left. 

Megan can also go because I ain't here for another season of her crying over IVF injections while complaining how hard it is to direct the nanny to raise her baby. I've just not cared for her or her rubber masked face huzzband. 

I'd add Vicki but I doubt that Bravo has the gonads to let her go. 

2 hours ago, oakville said:

I was surprised by the business partner. Michael looked bewildered at being promoted to the board of Directors.

 

Michael looks bewildered when he is asked to pass the salt. That is just his natural expression. 

I can see Ragin' Ryan and Brianna living well in NC. Seems like a better fit for them than Oklahoma or the OC.

I wish Brianna would learn that bodycon dresses are not her friend. She would look great in A line or something fit and flare. 

This show needs a total revamp.

[KungFuBunny]

Vicki: I want to whoop it up!

Peggy: Whoop whoop

Vicki: That's not how you say it

Peggy: That's how I say it, better still "RIM IT UP"

Sounds like something Diko's nightly thermometer says

[Mindthinkr]

I knew something was up when I saw that smirk on Vicki's son's face at COTO. He knew what was coming as he didn't appear engaged in work. Did he have his headset on? You know you must wear a headset at all times if you work there!  What I didn't like was how casual he looked. His shirt wasn't ironed and I just would have expected a tie if he was working with clients. Even one of those collared polo tees with the company's insignia would have looked better. He seems to know that he's in like Flynn and riding on his Mom's coattails.

Edited November 14, 2017 by Mindthinkr
Eh...I was going to add a thought but think I'll make a separate post.

[ghoulina]

23 minutes ago, Normades said:

My impression from that event was that she was definitely saying she needed to drink to get amorous with David.  It wasn't clear to me that she was referring to cameras.  YMMV

I always took it as a bit of both. This was their first year filming and I think she was really nervous. I also think she was nervous about being with David. It had been awhile. It wasn't like she wasn't into him and needed beer goggles to close the deal. She just needed to loosen up a bit, because they had not been intimate in awhile. Shannon is high strung as it is, so that makes sense to me and I don't see it as a slight towards David. 

[KungFuBunny]

Meghan's speech at her candle launch party

Hey you guys. Like King is my maiden name, and Aspen's middle name is King. So thank you for coming.

 

[Carolina Girl]

1 hour ago, Cherrio said:

Coto Insurance?   Ha Ha

And didn't you LOVE Ali saying "we were taking steps to dismiss a Board Member" - as if he had staged some sort of palace coup.  

Like the guy/gal didn't call him up after the Vicki cancer scam charity "Link" to the website and resign.  

The Board:  Vicki, her son, Ali the business partner and shady friend of Ali the business party.  Yeah, you got the cream of the Fortune 500 right there.....

Apropros of nothing - can I get a show of hands as to how fast Steve heads for the door if Vicki is dumped from the cast of HO-Wives?  From all accounts, this is a guy with political ambitions, who probably sees "reality star" as a career uptick.  

Edited November 14, 2017 by Carolina Girl
More to say and didn't want to create new comment

[Lady of nod]

Although Shannon was uncomfortable to watch at times this season, I still love her and actually applaud her for being brave enough to talk about her weight gain and crumbling marriage. Her rawness was painful to see but as a  former poster said, she did hold up a mirror for us. Many of us have been through or are going through these same things.  I saw her on WWHL last night and she was looking good and more of that fun Shannon was coming through. She is realizing that her happiness depends on her - not her weight or her totally checked out louse of a husband. I look forward to seeing her self realization process and she will rise, because inside she is strong and will survive this. When she is fun Shannon she is a hoot! 

And - never thought I'd say this, but I was liking Kelly by the end of the season. I think that teamed with Shannon we might have some good tv. I think there's a lot more to Michael than we're seeing. When she first came on the show she talked about trying to divorce him for 3 years, but he made it impossible so she gave in and went back to him. It's possible he has a another "scary" side he keeps in check for the cameras. And posters - lay off her Mom - we're all gonna get old and wrinkly. Some of us - me included- are already there.

Shannon listed only Tamra and Kelly as her friends last night. Did something happen between she and Megan? I like Megan and hope she returns. She is straight forward and real. And we need one wife that is not batshit crazy.

I really have nothing to say about Tamra but I love Eddie

Peggy and Dika - ugh. I agree that he is the one who wants to be on the show so he can brag about his possessions. So crass. They bring nothing. She is so annoying and fake. I doubt they'll be back - yay.

Lydia - go back to your black hole, oh wait, it's a rainbow. yeah right.

Vicki  - I hate you with the fire of a thousand suns. Your time on "your show" is up.

I hope they do bring back Heather, not that I really like her but I do want to see that new house. But no Terry, PLEASE no Terry.

[Juliegirlj]

What a surprise: "Godly" woman that Lydia is, wants a designer baby. 

Im so glad Brianna and Ryan are leaving OC and hopefully will not be regular cast members. Why does Brianna insist on squeezing her body into tight body con style dresses?! She looked like a truck driver lumbering down those stairs. 

Kudos to Eddie for ignoring Vicki- he said he wants nothing to do with her and he meant it! Also kudos for helping Tamra down the stairs in heels- very telling which men provided an arm for support and who did not. 

Dick-O and Peggy are boring, weird, thirsty, and do not fit in with this group. Hope producer's now realize this....

[NeverLate]

10 hours ago, remmybrat said:

Did any one else think as, I do Kelly's mom's make over was a waste of good money? She didn't look any different tome.

Totally! Her mum seems happy enough, she doesn't want to be on a dating app, give the woman her due. 

I love Heather, warts and all. So much better than watching Peggy and Lydia.I do hope she is back- house porn! 

[NeverLate]

1 hour ago, yourmomiseasy said:

This way she has an excuse to undergo IVF and pick the sex?

Attention, Meghan had all that attention, Lyd wants the same. Ugh! 

[Snarky McSnarky]

Those two gentlemen who are Vicki's business partners are the opposite of every insurance sales rep I have ever seen.  There's something not right about them.  Shades of Vicky's Vodka partners.

[KungFuBunny]

2 hours ago, yourmomiseasy said:

This way she has an excuse to undergo IVF and pick the sex?

I called it back when she started asking Doug to cut off his balls. It was never that she didn't want anymore kids, she didn't want anymore "boys". It would have been Un-Christian of her to voice that. If Doug had a vasectomy, it would justify her going in for IVF (with the end result having a girl). She can do it by only having female eggs implanted not revealing that and then say it is a miracle gift from Jesus.

[Jextella]

4 hours ago, CrinkleCutCat said:

Adding screen shot so I can address original post and reply!

What IS normal? That is such an offensive proposition.... surely we all now appreciate how varied and different we all are? ‘Normal’ precludes anyone with a disability, a mental health issue, a weight difference, a differing opinion.....etc etc etc.  I have no time for the label of NORMAL. 

 

As for Shannon... it took me a couple of reads to realise what you meant FilmNoir.  Shannon is our mirror.... the mirror for some of us who are a similar age....those of us who have been ‘pretty’ who become invisible when our desirability wanes.... I see her rage and I see myself. I understand what you mean about her being hard to watch, because she reflects ourselves. Shannon is me.... struggling with hormones and weight fluctuations and the way that messes with your whole construct of self...am I really that shallow that my weight defines me? Yes? Am I really defined by the attention of others, especially the male gaze? Yes? Bring on the shame now.....

 

I think I now understand why Shannon, in some cases, brings out such negativity from us. We don’t like what we see in ourselves. Shannon is a mirror to us.  I, personally, love her for this, and thank her for honestly representing my own struggles re identity and desire, and therefore value.

I also enjoy how she embraces what I now enjoy... the freedom to express yourself with a disregard of judgement.

Shannon strikes me as old-school.  Everything prim and proper and perfectly in place - just to get and retain a man.   I am not the biggest Shannon fan but it will be interesting to see her on the next leg of her journey.  Realizing that she needs to develop as an individual is a huge step, and navigating those waters is something many can relate to.   I do value Shannon's willingness to put her life out there for all to see.  That is what these shows should be about - not the cat fighting for the sake of a storyline.

I think/hope this is a return of the OC to its roots.  NYC comes closest to capturing these women's real lives (last season or two, anyway).  It would be nice for OC to take a nod, bring it up a notch (several notches) and do the same.

Off topic, but Shannon was on WWHL last night, and she made a remark that she'd like to bring Heather back.  I get that she and Kelly might have fun together from time to time, but they are on different levels from a maturity and education standpoint.  They don't strike me as having enough in common to forge a true friendship.  I see Shannon hanging out with the Heather types more than the Kelly types.  Even Tamra is a little low-brow for Shannon and I'm not sold on the depth of that friendship.

Edited November 14, 2017 by Jextella

[sasha206]

3 hours ago, Alonzo Mosely FBI said:

If Shannon is off kilter due to her unhappy marriage and approaching menopause, added with a dash of anxiety I can totally forgive her. I think inside she is a good and decent person.  She drinks a little too much IMHO and might want to get a handle on that.

 

Agreed.

I think she is a good soul, with a great sense of humor, and she does seem to have a caring heart.  I'm really hoping to see her and Kelly single and mingling next season.  

[Duke2801]

1 hour ago, Normades said:

My impression from that event was that she was definitely saying she needed to drink to get amorous with David.  It wasn't clear to me that she was referring to cameras.  YMMV

MMDV indeed. I didn't even like Shannon in season 1, but I felt for her in that scene. For "normal people" - aka not people used to being filmed for reality TV or natural exhibitionists, I can only imagine it  must be pretty darn awkward getting used to "getting down" with your partner with cameras rolling. Not saying that reaching for alcohol is the "right" way to calm one's nerves--but it doesn't mean she needed liquid courage for the ACT of sex itself. Just the filming of the act. 

In any case, Shannon's Bravo blog from season 1 confirms what I thought: 

Quote

 

I would like to make it clear that I order a Grey Goose neat and a large bottle of sparkling water whenever I have a drink. I can't stand the taste of alcohol, so I dilute it and I mix it a vodka soda myself (low carb!). When you see me take a sip out of a vodka bottle in the room, you need to understand that I knew you all would be in the room with me and I felt extremely awkward about it, as did David. I felt that some liquid courage may help in the situation! I never drink alcohol straight out of a bottle (I have done a rare shot here or there), but of course you have had the fortunate opportunity to witness the one time I do it! Lucky me!

 

Edited November 14, 2017 by Duke2801

[ivygirl]

1 hour ago, Juliegirlj said:

Im so glad Brianna and Ryan are leaving OC and hopefully will not be regular cast members. Why does Brianna insist on squeezing her body into tight body con style dresses?! She looked like a truck driver lumbering down those stairs. 

Those dresses are a “con” on just about anyone ;)

[KungFuBunny]

I find myself reflecting on 2 speeches given this season.

Meghan's - "King" origins

Tamra's Uniting Families - whenever anyone comes up to me to say things will get better, I want to punch them in the throat, and then I want to punch them in their throat again.

Both - such depth..KFB is undecided in who takes the award

[MaggieG]

Well that was a boring end to a boring season. The whole conversation between Shannon, Peggy and Tamra was confusing. I did like Shannon calling Peggy "confusing Peggy."

*small voice* I liked Lydia's hair at the party.

I was really hoping Vicki would fall down the stairs. Are headsets really $500?

[teapot]

So I had horrible insomnia last night, and, awake at 4:30 AM I said, "I know what I should do!  I should watch the OC!"

(semi-coherent) thoughts:

-It made me sad that next year Vicki will have no people in her tagline open (unless Steve Lodge is up for the job)

-Diko actually made me laugh when Tamra said he wasn't really a bitch & he asked if he had to give back the hat

-talk about uncomfortable limo ride...

-why the Priv commercial where we just randomly give Jeri Blanks a makeover for no apparent reason?  She looked pretty cute, though.  Also...she's 68.  If she just wants to stay home save for the occasional Starbucks run, let her!  Also, does she have money?  because at her age I could see not necessarily wanting to get involved with someone...you never know who you can trust.

-Tamra?  Sidney specifically said "please do not talk about me in public." That does not mean a constant televised relationship status, footage of you getting ready to go and see her, and mentioning her yet again with your status update.   I have friends who eschew social media.  That does not mean that I'll update facebook "AT APPLEBEE'S WITH MARY!"

-Doug-WAY too many buttons open on the white shirt with the magenta (as you do when you're A MAGICIAN) suit...

-My favorite finale is and always will be Season Five.  Curtin girls gone wild!  Simon & Tamra dissolving, Gretchen getting a motorcycle.  It will never be as good again (sigh)

Edited November 14, 2017 by teapot

[sasha206]

Victim (Vicki) really does wish she had worked on her marriage with Donn. I also don't think she's over Brooks.  I bet she would dump Steve in a hot second if Brooks came back to her.

Also, the old footage of Vicki made me sad.  She looked cute with her natural face.  The chin implant was a bad move.

[KungFuBunny]

KFB Exclusive

Bravo execs have made a decision on Lydia and Peggy's fate

[bichonblitz]

1 hour ago, Lady of nod said:

Shannon listed only Tamra and Kelly as her friends last night

Kelly? That just shows you how fickle these bitches can be. I guess they had to make amends for the show, but really, Shannon could never nor should ever be able to tolerate Kelly any more than she could Vicki.