Bravo’s Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (‘RHOSLC’) season four finale has become the second most viewed episode in Real Housewives history - garnering 2 million views in the first three days. Episode 16 of the fourth season aired on January 2 to conclude an eventful season of Bravo’s tenth Housewives instalment, and it sent social media users into a frenzy. Fans have stated it was the best episode of reality television they’ve ever seen, with one X user even tweeting, “It’s time for the Emmys to seriously consider #rhoslc. No other show is delivering as much high drama, high comedy, and high camp in one hour.” Other viewers described the episode as “cinematic”.
What Went Down:
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City first premiered in 2020 showcasing the ladies of Utah’s capital city, quickly becoming a fan favourite. There have been numerous scandals on this show, but for some reason, the most recent one seems to have had the most profound effect on audiences.
The episode titled ‘Mysteries, Revealed?’ begins with a dramatic teaser of what’s to come - arguments, tears, and a mysterious betrayal. Viewers are transported to earlier on in the day with the housewives exploring Bermuda, where they were vacationing for cast member Monica Garcia’s birthday, then very quickly the drama kicks in.
Heather Gay, one of the original RHOSLC members, is seen taking a phone call in which she says, “I cannot believe it’s her. How could she do this to us?” This clip was previewed at the start of the first episode of the season, but the truth behind it shocked fans beyond belief. A few moments later, Heather is standing on the beach when fellow original cast members Lisa Barlow, Meredith Marks, and Whitney Rose join her. Heather then reveals to the group that
Monica is “not our friend… The name you all know her as is Reality Von Tease.”
‘Reality Von Tease’ is an Instagram account that was dedicated to exposing gossip involving the RHOSLC ladies, in particular ex-housewife Jen Shah. The account has been mentioned, although not by name, on the show before, so it’s safe to say this news came as a huge shock to the ladies, but the drama doesn’t stop there. Later on, the women all sit down to have dinner with Monica and fellow castmate Angie Katsanevas when Heather drops the bomb. Monica responds with, “That is not true entirely,” before explaining that she was one of many people who were behind the social media account.
According to Garcia, the account was originally created to expose Jen Shah’s criminal activity of defrauding elderly people with a telemarketing scam. Jen got arrested back in 2021, during season two of the show alongside her former assistant, Stuart Smith. She is now serving six and half years in prison. Monica used to be friends with Shah, even working as one of her assistants a few years ago.
Again, the drama does not finish there. Heather then reveals it was Jen that gave her a black eye, one of season three’s scandals. In addition, Meredith Marks also reveals Monica was with Jen in one of Meredith’s stores when a bag was stolen - another scandal from a previous season.
Monica is eventually asked to leave the vacation by Heather. The remaining ladies then huddle together, crying. Memes have been created out of this shot, with some saying it’s the modern-day version of Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’.
Social media platforms went wild with reactions to this episode, actress Jennifer Lawrence even spoke about it on the Golden Globes carpet, saying that it deserved an Oscar. A three-part reunion is set to air over the next few weeks, and it will be the first time Garcia will have seen the rest of the ladies since their last supper.
Edited by Chloe Mansola
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