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"Real Housewives Of New Jersey" Reunion Part One Recap: “Bring It On Baby”

Denise Gonzalez |
October 17, 2011 | 11:37 a.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" unite for the reunion (bravotv.com)
The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" unite for the reunion (bravotv.com)
It was a night full of she said-she said, name calling and family drama in Red Bank’s Basie Theater when the housewives came face to face in New Jersey’s landmark theater.

All the familiar faces were there except for one: Jacqueline. Caroline calmly explained that the reason the housewife did not attend was because she had a falling out with Teresa. Jacqueline publicly addressed this in her blog.

Of course Teresa laughed it all off and denied any of the claims that Caroline had to give on behalf of Jacqueline. Obviously, this season’s new villain did not take the time to amend her relationships after the wrap-up of season three with any of the housewives as host Andy Cohen pointed out.

After that drama was settled, there was a quick review of what happened in the season finale. The cookbook drama reared its ugly head again as the housewives finally had a chance to confront Teresa about it. Caroline said she did not need to defend her Italian heritage but she did have a bone to pick with Teresa about slamming her kids in the book. Teresa of course had an excuse to defend her actions and claimed that if she was being catty she would have never put that amazing picture of her and Caroline in the book. Right. Caroline was not having any of it.

Melissa questioned her on her allegations that she imitates everything she does. Teresa, of course said the whole thing is ambiguous since she has three sisters-in-law but when confronted about who she was referring to, it was clear that Teresa was slamming Melissa in her book.

Kathy, who was silent throughout most of the reunion, said that she did not start baking because of Teresa’s cookbook but that in fact she had been baking for years. Teresa responded by again giving herself credit for any of those accomplishments.

Teresa once again played the victim card by bringing up the fact that she was severely hurt when both Melissa and Kathy did not inform her they were joining the show. Melissa claimed that Teresa called her after finding out “threatening my life”. She said that Teresa told her that Caroline hated her and that people were going to laugh at her huge forehead. Teresa denied any of it but Caroline came to Melissa’s rescue saying that Teresa would constantly talk about Melissa’s forehead and horse face. Ouch. 

But how can a reunion be complete without bringing up the Christening of baby Joey?

Melissa made it clear that she thought both Teresa and Joe were both to blame for the family drama of Godfather proportions. She also explained what caused the family tension. Joe claims that Teresa changed after she joined the show. Teresa defended herself by saying she did change she became more busy. Melissa brings up the fact that Teresa did not have the decency to invite her brother to her season two premiere party at the Brownstone, which hurt Joe’s feelings. Teresa claimed that the only reason she did not invite him was because Melissa had just given birth and validated her innocence by blaming Melissa for not inviting herself to the party and not being a better wife. Of course all the other housewives reacted to the “better wife” statement. Kathy told Teresa that her statement was very insulting and that she didn’t even know it.

Teresa of course was not having any of it.

She showed her true colors when Andy asked her if her daughter Gia had watched the episode. On cue, Teresa tears-up and says that her daughter did not have to watch it because she lived it. Caroline stepped in and said that Gia did watch it because both Teresa and Caroline watched that episode together where Gia was present. Teresa again was caught in another lie but just denied, denied, denied.

Teresa said she did not ask for an apology from Joe because he is her brother and she forgives him. Caroline questions that statement and says “That's forgiveness? I'm looking at the face of forgiveness?” Caroline calmly tells Andy that Teresa said she was not going to forgive Joe because he was an asshole. Melissa gasps and looks at Teresa incredulously but Teresa just denies everything and calls Caroline the exorcist and pathetic.

The show switched on to a much happier note when it outlined Melissa and Joe’s relationship and her music career but that was quickly ruined when a viewer brought up the question about Melissa’s gold digger status. Who was this claim made by? None other than Teresa, she defended herself successfully for the first time when she brought up the fact that Melissa had admitted it herself in a drunken moment. Kathy stepped in and backed up Teresa validating her story. Melissa denied any of those claims and said to Teresa “you look like the devil right now”. Teresa responded by saying she was not the one wearing red.

The focus then shifted to the Giudice’s bankruptcy issues. Andy asks if she asked her brother for help but Teresa said she did not need any help. Andy brings up the fact that both Teresa and her husband Joe had both withdrawn from debt discharge and Teresa claimed that they will pay off all their debts.

Andy points out that if they had not they would have gone to jail. Teresa vehemently denies any of it and says it is not true. Andy points out that bankruptcy fraud is a federal offense but Teresa keeps on singing her favorite tune of denial.

Teresa then goes on by generously giving her husband Joe all the credit for both Kathy and Melissa’s husband’s success. Claiming that Joe started the house-flipping business and gave the ideas to both Richie and Joe, both Kathy and Melissa deny this. Melissa goes on to say “Basically anything that anyone has ever done good in their life has come from Joe and Teresa”.

At last, Joe Giudice’s arrest was brought up. Joe was arrested for fraudulently obtaining and using a driver’s license. If he is convicted he can spend up anywhere from 18 months to 10 years. Teresa said she was not worried because she knew her husband was innocent. Andy points out that he also is charged with forging his business partner's signature. Teresa says it was all legal. Right. And goes on to evade the issue by claiming she cannot discuss legal matters.

While all of this is going on, Caroline is sitting there relaxed quietly smirking at everything Teresa has to say. Teresa goes into another crazy rant and continues to insult Caroline. Caroline keeps her cool (as she has during the entire episode) and responds to one of Teresa's insults “I should take my own advice, and my own advice two years ago was to get you out of my life, and I'm finally taking it”.

Next week’s preview promises to be a delicious ending to the two part reunion.

Reach writer Denise Gonzalez here

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