The Real Housewives of New Jersey is one of Bravo's compilation of shows about a select, elite group of "housewives" (some are married, some aren't even dating, some have kids, some have jobs - so housewife seems to be a relative term) of any given city. However the New Jersey girls have some special spins to their show. First off they are all married and actual housewives. In addition they have a special bond because through the seasons we follow two distinct families - The Manzos and The Gorgas. This allows for a more plausible storyline that differs from forced parties, brand launches, vacations and charity functions in which the ladies, whether they are actually friends or not, must attend in order to get them together for the show and veers off into a more "real" reality as you can change your circle of friends but you cannot change your family. Like The Real Housewives of Atlanta, that is African American based, New Jersey also has a common cultural bond of Italian decent. The current cast consists of; Caroline & Albert Manzo (parents of Albie(27), Lauren(25), & Christopher(24)), Teresa & Joe Giudice (parents of Gia(12), Gabriella(8), Milania(6), & Audriana(3)), Jacqueline & Chris Laurita (parents of Ashley(22) Chris's stepdaughter, C.J.(13), & Nicholas(4)), Melissa & Joe Gorga (parents of Antonia, Gino, & Joey), and Kathy & Richie Wakile (parents of Victoria(19) & Joseph(17)). While I have little to say about some of the housewives franchise, the drama on RHONJ is much more relatable and the constant bashing of personalities and opinions seem quite black and white to me, so it's easy to pick a side. I predict that I will have a lot to say in the next few months about the show, but lets dive into the premiere episode Garden State of Emergency (June 2, 2013) where there is already so much to address!
Following last seasons tumultuous times, we begin Season 5 with the families in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. While all they really lost was electricity and their "second homes" suffered some severe damage they took pause to consider how lucky they are and we see both Caroline and Teresa giving back to their communities.
Being a fan from the beginning, when Teresa's brother Joe Gorga (not to be confused with her husband Joe Giudice) and his wife Melissa joined the cast, I became an instant Gorga hater out of loyalty. However as last season progressed I was on the fence a bit, and it seemed Melissa might not be as bad as I thought. This episode pushed me right back over the fence. Both the Giudices and the Gorgas refuse to accept any fault in their family's situation and it seems like the reason they don't get along is because they are a lot more alike then either one of them is willing to admit. It is not until their young daughters reach out to one another with "I miss you" letters and phone calls that they even begin to try to set up a playdate...and who knew it would be so difficult! I have to admit, I understand. Neither Teresa nor Melissa wants to leave their child with the other and they don't really want to see each other either so it becomes a text battle between the two in order to decide if Melissa will take them out, or if she will drop her daughter off at Teresa's home. Finally, thanks to Teresa's eldest daughter Gia(11) it is decided that they will meet, all 4 of them, at a neutral zone so their daughters can play. Throughout this playtime, the different parenting styles emerge as the kids engage in an arts & crafts bracelet making session. Teresa just wants the kids to spend time together and have fun, while Melissa is so overbearing instructing the kids on how to make the bracelets, which beads to pick and even what colors and patterns are acceptable. I have a 6 year old daughter and I have to say I am on Teresa's side - just let them play! Another issue comes up as it turns out they have both scheduled their children's communions and parties on the same day. Melissa is quite the bitch and takes the so what, I don't care, it is what it is side of things. Teresa, concerned about her parents and probably other family members they share having to juggle both parties and make a choice on which grandchild's communion they will attend, offers to try to move her daughter's party to a different day. I applaud her for this, but she didn't need to point out that she was being the "bigger person", I mean if you need to say it... Melissa's true colors shine in this episode and all the feelings I had about her from the start became crystal clear. She even talked about, in her one person interview, that Teresa refused to acknowledge the elephant in the room (which I have to say after watching all the housewife drama I am sick of that phrase) and say sorry. I think that Melissa has just as much if not more to be sorry for, claiming she was going to move just so her kids wouldn't go to the same school as Teresa's, and it is ridiculous for her to keep sitting on some perched stool above it all like she hasn't done anything wrong. Teresa on the other hand says she doesn't want to be fake and pretend everything is alright and she does just that. Kudos!
We have a small storyline about Kathy and her sister's lesbian dating and a little bit about Jacqueline and her struggle with her son and his autism. It was hard to watch the 3 year old having such a hard time communicating when I hear my 2 year old running around telling anyone who will listen exactly what she wants. I am blessed for what I have and I am impressed with Jacqueline's patience and endurance with her son. Jacqueline states that she is done with the Gorga/Giudice drama and it is on her priority list next to bleaching her asshole. Kathy talks a bit about how she needs to speak her feelings from the start and not hold onto them until her mouth gets her into trouble.
Apart from all that there is a little bit of Caroline thrown into the mix as she shows the Gorgas her new apartment. With all of her kids grown and out of the house, Caroline and her husband Albert are considering downsizing. While Joe Gorga makes a fun comment regarding how the Manzos are like kids again, moving out of the house and into an apartment, Melissa yet again seems to ruffle some feathers commenting on how Caroline is just chasing after her boys who also got an apartment in Hoboken a few years back. Caroline makes a comment about people who think this in her one person interview, she called them stupid. She also reaches out to Joe Gorga personally, which pisses Melissa off (sigh) commenting that Caroline should mind her own business, to encourage him to make nice with his sister or to at least not let it interfere with the kids. We have seen the many ups and downs of the Manzos in previous seasons and with something like 10 siblings she has quite a bit of experience when it comes to these family feuds.
So the drama is back in play and we have a few frontrunners right out of the gate. While Teresa and Caroline start the season off well, with good and seemingly honest intentions to make things better, Jacqueline and Kathy are neutral as usual, trailing behind we have Joe Gorga who isn't ready to make nice with the family and his wife Melissa being a bitch at every turn. We will see how the story unfolds in the coming weeks!
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