Entertainment
The Season 14 Finale of ‘RHOC’ Unfolded at Vicki Gunvalson’s Engagement Celebration
By Jessica Lane
Updated: April 22, 2021
Originally Published: Dec. 18, 2019
Bravo
What a dramatic finale it was! When Andy Cohen hinted at a reunion featuring “a meltdown to end all meltdowns,” he didn’t quite prepare us for the chaotic conclusion of Season 14 of ‘RHOC’ — highlighted by a tipsy Tara Black crying and literally hiding in the bushes.
Let’s kick things off from the beginning. We start with Jenna Bennett going on a date with Matt Collins, but we’ll revisit this intriguing character later. Instead, let’s fast-forward to Ava Windham and her mother, Dr. Linda, engaging in an unusual Bhakti yoga session in the backyard on a rather gloomy day. It was… quite an experience.
“I’m thrilled with where we are now,” Dr. Linda tells Ava, to which Ava responds in a confessional, “This could be the most complex relationship I have. If my mom feels we’re in a good place, then we must be.”
Next, we see Emily heading to the doctor regarding her persistent arthritic pain, hoping for some relief. “It makes me irritable; it ruins everything,” she confesses. “Your left hip doesn’t look great,” her doctor informs her. “The cartilage is wearing away; you’ll need a hip replacement. It’ll be transformative for you.” Emily’s reaction is emotional as she immediately calls her husband, Jake, who, as expected, seems indifferent.
Even Kelly finds it hard to watch. After attending one anger management class just days before, Kelly decides to crash Vicki Gunvalson’s “country western chic”-themed engagement party — even though she wasn’t originally invited. “I doubt some mantra is going to help this situation,” Kelly remarks.
At the engagement bash, Jenna informs the group that she went on a date with Matt, who also appears at the party. “What’s interesting is he shares a child with someone from our past, which makes him familiar with this crowd,” Jenna reveals during the episode. A real throwback to the earlier seasons of the franchise, right?
But fear not, we won’t see much of Matt after this episode; Jenna has been dating Paul Richards for a while now.
Then we witness everyone line-dancing and downing countless tequila shots. “I’m feeling very, very, very frisky,” Vicki announces to her guests in a moment so cringe-inducing, I found myself shouting at my TV, “Why?!” Kelly also surprises Vicki with an engagement gift, complete with a personal note wishing her “happiness and health.”
Things only get more awkward from there. After several tequila shots and “seeing Kelly’s smug face,” Tara can’t hold back her frustration — and the drama kicks into high gear. As the inebriated trio (Tara, Jenna, and Vicki) vent about the lawsuits affecting both Jenna and Tara (which Kelly has also been discussing with the other women), Jenna’s hair unexpectedly catches fire(!), and Tara storms over to confront the other RHOC women. Instead of addressing Kelly, she targets Megan. “You’re being really combative right now; this is an overreaction,” Megan points out.
“Only one person is out of line here, and that’s Kelly Black. The bomb she dropped went too far,” Jenna states. Ava appears to align with the other women, revealing in a confessional that she’s starting to see the side of Kelly that others have warned her about. “When she lashes out, she goes all in,” she notes.
“Kelly’s a bully. These two are struggling financially because of what Kelly put them through,” Vicki says. Tara continues to shout at Megan in the parking lot about how she doesn’t understand her pain and then collapses in tears into the bushes — yes, in the bushes! “I adore Tara,” Megan laughs, “but I don’t appreciate having to pull her out of a bush.”
Ultimately, Kelly remains convinced that she bears no responsibility for what Jenna and Tara are experiencing. “You did this to yourself,” Kelly asserts. “Everything is someone else’s fault but yours. Own your own issues.”
The back-and-forth escalates in the street and abruptly concludes with the typical season finale wrap-up, detailing what the women are currently experiencing, including Tara’s ongoing lawsuit.
Phew! Rest up, fellow RHOC fans; you’ll need your energy for part one of the reunion next week. For more related insights, don’t miss our post on home insemination, or check out Make a Mom for expert information on the topic. Also, for an excellent resource on pregnancy, visit March of Dimes.
Summary: The Season 14 finale of ‘RHOC’ at Vicki Gunvalson’s engagement party was filled with drama, tears, and unexpected moments, including Tara Black crying in the bushes after a heated confrontation. The episode highlighted personal struggles, relationships, and ongoing lawsuits, setting the stage for an intense reunion next week.