Previously on Real Housewives of Rhode Island, Rosie stirred the pot by pointing out the tension between Liz and Ashley. She quoted Alicia saying Liz can be scary. Alicia flipped out, calling Rosie a “whore,” “snake eyes,” and a “troll.” Adding, “Welcome to Rhode Island b*tch, this is how we roll!” But she also did a record-fast flip-flop and hugged Rosie by the end of the episode. Meanwhile, Kelsey shared the rumor that Rosie got fired from her newscaster job because she had an affair with a higher-up.
What happened on Real Housewives of Rhode Island Season 1 Episode 5?
This week on Real Housewives of Rhode Island Season 1 Episode 5, “Schooner or Later,” Kelsey expands on her issues with Rosie. Rulla and Jo-Ellen meet one-on-one, but Rulla refuses to believe Brian’s still having an affair. Things get chaotic when Jo-Ellen makes new accusations at a polo match. What else happened on Real Housewives of Rhode Island this week?
Does Jo-Ellen have empathy for Rulla?
Sadly, while she was in Chicago, Jo-Ellen’s grandfather passed away at 100 years old. He was Alicia’s neighbor – I love how connected this cast is! Jo-Ellen’s grandfather was like a second dad. He walked her down the aisle after her father passed away. Thankfully, Jo-Ellen was able to say goodbye to him over FaceTime.
Liz and Alicia fill Jo-Ellen in on the fight with Rosie. Liz shows off her perfect Rosie impression. Alicia feels bad about calling Rosie a whore, but it’s a Rhode Island thing. She also seems to forget that they made up!
Liz tells Jo-Ellen that Rulla is visibly struggling, and swiping at her is low-hanging fruit. Liz thinks that Rulla needs to be honest and admit she doesn’t actually want anyone to show her proof of Brian’s affair. Jo-Ellen says she’s empathetic to Rulla’s situation, but Liz doesn’t buy it, literally laughing in her face.
Kelsey doesn’t trust Rosie
Ashley stops by Kelsey’s boyfriend’s house, which she declares “big enough to fit two Bachelor mansions,” for a haircut in the home salon. Kelsey’s done hair and makeup since high school and in pageants. Conveniently, her boyfriend already had a home salon before they met. But she never needed it to be a side hustle, since she went from waitressing and living with her parents straight to her boyfriend’s mansion. Now trying to make it on her own, she’s wants to spread the word. She also tells Ashley that her boyfriend’s kids are only a few years younger than her!
Kelsey explains why she doesn’t like Rosie. Apparently, when she did Rosie’s hair, she didn’t tag her on social media. But every other time she gets her hair done, Rosie tags the stylist. So Kelsey took that as an intentional slight. Everyone knows how important social media is for business. Kelsey thinks Rosie is threatened by her.
Ashley declares her hair Instagram-worthy and, unlike Rosie, makes a post promoting Kelsey.
Rosie and Kelsey rock the boat
Rosie invites the ladies to celebrate her friend Jack’s birthday on a schooner. Jack knows most of the other girls, some through his husband Anthony. Jo-Ellen and Rulla see each other for the first time since Liz’s Studio 54 party. Rulla jokes that if Jo-Ellen tries to mess with her on the boat she better be a good swimmer, adding, “Newport waters are cold.”
But Kelsey and Rosie’s feud rocks the boat instead. Rosie feels like she gets “punched in the face” every time she hangs out with the group. She thinks she’s been nothing but nice and the “mean girls” will dislike her no matter what. Just then, Kelsey sits by her and brings up the haircut issue.
Rosie insists Kelsey is just trying to have a problem with her. She says didn’t post because Kelsey didn’t take pictures. Kelsey says it’s about supporting people, and Rosie supports every other hairstylist except her. Ashley asks if Rosie can make it up to her, but Kelsey walks away. Rosie says she doesn’t care but cries enough to ruin her makeup.
Meanwhile, Alicia suggests a game, but her only idea is to “start with A.” She doesn’t know games! They play FMK with Jack’s friend “Martini Mike” who says he’d kill Ashley because he loves Jared. Alicia and Jo-Ellen also attempt to do the famous Titanic pose.
Speaking of boats…
Liz and Gerry bid farewell to the Gypsea. When Gerry took up sport fishing, he had no experience, but he became one of the best in the world. He even beat Michael Jordan in a tournament! Liz was so mad she wasn’t there because she loves Michael Jordan. She was also mad about all the time Gerry spent away on the boat. They’re both ready to say goodbye and embrace being grandparents. Without the boat, Liz jokes, Gerry can’t leave!
Rulla doesn’t buy Jo-Ellen’s proof of Brian’s affair
Rulla and Jo-Ellen talk one-on-one. Jo-Ellen insists the affair is ongoing, but Rulla refuses to believe it. Rulla claims she’s not in denial, wants to be “wide-eyed and bushy tailed” and know if someone’s putting the wool over her eyes.
Jo knows “the mistress” and shows Rulla screenshots of her texts with Brian. But Rulla dismisses them as fake, saying this woman fakes evidence with AI. She calls the woman “unstable.” Jo-Ellen agrees with that part because she read all the woman’s texts, which she believes are real.
Rulla tracks Brian now, and they spend every night together. But Jo-Ellen claims he sees the other woman every morning. Rulla says he goes to the gym every morning. “Does Brian look like he goes to the gym?” Jo-Ellen shadily asks.
Turns out, this situation hits home for Jo-Ellen’s issues with her mom. Growing up, her mom refused to believe her, and would call her a liar or say she needed help. It gave her the need to prove when she’s telling the truth.
She tells Rulla she’s not trying to be an assh*le. Rulla says if she has real proof, she’ll consider it.
Alicia loves a horse
Later, the Housewives (minus Ashley, away on a sponcon cruise) take a party bus to a polo match. They meet up at Billy’s other restaurant, Angelo’s, that reflects his Greek heritage (Alicia attempts to pronounce Angelo the Greek way).
Kelsey brings her Bill– she likes that, unlike her other boyfriend, he wants to go to events with her friends. She’s also at “b*tch eating crackers” level with Rosie. Everything about Rosie annoys her. Even when she’s just playing with a bubble machine. Kelsey also thinks Rosie is lying about the size of her home, and that she frequently exaggerates to put on a persona.
Just before they get on the bus, Brian gets a phone call from his dad that his mom is in the hospital. At first, Jo-Ellen sends prayers. But on the way, she gets a text from a mutual friend insisting Brian actually went to the mistress’ place! Jo-Ellen instantly believes it but Liz is skeptical.
On the way, Alicia repeatedly says “I love a horse.” Add horses to the list of things she loves: crackers, pizza chips, dolls, and Jane’s Fonda.
It’s game, set, match for Jo-Ellen and Brian
Eventually, Rulla and Brian meet up with the others at the polo match. Kelsey tries on Rulla’s engagement ring, showing it off to Bill, only to realize Brian’s not wearing his wedding ring. Red flag! He left it in the car and goes to put it back on.
Just then, Jo-Ellen sees that the “mistress” posted an Instagram story holding hands with Brian in said car. This is enough to get Liz on board. Jo-Ellen theorizes an elaborate timeline for him sneaking off to see this woman, complete with specific time stamps.
Brian admits to Gary “that individual” has been texting him all day. Liz grabs Rulla and tries to talk to both of them, but Brian refuses to discuss it on camera and starts taking his mic off. Alicia gives Kelsey a Wheat Thin in this trying time.
Brian denies running away while doing exactly that. Jo-Ellen emphasizes she’s not trying to hurt Rulla, and is coming to her as a fellow mother and wife. She seems genuinely concerned for her rival. And she fires back when Brian accuses her of “perpetuating” it- she’s just showing what was posted on Instagram!
But Alicia believes Brian that it’s done. She thinks Rulla shares her “superpower” of forgiveness.
Rulla stands by Brian, saying that Jo-Ellen is friends with the wrong people and needs to let it go. Liz argues that, while she won’t defend all of Jo-Ellen’s actions, Rulla needs to stop blaming her and start looking at the evidence. But Brian and Rulla drive away. Jo-Ellen theorizes that Brian is okay with his affair partner’s unhinged behavior because he wants it to drive Rulla to leave him. Because he’s “too p*ssy” to leave Rulla himself. What a mess!
Real Housewives of Rhode Island airs Sundays at 9/8c on Bravo. Episodes are available to stream on Peacock.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF REAL HOUSEWIVES OF RHODE ISLAND EPISODE 5? WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON IN KELSEY AND ROSIE’S FEUD? DID JO-ELLEN GO TOO FAR WITH BRIAN AND RULLA?