by Gina Scarpa

Following Vicki's blowout with Briana last week on The Real Housewives of Orange County, the pair is taking a little time and space from one another. Brooks surprises Vicki at work with breakfast and gently defends Briana, until he hears that she called him an opportunist. He swears that he's not (I'm not convinced yet) but that he doesn't take Briana's comments personally.

Heather meets up with a friend to talk careers - she knows her time in television or movies has an expiration date and maybe it's just time to let it go. One big step she's considering is finally changing her last name to Terry's, Dubrow, after twelve years of marriage. She decides to go through with it and heads to the DMV where is absolutely hilarious, but nobody has a sense of humor there. I mean, are you surprised? When Terry sees what his wife has done, he gets a little emotional. For all the craziness in Orange County, they are fairly normal and have a pretty great relationship.

Gretchen confronts Slade about his parenting and financial issues, suggesting the two go to counseling. He reluctantly agrees and during the session, we really see why so many people don't like him. He actually has the nerve to say that he's been trying to handle it but finds Gretchen and her business to be a distraction. Really??? I would've walked out right there but she maintains her composure.

Checking in on the other housewives... Alexis does a photo shoot for the cover of Beauty and Entertainment magazine while Tamra does some research into starting her own gym. She and Eddie travel to meet up with some people who have succeeded in starting their own fitness centers and she realizes that she can do it on the budget that she has.

Vicki decides that all of the women need to get together (or Bravo did) so she invites everyone on a trip to Costa Rica, which Alexis thinks is in Mexico. Before the plane tickets are purchased, Alexis with meets up with Tamra for drinks in the hopes of getting their friendship back on track - or at the very least, finding the ability to be civil to one another. Yeah, it's not happening. Tamra tells Alexis that she doesn't like her, that she's shallow, and that even Terry called her fake. Oh man, did she really have to drag him into it? The fighting continues next week in Costa Rica, when everyone decides to gang up on Alexis.

The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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