by Jessica Blackwell

This episode of RHONJ was definitely an emotional one. Not only for the Giudice family, but for the viewers and some unlikely cast members. 

All throughout the allegations, I questioned whether Teresa and Joe were dumb enough to commit fraud with such a huge microscope on them. I mean they have a reality show, and after their bankruptcy ruling there were more than a few people who wanted to take them down. So why rock the boat? They got to keep their cars and fabulous house, and in my mind that's far too much. Bottom line is, I thought they didn't do it. But as we saw last night, Teresa and Joe pleaded guilty to mortgage and bankruptcy fraud in Newark Federal Court. 

Joe, the more serious case, is facing 37-46 months in jail and deportation back to Italy! Teresa is facing 21-27 months behind bars, but they are hoping to get probation for her. This is some heavy stuff man! I assumed Joe would serve jail time, but DEPORTATION? It's enough to think about him not being there for his daughters for up to 4 years, but what happens if he can't come back to the US? Would Teresa move to Italy with the girls? Would she even have the money to do that? So many questions! 

The rest of the cast reacted to the guilty plea in a myriad of ways. Melissa and Joe obviously just wanted to let them know they were there for them in any way possible. Amber had a huge reaction to the news that was bordering on phony. She broke down in tears and called Teresa sobbing. Really? Even their family members didn't have that reaction. When Teresa was on the phone with her, Gia heard Amber crying through the phone and was laughing her head off, as I'm sure many viewers were doing. It was so fake! At first I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt thinking that she was sensitive because of her bout with cancer, but then in a later confessional she said that the jail time wasn't like life and death and Teresa "wouldn't lose her life". So then if you don't think it's that big of a deal, why call her crying? #fakeandphony

Nicole not surprisingly had a very shallow reaction to the plea entry. She was only interested in what Teresa was wearing to court, declaring that she had her own "court style of dressing". How ridiculous! Rino was the only one out of that pair that had anything wise to say. He mentioned that there are petty things going on, but that Teresa and Joe's legal issues are way more serious than any gossip or other situations going on. Hmm...good point, but I wonder if he'll still feel the same way once he find out what's being said about him - I doubt it! 

During the episode, Amber was whispering around about the rumors that Rino slept with his mother in law leading me to believe that she can't keep her mouth shut and of course the explosive allegation is going to come out! 

On the previews for what's coming up this season, it was revealed that Jacqueline returns, and it's actually Jim that blurts out the rumor about Rino sleeping with Teresa and Nicole's mother! Stay tuned folks, this might be the the most explosive, drama-filled season of RHONJ yet! 

The Real Housewives of New Jersey airs Sundays at 8/9c

(Image courtesy of Bravo)