by Chandra Clewley

Well, here we are again, our second season of the gorgeous, exciting Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! Of course, we were all looking so forward to this show returning, when the tragic news of Russell Armstrong’s suicide made headlines all over the country. The timing of this devastating event was such that the show had already been taped, wrapped and edited by then and there was constant gossip about if the show would continue, what role the show and its exposure had in the suicide, and if reality television had finally gone too far. Our friends over at Bravo offered condolences but the camp stayed quiet for the most part… and in the end, as with all show business, the vote was that the show must go on. Perhaps a little more edited to protect the innocent, but on it went.

The first scene tonight is unrelated to the show, and was shot after taping at Adrienne Maloof’s home, where the cast discusses the tragedy of Russell Armstrong’s untimely death and how they could show Taylor that they support her. And then, it is noted that this season was shot previous to his passing….and here we go. This will be a long recap, just to catch us up!

Lisa and Ken’s daughter Pandora is serious with her longtime boyfriend Jason, and he comes to Ken to ask for Pandora’s hand in marriage. Ken, of course, approves! Looks like we have a wedding to look forward to!

Kyle’s family is moving to a bigger and better home. After the big argument that Kim and Kyle had with each other last season, they have not spoken at all and are both really broken up about it, but it really seems like they needed the break from each other. We have seen that sometimes when you are too close and involved in each other’s lives, you just get too critical of each other, so it seems like maybe this is a good thing. They both need to regroup. 

Camille is still in Malibu but wants to simplify eventually since she is now divorced. Kelsey sent her a bunch of stuff from the Hampton’s home that they shared, including all of the baby furniture that was left there. Camille and Kelsey have not communicated at all except through a mediator for the kids. It’s kind of awesome that Camille is donating all of the stuff from that home though.

Adrienne, the fabulous, and her husband Paul are planning a get together and it’s pretty hilarious when Paul suggests a carb loaded menu for the party, while their chef Bernie and Adrienne laugh about how crazy and eccentric Paul really is. They get ready for the party, after Paul was MIA for several hours golfing and Adrienne is super annoyed with him for being out of the loop and not helping her. Oh die! There is an instance where Adrienne takes her Louboutin’s out of her shoe closet in this scene that would make any woman who has been around a high heel shoe in her lifetime almost faint…seriously, that closet is a heartbreaker.  Gahhhhh, to have ONE pair of those shoes in there…I might have to pause and rewind a few times. They have a new dog too, Jackpot…who is going to give Giggy a run for his money. Of course they are making the dinner super formal because it is the first meeting up after that last season wrapped.  This includes pouring Angel Champagne.

Taylor meets up with Kyle to shop for an outfit for Adrienne’s soiree, when on the way, she runs into Cedric. It makes her completely uncomfortable because she knows she needs to tell Lisa, and she admits she is intimidated by her for some reason.

At the party, it becomes a running theme when everyone is wearing blue…looks like Camille and Kyle have been friendly off season.  The group is screening Sh*t My Dad Says, which Camille has cameoed’d in. Later, at dinner Adrienne and Paul are totally bickering, which is making everyone uncomfortable at the table, and everyone is quiet and awkward. Taylor shares that she and Russell have been going to therapy, to which Ken just totally disagrees with the entire concept. Taylor is really put off by that, feels insulted, and leaves the table to regroup. Kyle follows her and consoles her, but then Lisa comes into the bathroom and interrupts them. Lisa thinks that Taylor is manipulative. Taylor feels attacked by the couple.  When Kyle comes back to the table, she lets Ken know that he offended Taylor. Ken is irritated, but asks Taylor who admits she was upset by the comment.  Ken and Lisa leave the party early with a lame excuse.  Oh, and a few of the girls look great, while a couple of them are seriously having a bad hair day. Did the hairstylist not show up for the taping?

The teasers for this season look interesting with Brandi Glanville joining the cast…it looks like she fights dirty.  But one has to ask yourself, will Russell Armstrong's suicide be looming over this season, as we all watch the toys go winding down? And how will the public receive this show knowing that while it was being taped, someone was contemplating the ultimate ending? I guess we will see…

Catch an all new Real Housewives of Beverly Hills next Monday at 10/9c on Bravo

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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