Look, I probably don’t need to talk about this season of Vanderpump Rules anymore, but I have a sinking suspicion that this is the last season we’re going to get, at least for a good long while. This reunion was significantly less explosive than last year’s, which isn’t surprising. Last year’s reunion was insane, and this one seemed almost silly in comparison.
Honestly, this title is a little clickbait-y. There weren’t that many shocking moments. But, there was plenty to discuss from this season. There were lots of messy, petty dynamics to explore, and lots of grievances to air.
Ariana looks so completely done with all of this. I think there is a very good chance she is so not coming back next season (if there is a next season). She hasn’t watched the season, and she doesn’t care. And I can’t blame her for a single second. This whole season has been about analyzing the worst thing that ever happened to her, with shockingly little empathy from many of her cast mates. It’s honestly not entertaining, and very hard to watch.
Lala and Scheana must be reading the comment section because at the reunion they tried to hedge their bets and come for Sandoval again after an entire season of subtly supporting him. They realized the audience turned on them and they were working hard to regain our goodwill, but their effort fell resoundingly flat, especially because it lasted for approximately 5 minutes of the 3-hour reunion.
Lala tried to turn Ariana and Katie against each other. It didn’t work. Good for them. The issue was petty, something about Something About Her, which does, in fact, exist after last week. Katie and Ariana clearly got through it.
Ally makes $195 dollars an hour for her astrology services. I am in the wrong business. We all are in the wrong business. This really has nothing to do with anything, but it was one of the only things that truly actually surprised me at this reunion.
Tom Schwartz waffled so much about his relationship with Jo. He stuttered, obfuscated, and was clearly trying desperately to cover his own ass. This wasn’t all that shocking of a moment, but worth mentioning, if only for the fact that he somehow got me to feel really bad for Jo, despite her other questionable behavior.
Schwartz and Katie had the most touching moment of the reunion. Schwartz said he loved the time they spent together and doesn’t look at their relationship as a failure, and they both teared up. As did I. These two are doing a great job at being divorced, now that the dust has settled.
James and Sandoval got into it about Hippie, the most controversial dog in the Bravo universe. One thing about this cast that I truly love is they will go to war for their pets. I can relate.
James, once again, proved he remains the reigning king of reunions with his expressive face and concise analysis. For example, when he told Sandoval to “eat a dick” without a second thought.
Andy played the last few minutes of the finale for the entire cast to watch for the first time together. The real-time reactions of the cast were fascinating. Scheana looked like a kicked puppy. Ariana was stoic but clearly so hurt. Sandoval looked smug, like a true asshole. Then they played the montage and everyone got teary-eyed, and I joined them all over again.
The final portion of the reunion was the showdown between Ariana and Sandoval that the cast so desperately wanted. LVP finally backed Ariana up, for the first time all season, which was refreshing. But beyond that, it was heart-breaking. Ariana cried that she just wanted Sandoval away from her. Ariana made the very valid point that she walked away from him at the finale because that’s what she would do in real life, and she was being authentic. And that’s really what reality TV is all about.
Vanderpump Rules has been an essential piece of the Bravo world, and I hope it finds a way to continue on, although it’s clear that changes are coming. The end of this reunion was hard to watch, and I think the cast and the fans alike all just want this mess behind us all. May I suggest firing Sandoval? Katie summed up everyone’s feelings about Sandoval best when she said, “I don’t care. Choke.”
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