"The Real Housewives of Orange County": Love and Marriage

What a difference a week makes. Tonight's episode of the "Real Housewives of Orange County" was a definite departure from last week's snooze fest. The theme of tonight's show focused on the various relationships of the ladies and their men. It looks like the divergent views on this topic will set the stage for some fireworks next week.

First up to bat is Miss Vicki, who decides to shower her man with some bling in celebration of their 15^th wedding anniversary. The jeweler has some fun with her, asking what the inscription should be for the wedding band Miss Vicki has chosen. She wonders if Donn has any nicknames for Miss Vicki and whether he ever called her anything but "bitch." Admit it - you chuckled a little.

I am officially calling out new Housewife Alexis as shallow with a capital "S." First, she takes her three-year old daughters for their first mani/pedi. Not to poo-poo pampering, because every girl should indulge on occasion, but did she honestly think three-year olds would sit patiently for a nail painting session? It's hard for grown women! Subsequent scenes show Alexis getting pumped full of Botox and rhapsodizing about how much maintenance she goes through on a daily basis and how wonderful it is her husband won't have to grow old with a frumpy wife. Which might mean something if he looked like George Clooney. Which he doesn't.

Lynne and her daughter, Raquel do some mother-daughter bonding, OC-style by having plastic surgery together. Lynne sounds loopy before surgery, but that's not really different than any other day in Lynne-land. Lynne's youngest daughter, Alexa comments that her father is always complaining about finances and spending money on unnecessary things. This could be foreshadowing for the family's upcoming foreclosure woes, which we'll supposedly see on-camera later in the season. Stay tuned.

Miss Vicki calls Tamra to propose a girls trip to Florida, including Gretchen, which Tamra says is fine. Tamra comments Simon won't like her travelling to Florida for a girlfriend getaway, which doesn't fly with Miss Vicki, who thinks Simon is controlling. Tamra admits later Simon does like to watch over her and that sometimes, it's a little hard to take. She even compares him to a boss. Yikes.

Later, Tamra and Simon discuss her return to selling real estate, which Simon isn't digging because it will take her away from the kids. The conversation turns to Simon urging Tamra to practice tough love with her son, Ryan. He assesses that Ryan is the way he is because he doesn't believe there are consequences for his actions. Once again, Tamra is in tears over the ongoing conflict between Simon and Ryan and Ryan's seeming stroll down the path of destruction.

The Real Househusbands of Orange County (minus Franks and Sleazy Slade) get together for golf and gossip. Jim wants the scoop on the upcoming trip to Florida they're all taking with the women. Uh oh. Donn sets Jim straight that the men weren't invited, which rubs both Simon and Jim the wrong way. Simon goes so far as to call Donn and Miss Vicki as not normal and Donn says he couldn't have a relationship like what Simon and Jim have with their wives. Jim oh-so-graciously says he has no problem with "Donn allowing Vicki to go." Jim, I'm sure Donn is grateful for your permission. If history tells us anything, Jim and Simon coming on this trip will NOT sit well at all with Miss Vicki.

Alexis and Gretchen get together for drinks so that Alexis can get the lowdown on this Floridian odyssey. Alexis freaks Gretchen out by calling Jim "godly" and declares if he doesn't go on this trip, then by God, she just won't go. Gretchen can't understand why Jim and Alexis have to be joined at the hip and call the Creepy Couple hypocrites due to their claim that they don't want to invite temptation into their relationship, yet Alexis flounces around in skin-tight and low-cut attire on a regular basis. Good call, Gretchen.

Finally, Gretchen has another go-round with Tamra. Tamra remains determined to get Gretchen to admit she had a boyfriend during the time Gretchen's fiancé was in the hospital. Tamra points to some compromising photos sent to her by said boyfriend that show Gretchen in some pretty compromising positions with this guy. Gretchen continues to claim she never had a relationship with him and Tamra finally gives up on wrangling a confession out of her. Tamra says she can move past everything if Gretchen will take town her blog, which apparently slams Tamra six ways to Sunday. Gretchen says she'll have to think about it, which sounds like no. In the end, Tamra decides it's better to keep her enemy close. Who's ready for Round 6?

Next week, the girls hit Florida, Sleazy Slade crashes the party and Vicki wants to know where Tamra stands.