Real Housewives of OC--Bling bling--Season Finale

Last night was the finale episode for the season of Real Housewives of Orange County and I, for one, am glad to put it in the past...well, as soon as I see the Reunion Show next Tuesday.

So Jeana's mystery man date, Allen, was finally revealed. I don't know why the show bothered blurring his face last week. He seems like a fine Texas gentleman. I did a double take, though, when Jeana mentioned that her friends have been giving HER grief because Allen doesn't look like anyone else she's ever dated. I found *him* quite attractive and age appropriate and the REALITY is that Jeana was a Playboy Playmate decades ago. Maybe back then she was dating the likes of Tom Selleck, but even today, Tom Selleck likely looks more like Allen than he did in his heyday of 1979. Jeana sure doesn't look the same.

I thought the date was thoughtful--from the roses and limo to the balcony table at the St Regis, Allen definitely put some effort into this first date Jeana's had in quite some time. She's lucky--men today don't usually bother and men of Allen's age were probably married long enough to rely on a wife to make dinner arrangements. Jeana really lucked out (but to hear her conversation over dinner, you surely wouldn't know it). As she admitted later, she was probably testing Allen. That's not such a great strategy.

It was a mistake for her to mention Matt on her date. Same with mentioning that she is a "demanding person" and "spoiled" (red flags). On a first date, it doesn't much matter if the guy is "geographically undesirable". Maybe if Jeana could improve her attitude, she'd improve her social life? Jeana's voiceovers were so complimentary of Allen, yet all she said aloud TO him was whiny and unappealing.

There had been internet rumors for months about Brianna joining the Army and tonight, some of the confusion was sorted out. I had learned that Colby and she were no longer dating and of course, that's sad. Vicki's recollection that Brianna and Colby "never fought," wasn't exactly true, based on what we saw of Vicki on the phone with Brianna from Las Vegas, but who listens to Vicki anyway?

The wide-eyed intense stare Vicki met Brianna's announcement with was beyond scary. Brianna called Vicki out on her being judgmental and she was 100% right. You could see the anger bubbling to the surface, with Vicki's face shaking, because she can no longer CONTROL Brianna. I am sure many moms would worry if her child was electing to join the military during war time, but it goes deeper for Vicki. She can't accept that Brianna can (and should) be living her OWN adult life. Vicki's rules are strangling Brianna--who is attractive, very smart, and capable of deciding about premarital sex and occupations. Go Brianna!

Over at Lynne's, Raquel is still the deadbeat trouble child with no career and no goals. The one thing I definitely noticed tonight is that Raquel seems to have gotten her eyebrows groomed. Okay--that is superficial, but it dramatically changes her look--for the better.

Lynne's heart is in the right place. By motivating Raquel to go to vocational school, she is at least providing more than a place for Raquel's underaged drinking escapades.

I really liked the location for the "End of the Year" party...The Cliffs at Laguna Beach. It was kind of odd that Gretchen's parents and Tamra's mom were there, as well as Ryan and also Raquel's boyfriend.

Jeana brought her date, Allen, but the big buzz amongst the housewives was Jeana's cleavage and whether or not she was headed for an unfortunate "wardrobe malfunction." I couldn't believe my eyes--seeing Slade and Jo!

The bit with Simon pulling Tamra aside to gift her with a $35,000 diamond tennis bracelet? Who does that ? Her birthday was several days before the party, but I guess it won't be on air if you gave it to her on the actual day? And considering Tamra linked the jewelry store's web site on her blog, I'd say it's a safe bet that an unemployed Simon didn't drop 35k on ANY bracelet.

Tammy Knickerbocker was back and I felt for her boyfriend, Michael, who was accosted by a demanding Vicki--needing hugs--perhaps in an attempt to fill her depleted love tank?

I was blown away by Vicki and her silly Rolex watch. I laughed when she mentioned that she'd "rather be CLASSIER and fly under the radar " and not make Donn feel bad for not having purchased the watch for her. Can Vicki EVER just fly under the radar? Nah, I didn't think so.

Surprise, surprise--Laurie is back. I know she left, on account of Josh being in jail, but she's been on several episodes since she, ahem, left. She's still spinning the yarn about having 7 kids and being overwhelmed, but I'm still not buying it.

It seemed a little odd when Gretchen gathered everyone up to give out gifts. It was a thoughtful gesture, but I just don't see this group "slumming" it with the Coach label. Immediately, Vicki had a snide remark about how nobody gives gifts at these parties and Tamra wondered if it was genuine or an attempt to kiss ass. SERIOUSLY, Tamra needs to get over herself!

Jeff's note to Gretchen was really sweet and it proved, to me, that they did have some kind of romantic relationship. The Harley was over the top, but it was his money to spend so who am I to question? The reaction of the Housewives was pretty surprising....Lynne and Jeana were gracious and supportive, Vicki refused to even acknowledge it, and Tamra's bitter jealousy couldn't be sustained.

Even as Vicki was bitching about how Gretchen demands attention, she was showing off her Rolex to anyone who would look and same with Tamra and her new bracelet. Those two are so jealous that it's insane. Ever so full of herself, Tamra accuses Gretchen of only wanting a pink motorcycle because she wanted one first...and goes so far as to question, "Are you stalking me?" Good grief! Tamra even tells Laurie that SHE had wanted that motorcycle...well, sweetie, why didn't you just buy it last year? Is it because you never sold any Real Estate and your husband has no job?

Then, FINALLY, the accusation I'd been waiting to hear all season--Tamra says that she has trouble trusting Gretchen and she thinks Gretchen's relationship with Jeff is one of "convenience." (Kind of like when Tamra sent her firstborn to live with her Mom and Dad so she could marry Simon--ya know, pawning off a kid, for CONVENIENCE.) She outright says, "WE don't believe Gretchen is dating this guy. WE believe he's paying Gretchen to take care of him."

First off, who is *we* in this situation and who in the hell cares??

I don't know who it was (a male) who was discussing riding motorcycles with Vicki and she dismissed the silliness of riding a motorcycle at "their" age. When the man clarified that Gretchen is 20 years younger than Vicki, she objected (twice) and said Gretchen is *TEN* years younger. NO! Vicki is 47 and Gretchen is 30. Do the math....and yes, Tamra is 41 so maybe Vickster can try that argument with her, but Gretch is far younger than those old broads.

Kimberly from Season One returned, but I didn't watch the show back then. She's been in a few episodes this year as she's living in Chicago, but she bores me.

Tamra continued spreading the sunshine by blurting out that Slade looked like a HOMO by wearing flip flops and then she told Jo, to her face, that her hairstyle made her look like she is 12 years old. Nice. I don't care for Jo or Slade, but who is TAMRA to insult people?


The finale wrapped up with current updates:

For Laurie, Josh is out of jail and has been sober for 8 months. Laurie and George still haven't taken their honeymoon and Ashley's skincare line "A2Z" is set to launch later this year and she's attending broadcasting school.

Lynne got strict and took away Raquel's BMW for three weeks, but Raquel got a job in a boutique as an assistant manager and got the car back. Alexis, at 16, is now bugging her folks for a Range Rover.

Brianna has put off enlisting in the Army. Vicki received a SECOND Rolex from her peers in the insurance industry. Michael graduated college in December.

Tamra no longer wants a pink motorcycle and somehow, Simon's tequila business is doing well, DESPITE the economic downturn. Ryan was hurt at work so now he is taking online classes.

Jeana's dating Allen evolved into just a friendship. Kara is still at Berkeley, but wanting to transfer to UCLA to be with her boyfriend. Shane still has hopes of joining the major league for baseball, although his batting average was .244.

About a week after the filming of the Year End Party, with the motorcycle, Jeff died. Jeana dismisses "the other housewives" and their theory about Gretchen's relationship, but Jeana believes it was a "real" relationship.

For the latest backstabbing, read the blogs on Bravo's web site--especially Vicki's. She outright accuses Gretchen of having another man move into her home shortly after Jeff's death. http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/season-4/blogs Tamra alludes to Vicki's accusation and Jeana's blog is much more kind.

I have seen, on the OC Register site, Jay Photoglou (the apparent OTHER boyfriend that Vicki is referencing) has been airing his dirty laundry for all of cyberspace to see. He claims Gretchen broke up with him last week and ever since, he has taken to web sites and Myspace with a vengeance.

Next week's reunion will be aired at 9PM, Eastern, just before the newest Real Housewives of NYC. Tamra seems to want to take all her accusations and allegations to the public stage with poor Andy Cohen. This should be good!!