The Real Housewives of Orange County

10 Best Episodes of The Real Housewives of Orange County

Bravo brings you into the lives of five women and their families who live in one of the wealthiest communities in the country. They take the viewer "inside the gates" to show their lives aren't always perfect.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 10, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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The Real Housewives of Orange County - S5E13

#15 - Let's Bow Our Heads and Pray (Season 5 - Episode 13)

The ladies are finishing their lunch in San Francisco. What started out as a fight between Alexis Bellino and Vicki Gunvalson ends up with everyone taking the opportunity to tell Vicki just what they think of her. Back in Orange County, Lynne’s daughter, Raquel, tells her friends about the family’s eviction. Tamra Barney and Vicki try to figure out where their friendship stands. Alexis and her husband, Jim, invite their pastor and his wife to breakfast. They talk about the role of modern day Christians and how Alexis feels judged for her beauty and looks. Gretchen and her boyfriend, Slade Smiley, are off to Palm Springs for a weekend getaway with her parents. It’s Tamra’s 42nd birthday and her husband, Simon, takes her out for a romantic dinner.

The episode was rated 7.94 from 18 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S7E18

#14 - Will He or Wont He (Season 7 - Episode 18)

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Alexis reports on-location for the news; Gretchen discovers Slade's plan to propose leading to a confrontation; Eddie surprises Tamra with a surprise romantic getaway.

The episode was rated 7.95 from 21 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S8E15

#13 - Hold Your Tongue (Season 8 - Episode 15)

Lauri's accusations cause a fight; Gretchen questions her friendship with Tamra; Heather guest stars on a new sitcom.

The episode was rated 7.96 from 24 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S9E21

#12 - Secrets Revealed (Season 9 - Episode 21)

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Previously unseen footage from Season 9 is presented. Included: a playful painting party; a duck dinner in Bali; a therapy session; and reunion dramas.

The episode was rated 8.00 from 21 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S8E16

#11 - Crossroads (Season 8 - Episode 16)

Alexis comes face-to-face with Gretchen; Heather and Terry receive a surprising offer; Vicki struggles to keep things professional with Brooks; Gretchen plans a surprise marriage proposal for Slade.

The episode was rated 8.00 from 30 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S3E11

#10 - Here Comes The Bride (Season 3 - Episode 11)

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Season 3's finale brought new beginnings and some endings to the OC, the biggest of which being the celebration of Lauri and George's wedding. Lauri continued to work things out with her son, Josh, with the help of a mediator, and Josh made it to his mom's special day. Viewers finally met "Roxie," Quinn's alter ego, but it wasn't enough to save Quinn's relationship with Billy, which ended. And finally, Jo returned to make an appearance at one of Jeana's many outdoor get-togethers, updating the ladies on the status of her musical career.

The episode was rated 8.00 from 15 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S8E14

#9 - The Cold War (Season 8 - Episode 14)

Lydia anticipates taking all the wives on a Canadian ski vacation, but it's a slippery slope when Heather and Gretchen fume over a sitcom role. Elsewhere, gabby gossip about Vicki stirs up drama.

The episode was rated 8.04 from 26 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S7E14

#8 - Happily Never After (Season 7 - Episode 14)

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Slade's engagement ring shopping plans; Alexis throws a birthday party for her twins; Tamra gets a tattoo removed; Vicki and Briana fight.

The episode was rated 8.04 from 23 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S7E4

#7 - Who's Laughing Now (Season 7 - Episode 4)

Tamra tries to convince Vicki that her friendship with Gretchen won't overshadow their bond, while on the other side of town, Alexis and Heather meet for a doomed lunch to try and work out their differences. Vicki and her daughter Briana have a heart-to-heart about Vicki's new boyfriend, and Briana informs her mother of an upcoming surgery she must undergo. Meanwhile, Slade is trying out a new career -- comedy -- and against Gretchen's wishes, his routine at the Improv is laden with Housewife-insulting jokes. How will Gretchen react when Slade ridicules her friends in public?

The episode was rated 8.05 from 22 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S7E20

#6 - Are You In or Out? (Season 7 - Episode 20)

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Drama continues at Heather's party; Sarah acts strangely; Tamra and Gretchen commemorate their new friendship with a gift; Jim confronts Terry about calling Alexis phony; Vicki and Tamra fight.

The episode was rated 8.05 from 20 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S7E7

#5 - Under the Knife (Season 7 - Episode 7)

A nervous Alexis undergoes sinus surgery, where her plastic surgeon additionally removes a bump from her nose. Meanwhile, Vicki is distraught as Briana's thyroid surgery went worse than expected. Tamra visits her doctor and decides to have her breast implants removed. Then, Heather plans a glamorous trip to L.A. to get some advice on opening a restaurant, but who needs freeways when you can take a helicopter? Gretchen watches a rehearsal of the Pussycat Dolls in preparation for her Las Vegas debut, but will she realize that she's in over her head?

The episode was rated 8.09 from 23 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S6E12

#4 - Fashion Victim (Season 6 - Episode 12)

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Peggy orchestrates a surprise trip to Las Vegas with her husband. Also there to spin giddy in Sin City: Tamra and Eddie. Meanwhile, Gretchen corners Slade about the debt-related problems of their relationship. And a fashion show is held, but a medical emergency causes a no-show and mounting drama.

The episode was rated 8.14 from 22 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S5E15

#3 - Is This All There Is? (Season 5 - Episode 15)

Season 5 finale. The housewives prepare to attend the season finale party. Vicki, still hurt by the San Francisco trip, vows to stay clear of drama. Gretchen and Slade color-coordinate outfits, looking (according to Vicki) as the plastic toppers of a wedding cake. Lynn's daughters arrive at the party obviously under the influence, and Lynn excuses herself for knowing stating that the limo was big and she didn't know what her daughter's were up to. Tamra and Simon have a heated argument in the limo on the way to the party, with Tamra stating that she wants a divorce. The show ends with a recap of each housewife as is the tradition, and the last summary is that Tamra and Simon are divorcing.

The episode was rated 8.20 from 20 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S8E18

#2 - Cold Shoulders (Season 8 - Episode 18)

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Gretchen and Heather argue; when her husband faces the ladies, Alexis is brought to tears; Briana's husband verbally attacks a party guest; Tamra and Gretchen accuse each other of lies; Vicki and Lydia ambush Slade.

The episode was rated 8.27 from 26 votes.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - S7E9

#1 - Bowling for Champs (Season 7 - Episode 9)

Eddie stands by Tamra through her surgery; Jim wants Alexis to be a stay-at-home mom again; Heather invites the girls to a bowling party.

The episode was rated 8.30 from 20 votes.

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