As a bonus, Bravo gave us ‘Fashion Queens’ Derek J and Miss Lawrence to give us a countdown to the season premiere (click HERE if you missed that), and we’ve been on pins and needles waiting for the season to begin.
The episode, entitled ‘Bye Bye and Bon Voyage’ focuses primarily on Phaedra and Apollo’s issues, but also manages to give us an update on all the ladies lives so far.
Bravo synopsis
Phaedra and Apollo experience an emotionally draining day as he prepares to face his day in court and receive his sentence from the judge. After returning from a whirlwind vacation, Kenya attempts to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of her dispute with Porsha.
NeNe takes a break from Atlanta and heads to Vegas where she is busy rehearsing for “Zumanity,” Cirque du Soleil’s sexy, risqu? show.
Still glowing from wedding bliss, Kandi begins to wonder if Todd’s laid back parenting style will cause a rift as they prepare for his daughter, Kaela, to come live with them.
Now free of NeNe, Cynthia resolves to take both her business and personal life to the next level.
Nene Leakes Heads to Vegas…
As the premiere episode starts, Nene Leakes heads to Vegas to add ‘Zumanity’ to her resume.
Nene in her leopard confessional proudly announces the start of her new venture and explains how hard it is to deal with ‘orgy’ performance that she’s a part of.
[READ: Nene Leakes Shows Up & Shows Out For ‘Zumanity’… (PHOTOS)]
“I’m just not that girl!” Nene shouts as she talks about her new gig. But while she’s a bit squeamish about the nature of the performance, Leakes assures fans of her professionalism, stating:
I’m a performer. I act, I sing, I dance. I run businesses. I’m a mogul…I’m everything!
Everything includes still being a ‘housewife’ on RHOA… despite what you may have heard elsewhere. But I digress.
Kandi, Todd & Married Life…
Next, the episode dives into Kandi’s newlywed life with Todd. The pair have settled comfortably into married life and are expanding their family unit by adding Todd’s teen daughter, Kaela, into the mix.
Kaela’s upcoming arrival prompts the couple to discuss their parenting differences. It seems Kandi has always given Riley everything and is prepared to do the same for her new step-daughter, however Todd feels differently about the situation.
Todd wants his 18-year-old to learn the value of a dollar and feels that she should earn her keep, and when Kandi asks if Todd will give Kaela his Range Rover, he states, she should start with a lil Honda Accord or something similar.
On the flip side, Riley’s room is like an apartment, with 60 inch flat screen tvs and Kandi admits, “I may give Riley extra. But what’s wrong with your children being happy?”
The pair agree to have a family meeting on the matter and hopefully they can meet somewhere in the middle.
Kenya & Porsha discuss the reunion show fight w/Cynthia & Kandi…
Cynthia heads over to Kenya’s house with a bottle of wine and the two discuss what happened during the reunion show.
Kenya sits in the scene with her red irritated eyes and pretends to be ‘victimized’ by Porsha, stating she was ?HUMILIATED by the fight.
[Sidebar: It was Kenya who ‘came for’ Porsha, so I’m not buying her ‘poor me’ act AT ALL.]
Cynthia admits a bit of what we’ve all been thinking, stating:
“If that happened to Kandi, I think everyone would’ve ran to Kandi…if it happened to Nene, people would’ve ran towards Nene,” she says. “Anybody but you.”
Interpretation: “No one likes you Kenya and I’m only here because I fell out with Nene.”
Cynthia interrupts Kenya’s fake whining to reveal that she’s finally broken her ‘Friendship contract’ with Nene. ?Cynthia says she’s a new person and that she’s now living for no one but Cynthia.
On the other side of town, Kandi meets Porsha at her swimsuit photoshoot and Porsha reveals that Kenya put a warrant on her and she turned herself in.
[READ: The REAL Reason Why Porsha Lost Her Peach… Andy Explains (VIDEO)]
Porsha seems to be in a good head space, but reveals that if Kenya is looking for an apology, she’s not going to get one. (Good for you Porsha).
Cynthia receives business proposal from Peter…
Peter and Cynthia do lunch and he offers a proposal to his wife Cynthia.
Cynthia explains in her confessional about Peter’s Bar One ‘foreclosure’ situation and reveals that she’s supportive of her husband’s interest, so she hears him out.
Apparently Peter wants his wife of 3 years to be a ‘silent partner’ in his new business venture and while Cynthia gives him the side-eye, she’s willing to do her part.
If I do invest and become a silent partner, best believe I won’t be so silent!
While the couple has had their fair share of financial issues play out on the show, Cynthia has always stood by her man and proved she’s a supportive wife.
[READ: EXCLUSIVE! Peter Thomas Speaks on Bar One Foreclosure + Address Apollo’s Situation… (VIDEO)]
Let’s just hope she’s making the right decision.
Apollo feels ‘Abandoned’ wants to divorce Phaedra…
Apollo reveals in his own confessional that Phaedra left him high and dry during his sentencing hearing.
Apollo plead guilty and was sentenced to eight years in prison but he has to deal with it without his wife by his side.
Over lunch with his mom and brother, Apollo reflects on how his actions will affect his family, stating: “My addiction to fast life, fast money could potentially cause me to not be there for my kids.”
On the other hand, Phaedra has decided to stay away from the house and has her two sons in a hotel room to avoid the ‘paparazzi’ camped out in front of her home.
“Not one phone call from Phaedra to say are you ok, how are you doing… nothing” – Apollo
Phaedra returns home days after Apollo’s sentencing, and he lashes out at her for deserting him in his time of need.
[READ: EXCLUSIVE! One on One w/Apollo Nida (Part 1)(Part 2)]
Apollo and Phaedra argue in front of Phaedra’s mom and their youngest son (Dylan) and Apollo expresses how hurt he was that she wasn’t there for him.
Phaedra blames Apollo for his own actions and says she’s doing whats best for the kids, however Apollo doesn’t see it that way and even blames her for his predicament.
Some of the decisions I made were based on how you act. Every time you get paid, you run off with the check.
That paycheck that you’ve earned? I’ve helped you earn that paycheck!
It’s then that Phaedra shows a teensy bit of emotion, as she says that Apollo has managed to put her through ‘public shame’ and smeared her her good name… the name she had BEFORE she married him. Apollo then says he doesn’t want to do it any more and says he’s going to ‘talk to divorce counsel’ and look into getting a divorce.
VIDEO: RHOA Season 7, Episode 1 (FULL)