Making of the Mob: Recap "King of New York," Ep 103

Lucky Luciano becomes "King" of New York's Mob,

organizing the Five Families.

Now that Lucky has killed both Joe Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano, Lucky becomes the King of New York's mob. It's September 11, 1931, Luciano and his crew (Meyer Lansky, Frank Costello, Bugsy Seigel, and Vito Genovese) send an army of hit men to kill all the old leaders which ended with the murder of 40 men across the country in just two days. They were ruthless killers. This was the biggest purge the mafia has ever seen. He spares a few who he feels are valuable. 

The murders are planned

Lucky calls a meeting with Maranzano's underboss, Joe Bonanno, and offers him the opportunity to head his own crime family. With Bonanno on board, Luciano has eliminated his competition. Luciano decides to prevent future mob wars, they need to be organized and have rules. In Sicily there were 100 crime families and each family has a boss who reports to the boss of bosses, "il capo di tutti capi." They have rules and are organized, it's a system that has worked for 100 years and is known as La Cosa Nostra. Luciano bases the structure of his organization on the Sicilian model. He keeps mafia membership limited to Italians. Lansky will remain Luciano's most trusted adviser. 

Luciano calls for a big meeting in Chicago of all the major bosses in New York and around the country. Until this time, there was no real mafia in America, just individual gangs operating the way they see fit. Luciano tells them he wants to end all the bloodshed and cycles of revenge and organize the American mob the same way the Sicilian mob was run. They may be criminals, but they aren't savages. We have to run our business like a business. He says they will have capos, crews, underbosses, and counselors. He says there will be no more boss of bosses, the days of the "capi di tutti capi" are over. Instead they will have a Board of Directors, a commission run by the heads of the five New York families, who will have final say in all matters including life and death. The members of the Commission are Giuseppe Profaci, Vincent Mangano, Tommy Gagliano, Joseph Bonanno, and Lucky Luciano. "To peace and profit." He creates the modern mafia.

The Commission divides territories and orders hits. It will be like an underworld court. They need to solve their own disputes peacefully to keep law enforcement out of it. They need and enforcement army to carry out any hits from unresolved disputes. Luciano turns to Meyer Lansky to recruit people from the Jewish mafia as hit men. These hit men recruits included: Benjamin "Bugsy" Seigel, Albert Anastasia, Abe "Kid Twist" Reles, and Louis Lepke, dubbed Murder, Inc. by the press. They are told to be like ghosts, nothing is left behind. Law enforcement would not expect Jewish guys to be hit men. They all have their own signature styles of murder. They transformed the art of killing into a science. They prepare for weeks planning their hits and were responsible for 100's of unsolved murders. They averaged one murder every three days. 

Although Luciano has organized the mafia he is unaware that the mob is about to face it's biggest threat from within. Dutch Schultz, a Jewish gangster becomes one of Luciano's biggest earners and not part of the five families. Schultz's numbers racket alone brings in 20 million a year. At this same time, Thomas Dewey, an assistant U. S. Attorney who becomes governor and later runs for president, becomes the mob's number one enemy. Dewey's inability to arrest Schultz causes Hoover to declare him "public enemy number 1." This all stemmed from the mob tampering with elections and, in doing so, Schultz caught the eye of Thomas Dewey. In New York City people were voting multiple times. Dewey went after Lucky Luciano to make a name for himself. He can't get to Luciano so he goes after Luciano's associates, and Schultz in particular. Schultz is their way into organized crime. Dewey declares war on the mob. Dewey has to find a way to prosecute Schultz. 

Years ago, Al Capone was arrested and convicted of tax evasion by Eliot Ness. He was sentenced to life in prison. Tom Dewey found his answer in that criminal case. He goes after Schultz on tax evasion. It takes months because Schultz stays one step ahead of Dewey. It becomes a national embarrassment. It ends up on Hoover's desk. Up until now, Hoover never took on the New York mob. The theory is the mob had pictures of him in dresses and threatened to reveal him as homosexual. But now Hoover decides it's time to go after the mob. Lucky becomes concerned by all the FBI's attention. It's not good for business.

Luciano tells Schultz to turn himself in, in order to take some of the heat off the mob. Luciano says he will get him the best lawyers. Schultz agrees in return for a guarantee from Luciano that he'll do everything possible to help him beat the rap. Luciano hires lawyers who successfully get Schultz's trial  moved 400 miles north to the small town of Malone, New York. There Schultz uses his money and charm to influence the outcome of the trial. He spreads money all over town and throws parties for officials. He actually convert to Catholicism to gain favor. The trial ends and the jury is unable to reach a verdict. Schultz gets off. Dewey is not happy that two years of work was wasted. But, just six weeks later, Dewey pins Schultz as the leader of New York's largest illegal gambling ring and he issues another warrant for his arrest. Schultz goes into hiding. Schultz feels the only way out is to kill Thomas Dewey.

Schultz asks the Commission to order a hit on Dewey, but the idea is shut down by Luciano. They realize Schultz is bad for business, it would bring all of law enforcement down on them. Schultz goes behind the Commission's back and tries to hire Albert Anastasia of Murder, Inc. to murder Dewey for him. He tells Schultz everyone is watching him and it will cost him double. However, Anastasia tips off Luciano, and a hit is ordered by the Commission, but not on Dewey, on Schultz. 

Now that Schultz is dead, Luciano has eliminated the mafia's biggest internal threat, but he has also made himself number one target on Thomas Dewey's most wanted list.

Note: All episodes can be watched on demand on AMC.

Mob Wives: Recap “Storm-A-Brewin,” Ep 503

Let the drama begin!

Hello! Season 5 is off the chain! I have to watch each episode twice just to catch half of what happens. We start off where we ended last week, outside the Drunken Monkey, with Gnat getting in Karen’s face.

Police car sirens seem to be speeding to the Drunken Monkey. Karen and Gnat are still at it and security is all over the place. I have no doubt the security was requested by GNATalie because Karen doesn‘t need any protection. Gnat says she will call the cops. What else is new? Gnat repeatedly calls Karen an informant to provoke a fight. Why? Maybe she is trying to get Karen arrested and then she can brag about it on Twitter! Drita says no family talk to get Gnat to stop, but Gnat won‘t put a cork in it. Karen is totally fed up, saying this “lowlife Gnat talks about her family? Now she made this into a thing she don’t want” and Karen is going to take care of her. The fight is broken up and Gnat makes a fast retreat with London. Ang is disgusted she can’t have a party at her bar without the girls acting crazy. Drita aka flip-flopper, hates to hear anyone talking about anyone’s family, or so she says. "I can't listen to anyone talking about anyone's family. It's finished. It's done!" Ang and Karen both already told Drita that Gnat was calling Karen and her father a rat and yet Drita is STILL hanging with her at the party where she heard Gnat continue to talk about Karen‘s family. Drita your true colors are showing! Karen says the fight is over for now. Karen says Gnat is lucky she got away for now, but it’s just for now. She will be coming for her!

Drita is on phone with Lee. She is stressed out over the party and her stores. Lee is helping her with the kids. Drita feels he is making up for all the time he was away. Drita says it’s harder on the outside than the inside with work and bills. Drita seems very happy, but she says work keeps getting in the way of their time together. This is the first decent conversation I have heard between Drita and Lee where there is no cursing and he isn‘t being verbally abusive.

Gnat is on the phone with London. She went home to Philly after the party. She is concerned about their relationship. London goes to see her. She steps out to talk to him. Gnat still feels London was siding with Karen and Storm. London says she has a problem with other people. Gnat doesn’t like the way he handled the situation after Storm “jerked her off” in front of everyone, and she doesn’t want him being the peacemaker. He says she takes everything so personally. They don’t seem to be making any progress. She wants to be treated like his woman. She says her issue is with him, not them. She wants him to have her back and he can’t give her that. He says he is trying and came there to fix it. Poor London.

Karen tells Renee about the party and GNAT!

Renee and Karen talk about the Drunken Monkey party. Renee says all she is thinking is “I hope you put this b*tch in a bag and sent her to the sanitation department.”  Karen says the cops were called. Karen tells her she walked outside, everyone was there, and Gnat comes up to her and says let me ask you something: “Why is your man jerking me off?” Karen says London came over and was telling them he didn’t agree with how Gnat handle things. Karen says it confirmed to her that Gnat” is a cop caller. Karen says Gnat was provoking her when she went outside she so could call the cops. Renee says Drita and Ang make a huge mistake letting Gnat into their circle.

"[Gnat's] a no good filthy blow job"

Renee plans to call Ang because they know each other too long to let an outsider, a no good filthy blow job,” come between them. Renee says if Ang brings up Gnat’s name in the future their friendship will be completely over. If everyone can see what the hell Gnat is all about, why can’t Ang and Drita? Does a house have to fall on them? Is this nobody from Philly worth it? I can’t wait to hear what the new Natalie D has to say about her!

"Diffuse it."

Ang is going to the house of the “boss of bosses” for advice about all the girl drama, which is out of control. Victoria Gotti makes a grand entrance. She sure knows how to walk into a room! They sit down to chat. They reminisce about John Gotti and the past. The Gotti family is legendary in the lifestyle, says Ang. Victoria says there are no ethics or morals any more, those gentlemen are long gone. I am guessing she is referring to mob lifestyle ethics? Ang explains all the drama in her circle of girls and the backstabbing that is driving her crazy. Victoria says there is always one personality that stirs things up. Ang immediately blurts out GNATalie. Victoria advises her to diffuse the situation. Ang adds her long time friend, Renee, has been talking about her family. Victoria says family is off limits. When someone gets to that level they need to be reined in. Woman should build each other up. Victoria says in her circle, people act the way she allows them to act. She says set boundaries. She makes it clear, this is the line we’re not crossing. She says call out the person and tell them when they crossed the line. Keep the families out of the drama. Sometimes that is all it takes to set someone straight. Let them know if they can’t do that they better watch their backs. I have to say I enjoyed the scene with Victoria Gotti, it’s like she fits right in and makes sense.

Just taking in all Gnat's stupidity.

Oh no, not Gnat again. This time she is meeting Drita and Ang. Ang wants to talk to Gnat and set her straight because all the sh*t she is pulling is not ok. First, Gnat complains about London and they stick up for him. He is a good guy, he doesn‘t want to fight. Gnat is still not satisfied. What the hell is really wrong with this cosmetician? Did all those funeral embalming fumes really go to her head? She just doesn’t get a damn thing! Then Ang wants to talk to her about what she said to Karen at the Drunken Monkey. Both Ang and Drita tell her she said the wrong thing to Karen and it was below the belt. Drita says Gnat throws verbal grenades. Ang says Gnat said vicious things and it will get her in trouble one day. And what does Gnat get out of all that? Gnat says no one is going to change who she is or what she says. Perfect. I am convinced her brain is fried.

Big Ang gives up trying to talk sense to the Gnat.

Renee goes to visit Karen in her new home. Karen says she has her daughter here in New York now, no more back and forth from Arizona. Karen says she is very stressed with everything that is going on and she doesn’t even have furniture. She tells Renee she is upset. She went to Storm’s house to stay because she had an early appointment and then overslept. He came home at 7 am and she jumps up out of her sleep realizing her alarm never went off.  She gets a weird vibe from Storm so she gets up and finds a b*tch in her living room. He claims she wasn’t with him she was with his friend and she just wanted to use the bathroom. Karen says the b*tch starts running away and Karen hits Storm. She moved her daughter here and thought she was in a solid relationship and now this happens.

Best  Friends 

Karen starts crying. Renee comforts her. Now Karen doesn’t know what was going on while she was in Arizona. She says she thought their relationship was built on trust. They have to talk once she calms down and thinks about it. She feels violated. I have lived a long time and know a lot of women and no one has ever told me about their man bringing a woman into their home, any time of the day of night, to use the bathroom. I suppose it could be true, but I do not blame Karen for having some very serious doubts.

Ang says her son, AJ wasn’t there for the birth of his baby, Angelina. He violated his parole and was sent to Rikers Island. Ang drops in on Drita. Drita asks about AJ. Ang tells her he is in Rikers, it’s disgusting. The lawyer is trying to get him in a rehab program. He wasn’t clean when he was tested and they cuffed him and took him away. Drita thinks maybe this is a wake up call for him. Maybe it’s what he needed and maybe it even saved him from something worse. Drita says Lee is such a different person now that he served his time. Then Ang tells her that Renee called out of the blue and wants to meet up. Ang says she is the bigger person and will meet with her even though she doesn‘t know if the friendship is worth saving. Drita says why meet her, you do nothing but help her out. Why isn’t Drita encouraging two old friends to make up? Drita is no friend of Renee’s and never was.

Renee, AJ and his girlfriend, Andrea go out to eat dinner. They have been dating over a year and she is a positive influence on him. AJ is living with his grandfather. Renee asks if they are moving in together or getting engaged. AJ doesn’t like her in his business. He says he wants to be like 25 or 26 before he takes that step. Renee says she would like to get married one day and move away from New York.

Ang gets a call from AJ in prison. She hates the thought of him being at Rikers. She can’t wait for him to come home and see his daughter and her nursery. AJ has two strikes against him, one more and he will go away for a long time. Ang says when he gets out he needs a good job with benefits to take care of his family.

Karen and Storm talk but don't get very far.

Karen is overwhelmed with everything going on in her life. Storm comes over to Karen’s unannounced. Karen hasn’t spoken to him since she found that sorry ass ho in his living room. They go outside to talk. She says she needs a good explanation and apology. He says the ho came up to use the bathroom. He can’t help it if he gets home at 7 am. Karen tells him, b*tches shouldn’t be in her house without an explanation. Karen says there is a level of respect and communication when you are a couple and they don’t have it. He says she ran out because Karen flipped out in her face. He tells Karen if she would have stayed calm she would have gotten an explanation. Karen feels he isn’t sorry and is he is trying to turn the situation around to put the blame on her. He put her in this position. Karen is hurt and angry. Karen says she is disgusted that he can’t understand what she is trying to say. He doesn’t apologized or take responsibility. She goes inside. He goes inside. What kind of man brings a girl home and then flips the script and blames it on his girl. Karen thinks sometimes maybe she picks the wrong guy. She isn’t happy with the situation. He says she loves drama. She screams she doesn’t love drama. This is her home, a sanctuary for her daughter. Karen says she needs space. They are done! She didn’t move 2500 miles to be disrespected. Karen tells him to leave. Storm wont leave, so she takes off. Karen drives off. He stays on the couch. She tells him he better be gone when she gets back. Storm really screwed up.

Renee knows how and why there is a problem

(and she looks fantastic too)

Renee is meeting Ang to set the record straight. It was a big deal for Ang to show up. Ang wants to let Renee know how badly she hurt her. Ang says she is very uncomfortable, she isn’t used to sitdowns. Ang says something went wrong somewhere. Ang wants to straighten it out because she doesn’t like it, it‘s uncomfortable since they always say they are like family. Ang want’s to know why Renee is bad mouthing her family? Before Renee can tell Ang what she thinks went wrong, a woman walks into the restaurant wearing a black suit . . . is it Victoria Gotti? I’m pretty sure I saw Victoria in the white car . . . blonde hair and glasses! Take a look people . . .

still can't see?

Who else could it be?

More advice? Well we will have to wait for it until January 7th! And it looks like everyone wants a piece of Gnat come January 7th too.

Picture credit: VH1

Real Housewives Of New York: What The Hell Moments? S6Ep3

 The real writer

Episode three is titled, “Model Behavior,” and that points to new housewife, Kristen.
But I say who cares? Right now I want to see more about Ghostwriter-Gate!

And my wish is granted! The fight continues where it left off, at Aviva’s party. Aviva still insists, or should I say lies, that she didn’t hire a ghostwriter. Her blog says she used a “village." The cover of her book doesn't say written by Aviva Drescher and The Village People. And Aviva says, “word on the street,” is Carole used a ghostwriter for What Remains? What street is Aviva walking on? Carole quips “word on the street” must be dialogue from a bad cop movie Aviva saw and Aviva “doesn‘t have a leg to stand on.” Carole, the real writer, works closely with her editor, period. Ramona and Mario manage to sneak out of the party, like thieves in the night, after Ramona starts the whole fight by telling Carole that Aviva was talking about her. Aviva says to Carole, “at least I’m not 50 years old.” True, Aviva is not 50...she is 46, so not very far from it. However, she still seems to have a bit of dementia even at 46 because, in a recent interview of February 14th, Aviva thinks she is still 40 or is lying again. That’s at least two lies she has been caught in. You know what Judge Judy says, “If you are caught in one lie, I don’t believe anything else you have to say.” Here is the excerpt:

“What made you decide to finally want to share your story and why is now the right time to tell it?

Well, I turned 40, and I think that at 40-years-old, you start to think about a lot of things in your life and you get a certain kind of sense of security and maturity about yourself – especially if you have children. It’s a time where you really start to officially grow up, and my growing up meant that I was done hiding. I’m done being ashamed of wearing a prosthesis.

There comes a point where you come to full acceptance – hopefully – in your lifetime. I felt ready at 40, and with the show falling in my lap, I felt that was an opportunity to do it. And I couldn’t just put it out a little bit because everything is so full force on the show.

It was a combination of being 40, having 4 children, feeling like a mamma bear, and feeling like a real complete grownup who was self-aware and secure. So it was important for me to come onto the show without really having anything to be ashamed of. Because I think that when you go on a reality show, you can’t really have any skeletons in your closet.” For the entire interview read Aviva's Interview here.

The fake writer (liar)

Carole once referred to Aviva as the “Benjamin Button of housewives,” because she just keeps getting younger…another one of my favorite quotes of hers. By the way, if you are going to read one housewife blog, read Carole’s. Her sense of humor is entertaining and enhances the enjoyment of the show.

Carole says Aviva is out of touch with reality, a sociopath. Aviva says it takes a village to write a book (she should know) and she thinks Carole is lying. I think we all know who the liar is, and it’s not Carole.  Sonja seems to be siding with Aviva, while Heather has Carole‘s back…and Kristen is caught in the middle. Carole decides to leave the party after telling Reid that his wife is not a nice person. Carole exits but not without a fond farewell to Harry Dubin, “Harry it’s great to meet you, I totally understand your divorce.”

Later, Ramona confesses to Heather that she ran out of the party. Heather says she can’t understand Aviva, her behavior was despicable and she doesn’t trust her as far as she can throw her. But Ramona seems to have an issue with Heather defending Carole. Hmmm, I don’t get why, she was the one who ran to Carole to tell her Aviva was telling everyone she used a ghostwriter. Ramona is a little sneaky.

Carole, in a calmer state, knows she shouldn’t have let Aviva get under her skin, but found it felt good to scream and she will probably do it more often. Good for her, these women make me scream every week.

Kristen and Aviva chat about the argument. Kristen says that Carole has a writing background. Aviva, gets snooty and says she also has a writing background she majored in English and wrote an essay. Wow, an essay for Chicken Soup for the Soul versus and 20 year career as a journalist and best selling author…yeah that’s about even. Kristen says she thinks it’s about jealousy. Kristen adds writing is Carole’s “everything” and it shouldn’t be messed with. Kristen gets it too.

Even Ramona "gets it."

Carole thinks Ramona is being used as Aviva’s little pawn. Ramona apologizes for setting the fight in motion. Carole says she was upset with Ramona and doesn’t know why she was in the middle of it. Aviva was talking about her in the other room knowing Carole was at the party. I think Carole felt blindsided and betrayed. Carole tells Ramona what she thinks of Aviva, the liar. Carole explains to Ramona that what Aviva said was about her first book which is about her late husband, and she has no children, so it’s all she has. Carole gets emotional. Ramona understands that for Carole, her work is everything. Even Ramona gets it.

You know, last season I sided with all the new wives because I was new as a viewer of the show. I tried to defend Aviva, when most other blogs tore her apart. But this is a new season and I am seeing a new side to Aviva that I don’t like. I have no patience for liars. Those of you who read my Mob Wives blogs know how hard I came down on Carla and Alicia for blatantly lying on and off the show. So, I am sorry to say that Aviva lost any support she had from me. She continues to slander Carole’s impressive, long-standing career as a writer and in the process makes herself look more ridiculous, jealous and petty. How could this kind of behavior on the show help the sale of her book? I mean, that’s the whole purpose right? To get people talking about her book so they will buy it? Frankly, it sounds like everyone, except Aviva, wrote her book. I think Aviva has succeeded in turning people off to her book, and despite her lies about Carole’s books, she has managed to create an interest in them…at least for me.

Here is a little song dedicated to Aviva…(Good-bye) Leggy Bonde…

Mob Wives: Recap “You Smell Delicious” Ep 403

Oh boo hoo, Eddie how could you have lied to me, deceived me, betrayed me, 

cheated on me, and then eat Chinese food with another woman? 

Says the loyal, faithful and ever loving wife.

Drita and Big Ang are out in Drita’s backyard. It’s beautiful, nice pavers! The D”Avanzo’s are renovating and they have to refurnish the whole house. It’s costing lots of money. “New life, new start,” says Big Ang. Lee has his own business, he opened a sports memorabilia store and goes to work every day. Everything is coming up roses for Drita and Lee. Drita loves the normal life. Drita tells Ang that Aleeya is being bullied at school. It’s “annoying” Drita, but she is trying to be “mature.”  She has to figure out how to handle it. What??? I still don’t know what there is to figure out? Maybe I’m missing something? Go to the school authorities and have it documented. If it’s serious, file a police report too. This way you can establish a pattern of behavior in case you have to press charges. Maybe it’s “Just Me?” Then, Big Ang says Alicia is having the girls over. Drita likes the idea because she likes Alicia and needs a night out away from everything.

The one NOTE wonder "Eddie"

This week Alicia is cooking pasta and sauce. It seems like just yesterday she was “cooking the books.” It looks like lasagna is in that big pot. She has a house full of people and everyone seems to be helping with the cooking. Little Carlo is peeling a cumber. She says the kids don’t know what she learned from the wire taps about Eddie. She has to put on a good face for them. And, from the looks of it, she is doing a good job laughing and enjoying her company. Her oldest son, Anthony, has been the man of the house, but he is going West Virginia to college. I guess this is when she asks the judge if she can go to WV to help him set up his dorm and then takes the plane to Las Vegas instead, but I digress. She is going to send him chicken cutlets, meatballs and condoms. Alicia talks to her brother outside, about Eddie’s lies and deceit. She can’t stand talking to Eddie (I wish she couldn’t stand talking about him, because I can’t take it!) and so she sends him emails telling him how hurt she is. Eddie betrayed her, ruined her trust, took her innocence. What??? Her innocence? I have to rewind and hear it again. Yep, she sure did say innocence. I think the last time this chick may have been “innocent” was maybe when she was 11 or 12. Insert a chorus from Poor Poor Pitiful Me here. She is trying to “keep it together for her boys,” and the best way to do that is to lie to a judge about where you are going, go on National television and air all your dirty laundry and make headlines?

Back in Staten Island Renee is talking to her good friend. Nikole. They talk about how everyone dated everyone in SI. Renee is pissed that Alicia interrogated her about the wire taps.  Eddie dated Carla, but he dated Nikole too and five others in between. Renee tells her Alicia heard Eddie and Carla on the tapes while she was 8 months pregnant and Renee’s name was mentioned. She wants Nikole’s advice because Nikole understands the situation. Nikole agrees it was not Renee’s responsibility to tell Alicia anything. Renee says her friendship and loyalty is to Edward, she has no responsibility to Alicia. Her loyalty is crystal clear and Renee is not a rat. Alicia is making it an issue with Renee when the issue should be with Eddie and their relationship. I have to agree with Renee. How the hell does she know what the dynamics of Alicia’s marriage was at the time? Maybe they had an open marriage? All wise guys cheat. That’s a given. As for Alicia not knowing Eddie was in the mob…I don’t think Renee believes that and I sure as hell don’t. Alicia knew Eddie’s father was killed by the mob, wouldn’t that raise anyone’s suspicions at the very least?

Renee is going on a date and has her makeup done at Drita’s store by Drita. She sounds excited and tells Drita they met through a mutual friend. He is the frist man she has dated who hasn’t been in jail. She says she is the one who gave him her number and he called her. Renee thinks he is gorgeous. He is not in the mob and he doesn’t know about her family life, but she intends to tell him. Renee looks fabulous, Drita did an awesome job! Chirp chirp!

Renee is meeting this guy and she is nervous. Her date’s name is Michael and he loves her eyes. Renee does have beautiful, stunning eyes. He likes to take control and order the food. Renee says he is a strong man, and that’s just what she likes. Renee decides to tell him about her lifestyle including her father and her ex-husband. He says he doesn’t care about her past or the two of them, he is there for her. Renee says it’s too good to be true, but she intends to enjoy it for however long it lasts. Renee had a great time on the date, there was conversation and he was attentive. I just have a question? How has this guy not heard of Mob Wives or Renee before this date? It’s all the talk on the street in Staten Island and in the media? Just askin’.

Alicia wants the "TRUTH?" Well seems like Karen has some for her!

I'd love a dish of lasagna with Karen and hear more of this truth!

Back to Philly we go…Alicia’s house. Alicia just wants the truth. The truth always comes out, just ask Karen Gravano! The girls arrive for dinner: Big Ang, Drita and Renee. Alicia says she has a million unanswered questions. She is still turnt up over what she heard on the wire tapped recordings of her husband Eddie. I I hear the name Eddie one more time I am going to be sick! What a broken record! She needs to vent and sound out the other women about what they think about Renee's “involvement.” She tells them she heard Eddie and his ex-girlfriend, Carla, on the tape, along with Renee’s name. Drita is shocked to hear that Renee went to have Chinese food with Eddie and his ex. Drita makes no bones about what she would do if she walked in on Lee and his ex at a restaurant...she would drive right through the window and run them over! Big Ang also seems to sympathize with Alicia's issue, even though she understands it's part of the lifestyle. However, Renee defends Eddie, she didn’t know if Alicia knew about their relationship, and says her loyalty is to him, he has been her lifelong friend. This conversation hits home with Drita who says, "Renee own up to the fact that you were in a shady situaton." Big Ang says, she "doesn't know what Renee was thinkin,' but I don't want no part of this." Ang adds, "How would Renee like it if it was her? She would be f*ckin' pissed." Hey wait a minute, what happened to the Big Ang who said, “Who cares who sleeps with who?” when there was all that talk about good old Carla sleeping with married men? Drita agrees with Ang, Renee would have gone to war if it happened to her. Alicia is most upset about the lies, lies, lies and for what? Chinese food?  I don’t know about you, but it’s going to be a long, long time before I order Chinese food again…I am sick of it. Oy.

Big Ang meets with her son AJ who is out of rehab and she is proud of him. He and his girlfriend are having a baby and Ang is excited to have another grandchild. Ang doesn’t want to upset him by telling him she is thinking of having her own baby. Geez, I think were all upset to hear that. First of all her age is against her and second how stable is her marriage? Is this responsible or reasonable thinking? Please. I think it’s storyline filler.

At Alicia’s house, she gets a letter from Eddie after she sends him an email. She reads “the typed letter” to her friend, Tina and sister, Renee. Let me say, before I go on, that I do not believe Eddie wrote that letter. If I’m wrong, I’ll eat Chinese food. In the letter he apologizes to Alicia and says she is his best friend, he has made many mistakes in their relationship, was a complete failure as a husband and he betrayed her. He is sorry for all he is done. He loves her. Alicia feels bad for him, but she is guarded and doesn’t want to be manipulated again. She would have a lot to get over in order to forgive him. They were a perfect happy family and in love. She doesn’t know if it’s a mistake to be loyal to him now. Her friend Tina says the opposite. She says Eddie has been the primary source of Alicia’s pain since she met her. I’m distracted. I keep wondering if the pension money paid for that house and pool and all the bills? Or maybe it was the designer knockoffs?

Drita takes Aleeya for self defense classes to help her with the bullying issue. Aleeya is looking very beautiful and grown up. Drita is going to pick up a few techniques too. This should build Aleeya’s confidence. I agree with Drita on this. A self defense program should be required of all young girls these days, maybe even put into the school curriculum instead of gym. However, it’s not the solution to her bullying and those kids should be confronted and punished for their behavior. Call the principal!

WHAT'S WRONG??? I was paying everyone a compliment!

The SOUTH Philly way!

Renee and her Boo, Michael, are going to meet the girls at girls night out. Big Ang is giving Natalie a second chance for Renee’s sake, the first time she was whacked. Alicia is fine with Renee, her issue is with Eddie. Natalie is in party mode, as usual, “shooting down the shots.” Even Renee thinks Natalie is out of control…drunk in no time. Drita thinks she isn’t normal…Natalie is calling them “whores” over and over. Natalie thinks that’s a compliment, but Drita is ready to break her face. Renee’s date shows up. Alicia thinks he is cute. Natalie kisses him on both cheeks, hugs him tight and says he “smells delicious.“ Natalie is sweating like a pig and maybe got her sweat on Michael. Disgusting. Renee goes nuts. She can’t believe she heard Natalie call Michael “delicious” and wants to strangle her. Renee wants to leave, she thinks Natalie is making him uncomfortable. Natalie won’t give Renee her bag so she can leave. Ang is totally fed up with Natalie. Renee feels disrespected and won’t talk to Natalie. Natalie has no clue what she did. Alicia is lost because Renee flipped out over Natalie’s comment…but not over Carla going out with Eddie.  Go figure? It’s too late for Renee not to be embarrassed. What a scene to subject a new man to! Now Renee thinks she and Natalie have nothing in common and Natalie isn’t liking Renee too much either.  I say send the Philly chicks back to SOUTH Philly already.

Drita tells Alicia the word “delicious” should have never come out of Natalie’s mouth. That was sick. Drita sides with Renee completely. I have to say, while I am not up on the new lingo, I can see where a comment like that, coming from someone like Natalie, could be taken the wrong way. However, Alicia still doesn’t get it, “it’s just Natalie being Natalie,” she says. She thinks Renee should have let it go. Hello Alicia! Have you ever watched Mob Wives before you actually signed up for the drama? Did you think the show was about having tea, crumpets and Chinese food? Renee joins them. Alicia says it wasn’t a big deal, Renee says no, it’s a matter of respect. Alicia still compares it to her situation, saying Renee has two sets of rules, one for her men and one for other women’s men. Drita doesn’t get Natalie either and is ready to break her face and then say she was joking about it. Drita seems angrier than Renee at this point. Surprisingly for me, is the fact that Renee still wants Natalie to be the face of her brand. So Renee wants to correct her and handle it. Personally, I would not want someone like Natalie, who has no class, no boundaries, no common sense, no sense of professionalism representing my new business. She is going to be the downfall of Mob Candy, she is the weak link! There are plenty of beautiful, aspiring models out there who know how to act in public…plenty! Get a new one, please Renee.

At the same time, Natalie meets with her friend, Amy, and tells her the “delicious story.” How Renee hired her for Mob Candy and brings a guy she started dating to girls’ night. So Natalie meets him and says he smells delicious. Amy says “that’s nice.“ I guess there is a different set of etiquette rules in SOUTH Philly? Natalie feels she was paying him a compliment, but Renee got all bent out of shape. She wants to know why Renee invited her boyfriend if she is that jealous and it was a girls’ night out? Now that comment makes sense and I’m stunned. If I was just dating someone I would not want to bring him around my friends or family too soon. Natalie says Renee doesn’t know her as much as she thought she knew her. Renee gave her a set of rules because she works for Mob Candy. Amy says what does she think, you’re her puppet? Natalie isn’t anyone’s puppet! Natalie says Renee doesn’t trust anyone. She disrespected HER and embarrassed HER and she is not giving her the time of day as her friend, so now she is choosing “d*ck over me?”   Natalie says Renee is dead to her. And this is the person Renee wants to keep as the face of her brand???

This is a tribute to the one NOTE wonder: Alicia

Amazing Race 22: Recap “Like James Bond Again,” Ep 3

Get Ready, Get Set, …Go…This is the Amazing Race 22 featuring 11 teams with pre-existing relationships who race around the world and compete for a chance to win one million dollars.

The cast includes the following teams:

Team                               Relationship

                             

Idries & Jamil                     Twin Doctors               

Max & Katie                      Newlyweds           

Mona & Beth                     Roller Derby Moms                

Bates & Anthony               Hockey Brothers           

Chuck & Wynona              Married               

David & Connor                 Father/Son Cancer Survivors          

Caroline & Jennifer            Friends/Country Singers                  

Joey & Meghan                 Friends/YouTube Hosts          

Pamela & Winnie              Best Friends                   

Jessica & John                  Dating                  

Matthew & Daniel             Best Friends/Firefighters

*Eliminated                       Race to be Continued

Recap Prior Episodes:

Episode 1: Teams fly from Los Angeles to Bora Bora.  Jessica and John, win an express pass and an opportunity to give an express pass to another team.

Anthony and Bates Battaglia are the grandsons of Sam Battaglia, a former member of the Chicago mob – and hockey players.

The first roadblock involves skydiving. Anthony sky dives while Bates rides in the water taxi. The next roadblock involves searching for the next clue through hundreds of sand castles. The Battaglia brothers arrive in 6th place and leave in 2nd place and go on to the next destination. The teams must now assemble a Polynesian Outrigger and sail to the pit stop. Bates and Anthony arrive as Team number 2.

Episode 2: Jessica and John depart first to look for a wedding chapel to receive the blessing of the priest. The quote of the episode is made by this couple.

Bates and Anthony do not seem to be forming bonds with any of the other teams. Hopefully this won’t put a target on their back.

In Detour A racers, (Hockey brothers Bates and Anthony) must retrieve two red pearls from an underwater pearl farm before receiving the next clue.  In Detour B the racers have to dive and locate a treasure trunk where they have to set up an underwater picnic.

Teams must now take a water craft to the island of Motu Tapu to get their next clue. Joey & Meghan finish first. Bates and Anthony are surprised on how quickly Joey finished the last task and are giving them the evil eye.

Road Block: teams must balance on traditional Polynesian sparring stilts and kick a coconut across a beach in order to receive the next clue. Anthony does this challenge and thinks that his balancing skills will help his crew into the lead position.

Connor and Anthony finish the challenge at the same time and David hurts his foot.  This makes Bates and Anthony Team number one and capo di tutti capi. Connor and David are Team number two. The twins have to be rescued from the water.
 
Idries & Jamil are the last team to arrive and they have been eliminated.

Asked of Anthony Bates :
What country and place would you most like to visit and why?
Italy, because it is so beautiful and my grandparents are from there.
The grandfather would be Sam Battaglia, the former mob boss of Chicago.

Anthony Battaglia takes another opportunity to show us his missing teeth. Ironically, his grandfather’s nickname, ‘Teets’, supposedly comes from the fact that Sam Battaglia, a former member of the Chicago mob, allegedly threatened to knock out people’s ‘teets’.

In Episode 3:  

Dave starts out with a severely pulled muscle and is advised to see a specialist.  Both David and Connor are cancer survivors.

Bates and Anthony depart first, and have to travel to Christchurch, NZ, by way of Paptete, Tahiti.  John tries to ruffle the Battaglia Brothers by saying that they may be on an earlier flight than the brothers are. Jessica and John are now enemies of the Hockey players.  Jessica and John have kept their word and have given the express pass to David and Connor, knowing that they won’t be able to use it. Dave cannot put pressure on his foot and must walk on crutches at all times.

Jessica and John are plotting with others against the Battaglia Brothers.  The original alliance is going to try and get the brothers eliminated.

In Detour Jet, racers are jet boating on the Rakaia River.
Caroline and Jennifer seem to feel comfortable with Anthony and Bates and they have formed an alliance. Dave and Connor are currently in the lead. Bates and Anthony are currently in 8th place.

The Hockey players make their way to the detour of their choice "Rev It Up" or "Reel It In" – They either have to run a course in under 83 seconds or catch a fish. The hockey brothers do Rev It Up, but Connor and Dave cannot because Dave cannot drive a clutch with a huge boot which has been fitted for his injury.  Dave and Connor use the express pass. John and Jessica are in 2nd place at this point. Bates and Anthony are in 5th place, Caroline and Jennifer in 7th place. Bates and Anthony have to be aware of the other racers – soldiers of John and Jessica who are gunning for them, and while Caroline and Jennifer have the hockey players’ backs they aren’t enough muscle to defeat Jessica and John and their underlings.

In the next Road Block, Racers must participate in a Shemozzle Race which requires one team member to dress as a Kiwi sheperd and run through a wild obstacle course which includes molasses and feathers and then collect eggs. Once they deliver all their unbroken eggs to the finish line, they will receive the next clue: Anthony Battaglia does this road block. Dave and Connor are in 1st place at this point. Bates and Anthony are in 8th place.

At the Pit Stop, Team number 1 is Dave and Connor and they win a trip to Thailand.While checking in at the Pit Stop in Christchurch, New Zealand, they find that the race is still going.  No Eliminations.  Race TBC.

The question is, will Dave and Connor continue the race…

What would a good old fashioned race be without racing odds?

You don’t have to be a loan shark like Sam Battaglia, a numbers guy or a mark to make a friendly bet.

This is how I’m calling it for the 4th leg of the Race - the continuation of the Third Leg:

Max & Katie                  Newlyweds                                  10-1
Mona & Beth                 Roller Derby Moms                        4-1
Bates & Anthony           Hockey Brothers                            5-1
Chuck & Wynona          Married                                        12-1
David & Connor             Father/Son Cancer Survivors          20-1
Caroline & Jennifer        Friends/Country Singers                  9-1
Joey & Meghan             Friends/YouTube Hosts                 12-1
Pamela & Winnie          Best Friends                                 25-1  
Jessica & John              Dating                                           5-1

Written By: Cousin Vinny

Mob Wives Chicago: Recap “You Can’t Handle The Truce” Ep 103

All's well that ends well!

Christina and Leah meet for brunch. Christina tells her she met with Pia. Pia didn’t seem interested in discussing what went wrong and Christina was trying to make amends. Leah says Nora has the “brain of a dead ant” and she is “bi-polar.” Christina says she is done with the love/hate relationship. Leah tells her Christina and Pia were fine until Nora came back from Florida, “she should have stayed in Florida and collected seashells. I’ll show her how a pitbull barks.”

Pia and Nora meet. Pia turns to Nora because they have a history and have been there for each other. Pia tells her she met with Christina and told her the friendship was over. Christina ripped her hair out and that‘s it. Pia grew up in the city and has no time for BS and nonsense, she has better things to worry about. Pia says she wants to try to get to know Renee because she is friends with Nora. Nora agrees.

Pia invites Renee to lunch, making another attempt at friendship.

Renee has a lot of things going on. She owns her business with her boyfriend, Dave and she has the custody battle going on over her daughter, Bella, which is putting a strain on their relationship. Things are a little rocky between Renee and Dave, they live together and are business partners. Pia and her daughter make a visit to Eye Candy, Renee’s business. Renee is surprised to see them. Renee tries to be nice, but it’s obvious she doesn’t like Pia. Pia invites Renee to lunch, just the two of them. Renee is caught off guard, but accepts. Dave comes out and Pia recognizes him. It seems that Pia and Dave are old friends. Now Renee is pissed because she thinks they have some kind of sexual history. Renee wonders if he put “singles in her underwear.” Renee says, “Pia is a ho-bag.” 

Renee and Christina meet at the café. Christina feels that have started to click as friends. Leah shows up too. Renee thinks Leah is cool and she loves her hair. They discuss Pia and the fight. Renee tells them how Pia showed up at her place of business unannounced. Renee really doesn’t like the fact she is a stripper and judges her harshly for that. Leah says Pia has to do what she has to do to take care of her family and she won’t judge her, she has known her for years. Renee says Pia knows her boyfriend, Dave and tells them her suspicions. Leah doesn’t think Pia had anything to do with Dave, it’s not her style. Leah hates all the drama about Pia. Renee is out to confront Dave about Pia.

Pia and Nora meet with Julie, Nora’s good friend. Pia feels bad that everyone accuses Nora’s father of being a hit man. Pia knows that Nora took the loss of her father very hard. Then Nora tells Pia that Renee was shocked that Pia knew Dave. Pia says he was just a kid from the neighborhood that she has known for years.

Renee is going to dinner with Dave and she plans to confront him about Pia. She says he better not know her from “the pole.” She tells Dave to order a drink, he is going to need it. She asks him about Pia. He says he knows her 15 to 20 years and he never knew she worked in a strip club. He adds she has always been nice to him. Renee doesn’t believe Dave and threatens him. He calls her a “f*ckin’ idiot” who has been with “scum bags” all her life. She tells him to leave and when he does, she says he leaves because he is guilty. Pia is next on her agenda.

Nora, Julie and Pia meet for a memorial luncheon for Nora’s dad because it’s his birthday. They decide to order their food and not wait for Renee, who is apparently pretty late. Nora is pissed. It’s disrespectful to her and her dad for Renee not to be there on time. Renee walks in and says, “sorry I’m late.” She blames traffic. Nora says she should have left an hour early. Now there is tension and, on top of that, Renee has to sit next to Pia with all these issues on her mind. Julie toasts to Frank “The German” for his birthday. Renee is seeing RED! Julie is wearing her shirt, the one she lent to Nora two months ago! Renee is even more pissed and excuses herself to leave. Nora says she is not even there an hour after coming late and it upsets Nora.

Leah has a plan to meet with Pia!

Leah arrives at Christina’s house with a plan, “if she doesn’t like it, too bad.” Leah thinks she should meet with Pia about the issues she has with Christina. She doesn’t like a mess and what happened between Pia and Christina is a mess. She says she is going to get in the middle of it and try to restore the peace. Christina rehashes the whole fight and Leah looks like she has had enough. Leah is going to have a sit down with Pia, “enough is enough.”

The "Boy George" hat on Renee ain't cutting it with Pia!

Pia meets with Renee for lunch to clear the air. Renee shows up with an attitude. They are barely cordial when Renee announces she wants to discuss some things. Her first issue is the way Pia was talking in her place of business, Eye Candy, dropping F bombs! Pia thinks Renee is always looking for reasons not to like her. Then Renee confronts her about Dave. Pia swears she never dated Dave and has nothing to hide. She said she made out with his friend if anything. Renee doesn’t believe her either. Pia says Renee is a bully and adds, “I want to take her and throw her and her Boy George hat out the window.” Pia is insulted as Renee always says she is better than Pia and refers to Pia as low class. Then Renee drops an F Bomb and Pia tells her that she doesn’t speak any better than Pia. Pia says Christina is a saint compared to Renee, and she leaves. Renee says that Pia left because she is guilty.

Pia and Frankie meet. Pia tells her friend about all her issues with Renee and Christina. Frankie tells her she doesn’t have to explain herself or defend herself to anyone. Pia has plenty to say about all the insults Renee has said to her about her and her dad, all very negative stuff. Pia explains that her father and Frankie’s father were bookmakers together and that Pia’s father informed on Frankie’s father which caused him to go to prison. Pia and Frankie have always gotten along even under those circumstances, so why do other people have issues with her? Now Christina is sending Leah to talk to her.

Pia and Leah meet and hug. Leah says she isn’t going to beat around the bush. She asks Pia to tell her what happened. Pia and Leah have always gotten along and know each other many years. Pia tells her that her talk with Christina didn’t go well. Leah tells Pia that Nora talks about her behind her back. Pia makes excuses for Nora. Leah is disgusted with the excuses and Pia’s defense of Nora. Leah doesn’t like Nora, period. Leah tells her if she values her friendship with Christina, she shouldn’t let it go. They decide to make plans to have dinner with Nora and Christina to clear the air.

"My hair ain't slicked back for nothing!" says Leah

Christina, Leah and Nora and Pia meet for dinner. Leah has something to say to Nora too. Leah and Christina get their first and don’t want any fighting. Pia and Nora arrive. Pia seems open to making up with Christina. Leah is on guard and says her “hair ain’t slicked back for nothing.” Pia is going to lay it all out. She has a big problem with getting her hair pulled out. Christina says she doesn’t think when she fights. Pia admits that she isn’t completely innocent, but the hair pulling was over the top. Christina say they are here now, so let’s move on. Leah tells them they are friends, if God can forgive why can’t we. Leah wants peace. 

Nora's policy, "I don't talk to or dance with strangers, sorry!"

Now, Leah wants to address Nora for what happened in the past. Leah tells Nora that she went to take her arm to dance at the Italian Fest and Nora took offense and told her to “let go of my f*ckin’ arm.” Leah says she was extremely offended. Nora says she doesn’t talk or dance with strangers, especially girls. Nora says she will never change, that‘s how she was raised. Leah says that was poor behavior and Leah has a problem if she won’t change. Nora doesn’t want to change, but says she knows Leah now and will dance with her any time. Nora says we can’t change the past but we can change the future. Let’s let bygones be bygones. Leah says she will take Nora one day at a time, she is on probation and Leah has a deadly weapon…her mouth.

MY TWO CENTS:

This whole episode was about trying to resolve the Pia/Christina fight for the most part. However, in the process, we have a very good idea of where the alliances and enemy lines are drawn with these women. I think I will break this episode down mob wife by mob wife, in no particular order.

Pia. I have to say that I feel for Pia. I am not a fan of stripping or strip clubs, but I know as a mother, you do what you have to do to provide for your children. Pia could have gotten two full time jobs, made less money and not been there for her daughter all these years. Or, she could be a dancer and work nights, make more money and be there all day for her daughter. It may not work for everyone, but it works for her. So be it. 

Pia’s friends are Nora, Leah and Christina. I knew Pia and Christina would patch things up. This fight was not worth losing a friendship over, especially if it got out of hand for the sake of show drama or because of alcohol. Christina does not judge Pia. She is loyal. Nora says she is Pia’s friend on the one hand, but criticizes how she makes a living on the other hand. Maybe she wants better for Pia, but the “whore” comments are out of line and not what a real friend would say. I think that friendship is on shaky ground. I also think the show will bring Leah and Pia closer together, they are both down to earth and straight shooters when they talk. Pia’s enemy is Renee. Renee chose to judge Pia without even knowing her. She is looking for reasons to attack her all the time and she blindsides her too. Her attacks are all without provocation on Pia’s part. Here is what I don’t get: Renee’s uncle was an alleged hit man for the mob, who she says was her best friend and mentor. How can she cut her uncle slack for alleged murder and not cut Pia slack for trying to support herself and her daughter by harmless pole dancing? Something to think about.

"I got my brass knuckles, but I don't want to fight." says Christina

Christina. Christina makes me laugh for some reason. Maybe it’s the way she explains things. Her friends are Pia and Leah. She thinks she is going to like Renee. How can she? The reason she got mad at Nora in the first place was because she disrespected Pia. No one disrespects Pia more than Renee. There are going to be issues between Christina and Renee, I just feel it. Also Renee seems to be having issues with everyone anyway, what‘s one more? Christina’s enemy is Nora, who thinks of her as an acquaintance at best. Nora did a little pot stirring between Pia and Christina. I see Nora as the common enemy who will unite them and make their friendship stronger.

Nora. I am not sure what to make of Nora still. She says she is friends with Pia, but has said some negative things that a friend would not say. She says she is friends with Renee, but we have seen previews of a huge blow up there too. I wonder if they are going to have a sit down about being late for the luncheon for her dad and the “shirt.” Nora is just getting to know Leah and Christina, the dynamic duo, and I don’t think things are going to go well with either of these ladies either. I guess time will tell.

Leah. Leah is the fan/viewer favorite from what I can see in the comments. People love her funny side, as well as her intense side. They love her Italian expressions too! You always know where you stand with Leah. As she says, she says what she means and means what she says and she doesn’t beat around the bush to do it. I love that about her. Leah is a peacemaker. She doesn’t want to be around fighting. She loves to have a good time. Her friends are Christina and Pia. I am almost sure she will never take to Nora or Renee. I could be wrong, but I rarely am. Leah doesn’t have an enemies yet. Maybe Nora, but it’s not that serious at this point.

Renee. Renee seems intent on having issues with everyone, I don’t know why. She started with Pia. She never gave her a chance and “sucker punched” her with words every opportunity she has gotten. Pia has made a couple of attempts to forge a friendship with her too. Right now Christina thinks she likes Renee, Nora is her “friend” and Leah just met her (and didn’t care for how she judged Pia). Her enemy is Pia, for no particular reason. We have seen Renee fight with her daughter, Giana, have issues with Pia, and start an argument with her boyfriend, Dave. She jumps to conclusions and then believes her own suspicions. Seems to me she has trust issues that are going to affect all her relationships. 

Renee had two sit downs this episode. She confronted Pia in one and Dave in the other. Neither scene showed Renee in a positive light. She was curious as to how they knew each other, but instead of asking them both and getting the facts, she made up a story and convinced herself she was right. Everyone who walks away from an argument with her is guilty? That’s faulty thinking. A person cannot defend themselves against lies that someone else is all too willing to believe. 

The show. I think the issue with the show so far is that the arguments have little to no substance. These women get worked up over little things or not the right things. For example, Pia attacked Christina because she wouldn’t let the Nora's "whore" comments go at the dinner and she was trying to be a loyal friend, instead of attacking Nora for making the comments about her in the first place. Christina gets upset over being deleted from “facebook.” Renee creates a fictitious drama in her own head about a hot steamy love affair between Pia and Dave, and then attacks both of them as if it is the Gospel truth. 

I think we all have a good “feel” for who the women are now. I am anxious to see how the rest of the season unfolds that is leading us towards the intense finale that will make reality television history. What did you think of this last episode? What are your thoughts on the women? Have any favorites or any you love to hate? We’d love to know.

Real Housewives of New York: What The Hell Moments S5E3

Heather helps Sonja with branding, then invites her to London!

Episode three is titled the “Boozy Brunch” but I keep seeing “Boozy BUNCH.” Oh  well. I don’t know how I watched the entire hour this week. There were hardly any real “what the hell” moments for me to even poke fun at. This episode was really, almost entirely, to set up next week’s episode, where all the fighting will take place. Here is what happened…

Aviva gets a call from Heather inviting her to London, Ramona isn't a happy camper

Heather helps Sonja get her “brand” together for her new business venture. In the process she gets a call that requires her to go to London and she invites Sonja and tells her she is going to call Aviva and Carole too, since all four women had a very enjoyable brunch earlier in the episode. No mention of Ramona or LuAnn, who are away on business. Of course, Sonja is only too delighted to accept the invitation and so are Aviva and Carole. In fact, Aviva gets her invitation on the phone while Ramona is right there!

There is a lot of nothing happening in most of the episode and chit-chat we could all do without. Ramona manages to get a few more digs in about Heather’s “not listening” when people speak. However, when Ramona gets wind of the London trip she is the one who starts “tripping.” She is waiting for an invitation, but it doesn’t come. Then we see previews of next weeks’s episode. The previews were the best part of this week’s episode. Ramona is going to attack Sonja for not being a good friend because she had the audacity to accept Heather’s invitation to London. I may tune in for this one because LuAnn does in fact get her invitation next week too! That is sure to burn Ramona’s sorry ass. Once again Ramona will be at odds with everyone else.

LuAnn and her daughter both seemed shocked at the "baby" idea.

Then there is a “What The Hell” is LuAnn thinking? We saw previews of this season and we are now getting around to LuAnn’s bright idea of having a baby with Jacques. LuAnn is a mere 47 years old. I wouldn’t say that’s old, but I do think it’s too old to have a baby with her 37 year old French boy toy. First of all it takes time to get pregnant and to carry the baby. She could be 50 before anything happens, if in fact it can, and she hasn’t started going through menopause yet. Just last year I recall she was ridiculing Ramona (not that I fault her for that) for thinking she was pregnant and now she wants a baby? I can’t believe she is really serious. It’s just a new, outrageous storyline designed to keep us tuning in. What next? Fertility treatments?

Most boring scenes of the show? The prolonged scene of Aviva giving her two kids a bath! Please! I thought that would never end. When it finally does she gives us her education and employment resume and it seems she has a law degree. I guess she will be giving legal advice later in the season. As long s she stops mentioning her leg i will be happy. Meanwhile she loves being a stay-at-home mom, good for her. Just what stay-at-home moms want to see when they escape to watch television, more domestic duties.

Best part of the lunch with Mario and Carole are Ramona's expressions!

Next snooze fest is when Ramona Mario and Carole go to lunch because Ramona wants Carole and Mario to meet. Why? I’m not sure, maybe she has a secret agenda. However, all the while they dine, Ramona complained that Heather never lets anyone talk. Then Ramona proceeds to cut her husband, Mario, off three or four times, when he is trying to get a word in edge wise. What a hypocrite!

I'm not wild about Harry Dubin

I’m not wild about “Harry,” but he has slept with three out of the six women: Aviva, Sonja and LuAnn and none of them seem to be complaining. I say let’s have a big, awkward “What the Hell” moment and invite him to a party where all six women will be. It beats talking about him behind his back every time they get together.

Most tacky moment is when Ramona realizes she wasn’t very sympathetic when Heather mentioned her father had died in episode one, so she goes over to her, in the middle of a party, and apologizes and gives her a hug. Does anyone besides me think this was a ploy on Ramona’s part to get an invite to London? Do the sayings “a day late and a dollar short” or “too little too late” mean anything to Ramona? Oh well she is not invited anyway, as far as we know and let's hope it stays that way.

Finally, I have to mention that I actually heard Ramona say, “It’s too early [in the day] for Pinot.” I could have sworn I heard that last night, but this morning it feels like a dream.

Mob Wives: Recap “Make-Ups and Break-Ups,” Ep 203

Episode three begins with Big Ang and Drita meeting for lunch. They have known each other since Drita was 16. Drita keeps saying that “Karen wanted to make up with her.” Now wait just one minute! I have watched every episode very closely and Karen has never said she wanted to make up with Drita. Drita was the only one who said, several times, that she wanted to talk to Karen. However, Big Ang agrees with Drita and says that Ramona was acting like Karen’s body guard. She feels that Ramona should have left Drita and Karen to talk alone. Then they begin to discuss Carla and Renee’s issue. Both of them feel that Carla was wrong for not calling or visiting Renee after the surgery. They want to get Renee and Carla together to they can talk it out and move on.

Ramona visits Renee, they hug and kiss. Ramona says that she and Karen had no intention of fighting at the party. Renee has second thoughts about her decision to invite Drita, under the circumstances. Renee and Ramona are very close too, their families go back a long time. Renee says she is tired of the fighting and the “tough guy BS.” Ramona doesn’t like the fighting either, but adds that Drita isn’t going to treat Karen like a “human pinata.” Renee tells Ramona she didn’t invite Carla to her party because they hadn’t talked in months. Ramona says that Carla is Drita’s puppet and her brain is molded by Drita!

Carla and Drita meet for drinks. They discuss going to Big Ang’s get together for all the girls. Drita wants Carla to make up with Renee. Carla says she is not a troublemaker and that she is done with all of it. Drita says she isn’t getting in the middle, but she doesn’t want them fighting and they should put it in the past. Drita adds that Big Ang better hire security for her get together.

Renee is at home writing a letter to Carla about the way she feels. She has agreed to go to Big Ang’s get together and thinks the letter is a better way to communicate. While writing her letter Renee gets a call from a friend, Nikole, who thinks Renee shouldn’t write the letter at all because Carla disrespected her. She says that Renee didn’t do anything to Carla and she feels Carla is making a fool out of her and doesn’t like it!

At Big Ang’s house, her friend Linda comes to visit. They both have hangovers from all the drinks that were bought for them the night before. Big Ang likes wise guys, they are generous and good looking. They bought her lots of things over the years: house, cars, jewelry. Linda asks about Renee and Ang tells her that Renee is upset with Carla for not calling her after surgery. Big Ang adds that she wants a facelift.

Back at Drita’s house, she has a real estate agent come over to look at her house. She has decided she wants to sell it. Drita says Albanians don’t get divorced, they work things out together. But, Drita says she is alone and has no one to work things out with. She feels she needs to live life, be happy and move on.

Karen and Ramona go out partying, drinking and man hunting to have a little fun. Karen needs a night out. Ramona really has no tolerance for Drita. Ramona says that she married an Arab man to get out of the mob lifestyle. But one day she learned her husband was doing business with the mob and she ended it. Karen calls Ramona her crew. Ramona talks tough, but it’s always in a protective context regarding her friends or family and anyone who tries to hurt them

At Drita’s house, Drita talks to her daughter Aleeya. Drita says Lee is still very involved with his daughter. She wants to send Aleeya to dance camp. Drita tells Aleeya to tell Lee that she wants to sell the house, it’s too big and expensive. Aleeya doesn’t seem to like that idea, but Drita says that can have a smaller house that is nice. Drita says that she grew up in a small apartment in the projects. Drita worries that Aleeya will be destroyed when she tells her she plans to divorce Lee.

The day of the girls get together arrives. Big Ang and Carla get there first and talk about the situation between Carla and Renee. Big Ang wants them to resolve it. Carla isn’t sure that it’s possible. Drita arrives and joins them. She wants Renee and Carla to make up too. They say maybe Renee will be in a good mood because she is in love. Renee arrives and it’s the first time she has seen Carla in months. Renee immediately says that she is tired of all the BS. It happens so fast and suddenly that Drita starts laughing. Renee asks right away, why Carla never called or visited her. Carla says she never knew what was going on, everyone knew about Renee and no one told her how serious it was. Renee asks her why would you want to hurt me? Carla says she didn’t want to hurt her. They end the conversation while things are going well. Renee says she has a letter that she wrote to Carla and wants to read it to her in private. Carla wants to know if Renee has any other problems with her that they should talk about now. Everything seems fine at the moment and they all laugh and joke.

Renee meets with Tiffany, her wardrobe stylist, and tries on some clothes for her new slender body. They start talking about Junior. Renee tells her he confessed his love to her and Renee has fallen in love with him all over again. Tiffany advises her to take things slow and date. Renee says it’s all or nothing, he has to stop cheating. 

Drita goes to get some of her jewelry appraised. She is thinking of selling some pieces now that she filed for divorce. She shows the appraiser the first gift she ever got from Lee. The appraiser says is has sentimental value and maybe she wants to give it to her daughter on her wedding day. Then Drita hands her the engagement ring. The appraiser looks at it and says Lee has very good taste, it’s a three carat clear stone and worth about $35,500 a carat or $106,500. Drita was shocked to hear how much it was worth because she was busy throwing it around the house every time she got mad at Lee.

Junior takes Renee out on a date so they could talk and spend a little time together. They go to a steakhouse. They both say they feel like they don’t know each other.  Junior explains that they are older now and they have both changed. Junior tells the story of when he wanted to marry Renee and how her father brought in a bag of engagement rings and dumped them on the table and asked Junior, which one do you want? He hadn’t even asked her yet. Renee says they got off to a rocky start from the very beginning. Junior says that’s because she likes to control people. Renee frowns. Then he adds, he is not able to be controlled and that’s what her problem was. Renee says, “No Junior, we didn’t have a successful marriage because you were having affairs.”  Renee says Junior’s cheating started before they even got married and he kept on cheating and blaming her, saying she was the reason he was cheating. He says she wanted to control him and not let him do what he wanted to do. Renee answers, “You wanted to have sex with other women.” After a few back and forth remarks, Junior admits he made mistakes and so did Renee. He agrees he did the most damage. The fact he is admitting and owning his part in their marital problems brings tears to Renee’s eyes.  She has been waiting for this for 22 years, she’s been in therapy for this. Junior says he didn’t know if was hurting her, he didn’t know what he was doing. Junior says he is having a good time, they are talking without fighting. He wants to continue moving on from this point and put the past behind them. Renee says, “Are you asking me to do steady?” Junior raises his glass and says, “We are exclusive.” And they toast to exclusivity!

Karen hasn’t heard from Ramona and is worried. She has been calling several times and leaving messages. Karen says, Ramona never goes all day without calling and checking in or answering her texts. Karen’s phone rings. It’s Ramona with some real life drama. Karen says she has been waiting and calling her, but her phone started going to voice mail, and she was sitting there worried sick not knowing what’s going on. Ramona explains she was just with her boyfriend. They were driving and all of a sudden a regular car comes out of nowhere. And it’s tailgating them. And then the driver puts on flashing lights in his window and she thinks it’s an undercover cop! So they pull over and when they do the driver rips open the door and pulls her boyfriend out of the car. Karen is in disbelief. Then Ramona adds that the next thing she knows, seven cars are on the side of the highway. She believes this was carefully planned. She says her heart is pounding and she is ready to have a nervous breakdown. She really doesn’t know what happened and is so confused. She says that she has never been through anything like this in her life. She feels violated. Karen asks where she is and Ramona tells her she just got out of jail.

Renee and Carla are alone together and Renee wants to read her the letter she wrote in private. Renee starts off talking about friendship and says they have known each other 27 years, longer than any of the other girls, and have never disagreed before. Renee said that what she said about the boyfriend was out of love and loyalty. Renee says she felt Carla was questioning her motives. Carla says she felt attacked. Renee agrees that she did attack Carla at the time, but it was because she didn’t want her to be hurt by the boyfriend. Renee gets to the end of her letter and wants to be sure that they still trust each other and can put this behind them. They agree. Then they start talking about Ramona. Carla doesn’t like what she has heard about Ramona. Renee says she is just tired of all the fighting between the girls and wants everyone to get along.

My two cents: First of all, let’s be clear that the only place Karen ever said she wanted to make-up or talk to Drita is in Drita’s mind. Outside of that, it never happened. Karen was still pissed about the rooftop fight and the lies Drita was spreading and was not in a forgiving mood. I think the only reasons she went out to talk to Drita on the balcony was out of respect for Big Ang, to get everything off her chest, or the producers told her to. Making up was definitely not on Karen’s agenda that night. 

Big Ang is the peacemaker and also the comic relief in the show. Somehow she makes everyone happy and relaxed. You could see it at the get together. She is exactly what the show needed to help reduce the tension for the cast and viewers. 

Ramona has some more explaining to do! I still have no idea what happened and why. By now she surely must have gotten to the bottom of it. What’s the scoop? Why did they get pulled over? Was it undercover police? Why were they taken to jail? This sounds like a whole episode’s worth of drama.  We need to know!

Drita has barely gotten her divorce underway and she is already selling the house. I can understand it being too big and expense to maintain and having to downsize. What I can’t understand is the rush to sell her jewelry. She is on one of the most popular reality shows ever. I don’t think she needs to sell her bling so fast. She should rent a safe deposit box and put everything in it until she is less emotional about the divorce, before making any decisions. As for the engagement ring…I was just wondering how Lee, the bank burglar, got it. Did he actually buy it and have good taste or was it a “hot” item from one of his heists? 

As for Junior, I am beyond disgusted! All the while he is wining and dining Renee he is working for the Feds. How could he say he wants to work things out while betraying her, their son and her father by wearing a wire to save his own ass from going to jail? In this episode it now looks like he was using Renee to get closer to her father and really, how LOW can you go? Renee has said she still would like AJ to have a relationship with his father, but honestly it is going to be along time before that can happen, if ever. The hurt from betrayal runs very deep and is not soon forgotten. 

Now, for the most disappointing part of the episode, Renee and Carla’s confrontation. What a huge let down! Renee started off with a bang and I really thought she was going to let Carla have it. Renee had every right to be angry for more reasons than one. First of all, last season’s reunion ended with them at odds over the boyfriend issue. It really wasn’t about the boyfriend, it became more about Carla not believing Renee and calling her a liar. Renee tried to tell her, on three separate occasions: Drita’s party, at a lunch, and then at her house, what a dirt bag this guy is, but Carla talked over her, made jokes about it and kept saying it didn’t happen. Renee even swore on her son’s eyes that she was telling the truth and Carla, her dear friend of 27 years, di-ent believe her. That alone is enough to make someone intensely angry and frustrated, and it showed on the reunion show. By the way, Carla dumped the boyfriend soon after. Some prize package he was.

Then, two weeks after the reunion shows airs, Renee goes in for a body lift. This is no small operation. Renee almost died on the operating table and then her life was still at risk from the infection afterwards that could have killed her. Carla never called or visited her. She claims she never knew how serious it was, no one told her. I don’t believe that. I think the news spread all over Staten Island. But, even if they managed to keep it quiet, if Drita knew about it, you can bet that Carla was told five minutes later. Drita always runs to Carla with everything. Karen gave her chapter one of her book, Drita went straight to Carla. Drita “finds out” Lee cheated, she runs straight to Carla. Renee says she isn’t inviting Carla to her party, Drita is meeting Carla to tell her. Now who is going to believe Drita kept Renee’s complications to herself? Please! Do we have stupid written on our foreheads? It just doesn’t make sense, that’s not what girlfriends do. So I think Carla knew about it, early enough to do something about it and make it right. Something like, “I called as soon as I heard… or “I’m so sorry, I just heard what happened…” and make amends as soon as possible. But she di-ent.

Renee was not hard enough on Carla at all. She was in the right on both counts. Carla showed her true colors. This is not how good friends treat you. Where is the loyalty? Where is the respect? Renee’s letter was too kind, as though she was in the wrong. I agree with her friend, Nikole, that was on the phone, Renee shouldn’t be the one reaching out to Carla, she did nothing wrong. Carla should have been the one asking for Renee’s forgiveness. She didn’t even look or sound sorry for what she did. I’m not suggesting another brawl, but Renee should have done what Karen did on the balcony with Drita, and give Carla a huge piece of her mind and told her to kiss her “flat ass!” 

Renee, I have to repeat Ramona’s words here (insert clapping) STOP…BEING…NICE!

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