Tonight on Real Housewives of New Jersey, the girls go on a trip to a spa to celebrate Teresa’s first weekend without an ankle monitor. And I suppose we will hear several versions of the big fight between Jac and Teresa. We start with the annoying packing scenes. It drives me bonkers to see how these women overpack for a weekend trip. Did Teresa really just pack one bag.
Jac is riding up with Siggy driving. The other three are riding together. Dolores is driving Teresa and Melissa. Let’s just pretend the sexting between Teresa and Joe didn’t happen, okay? Both Teresa and Jac say they are not going to bring up their fight. No one believes that.
I’m tired of Siggy’s off base psychoanalyzing of her cast mates in her confessions. Really. I was hoping for more from her.
At the spa, there is no one to help with their luggage. But there is a butler holding flutes of champagne on the door step. Is that a good tradeoff? Probably not if you packed four huge suitcases like Melissa.
Teresa is already pissed that Jac didn’t dash straight over to her and acknowledge her before moving in to her room in the basement. She also seemed offended that Jac wanted the basement room to be away from her even though she told Dolores to put Jac in the basement before she even arrived. Teresa whispers to Siggy that she might throw Jac down the stairs. Teresa is making this as awkward as possible. I hate Teresa for making me defend Jac and it appears this may be a season long sentence for me.
We start with a dinner. Oh joy. I find it hilarious that production has them talking about traveling, and the 2011 trip to Italy in particular. I firmly believe Joe used his brother’s passport to go on that trip. Although Bravo usually books the tickets so, not sure how that would have worked with the name. In that case he would have used an Italian passport. I refuse to play along with Jac’s story about how her financial problems are the fault of her autistic son and not about her questionable use of business funds to charter planes and go on trips. Everyone tells their hard luck stories. Seriously. Siggy is already overserved and crying. Other than that, no wine was thrown and no tables were flipped at dinner.
There is a lovely campfire scene where they make s’mores. What kind of spa serves s’mores and hot cocoa after dinner? No spa. But s’mores are a thing on Bravo show lately. The depressing topics continue by the campfire. They were apparently all told to discuss things they missed out on with their kids. Jac cries when Teresa talks about how young Audriana was when she was in prison and all the things she missed. Because they have all had too much wine.
That night they all don pajamas and talk about missing their men. The girls call their men and pretend they are all fighting. Because… well I have no idea. Jac suggests playing “wine pong.” This is a really bad idea. Finally they all toddle off to bed.
For some reason we are getting practically equal time with the husbands tonight. Joe Gorga and Chris have all gotten scenes with their kids and their inability to run the house with their wives gone. At breakfast, Jac goes to the bathroom to cry. Everyone was talking about their kids successes in wrestling and cheerleading and it made Jac very sad that Nic is not going to progress at the average pace. Everyone comforts her. Even Teresa hugs and reassures her. It seemed like a very genuine moment. It’s kind of sad that Jac and Teresa can’t maintain a friendship. Teresa tells Dolores that maybe her fight with Jac was because she had a hard day with Nic. No Teresa, it’s because you started attacking her about things that happened five years ago.
At the pool, Melissa chats with Dolores about how she is happy with how things are going with Teresa but that she still walks on eggshells and is careful not to bring up the past. When they return from the conversation in the pool to the lounge chairs, Jac is convinced they were talking about her relationship with Tre. She asks them if they would like to share what they were talking about with the rest of the class. Siggy says it is time for a spa treatment so the crisis is averted.
Siggy and Melissa get pedicures and then Siggy does bring up the relationship between Jac and Teresa but they are all speaking with the best intentions. Teresa and Jac get mud treatments and things go well. In her confessional Teresa lets us know she is taking the high road and not expecting an apology from Jac. She really seems to think she is owed one.
For some reason, they are cooking in on the second night. Someone has stocked the fridge with all the things they will need to make dinner. And two gallons of milk. That seems odd to me. Maybe there was a disagreement about what kind to buy. I know I only drink whole milk. The less processing and fiddling with food and beverages the better as far as I am concerned. They are grilling steaks and making salad and some other sides. Dinner goes great. Jac and Teresa says she was planning to grow old together. Teresa says they will! Siggy tells them that Jac is very deep and that Teresa is a very simple person who doesn’t fully understand Jac’s intent. They laugh and giggle and throw chocolates and things are happy go lucky!
Joe Giudice goes to see Rino at his restaurant! I love Rino and am very happy to see him! His restaurant is doing very well. Rino is a great friend to Teresa and Joe. He sent over food the night Teresa got out of prison. The food looks amazing. The conversation seems genuine. I love Rino’s shirt. This scene makes me happy. They talk about Joe’s preparations to make sure his family is safe when he goes away.
Of course Jac brings up that Dolores and Melissa were talking about them at the pool. But they were not. Is she going to ruin this love fest? Nope. The others are able to talk her down.
The next morning Teresa teaches them a yoga class. Jac and Dolores are great at it. Teresa ends the class with “Namaste, bitches!”
This was a good episode!
Next Week: The love is gone. I’m not sure who is screaming outside of Teresa’s book signing, but some big dude is ranting and Joe is out there with him while Teresa is calling him to her before she addresses the crowd. Also, Rosie gets her feelings hurt by the guys.
Thanks for the tea TT
Wonderful recap, Tamara!! I too thought it was a good episode and was anxious to read your post.
I loved that regardless of how precarious all the relationships currently are post prison, everyone was able to get along for the two nights away. I did feel Jaq’s crying was genuine knowing her son may never reach certain levels of success or share a childhood similar to the other kids his age. Teresa went to her, stroked her hair and made it all about Nicholas and Jaq’s, not about her. There was s definitely a more low key Teresa post prison. I suppose in part because she is on probation for 2 years and can’t act like a lunatic. I do see that the yoga is Teresa’s ocd way of dealing with stress now. At one time post divorce, I used to go to the gym and pump those steps for an hour and a half. That’s how long I had to go at it until my anxiety dissipated.
I have to say it was one of the first nice episodes are n NJ in a long time. I love me some Rino too. His father in law went to prison for awhile. He is very generous and sympathetic!!!
Rino would be a great addition to the show, sans those annoying twins. Could they make him an honorary or a FOH?
I need to get to the gym again. I used to love how relaxed I’d feel afterward. I don’t know why I stopped.
Minky, I am with you about Rino. One of the few likable men on the HW franchise. It looks like those dreadful, airhead twins will be guests on an upcoming episode.
I have not been to the gym in a while, as well. When you work full-time, it is hard to get back in the car and head about again. I know in my heart I’ll feel more relaxed if I go, but it’s often hard to drag my butt there!!
This was a good episode & so necessary after all the RHONY drama. Thanks for the recap, TT!
Oh, I forgot to mention about that figure of 60 grand Jaq’s put out there. I agree Tamara. That’s bullshit. Any speech, physical and occupational therapy he gets is provided by the school system. In NJ, anyone can start receiving special services at age 3. He is probably bussed to a special school but the tab is paid by the state. It’s probably more along the line of 150 grand to accommodate his needs in the school system when you go through door to door transportation, specially trained teachers, aides, the facility where he goes to school, speech, OT, PT, behavior modification, etc. it did NOT come out of the Laurita’s pockets. Maybe if Jaq’s says it enough, she may come to believe it herself. Everyone knows the three brothers formed numerous she’ll corporation associated with Signature Apparell, LLC and siphoned the money to other tax exempt corporations. Then, the Laurita’s raided those funds and apparently went through all of the stolen money.
The Laurita’s financial issues were well documented before Nic’s birth. However, I do think it is important to note that what is portrayed on a reality show for a story line may or may not be reality (even though the viewer isn’t supposed to question the difference.)
Keep in mind that her husband works for himself. His insurance may not cover autism therapies. Plus, they did some alternative or new therapies that might not be covered either. Depending on New Jersey’s laws, they may have had a lot of out of pocket expenses.
I have a friend with a Downs child – the reason her daughter is still within her age range developmentally is because of her (her daughter is in kindergarten). We joke that she picked the right parents – her mama is a teacher and has a special ed endorsement among other things. She’s even had speech therapy training. Of course they avail themselves of all the services that the district and state provide – but my friend works with her daughter on all the various things herself every single day. If she wasn’t already trained – that would be thousands of dollars extra a month. Well worth it because of how well her daughter is doing, but it would be hard on the pocketbook even if you didn’t already have financial difficulties and didn’t have the abiity to do the therapies yourself.
Was it me, or did Jac allude to their lifestye spending?
I think Jaq did sort of vaguely reference it, Erica. Something like, “We were still having our lifestyle up here, but the finances were going down here,” all with confusing, drunken hand gestures.
Exactly, Jac did say that they kept their lifestyle. Which is a past of the money taken from the company, I suspect.
I think they estimated what it would cost if they didn’t get all the state assistance but am sure they also included the cost of the babysitters and full time nannies, which Jac, I am sure, considered required by their lifestyle. I’ve been quite aware, as we saw Jac and Nic over the past season, that she was virtually never alone with him- there was always someone else talking to him, leading him away, working with him.
I have a child with special needs, not autism though several of my friends do have children with autism. $60,000/yr is not bullshit. Yes, the school provides some of the services, but if parents want their child to progress, services must be continued at home and paid for out of pocket. OT, PT, Speech, and ABA therapy are very expensive, well over $100/her each. Then there is the extra doctor visits (neurologist, psychiatrist, sleep specialists, etc.) and the medicine, expensive meds. Some insurances will pick up a little bit, still, it takes a lot of money. And if Chris and Jaq want to go out for a date night, they can’t just hire the neighborhood babysitter, they have to hire someone trained to handle a child with autism. Yes, a few school systems provided good special ed services, most do not! Just glorified babysitting; maybe 20 minutes of each therapy per week, often no direct therapy is provided just consultation with the teacher, and even with that it is an aide working with the child NOT a teacher. To suggest the Laurita’s don’t pay for any of these services is ignorant.
I believe Jaq came into this season miffed that filming was delayed to wait for Theresa’s release. My guess is they needed the money from the show to help pay for Nicholas’s therapies and to help recover from their bankruptcy. The delay had to put further strain on their situation.
Jane, I mean no disrespect to you or your child, but I was a special Ed teacher for the first 15 of my thirty years in teaching. I also live in the state of NJ. OT, PT, and speech are provided weekly, be it at home or in the school setting. My brother is a psychiatrist and spends one full day each week counseling kids and parents with special needs. He also attends child study team meetings to develop ongoing work with each child. He lives in DC, but the same services are afforded here in NJ. In NJ, one must have specialized training to work with autistic children in behavior modification. Insurance will pay for all doctor visits including specialists. Pharmaceutical companies will also help families in need with very low co pays or free medicine, two in particular that I have worked with in the past.
Jaq’s ‘bankruptcy’ was fraudulent. The company owned by the Laurita family (three brothers and their wives), siphoned all the money meant for their creditors and stole it for their own personal use, approximate 8 million dollars. They went through the money in around four years. They are being sued for bankruptcy fraud by @100 creditors.
I am not ignorant and I don’t believe you are either, but before you come out swinging, you might ask me first why I addressed that particular issue here in the comments. Tamara is also an educator so she is commenting based on her own knowledge.
I wish you much success with your child and hope that the road ahead is easier for both of you.
100 creditors?!!! Holy shit! Okay. As Hank Hill would say: That tears it! Jaq is just as bad as Teresa. What kind of arrogance do you have to have to believe that you can get away with something like that and then go on TV and talk about it like it’s no big deal with a straight face? If we know about it here, then what do the feds know? Why is Jaq and her felonious family not getting sued by the IRS?
I need answers! Haha!
Matzah – your brother sees those kids whose parents have insurance that will pay him for his services, or who the state has approved for services. As a special ed teacher, you know that there are kids that need more than that – and I got the impression they were seeking therapies on a daily basis for Nicholas. If my friends had just done what insurance and the state provided, their kids would not be as advanced as they are.
Yup you are correct… Here in RI you can also collect disability for the kiddo… Which I think the standard rate is 500.00 a month.
$500 doesn’t go very far if you are having to hire therapists or make accommodations for your child, or even hire a respite caregiver so that you get an hour or two without having to worry about who is watching your kid (it can’t be the local teen down the street).
You may not have meant to disrespect Jane and her child, BUT you did.
Erica, my brother has his own private practice. He doesn’t get paid through insurance companies for the children he treats. The school system pays him as an independent contractor for an hourly wage set by the school board. He does plenty of work for families for free. His own child had his own set of special needs which is why he got involved. It would be much more lucrative for him to spend his day in the office seeing private patients than spending the day in the school system.
Jaq’s and her husband live a very entitled life. When you decide to have kids, you choose to make lots of personal sacrifices to raise that child. When you have a child with special needs, the sacrifices are even greater. She and Kris have chosen to stay in that big ass house along with the huge expenses it takes to keep it maintained. They have been foreclosed on twice and have saved the home. Why not sell the house, downsize, get rid of the expensive cars, the high real estate taxes and use those funds to improve Nic’s life and their own, for that matter.
Most states also have catastrophic medical insurance for families who have tapped all the resources from their own medical carrier. I live in this tiny little town in south Jersey and even here there are a plethora of free local services. Nothing is going to just come and land on your lap. You have to do a lot of footwork, phone calls, and follow up to get your child the services they deserve, but it is well worth the time and effort to service your child. Life’s not always fair, but you have to be willing to work withe cards you’ve been dealt.
Minky, the Laurita family filed for a business bankruptcy. They stole all the profits meant to pay their many creditors for their own personal use, and when the money was all gone, they filed a business bankruptcy. I am not sure the Feds or IRS do or will get involved with a fraudulent bankruptcy for a business. They actually filed their bankruptcy one month after Tre and Joe back in 2009 and were subsequently sued by their creditors for filing a fraudulent bankruptcy. The Laurita brothers and their wives all had some bogus position in the business and received some outrageous salaries. The whole thing was a scam. They never intended to pay their creditors. The trustee assigned to the case by the courts and approved by the Laurita family discovered that they took all the money from the company just prior to filing for a business bankruptcy. The trustee and the creditors then filed suit against the company stating that the Laurita brothers and their wives, including Jaq, filed a fraudulent bankruptcy.
Matzah, isn’t their house on the market? They had that scene where they were burying the religious statue for good luck in selling it.
I am NOT condoning any of their alleged fraud, or declaring bankruptcy and maintaining their over the top lifestyle – but to think that the easy solution is to simply sell their house is laughable.
Nationally speaking, it has been a buyer’s market for a while – NJ can’t be that different. Depending on when they bought/built the house (I can’t remember) – they could have done it at a time when values were a bit bloated. I believe TT has said that in their neck of the woods a lot of the McMansions are for sale. Top it off – there is somewhat of a trend to downsize, in my opinion influenced both by so many people afraid of “going underwater” when they don’t need to be and also by the tiny house movement.
In other words, in the case of Teresa and Jac, someone must want to buy their monstrosities before they can sell it. It makes sense to keep living there until it sells.
I’m a SLP (speech therapist), have been one for 12 years, and am completing a doctorate. There are a lot of misconceptions in this thread.
Schools provide services but they do not replace private or outpatient therapy. School services are often group therapy and most often 60 minutes a week (sometimes more and sometimes less). Realistically, a parent will want both outpatient and school services. However, Jaq also put in a lot of services that would not be covered by insurance due to the fact that there is no research regarding the efficacy of it.
All that said, Jaq’s bankruptcy isn’t due to her autistic son. It is due to crappy and immoral financial and business decisions.
Thanks! Just what we need! More discussion of autism and pretreatment and other random shit up to and including your vast knowledge of what Jac files on her medical insurance!
This is all fascinating! Let’s talk about all the kids with autism we know and break down all their symptoms and treatments next. Because I know that is coming. Then lets just spew more facts about research and charity events!
I can hardly wait for the influx of autism treatment fanatics that are sure to follow! This is going to be even more fun that fake cancer and fake lyme disease and eating disorders!
I like Rino very much and don’t even mind the twins, but……. his restaurant is awful. No way around it. Ate there two years ago. Very very bad.
Really? It’s Italian food. How bad can an Italian person (Rino) mess up pasta and lasagna and etc.?
I agree – this was a good episode. This one was more the way the way the Housewife shows used to be. (Except for the footage of Joe Gorga and all the burnt food… that part seemed fake, although we’ve all been there one day or another.) I think it was Dolores who commented on Jac and Tre another time that Jac feels like if they are good friends, Teresa should tell her everything. But Tre plays it all close to the vest and doesn’t want to be questioned like that and feels like her true friend should know that and not question her. So they are always at cross purposes because they come at it from such different perspectives.
I felt bad listening to Jac that she doesn’t talk more about her older son — CJ? I know she’s heartbroken for Nic, but I hope she is getting to celebrate CJ’s milestones and that he’s not getting lost in the shuffle. The only time he’s on camera is when they are working with Nic.
I understand that having a special needs child may be a financial strain, but I don’t like the idea of stating such on a reality TV show.
Then, to suggest that an argument between Teresa and Jac might be because of the kid…who wasn’t even there?
I hope this does not become the storyline for this season. Give the kid a break.
Amen!!
Oh Cat, I agree, children shouldn’t be anywhere near these people while filming.
Thank you TT! I am watching the episode now. Agree, it was nice seeing Rino. I also liked the scene with he and Joe together. Is it just me or is Jac acting more & more crazy each year?
I get that Jac has more challenges than the average mother but does she not remember she has CJ? why is she crying about the glass being half empty every episode for the last two seasons. Why not be grateful it’s not cancer or some terminal illness? I have a brother with autism and when you can’t control what’s happening, we all remember someone else has it worse and try to be grateful for what we do have. I’m so sick of her pity party.
Having a brother with a disability is different from having a child with one. After my child was born I cried then set right to work to do my very best for her. Still, every now and then something little would trigger a sadness in me for her and I would cry out of the blue. Didn’t happen very often but when it did the tears would just stream. I do agree with you “be grateful for what we do have”, I do, I also try to remember to have compassion.
oh, and I do want to add, I have zero sympathy for anyone that files for bankruptcy. We have worked hard for everything we have, lived within are means, and have zero debt.
I was thinking that too, C…. Nicholas might not have those moments, so perhaps that’s what she was crying about. But in terms of parenting experiences, she’s had, and will have, “normal” stuff like a daughter’s wedding and a grandchild, plus whatever the hell invisible C.J. is up to.
Am I the only one who caught during Joe and Rino’s conversation that Joe has 3 German Shepherds now? (Two are outside as shown during the past seasons) and the new one he is training to be inside for protection.) That means there are two dogs outside 24/7.
While Dolores was chatting with Melissa by the pool, I noticed a bruise on her arm. Hmmmmm……
I wish Jac and Chris would keep their son off the show, and not place the blame of their financial burden on him. The other day Jac tweeted that she was waiting for her personal trainer. Someone with financial issues doesn’t have a personal trainer come to their house. That costs a lot of money. She has no clue what it means to be frugal and cut back.
And, no, Jac, no one (really, I think no one) thinks you start a business and then the income starts rolling in. Most of us know that it’s a huge risk and could take years to be profitable. My hunch is Jac thought she’d be rolling in BLK money years ago.
Nice to know Jac is still living like she has money. Personal trainer, grrrr. Also, did anyone notice that her son was being carried into the kitchen during the dinner when Tre and Joe visited by what appeared to be an au pair? Does she have someone at her home all the time caring for Nic? That would run up the costs.
By definition, an Au Pair is a young foreign person who does childcare and/or housework for free in exchange for room and board.
I’ve always thought that they made sure there was someone in the house focused on Nicholas when they were filming, which is what I would do just to keep him on schedule.
She’s done exactly what Teresa did, and continues to live like she’s rich, just as Teresa did/does. Her questioning of Teresa and indignance that Teresa “broke the law” is pure projection and deflection.
Great recap TT..it is so hard to pull for any of these ladies…especially Jacs. My sister’s son with autism (my nephew) is now old enough to drive and he holds down a full time job which at the time she was dealing with schools. Giving your special child coping skills in Social situations will always be hard and the sooner Jacs accepts that the better for everyone, especially her son.
I see a Yoga with Theresa and/or cooking zen book on the horizon
All I have to say is that all of the money j is spending on her son with special needs should / typically incorporates caregiver therapy as well. There are so many support systems available it honestly breaks my heart that she and her husband are clearly not making use of as evidence by her emotional outbreak regarding her son not being able to join the wrestling team. This type of emotional display may be appropriate for a caregiver whose child has had a recent diagnosis, but it seems as if they have known since 2012??
I’ll tweet her to say the statute of limitations on her feeling sad once in a while about her son’s struggles have run out. She is no longer allowed to have a moment.
Seriously, WTF?
Erica: read the commenting rules. I’m not sure what # it is, but please stop making this whole comment section about yourself/ your life/ your struggles/ your for x, y, zzzzzzzz (or at least be funny)
Erica: my bad. I mixed you up with Jane.
LOL…. I was all, DAMN, DID I DRUNK POST?????
I really don’t have much to say, except that I enjoyed this episode more than any NJ episode ever. It was so nice for everyone to get along.
There were so many reasons why I enjoyed this episode. Less drama and fighting, less makeup and perfect hair, and more laughter and casual banter. I feel like Dolores and Siggy are finally bringing these women together with real friendship and not just made for TV “friendships.” Funny how the previews were edited to make it look like major drama was going to happen. Will any of this continue? One can only hope!!
But the makeup bags were there! LOL. Totally agree with you, FYI.
I enjoy drunken Melissa who gets all physical (in a non-violent way) with Teresa. Has happened twice now and I kind of enjoy it – I don’t think T knows what to do with overly affectionate, funny Melissa! I think Jac was a little drunk – but I don’t enjoy her as much drunk among women.
It would be nice if Bravo could get the hint that people enjoy these shows much more when the women are being down to earth and not the “Dramafest by Bravo” every week.
I’m with the commenter who said it’s nice that Siggy and Dolores are able run interference on the drama between Jacqueline and Teresa.
Has anyone else noticed the comments by Melissa each week (so far) that she’s not going to continue to always agree with Teresa? Sounds like she’s preparing to start some drama of her own. Ugh!
Am I the only one that doesn’t like Melissa or her family? When her sisters are around, they’re always standing right behind Melissa mugging for the camera. Their kids are brats that they don’t even attempt to try to keep them in line.
This was a great episode. It felt genuine and was fun to watch. I love when they get silly and are understanding and nice to each other. As for the women this week, I think Jac has very, very low self esteem. This causes her to be paranoid, combative, and hurtful to those she feels hurts by. Teresa is self centered as hell, so I was pleasantly surprised to see her reaction and compassion for Jac and her situation. Dolores seems like a nice person, and Siggy seems like she has to be the center of attention. I really enjoy the scenes they show of Juicy. He’s himself and doesn’t play it up for the cameras like Joe Gorga does.
I think Teresa is going to release a yoga DVD sometime in the future.
Oh God, ILEG, You’re right.
Are pushups part of yoga??? She does look fit…
How many episodes until Jac loses her shit and calls Teresa a criminal? Also, how much extra did she get paid to do so?
Loved this eppie – minus Joe Gorga scenes. And Jac making it all about her at every opportunity. As usual. Ad nauseum.