Real Housewives of Atlanta Review: Reunion, Part 1 – Sharks and Cats

Although the reunion episode was apparently shot weeks after Cynthia and Peter’s wedding, which supposedly was the last time the ladies were all together, still waters run deep: wounds were still raw, the housewives were stiff, and NeNe Leakes and Kim Zolciak were still bitter.  In a Q&A fashion, Andy Cohen of Watch What Happens Live appropriately hosted The Real Housewives of Atlanta: “Reunion, Part 1” at the Georgia Aquarium in front of the shark tank.

Since it was a reunion episode, there wasn’t any new footage; however, the most noticeable change was Kandi Burruss’s new ‘do.  Each lady’s story this season was simply recapped into video clips.  The most entertaining parts were when Andy asked Kim questions and the camera would cut to NeNe’s eye rolling, tight-lipped stares, and her rocking back and forth.  Likewise, Kim had her share of pouty, uninterested facial reactions to NeNe’s comments.  All the ladies got a snicker when Andy asked Kim why she “cakes” her make-up on.  He tried to clean it up and said he thought she wore a fair amount of make-up, but since caking on make-up has a negative connotation, his clean up job was to no avail. Kim’s face had been officially cracked.

According to Kim, she’s 32 and holds a degree in nursing; however, she seems to have been absent from all history classes and the history of the state in which she resides, for she still claims to be clueless as to why the other housewives and Derek J have a problem with the way she treats Sweetie, her African-American friend/personal assistant.  Now, call her what you want, but as colorful as she has been this season, Phaedra Parks articulately expressed what all the wives and probably most of the viewers felt who agreed with Derek J and NeNe’s (albeit loud) point. “Historically, this country has had a very troubled past with race relations, and we’re just 57 years out from Brown v. the Board of Education, where blacks were integrated into white schools (especially in the South, said Cynthia) so no matter what you say we are somewhat more sensitive because of our troubled past.  I’m black.  I live in the South, and it is still 2011 and there is racism.  And people are still hurt.  People still feel a certain way, but everyone wants to turn a blind eye and say just because black people have progressed to this level [and] we have a black president, we’re on equal footing, but our footing is not equal.  There is still a lot of tension, and we have to realize that.”  However, for NeNe it wasn’t a black-white issue but a question of human respect. For that reason NeNe is still offended even though, according to Kim, NeNe “borrowed” Sweetie as her personal assistant during an event where Kim and NeNe were together.  Nevertheless, Sheree Whitfield also admitted to having been offended when, a few seasons ago, “Big Pappa” called Sweetie a “black bitch.”  Kandi also expressed her discomfort being around Sweetie and Kim when Kim called Sweetie derogatory names.

In remaining true to her classic behavior and character, NeNe got into it with yet another housewife: Phaedra.  Apparently Phaedra and NeNe both grew up in Athens, GA, and Phaedra alluded to have known (of) NeNe when they were in Athens because supposedly NeNe socialized with Phaedra’s eldest brother. NeNe says she didn’t know Phaedra, but NeNe knew her well enough x number of years ago to call Phaedra for her help in either getting on Being Bobby Brown, or getting her own show. NeNe acts like she’s crazy, which she is, but she knows what Phaedra means when she said she “knew [of] her.” NeNe might not be her best gal pal like she’s Cynthia Bailey’s, but NeNe knows the woman, which means you can assume NeNe “knew” Phaedra in Athens. NeNe just chooses not to admit it. NeNe likes to make herself look good — like most people — but at some point you have to admit your flaws. NeNe acts like she’s done nothing wrong when she had fought with every housewife that’s been on the show including Dwight, and she’s always been the initiator of the fights.  NeNe: 0, Phaedra: 1

Updates/Revelations:

• NeNe and Greg Leakes have filed for divorce and Greg is moving out, although there is not one thing that led to the demise of their marriage.
• NeNe forgave Greg for the radio rants
• Kandi and Cynthia admitted to having also had liposuction.
• Cynthia and Phaedra got pre-nuptial agreements before they wed, and according to Phaedra, that is a good idea for all smart business women.
• Cynthia and NeNe are both 43
• NeNe believes Dwight is a “social climber” although Phaedra defended him and called him a “gentleman.”
• Kim and Kroy are not revealing the sex of their baby.
• Until they watched the show, Cynthia and Peter did not know that Cynthia’s mom and sister considered hiding the marriage certificate.
• Peter is opening a small lounge in Atlanta…without Cynthia’s money.

In spite of the embellishment of the excitement and drama, Part 1 of the reunion bored me to tears.  Hopefully Part 2 will be more interesting.  Anytime someone ends up in tears I’m all ears.

Season 3, Episode 17: Reunion, Part 1 (originally aired February 13, 2011)

Don’t miss Part 2 of the Season 3 reunion this Sunday at 9 PT/ET on Bravo.

Can’t get enough Housewives? Read Inisia Lewis’s recap of this episode.

There’s even more Poptimal coverage of The Real Housewives of Atlanta here.

Images courtesy of Wilford Harewood and Bravo.