Watch What Crappens: Episode #2660 RHONY S15E012 - A Visit to Old San Juan

Release Date: December 19, 2024

In Episode #2660 of Watch What Crappens, hosts Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam delve into the twelfth episode of Season 15 of The Real Housewives of New York (RHONY), titled "A Visit to Old San Juan." The episode offers a critical and humorous examination of the latest developments in the show, highlighting character dynamics, significant confrontations, and overarching themes that continue to shape the season.

Overall Impressions

From the outset, Ben and Ronnie express a palpable sense of frustration and disappointment with the direction RHONY has taken this season. Ben opens with a candid assessment:

Ben Mandelker [06:21]: "I am proud to announce that the streak continues as in the streak of boring episodes. And it resumed the this week back. Back to hating it."

Ronnie echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the monotonous nature of the current season:

Ronnie Karam [07:58]: "It's, this episode was really, really dull."

They both lament the lack of engaging content, suggesting that the show has become a "scroll show" where viewers are more inclined to scroll through unrelated content rather than being captivated by the storyline.

Character Dynamics and Conflicts

Rebecca Minkoff vs. Bryn Terfel

A central conflict in this episode revolves around Rebecca Minkoff accusing Bryn Terfel of bullying. Ben highlights Rebecca's direct approach:

Ben Mandelker [08:31]: "Rebecca has just told Bryn that she's a bully. Basically, you've been a bully ever since I met you."

Ronnie adds depth to the analysis by discussing Rebecca’s non-confrontational yet firm method of addressing the issue:

Ronnie Karam [09:01]: "She really put Bryn in her place in a way that was like, you're a bad little girl, and I don't care enough about you to yell at you."

Despite the confrontation, Ronnie appreciates the subtlety of Rebecca’s approach, contrasting it with what the audience might expect—a more explosive reaction.

Motherhood and Personal Struggles

The episode delves into personal traumas related to motherhood, with both Raquel and Bryn sharing their struggles:

Ronnie Karam [10:10]: "I don't like it when people say, like, I don't like it when people are like, are you gonna have a baby?"

Ben and Ronnie critique the show's focus on these personal stories, suggesting that it detracts from the entertainment value:

Ben Mandelker [12:17]: "...it's a modern thing to just like, define yourself by whatever your trauma is and to have to trauma. It's like you give each other awards based on your trauma."

They argue that constant discussions about trauma make the show less engaging and more of a burden for listeners seeking entertainment.

Raquel’s Relationship with Her Mother

Raquel's strained relationship with her mother is another focal point. The hosts dissect the authenticity and portrayal of this relationship:

Ronnie Karam [29:19]: "Someone's trying to break the cycle of selling a rich person for their money..."

The conversation shifts to the genuineness of the interactions, with Ben questioning the sincerity behind Raquel’s mother's behavior:

Ben Mandelker [37:29]: "We know it's not. We know it's like, she's on camera. She's on best Behavior."

They highlight the trope often seen on Bravo where mothers appear sweet on camera despite previous conflicts, questioning the reality of these interactions.

Episode Highlights and Notable Scenes

The Squint Moment

One of the most memorable moments discussed is Rebecca’s intense squinting at Bryn, which the hosts interpret as a silent yet powerful form of judgment:

Ben Mandelker [09:26]: "The moment I saw her squinty eye, I was like, oh, I love her. I love her. Because there was so much judgment."

This scene is praised for its understated yet effective portrayal of tension between the housewives.

The Dick Pic Incident

A particularly contentious scene involves Bryn circulating a picture of her husband’s penis among the group, leading to awkward and humorous exchanges:

Ronnie Karam [51:28]: "Do you think this is small? Joe's like, I take it back."

Ben and Ronnie critique the awkwardness and inappropriateness of the act, finding it both bizarre and unfunny:

Ben Mandelker [55:01]: "A big dick or they didn't know. They were just like."

This moment is used to illustrate the show's struggle to maintain engaging and tasteful content.

Shopping and Social Interactions

The hosts dissect the shallow interactions during a shopping trip in Old San Juan, noting the lack of meaningful exchanges:

Ben Mandelker [48:54]: "Basically the group splits up into content creators who just like to take photos of themselves and non content creators."

They find the shopping scenes repetitive and uninspiring, contributing to their overall critique of the season's lack of depth.

Production and Direction Critique

Ben and Ronnie do not shy away from criticizing the show's production quality and narrative direction. Ben points out the absence of chemistry among the cast and the lack of a cohesive story:

Ben Mandelker [20:37]: "It's just the cast does not have a chemistry and. And on top of that, production does not have a good vision for the show..."

They argue that the producers failed to create a compelling narrative, resulting in a disjointed and unengaging season.

Concluding Thoughts and Expectations

Despite their critical stance, Ben and Ronnie maintain a level of humor and hope for future episodes. Ronnie suggests that the upcoming reunion might inject much-needed drama:

Ronnie Karam [67:06]: "...this reunion is amazing. Someone is really upping it in the outfit department."

Ben remains skeptical but concedes that the reunion could potentially turn things around:

Ben Mandelker [67:27]: "A new line in the sand. Three hours later, finally, the show gets a pulsy in."

The hosts conclude with a resigned optimism, anticipating that the show will find its footing in subsequent episodes.

Closing Remarks

Watch What Crappens wraps up the episode with a strong critique of RHONY’s Season 15, emphasizing the need for more engaging content and authentic character interactions. Ben and Ronnie's analysis offers listeners a blend of humor and honest appraisal, reaffirming their commitment to dissecting Bravo's offerings with both love and ridicule.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Mandelker [06:21]: "I am proud to announce that the streak continues as in the streak of boring episodes."

• Ronnie Karam [09:01]: "...you're a bad little girl, and I don't care enough about you to yell at you."

• Ronnie Karam [12:17]: "...define yourself by whatever your trauma is and to have to trauma. It's like you give each other awards based on your trauma."

• Ben Mandelker [20:37]: "It's just the cast does not have a chemistry and. And on top of that, production does not have a good vision for the show..."

• Ronnie Karam [51:28]: "Do you think this is small? Joe's like, I take it back."

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of Episode #2660 of Watch What Crappens, providing an insightful and engaging overview of the hosts' take on RHONY Season 15 Episode 12. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the podcast, this summary offers a clear picture of the discussions and critiques presented by Ben and Ronnie.