‘Real Housewives of New York’: Disastrous Rape Scandal Should Get Brynn Fired

Was this season of The Real Housewives of New York City the weirdest in Housewives history? Maybe not, but this reunion certainly has been.

After 15 episodes that ranged from unwatchable to downright uncomfortable, the New York Housewives just closed out their reunion with their signature vibe of everyone sobbing a lot while fighting incomprehensibly. I’m almost saying that lovingly. They’ve worn me down.

Reunion Part 2 finally delves into the question on everyone’s mind: Can Brynn salvage her spot in the group? The answer to that depends, of course, as it seems even her castmates aren’t on the same page. I, for one, think it’s curtains for her—more on that later.

Before Brynn becomes the reunion’s main event, we get a lovely amuse bouche, as Rebecca Minkoff hits the stage for a brutal pummeling before limping off-screen.

Everyone’s favorite floppy friend-of came into this reunion with an axe to grind, pissed at everything from the Nordstrom Rack comment to the way her castmates prodded at her belief in Scientology. Rebecca would be flat-out flabbergasted if she filmed with any other cast on Bravo, as these ladies gave her a decidedly easy go of things, barely even acknowledging Scientology.

My favorite moment of all was the discussion of Sai’s podcast hot mic, when she seemed to call Rebecca boring.

“She clarified that she meant that I was nice and the show was boring, so I believed that,” Rebecca says. I believe it, too.

Next, we dive into the randomest feud imaginable, as we discover that Erin and Rebecca have suffered a brutal falling-out. Apparently, Rebecca was dismayed by Erin’s confessional questioning how you can be both Jewish and a Scientologist, and Erin’s disgusted that Rebecca would text her angrily while she’s struggling with her father’s death.

Like, okay. I’ll take it. Dead serious, Erin vs. Rebecca is my favorite feud of the season, even if it came out of nowhere at the last minute. Obviously, Rebecca won’t ever be back on this show—nor should she be, really—but she went out the way all friends-of should: in a blaze of embarrassing glory. This show is struggling enough without having to tip-toe around Scientology.

In all fairness, this is hands-down the most exciting reunion segment. It’s so fun when she calls it hate-speech to call Scientology a “cult,” which cast members said. But I think that’s about where we should leave it with Ms. Minkoff.

With Rebecca out of the way, the focus turns to the allegations that arose during the finale. Namely: Did Ubah know that Brynn had been raped or not?

It was disturbing when it aired and it’s disturbing to discuss now, as the conversation simply doesn’t contain half the nuance needed. The fact that Andy Cohen has to give a disclaimer that no one doubts Brynn’s assault happened is just so… dark. There’s no other way to describe it.

It’s a discussion that has to happen, though, given how the season ended. You know what need not be discussed ever again? Jenna’s pubes. I’m seriously happy for her that they’re smooth and silky thanks to Kerastase Thermique or whatever, but that’s enough. No more pranks or pubes.

As the conversation turns back to Brynn, she delivers quite the soliloquy, even though her peers don’t quite believe it. I love a pathological liar as much as the next person, but it’s always preferable when the lies are more harmless (i.e. Aviva writing an entire novel through a series of emails).

Brynn’s tearful retelling of the night, which constantly gets shot down by her castmates, shows she’s reached a point of no return. It’s an entertaining performance—if you can handle the second-hand embarrassment—but it is not the groveling of someone who wants her spot back in the group. How can the cast go forward with Brynn if there’s not an iota of trust? Is she authentic enough to truly form a bond with them, or is she just a caricature?

To an extent, I respect Brynn’s doubling down in the face of such backlash, but it’s not successful.

Ubah properly eviscerates Brynn—and then she offers her a shocking lifeline. While she stands by the fact she knew nothing of the assault, Ubah gives her some true grace. It’s unexpected and heartfelt, even as the rest of the cast come to a place of disgust for Brynn.

As the two embrace in a deep hug, everyone else sits there with utter contempt. It really is the worst when your friend makes up with someone you hate.

Is this enough to save Brynn’s spot on the show? Quite honestly, it shouldn’t. She can’t be scapegoated for even half the issues with this shaky season, but her presence would act as an albatross around future seasons’ necks. It’s time to let her go—along with a certain woman in a bathrobe.

If there’s any hope of saving The Real Housewives of New York City, we can’t spend time rehashing this any longer. I’m quite sympathetic to Brynn, but I’d like her to heal off camera. That’s none of my business anymore.

“When this group is good, it is so good. So I hope that today was a first step in restoring a path forward,” Andy closes out the reunion. Sorry king, but it was not that. Not at all.

But with the season officially in the rearview, I’d like to focus on some positives. I thought it was hilarious when Ubah apologized for her authenticity because “it makes you guys so uncomfortable.” That is such a beautifully unaware way to address her many meltdowns.

Also beautiful is this absolutely stunning reunion set, one of the best I’ve seen in years. Kudos to the set designers.

And finally, I love how aggravated Erin gets whenever anyone comes for her. Her random takedown of Rebecca and threats to go after Ubah—all while fully pregnant—show she has a better work ethic than her castmates. She can really shine next year if people prod her.

It may have been an uneven, often bad season of television, but there’s nowhere to go from here but up. At least, I hope.