The “Real Housewives of Rhode Island” Episode 2 introduces the seventh housewife, Rulla Nehme Pontarelli, a certified financial planner and wealth manager. Kelsey jokes before her arrival that Rulla is “monotone,” but monotone turns out to be a significant misread.
As soon as Rulla arrives, the conversation turns to her husband Brian’s alleged affair. Jo-Ellen was the one who first saw the photos — posted publicly on social media by the other woman — and brought them to Rulla. Rulla seems angrier at Jo-Ellen for spreading the information than at Brian for the alleged affair itself. “But he is, ma,” Liz fires back when Rulla tries to downplay Brian’s involvement. Rulla insists the affair is over. Liz says everyone says it’s still going on.
Rulla’s response to the situation raises immediate questions. She signed up for a reality TV show. Her husband was allegedly photographed in a compromising position that the other woman posted publicly. Jo-Ellen brought it to her attention. And her reaction was to try to get Jo-Ellen fired and position herself as the victim of gossip.
Jo-Ellen is pissed. After she shared the news about Brian, Rulla and Brian called Jo-Ellen’s workplace to retaliate. Jo-Ellen says Rulla threatened her family by threatening her job. Rulla claims she was too sick to come to the vineyard trip… Urgent care, she says.
The Vineyard Trip
The group heads to Newport Winery for RHORI’s first sprinter van trip. It goes about as well as you would expect. Kelsey admits she didn’t know rosé was wine. She calls it “stripper juice.” Jo-Ellen just buys expensive wine because she thinks it gives her a less bad hangover. Ashley shows up in what the group describes as a renaissance fair dress. Ashley continues to be the outsider.
Kelsey’s Situation Gets More Complicated
After correcting her earlier description of Kelsey’s relationship — ChatGPT informed her that polygamy only applies to marriages, so the correct term is polyamory — she drops a new bombshell. Kelsey confirms she has another boyfriend. And it sounds like he will be appearing on the show.
Liz’s Situation Gets Murkier
Alicia brings up rumors about Liz’s relationship with a friend named Dino, hinted at earlier by Rulla. Liz acknowledges she leaned on Dino while Gerry was away and admits it crossed a line, but denies an affair happened. She’s upset that Alicia would bring it up. The show is being deliberately vague about what happened. I doubt it will stay vague for long.
Two episodes in, RHORI has already logged a husband’s alleged affair, a polyamorous relationship with a secret second boyfriend, a rumored emotional affair, a job threat, and a fireworks bouquet that landed wrong. Rhode Island may be small, but the drama’s not.
“The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” airs Sundays 9/8c on Bravo and streams Mondays on Peacock.
Image credit: Rulla Nehme Pontarelli/Instagram
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