The Real Housewives of Orange County backdrop

TV season

Season 1

2006-03-21

The gates of Coto de Caza open to five wealthy women juggling demanding careers, complex families, and extreme social pressure to maintain their youth and status. Vicki Gunvalson runs her insurance agency while employing struggling single mother Lauri Waring, and powerhouse realtor Jeana Keough manages three competitive teens alongside an emotionally distant husband. Meanwhile, young Jo De La Rosa resists her fiancé's traditional domestic expectations, and Kimberly Bryant faces a major health scare that alters her future in the OC.

Episodes

Episode 1

Meet the Wives

2006-03-21 • 44 min

In the first episode of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Orange County," Jeana's son Shane faces the stress of high school graduation and the baseball draft, where he feels pressure to become the third generation Keough to play pro baseball. Shane's sister Kara is feeling the sting of sibling rivalry and things get ugly when she demands a new car Meanwhile, Kimberly discusses her breast implants — a gift for her husband's 40th birthday — and takes her daughter, Bianca, for professional make-up for a junior high dance. She then decides its time to enjoy afternoon cocktails with friends and meets Jo in a chance encounter. Twenty-something Jo struggles with her new life as the fiancée of a wealthy thirty-something man. Jo and her fiancée, Slade, argue over her desire to continue partying. Jo ventures out and meets Kimberly, her first gated housewife friend. Vicki spares no expense to celebrate her daughter Briana's prom and graduation party, but dreads her ex-husband's arrival for the festivities. Lauri deals with the aftermath of her divorce and lower status life outside the gates. Things get even more complicated when her adult daughter comes home for a surprise visit.

Episode 2

Is It Hunting Season, Yet?

2006-03-28 • 44 min

Rabbits have overrun the gated Orange County community, and Jeana's son Shane has gained the reputation as the official "rabbit hunter." Jeana decides it's the perfect time to take her kids on a vacation to Mexico, where Shane finds romance. Kimberly is feeling neighborhood pressure to upgrade her car, and decides to go shopping for something more pricey and suitable for the prying eyes of the Orange County community. Meanwhile, Jo's fiance Slade plans a high-powered business meeting with a potential client, Brent, which makes Jo miss her career. He plots a "chance encounter" with Brent in their neighborhood. Jo continues her quest to accept her life of leisure by taking a tennis lesson with Kimberly. Vicki takes Briana and a group of cheerleaders on a cruise, where Vicki's wild side emerges. Upon their return, Vicki worries about money, argues with Michael about getting a job, and fears that her employee Lauri isn't going to work out. Lauri's troubles continue to mount. Her son, Josh, gets into big trouble at school and gets arrested. Lauri has to break the news to her youngest daughter, Sophie. Lauri looks forward to her work convention with Vicki, unaware that Vicki is contemplating firing her.

Episode 3

Upgrading Has Nothing to do With You Honey

2006-04-04 • 44 min

Jeana, Matt and Colton accompany Shane to a college in Arizona, where he tries out for the coach of the baseball team. Left home alone, Kara passes the time by spending money. Kimberly sets off for a girls-only weekend in Palm Springs and things get wild. Still trying to land Brent's business, Slade maneuvers an invitation with Jo to Brent's house for drinks. Jo plays along and bonds with Brent's wife, Cyndi, but later realizes she wants more for her own life. In preparation for their big convention in New Orleans, Vicki & Lauri get a home treatment of Botox. Lauri worries about leaving her daughter, Ashley, in charge of her house, while Vicki worries that Lauri isn't dedicated enough to her career. While Lauri's away, Ashley breaks the rules and has a party. In New Orleans, Vicki and Lauri bond over a shared childhood experience.

Episode 4

Talk, Talk, Talk

2006-04-11 • 44 min

Jeana takes Kimberly and Scott house hunting, then hosts a neighborhood BBQ where many of the housewives and their kids meet for the first time. Sparks fly as Shane takes an interest in Jo. Kimberly comes clean with Scott about her crazy weekend in Palm Springs. After deciding that they need a bigger home, Kimberly and Scott go house hunting, then debate how many days of celebration they should have for Travis' 7th birthday. Unhappy that Jo has gone back to work, Slade retaliates by hiring a sexy new assistant. Jo and Slade are at odds over Jo's new job. At Jeana's BBQ, it does not sit well with Slade that Shane and Jo have hit it off. Vicki and her husband Donn argue about Briana's job and a trip to their second home. Things take a turn for the worse when the police interrupt their holiday. Lauri continues to struggle with her children. Ashley fails to show up for work after discovering her car has disappeared and Josh's stay in Juvenile Hall is extended.

Episode 5

Cut the P and Lem out of Problem and you get ROB

2006-04-18 • 44 min

Jeana's son Colton breaks his hand in a fight about drugs. Kimberly and her family hire a "dog guru" to deal with their out-of-control dog. Later, a routine trip to the doctor leaves Kimberly quite concerned. Now in the workforce, Jo is struggling to keep up with her responsibilities around the house. Slade bonds with his sons over his exotic – and pricey – costume collection. A lost bet to Slade forces Jo to do housework – in a very sexy outfit. Vicki interrupts Briana's date, fearing her daughter is too serious with her boyfriend, Colby. Unemployed Donn begins a renovation of a home nearby, and Michael finally gets a job. Vicki and Lauri's attempt at after-work cocktails in the Jacuzzi is crashed by Michael and his friends, who are all smitten with Lauri. Lauri is thrilled when her son Josh is finally released from juvenile hall, but is upset when Ashley refuses to attend the celebration.

Episode 6

Shocking News

2006-04-25 • 44 min

Jeana struggles as the sibling rivalry escalates between Kara and Shane. Kara spends thousands on clothes for school while Shane receives a brand new car. In other parts of the community, Kimberly waits to hear from her doctor about a very serious health threat. She braces for the worst and ponders what she would miss if she didn't have more time with her son, daughter and husband. Slade's country bumpkin parents visit in their RV. They don't understand Slade's extravagant lifestyle and think his relationship with Jo is doomed. Later, Slade and Jo's date night turns ugly. Vicki goes back to Illinois for her high school reunion. While in her hometown, she visits her mother, who is unhappy with how Vicki has changed since moving to California. Lauri and her best friend, Lorelei, submit bikini photos in hopes of getting invited to a sexy pajama party at the Playboy mansion, where they would have to compete with 20-something girls.

Episode 7

The Finale

2006-05-02 • 44 min

Jeana shops with her son, Shane, for some last minute items as he prepares to leave for college. She also decides its time to bond with her daughter Kara -- by inviting her to an exclusive diamond-shopping trip. Its time for Shane to leave the nest and Kara is visibly upset with her brother's departure. In other parts of the gated community, Kimberly and Jo prepare to play a tennis match with women from the very competitive and elite Women's Tennis League. After the tennis match, Jo and Slade have an emotional confrontation that brings more questions than answers about the relationship. Vicki is excited to join the diamond-shopping trip, where she contemplates a new setting for her wedding ring. Vicki's son Michael is eager to leave for college, but Vicki struggles to let him go. Fearing the empty nest, she tries to spend quality time with Briana, but it doesn't go as expected. Doing better financially, Lauri joins Vicki and Jeana on the diamond-shopping spree in Beverly Hills, where she agonizes about whether she should buy something for herself. Lauri also volunteers for a rock concert charity event, where Steve, her boyfriend, is the headliner. Later on, a rift develops between Lauri's kids and her boyfriend.

Episode 8

Reunion

2006-05-13 • 44 min

The five women reunite to tell their stories and reflect on the show.