| The Finale | |
 | |
| Episode No. | 7 |
| Air date | May 2, 2006 |
| Previous | "Shocking News" |
| Next | "Reunion" |
| Credits • Gallery • Transcript | |
The Finale is the seventh episode in the first season and the seventh episode ever produced of The Real Housewives of Orange County. It premiered on May 2, 2006 , to an audience of N/A million live viewers.
Synopsis[]
On Bravotv.com: "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. It's time to celebrate as the "housewives" gather for Kimberly's 45th birthday."[1]
Summary[]
Jeana states the family is bittersweet about Shane leaving for college, as Shane is high maintenance and hopefully he'll come home a grown adult. Jeana feels bad leaving Kara out while spending a lot of time helping Shane get ready for college, so she brings Kara along with Vicki and Lauri to go diamond shopping with Barbara Parker, Jewelry Broker. Lauri is excited but does not have the money to buy diamonds, however, she does buy a $1000 necklace and feels guilty. Jeana buys Kara jewelry for her birthday.
Jo refreshes Kim on her breakup with Slade over tennis. Jo states she's upset and Kim consoles her. Jo thinks they were both resentful to each other, Slade resents Jo for going out and leaving him with his kids. Jo resents Slade for making her feel guilty about having fun and taking care of kids that are not even hers. Slade works out and thinks Jo's clubbing was not acceptable for his children or for maintaining the relationship. After their date in the previous episode, Jo woke up early and left. Leaving her engagement ring behind, Jo texted Slade asking him to pack up her stuff and she will pick them up. Kim brings up the idea of couples therapy.
Michael is leaving for college. Vicki is worried about Michael registering for classes, Michael has also overcharged his credit card by paying for his friends' concert tickets, Vicki states Michael will not be taking the credit card with him to college. Vicki makes a to do list for Michael, Michael thinks Vicki worries too much and it's stressing herself out. On another day, Michael is packing for college, Vicki expresses her love and missing Michael in the form of nagging. Vicki regrets not going to college, she's glad Briana is staying a bit longer. Briana is already bracing herself for Vicki's overbearing antics when she leaves for college. The day of Michael leaving comes, Vicki tries to help but they just bicker. Vicki is sad Michael is leaving and drops him off at the airport.
Lauri takes Sophie horse riding, which Lauri has keen memories of growing up on a ranch in Idaho. Lauri is hopeful about the future after a few tough years. Lauri helps out at a rock charity concert for kids with cancer. Lauri's situationship Steve's band is performing in the concert. The audience turn out was not great unfortunately.
Jo picking up her belongings, Slade arrives home
Slade confides with his friend Eric over cigar about the breakup. Slade is sad, stating the relationship was perfect aside from Jo's partying. Eric consoles him. Jo is picking up her belongings from Slade. Slade wants to talk, Jo seems to have her mind made up. Slade is condescending toward Jo, Jo matches his energy. Slade gets mad and takes the license plate off of Jo's car that he pays for. Jo takes off while Slade's taking the license plate off, Slade chases after her in his Hummer. Slade calls Jo multiple times and attempts to apologize, Jo does not pick up. Jo returns home crying and apologizes to Slade. The couple makes up.
Lauri comes home to find that Ashley had moved out. Lauri revealed they were having problems in the past few weeks. Lauri thinks Ashley oversteps her personal life. Ashley does not like Steve and thinks he's a "jerk". Josh is indifferent toward Steve but states he's not mature enough for Lauri (Steve is 11 years younger). Josh tells Lauri it's not just her personal life anymore when she brings Steve around them. Lauri reveals when she met Steve he was abusing drugs, she cut him off but remained friends after he left rehab. Lauri states her kids cannot tell her who to date.
Shane and Jeana talk while Shane packs for college. Shane is ready to leave. Jeana is not too worried as Arizona is not too far from California, and Shane's grandparents live in Arizona. The day Shane is leaving is here, to Kara's surprise. Kara states it will be difficult for Shane to be independent. Matt calls and wishes Shane good luck, Shane states Matt was never very hands on so this is easy for him. The siblings say their goodbyes, although Kara and Shane continue to bicker.
Kim celebrates her birthday with the ladies in attendance. Jeana states she did not cry when Shane left, Vicki cried on the drive home from the airport. Lauri tells Vicki that she went on vacation with Steve and Josh in Mexico, and Josh saw Steve buying drugs. Lauri is in disbelief Steve did it within the vicinity of Josh, and cut Steve off immediately. Vicki consoles her. Lauri wants to focus on her family now. Kim tells the ladies that Jo and Slade broke up. Jo and Slade arrive, not broken up. Jo feels awkward and is surprised that the ladies already knew they're broken up. The ladies talk to Jo, Kim brings up couple's therapy to Slade. Jo and Slade both hope their relationship work out.
Two Months Later[]
Lauri is focusing on her personal life. Ashley lives with a friend and works as a waitress. Josh violated probation and lives with his grandparents in Idaho.
Jo and Slade broke up after Kim's party. Slade began dating Lauri six weeks later. Two weeks after that Jo and Slade got back together.
Starring[]
Main Housewives[]
The Keoughs[]
- Colton Keough
- Kara Keough
- Shane Keough
- Matt Keough
The De La Rosas[]
- Slade Smiley
- Gavin Smiley
- Grayson Smiley
The Bryants[]
- Scott Bryant
- Travis Bryant
- Bianca Bryant
The Gunvalsons[]
The Warings[]
- Ashley Zarlin
- Josh Waring
- Sophie Waring
Quotes[]
- Lauri: "She (Ashley moves out suddenly) forgot one thing, her dog."
- Jeana: "Are you gonna miss me?" Shane: "Shut up."
- Jeana: "Did dad give you the talk about staying away from girls who look like football player groupies?"