6.0/1015 votes#1 - Are They For Real?
Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 11/25/2008
In the fourth season premiere of Bravo's The Real Housewives of Orange County, Vicki Gunvalson's children, Michael and Briana, have moved back home for the summer. Vicki thinks about buying a yacht - a million dollar purchase and the only way to fund it is to sell the family's beloved Havasu home. Michael is all for it, but Briana hates the idea and wishes her mother would spend more time with her family instead of working all the time to pay for her lifestyle. Jeana Keough is stuck in the middle. Her daughter, Kara, is back for the summer after a tough freshman year at UC Berkeley. Her oldest son, Shane, is doing well in the minor leagues, while her youngest son, Colton, is a precocious Orange County teenager. As for her husband, Matt, they have been separated for a year, but Jeana lets him move back into the house, and he's not leaving any time soon. Jeana decides to redecorate the family room and her bedroom, the places most representing her relationship to Matt. She brings in a decorator who tells the former Playmate that it is time for her 20-year-old Playboy pictures to come down so that she may stop living in the past. And so Jeana's journey begins. These days, Tamra Barney is dealing with family issues, both new and old. After 15 years her mother, Sandy, is still mourning the breakup of her marriage to Tamra's estranged father. Tamra takes her mother to her plastic surgeon for a facelift consultation in hopes to jump-start her dating life. Meanwhile, her perpetually "lost" son Ryan has quit his job at the Mercedes dealership, working a temp job and trying to move into his own place. For Lauri and George Peterson, the romance continues. Lauri lives the life of a privileged South Orange county housewife and charges away on her new black American Express card, a wedding present from her beloved George. Gretchen Rossi meets with realtor Jeana Keough to view a home in Coto with her fiancé, Jeff. Jeff is 23 years older than Gretchen, has been married and divorced five times, has four adult children and is very rich. Jeff also has acute Leukemia. Jeff proposed to Gretchen from his hospital bed just months after they began dating. Later, Jeana decides to gather all the ladies for a private designer label trunk show at her house. She invites her client, Gretchen, to meet the other ladies. Gretchen fields heated questions about whether or not she a "gold digger" and if her breasts are real or fake.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.7/1014 votes#2 - Hold On To Your Daddies
Season 4 Episode 2 - Aired 12/2/2008
Tamra Barney's husband, Simon, has quit his job at the Mercedes dealership and is now working on his own business start up....from home. The couple's McMansion is closing in on this housebound couple, so Tamra goes on a sexy shopping spree to spice things up. Meanwhile, Gretchen Rossi talks her fiancé, Jeff, into going motorcycle shopping at Harley Davidson. Even though the real estate market is in the dumps in Orange County, Jeana Keough still manages to make money by selling off the distressed properties of her friends. Lauri Peterson checks in on her daughter, Ashley, and learns all about the new skincare business that she is trying to launch. Vicki and Donn Gunvalson take time out from their busy lives to have a date night, but an evening of romance and reconnection turns into a bitter sparring match over their marriage. The ladies are unpleasant to new girl Gretchen during a day trip to Beverly Hills and the Sonya Dakar spa. Lauri ducks out early and starts to distance herself from the group.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.7/1012 votes#3 - Love Tanks
Season 4 Episode 3 - Aired 12/9/2008
Tamra and Simon Barney celebrate their ten-year wedding anniversary with a weekend getaway in Napa, and they invite Vicki and Donn Gunvalson to join them. While Tamra and Simon enjoy a romantic weekend of wine tasting, grape-stomping and gourmet dining, Vicki struggles just to be civil to Donn. Envious of Tamra and Simon's relationship, Vicki concludes that her "love tank" is empty and she's uncertain if Donn can fill it. Although her husband, Matt, is still in her house, Jeana Keough is making an effort to re-build her life post-separation with the encouragement of her family and her trainer, John Ellis. Gretchen Rossi and Jeff attend the Indianapolis 500. With his history in the automotive and racing car industry, Jeff's status provides access and privilege that very few people have at the races. Gretchen rubs elbows, exchanges a few kisses, and rides along with the Indy 500 royalty. Meanwhile, a horrible turn of events threatens Lauri Peterson's fairytale life with her husband, George.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/1013 votes#4 - You Just Don't Get It
Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 12/16/2008
While her fiancé is in the hospital, Gretchen Rossi lifts her spirits by hosting a burlesque party at her home. Vicki Gunvalson and her family tour a million dollar yacht that she hopes to buy despite her daughter Briana's protest. Life without their father around pushes Jeana Keough's kids, Colton and Kara, to grow up quickly and seek out other paternal figures. Meanwhile, Tamra Barney's son, Ryan, has an abrupt change of career aspirations much to Tamra and Simon's surprise. New housewife Lynne Curtin is introduced and we meet her husband and two precocious teenage daughters, Raquel and Alexa. The eldest, Raquel, pushes her parents into having a huge 18th birthday blowout bash at their house. Vicki, Jeana and Tamra try to have a girls night out but a discussion about marriage and ex-husbands turns into a contentious situation between Vicki and Jeana.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.2/1011 votes#5 - 120 In The Shade
Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 12/23/2008
Jeana Keough, Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Barney go to Lake Havasu for the Fourth of July, but when Jeana brings Vicki's nemesis, Frankie, Vicki feels betrayed and refuses to speak to Jeana. Later, Ryan reveals his latest tattoo in the strangest of places, which causes Tamra to have a meltdown. Meanwhile, Gretchen Rossi vacations with her family in the Central California mountains at Bass Lake but is devastated when she gets the news that Jeff is not doing well in the hospital. Lynne Curtin prepares for her daughter, Raquel's, upcoming 18th birthday party. An incident at her home spray-tan party tests Lynne's patience when Raquel has a spoiled brat fit.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.0/1011 votes#6 - Cut!
Season 4 Episode 6 - Aired 12/30/2008
Gretchen asks Jeff's children to come out from Michigan and rotate visits to their father's bedside. Gretchen takes advantage of the kids' visit to spend a day in Hollywood and engage in the success of her friend Jo De la Rosa. Vicki accompanies Briana to the Red Cross to donate blood even though she is terrified of needles. Feeling the financial pinch of being a college student, Kara gets a summer job at a local boutique...and redefines "manual labor." Lynne frantically anticipates "the perfect" 18th birthday for her demanding daughter, Raquel. Things get off to a rocky start when a jealous squabble over their outfits threatens to dash Lynne's hopes for the perfect party. Lynne meets the other housewives for the first time at Orange County's hip new restaurant. Within minutes of arriving, Lynne makes a misstep that leads to some very awkward exchanges. Before the night is over, Tamra and Gretchen square off over Gretchen's treatment of her ailing fiancé. This incident completely derails their budding friendship.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.7/1012 votes#7 - And They're Off...
Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 1/6/2009
Although Jeff remains in the hospital, Gretchen Rossi still has something to get excited about when her new 5K diamond encrusted engagement ring arrives in the mail. While Vicki Gunvalson is attending a convention in Florida, her son, Michael, decides to have a pool party at the house.Nosy neighbor Jeana Keough tattles on him, prompting Vicki to call Michael during the party. Jeana meets with her new employer, her first ex-husband, Gary Tomasina. Tired of working for a large real estate corporation, Jeana decides she needs a change and joins Gary's boutique realty company. Tamra Barney and Lauri Peterson have lunch to catch up.Tamra can't wait to gossip about the latest escapades involving the housewives, most especially drama with Gretchen Rossi. The ladies attend the opening day at Del Mar Racetrack. New housewife, Lynne Curtin, looks forward to getting to know the other housewives better. Unfortunately, Vicki and Tamra snub both Lynne and Gretchen. Lynne makes the best of it as she bonds with Jeana. Gretchen makes the best of it by partying with other people at the races, further angering Vicki and Tamra who are annoyed with her flirtatious behavior.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.7/1013 votes#8 - Naked Wasted
Season 4 Episode 8 - Aired 1/13/2009
Vicki Gunvalson visits her family in Chicago and once again tries to get validation from her less than affectionate mother. Lynne Curtin and her husband, Frank, canoodle over dinner and fret about some wine missing from the house. Now that Lynne's daughter, Raquel, is driving, Lynne worries about her drinking and getting behind the wheel. Gretchen Rossi is taking care of her gravely ill fiancé, Jeff, and reaches the end of her emotional rope. With Simon's urging, Tamra Barney takes an etiquette class and hires a top chef to prepare a formal seven-course dinner for all the housewives, which includes premium tequila tasting. When the tequila shots are served, Tamra and Vicki set Gretchen up for a major fall.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
5.8/1011 votes#9 - Why Are You Being So Mean To Me?
Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 1/20/2009
With Tamra Barney's formal seven-course dinner winding down, Tamra's son Ryan sees an opportunity to make his move on a very drunk Gretchen Rossi, leaving the rest of the ladies to worry and wonder about Gretchen's well-being. Lynne Curtin works on her budding jewelry design business. When businesswoman Vicki Gunvalson accuses her of not knowing how to work, Lynne goes out of her way to prove Vicki wrong. Jeana Keough finally moves her ex-husband, Matt, out of the house, but she struggles with how to get on with her new life. The ladies travel to Santa Monica for a trendy shopping day. Over lunch, when Gretchen confides in the women about her finances, it sparks a heated argument between Lynne and Vicki.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
5.8/1011 votes#10 - The Girls Want To Come Out And Play
Season 4 Episode 10 - Aired 1/27/2009
Vicki Gunvalson and Jeana Keough take a road trip to Chicago to visit Vicki's friends from high school and former housewife Kimberly Bryant. Jeana and Vicki attend Jeana's son, Shane's, baseball game in Kane County, IL. When Shane mistreats Jeana before and after the game, Vicki and Kimberly defend their friend. With Jeff still in the hospital and her future uncertain, Gretchen Rossi looks to secure her financial well-being. Tamra Barney invites her brothers over and they talk about their feelings regarding their parents' divorce. Meanwhile, Tamra's mother finally undergoes her facelift. Lynne Curtin decides to throw a cocktail party for the ladies. At the party, Lynne's unruly teenage daughter, Raquel, helps herself to the bar.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.3/1012 votes#11 - Vegas Baby
Season 4 Episode 11 - Aired 2/3/2009
With her wild 18-year-old daughter, Alexa, is running circles around her, Lynne Curtin seeks her mom's advice about how to be a better parent. After four years away from home, Jeana Keough travels back to Wisconsin to see her family, only to be reminded of all the reasons she moved to California to begin with. Back in Orange County, Tamra Barney celebrates her mom's new facelift by taking her out on the town in hopes of finding her a new man. Vicki Gunvalson comes to a surprising decision regarding the purchase of the million-dollar yacht she so badly wants. After two grueling months in the hospital undergoing chemotherapy, Gretchen Rossi's fiance, Jeff, returns home. Later, the housewives blow off some steam with a girls' overnighter in Las Vegas.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.0/1011 votes#12 - Who's Your Daddy?
Season 4 Episode 12 - Aired 2/10/2009
Vicki Gunvalson launches her L.I.F.E. with Vicki cruise and is thrilled to get so much attention from her colleagues, but is frustrated when she can't seem to get any props from her own family. Jeana Keough and her daughter, Kara, drive to up to Berkley to move Kara into her apartment. They find themselves strangers among the "bums" and "hippies." Tamra Barney visits her dad in Iowa and puts it all on the line, spilling her heart out to her estranged father. Gretchen Rossi does Dallas, reuniting with her four best friends from college. Lynne Curtin and her husband, Frank, take a romantic getaway to San Diego leaving their teenage daughters, Raquel and Alexa, home... with Grandma.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.2/1012 votes#13 - Bling Bling
Season 4 Episode 13 - Aired 2/17/2009
Jeana Keough has her first real date since kicking her ex-husband, Matt, out of the house. Vicki's daughter, Briana, has a new plan for her life that leaves Vicki stunned. Lynne forces her daughter to get a job and the housewives throw a party.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#14 - Reunion Special
Season 4 Episode 14 - Aired 2/24/2009
The wives reunite to reflect on the past series. Lauri returns with an update on what is going on with her family, and the group talk about Jeff's death.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.2/1011 votes#15 - The Lost Footage
Season 4 Episode 15 - Aired 6/11/2009
Return to the real-life Peyton Place that is the exclusive gated community in Orange County with never-before-seen footage from the dramatic fourth season and explosive reunion special.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 4
Every episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 4 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 4!
A view into the lives of several women and their families who live in one of the wealthiest communities in the country with the viewer...
Genre:Reality
Network:Bravo
Season 4 Ratings Summary
"Are They For Real?" is the best rated episode of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" season 4. It scored 6/10 based on 15 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 11/25/2008. This episode is rated 0.7 points higher than the second-best, "Hold On To Your Daddies".