The fifth season of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County kicks off with Vicki Gunvalson enjoying life, traveling, working hard and strengthening her relationship with her husband, Donn. Jeana Keough’s business has collapsed under the weight of the sagging economy and she’s forced to economize – something she admits she’s not very good at doing. Tensions between Tamra Barney and her husband, Simon, are high as they also deal with financial woes including the possible sale of their house. Gretchen Rossi is trying to move on with her life in the wake of her late fiancée’s death and is dating again. Everyone is on edge as the ladies come together to support Lynne Curtin’s private jewelry show. Though both Tamra and Gretchen vow to get along it doesn’t take long for the name-calling and insult hurling to get under way.

Lynne Curtin's private showing for the ladies of her cuff line comes to a screeching halt thanks to a heated fight between rivals Tamra Barney and Gretchen Rossi. The camps divide, with Tamra unloading her feelings on her friend, Vicki Gunvalson, while Gretchen tells her side of the story to Jeana Keough and Lynne. But Lynne is feeling her loyalties pull in two directions now that she and Tamra Barney have grown closer. Meanwhile, Simon sells a luxury car to an acquaintance and his wife – Jim and Alexis Bellino – and he invites them on a double date so Alexis can meet Tamra.

Jeana Keough makes the gut-wrenching decision to pull back from spending so much time with the Housewives in order to concentrate more on her real estate business, which is struggling in a sagging economy.

As Vicki Gunvalson's daughter, Briana, recovers from her breakup with her high school sweetheart, Vicki tries to set her up with the son of one of her insurance colleagues. Simon and Tamra Barney attend a BBQ party at the Gunvalsons. Meanwhile, Gretchen Rossi flies to Michigan to visit with her deceased fiancé kids. Back in Orange County, Lynne Curtin and her family settles into their new home in Laguna Beach. New housewife, Alexis Bellino, and her husband, Jim, have their weekly date night to reconnect with each other where he surprises her with a special gift.

Vicki Gunvalson is focused on repairing her marriage to Donn and schemes a big surprise to celebrate their upcoming 15th wedding anniversary. Alexis Bellino is raising her twin, 20-month old girls to know the importance of keeping up their good looks" and decides they are old enough to have their first mani/pedi at a nail salon. It’s plastic surgery day for the Curtins when Lynne undergoes a face-lift, while her oldest daughter Raquel has a bump removed from her nose. Meanwhile, Tamra Barney jumps back into the real estate game by showing her first house in several years. Also, Vicki travels to Florida for an insurance convention and invites all the Housewives to join her for a ladies-only getaway. But, Alexis tells Gretchen that if she goes on Vickis Florida girl trip, Jim will definitely be accompanying her. Gretchen begins to wonder about everyone's confining relationships.

Vicki's not happy when husbands and boyfriends crash an all girls weekend in West Palm Beach.

After a tumultuous year, Vicki Gunvalson has a romantic surprise in store for her husband, Donn. Alexis Bellino and her husband, Jim, get their three small kids ready for church. Although they enjoy the finer things in life, they feel justified because they are very generous with their donations to their church and a number of charities. Tamra Barney and her husband Simon, rehash their recent trip to Florida and disagree about whether or not Tamra should let Gretchen back into her life. Lynne Curtin agrees to allow Gretchen to take her teenage daughter Alexa shopping.

Lynne Curtin meets Gretchen Rossi to discuss the conversation she had with Lynne’s teen daughter Alexa, about her alleged drinking and depression. Vicki invites Tamra to an "all girls" slumber party at her house. Vicki is excited to host a girls-only slumber party to make up for the fact that the men crashed the recent girls trip to Ft. Lauderdale. Later, Vicki surprises her friends by bringing in a psychic who reads their auras and they are caught off guard by some of his insightful readings.

Alexis Bellino and Tamra Barney continue to grow closer and meet for a game of tennis. After the match, the ladies talk about Gretchen Rossi’s upcoming Tupperware party and Alexis is shocked to learn that the two are still feuding. Later, Gretchen and her boyfriend, Slade Smiley go to the Del Mar races with Alexis and her husband, Jim, where the discussion turns to the ongoing argument between the ladies which Alexis is determined to mediate.

The summer is coming to an end and the Barneys are getting ready for back to school. Tamra Barney shares that she wants her trouble marriage to Simon to work, fully aware that their kids are feeling the tension in the home. Gretchen Rossi is preparing for an upcoming trade show where she will debut her new make up line, Gretchen Christine Beaute. Gretchen shares that she is nervous about all the money she is spending on launching this business and decides she needs some professional career advice so she meets with Vicki Gunvalson. Vicki asks Gretchen if Slade has a job and is bringing in money. Then, Vicki asks how much money Jeff left her. An upset Gretchen quickly ends the meeting. Meanwhile, Lynne Curtin visits her mom to get some advice on her teen daughters, particularly her 16-year-old, Alexa. Lynne’s mom says that Lynne is just too nice and laid back with her girls, who need discipline. Later, Lynne and Alexa have an emotional argument and the relationship between mother and daughter continues to unravel. Alexis Bellino tells her husband, Jim, that she would like to throw a cooking party for the Housewives, admitting that the party is just an excuse to get Tamra and Gretchen in the same room and see is she can the ladies to finally be friends. But at the party, it's Gretchen and Lynne who end up in a heated argument over Gretchen's newfound concern over Alexa

Now that Tamra Barney's marriage is feeling more stable, she decides to get Simon’s name tattooed on her ring finger. Simon is surprised when Tamra reveals the tattoo during a Harley ride to Balboa Island. Simon comments “that’s the first unselfish thing you’ve done in a long time.” Vicki Gunvalson and her husband, Donn, weather a date night filled with typical Vicki mishaps including a bee in Donn’s drink and spilled red wine on Vicki’s top. However, it’s Donn’s romantic surprise that trumps every distraction and leaves Vicki completely overwhelmed. Lynne Curtin calls Alexis Bellino to apologize for her recent behavior at Alexis' cooking party. Lynne invites Alexis to a housewarming party she and her husband, Frank, are throwing in their new Laguna Beach home. After the debacle at Alexis’ cooking party, Gretchen Rossi and her boyfriend, Slade, discuss the state of her friendship with Lynne and whether or not they should attend the Curtin's housewarming party. Gretchen decides to stand by her friend, and Slade reluctantly agrees. The Curtins’ housewarming starts off on a good note, but that doesn’t last too long when a heated argument breaks out between Simon and Vicki. Tamra is once again stuck in the middle of a crazy triangle between her husband and best friend. The next morning after the party, the Curtin's are delivered devastating news in the form of an eviction notice.

Lynne Curtin’s daughters, Raquel and Alexa, are home alone when a stranger knocks on the door and hands Raquel an eviction notice. Vicki Gunvalson hears terrifying health news about her daughter, Brianna. Alexis Bellino and Gretchen Rossi meet for dinner and discuss Lynne’s housewarming party the night before. The ladies head to San Francisco for a girls weekend away. At dinner that night, everyone is annoyed by Alexis’ non-stop phone calls and texting with Jim at the table. The ladies begin the next day with a round of shopping followed by a beautiful water front lunch. Vicki takes a business call at the lunch table and this rubs Alexis the wrong way and she confronts Vicki about her comments over the previous night’s calls to Jim.

The ladies are finishing their lunch in San Francisco. What started out as a fight between Alexis Bellino and Vicki Gunvalson ends up with everyone taking the opportunity to tell Vicki just what they think of her. Back in Orange County, Lynne’s daughter, Raquel, tells her friends about the family’s eviction. Tamra Barney and Vicki try to figure out where their friendship stands. Alexis and her husband, Jim, invite their pastor and his wife to breakfast. They talk about the role of modern day Christians and how Alexis feels judged for her beauty and looks. Gretchen and her boyfriend, Slade Smiley, are off to Palm Springs for a weekend getaway with her parents. It’s Tamra’s 42nd birthday and her husband, Simon, takes her out for a romantic dinner.

After the tongue-lashing Vicki Gunvalson felt she endured from the other girls during their San Francisco trip, she seeks comfort from her old, tattered friendship with Jeana Keough. Lynne Curtin is staying with her mother while she figures things out in regards to her marriage with Frank. Gretchen Rossi's long time makeup artist and current business partner, Ronn Ann, discuss preparations for the upcoming Women's Empowerment Expo where Gretchen will unveil her new makeup line.

Season 5 finale. The housewives prepare to attend the season finale party. Vicki, still hurt by the San Francisco trip, vows to stay clear of drama. Gretchen and Slade color-coordinate outfits, looking (according to Vicki) as the plastic toppers of a wedding cake. Lynn's daughters arrive at the party obviously under the influence, and Lynn excuses herself for knowing stating that the limo was big and she didn't know what her daughter's were up to. Tamra and Simon have a heated argument in the limo on the way to the party, with Tamra stating that she wants a divorce. The show ends with a recap of each housewife as is the tradition, and the last summary is that Tamra and Simon are divorcing.

The O.C. housewives come together to discuss the events of the fifth season of the show that started the "Real Housewives" franchise.

In the conclusion of a two-part reunion show, the women look back over the last season with the drama continuing between them.