The Real Housewives of Potomac is perfect. It delivers everything a Real Housewives franchise should, and then some. It’s ahead of the game compared to its contemporaries, who are just now grappling with race issues and in a way that feels much less authentic than the way RHOP has addressed these topics since its very first season on Bravo. Because what RHOP has gotten right from the start is not only ethnic diversity (the main cast features no white women), but a group of varying statuses across their finances, relationships, and even zip codes (which has led to accusations, investigations, storylines, and hijinks in the past). The one thing these women always have in common? Damn do they know how to create entertaining TV.
The first episode of Season 6 is everything viewers will want it to be. It sets the table — and then gathers the women around a table in order to shout at each other about rumors, body parts, and sure, even rumors about body parts. Gizelle Bryant is coming off a relationship with her ex-husband Jamal, Ashley Darby is very pregnant with her second child, Candiace Dillard Bassett is spending time with her bonus children (husband Chris’s kids from previous relationships), and Karen Huger…mostly continues to live in her own world. Her relationship with husband Ray seems to be in a better place than in previous seasons, but…we’ll just give it time before that’s questioned (a matter of minutes later on this show!).
Robyn Dixon continues to be the most relatable Real Housewife as she battles the blahs, a completely justified depression due to the pandemic, as well as leave those around her questioning when her second wedding to Juan Dixon may happen.
Then there is Dr. Wendy Osefo, returning for her second season on the show and bringing along her three adorable children, one of the hottest current Househusbands, and her Nigerian family values — plus, all those degrees. And this season? She’s also joined by her two new “friends” which she happily introduces throughout the first episode (and she should!).
Also new this season is Mia Thornton, a woman who is open and honest about her body and the work she’s had done, as well as her relationship with her older husband. How much older exactly, well, she’s a little less clear on.
There are only a few small concerns about the new season, though they are quickly dismissed while watching the fun first supersized episode. Will Wendy suffer from Second Season Syndrome, which often finds Housewives entering their sophomore season on the show with an overinflated ego? In this case, that could actually be ideal! Will Wendy and Gizelle have drama, which the trailer has led us to believe, and again…could that actually be ideal? And while Mia has a memorable entrance into this friend group, she could actually prove to have way more depth than the first episode gives her credit for.
Because the thing about Potomac, that really none of the other Housewives cities can claim, is consistency. From episode to episode and season to season, this show is consistently funny, consistently drama-filled, and consistently surprising. Most of all it is consistently fun. No other show has understood the assignment the way RHOP has and continues to. The first episode gives us all we need to know about how each woman is doing and how the pandemic changed their lives. And then as soon as they’re all in the same room together, right away these women have conversations about sex and relationships and parenting and the world around them in ways that will make your jaw drop in shock and your eyes cry with tears from laughing. This group doesn’t seem to be interested in editing themselves as they go, instead just putting it all out there, for better or worse, but always for entertainment. RHOP, to me, you are perfect.
The Real Housewives of Potomac premieres Sunday, July 11 at 8 pm ET/PT on Bravo.
Stream The Real Housewives of Potomac on Bravo Now