The bling, the backstabbing and the bubbies are back as season two of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” premiered Monday, May 3 at 10 p.m. on Bravo.
The series continues to follow two sisters, Caroline and Dina Manzo; their sister-in-law, Jacqueline Laurita; family friend Teresa Giudice and the outcast of the group, Danielle Staub in the ritzy suburb of Franklin Lakes, N.J.
The women return this season with new stories and newborn babies, while the catfight between Danielle and the rest of the women picks up where it left off last season.
Viewers learn that Caroline, the matriarch of the family, has become the driving force behind the Hate Danielle campaign. Last season, Danielle threatened that she would be knocking on doors and that she would not come alone, bringing out Caroline’s “Don Corleone” persona. Cue the violin and break out the cannoli. This woman could make the Godfather himself be afraid for his life. Caroline’s protective nature over her family and her influence over the other housewives make her the most powerful woman in the group and the last person anyone would want to cross.
In a surprising revelation, Dina no longer holds a grudge against Danielle. A believer in second chances and a newfound Buddhist attitude, Dina spends her time and money surrounding herself with her hairless cat, Grandma Wrinkles, and statues of zen-like figures that promote positive energy.
Danielle, however, enlists the help of a priest to overcome her anger, but as the saying goes, “Hell hath no fury” like a housewife scorned. It is impossible not to laugh when Danielle and her pent-up frustration overwhelm the priest. His thick Italian accent, along with her incessant Jersey ranting, makes it difficult for viewers to understand what is being said. If not for the subtitles, viewers would be lost in translation.
Much like last season, this one is a full-on war between Danielle and the rest of the ladies, who make no effort to hide their dislike for her. Even Jacqueline, Danielle’s most loyal defender last season, finds herself at a crossroads.
Jacqueline starts off the season as a new mother to baby Nicholas. While she settles into motherhood her third time around, her husband makes it clear that Danielle is no longer welcome in his house and wants her completely cut out from their lives. Jacqueline, being the peacemaker of the group – not to be confused with the pushover – does not exactly see eye to eye with her husband and the other wives. A slow progression begins; however, as she moves away from Danielle for fear that her marriage is in jeopardy.
Naturally, New Jersey would not be complete without its Italian princess, Teresa, who begins the season nine months pregnant. She never leaves the house without her designer duds, and it is not likely that viewers will ever see her adorned in a pair of ratty sweatpants. Pregnancy, three kids and one very needy husband do not slow Teresa down for a second.
For a woman who claims she is no stage mom, she sure does thrust her kids into the spotlight. Her eldest daughter, Gia, participates in an assortment of activities that showcase her talents. This season, little Gia lands herself a spot at New York’s acclaimed Fashion Week, where she struts some fierce moves on the catwalk, with a little help from mom.
Not surprisingly, most of the comedy comes from the Giudice household. In one scene, Teresa teaches her daughters how to make homemade tomato sauce in the spacious garage of their mansion. During this sweet family moment, Teresa claims that she wants Gia to marry a Jewish boy because Jewish men bow down to their wives and treat them like queens. Teresa’s husband glares at her and furrows his brow in disbelief while Gia whines about wanting to marry only an Italian. In typical dad fashion, he puts the issue to rest, claiming that Gia will not be marrying anyone anytime soon.
According to the series website, the first season “ranks as the highest rated first season series of the Real Housewives franchise ever in all demographics, averaging 2.55 million total viewers.”
From the high ratings that the show received last season, it is clear that these housewives and the culture of New Jersey captivate viewers. In the previews ahead, this season promises to bring more glamour, more feuding and possibly more table flipping.
“If you’re not familiar with the table flip, you’re probably not from New Jersey,” says Christopher Manzo, Caroline’s youngest son, in the episode appropriately labeled “The Last Supper.”
With the Real Housewives franchise taping in locations such as Orange County, Atlanta and New York City, it is not surprising that New Jersey has become the new fan favorite in television with all its fast-talking, haute-couture-wearing fist pumpers. With reality shows such as MTV’s “Jersey Shore” and the Style Network’s “Jerseylicious,” viewers get a perception of the melting pot that is the Garden State.
Outsiders who want an inside look at what living in New Jersey is like for these families can attain it by tuning in Mondays at 10 p.m. on Bravo.