The Real Housewives of New York City: Season 5
Season 5 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The Real Housewives of New York City Season 4.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 5 Progress Shield
A New New York
Jun 4, 2012
Season 5 begins with Sonja hosting a party to introduce three new cast members—Aviva Drescher, Carole Radziwill and Heather Thomson. But the successful bash takes a dramatically do
Say What You Mean, Just Don't Say It Mean
Jun 11, 2012
LuAnn and Ramona try to mend their relationship, but accusations and denials complicate matters. Meanwhile, gossip and chatter upset Ramona, and dramas swirl around Sonja at an awa
Boozy Brunch
Jun 18, 2012
Carole throws a brunch in her hip neighborhood; Sonja sets out to launch a catering company; Heather invites some of the gang to tag along on her business trip to London.
A Diss-Invite
Jun 25, 2012
Ramona plans a lunch gathering to discuss her issues. Sonja is invited, but she instead opts to have a secret meeting with LuAnn. Meanwhile, Sonja hosts a party, but cracks begins
The Cool Girls
Jul 2, 2012
Plans for Heather's London trip spin into motion, but Aviva grows concerned that Ramona will be excluded. Ramona and Heather meet to table their differences, but things sour quickl
I'm UK, You're UK
Jul 9, 2012
Carole, Sonja, LuAnn and Heather bask in a trip to England. The ladies stay at a well-appointed penthouse and later have a slumber party, where they bond, play games—and dish on Ra
Good Trip, Bad Fall
Jul 16, 2012
A London getaway winds down with a game of croquet and a battle royal heating up between Carole and LuAnn. Back in the Big Apple, Aviva throws her anniversary party, where she ends
Blinded by the Wine
Jul 23, 2012
Four of the ladies discuss a London trip and an anniversary party; Sonja works on her brand; LuAnn hosts a wine event, where Ramona's wine undergoes a blind taste test; Aviva plans
Dirty Ol' Dad
Jul 30, 2012
The ladies have a dinner get-together in Miami with Sonja and her date—who happens to be Aviva's lusty father. Later, Aviva seeks advice on how to deal with Ramona, and Carole call
You Want to What Me in the Where?
Aug 6, 2012
Ramona invites all the ladies—except for Heather—to a dinner, but the heat is on when LuAnn slights Carole. Elsewhere, LuAnn throws a holiday party, where a boozy Sonja squares off
This Party is Toast
Aug 13, 2012
Carole throws a holiday bash, and Aviva's libidinous father is among the partygoers. Elsewhere, Sonja arrives at her photo shoot an hour late, irking Heather; Carole completes her
All How You Spin It
Aug 20, 2012
Aviva throws a charity event to benefit children in need of prosthetics—but tensions rise when both Ramona and Sonja are no-shows. Elsewhere, Aviva's fear of flying could keep her
Pirate Booty Call
Aug 27, 2012
The ladies land in St. Barts—sans Aviva, whose phobias keep her home. The wives delight in their high-level villa and take in a night that features tequila shots, a pirate-theme pe
Slutty Island
Sep 3, 2012
An island getaway continues with a party at the ladies' villa, but only two guests make appearances. Later, the wives take in a yachting adventure; and Aviva heads to St. Barts des
Vacation, All I Never Wanted
Sep 10, 2012
The ladies' vacation continues, yet Ramona frets that it's turning into a couple's retreat. On the final night, Sonja and Ramona spark tension when they duck out on the wives' orig
What Happens in St. Barths Doesn't Stay in St. Barths
Sep 17, 2012
The wives return from their vacation, but fallout from the trip creates dramas. Elsewhere, a surprise awaits Carole when she crosses paths with a former suitor.
Don't Make Room for Daddy
Sep 24, 2012
Aviva's father returns and visits a health-food store with his daughter; Sonja negotiates a settlement with her former husband; and Heather preps for her fashion show and has a sur
All's Well That Doesn't End Well
Oct 1, 2012
Social events spin out of control in the Season 5 finale. Here, Ramona is seemingly at the center of showdowns, including Heather's fund-raiser (Ramona vs. Sonja) and Carole's book
Reunion (1)
Oct 8, 2012
Part 1 of 2. Andy Cohen hosts a reunion edition featuring the Big Apple ladies.
Reunion (2)
Oct 15, 2012
Conclusion. Andy Cohen hosts a reunion featuring the regrouped New York ladies. Topics include Season 5's confrontations.
Lost Footage
Oct 22, 2012
Previously unseen footage from "The Real Housewives of New York City" includes the ladies' business ventures, vacation dramas, snippets of the wives speaking in "baby talk," and th