Vanderpump Rules Recap: Lisa’s Dilemma (Season 7 Episode 4)
On Vanderpump Rules Season 7 Episode 4, “Lisa’s Dilemma,” Lisa tries to figure out how to deal with James’ bad behavior, and Schwartz and Sandoval begin hiring employees for Tom Tom.
After Katie basically tells Lisa “It’s him (James) or me,” Lisa finds herself in quite the pickle. James may be a misogynist (at times, as apologetic one), but he’s also become an asset to SUR. His See You Next Tuesday blow outs are bringing in some serious bank for the restaurant.
James also reminds Lisa of her recently deceased brother who was also a DJ who apparently chose a very different path in life than his wildly successful sister. Lisa worries what the future holds for James.
Vanderpump Rules Season 7 has been busy painting James as the villain du jour, but viewers see a softer side of him on “Lisa’s Dilemma.” James goes to dinner with his family, and we learn he has two younger brothers, both of whom James had a hand in raising thanks to his parents’ issues (dad was absent, mom is a recovering alcoholic).
James presents his college-bound brother with a five thousand dollar check — money he’s saved from his moderately successful career as a DJ/reality TV star.
But none of this matters to the likes of Katie, Stassi, Jax, and Brittany (Sandoval and Schwartz are far more forgiving). As the group gathers to try out Brittany’s beer cheese recipe. On a side note, Brittany likes all kinds of cheese, and by cheese, she means cheddar both grated and in a can.
In between bites, Katie relays her conversation with Lisa, and Stassi praises her pal for being such a badass. The truth is that in this social climate, ya just can’t go around calling women “bitches,” “sluts,” and “fat” without facing some serious consequences.
Scheana decides that she’s got to join the pile-on James club after getting ripped a new one by Stassi for not picking a side (Stassi’s side). So, to save face, and her “friendships” with the other girls, Scheana decides to lecture James after he helps her move.
It’s only after he carries box after box out to her car in the heat that Scheana informs James he’s spiraling, and they aren’t all that close. This comes as news to James who believes helping someone lug their crap across town indicates some chumminess.
Lala has also had her fill of James, and after returning NYC to attend a movie premiere, Gotti (which has a 0 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes) with her producer boyfriend, she lays into Raquel. Lala’s still salty that Raquel accused her of running her down since Lala prides herself on empowering women.
Lala’s justification for calling Raquel “dumb” for believing James is that Raquel is dumb for believing James. Lala claims she knows for a fact James has cheated on Raquel because she’s seen it with her own eyes.
Raquel claims she has a college degree which means she’s not stupid. This doesn’t carry any weight with Lala who astutely points out to the camera that plenty of idiots go to college.
Raquel is super sensitive when it comes to people insulting her intelligence because she had trouble learning her multiplication tables. Her punishment? Having to watch special Winnie the Pooh (for dummies) videos. Raquel is so scarred by this childhood trauma, she can’t stand the half-naked, honey-loving bear.
Raquel cries to James, claiming Lala’s constant attacks prove she’s not a feminist.
Lisa spends most of the episode trying to figure out how to handle James, but she’s got some other problems. Tom Tom is costing a fortune to complete, and she needs the place to be up and running. The two Toms offer their help, and Lisa recruits them to help her interview potential employees.
Tom Schwartz likes and wants to hire every applicant while Tom Sandoval goes on a power trip, vetting potential employees with a fervor we didn’t even see during the Brett Kavanaugh hearing. Power is going to Sandoval’s head.
Among the applicants is Teddi Mellencamp’s younger brother, Hud, who Lisa hires on the spot.
During the interviews, James shows up, having been summoned by Lisa. Despite crying and begging and crying some more, Lisa fires James. She hopes this will be a teachable moment for James. It’s obvious Lisa doesn’t feel great about the decision, but she can’t have a drunken James insulting her female employees.
A devastated James walks away with his skinny jeans sagging ever so slightly around his bum. Lisa is left looking less than happy about her decision. If I was a betting woman, I’d say James will be back spinning at SUR before the reunion show.
What did you think of this episode of Vanderpump Rules? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Vanderpump Rules airs Mondays at 9/8c on Bravo.
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Jennifer Lind-Westbrook
Jennifer has been working as a freelance writer for six years, contributing to BuddyTV, Screen Rant, TVRage, Hidden Remote, Gossip On This, and PopMatters. She prefers binge-watching old episodes of The Office (British and American versions) to long walks on the beach. She's still holding out hope that Happy Endings will get a revival.