Vanderpump Rules Recap: Return of Crazy Kristen (Season 7 Episode 11)
On Vanderpump Rules Season 7 Episode 11, “Return of Crazy Kristen,” the girls’ trip to Solvang hits a snag thanks to Kristen’s boy troubles. The guys learn from their past mistakes.
The girls’ first day in Solvang continues with Kristen surpassing Scheana as the odd woman out. They enjoy piling on the Kristen hot mess express, and their mean girl behavior doesn’t go unnoticed by Kristen — no matter how drunk she gets. Who wouldn’t be in a bad mood when traveling with friends who goad you into being in a bad mood?
Kristen does get one thing right: her pals are terrible people too. She just doesn’t shove it in their faces every chance she gets. This is a group who have embarrassed themselves in places as close to home as any trendy bar in West Hollywood and as far away as Mexico.
Kristen’s erratic behavior escalates when she overhears a phone conversation between Brittany and Jax.
I want to know 1) What happened to putting your ear to the phone and not broadcasting private convos and 2) Why Jax feels compelled to tell his fiancée that James will be DJing at Pump in the near future?
Kristen, who spent the first few episodes of Vanderpump Rules Season 7, working overtime to take James down, gets irate at the news that he’s slowly worming his way back into Lisa’s good graces. It’s hard to unpack Kristen’s exact problem because she’s got so many.
Kristen is upset because Lisa keeps giving James chances but hasn’t extended the same courtesy to her (Kristen was treads on thin ice the first four seasons of the show). Also, why does Kristen care? She’s still part of the cast, she gets plenty of screen time, she’s selling overpriced T-shirts. so she’s upset to not be fake working at SUR?
Kristen storms off but returns in time for a group dinner, during which she continues to complain about James. She’s angry James treats her friends badly, and Lisa doesn’t care, or is it that out of all her exes, James is the one who inexplicably vexes her the most?
Whatever the true reason for Kristen’s ire, Katie and the others urge her to dial back the crazy.
The spotlight shifts to Scheana who’s been keeping a low profile thanks to Lala. Scheana’s hesitant to open her mouth, fearful Katie and Stassi will pounce. Yes, Scheana used up a ton of goodwill with her obnoxious season 6 behavior (not to mention off-camera antics), and Katie is having trouble forgiving and forgetting.
BTW, when did Katie become the Stassi of this group? Scheana is super sorry she did and said horrible things, but she’s trying really hard to get her friendship with Katie back on track. But it’s a bummer when she calls Katie to ask her to braid her hair, and Katie can’t be bothered.
The drama is temporarily put to rest when Katie throws Scheana a bone –she’s willing to give Scheana the opportunity for them to get “reacquainted.”
With the ladies away, the boys will play. The two Toms, Jax, Beau, Peter, and James (yes, James, who sticks to lemonade and iced tea) hit up the bar at a posh hotel. The only single one in the bunch is Peter, so Tom Sandoval acts as the SUR manager, Peter’s, wingman.
Let’s face it, attractive reality TV stars with cameras following them around are not going to have trouble finding female company.
But Peter can’t just go off and hang with someone(s) on his own. The guys just have to invite these randos back to their hotel room. Jax immediately begins to panic, given his track record. He’s acting guilty, even when he hasn’t done anything.
It’s obvious this guys’ night is going to be different because it’s being filmed, leaving no question about who may have cheated on whom. Also, the boys are getting older, and even they recognize the precariousness of the situation. It’s not enough for them to kick the chicks out, but they are learning. Sadly, getting hos for bros is still a priority.
Jax and Beau call Stassi and Brittany to let them know there are bimbos on the premises, but they are keeping their hands and other body parts to themselves.
Kristen finds out that James is worming his way back into her social circle which just sends her into a shame spiral tailspin. After some texting with her bf, Carter, Kristen has a total meltdown. To be fair. Katie’s insistence on trying to pacify Kristen and smother her like a helicopter mom is way more annoying than Kristen’s tantrum.
Kristen stomps off again, and she’s got nobody chasing her down. Stassi reveals to the group that the real problem may be Kristen’s deadbeat boyfriend, Carter. Carter doesn’t work, Carter doesn’t pay rent, Carter’s a jerk.
That may all be true, but as millennial women, it’s time to own your stuff and not blame it on a boy. Cue up a ton of clips, showing Kristen complaining about her miserable relationship. Lightbulb! Kristen’s not really upset about James. She’s projecting (only she’s not).
And so ends day one of the girlie getaway. Was this really the return of “Crazy Kristen,” or has she been here all along?
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.
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
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.