Ep 1. The Great Divide

The Real Housewives of Orange County follow the lavish lifestyles of some of the richest and influential women living in California. In season 12, episode 1, named "The Great Divide," the ladies are back with their catfights, gossip, and fabulous parties.

The episode starts with Vicki Gunvalson, one of the original cast members, feeling left out of the group. As Tamra Judge and Shannon Beador plan a trip to Iceland, Vicki realizes that she is not invited. She is hurt and in shock as she has been part of the show since the beginning. She gets emotional and confides in her boyfriend, Steve, expressing her frustrations with the group.

On the other side of town, Tamra and Shannon are excited to plan their Icelandic adventure. They discuss who should or should not go on the trip, and explain that they did not invite Vicki because they did not want the dynamic of the group to change. They reveal that they have invited Lydia McLaughlin, a former cast member, back to the show.

Lydia enters the show in a strikingly different state than when we last saw her. She is no longer the quiet and malleable housewife but is now an outspoken, new and confident woman. Lydia is excited to reconnect with the ladies and to find new and inventive ways to create fun adventures.

In the meantime, Meghan King Edmonds is dealing with motherhood as she prepares for the impending arrival of her baby girl, Aspen. Meghan has a baby nurse who accompanies her everywhere but is still adjusting to the demanding schedule that comes with being a mom.

Kelly Dodd and Vicki meet up and have a heart-to-heart about their strained relationship. The duo has had a rocky friendship through the years, and it looks like they still have unresolved issues. Vicki opens up to Kelly and tells her how hurt she is about not being invited to Iceland. Kelly's advice to Vicki is to not put all her eggs in one basket and to have other relationships that she can lean on as well.

As the episode unfolds, we witness the strain in friendships between the housewives. Tamra and Shannon's friendship is put to the test when Tamra tells Shannon about a rumor she heard involving her husband, David Beador. Shannon is understandably hurt, and the two struggle to keep their friendship afloat.

Meanwhile, everyone is getting ready to head to Iceland, looking forward to an unforgettable trip. Before they leave, Lydia throws a party to celebrate her return to the show, and everyone is invited. The party is a typical Real Housewives bash, with plenty of alcohol flowing, gifts exchanging, and drama unfolding.

As the episode comes to a close, the housewives say goodbye to their loved ones and head to Iceland for a trip of a lifetime. We are left wondering what adventures await them in Iceland and how their relationships will evolve over the course of the season.

Overall, the season 12 premiere of The Real Housewives of Orange County sets the scene for another season full of drama, catfights, and over-the-top opulence. The women are back and better than ever.