Ep 17. The Smoking Gun

As the penultimate episode of Vanderpump Rules season 6, episode 17 titled "The Smoking Gun" gives us all the feels. Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd find out that a tragedy has occurred at their Beverly Hills restaurant Pump. Following the shock, the rest of the action splits between Las Vegas, where the girls are celebrating Brittany’s bachelorette party and Los Angeles where the boys (minus Tom Sandoval) decide to have a boys' night out.

The episode starts with Lisa and Ken being told that there has been a shooting incident at Pump. Lisa immediately becomes emotional and her concern for her staff and friends is palpable. Back in Las Vegas, the girls celebrate Brittany’s bachelorette party in style. One of the standout moments from this section of the episode comes when Scheana reveals to the cameras that she has slept with Robby, the man who Brittany has set her friend up with. The drama doesn't stop with Scheana as Lala confronts James about the inappropriate things he said about her and her boyfriend’s girlfriend in last week’s episode.

The boys' night out begins with Tom Schwartz playing bartender and getting the boys drunk on his signature shot called Jager Schwantz. A tipsy Jax reveals that he once “made out” with one of Tom Sandoval's ex-girlfriends, which causes a rift between the two. Without Sandoval around, it seems like Jax is taking the opportunity to cause drama and stir the pot. But it’s not all bad blood as Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval have a heart-to-heart about their friendship, highlighting how far they’ve come since the early seasons of the show.

As the night progresses, Lala, Scheana, and Brittany fly back to Los Angeles due to Lisa’s tragedy at Pump. The girls are immediately concerned and very supportive of Lisa. Jax, on the other hand, seemingly couldn't care less. The episode ends with a cliffhanger when Lisa receives a message that will rock the world of SUR.

"The Smoking Gun" effectively sets up the season finale. The stakes are high as Lisa and the Vanderpump Rules cast face a real tragedy and it’s clear that the next episode will go deeper into the aftermath of the shooting. The girls’ Las Vegas trip provides some much-needed comedic relief, showing the softer side of the show. Meanwhile, the boys' night out reveals some tension brewing between the two Toms and Jax's previously unseen vindictive side. The episode is one of the best of season 6, providing a mix of drama, excitement and emotions that will leave viewers eagerly awaiting the finale.