In the latest episode of Real Housewives of New York City, we find ourselves back on a rooftop with a lively discussion between Tinsley Patterson, Sonya Morgan, and newcomer Leah McKenzie. The trio is still reeling from the explosive confrontation between Tinsley and Judith Merritt that closed out the season premiere. Leah isn’t shy about sharing her opinions on Judith, making it clear where she stands. “Tinsley probably feels comfortable opening up to me and Sonya because we don’t label her,” Leah says in a confessional. (Judith had previously made a scathing comment that left Tinsley reeling.) “If Judith treated me like she treats Tinsley, I wouldn’t even share what I had for lunch with her,” Leah continues.
In a fun twist, we learn Leah sports a lower-back tattoo of her own name, which will surely provide some fodder for the others later on. “Last time we saw Judith, she really lost it. She’s totally fixated on you, Tinsley,” Leah notes, later adding, “I’ve dealt with plenty of catty behavior after surviving an all-girls Catholic school, so I’m ready for whatever happens this weekend.” Leah is referring to their upcoming stay at Ramona’s Hamptons house, where they plan to celebrate summer’s end.
In the car, Judith expresses her desire to understand Leah better, admitting she might have been too quick to judge her just because she’s friends with Tinsley. “I need to try harder not to judge based on association,” she says, though she also adds that she wants to keep her distance from Tinsley.
Meanwhile, Judith is dealing with the stress of repairing her flooded Berkshires home, Blue Stone Manor, which has consumed her energy. “It feels like I’m juggling a million things and not doing any of them well,” she admits, teary-eyed during a phone call with her contractor. This raises the question: Is Judith’s frustration with Tinsley a reflection of her own struggles?
“I just wish I had someone to help me feel carefree again. I’m not kind to anyone right now,” Judith confesses to Sonya. Judith even compares her current anxiety to the feelings she experienced when her late husband, Richard, passed away. When Tinsley arrives at the table, Sonya mentions Judith’s admission of not being her best self lately, but Judith quickly deflects, saying she’s merely tired.
A highlight of the episode is Leah’s signature black mesh bucket hat, which Ramona comments on, sharing her doubts about whether she could pull it off. Leah humorously notes her hat would be something her daughter would tease her about. However, it’s Leah’s tattoos that really grab Ramona’s attention, leading to a back-and-forth that showcases Leah’s confidence. “I don’t have anything outrageous; they’re cute and pretty,” Leah states.
Ramona admits she doesn’t usually interact with people who have tattoos, to which Sonya cheekily responds that at least Judith knows Leah’s name. Judith’s outdated views on tattoos come to a head when she mentions that people with tattoos were seen as criminals when she was growing up, a sentiment Leah calls out as rude.
As the evening unfolds, tensions rise, and Leah finds herself navigating the dynamics carefully. After receiving a half-hearted apology from Judith, Leah asserts herself, making it clear that she isn’t backing down. “There’s a lot of hostility here,” Leah observes, while Judith insists she thought her comment was humorous.
By the end of the episode, Leah concludes that she needs to keep her guard up with Judith and the rest of the women. “I’ll be watching you closely, Judith,” Leah declares, while Judith reflects on her judgment of Leah, admitting she appreciates Leah’s strength despite the tattoos.
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In summary, Leah brings a fresh energy to ‘RHONY,’ shaking up the dynamics and stirring the pot in a way that keeps viewers engaged. Her unapologetic attitude and willingness to confront issues directly are a breath of fresh air in the ongoing drama.