The Real Housewives of Potomac season 5 premiered on Bravo on August 2, 2020, and concluded on December 27, 2020. The reality TV show continues to follow the Potomac housewives, featuring tension, drama, and more. It consisted of 22 episodes, with the last three as the reunion special.
The fifth installment saw the return of the six cast members from season 4. A new face was also added to the list. The show’s executive producers included Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, Thomas Kelly, and Andy Cohen.
Cast and Overview of The Real Housewives of Potomac season 5
Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, Robyn Dixon, Karen Huger, Monique Samuels, and Candiace Dillard all returned in The Real Housewives of Potomac season 5. It was reported in November 2019 that housewives Candiace and Monique reportedly got into a violent brawl during the fifth season’s filming.
Charges were consequently brought and later dismissed against Monique and Candiace. Meanwhile, Wendy Osefo joined the list as the newest housewife. Original housewife Charrisse Jackson Jordan also made a guest appearance during the season.
The program has encountered several setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The premiere date was originally planned on May 3, 2020, but Bravo canceled the season’s premiere and revealed that it would air on August 2, 2020.
Monique made her final appearance in season 5. She confirmed her exit from the franchise on December 27, 2020, immediately after the season finale. She explained her departure from the show, noting it was not easy doing reality TV, and she’s “over it.”
At the time, she said: “It was a crazy ride. It’s not easy doing reality TV, and to be quite honest, I’m over it. I appreciate everything people have done for me, everybody that has been Team Monique, I love y’all, I thank y’all.”
Monique added, “But when you cross certain lines, there’s no going back. For me, my family is that line. The opinion of my family and my kids and what they think about anything that I do is more valuable to me than anybody’s opinion, so I’m over it.”
Taglines:
Gizelle Bryant: “I’m still the baddest thing walking, and the most anointed one talking.”
Ashley Darby: “Now that I got my baby, that’s the only crap I take.”
Robyn Dixon: “I live in a house full of ballers, but I never get played.”
Karen Huger: “Honey, the grande dame don’t repeat history — she makes it.”
Monique Samuels: “Maybe if you tried a little harder, you wouldn’t have to try me.”
Candiace Dillard: “Reading is fundamental, and, honey, I own the library.”
Wendy Osefo: “The professor has arrived, and class is officially in session.”
Episode 1 - Old Testaments, New Revelations
Gizelle and her ex-husband Jamal Bryant get back in touch in the fifth season premiere. Ashley is struggling to adjust to being a new mother, while Karen and her husband Ray are experiencing a crisis in their marriage. As Wendy is introduced to the women, Monique confronts an old rival.
Episode 2 - The Rumor Meal
Gizelle and Monique resolve to set aside their differences to work together and plan a dinner in support of Ashley as she continues to be afraid to leave the house. Upon learning of Candiace’s recent alliance with a longtime foe, Monique starts to doubt her choice.
Episode 3 - Sip and See You Later
When Gizelle celebrates her birthday with her daughters and ex-husband Jamal, tensions between the couple begin to rise. Candiace finds it difficult to comprehend Monique’s sudden anger at her despite their recent reconciliation.
Episode 4 - Celebrations and Strange Explanations
Monique confides in her husband, Chris Samuels, about the burden of being a wife. Gizelle learns what her daughters think of her getting back together with their father. Karen throws a housewarming party while Candiace and Ashley resolve their issues.
Episode 5 - Look Who's Squawking
Monique invited the women to her lake house, but an unexpected visitor greeted them. Karen expresses her annoyance with Wendy’s obsession with her sex life while they are there.
Episode 6 - The Text Heard' Round the Lake House
The ladies entertain themselves by hosting a pageant at Monique’s lake house. Ashley and Wendy reconcile there. Candiace is unsure whether or not she should divulge the contents of a text message she received about Ashley’s husband, Michael Darby.
Episode 7 - Fireball and Firepits
Karen candidly discusses her marriage while attending an event with some ladies. Candiace tells Ashley about Michael’s alleged indiscretions when the husbands arrive at the lake house to join the wives.
Episode 8 - Serving up Betrayals
Ashley asks Michael for the truth when she comes across blog rumors. Gizelle invites the women over for wine tasting as a way to honor her literary award. Tensions arise while there, resulting in a heated confrontation.
Episode 9 - The Tipping Point
The other ladies are left to piece together the events that followed the confrontation between Candiace and Monique. Gizelle leaves for Atlanta to attend her daughter’s restaurant launch, while Ashley gives her husband a post-nuptial agreement.
Episode 10 - Sorry... Not Sorry
Karen invites the ladies over after the events at the winery so they can hear Monique’s side of the argument between her and Candiace.
Episode 11 - Taxing Times and Blurry Lines
Karen invites Gizelle and Ashley to join her in Virginia for a celebration of her homecoming. The women see a different side of Karen during the trip when they pay an emotional visit to the farm where she grew up. Back in Potomac, Candiace mulls over whether to press charges against Monique for the assault at the winery as Robyn’s financial problems become publicly known.
Episode 12 - Fully Charged
Wendy and her husband Edward organize a drink and see for their daughter, but she also invites his estranged parents. While Karen battles to save her marriage, Ashley and Michael go to marriage counseling. Candiace decides to file a lawsuit against Monique.
Episode 13 - No Shows and Show Downs
After the incident at the winery, Monique starts to feel as though the other women aren’t there for her. As Wendy organizes an evening of wine and politics, Gizelle and Jamal struggle with their long-distance relationship.
Episode 14 - Hats Off... Shades On
Monique responds to Candiace’s lawsuit against her for the incident at the winery by bringing one of her own. Ashley looks for happiness while Robyn conducts a photo shoot for her hat line.
Episode 15 - Portu-Girl-Bye
Ashley starts to voice her desire to go back home as the women get ready to travel to Portugal. Karen questions Gizelle about the status of her relationship, which not only sparks a heated debate but also results in Robyn supporting Karen’s viewpoint.
Episode 16 - Picking Sides
Gizelle struggles to conceal her secret as the housewives orchestrate a prank on Wendy. Karen confides the ladies about her marriage when they are on their trip to Portugal.
Episode 17 - Fifty Shades of Betrayal
Some women become upset when Robyn posts the housewives’ photos on her website for Embellished. When Gizelle and Ashley host a dominiatrix party, old issues resurface when Ashley admits she wrote a letter defending Monique from Candiace.
Episode 18 - Shifty Wigs
While Gizelle arranges a family photoshoot, Wendy plans to quit teaching but hesitates to tell her mother. Karen throws a party to celebrate the launch of her new wig line.
Episode 19 - Deck the Halls With Drama
Gizelle ensures that Robyn’s engagement occurs without a hitch as Juan and Robyn attend couples therapy. Candiace chooses to face Karen because she feels she has set her up.
Episode 20 - Reunion Part 1
Monique and Candiace finally get together after their physical altercation to begin the reunion. While Gizelle, Karen, Monique, Candiace, and Ashley argue separately, Wendy reflects on her debut season.
Episode 21 - Reunion Part 2
Monique and Candiace resume their season-long argument as the reunion continues. The other women question Karen about her allegiance. Ashley shocks the housewives with a revelation as she clarifies the situation about Michael and the accusations made against him.
Episode 22 - Reunion Part 3
The reunion comes to a close as the husbands go to be with their wives, where Chris Bassett and Chris Samuels get into a heated argument. Ray announces something while he and Karen talk about the state of their marriage. Robyn gives her opinion on their current situation when asked about her wedding plans with Juan.