In the final minutes of this week’s episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Alexis Bellino walked into the lion’s den, and once the conversation turned south, the queen bitches saw their opportunity to run her out — and run she did. Nudge, nudge to newbie Lydia McLaughlin, that was your cue to follow suit, cause these chicks are ruthless; save yourself before you get in too deep.

But lets start at the beginning.

The episode opens with Vicki Gunvalson getting a visit from her replacement BFF, Alexis, who brought her a gift to congratulate her on her new face — a mirror (how fitting). Vicki tells Alexis about Tamra’s upcoming CUT Fitness launch party, and asks if she’ll be her plus-one, as she needs a shield for the eminent and awkward bitchy stares that are sure to come her way. Alexis eventually — and reluctantly — agrees, but only if she can bring a buffer of her own — new housewife Lydia; poor girl. Vicki texts Tamra to confirm the new head count, and the slaying is on the calendar.

On the Dubrow front, Heather is scratching her reoccurring “I want to have a career” itch by co-hosting a radio show for KFI AM, where she teaches us all about the definition of a bully, claiming the word is often taken out of context; you listening, Alexis? She then goes on to recollect her own experience with bulling in high school — which involved a group of girls yelling things at her and spreading rumors about her. Last time I checked, that was a common experience for nearly every high school female at one point or another, but we all feel terrible for Heather’s obviously heart-wrenching turmoil (sarcasm).  Not to mention, way to passive aggressively reference your immature cat fight in a career setting; stellar professionalism.

Heather and Terry Dubrow later go to dinner with Lydia and husband Doug, but only in an effort to try and land a spot on the cover — as opposed to being included in a home feature — of Beverly Hills Lifestyle magazine, for which Lydia and her husband own. Doug tells the Dubrows he can’t offer them the cover, as it’s reserved for celebrities and actresses like Helen Hunt or Kristin Chenoweth; burn, especially considering Heather fancies herself an “actress.” Heather then politely declines to do the home feature without the cover spot, although it seems she later changed her mind.

Cut to Tamra Barney, who is trying to get ready for her big party, but is frustrated and distracted by the fact that Alexis will be attending. She starts to take out her frustration on fiancee Eddie Judge, but then admits the source of her attitude is over the altered guest list, as well as the fact that Vicki dared to ask if Alexis could come, which she considers to be both a “screw you” and an attempt to try and hurt her.

Question: If Tamra is so distraught over Alexis coming, why doesn’t she pick up the damn phone and politely say she changed her mind and is now uncomfortable with it. It’s her party and she can uninvite if she wants to. Unless, of course, she wants to get in her fill of being a petty mean girl, which seems to make much more sense than her feeling uncomfortable over a disinvite; she certainly didn’t feel awkward kicking her out later on, so I’m not buying it.

Heather and Gretchen get to the party first, giving the three plenty of time to stew over Alexis’ pending arrival. Alexis, Vicki and Lydia receive a very cold “welcome,” but Alexis’ takes the high road, walking right over to Tamra and congratulating her on her business endeavor, which seems to break the ice, that is until the Vicki-Gretchen feud rears its ugly head.

When Vicki playfully mentions that the best thing about Tamra’s studio is the fact that it’s across the street from her insurance office, Gretchen takes offense, claiming it is an example of Vicki once again trying to steal the show. Further, when the conversation turns to Vicki’s new grandson, prompting Vicki to say, “I’ve got a baby now,” Gretchen feels the need to call her out, basically implying she is again trying to steal the spotlight from her daughter who isn’t even there? Come on, Gretchen, you’re reaching; not to mention, why the hell do you care if she refers to her grandson as “my baby”? It’s a term of endearment; get over it.

As the ladies sit down for dinner, Vicki decides to create another uncomfortable moment by toasting Tamra for allowing Alexis to attend. And that was all the ladies needed to pounce. Tamra then asks Alexis why she came and brings up the fact that the Bellinos threatened to sue her previously. Alexis, looking panicked, basically pleads with Tamra to stop the conversation, and says she is willing have a one-on-one sit down to try and work through their problems instead of ruining the party. Gretchen than interjects, claiming Alexis would have never come if she wanted it to be a nice party. Alexis continues to try and end the conversation, which then prompts Heather to get involved, and before you know it, Tamra, Gretchen and Heather are all laying in on Alexis, claiming she doesn’t take responsibility for anything, always makes herself the victim and cries “bully”; which is beyond ironic considering the scene. In one stand-out mega bitch moment — which feels far to high-school for their age group — Heather and Tamra laugh and clink their wine glasses, cheersing to the conversation that has Alexis near tears.

Finally — as a gross finale to the fight and solidifying her stance as the ultimate RHOC mean girl — Tamra physically kicks Alexis out of the party — as Gretchen applauds.

I must say, I was never a big Alexis fan, in fact, back in the day, Tamra was my RHOC fave — but no more. I don’t think Alexis went to the party with any ill-will, rather I think she was testing the water because — for reasons I will never understand — she hoped to eventually smooth things over with the ladies, who in my opinion are giving women a bad name with their catty coldness; that scene could have been the reason why the term “bitch” was invented. Not to mention, Heather, you shouldn’t accuse someone of being “juvenile” and then in the same conversation put up your hand to silence them and cover your ears to tune them out; take a look in the mirror.

Thoughts on this week’s episode? Who’s side are you on?

The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Mondays @ 8/7c