Drowning your sorrows might not always be the best strategy — just ask Joe Giudice. The Monday, September 5, episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey largely focused on Teresa Giudice's husband preparing for his upcoming prison sentence with lots and lots of booze. While his daughters were not impressed with his (lack of) coping skills, Teresa seemed determined to stand by her man. recap
Melissa Might Envy Her Old Life
But Teresa wasn't the only Housewife struggling to adapt to new circumstances. Melissa Gorga was overwhelmed by her responsibilities running a business and being a mother. "I did think it was going to be a little more fun," she admitted to the camera of her new boutique, Envy. "I'm sacrificing all this time with my family. I'm arguing with my husband, and for what?"
Melissa's business partner, Jackie, urged her to rely on her team and delegate more (though it's probably worth mentioning that Jackie was on vacation at the time). Still, Melissa wanted to show her kids that she could stand on her own two feet and be the boss. Her desire to set a good example for her daughter convinced her to push ahead — at least for now.
Teresa Admits Joe Is 'Unraveling'
As Teresa anxiously awaited news of whether her book made the New York Times bestseller list, she watched her oldest daughter, Gia, argue with Joe. When Joe insisted he would still run things from jail, Gia told him to shut up. "I will literally kick your butt," Joe shot back. Gia responded like a typical teen, rolling her eyes and telling him he was "so annoying."
After witnessing this exchange, Teresa admitted that Joe was "unraveling." Specifically, the author said her husband was "drinking a lot more" and "having mood swings." Naturally, Joe insisted he was "fine." And Teresa was getting frustrated.
"I feel like saying to him, 'Joe, wake up! Let's make the next few weeks count!'" she said to the camera. She continued be nothing but supportive to Joe's face, however, telling him she would stick with him no matter what.
"You better stop being so f--king tired at night," he snapped back. "Otherwise, you're going to be out the door when I come out." Teresa laughed it off, but it was pretty clear Joe was being, umm, not very nice.
Joe Threatens to 'Smack' Teresa's Head Against the Wall
Despite Teresa's clear attempts to keep the peace with her husband, his temper could not be controlled. When she made a comment that she needed to file bills, he snapped, "Why don't you pay it again like you normally do?" and then added, "That's why you'll never survive without me." Teresa mumbled that she'd survived before he came along, and he barked, "I had a lot of money before I married you."
Teresa's calm exterior finally cracked, and she said he was being just like his dad. "Don't bring my dad up, or I'll smack your head up against the wall!" he shouted back. "Shut the f--k up, please! Stop talking. You and your stupid mother." Teresa then told him to leave and he did, but he had to get the last word in. "I can't wait to leave!" he said as he stomped down the hall. "The only thing I'm going to miss are my kids!" Teresa insisted it was just the alcohol talking.
Everything's Coming Up Rosie
Later, Chris and Jacqueline Laurita decided to host a poker night at home. It was technically a boys' night with Chris, Joe Gorga and Joe Giudice, but Rosie Wakile (who is apparently a very skilled poker player) also joined. Rosie felt bad about some of the snappy comments she'd made about the Giudices on New Year's Eve and wanted to make things right — but when Joe didn't show up, she didn't take it well.
"I don't need this bullshit anymore," she said before declaring she was "f--king done" as she stormed out. She had a change of heart, however, and returned to the game moments later, prompting Joe Gorga to call his brother-in-law directly and find out what was going on.
Joe Giudice said he wasn't coming because he was hungover. When Joe Gorga asked Teresa what was really going on with her husband, she sighed: "He's going through a lot right now." And that was that.
Gia Says Prison Will Be Good for Her Dad
During a girls' dinner with Gia, Teresa got more insight into how damaged her husband's relationship was with their oldest child. When Teresa reminded Gia to be nice to her dad because he would be leaving soon, Gia didn't miss a beat.
"He needs to go," she said. "It would be good for him."
Teresa asked Gia if she meant prison would be good for Joe because he wouldn't be able to drink there and Gia shrugged. "Yeah, but not even that …," she answered. "I think he just needs to realize what he has, so he can get his s--t together."
To the camera, Teresa admitted there was "some truth" to what Gia said, because when Joe was drinking he made the "wrong decisions." She sighed and added, "There is a lot of anger … because of his drinking."
Teresa Celebrates Her Bestseller While Her Husband Fights Outside
The night of Teresa's book party finally arrived. Because of the venue, however, no one underage was admitted, which meant Gia and the other girls had to stay home. It turned out that Joe had invited a friend who had brought his 12-year-old son and couldn't get in as a result. Oh, also: The friend was a felon, and part of the terms of Teresa's probation are that she can't be around other ex-cons. Joe didn't seem to care at all, though.
When Teresa explained the situation and why Joe's friend couldn't come inside, Joe shrugged it off and told his friend just to try at the door anyway, promising to help out after he arrived if necessary.
It was necessary — and so while Teresa made a speech about her book, Joe was outside fighting with her attorney about letting his friend in. Teresa's lawyer reminded Joe that Teresa couldn't be around felons and Joe told him to "shut the f--k up." Charming.
Meanwhile, the friend started going insane, screaming, "That's my blood! That's my blood!" —presumably in reference to his son. "Nothing stops me! Not the mob! Not the government! Nothing! That's my kid!" he added.
Inside, Teresa sweetly asked Joe to come stand with her — and he finally obliged just in time to find out his wife's book was number two on the New York Times bestseller list. Teresa made a heartfelt speech, thanking Joe. "He's my soulmate," she argued. "I love him more than anything in this world."
Tell ipresstv: Do you think Teresa is handling Joe's drinking well?
The Real Housewives of New Jersey airs on Bravo Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.
