Margaret spoke with Louie’s ex—so what?!

So this was the moment we’ve been waiting for all season—the big reveal. The big ah-ah moment. The revelation. The vindication. The absolution that Teresa and her clan have been shouting from the rooftops that she would be made whole. Once upon a time, Margaret Josephs had been in contact with Louie’s ex. The ex! What a tragedy. What a travesty!

Margaret spoke with Louie’s ex—so what?!

Before I get into last night’s episode, I must say that, although I understand that from a legal perspective, Louie and Teresa cannot reference her by name and must speak about her as “the ex” or “the person harassing their lives,” this manner of reference strips away the human aspect and any empathy one might feel. "The Ex" in the context of this case is so dismissive and apathetic that no one can connect to a real person with real feelings, emotions, and experiences. It’s like talking about Humpty Dumpty or Sailor Moon.

For those who have been part of my listening community, I’ve shared before that I am no stranger to abuse, specifically witnessing domestic abuse as a child. While this doesn’t make me an expert, it does make me hyper-sensitive to abusive scenarios in general.

For months now, I have listened to differing opinions, podcasts, and blogs, read court documents, and most recently listened to two women on the Docket. Though I usually enjoy their content, their opinion of the court case involving Louie and his “ex” disappointed me. Perhaps because they both hold law degrees, I expected a more balanced presentation of arguments and facts beyond what can be easily found on saved Instagram stories of Bravo Bravo Ducking Bravo. Their commentary annoyed me, their cackling irritated me, and their attempts to trivialize certain aspects of the court case really got under my mahogany skin. I will continue to listen to their other content but am not a fan of that particular episode.

So, her name is Vanessa Reiser. At least, that’s the name of one of Louie/Louis/Luis/Lou’s exes—the woman he was set to marry before Teresa. After their split, he moved on to another Vanessa (Moretto), before ending up with Teresa Giudice at the Jersey Shore. Before Vanessa Reiser, Louie was in an on-and-off seven-year relationship with Paula Sanchez, whom he also intended to marry. Prior to these failed engagements, Louie was married to Marissa DiMartino, with whom he has two sons, Nicolas and Louie Jr.

What the show doesn’t tell you is that many of these women were tormented in court by Louie for years, often by the same attorney. Some of these letters have been leaked to certain blogs and appear identical, differing only in the name of the woman. Same script, different cast, as they say.

It’s ironic that Louie is okay losing a quarter of a million dollars on pizza ovens but will harass women in court to get back their engagement rings. He’ll help with your website but will fight you tooth and nail in court to retain ownership of something that is supposed to sustain you financially. He is supposed to be so wealthy that she never has to work a day in her life, while they fly over Lichtenstein, only to leave her vulnerable to the IRS with substantial unpaid tax debt.

Some things just don’t add up.

Last night's episode focused solely on Vanessa Reiser, and not so much on the other women that have had a similar or worse experience with Louie. Perhaps, if all these ex-women could speak openly, they would validate Vanessa’s story. We’ve all heard the allegations and rumors of domestic violence, abuse and some of them are not tales but documented in court records. When Andy Cohen asked him at the end of season 12, Louie’s roundabout answer to what should have been just a “no” did not convince me that his hands were completely clean.

It’s a shame that Teresa and her enforcer attorney, along with the yes-people surrounding her, don’t love her enough to tell her the truth. It’s clear to the audience that she is now a shell of the woman she once was. The rapid eye movement, constant tension, and jumpiness show how unsure of herself she is.

I truly believe that Dina genuinely cared about Teresa. Something tells me that Dina refuses to succumb to the manipulation and sees the dark characters for what they are. Maybe Dina distancing herself is the real act of love, the true blue friendship, shining by her absence because she cares too much to partake in something she sees as destructive.

Margaret’s wreath? Brilliant. Funny. Edgy. Savage. Totally Margaret.

But it also signifies the end of Teresa as we knew her.

#margaretjosephs #rhonj #newjersey #housewives #teresagiudice #louieruelas #melissagorga #jennfessler #daniellecabral #rachelfuda #johnfuda #joebenigno #natecabral #dolorescatania #dinacantin

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