Among the 11 offerings in The Real Housewives franchise, The Real Housewives Of Atlanta distinguishes itself via the keen manner in which explores drama and conflict. There's rarely any peace, but this translates to plenty of fun, too—so much fun, in fact, that the 285 episodes feel scant on a binge-watch.
A new fan seeking to invest their time on the show will want to be convinced that there it's definitely something worth investing time on. A couple of episodes do the job of investing newcomers a lot better than others, as they are not only entertaining, but are also superior in terms of analysis, dialogue, themes, story development, and scenery.
"Out Of Tune" (S1E5)
In one of the most iconic RHOA examples of throwing shade, NeNe composes a song consisting of jabs directed at her former friend Kim, who she believes will never make a good singer. There's also a very entertaining pole dancing class involving Shereé and Lisa, as well as a Botox appointment where Shereé and Kim engage in plenty of gossip.
Rather than engaging in the cliche catfights whenever there are disagreements, the cast opts to handle disputes creatively. The difference between Kim and NeNe is made clear to a new viewer. While the latter goes low, the former goes big by flaunting her dollars and authoring a lengthy text in which she refers to NeNe as a "low budget b*tch" who doesn't deserve to be on the show. As despicable as NeNe is at this stage, she leaves viewers with no other choice but to side with her again when she launches a foundation for domestic violence victims.
"Flirting With Disaster" (S6E18)
In what is one of Real Housewives Of Atlanta's best storylines, the group heads deep into a Mexican jungle for an erotic swimming session among other adventures. A restless Kenya also asks some of the women to accompany her to a shaman before confronting Apollo about their failing relationship.
There is the perfect mix of tension and joy in this episode. Seeing the group outside and adventuring communicates to any new fan that these are some of the most fun-loving people they will ever come across. The disaster isn't just in the risky adventure, but also in the callous way in which some of the cast members handle their relationships.
"What Happened In The Dungeon?" (S13E10)
The ladies show their naughty side by organizing a rather interesting bachelorette party for Baley. It's BDSM-themes, and a male stripper is invited. The CCTV footage then shows that plenty of debaucheries happened.
R-rated shows must have adult content on occasion, and, even though Real Housewives Of Atlanta holds itself back, it lets loose here in a way that any person passing behind the couch would be drawn in. In typical "Real Housewives" fashion, there is a storm after the calm when cast members accuse each other of engaging in threesomes.
"Flamingo Road Block" (S3E14)
Despite only having one song, Kim jumps on Grammy-winning artiste Kandi Burruss' tour bus. She causes plenty of inconveniences, which include asking the driver to pull over several times. Nene also finds herself on the bus, leading to some of the most dramatic moments on the Real Housewives Of Atlanta.
Part of the appeal in shows like these is the hostility, and the argument between NeNe, Kim, and Sweetie is as uncomfortable as arguments come. NeNe doesn't hold back when it comes to throwing words at both her archenemy and her assistant Sweetie. The importance of finances in marriage is also brought up when Cynthia and Peter almost consider breaking off their engagement.
"Kim-Tervention" (S2E2)
There are signs of a ceasefire when NeNe invites Kim to meet up over a glass of wine so that they can solve their differences. Lisa and Ed also head over to a fertility clinic as they try to figure out quick ways to get a baby. At this point, the beef between NeNe and Kim appears to have gone on for too long, even though it's only the second season. Nevertheless, no one wants it to end because it's entertaining.
Nothing much comes out of the peace summit, which is what makes the episode so great. The exploration of fertility creates the impression that this isn't just a feel-good show, but that it's also a show seeking to embrace those with various struggles in their marriages.
"Char-lotta Drama" (S9E9)
Kenya is hired as the host for Peter's grand opening of Club One in Charlotte. Meanwhile, Cynthia is fuming because she wasn't invited. Elsewhere, Shereé prepares to release a tell-all novel about her life.
The episode perfectly highlights the importance of friendships and loyalty, especially in circles. It also highlights the need to belong. Being left out of such an important event gets Cynthia worried, making her feel like she might be losing her status. There's always the threat that something is going to happen, and nothing sums up this aspect of the show more than Shereé's novel announcement.
"Livin' La Villa Loca" (S10E13)
In this episode, the ladies travel to Barcelona for a getaway. As expected, no one is about to enjoy their vacation in peace. Cynthia attacks Porsha and Eva for gossiping about Will. A group dinner also turns hostile, and, when someone tells Kim—who was left in Atlanta—about a joke that was made about her, she is enraged.
To any new viewer, the episode would be a joyous surprise. They'd probably have come expecting everything to be confined to Atlanta, but the Spain locales will make them want to digest more of the show's scenery. The drama also helps showcase the different personalities of the cast members, quickly making it clear who is mean and who is not.
"All Tea All Shade" (S7E3)
The episode marks the first appearance of housewife Claudia Jordan, one of the most memorable RHOA cast members who are no longer on the show. A radio personality who is close to Kenya's good friend. Just as Apollo and Phaedra are busy hooking up, Kandi decides to ruin their party by spilling all the details about Kenya and Apollo.
The women of Real Housewives Of Atlanta live on 'tea'—also known as gossip—and it's fun watching Kandi choose to talk rather than let two new lovers wallow in newfound romance. No relationship ever runs smoothly on the show, and the quick storm that looms over the horizon of Apollo-land is a confirmation of this.
"Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained" (S4E1)
The episode sees everyone finding some success in their endeavors; Kandi has branched out of music to start a sex toy business, and Cynthia is busy promoting her modeling school with assistance from a celebrity. Kim is also moving into an expensive mansion with her NFL boyfriend Kroy Biermann, while NeNe got to hang out with a pre-POTUS Donald Trump.
It's an episode that nudges fans on to the fact that these are serious women chasing after their dreams. They are not just "housewives" as the title of the show suggests. They might be petty at times, but they know better than to allow themselves to be failures in life. The grandiosity displays itself in every scene and no one is apologetic about it.
"In The Name Of Charity" (S12E16)
Cynthia plans a baby shower to ease tensions. Kandi also goes to extreme lengths to get a role. Then, NeNe calls Wendy Williams for advice before Kenya and Marc organize a charity event.
The "Wendy Williams" factor is guaranteed to hook any new viewer and keep them hooked. It's proof that the cast members aren't just ordinary citizens trying to make it in life. The charity event also paints Kenya as a much nicer person, thus making her future schemes look like a total plot twist.