While Kim Richards is no longer on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, she and Kyle have had quite the journey over the years. When fans were introduced to the sisters in season 1, their conflict revolved around Kim's personal struggles, with Kyle wanting to help. While the siblings often fought about how they couldn't get along, they also had trouble with their co-stars on a regular basis.
Looking back on Kim and Kyle's most impactful episodes of RHOBH explains their sibling dynamic and is also relatable for anyone who loves a sibling or a friend deeply but doesn't always see eye-to-eye with them.
"Chocolate Louboutins" (S1, E2)
When fans think about the tension between Kyle and Kim, they remember when Kyle brought up Kim's drinking problem, which was a moment when RHOBH fans supported Kyle as she was just trying to be there for her sister. But even before that big season 1 finale moment, the siblings argued and didn't seem to understand each other.
When spending time at their house in Palm Desert, Kyle said that Kim's whole world revolved around her kids, and Kim was upset and offended. This seemed a little unfair on Kyle's part as she has always shown her family life on the series and she is a hands-on, good parent just like Kim. Viewers were interested to see how this sibling relationship would develop.
"The Dinner Party From Hell" (S1, E9)
In what is considered the most iconic episode of the whole show, this awful dinner party also featured a dramatic Kyle and Kim argument. Kyle thought that Kim was fighting with Taylor Armstrong for no reason, and Kim didn't take kindly to her sister's words.
It's rare for a sibling relationship to be totally perfect all the time, and the fact that these sisters often had conflict makes their bond realistic. Most dinner parties might not be as intense as this one but some fans could definitely understand how Kim and Kyle couldn't help but bicker.
"Unforgivable" (S1, E13)
Kim and Kyle's biggest fights have been surrounding Kim's drinking, and in this wild season 1 finale, Kyle said Kim was an alcoholic and also said that she was "sick." Fans could never forget about this and it changed Kyle and Kim's connection forever.
While this episode is painful to revisit, it showed both Kim and viewers that Kyle was devoted to her sister and would do anything to support her. It might not always be smooth sailing and Kim might not always want to hear what Kyle had to say, but fans appreciated that Kyle felt strongly about helping Kim.
"Let The Games Begin" (S2, E6)
Of Brandi Glanville's most dramatic RHOBH episodes, this one featured an intense confrontation with the Richards sisters.
Kyle and Kim acted like they were better than Brandi, shaming her because her son peed on the lawn of Adrienne Maloof's house. While this is an interesting episode because Kim and Kyle were united and on the same page, viewers would definitely prefer for them to be getting along and having fun with their co-stars instead of insulting them and fighting.
"Tempest in a Tea Party" (S2, E11)
While Kyle has been married for a long time and fans enjoy her sweet relationship, the reality show sometimes followed Kim's dating life. In this season 2 episode, Kyle met Ken, Kim's current partner, and had a big problem with him.
In an awkward and memorable moment, Kyle saw that Ken appeared to be wearing a wedding ring. While he called it a promise ring, no one was sure if that was true, and it made sense that Kyle was worried about her sister. This is one of the best Richards sisters episodes as their dynamic was fully on display: Kim was frustrated that Kyle was so concerned about her and Kyle didn't understand why Kim didn't see her worry as compassion.
"Oy, Faye" (S3, E7)
A trip to Las Vegas got super awkward in this season 3 episode as Kim asked the whole cast to attend but she left Kyle out.
Many Real Housewives moments are emotional, and this one felt especially raw as Kyle hated being excluded and she was clearly hurt. It was hard to know how the sisters would ever get along again after this snub, as there didn't seem to be a real, legitimate reason not to want Kyle on the trip. Anyone who has had conflict with a family member despite numerous attempts to make up finds this episode easy to relate to.
"Moroccan Madness" (S3, E9)
This episode stands out as Kim and Kyle did their best to move forward, and while fans weren't sure how they could after so many painful arguments, it was moving to see.
After talking to her life coach about mending fences, Kim reached out to Kyle when they were having dinner at a Moroccan restaurant with the rest of the cast. When the sisters cried and shared that they wanted to have a better connection, fans were rooting for them and hoped that they could make it through without causing more hurt.
"Amster-damn!" (S5, E16)
RHOBH viewers recall the big fight between Kim and Lisa Rinna during this Amsterdam trip when Kim told Lisa that she knew a rumor about Harry Hamlin. This is a memorable example of a time when Kyle got swept up in her sister's drama and couldn't stay away.
While Kyle tried to leave the restaurant and get away from the tension, she was ultimately in the thick of it as she had to decide whether to defend her sister or not. It was clear that Kyle felt that she was placed in a terrible position, making this an episode that is a significant part of Kyle and Kim's history.
"Reunion: Part Two" (S5, S21)
The RHOBH reunions have fancy outfits and memorable confrontations, and at the end of season 5, Kim and Kyle's relationship cracked even farther than it ever had. Kyle was upset, telling Kim that she was too cruel that season: "I could not defend you. The way that you act and the things you say and do [are] mean. It's just mean ... I'm speaking my truth."
Kyle's words held a lot of meaning as she was essentially saying that being family doesn't mean going along with someone's bad behavior. Kim would appear on the show in a more limited capacity after this season, and fans were left with the impression that she and Kyle had a long way to go before getting along well.
"Reunion Part Two" (S7, E20)
RHOBH fans remember when Kim returned the stuffed bunny that Lisa Rinna wanted Kim's pregnant daughter to have. This made for an explosive season 7 reunion and once again, Kyle was put in the middle.
Kyle looked totally shocked that her sister was doing this, and viewers know that Kyle always wants to see the best in people and look on the bright side. If Kyle was in this situation, it seems likely that she would have kept the gift and said thank you. While Kyle shared in season 11 that she and Kim hadn't spoken and Kathy told Kyle that Kim got a new phone number, Kyle was stunned, suggesting that the sisters are still struggling to get along to this day.