When The Real Housewives of Potomac premiered in 2016, Bravo fans were excited to welcome a new group of women onto their television screens. While the cast has changed here and there in the seasons since its inception, RHOP has gradually become an iconic city within The Real Housewives universe. Group dynamics, cast trips, and some genuine connections are just some of the reasons why viewers believe that the show is beyond compare.
Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, Robyn Dixon, and Karen Huger have been on the show the entire time. Their relationships alone have been enough to carry the show, with Karen known as 'The Grand Dame," Gizelle and Robyn constantly cause trouble as 'The Green-Eyed Bandits', while Ashley is known for her messiness and polarizing marriage with now ex-husband, Michael Darby. The group is a strong foundation in its own right, and additions like Candiace Dillard Bassett, Monique Samuels, and Katie Rost have provided plenty of viewing gold of their own. Gay husband rumors, hair pulling at a winery, a binder full of receipts... the show has it all.
The fact that the cast is made up of women of color is a win in itself, as representation is important, and viewers love seeing it on their screens. Reddit user UnhappyJellyfish5523 said in a post, "Potomac is one of the best franchises out there. I'll die on this hill. It's FANTASTIC." There were a number of comments in support of this statement, praising the casting and calling the show, '"underrated." In season 5, an altercation between Monique and Candiace sent viewers into overdrive, with Bravo-lovers (and the women in the show) launching into debates about the portrayal of women of color on television. Those debates, up until that moment, hadn't happened to that extent in The Real Housewives universe. After the altercation, a discussion at Karen's house, involving the women, was focused on this issue, and it was one of the more eye-opening moments in the series' history.
The Real Housewives of Potomac has some of its best moments when the cast gets together as a group. In season 3, Karen held a "press conference with no press," amid rumors about tax problems with Karen's husband, Ray Huger. It was an opportunity for the ladies to speak to Karen and ask her questions, but Gizelle took things to another level, wearing a shirt that said "#FreeKaren, #FreeUncleBen and #TaxReform." In season 4, Candiace and Ashley got into it at a group dinner, over the gossip about Ashley's husband ostensibly fake crying at the reunion about Ashley having a miscarriage. Things escalated, and Candiace eventually threw a knife in Ashley's direction.
Karen and Gizelle's up and down relationship is something that fans continue to enjoy. They have consistently had a love/hate relationship, and one of the most memorable moments between them was in season 3, when they were in the middle of a heated argument at an outdoor restaurant. Then, a mime appeared on behalf of Monique, to invite them on a trip to Cannes. Trying to maintain composure, and stand their ground against each other, became difficult for Karen and Gizelle, as the mime paced back and forth in front of them, pulling dramatic facial expressions and drawing attention to himself.
Despite its short time on screens, when compared to the likes of The Real Housewives of Orange County and The Real Housewives of Atlanta, The Real Housewives of Potomac has great casting, a strong group dynamic, and inspiring representation. For this reason, it's gained an avid fanbase. The foundation of Gizelle, Ashley, Robyn, and Karen keeps viewers coming back for more every season, and the mutual respect under all of the drama seems to hold the group together. New cast members are brought into the fold in a natural way, and each season has delivered its own set of iconic moments.
Source: UnhappyJellyfish5523/Reddit