Alex McCord: Are the Salahis Sociopaths or Just Shameless?

The Real Housewives of NYC star discusses the latest episode of The Real Housewives of DC

Photo: Ezequiel De La Rosa; Adam Olszweski/Bravo

Watching tonight’s finale of the DC Housewives, and continuing into Watch What Happens Live with the Salahis as Andy’s first guests, I found myself trying to understand why Tareq and Michaele felt vindicated by the episode.

Tareq referred to a smoking gun, but I didn’t see one.

What I did see is something we dealt with once or twice a little further north of the Beltway: To deflect actual accusations, Tareq refuted something he wasn’t accused of. He proudly stated that they did not climb a fence and did not give a false name at the state dinner.

Admittedly I’m not too familiar with the minutiae of the case but I do know how to operate Google, and after a search I’m not aware that anyone accused them of giving a false name. Nor am I aware that they were accused of scaling a fence to get past a checkpoint.

This is one of the oldest tricks in the book, employed most recently by my 4-year-old son. To create a diversion, find something you can prove you didn’t do. Then, say you’ve been accused of doing it and prove you didn’t. Great, except that’s not the accusation anyone wants to hear about.

Moving right along past the news footage, I have to say I really felt for Cat in this episode. If things are tough, awkward and strained with your husband – who just happens to work in the White House – imagine how you’d feel. You’ve been looking forward to meeting the President for two years, it’s finally about to happen and because of a phenomenally stupid media circus involving coworkers whom you barely know and don’t like, you’re no longer welcome there.

What’s that got to do to your relationship with your husband? Did it affect Charles’s reputation? Where on earth do either of them go after this? I was sad to see that they’ve separated, but not surprised.

Did anyone else notice that in this episode, post-White House, nothing happened in public?

I found myself wondering whether they were able to go anywhere to film, beyond each other’s homes. I’m sure that since this all unfolded in real time, it would have been hard, if not impossible, to find places willing to host the Salahis – and unfortunately the rest of the cast based on their association.

Regardless of the actual truth, whatever it may be, the scarlet letter Jason referred to is very real. I can understand the Salahis acting under their attorney’s advice – if they wouldn’t fess up before Congress and C-SPAN, of course they wouldn’t do so in Stacie’s living room.

But to be as far in denial as they seemed? Either they have a particular talent for burying their heads in the sand or perhaps they are narcissistic sociopaths. At this point I’m not sure which, though perhaps we’ll find out at the reunion? ‘

Is anyone else wondering how Andy’s going to handle the seating chart for next week? Perhaps two couches and a single chair? Until then

For more about The Real Housewives of D.C. and New York City, visit BravoTV.com. For more on Alex, including her book, Little Kids, Big City, visit her Web site or follow her on Twitter