Vanderpump Rules season 10 concludes with a tense finale, featuring several high-stakes scenes, especially the severe clash between Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix.
The former partners, who have been in a relationship for nearly ten years before breaking up, sit down to talk for one last time.
Tom has been caught having an affair with Raquel Leviss just two days prior, and Ariana is not inclined to forgive him anytime soon.
Tom and Raquel, who have been Ariana’s BFFs for years before the affair, hit it off after Raquel’s engagement to James Kennedy went south.
While the two looked like just besties, they were hooking up and falling in love, leaving Ariana in the dark.
Throughout Vanderpump Rules season 10, Ariana tries to stand up for Tom and Raquel’s friendship. Thus, she is left heartbroken when they disastrously break her trust.
1. Ariana’s Anger Boils Over
After a recap of the drama, Tom and Ariana meet at their crib to discuss their broken relationship.
Before Tom walks in, Ariana tells a friend, “I can’t stand him, but I’m getting over him fast.”
She doesn’t hold back when Tom tries to talk to a cold Ariana. “You never said sorry for what you really did,” she says, and Tom replies, “Every time I say sorry to you, it just makes you more pissed.”
While Tom claims he’s ready to chat, the fact that he’s too scared of Ariana’s rage remains prominent.
Tom’s actions were evil, sneaky, painful, and will mess up Ariana’s life for a long time. Tom stepping up and at least saying sorry for lying to her and tricking her for months is the bare minimum.
Ariana has every right to be mad, which she tells him, while Tom seems annoyed by her rage. Tom’s weak, defensive vibe going into the talk is disappointing.
2. Ariana Wants to Hear Tom’s Thoughts, Not Raquel’s
Tom and Ariana’s talk begins badly, as he calls the affair with Raquel a slip-up at first. Ariana cuts him off, saying, “I loved you…when you had nothing. You got a little bit of money, a little bar, a little band, and then this girl is going to act enamored with you…and that’s what you want. Someone to gas you up. That girl is searching for identity in men, she has no identity of her own. Willing to stoop so low as to f*** one of her best friends’ life partners, and that’s like a good person you think you should be around?”
Tom says quickly, “I don’t know how it happened – it just happened. We became really good friends, like I was looking for something that I wasn’t getting here. And that’s selfish, that’s really selfish.”
When Tom starts to justify his relationship with Raquel, Ariana gets more mad. Tom wants Ariana’s approval because he thinks his actions were at least warranted, given the circumstances.
On the other hand, Ariana is more curious about how Tom’s personality could let him cheat on her, finally yelling at him to make him stop talking about Raquel and start talking about himself.
3. Tom Blames His Mid-Life Crisis For His Blasphemy
Tom wastes a lot of time trying to prove some point instead of simply admitting his actions. He screams at Ariana about how awesome Raquel is to him, saying, “well, guess what – [my relationship with Raquel is] real because she treats me with f***ing respect, something I don’t get from you in a long time.”
He goes on, “It’s about a connection where we actually respect each other and give each other confidence.” When his logic is questioned, Tom says that turning 40 sent him into a revelation, making him think about the rest of his life.
Instead of admitting his behavior, Tom uses most of the argument trying to justify and defend his relationship with Raquel.
He finally opens up to Ariana and tells her that aging has caused a paradigm shift in his mindset, sending him down the spiral of change. While his worry about aging and changing his life is valid, how he does it is deeply hurtful to everyone around him.
4. Ariana Lays Her Cards on The Table
Ariana can’t hold back her feelings anymore. She unleashes her fury on Tom, telling him, “You don’t deserve any of the love, loyalty, or support I gave you. You’re worthless, and I hope you feel that in your bones. I hope you listen to me, the woman who f***ing stood by you, loved you and wanted to share my life with you. Listen to me, and understand that this is how I feel about you. I wish I never loved you. Do you have anything to say before we cut off all contact?”
Ariana speaks calmly but firmly about how she used to feel for Tom. She doesn’t sugarcoat her words. She tells him how she would have done anything for him and adds, “I was loyal to you and her too.”
But Tom betrayed her and has now lost her trust forever.
Tom starts crying, and says “I thought we’d never part.”
5. The Final Split Is Heartbreaking
The argument slowly dies down, but the pain is still there. Both of them sob as they realize they had wanted to spend their lives together.
“I would’ve gone anywhere with you,” Ariana says as Tom looks at her from across the room. “I would’ve changed anything that made you unhappy. I was totally devoted to you until two days ago.”
Tom weeps harder as he hears this, unable to accept that he has ruined everything with Ariana by cheating on her. The couple finally stop fighting, but it is obvious that they are both heartbroken.
Ariana feels betrayed and angry by Tom’s actions, while Tom is confused and defensive about his choices.
The reality TV stars end their conversation with tears, with Tom saying one last thing. “You can believe what you want, but we had some really great moments.” Ariana nods, but she knows those moments are gone.
6. About Vanderpump Rules
Vanderpump Rules is an American reality television series that has been broadcast on Bravo since January 7, 2013.
Developed as the first spin-off from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, it has aired nine seasons and focuses on Lisa Vanderpump and the staff at her restaurants and bars; SUR Restaurant & Lounge, Pump Restaurant, and Tom Tom Restaurant & Bar, in West Hollywood, California.
The success of the show has resulted in two spin-offs; Vanderpump Rules After Show and Vanderpump Rules: Jax And Brittany Take Kentucky.
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