The popular Real Housewives of Beverly Hills spinoff Vanderpump Rules has graced television screens since 2013. Over nine seasons and more than 180 episodes, Lisa Vanderpump’s dynamic staff has served viewers drama, excitement, laughs and tears. From the rise and fall of romances and friendships to the dynamics between business partners and staff, the series is guaranteed to pull viewers into the lives of the once struggling cast of wannabe actors, musicians, models and more.
While there are many noteworthy episodes of Vanderpump Rules, some stand out ahead of others. Certain episodes offer viewers the fun and humorous side of the cast, while others give more intense drama and intriguing standoffs.
10 S3E12 – A Stand Against Stassi – 8.7
The twelfth episode of season three saw the group returning from Scheana’s bachelorette party in Miami. With Stassi and Kristen back in good graces, Katie found herself on the outs as she feels Stassi’s cold shoulder. The episode builds up to Katie and Stassi’s meeting, where Stassi expresses her feeling of betrayal since Katie went to Miami with Scheana, Jax, and the rest of the crew that Stassi currently despises. Katie, tired of being Stassi’s punching bag, essentially ends the friendship and leaves Stassi to cry alone in the restaurant.
While other storylines continue, such as Kristen’s mission to prove Sandoval’s infidelity and Peter’s awkward date with Vail, the real story of the episode is the end of Katie and Stassi’s long friendship. This fallout is the beginning of a new Katie who practically takes over Stassi’s mean girl role in season four.
9 S5E5 – Cold Feet – 8.7
The fifth episode of season five is full of drama and scandals as Lala confronts James over rumors of his infidelity after photos surfaced of James in bed with someone who is not his girlfriend. Tom Sandoval and Ariana also have a romantic date that doesn’t go as planned when the two realize they are not on the same page regarding marriage and children, leaving them questioning their future together.
Although, the real story is that of almost newlyweds Katie and Tom Schwartz. They visit their wedding venue, an occasion that should be exciting but turns into a massive argument when Schwartz gets cold feet, and Katie hits below the belt over his indecisiveness. The entire season is a build-up to the wedding, and this episode had many viewers questioning whether it was going to happen at all.
8 S5E7 – The Sociopath Test – 8.7
In the seventh episode of season five, Scheana and Kristen throw a double surprise party for Shay and Carter that turns into an ambush when Stassi and Katie attack Scheana for her sympathy towards Lala. Kristen also gets into the mix by attacking Ariana for having Scheana’s back, although Ariana is not known to back down, especially from Kristen.
This episode gives fans much-needed relief as Lala finally gets people on her side. After receiving so much hate from the other girls, Scheana and Ariana took a stand. They invited Lala into the group, allowing her to become a mainstay and, effectively, a full-time cast member for season six.
7 S2E14 – I Lied – 8.8
In the season two finale, SUR has their annual staff photoshoot filled with drama and awkward interactions as Tom Sandoval questions his relationship with Kristen. The season ends with a bang when Kristen admits to Tom and the others that she did sleep with Jax. Sandoval directs his anger towards Jax and the two have a physical altercation in the middle of Scheana’s engagement party.
This episode is not only full of intense moments, but it also marks the end of Tom and Kristen’s relationship as well as Kristen’s friendships with the majority of the cast. Tom quickly moves into a loving relationship with Ariana while Kristen begins a dark and unhealthy relationship with James.
6 S4E16 – Bitch Ghost – 8.8
The sixteenth episode of season four showcases multiple scenes that further various storylines. Stassi confronts Scheana over her involvement in Stassi’s sex tape scandal, Jax boasts about the breast implants he bought Brittany, and Schwartz walks out of his first night on the job at SUR.
This is an essential episode as the drama expands through the remainder of the season and seasons after. Stassi has a difficult time trusting Scheana and regaining their friendship. Jax feels as if Brittany owes him, forcing her to put her foot down, and Katie scolds Schwartz for walking out of a job and pressures him to man up.
5 S5E6 – Pride – 8.8
After the tragic events at the PULSE nightclub in Orlando, the LGBT+ community in West Hollywood feel the pain. The sad episode features the cast dealing with things that had never been seen before on the show. While some decide that they want to stay home and take it all in, others refuse to let terrorism win and attend the parade to support the community and Lisa as she takes center stage on a parade float.
This episode is significant as it shows the reality relative to the world rather than the petty drama the group is usually at odds over. Lisa Vanderpump is shown as a strong supporter of the LGBT+ community, and the cast each show their love and appreciation for the community in their own ways.
4 S4E12 – Leis, Liquor, and Lies – 8.9
During the twelfth episode of season four, the cast celebrates Sandoval and Jax’s birthdays in Hawaii. While Jax and James continue to butt heads, Lala attempts to come clean about the flirtation between her and Jax. When Jax lies about the situation, Brittany takes his side and makes Lala the bad guy. Lala gets more hate when Katie attacks her over skinny-dipping in front of Schwartz, which some fans believe that Lala’s aggressiveness doesn’t help her situation.
Though Lala had a tough time throughout the episode, the bigger story comes when Sandoval learns of text messages that Scheana sent to Ariana’s mom, discussing her concerns over their relationship. These texts cause a major rift between the two longtime friends, and fans begin to wonder if Scheana and Ariana will ever recover from the betrayal.
3 S5E21 – Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Schwartz – 8.9
In the season five finale, fans finally got to see the wedding of Katie and Schwartz. Lisa officiates the service, and Sandoval practically steals the show as he uses the dog to wipe his tears. The wedding is a joyful occasion, different from that of Scheana and Shay’s wedding two seasons earlier.
While the wedding is the main reason viewers tuned in, the big story is what happens at the reception. Lisa talks to the Toms and offers them a role as business partners in a new restaurant and bar. Thus, TomTom is created, launching many more storylines for the future.
2 S4E13 – The Bitch Is Back – 9.0
The thirteenth episode of season four has drama coming from all angles. In Los Angeles, Stassi returns and opens up to Kristen about her sex tape scandal that caused her to separate herself from the group. In Hawaii, Ariana and Scheana are still at odds over the text messages while Scheana also worries about Shay’s drinking. Meanwhile, the duo that fans believe could revive Vanderpump Rules, Lala and James have a heated argument as James takes digs at Lala for feeling attacked by the other women.
With so much happening in the group, it seems like the known cause of most drama, Jax, is in the clear. However, that is not the case, as the episode ends with Jax being arrested for theft. Jax’s arrest is an eye-opener for Brittany and changes their relationship dynamic forever.
1 S2E13 – Bitch Slap – 9.2
Episode thirteen of season two is the highest-rated episode for a good reason: it builds to Stassi and Kristen’s confrontation. With the entire staff waiting for the moment and Jax prepared to admit to everything, Sandoval and Kristen arrive at the bar where Stassi confronts a denying Kristen. In one of the the most iconic moments of Vanderpump Rules, Stassi slaps Kristen.
This episode is a masterpiece, and the intense build-up is paid off with the dramatic ending. The group dynamics change drastically after this episode as Kristen is forced out of the group, Sandoval questions his relationship with Kristen and his friendship with Jax, and Stassi’s dictatorship over the friend group goes out of control.