Teresa gets a shakedown, but nothing else has really changed.
What is the point of prison: to punish or to reform?
You might ask the same question about Teresa Checks In.
Credit: Bravo
The Gorgas are certainly pushing the redemption angle hard, with Joe Gorga insisting that things are changing now.
But so far, its hard to believe that the Giudices have learned any major lessons.
After all, for Teresa, whats really important is ensuring that the family still eats off Gucci plates.
In some ways, its hard to blame Teresa.
Joe Gorga and Joe Giudice still have a love-hate relationship.
(He loves me, I love him.
Melissa still breaks down in waterproof-mascara sobs when she talks about family drama.
And the kids are still the victims of their parents bad choices.
Its unfortunate, though not surprising, that Melissas idea of quality family time involves spending even more money.
you’ve got the option to tell its a classy joint because it only servesdecafcappuccinos to children.
I want to believe that Melissas heart is in the right place.
Both Gia and Gabriella handle things perfectly.
I never wanted to be in a family situation where theres hard times or tragedy, Melissa claims.
And yet, moments later, shes saying, God only gives you what you might handle.
Judging by her tone, when she says handle, she really means deserve.
<pNEXT: Whats with the lawyer?
Of course, its probably useless to worry about Melissa invading the Giudices privacy.
(Theres just one problem: she never actually told them that shes in prison.
Officially, shes working.)
Angelo, would you be where you are today if you hadnt been in prison?
asks Creepy Fame-Hungry Lawyer in the worlds most obvious leading question.
Without prison, Angelo suggests, his red sauce never wouldve been this good.
And there are times when Teresa seems to treat it that way, too.
And she asks Gia to tweet a message to her fans, thanking them for their support.
Even when this terrible decision results ina scary shakedown, Joe treats it like a joke.
Guys dont strip search you, do they?
he says smiling, as if he would be jealous.
To be fair, this is probably a defense mechanism for Joe.
(Well, Im pretty sure that fraud is illegal there, too.)
Well get a bigger one!
Yet its clear that this is the only coping mechanism Joe knows.
So: punishment or reform?
He has no interest in reform.
