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'She's so damn fake': 'RHONJ' fans slam Margaret for instigating Teresa and Melissa rift

As Margaret continues to add to Teresa and Melissa's ongoing feud, 'RHONJ' fans express their opinions online, calling the housewife, 'fake'

NEW JERSEY, USA: The new season of 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey' premiered Tuesday with new cast members, claims of witchcraft, a meticulously innocuous '80s-themed roller rink party, and a bigger presence from Teresa Giudice's now-husband, Luis Ruelas. But what irritated long-time Bravo viewers was how Margaret Josephs appeared to be a catalyst in the continuing feud between Teresa and her sister-in-law, Melissa Gorga.

The first episode of season 13 provides glimmers of optimism for the future of the Jersey series, with both cast newbies and Teresa in a new frame of mind. Despite her predisposition for hair-raising reactivity, the ex-Mrs-Giudice-slash-now-Mrs-Ruelas has sought anger management counseling and embraced a "Keep Calm and Carry On" mentality since last season. That doesn't mean everything is quiet in New Jersey—but for once, Teresa isn't the one carrying the grenade. So, what's the deal with her and Margaret?

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Margaret adds to Teresa and Melissa's feud

Melissa invites everyone to a roller skating party styled in the 1980s to start off Memorial Day Weekend. Teresa refused to invite Melissa as a bridesmaid in her forthcoming wedding to Luis, and Melissa and Joe responded by skipping Teresa's 50th birthday celebrations in Tulum.

Teresa used her therapist's advice to meet Margaret warmly at the roller rink. "I’ve been learning you don’t have to get reactive, yelling, start throwing things—that’s a no-no," Teresa, now Yoda-fied, explains. As a peace offering, she invites Margaret to her home. "What, to bury me in your backyard?" Marge cracks a joke. "Am I in some weird twilight zone? This behavior isn’t very Teresa-like," Margaret remarks, reflecting what we're all thinking.

Last season, Teresa and fellow Housewife Margaret Josephs butted heads in an argument that ended with a laundry list of expletives and a tossed drink. Margaret and Teresa had a calm talk about last year's fiasco over hors d'oeuvres outside an outdoor pool in this season's premiere, thanks to Louie's sensible suggestion.

Later, during Teresa and Margaret's peace pact over cheese and crackers, we witness additional evidence of Teresa's transformation, as well as Luis' surprise positive influence. Teresa's infamous rage begins to simmer throughout Margaret's version of the story, but her new husband intervenes. Margaret, on the other hand, is dubious of this abrupt character transformation. "Are you doing this to make him happy?" she wonders about Teresa's reunion effort, but Teresa assures her, "I'm as raw as a cucumber," whatever that implies.

Margaret stated that she and the other ladies were just concerned about Teresa and were keeping an eye out for her. Teresa stated that she is now getting counseling and no longer carries grudges, therefore she wanted to move on, but Margaret pointed out that Teresa still holds grudges towards Melissa and Joe. Teresa also stated that she is mostly upset with them "because of" Margaret. She said that when Margaret mentioned the rumors about Luis, Melissa, and Joe should have intervened and put a stop to it.

Teresa also claimed that she was furious with Melissa for sharing a text of hers with the group last season, and Luis remarked it demonstrates how "insecure" Melissa is. "She’s an insecure woman if she has to do something like that," he told a startled Margaret. Teresa explained her text to Melissa was a "test" to see whether she had her back, but Margaret asked why Teresa even had to "test people". And Melissa is the "insecure" one... alright, fine. Teresa, unexpectedly, ended up apologizing to Margaret for her behavior last season and inviting her to the wedding. "It’s a big step," Teresa stated of their reconciliation.

The conversation goes without a hitch, more resembling a geriatric counseling session than a Housewives debut scene. Margaret eventually left the session with no ill will and even stated, "I think Louie really is impacting her life."

However, not everyone was as fortunate. Melissa was enraged when she heard Luis call her "insecure" – Margaret dashed over to Joe and Melissa after everyone arrived at Dolores'.

'She’s so damn fake'

Fans took to social media to demand an apology out of Margaret, "Margaret- Teresa never apologizes. Teresa apologizes. Margaret- doesn't believe her. Me- where is Margaret's apology to Teresa? she wasn't an angel last season." Another fan questioned, "Teresa invited Margaret over to talk about their relationship. WhY IS Margaret discussing Melissa and Joe?" Disappointed fans sighed, "Joe and Melissa are getting upset and pressed about second hand information from Margaret, without first having the maturity to call Teresa." Calling Margaret fake a fan wrote, "Teresa is really trying to make an effort and Margaret is just being an asshole. She’s not innocent. She knew exactly what she was doing last year. There was no concern for Teresa, she’s so damn fake."

One fan labeled Margaret as the problem, stating, "All preseason interviews Margaret has stated that she tried to get Teresa and Joey back together all season and it was Jennifer A who kept them apart. Telling Joey and Melissa everything that Teresa said at her house is NOT helping. Marge is the problem not Jenn." Another fan slammed her saying, "You can't win with Margaret- Teresa extends olive branch and she goes back to Jackie and talks crap." Another viewer added, "Margaret…. This is why Teresa be ready to knock the duck lips off ya face… n Melissa u know damn well u don’t and have never liked Teresa NOT ANOTHER SEASON of these bull shit n games." One fan tweeted, "Part of me wants to give Teresa props for trying. The bigger part can’t trust it because she does this same thing with Margaret damn near every season. Margaret is always her scapegoat."

'The Real Housewives of New Jersey' airs every Wednesday on Bravo at 9 PM ET.

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