The BEST episodes of The Real World season 12
Every episode of The Real World season 12, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Real World season 12!
The aim is to unite people from different backgrounds and find a common ground.
#1 - Las Vegas: Word From Home
Season 12 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/24/2002
Trishelle is a good girl. At least she was until she landed in Vegas with a young man named Steven. The intensity and excitement of being in this situation has had an unexpected effect -- our southern girl has gone wild! When she makes out with Brynn, she realizes that she may have stepped outside the bounds of what people at home expect of her and decides to soften the blow. She calls her stepsister and confesses to her sins and then asks her to inform her father. She hopes to avoid dealing with him directly but when he calls back he reprimands her and reminds her that she's not only representing herself but her family and that kissing girls, especially when she's not gay, is not the right way to go about it. Trishelle feels like crap after the call. All she wants is his approval and love but she seems unable to attain it. Meanwhile, Alton receives news from his ex-girlfriend that she might be pregnant. He's so not ready for that news.
#2 - Las Vegas: Love Connection
Season 12 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/17/2002
As the boys work out in the hotel gym, the subject at hand is girls, girls, girls. Steven is still trying to convince Frank that he has it all sewn up with Trishelle while at the same time informing everyone that he's not attracted to Brynn. He'd ""stick her"" if the opportunity arose but he's not squirreling for her nuts. Meanwhile, Trishelle asks Brynn what she thinks about Frank. ""What do YOU think about Frank?"" Brynn retorts. Trishelle states that he has certain qualities that she looks for in a guy, but that she also finds herself physically attracted to Steven. ""I really don't want to get involved with one of my roommates, but if it happens, it's out of my control,"" explains Trishelle. Later, a discussion takes place concerning Steven's wedding and bride, who he is newly separated from. Brynn could care less about Steven's nuptials. What's that got to do with her and her getting with him?
#3 - Las Vegas: Singles Club
Season 12 - Episode 22 - Aired 2/18/2003
Alton and Irulan don't like each other. She hates him. He doesn't hate her but he hates that he loves her. Get it? They really can't stand each other. But, apparently, they love hanging out with each other and kissing other people in each other's presence. It's very mature and adult of them that they can deal with each other being in new relationships so soon after their breakup. Except that it's exactly like 9th grade when you broke up with that one girl and then started kissing this other girl that she hated just because it would make her jealous. Alton dating Denise and Irulan dating Davin is just like that. Meanwhile, Arissa is realizing that in order for her to stand on her own two feet she's going to have to give up a lot of what she's used to at home in Boston. That may mean breaking up with Dario.
#4 - Las Vegas: Happy Birthday
Season 12 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/8/2003
It's Irulan's Birthday and she starts the day with tons of presents from her family and friends back at home. Her friend Mikey is in town and he's amazed that her mother would send her thong underwear. Lots of thong underwear and a set of roller blades. Irulan has an interesting family. She and Alton immediately go out to test her blades and it's still obvious that the two are much more than friends even if neither one wants to admit it. The roadblocks seem too large, the stakes too high, and so Alton is resigned to protecting his heart while Irulan continues to protect her relationship with Gabe. That night, though, Alton brings Irulan flowers and she's impressed and amazed with the gesture. They share a few quick kisses and proceed to celebrate her 22nd year with copious amounts of drink and gyration on the dance floor. The drunker Irulan gets, however, the more Alton's eyes start to wander.
#5 - Las Vegas: Secret's Out
Season 12 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/12/2002
Gabe arrives in the loft the day after Irulan attempted to get it on with Alton. Irulan is just happy to see her man, while Alton worries about whether she will inform Gabe of what's gone down. After a few days of bliss, Irulan finally reveals her secret to him. After talking with Alton and having a number conversations with Irulan, Gabe tells Irulan that he's cool with what went on, but that the situation ""was still bothering"" her and Alton. Gabe, being a pretty perceptive guy, senses that Alton is still silently pining for her. Alton doesn't want to hurt Gabe or get hurt himself but he consistently talks to Frank about his attraction to her. Thankfully, Alton's mother Molinda is in town to distract him. The roommates love Molina and are seem happy to have a grown up around for a few days. But he visit is not all fun and games.
#6 - Las Vegas: Stepping In
Season 12 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/5/2002
The girls think Trishelle has a problem. She doesn't eat much or she'll eat a whole lot and then dissapear to the bathroom. They think that she has ""issues with food."" Irulan and Arissa, having both dealt with eating disorders in the past, want to help Trishelle deal with the situation but they don't know exactly how. And hey, maybe it's all conjecture and Trishelle doesn't really have a problem. Frank doesn't seem to think so and thinks that it's just about people needing drama in their lives. Arissa, however, has a heart-to-heart with Trishelle and they talk it out with both feeling better after the conversation. Meanwhile, Alton definitely has a problem. His ""wood"" has gotten so long that, apparently, he can no longer wear pants. Irulan is so mortified by this turn of events. If ""mortified"" is defined as horny and aggressive. Even with Gabe on his way to Sin City, Irulan pursues Alton who already has a crush on her. The two have a weak moment but Alton backs off.
#7 - Las Vegas: In The Spotlight
Season 12 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/29/2002
""I love her and I feel that I shouldn't,"" Alton says about Melissa, his ex, and that is their relationship as succinctly as one could put it. With the pregnancy scare and lingering doubts about her fidelity, Alton is confused as to why he is still holding out waiting for her. In the midst of his frustration, Alton goes clubbing and ends up meeting, and hooking up with, a girl who won first place in the Ghetto Fabulous Bikini Contest. They get naked in the communal bathtub which leaves Arissa with a bad taste in her mouth. Arissa confronts Alton and lets him know that she has lost respect for him. Alton apologizes and the two later discuss how he's going to deal with the ""Melissa"" situation. Alton ends up calling her to confess his sexual conquest and she reveals that she did, in fact, cheat on him when they were together. It's news that serves to end the relationship. Meanwhile, Brynn is broke.
#8 - Las Vegas: Hey, Jealousy
Season 12 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/15/2002
Trishelle and Steven have a connection. She loves the way he makes her feel. He loves the way her breasts feel. It's a match made in heaven. Unless, you're Brynn. She wants Steven and can't have him. She shares a room with Trishelle and that is the room in which the couple most often knocks boots. It's not the most ideal situation. Hey, Jealousy! But perhaps that's a little unfair. The level of kertanking between Steven and Trishelle has reached such high proportions that Frank can't sleep and Irulan must encourage them to not spread their bootissy juices throughout other areas of the house. Frank even goes so far as to suggest that Brynn switch places with Steven so that the couple could have some privacy. Brynn doesn't like that idea. In fact, she doesn't like a lot of what's going on and after an exchange of words with Steven, throws a fork at him.
#9 - Las Vegas: Touchy Situations
Season 12 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/8/2002
There's something going on between Marc and Irulan. Their not-so-subtle flirting is turning into them spending a lot of time together and some pretty heavy physical interaction. Because Marc is her boss, Irulan doesn't really know how to let him know that its going to far. And maybe, she wants it to go a little farther. While she doesn't find him hot, he is smart and funny and she's feeling a little lonely and missing Gabe and so the playful touching might be okay, they might even be able to sleep in the same bed together but she doesn't want anything more. When Marc tries to take it there, she is upset about it and the girls in the house start calling him a 'molester.' Alton, not wanting Marc to get a reputation he might not deserve, encourages Irulan to deal with the situation rather than spread rumors about him. Meanwhile, Frank, again, has put his foot in his mouth. While talking to a friend back home, he jokes about and with Arissa and its funny for awhile.
#10 - Las Vegas: Welcome to Las Vegas!
Season 12 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/17/2002
When seven strangers are picked to live in a city famous for its showgirls, gambling and partying at all hours of the day-anything can happen. This season on The Real World, Steven, Trishelle, Irulan, Alton, Frank, Arissa and Brynn are livin' it up in Las Vegas. Steven and Trishelle are the first to arrive. They scope out their new living arrangements on the 28th floor of the recently built Palms hotel, and continue to chat it up while they wait for the rest of their roommates. Trishelle, a seemingly naïve, sweet girl from Cut Off, Louisiana, is excited for the new friendships and experiences that await her. ""I'm excited to get the chance to live with people of other races,"" she informs her new roommates. Brynn, the final member to show up at the hotel (and someone who claims she gets whatever she wants), is a little disappointed to discover that she has to share her living space-and the guys-with three attractive women.
#11 - Las Vegas: Season Finale
Season 12 - Episode 28 - Aired 4/1/2003
The group is packing up as their experience is coming to an end and it finally hits home that they are all about to leave. Arissa realizes how much she has changed but is scared that she'll revert back to old habits if she returns to Boston. These feelings are reconfirmed when her mother calls the suite drunk and harasses her. Irulan, too, is concerned about leaving Las Vegas because she doesn't want to say goodbye to Alton and she doesn't know where their relationship is headed. It's time for the final dinner and the roommates all cry and tell each other how much they love each other. Trishelle suggests that everyone should kiss and Steven admits that he has never kissed a black woman and wants to try it out with Arissa. Arissa says Steven is stunned by it all and Steven admits she's a really good kisser. After dinner, Arissa speaks to Michelle, a bartender and friend from Ghostbar, who invites her to live with her while she figures things out.
#12 - Las Vegas: Over It
Season 12 - Episode 27 - Aired 3/25/2003
Arissa is broken up with Dario but continues to talk with him. He is her best friend and she still needs his support and the connection he brings to her old life. He also is putting on the full-court press to get back together with her and it's making her reconsider her decision. When Irulan's best friend Dina arrives in town, however, things change. Dina knows Dario from school and she has a secret. She informs Arissa that Dario slept with another woman and got her pregnant and then proceeded to parade Arissa around the other woman without Arissa knowing who she was. Arissa is heartbroken by the information and calls Dario to get his side of the story. When he denies everything she tells him that she's slept around on him as well and hangs up. The next day, Arissa confesses to Dina that she lied when she told Dario that she had slept with someone else. She's been faithful but she wanted him to hurt like she was hurting. Dina suggests that she tell him the truth and Arissa agrees.
#13 - Las Vegas: Baggage Problems
Season 12 - Episode 25 - Aired 3/11/2003
Even though Arissa broke up with Dario weeks ago, he is still a big part of her life. The two have an intense phone call where Dario says that Arissa is the biggest problem in his life and that she sucks. They get into a yelling match where Arissa tells him that she won't let him say these things to her and that she won't talk to him about it until he realizes what he has said. Despite how upset she is, her lack of faith in men is restored when she meets Alex. She thinks he's the finest man she's ever known. Back in the suite, Brynn is suffering emotional distress and is having a lot of anxiety and panic attacks. When she tells her mom she's going crazy, her mom informs her that she went through the same thing and that it's hereditary. Brynn thinks she could be schizophrenic and is convinced something is seriously wrong, but her mom tries to reassure her that it's just nerves.
#14 - Las Vegas: Broken Boundaries
Season 12 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/4/2003
Trishelle and Steven still don't know where they stand after the visit from Brian, but Steven is starting to realize that he might actually care about Trishelle and is finally speaking his mind. With his feelings out in the open, they decide to remain just friends, but Trishelle loves him and doesn't know how to deal with it. She wants to touch Steven and be intimate, but is unsure of where the boundaries are. Similarly, Irulan is having trouble accepting her feelings for Alton and letting go of her relationship with Gabe. Clinging to the security that Gabe has provided, Irulan tries to get in touch with him, but he's not buying. While out on the town, Alton and Irulan share some insights into their relationship. Before they can delve deeper, Alton gets a little out of control and knocks over the drinks of one of Frank's friends. Alton blames the woman for spilling the drinks and when another guy enters the situation, he ignores Frank's attempts to ease the tension.
#15 - Las Vegas: The Next Step
Season 12 - Episode 15 - Aired 12/17/2002
Dario's coming to town and Arissa couldn't be happier. The smile on her face when he arrives is brighter than the lights on the strip. She finally seems to be enjoying her time in Vegas. All that changes, however, when a woman calls her a bitch in Rain. Arissa feels threatened and goes after the name-caller, drawing blood and the possibility of being fired from her job. Meanwhile, Irulan has pitched a tent in the middle of the living room so that Dario and Arissa can have their privacy in the bedroom. Alton sees this as an opportunity to take his relationship with Irulan to the next level. Steven warns him about falling for her because Irulan is obviously committed to Gabe and while their ""open relationship"" might work for them it probably won't work for Alton. Alton agrees and says he's being careful but it's obvious that he's sprung on Irulan.
#16 - Las Vegas: Late Night Attraction
Season 12 - Episode 21 - Aired 2/11/2003
As Frank realizes that Emily is perfect and how much he misses her, Trishelle admits that she's jealous and wishes she had someone to be there for her like that. The sexual tension mounts as Trishelle, Frank and Steven leave for L.A. so that Frank can interview for business school. Meanwhile, the roommates get their next job assignment and it's to assist in a photo shoot for Stuff Magazine. They have to interview women, ask sexual questions and find locations in the hotel that can be shot for the spread. While Arissa and Brynn work back at the Palms, the three arrive in LA and have a fun night out on the town that includes a mechanical bull and plenty of drinks. Trishelle is all over Frank and when they get back to where they are staying they go swimming and temptations erupt. Frank resists, though, and the next day, after having the interview and getting accepted to USC, the three fly back to Vegas.
#17 - Las Vegas: The Showdown
Season 12 - Episode 19 - Aired 1/28/2003
Knowing that something happened in Australia and not wanting to be played, Irulan has packed her bags and is ready to go home. Alton questions the roommates about why she's leaving and Brynn explains that it's probably something that Alton did. Alton can't believe that she'd leave because of him and he claims he hasn't done anything wrong. He says everything that everyone is saying about him are all lies. Arissa, however, pulls Irulan aside and convinces her that she will look better and be happier if she doesn't let this get the best of her. She explains that they all have done something crazy in Vegas and they just need to accept it and walk out with their heads high. Begrudginly, Irulan agrees to stay. That doesn't mean that it's all good, though. Brynn and Arissa tell Irulan that Alton told Steven that he had a threesome in Australia and Irulan is so upset that she confronts him asking him to simply tell her the truth.
#18 - Las Vegas: Down Under
Season 12 - Episode 18 - Aired 1/21/2003
The gang is still in Australia and enjoying Australian life. Whether it's partying hard, parasailing or going topless on the beach, the Real Worlders are having a good time. Well, almost everyone is having a good time. Irulan is upset with Alton because he chose to room with the boys and has been flirting with girls while Down Under. She claims that she's done with him and doesn't want to spend time with him but after a night of partying she tells her roommates that she wants some big, fat *beep* from Alton. Alton has other ideas, however, as he tells Steven that that very same night he was giving big, fat *beep* to two women at the same time. Meanwhile, Arissa is having an incredible experience. Her time in Australia has been fruitful as she now realizes how enjoyable life can be. She has a new outlook and it doesn't seem to be changing, even when she returns to the hustle and bustle of Sin City. Irulan, however, having forgiven Alton again is also regretting her decision.
#19 - Las Vegas: Back and Forth
Season 12 - Episode 17 - Aired 1/14/2003
Jean surprises the cast with the revelation that they are going to Australia to do some promoting and performing for the Palms. Everyone is very excited as they realize that this will be an amazing vacation. They have to hustle to get ready and prepared for the trip, although Jean is not happy with how they are taking their job for granted. He reminds them that he can fire them and that there are serious repurcussions to that...like getting kicked off the show! Meanwhile, Steven tells Trishelle that he loves her. He's drunk and they are lying in bed together though, so it doesn't count apparently. Trishelle, however, thinks it does count and Arissa agrees. ""A drunk mouth speaks a sober mind"" she says. Frank completely understands what Steven means, though. He surmises, ""You love Trishelle like you love the sky.""
#20 - Las Vegas: Public Displays
Season 12 - Episode 12 - Aired 11/26/2002
All Frank wants is a good girl. But when you're hanging out with Steven in Strip Clubs and spending all your time performing and promoting in sexy clubs, the ""good girls"", at least in Frank's mind, are hard to come by. That is until he meets Melanie, a nice southern lady in town for Spring Break. The two hit it off and have a great time together. They end up back in the suite searching for a little privacy. Not wanting to disturb Alton, they go into the confessional for some closed door kissing. When Brynn enters the dark room, she sees what she thinks is a naked ass and proceeds to tell her roommates that someone's having sex in the confessional. Arissa, having had enough of the public displays nakedness by Alton, proceeds to go ballistic. Yelling throughout the sweet, ""whoever is in the confessional having sex better get their skank out of there."" When Frank comes out, she's shocked.
#21 - Las Vegas: Out In The Open
Season 12 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/19/2002
Steven's best friend from back home comes to visit. John's a great guy, a lot of fun and gets along well with everyone. John is also gay. Having someone in the loft who is gay is making Alton more than a little uncomfortable. He explains that he was almost molested when he was younger and that his perceptions about homosexuals have been negatively shaped by a few tragic incidents. Brynn, whose father is also gay, pulls down her usual walls and has an open and honest conversation with Alton in an attempt to discover why he feels the way he does. The revelations she shares about her father and her past gives Alton reason to rethink his fears and beliefs. Later at the Ghostbar, where the cast is promoting an event, a random guy grabs Alton in the crotch. Alton's initial instinct is to punch the guy but instead he calms down and decides to talk it out. As he explains to the embarrassed offender, ""You can't grab my balls, brother.""
#22 - Las Vegas: Good To Be Bad
Season 12 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/22/2002
In case you didn't already know, with this group, It's good to be bad. After successfully walking the catwalk, the Real Worlders get to be devils or angels for Rain's ""Good To Be Bad"" event. Brynn and Steven are decked out in devilishly delicious attire, while Irulan and Alton are perfect little angels. But, instead of the traditional guy-girl dance partners, Brynn and Irulan decide to sex it up a bit and do a sensual ski dance with each other, while Steven and Alton do some very heterosexual man dancing. Alton has to deal with some of his fears about appearing ""gay"" and battles with Jean over the outfits he wants him to wear. While Alton has to be dragged kicking and screaming to the performance, Brynn is all about it. ""I like to be the center of attention,"" says Brynn. ""I'm not always, but I like it when I am.
#23 - Las Vegas: Professional Partiers
Season 12 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/1/2002
This year, The Real Worlders' job is to throw parties. Sounds tough, right? Actually, it is, as they are responsible for providing much of the entertainment for the Palms' signature club, Rain. Everyone is very excited about the prospect of getting to promote and plan these kinds of events. Everyone, that is, except for Brynn who is less about the job and more about dancing and having a good time. Brynn is all about fun...and fun means hanging out until the wee hours of the morning with a bartender and then vomiting in the middle of orientation for the new job. Yay, fun! She informs her roommates that they need to kick her in the butt to keep her motivated or else she's going to end up screwing up work because she doesn't really care about the gig. Meanwhile, Arissa is missing her boyfriend. Missing his touch, missing sleeping with someone else in her bed and now, all of a sudden, she's finding Steve kind of cute. Steve?
#24 - Las Vegas: Pregnancy Scare
Season 12 - Episode 14 - Aired 12/10/2002
Brynn's been spending a lot of time with Mo. Mo'a a cool guy. The rest of her roommates like him. It should be happy happy fun time. The problem is that Brynn's also been talking a lot with Austin, a boy she met a week before coming to Vegas. Brynn likes Austin too. He's really chill, he smells nice, and he makes her feel special. When Austin comes to visit, Brynn's caught in a kind of love triangle. As she explains, ""She's going out with two boys and she can have both of them."" Meanwhile, Trishelle still hasn't taken a pregnancy test to find out why she is late and nauseous. The girls pled with her to take the test but she keeps putting it off until Steven buys her one. Steven is ready for whatever may come. He thinks he'd make a great dad and while being a father wasn't something he planned on doing right now, he'd be happy about it.
#25 - Las Vegas: New Beginnings
Season 12 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/4/2003
Just as Arissa is making improvements in her life, her mom gives her a call and stirs things up. After yelling at Arissa and informing her that a woman who Arissa filed a restraining order against has filed one back, Arissa tries to reasonably explain to her mother that she has done nothing wrong. Arissa and her mom fight and so she gets off the phone and starts crying. Steven thinks that Arissa's family is ""toxic"" and that she should cut them off but Alton tells Arissa that she'll need them in the long run. While one roommate is upset, another is ecstatic. Frank complains to Brynn that he can't find anyone he's attracted to in Vegas and realizes he misses his ex-girlfriend Emily who is coming to visit. Instead of treating her like a friend like he planned, he is immediately romantic and the two seem to want to rekindle their relationship. The next day Emily leaves and Frank thinks about whether he should follow his heart or not and pursue something with Emily again.