"Real Housewives" Finale Lives Up to Billing

The appeal of The Real Housewives of Orange County has always been that it gave us average viewers a peek into a world many desire but few achieve.

In many ways, it has also shown viewers that, well, it may be a world they don't want to be a part of. It's a cutthroat, catty place where Botox shots and breast implants are as common as broken marriages, screwy kids and bad dye jobs.

But that makes for great television, of course, and last night's third season finale of The Real Housewives of Orange County was no exception.

Three Real Housewives: Vicki Gunvalson, Quinn Fry and Lauri Waring.

With 40th birthday parties, family drama and a dream wedding (the third for the bride, obviously), this was not an episode to be missed.

Follow the link for more analysis of the big finale ...

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.