Warning: Coarse language

Fans of "Real Housewives of New Jersey" have come to expect (and even relish) to minor misunderstandings that quickly spiral into the shrill, the ridiculous and, more often than not, the unintelligible. But at least we generally have a handle on the players.

Not so much anymore.

First we were treated to the surprise histrionics of an unidentified felon unloading on Joe Giudice when he is turned away from his wife's book release party. (NJ.com later identified him as Chris Colombo, son of famed mobster Joseph Colombo.)

On Sunday night's episode, Bravo gave viewers narrative whiplash by abruptly introducing us to Robyn Levy, a Wayne wife, mother and marketing guru, to have her immediately become embroiled in an explosive two-part spat with OG Housewife Jacqueline Laurita.

Robyn, who is married to physical therapist Christina Flores, with whom she has a nearly 2-year-old son Jake, tells NJ.com that she and Christina had joined the show this season as potential housewives, with the same contract as newcomers Siggy Flicker and Dolores Catania. In fact, close watchers of the show can spot Robyn and Christina in the background in a few earlier episodes.

"They were potentially looking at this as a competition," Levy says. "We were essentially coming on as friends, and then maybe one person, maybe everyone will be housewives." But when Bravo announced the new season, only Dolores and Siggy made the cut, with much of Robyn's footage left on the cutting room floor, making her wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am moment Sunday confounding.

In the episode, Robyn comes to Teresa Giudice's defense (and earns Jacqueline's wrath) about Teresa's decision to cut Kathy Wakile and Rosie Pierri out of their lives. Then we learn that Robyn and Rosie have their own tormented history, complete with footage from the book signing from two episodes ago in which Robyn confronts Rosie about cutting her out of her life.

Ep. 52: Jersey on display on 'Survivor,' 'RHONJ'

That subplot is abandoned as quickly as it is introduced, but later Flicker tries to smooth things over between Jacqueline and Robyn, which quickly goes haywire, with Robyn threatening to "rage" on Jacqueline's "(bleeping) ass," and Jacqueline screaming, "Do it! Do it!," and plopping down on Robyn's lap. Jacqueline later calls Robyn "garbage."

Robyn says the unused footage earlier in the season would show Jacqueline picking on her, leading to the seemingly out-of-nowhere confrontation.

"I have a history with many of the people past and present that are on the 'Real Housewives,'" says Robyn, who grew up with the extended Giudice clan and has worked with Chris and Albie Manzo, the sons of former "Housewives" star Caroline Manzo, in the past. "I can understand why the viewers are angry with the way I came off. No one has seen any of the history as to why I got to the boiling point."

(Of course, Bravo could decide to air more of the footage in the remaining episodes, as it backtracked to the book signing to show the Rosie-Robyn confrontation. The seventh season of the series is expected to run into November, including the reunion shows.)

Robyn says she signed on to "RHONJ" in part so she could show the world a lesbian couple happily raising a family. (They would have been the first same-sex couple to be "Housewives" in the history of the franchise.) "It's like the new age soap opera, you feel like they're a part of your life," she says of the "Real Housewives" world. "I have a fun, loud, loving family that I thought it would have been nice to share."

But she says she respects the decision of Bravo and "RHONJ" producer Sirens. "They're the professionals," she says. "I do what I do. I try to make the best decisions. If I'm not right for the 'Housewives,' that's okay."

And that doesn't mean she's not going to take advantage of her notoriety. She already had a line of "bad-ass" baby and toddler clothing in the works -- TUSHY will be launching soon -- and now she's taking pre-orders for #Rage T-shirts.

When asked if she was enjoying the season despite not being figured prominently, Robyn says, "Some of it." She pauses. "I think it is entertaining. Exclamation point!"

Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook, and check out TV Hangover, the podcast from Vicki Hyman and co-host Erin Medley on iTunes, Stitcher or listen here.