This was not an easy episode to watch.
Even though I knew the outcome, and a little bit of the reasoning why, I was still shell-shocked by the end of the episode.
If I, a relatively seasoned snarker older than black pepper can be moved, can you imagine what Meri must have been thinking and feeling?
No wonder she tweeted about having dizzy spells.
This divorce may have been ratings gold, but it had to rank at the bottom of all time worse ideas for a story arc in a reality show on polygamy.
This is not the face of a woman who willingly gave up her legal marriage for another woman's children who are less than 5 years away from being legal adults.
What could have prompted such a drastic action to a problem many monogamist families face each day...the adoption of a spouse's children from a previous marriage?
There had to be alternatives. This is the 21st century, in the most powerful nation in the world. Are you telling me this was the ONLY solution to their problem? For Meri willingly to give up her only leverage in a family consisting of three other wives, vying for the attention of a narcissistic joke masquerading as a father to 13 children he sired with 3 different women but barely has time to spend with them (I've excluded King Sol)? A solution we find out may not even work if the ex-husband refuses to give up his parental rights? Or if the request is thrown out of court?
What the heck is going on here?
Well, let's take a look back a season ago. After the letdown of the commitment ceremony, TLC was hard pressed to improve the ratings of Sister Wives, a show whose ratings had gone straight into the toilet...
I imagine Kody and Krew were called into an executive's office to discuss the future of the show. I even imagine he was given three different choices.
Choice One: Kody starts courting a "fifth" wife. Maybe even marry her. Or better yet, court her, and get left at the altar when the bride suddenly gets "cold feet."
Choice Two: Wife #4 finally gets pregnant. The Original Three Wives could be shown going through their own emotional turmoil knowing that Robyn and Kody are still doing the wild thang together, resulting in yet another mouth to feed.
Choice Three: Meri "approaches" Kody and in the ultimate display of marital sacrifice and love (straight out of the Big Love playbook) she gives up her legal status by divorcing Kody, allowing him to marry the lithesome Robyn "for the sake of her children."
Now, we know Choice One would be vetoed by Robyn. She is too determined to be the final wife of Kody. She is also batshit crazy, and Kody knows it, and doesn't want to wake up one morning minus a body part or two.
The cloying smirk on her face at the end of the episode did not endear her to audiences.
The last segment of last season's Tell All was supposed to be about Kody and Robyn and their baby plans, but Christine royally screwed that up by suddenly walking off the set. By the time the Tell All filming resumed, Robyn had already informed Tamron Hall there was to be no mention of her plans for another baby with Kody. The displeasure on Robyn's face was extremely noticeable as the credits rolled. Robyn was not amused.
That left only Choice Three, and TLC ran with it no doubt with Kody's blessings. I believe Kody persuaded Meri to file for divorce to save the show. The audience would be told it was to change Robyn's kids names to Brown so they would finally be accepted and Meri would get the Martyr edit. But, after the Sister Wives ratings plummeted into no man's land the first half of this season, even more drastic steps had to be undertaken, quickly.
Most likely, a decision was made to "leak" the divorce to the public on social media. On 1/21/15, seventeen days after the lack-luster mid-season premiere, a solitary question popped up on Bonnie Fuller's gossip site. Ten days later, on 1/31/15 all hell broke loose when someone brought to the attention of their fellow members on a Facebook group that Meri and Kody had divorced in September and a reporter just happened to be present in the group and was able to put it out on the internet.With the divorce now made public, viewers tuned in record numbers and the ratings for the last two shows of the season soared to new heights. TLC proudly announced Sister Wives would return for another season. Well, of course the show will return. That was the point of Choice Three - get people to start watching again.
So, even though this "situation" was a retread from Big Love, it still worked as planned.
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Photo HBO
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Now, the problem I have with Choice Three is simple.
Nikki Grant's character on Big Love was one the audience "Loved to Hate."
Apparently, Robyn watches Sister Wives while wearing heavy duty blinders. And it certainly doesn't help her cause when, if the Tweet offends her (i.e., is not complimentary to her), she will "block" it from her sight. If anything, her ignorance of the world we monogamists live in is laughable. She needs to wake up and smell the coffee (or postum) percolating.
So how, exactly, did Meri's sister wives and soon to be ex-husband react to her decision? Here's my take how it all went down...
Meri conveniently told Robyn and Kody together first.
Kody kept the same befuddled look he's become famous for, I call it the "Duh???" sneer...
Robyn, on the other hand, must have taken some acting lessons. Notice how she deftly manages a wide range of emotion on her face...no doubt prompted by a producer's cue here and there....
Robyn: (thinking) What? Does this mean what I think it means?
Producer: (off camera) Robyn can you start crying please? We want some tears....
Robyn: (making little grunt sounds as she tries to squeeze out a tear) Oooh....
Robyn: (looks over at Kody: Are the tears in my eyes yet?)
Kody: (gives her his duh look and signals: Try harder Robyn, your eyes are still dry!)
Robyn: (turns back to Meri thinking this is as good as it gets with the tears, sorry!)
Robyn: (thinking, boy my lips are dry, wish I brought my chapstick)
Robyn: (oh hell, I'll just lick them)
Robyn: (Wait for it, wait for it....yes! Here comes the tear!)
Producer: Robyn, run and hug Meri now...Kody just sit there and look useless.
Producer: EXCELLENT! The audience will love this!!!
Christine and Janelle were next to be told the news.
Christine: (thinking) Say whut??
Christine: (thinking) Does this mean, finally, Kody will legally marry me next?
Christine: (thinking) Oh yes, pretty please? We can all honeymoon at Disneyland!
NO NO NO THIS CAN'T BE!
I'M THE MERI! ROBYN'S THE RHODA!
Producer: Hey Christine, can you run over and hug Meri?
Christine: (whispering to Meri) What have you done? If anything happens to Kody, that sow will leave us out in the cold! This is terrible!!!!
I'll never see Disneyland again!
While Christine was busy emoting, Janelle had this strange look on her face.
In fact, this look remained on her face throughout Meri's announcement.
Janelle: (thinking) You've got to be friggin' kidding me...
Robyn: (thinking) Janelle ain't buyin' it...Damn! Better try to cry now...
Janelle: (thinking) Great way to let that fox into the henhouse Meri. What a friggin' mess...
Janelle: (thinking) Oh Lord, what has Meri done to us???
Janelle: (thinking to herself) You may have won this battle, Robyn, but you HAVE NOT WON THE WAR!!!
And with that, Janelle quickly exited the scene.
She did not pass go. She did not collect $200, and she certainly didn't say a word to Meri or Robyn.
She simply walked out...
A day later, Janelle met with Kody to express her feelings. Kody put on his best "Duh" look while she expressed her concern that this divorce and marriage will "change the dynamic" of their family.
Janelle was particularly impressive when she told Kody (despite his frequent interruptions) how she was " ... worried that somehow this will mean that you somehow start favoring Robyn ..."
Of course Kody tried to deflect her concern by asking Janelle if she was worried that he and Robyn would "...ride off [together] into the sunset..." Yep, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that possibility looming on the horizon. And his weak assurance to her that nothing will change did not help to assuage her ill-feelings about this divorce's effects on the Original Three.
Look at her hair! She has morphed herself into being a blonde, just like the Original Three!
She has used the last five years to set herself up to be the perfect plural wife, looking down her nose at monogamist women as if they were "boils on the butt of humanity", when in fact, this was her first time at the polygamist rodeo.
Be afraid, Meri, Christine and Janelle. Be very afraid.*
When Meri, and Kody (with Robyn tagging along as a "witness") convened at the attorney's office to sign the divorce papers, after almost 25 years of being legally married to Meri how did Kody show his appreciation to an obviously distraught Meri?
He kissed her on the head and said "Thanks."
The audience is not stupid. They can see what's going on: The façade the Brown's have haphazardly built to hide behind is slowly but surely being chipped away.
So even though there was probably a hundred different solutions that could have been played before divorce, the Kody Krew opted for the one that they thought would show the world just how unfair laws and courts are towards polygamists.
Unfortunately for Kody, this divorce just proved exactly WHY those laws are in place. To protect the innocent, in this case three teenage children, from being wrenched away from a parent without due process of law, in order to improve the ratings on a ridiculous reality show.
And as the credits rolled, Robyn reminded the audience that there are still two more obstacles to overcome: Her ex-husband giving up his parental rights, and a court judge approving Kody's request to adopt Robyn's children.
To be continued next season...
* (I wish to thank Steel Magnolias, Mommy Dearest and The Fly for the quote inspirations and TLC for the pics)
Thanks CJ for an excellent review. Like all your other reviews, I always post right away, come back and re-read and ruminate and see what others write and then I bring more to the table. You hit the nail on the proverbial head with every single one of your comments. The idea that Meri gave up her legal standing for the children is a bunch of poo poo and we all know that. Meri is for Meri and for Mariah and now she is for keeping her wet bar the only way she knows how and that is to keep the show going for one more season.
ReplyDeleteWhile Kody and Robyn think they have pulled the wool over our eyes for ratings, “wink” “wink”, we know that in Robyn’s mind, she is where she wanted to be, her place. I project that Meri is about to make her final de-commitment to this family. Since Mariah grew up and out, Meri has lost interest in what her step kids are doing and it shows. In the early stages of the show, we heard her say that the pain is much more than she wants to endure and if it weren’t for Mariah, she would have already left. I think she is gearing up to be gone. She has severed her legal ties to Kody and now she can run and play and leave and ignore all she wants because there are no ties to this dog and pony show.
Robyn and Kody will be headed toward that great monogamous relationship at the end of the cul-de-sac…and the other wives will cry, stomp their feet, over eat, and be there for those rare occasions that their baby daddy stops by on his way to service Robyn…very sad in deed.
My pleasure, runKodyrun!
DeleteI used to think that Meri was going to leave soon, she already has 1 food out the door and has for a while. After all of this has happened, I am really hoping that she gets out ASAP. I tend to believe the rumors that she is now just sticking around for the show. It will be interesting to see what happens after the show ends.
DeleteI bet Robyn is the one who dreamed up this plot! She wants to be number 1, always has. She is such a conniving witch! Meri knew that, That's why she was always kissing up to Robyn! keep your sister wives close and your evil conniving sister wives even closer!
DeleteWow kodyrunkody I really think you hit the nail right on the head. I think Meri was truly upset about this divorce. Forced into it for the benefit of Robyn's kids - I think not, and neither does she. I also think it is the first step to her freedom, even if she is feeling a lot insecure at the moment. The new series will give her time to adjust and plan for her future. I think Christine is the one that doesn't have a clue.
DeleteI have to say that as much as I wish Meri would leave.... I don't ever think it's going to happen. :(
DeleteGah! I don't have time to read just yet, but I've been anxiously awaiting this update! Thank you so, so much, Cynical Jinx!
ReplyDeleteOk ... So let's say this crap is legit.. And that Robyn married kody for the kids... When the kids are 18 will robin divorce kody and give meri back her "gift"... Survey says?
ReplyDeleteBwahahahahahaha! When plygs fly!! Robyn's gonna hold onto that marriage license forever and a day. She ain't EVER giving it up!!
DeleteUnless...the TLC train abruptly stops. THEN she'll divorce him and take 50% of whatever assets haven't been foreclosed on or seized.
Then she will try to attach herself to another man who has money or she perceives as having money and then try to paint Kody as a villain.
DeleteDo you all thing that Sobbin' Robbin' refused to get pregnant without legal wife status, or she couldn't get pregnant?
ReplyDeleteRemember that segment when Robyn told Kody she did not want to get pregnant until HE got her some help in the form of money for MSWC so she could hire help? I think that was half the truth. I think she also demanded legal status as wife so Kody could adopt her kids. The season with the running to answer the phone cliffhanger she clearly was suppose to be pregnant but mother nature did not cooperate.
DeletePitch perfect CJ., thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures of Janelle may be the closest we have ever seen when she is about to cry. During the dance practice she walked away saying later than she wasn't about to cry in the front of everyone. At her age, she's probably on the hormonal roller coaster of menopause with unexpected tears and less ability to control the emotions. I've never been able to cry easily and could relate to Janelle's fierce, angry face when speaking with Kody. Substituting anger to prevent bawling one's eyes out looked familiar.
ReplyDeleteUp thread someone wrote about the Jessop family bailing out David P Jessop and Robyn over credit card debt. I do wish we had someone from that area who would spill the whole story of Robyn's behavior during her first marriage. She wants to present a "butter wouldn't melt in my mouth" appearance but a very sharp, nasty, argumentative side shows through often. Kody may have gone looking for a marriage partner to seal the deal on the tv show in a calculated fashion. And it is just as likely that Robyn was looking for someone to support her and her children in an equally calculating manner. In lots of ways Kody got the short end of the stick. Robyn is a real burr under the saddle of the Brown family with love having little to do with the mess. Wonder what tlc will come up with to top the divorce upheaval? bgee
Robyn is nothing but a burr to the Brown family and almost everyone who watches the show can see it, even people who like the Browns dislike her. She came with too much baggage, debt, attitude, problems, and nothing about her balances out the bad. She has no career prospects, no education, no skills, she's not a great person, she doesn't help out the other ladies with their kids, and she is not a good role model. She doesn't even have a good personality. I don't know what Kody ever saw in her. She and her kids (not the kid's fault) have brought a lot of drama to the family.
DeleteI read here all the time and really enjoy everyone's perspective. I may have missed something because the biggest thing bugging me about this whole thing is that when they told Christine and Janelle - Kody was absent and that infuriated me! I keep watching because I have grown to care about Janelle and although Christine is a wingnut - I love how she will say how she feels. I do hate how she takes it back and makes it her problem, but I think getting it out there is half the battle and I keep hoping that Janelle and Christine will wake up and leave.
ReplyDeleteI cannot stand Kody - and am upset that they keep ramming down our throats that this is a desirable lifestyle. I think in the beginning they lived their faith and I think that's what drew my curiosity, but as soon as Robyn came in the picture I got a bad vibe from her. The rest is history. I don't believe that this lifestyle works at all - except maybe for the men. All the stories we've heard from them, or families, there is so much sacrifice asked and I'm sorry, I just don't think we are wired to share a spouse. This is a very blatant example of how it does not work.
I give them credit for raising really great kids, but it's also hard not to notice that the older ones who are really capable of seeing everything that is going on, and how things - and their parents - have changed, they just all seem to want nothing to do with it. And by it I mean - I think I perceive pain in those kids and that is what is ultimately so tragic.
Thanks for this forum, I suspect I will see what happens in the future, but wow, it seems destined to all fall apart. I just hope for Janelle and Christine, and even Meri - not my fave but I wish the best for her - that they would get out and find someone who truly loves them and allows them to be who they are.
That is the eternal problem with men's and women's wiring. Men want to spread their seed and women are looking for the best male to nest with and provide for her family.
DeletePerfecto, Cynical. I just read this through and think you've done a brilliant job.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to mulling it over again tomorrow when I've got more time.
"polygamist rodeo" (love that!)
This really is an example of critical, insightful writing. Does CJ write in her real life?
DeleteAll three Kody mistresses annoy me and I think they're probably guilty of committing welfare fraud, but I would love to see each of them find a fantastic guy who is 100% devoted to and crazy about them. They all deserve that.
This review was so thorough and I can only imagine how much time and effort it required to produce it. I have been eagerly awaiting it, and I can only say that you have outdone yourself CJ. I am curious though if you think these were re-enactments of the events or the actual events themselves. While watching them my instinct was that they were re-enactments but I just wondered what others thought. Meri' s pain was very raw and real and having to re-enact it must have been excrutiating if that is what happened.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely re-enactment. Someone pointed out earlier that there was some sort of Christmas decoration in the background during the scene when they told Mariah. I am sure Christine would have flipped out at first and this was probably discussed quietly before telling TLC about their decision. I just wonder when they did tell TLC?
DeleteExcellent review as usual! Thank you for all the work you put into this blog. In reading about Kody stopping by to talk to Janelle I think I recall Janelle nearly apologizing for her feelings - I think she used the word "illogical." No, Janelle, your feelings were not illogical - it was absolutely the most logical way to feel when you have been blindsided and passed over for the 4th wife.
ReplyDeleteI think that when Janelle describes her feelings as "illogical" she is really just so bummed out to be experiencing her true emotions and trying to NOT feel.
DeleteJanelle is worth more than just a piece of a man (literally and figuratively). C'mon Janelle, you are your own cowboy.
Brilliant analysis, CJ.
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched these episodes and am not too sure I will, so this is my first visual of the divorce revelation. Based solely on the stills you posted here, my gut says that Janelle's reaction was the one true response. In fact, those really were a gut-punch, especially the one were she is looking sideways at Robyn. What I see in her face there is, "You manipulative bitch--got your way, didn't you. You backstabbing, tag-along newcomer. Isn't it just peachy to be YOU. *sigh* Get me the hell out of here, because if I have to listen to one more second of Robyn's BS, I'm going to punch her right in the middle of her smug, backstabbing face."
And the blonde hair does NOT flatter Robyn. Her features are already hard...bottle blonde only accentuates the hardness.
Lol, Janelle was probably thinking all that and worse! She looks so mad. Robyn better be sleeping with one eye open because she isn't well liked in that cult-duh-sac.
DeleteGreat Review! CJ, I always look forward to your work. The still shots of their expressions says it all. Meri is deeply saddened. Robyn is over joyed and exhibiting duper's delight. Kody is also happy and being his sociopathic self doesn't care at all about his wives' emotional turmoil. Christine looks unhappy but quickly covered it up as she was probably primed for this moment and she might be dumb enough to believe that Kody might actually adopt the kids. I can't tell with her. She was abused so much over the summer over her "PMS" that she's probably afraid to show any dissent. Janelle's face says it all. She knows it's BS and she knows what is coming. Kody;s rodent eyes made sure to shut her down. The Browns have showed us that polygamy is a horrible way for women and children to live. The kids might be doing well now but I think they will have many issues to work through a little bit later on in life. The girls are more likely to choose bad men because of Kody being their role model and their mothers allowing him to treat them like garbage.
ReplyDelete'Kodys rodent eyes'...perfect! Particularly in the picture of him pointing his finger during the meeting with Janelle. If that were me, I'd have snapped that finger right off.
DeleteAll I have to say is Him pointing his finger at her Shows just exactly who he is! I so pray that some real men out there make a point of going to meet the three ladies (Meri,Janelle, and Christine) and show them How real men feel about and how they treat women. Seriously its so sad that they believe they have to live this way, to get to a heaven, that would really be hell for they
DeleteAll religions in our current times are patriarchal biased and women have to believe a lot of hog wash in all of them.
DeleteLoved it, CJ! You rock!
ReplyDeleteOne more thing...I think Kody is the one who is pregnant!!! Look at the first picture of him sitting with Robyn. He's holding his pregnant belly. That would make an interesting season 6.
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing. In the first picture of him he actually has man boobs!
DeleteAt this point Kody actually being pregnant would be the only thing to get me to watch the next season. He has aged 20 years in the past 5 years, he is looking so much older.
DeleteMy comments haven't been going through lately, hope this one does...
ReplyDeleteI call complete and utter BS on the adoption storyline. It's nonsense. My evidence? Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. He adopted her three kids looooooong before they were married.
Now...could he have adopted them if he was still legally married to Meri? Don't know. Quite possibly yes, then they would have him as a legal dad, her as a legal mom and Meri as a legal step mom.
But...he could have easily divorced Meri, adopted the kids the way Brad did, and then NOT legally married Robyn, therefor keeping all four women as exact equals.
Exactly. When analyzed their reasons don't hold water. There was no reason for Kody to legally be married to Robyn in order for Kody to adopt them, as long as David Jessop's rights were terminated. Also, if Robyn did have David Jessop's rights terminated, she could then leave the kids to whomever she chose in case of her untimely death. All roads lead back to there was no need for the legal married. It would have been more fair for him to not be legally married to any of them. All roads lead back to David Jessop's rights being terminated first, this show is a joke.
DeleteBrad Pitt adopted 3 kids who had no legal father. Robyn's first 3 kids have a father. I know nothing about him (David Jessop). However, I know that most men will not sign away their children to another man. I've only seen it when the biological father has never paid child support and owes many year (with interest) and/or there's a drinking/drug problem with the biological father. Their problem with using this BS story for the shake-up is that were too stupid to consult with Jessop before throwing their half-baked plan to America.
DeleteOh, agreed definitely! I just mean...if they had David Jessop out of the way...(Who wants to buy some life insurance on that guy? Family history says fifty years ago he wouldn't have lived through this situation) So, IF he gave up his kids because, well, he might be no better then any of them, THEN Kody still wouldn't have had to marry Robyn.
DeleteNow, Kody DIDN'T have to marry Robyn, especially because the kids are old, and it would be stupid to adopt them in this world's economic climate...especially considering that legal status in the eyes of the beast means nothing to them...
Imagine Robyn dies (stop smiling so big!)
What exactly WOULD happen? The kids would go back to their Dad who they visit from time to time, so clearly...he's not actually dangerous. They would most likely--since Dad hasn't fought very hard against their current living situation--get to take visits to see their baby brother at HIS dad's house all they want--IF they actually wanted to.
I think if something happened to Sobyn Robyn Kody would be the first to want to send those kids back to their bio dad, seriously why would he wont them around? He doesn't even want his own bio kids round except Solomon. He might say he wants the kids around but thats just lies to match the lies He and Sobyn tell the other wives.! Ugh
Delete@Anon 7:59, you said it. There is no way Kody would want Sobyn's first 3 kids around if something were to happen to her. He's be shipping them off to Christine or anyone else he could pawn them off on. It's laughable that he acts like he is dad of the year to the 14 kids that are biologically his.
DeleteIF he adopted the kids THEN he would def. send them to Christine's!!
DeleteAnd...You know how we kind of stand in wonder at how physically affectionate R's oldest daughter can be? Well....I suppose, if he adopted her she could never be Wife 5.
...Maybe that's why Meri agreed to the divorce?
(I just grossed myself out. Sorry!)
The thought came to my mind but I just didn't want to go there Ya Know?
DeleteI think it has more to do with Kody going to heaven, and the more children he has according to his wacco religion gives him greater chances for a prime spot in poly heaven.
DeleteYou and your review totally rock! I agree with you 100% CJ
ReplyDeleteThank You CJ!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that there was no way Meri brought this upon herself. She looked absolutely devastated while signing the papers and Kody was such a pile of puke he sat there so smug that he couldn't even care enough to hug her meaningfully even after 25 years.
ReplyDeleteI also have to say I think Janelle was showing true emotion. She was pissed and TLC was probably grateful they were there to catch her reaction.
Kody and Robyn got what they have fully intended from the beginning and it's so upsetting at some level to see him so freely throw away 3 relationships of 20+ years. I hope Robyn was worth it and I hope the others get away soon. Their children deserve it because they apparently don't matter to Kody nor Robyn.
The other wives have to be realizing that Kody is all about Robyn. I think Janelle was so angry because for the first time she really got it that Robyn is number 1 and will probably stay that way. How infuriating to be with a man for over 20 years, have 6 of his kids, only to have him throw you to the side of a new harpy and her 3 kids with a different man.
DeleteCJ, Bravo !!! Bravo !!!! EXCELLENT review !!
ReplyDeleteLoved the sequencing of the pics with your commentary. Brilliant !!!
Along with your suspected "producer directives"..........loved it !!
Only thing I will always question is whether the "tell Christine and Janelle" was re-created after they already knew !? I seriously doubt that they would be called to an official shoot for the show *at Meri's house* and not know the script, and not be informed in advance so they would be up to portray the drama....or lack of.
But all that really doesn't matter, because what Christine and Janelle DID portray even if it was a re-creation, was how they must have felt about the whole, sinister Option 3.
Plus, Kody is a coward, he would have had to get compliance from them all before going in front of the cameras. He will *never* be that good of an actor.
Christine looked confused, dismayed, yet still willing to follow the director's bidding. Christine will always have to be told what to do.
Janelle *was* pissed and not willing to play "keep sweet."
At least she DOES get it that this latest 12th hour scam to rescue their tanking show (and paychecks) is a cluster F for them all.
Meri on the other hand is a enigma. She played her part, absolutely taking on the role of *martyr* !!
If the threat of a show shutdown was that immanent, and Meri was chosen as the martyr/hero, than so be it. But at what price, one asks.
Meri. really, who are you ?? Was your 22 legal years with "the love of your life" that easily bartered for continuing TLC monies?
They preach their solidarity, preach the bliss of being all for one, one for all.
Yet they switch up the their special process for *ratings,* and borrow, yet again, from the Big Love playbook. Sad, greed-motivated, fake TV !!
I wish Janelle would wake up and dump Kody. After all, he is only 1/4 husband, not a big loss. I think her reaction was sincere. Meri and Robyn should not have been the ones to tell Christine and Janelle, that Kody was going to marry Robyn. These relationships are not all on equal footing, Kody should have recognized that and dealt with it privately with each wife. I could rant all night, but it does no good. These people are all about the money. If Meri did it for the kids, it was to keep money coming on to the family.
ReplyDeleteTo bad some of him can't be cut into fourths and go each night with a wife huh?
DeleteAll I can see when I look at these pictures is how smug Robyn looks in every single one. She has the look of a woman who knows she's won. It is ironic how she is up on her high horse about being a polygamist all the time, yet she's basically manipulated her way into turning Kody into a monogamist with her. I truly think that the rumors of Robyn leaving unless Kody legally married her are true. Kody then told Meri they needed to get divorced, even knowing that a legal divorce meant Meri will eventually leave him for good. Robyn is now number 1 and plans to stay that way.
ReplyDeleteKody really should have thought through legally marrying his most unstable wife. She is going to cause him/them some major problems down the road. This show ain't gonna last forever. She's already gone into debt over frivolous items while living in a trailer without heat, watch what she does after having a taste of the good life. When the money is gone it's going to get very, very ugly. Janelle won't be bailing Kody out next time. I would feel sorry for Kody if he wasn't such a selfish jerk.
As their sister wives start looking worse, Janelle and Christine look fabulous. Janelle's skin is glowing. I don't think we've ever seen Janelle look as furious or as real as she did in this episode. I wonder if she's finally getting it that Kody will never put her first, second, or even third? I hope so. Her little quips about now keeping her money separate from Kody said a lot. She strikes me as the type to hold a grudge for life, I hope she's playing sweet for now to keep the show money rolling in, but I bet she has an exit plan all lined up. Christine, well I just hope her mom is talking some sense into her. If Christine and Janelle were smart they'd realize that the wife who leaves first can get a lot of interviews, a book deal, and possibly a new show to bankroll their future.
Thanks for the re-cap C.J., it was great as usual!
"It is ironic how she is up on her high horse about being a polygamist all the time, yet she's basically manipulated her way into turning Kody into a monogamist with her."
DeleteSPOT ON. Excellent observation!
I have always wondered how Robyn can yammer on and on about the joys of polygamy, when she herself has barely lived it - just those four icky years when she had to share Kody with Meri, Janelle and Christine...and I wonder just how much sharing was going on, if you know what I mean...Kody had his latest flavor of the month, I'm guessing he spent as much time with Robyn as he could possibly get away with.
I think you are right Robyn's turning him into a monogamist, but I think she wants to remain in the plural lifestyle for religious reasons (like to be approved by her family). I think she just wants to be the wife with the power and the only one having sex. IIRC on an episode of My Five Wives they were asked about birth control, it sounded like in the AUB you abstain if you don't want to get pregnant. So we know Janelle and Christine are done having babies. We know Meri is open to having one, but who knows if Kody is helping her. So Robyn's the love/sex/baby wife in the power position. I honestly think that in the next 5 years as the honeymoon wears off and she begins to age Kody will look for a new baby maker. I will be very surprised if he's ever done adding wives. It just may slow down.
DeleteYeah I can't imagine any of them being with him if they don't have to. Also remember one time someone ask if he could "take care of each wife" He said oh that's not a problem!! I remember think at the time does that mean he doesn't need to? it was a weird thought YA KNOW?
Delete"Begins to age" in a few years?! Have you seen her lately? Girl is already getting there.
DeleteA few things on my mind after reading this--
ReplyDelete- I guess that since Robyn is legally married, David Jessop doesn't have to pay alimony anymore? Lucky for him, but that's one less source of income for the Klan (assuming he had been paying it since his divorce from Robyn).
- If this episode was a re-enactment of the actual signing of the divorce papers and telling the other wives, that means that Meri's reaction at the lawyer's office was filmed several months after she actually did the deed. If her reaction on camera was real (dizzy, tears, etc), that means it is still upsetting to her to have gone through with the divorce. That also means that Janelle's reaction (grim face, doesn't want to talk about it) shows that it still upsets her, all this time later. Do you think TLC told them all to "react on camera like you did when you first heard the news" or do you think they had the opportunity to change their original responses to something more supportive (Christine)? Does that also mean that Robyn's smirk was her trying to look sad but (since she was already married to kody when this was filmed) had a hard time not smiling? Of course, Kody usually looks confused, so no acting required on his part.
- If Meri left, could she just walk away from her wetbar, leaving the mortgage payments to Kody (since his name is on that house), and be free from that debt? It would give her a chance to start over (provided she got a job) without the stress of a large monthly payment. She'd have to downsize quite a bit, but her freedom would be more than worth it.
- I can't say enough how much I'd love for the first three wives to band together to get in shape, save up money, and get out of Dodge. I'm hoping Janelle can see the light now, and Granny Annie can talk some sense into christine!
Perhaps each state is different, but my ex-husband still was required by law to pay child support. I married a few years after our divorce and his payments remained the same. The are his kids & legal responsibility, not the new husband.
DeleteAnonymous, I think Kim was referring to alimony, or spousal support, not child support. You are correct in assuming that the marital status of a parent has no effect on child support requirements.
DeleteIn some states the wife pays alimony. In some situation dads pays child support. In some states dad pays mom thinking he is up to date and mom claims he didn't pay and that the money was for something else. What is absolutely criminal is her taking the kids into an illegal lifestyle, taking the kids 6 more hours away and then having the nerve to bad mouth him or claim he isn't involved enough. What is in the koolaid?
DeleteDo we know for certain that spousal support was part of the Jessop v. Jessop divorce? It's not automatically awarded. As for Meri walking away from the house debt, that would only happen if Kody was able to finance it by himself and the loan was restructured. When we divorce, we may walk away from our spouse, our worn out pots and pans, and the garage sale print of Whistler's Mother, but our credit history goes WITH us. My husband and his ex had some store credit cards that he never used, and when he tried to be taken off as a signer on the account, he COULDN'T. Divorce or no divorce, the stores insisted that the accounts had to be paid in full and jointly closed for him to be off the hook, meaning that his ex could keep charging stuff to Macy's and he was legally liable for the debt, even though he didn't even possess a card. FUN TIMES.
DeleteHe is legally obligated for the debt before the divorce. Even if the court says it's her debt. But as his ex makes payment they go toward the most recent purchase. But he won't be on the hook for any additional purchases after he notifies them of the divorce, just the original principal and the interest off that immediate principal.
DeleteI hate how Janelle uses the word 'illogical'. Sadness is illogical. Disagreeing with KODY is illogical. Deviating from the plan is illogical.
ReplyDeleteJanelle...you're entire life is illogical. The divorce for an adoption that could legally (as it stands) NEVERTHELESS happen is ILLOGICAL. It is illogical to accept 1/4 of a life. It is illogical that Christine has to take back any remotely honest feeling she has to soothe your joint husband and his floozie. It is in fact the opposite of logical to subject yourself and children to this lifestyle and excuse for a father.
The only logical thing in your life was your initial response to Robyn and Meri.
You're not a Vulcan. Logic OBVIOUSLY does not factor in to your life choices. Stop using a word that you clearly do not exemplify or understand.
*your, you're so on
ReplyDeleteThank you CJ for the pictures. I know just how HARD they are to capture each expression at the moment you wanted to convey. And how MUCH TIME you must have put into this. Thank you for doing this. Although..I'm sure *they* don't appreciate it LOL.
ReplyDeleteThe drop dead look of Janelle? Or at least - that's how I interpreted it - you captured that perfectly. That was the "if looks could kill" expression that I spoke of. You just had to see it.
My thought My thought is....
When the end was near for Kate Plus 8 - the filming Krew actually showed a little of the *reality* behind the scenes. Kind of like "oops". You were not supposed to see this but you did. They were like the *mean girls*. The filming Krew knew the show was done but the viewers didn't. So they shot things that could show the viewing public to show the ugliness of it - if you had a clue.
And I get that sense here. When they filmed Janelle and Meri.
I've been married for 50 years and my monogamist husband most frequently opts to shower rather than watch the program. When he does, he finds the polygamist lifestyle untenable. We most frequently look at the wives' pain and suffering. However, Kody is looking 20 years older than in the first season. The 3 original wives supported his HDHD, clown at the party personality and he was happy. Add Robyn and the stress and strain magnifies exponentially. He is shown caring for Sol during most of his appearances on the show. Is that because Sobyn really is the "I need help with these kids" kind of mom? Robyn has had Taralyce and Mindy to help care for the children and who knows how many times with Meri and Christine. The clown probably is in no way cut out to be that kind of husband. Basking in the approval of wives 1 through 3 is probably more comfortable.
ReplyDeleteHowever, a loss of the show means a trip back to penury and more bankruptcy. Kody must be doing whatever it takes to keep #4 happy and on board even if that means divorce from "lover" and alienation of the mothers' of most of his children. It's no wonder Kody looks 20 years older. "Thangs" can fail to preform on cue when a male gets into his late 40's and Robyn is in her late 30's, the height of a woman's sexuality. Things in the cult-de-sac are probably really off-kilter! bgee
Cosign with interest, Anon 7:34, with "a trip back to penury and more bankruptcy." Rather than use the TV time to it's best advantage (save like misers for the day the gravy trail derails, use down time for career development), they have just kept up their spendthrift ways and their bizarre sense of entitlement. As if MSWC will somehow be the life preserver...oy, what a mess.
DeleteThank you, CJ for an incredible review. I couldn't bear to watch the episode, but your review brought it all to life, illuminating the actions and motives of the main players.
ReplyDeleteKody ended up with a woman who is just like him: self-centered, conniving, and manipulative. What he lacks the insight to realize is that the three women that he essentially dumped, actually loved him in their varying ways, while Robyn is only using him for money and fame. As they say, water seeks its own level.
As many have already said, I really hope that Janelle, Christine, and even Meri can find the inner resources to escape from this mess. They all deserve better.
Thank you CJ, good review! I'm glad im not the only one who noticed the expressions on Robyn's face when Meri told them what she wanted to do. All snark aside, it honestly looked like Robyn was trying to force a smile away by trying on every distressed expression she could muster....but if you'll notice, the smile peeked through from time to time. I agree with CJ in that there were likely other ways to figure out the situation with the kids. I'll admit to a few tears when Mary was signing the papers. Did you catch Kody telling Janelle that as long as the other wives didn't act differently about the new arrangement and she popped up and said "as long as YOU don't act differently"......She actually had to say that. What a way to live.
ReplyDeleteAnd another thing...I don't care what she says, Janelle was pissed at that news. Hers was not a dumbfounded expression. I come from a large family of high strung people and I know a pissed-off expression when I see it. Janelle downplays her feelings too much. Also, Janelle is very logical and knows that this legal marriage gives Robyn gives her some power in more ways than one, particularly if Kody kicks the bucket.....and even though Meri and Janelle are not close, I think Janelle has much more trust in Meri.
DeleteIt was not and could not be a decision for Meri to make. I like how robyn and kody and Mariah were told and asked how they felt. Not so much for christine and janelle or any of the other kids. I wonder if Sol learned before janelle?
DeleteNo matter how much they circle the wagons now and pretend they're all on the same page, to hear that the man you consider your husband has leapfrogged to the new kid on the block is going to be a bitter pill to swallow. I mean, being wife #2 or #3, you come into the relationship with one fact already firmly in place: Kody is already married to Meri--an immutable FACT. But when that marriage is voluntarily dissolved, all bets are off. At that point, the ONLY equitable process is to decide AS A GROUP what happens next. The way this was handled basically put Janelle and Christine in the same boat as the children: we're not ASKING you, we are TELLING you--this is what we're doing. You have NO INPUT. Your opinion and feelings are irrelevant. Gee, my monogamous life sure is BORING.
DeleteCan you imagine being Janelle and Christine and Grody is in bed with you occasionally and he KNOWS whats going on and doesn't say a word to you.. Lying by omission is still lying. He stabbede them in the back every time he was arond them and kept it to himself. SICK SICK man want to be.
DeleteYES!! THIS!! This is the wedding dress incident times a billion. I don't know how a marriage can survive this type of betrayal. I remember in the first season it was mentioned many times how the wives NEVER discuss each others relationships with Kody. I guess Robyn forgot they said that so much, because it sure does seem like Kody and Robyn are constantly discussing the others behind their backs.
DeleteOne more thing and I'll shut up for the night. Kody was conspicuously absent during Meri and Robyns talk with christine and Janelle. He said beforehand that he didn't think they would take it well....soooo, his chickenshit self was absent so he didn't have to face any wrath or honest emotion. I thought this was his FAMILY? His WIVES? They have family meetings for all kinds of crap and yet he couldn't be around for a meeting that monumental? What a toad.....
ReplyDeleteWell, we know that he is completely baffled by the emotions of women, blaming them all on various stages of their menstrual cycles. I agree, but am not one bit surprised, that he wasn't there. He was probably cowering in a dark closet somewhere guarding his private parts, waiting for the door to burst open to reveal a wife holding a butcher knife.
DeleteForgot to add - yes, they seem to manage family meetings just fine when it comes to choreographing embarrassing dance routines, or discuss which bauble to add to Robyn's latest charm bracelet design, or to dupe a couple of dimwit anthropology students, but they can't have a family meeting to discuss a DIVORCE. Just.........wow.
DeleteHe likes to sit back and not take responsibility for anything. Their emotional turmoil, jealousy, anger, etc. is their problem & certainly not his. He's not mature enough for 1 relationship let alone 4...yup, I have to agree he's a ridiculous toad!
DeleteI thought womens emotions bothered him Apparently his emotions are o.k. he can hide or react badly and THATS ok Where is he showing anything that is FAMILY?
DeleteThe thing I still don't understand is that even if I buy what they're selling (that they're one big family, all the wives are equal, this is something they're doing so that Kody can adopt Robyn's children from her first marriage, it doesn't change the dynamics of any of the relationships, this was a self-sacrificing decision for Meri as a sister wife) then why didn't Meri call a family meeting and tell them her decision all, Kody, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn, at the same time? To me, that's where the lie of their relationships with one another is exposed. They may even believe what they're try to sell to some extent but that doesn't make it true.
ReplyDeleteAlso, while I'm naive and don't believe they did this for ratings, if they did then why didn't they consider more obvious and less life altering choices first? I, for one, am sick of the Kody, Robyn, and Meri show. I would love to see a whole episode devoted to Kody taking Christine to Disneyworld for a week leaving her kids with her mom and working on her marriage with Kody one on one, or Kody taking Janelle to Hawaii and going camping and hiking talking about what their hopes are for their adult children and just having fun together. I can't watch one more show focused on Robyn and/or Meri. I just can't. I'm done. Why didn't anyone at TLC think about focusing the show a bit more on the more likable and popular women and their relationships with Kody? What about a show where Kody focuses on taking care of his youngest children with Christine and Robyn for a day (don't want it to be any longer and risk someone almost dying). No older kids, no distractions, none of Robyn's kids including Sol? Now those are shows I would watch.
I would LOVE to see those episodes you suggested!
DeleteI second that! I would totes watch an episode where Christine or Janelle get spoiled for a change. Getting sick of the mean girls getting all the attention.
DeleteYou want see that because its about someone other than Sobyn Grody and /or meri. really think Grody ignores Truely because she had the nerve to be born when he was in heat for Sobyn! It's so sick
DeleteI'm in! Would love to see episodes were the spooiling was happening to Christine, Janelle and their kids! Wouldn't even mind an episode that focused on all the kids and their activities! Better yet, focus on the kids and the wives (ALL OF THEM, NOT JUST TWO) and the kids! Leave Kody OUT! That would be nice.
Deletedj
By the way, this was great CJ!!! You are the bomb with your words and getting awesome pictures. Thanks for all you do!
Deletedj
Please no more Kody on the episodes. It's called Sister Wives for a reason. And let's focus on everyone but Robyn. I was so pissed when we finally had an episode about Meri, and Robyn was featured more than half the time. Makes my blood boil thinking about it. Does TLC care where their ratings are coming from? Would they prefer hate watching or people watching to cheer Janelle and Christine on? I don't get it
DeleteCJ, spot on as always!
ReplyDeleteMeri's "announcement" was rehearsed and staged...
Meri tried desperately not to smile.
Robyn tried desperately not to smile and to force some tears.
Kody was not surprised in the least.
Of course, Kody is all about Kody. A real man-husband- would have said,
"Turn off the cameras! Robyn, excuse us. Meri and I need to talk ALONE!"
Instead, as usual, his response was all about Kody! :(--
This is NOT a "lifestyle", it's not a "choice"---it's a religious cult and I wish that Janelle, & Christine would figured that out! Kody will not be speaking their separate "secret" names to get them to the planet!
Wake up,ladies-- you will NOT go to hell when you leave--- and your kids will barely notice a difference in their relationships with their biological father.
Janelle & Christine have been denied the opportunity to be truly loved and cherished by a man that is focused on just them. The only thing either of them have to show for 20+ years is a great bunch of kids--children they raised as single mothers.
Get out ladies and enjoy freedom for rest of your lives!
This whole episode was so sad and this whole scenario is just wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think if this family had not gone on tv, they would still be living their lives as blissfully unaware as they were.
I think the life they had worked for them, and now with the distance and new family thrown in? I think none of them realize how far away they have pushed to older kids that have left.
I think it is sad that this is tv fodder, and I don't understand why anyone would let their kids be tv fodder.
I think the original wives had no idea this would happen and I don't think they are happy with what is happening in their family.
The new family? The kids are innocent, they are kids. The parents (as in Kody and Robyn) are guilty for anything after this, not the other moms. This is full on Kody and Robyn, and they won't like where the chiips lay
I think The older kids will turn out ok I'm concerned about the younger kids they spent more time growing up in the eyes of the world that the older ones didn't. it worrys me what the younger ones are being taught to do to get attention. Like the older boys and the car sitting thing. It's not going to be pretty
DeleteThe older kids know not to believe a word the adults say. They told them they would be on tv and everything would be fine. They told the kids they would have to flee or be broken up forever. Those things didn't happen. When they told the kids about the house they did not get excited cause they knew from the past not to be excited. They are living in the homes. The little ones without the history of falling through and Disney every other week will have a real hardship and shock when it falls apart. I hope the parents are saving every penny of the show money to completely pay off the homes. These are not people who should have a mortgage.
DeleteAs a child, your reality is all that you know, so it is normal. The older kids went through a great deal of trauma (moving, teasing, seeing this firsthand) it is no surprise that they are moving out quickly and staying away. Add to that the ability to think and reason (and see episodes of the shoe for themselves) and it is clear that the older kids see the charade. TLC has not been able to spin a cozy older kids "hunky dory" couch spot this season, they have used sol and truly for that. By the way, these are not people whe seem to be reading Dave Ramsey, don't you think? There is zero chance that they have paid off the house. Sad family.
DeleteI agree these people don't seem like long term finance people. You would think they would be saving like crazy after all being on welfare and food stamps and filing for bank ruptcey . You would also think hey other people who have been on tlc have ended up bad and I need to provide for my kids. To be honest I think Janelle may be doing some of that but as for emotional I think they are all lost. The kids are in a bad way period and I don't see it getting any better. Or maybe Meri can sell her house at a lose when its over but wont be to far in debt
DeleteThank you cj for the review! I have been reading your blog for the full season and stopped watching the show right before the shows about Robyn and Meri, I just can't anymore. It use to be like a train wreck you couldn't take your eyes off and it has become a train wreck you can't watch.
ReplyDeleteThis episode sounds horrible and emotionally damaging to atleast 3 out of the 4 wives. While I never like Kody even in the beginning of the series I dislike him so much more now. I remember in early episodes how he would talk about 1 on 1 conversations with his wives to make sure hey were all good. Now it seems like he doesn't even bother and their emotions are inconvenient to him. I think Robyn and Kody will be the undoing of this whole family. The nastiness with looks, the anger within the family that you can feel through the screen is crazy! This is not a family anymore, it's a set of neighbors who happen to sleep with the same man.
I hope Janelle and Christine wise up and move on, look ladies women around the world have help with their kids through friends and family without having to settle for 1/4 of a mans time when he doesn't even want to be with you anyways.
Meri I believe from the recap and social media was devistated by the divorce. Hopefully she has a plan in play to run from this dysfunction.
Robyn, man I am usually a really good judge of character but her I just can't seem to put my finger on. With the divorce/custody/twitter I can't help but wonder if she really is stupid or is really that smart and conniving.
Kody, man you got yourself into something big adding that 4th wife. He looks horrible, sounds mean and nasty and is so much older looking than in the beginning of the series. I never liked him as I stated previously but he seems so much more inattentive then he did while in Utah. I could kind of see relationships with his kids to a point then but now it seems like there is none at all. Well besides King Sol.
Sadly they have been renewed another season so who knows what's next for these 5. But for the sake of their children, I hope they get some family counseling. I hope the disaster I am seeing gets resolved. If they are truly happy in polygamy then I hope they can repair their family, if not, I hope they all move on with their lives. They are not showing polygamy in a positive light, it seems very da,aging and negative to me.
Yes, the train wreck has now arrived. It's going to last for a while because we have 17 children involved, many who won't gain a full understanding for years. When are these women going to understand there are many religions - pick one that doesn't make you miserable ....as your 18 year old daughter already figured it out.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant review! The stills of the wives' faces were fascinating. We miss so many details when we're watching the show and constantly rolling our eyes.:)
ReplyDeleteI agree so much with what you said about Meri at the top of your recap. Even though this situation was of her own creation, anyone could see she was in extreme distress when she signed the divorce papers. It was uncomfortable to watch. And Kody's dismissive "thanks" and kiss on the head...if I were Meri, I think I would've chosen that point to stand up, flip the desk over, shove Robyn through a wall and walk out. Meri must be burying so much rage - I'm not at all surprised she is dizzy, sick, eats too much, etc. That much suppression of emotion cannot be good for any human.
I have to wonder if Meri is getting any emotional support whatsoever from Janelle and Christine. After all, they are all riding in the same dysfunctional boat at the moment, waiting on Captain Kodouche and Queen Robyn to make their next moves.
Kody's kiss to Meri on the top of her head showed how he thinks of her like his pet. Maybe one day Kody's pet will snap and bite him?
DeleteAs for Meri getting emotional support from Janelle and Christine, I highly doubt it. Meri blindsided them with news they should have been included on. I hope they're giving Meri the cold shoulder. I don't think any of the wives like each other.
So many insightful, interesting, and informative comments up above. Seriously, I couldn't pick just one or two to compliment. Kudos to all of you.
ReplyDeleteIt has been stated that when this family finally falls apart (i.e., when Robyn rides off with Kody and King Sol into the sunset, gleefully leaving everyone else behind), that the show will fold and the gravy train will grind to a halt. I, however, would LOVE to see this show continue as the wives attempt to pick up the pieces, and I would also love to see at least one wife rise like a phoenix from this freak show. And I really want to hear their honest feelings about what it was like to live under King Kody and Queen Robyn minus the "keeping sweet," and not perform like trained seals for the cameras and producers. We'll see what happens.
ReplyDeleteThe producers need to take some tips from the Housewives series. They should have shown Christine and Janelle sitting at Christine's house talking about the divorce. Get Annie in there to fuel the flames.
ReplyDeleteI loved the pictures of Robyn trying to squeeze a tear. When the tears didn’t fall, she made that awful squinty face. The lack of tears exemplifies her true feelings: Robyn cries at the drop of a hat but couldn’t cry when her sister wife made such a sacrifice. Because of Robyn’s lack of emotional intellect, it is easy to see how she couldn’t control her true feelings. She wasn’t touched or even sad for Meri and she certainly didn’t see the sacrifice: I believe that what Robyn sees is that she is getting what is due her. In Robyn’s eyes, she is the remaining female of child bearing potential and as such she should be the legal wife. I really think now that she has the legal standing, there will be more babies…if she can produce. Sadly, Robyn is getting closer to menopause than she would like to think so all those baby making plans for creating his planet are going to have to go on hold or he is going to have to bring in a new wife. I would watch this show for ever if he courted and married a 20 something cutie pie. I would watch the drama between Robyn and the new wife and would love to watch the other wives gloat with the yeah, we know honey.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I despise Robyn, I love the strategy that Meri came up with to divorce Kody. Not only did she divorce him, but she came out smelling like a rose and having some significant publicity and some major love sent her way while hate spewed toward Robyn. You cannot tell me that Meri didn’t plan her move with dignity and malice. LOL
To the Browns: if you want to stay on TV, bring in a younger wife that can make a lot of babies and move her into Robyn’s house. Janelle, you could leave now and hit the interview circuit and make a fortune in interviews and book deals for how I got out. Christine, stick with Janelle. Meri, run, run, run.
Lady Lawyer here,
ReplyDeleteYou know, Kody is always talking about how the law needs to change. But the truth is, the laws have changed so that there is less interference with personal decisions regarding marriage. For example, you used to have list fault grounds in divorce. It was changed to make the process simpler (not easier) and less painful (particularly if there are children involved.) What if Meri and Kody were not able to file a joint petition? What if Meri had to file listing fault grounds such as mental cruelty? Or abandonment? Or infidelity? Or sex addiction? Or financial difficulties? What if it had to be a long blown out trial?
Or at least a hearing to determine if fault actually existed? That used to be the norm.
Also, alienation of affection used to be a cause of action. In other words, you were not allowed to encourage another person to file for divorce, like the producers might have done in this case, causing Meri to have dizzy spells. Some people said she looked like she was attending her own funeral and that was months after the actual divorce! So, Meri could sue Robyn and the producers for causing Kody to want her to get divorced and she could get a lot of money from the producers. But that cause of action has been abolished because people today respect legal marriage. They don't consider "spiritual marriage" or living together to be the equivalent. (Except for these clowns, and maybe the producers of this show.)
Also, breach of promise to marry has been abolished. How many times do you think Kody has told Janelle or Christine that if he weren't already legally married to Meri, he would marry them? When the cause of action was legal, it didn't have to be explicit, it could be implied, especially if there were children. So Christine would have a cause of action to sue Kody for breaching his impled promise to marry if he ever divorced Meri. But that cause of action has also been abolished because women no longer need to rely on men for support.
Bottom line, Kody is living an old-fashioned patriarchal lifestyle, while benefiting from changes in the law that were abolished as women got more rights. He doesn't have to worry about Meri having to state in open court what a bad husband he is, or worry that the producers will discard the idea of divorce because they don't want to be seen as encouraging it in violation of the law, or that one of his other wives might actually bring a suit to force him to legally marry him. I know that these type of suits have not been filed in decades, but polygamy has not been legal for over a hundred years.
I think some states still technically have allienation of affection laws on the books?
DeleteIn New York, I think, you can still file for divorce on grounds of adultery. That would have been something for Meri to sink her teeth into.
DeleteHa ha! Good one, Anonymous 9:40!
DeleteDespite how much these five irritate me I have to say... Thank the universe for them.. Reason 1.. They make my life look fantastic 2. They make me look sane and 3. Watching this show is cheaper then theater tickets. I sometimes think the universe gives us people like this to keep us entertained . Imagine how bored our lives would get without rampant stupidity like this to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteQUESTION FOR CJ: Are you certain that the filmed "divorce talks" (with Meri, Grody and Grobbyn and the later one with Meri, Janelle, Christine and Grobbyn) and the divorce papers signing were done AFTER the September divorce and December marriage?
ReplyDeleteBecause all I can say is, Meri looked truly devastated when when she signed those papers, and Christine and Janelle looked liked they both had been punched HARD in the gut. Janelle particularly so, since she immediately understood the ramifications of the new dynamics. Christine, well, not so much, bless her heart.
QUESTION FOR CJ: Are you certain that the filmed "divorce talks" (with Meri, Grody and Grobbyn and the later one with Meri, Janelle, Christine and Grobbyn) and the divorce papers signing were done AFTER the September divorce and December marriage?
DeleteI don't remember indicating a specific date when the scenes of Meri signing the papers and telling the wives were filmed.
My opinion is that the divorce was filmed in real time, but was not to be broadcast until the NEXT season a year later (September 2015). The network had to accelerate their plan when the ratings took a turn for the worse for the mid season premiere on 1/4/15. To insure record viewership during ratings sweeps, the divorce was leaked to the public, and the remaining episodes were quickly re-edited to include scenes of the wives being told and Meri signing the papers from August-September of 2014.
Remember, the 1/25/15 episode was suppose to include a conversation about Robyn's ex-husband between Meri and Robyn BUT that segment never appeared. The "leaks" occurred on 1/21/15 and 1/31/15. Robyn's BTS episode was filmed on 12/24/14 but Meri's BTS was filmed on 2/2/15. So my opinion is, what we saw on 3/1/15 episode very well could have been filmed during the August-September timeframe.
It was odd how the producer asked Janelle if she was going to say anything...I have a feeling this was done on purpose by the production company to show Janelle was blindsided.
I do think the filming of Meri signing the papers did happen on the date indicated on the online divorce doc, confirmed by her tweets last September of having dizzy spells.
I remember seeing a tweet from Mykelti to Aspyn last summer - sometime in August I believe. She wrote that she was glad it was over and their families could get back to normal again. I thought it had to do with filming for the show...but now it makes a lot of sense. Of course, that tweet is long gone.
I also think that when the crew went to visit Maddie and later when Christine and Kody went to see her girls or move her girls and what wasn't and what was said between the girls and their father was very telling about something having happened that maybe didn't sit well. I don't know if the kids already knew or if they were starting to figure stuff out but Maddie's no love lost attitude toward her father is very telling with Janelle's reaction. I really think that during all of this moving the kids off to school and then having the divorce stuff happening or the talks going on provided some very unhappy campers.
DeleteTHANKS for the clarification, CJ. I quit watching the show after I heard/read about the divorce. It pissed me off so bad! From what I've read here on your blog, it seems that the editing wasn't done very well, and frankly, I was just confused. Your explanation here makes sense to me, and I appreciate that.
DeleteAmazing review, the frame by frame pictures really made it! Did anyone notice how scripted Robin's, "are you sure," was? No! Meri is not sure. She was clearly being coerced. Her emotions while signing the divorce and subsequent posts on twitter confirm this. Shame on you Kody. So much for one wife never being over another.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree Robyn's "are you sure" was so set up and her facial expressions, as captured above, were so strange they were funny. She definitely had a "I'm trying to keep myself from smiling look."
DeleteIf Meri had cause or inclination to leave Kody as in leave having only an adult daughter she would not even get child support. If there are division of assets being polygamist she would have returned them to the family pot. All so Meri's former husband but still in spirit can claim a few more kids in mortality who are already close to legal adulthood, they are likely stuck together and taken from David in the afterlife. Unless like maddie they go LDS? Maybe that is why they have a desire to try to stake their claim on as many kids as possible?
ReplyDeleteMeri is not a martyr. She cares as much about giving up her legal status and she does giving up her hefty piece is the financial pie to sisterwives with more children. There is something in this for her or she wouldn't have done it. If she really had been thinking about this for 5 years, she would have done it 5 years ago. It makes no sense to do it now.
ReplyDeleteSelfless and Meri do not go together. There is much more to this story than we know. This was probably an easy exit strategy for Meri. She would NEVER give up her legal status for an "adoption" that is never going to happen.
DeleteNotice how seldom the Browns follow through on anything. The fitness business, real estate agent (christine), robyn having babies, Meri doing fertility, getting investors for the business, expanding to brick and mortar.. They put money down a house before paying off much smaller debts and even knowing if they would qualify for a loan of that size.
DeleteTOP NOTCH CJ! Thank you for all your time spent writing and compiling pictures for our enjoyment. I totally concur that TLC filmed the divorce in real time and accelerated the broadcast due to dismal ratings. Meri and the others are just not good actors and so the bits that were reenacted are obvious and the parts that were filmed "real time" feel, well, real! I think Janelle and Christine's reactions were not staged, they felt genuine. However, the whole bit with Meri calling Kody and Robyn over to her home and telling them about the "legal' divorce felt completely staged. It was obvious both Kody and Robyn knew in advance. It is an insult to the viewer's intelligence to suggest Meri dreamed this up on her own, consulted an attorney, and THEN surprised Kody and Robyn with this news. The divorce drama was offensive on so many fronts - the notion that they insist the family makes key decisions as one group, yet Meri decides to divorce Kody without a family discussion? The divorce was not presented to Janelle and Christine as "what do you think of this idea?" it was presented quite smugly that this is what the other three had agreed upon. I think it fed into Meri's need to be a martyr (I only have one kid, but I should get as much as everyone else) and it also let her twist the knife in Janelle's back. Kody is never adopting those children and when that storyline gets stale??
ReplyDeleteLOL Janelle does the financial stuff for the Browns. Robyn is busy "minusing" and spending on credit cards, Christine forgets to pay her bills and Kody is busy perfecting his "duh, I'm so confused" look. There are several Brown family members who should be paying attention to business rather than the ongoing drama. It is my fervent wish that Janelle has opened a Swiss bank account and has feathered her nest to be shared later with Christine when the train wreck finally totally implodes.
ReplyDeleteIt may be wishful thinking on my part, but I think Janelle's days of bankrolling Kody and his other mistresses is over. She has 6 kids to support, soon 3 will be in college at the same time and she has a huge house payment. I don't think she's going to bailing Kody and co. out anytime soon. Janelle is the only wife who would have been able to help them, if Meri actually got a job and some motivation she could, but she never will help anyone but herself and Mariah financially.
DeleteKody needs to make sure his new wife stays out of Target, Victoria's Secret, and that he doesn't co-sign any for any new credit cards for her.
I think her kids are pretty self suffiicient and will soon marry.
DeleteReading all the current posts, including adding my own. it is clear that the producers of SW are using tried and true PR and scripting strategies to keep this show going.
ReplyDeleteThe show is now rife with red herrings, switch ups, hints that never go anywhere and dramas that incite viewer reaction and comments. We the viewers are *crucial* to this show having an extended shelf life. It is same formula for longevity that has been used for all the Real Housewives's shows and others in that genre, and it is vividly in play with Kodyworld and its production.
Viewers are expected (needed) to form different camps and loyalties to key characters.
Catering to that viewer divided-camp phenomena, scenarios are filmed showing characters at their best and at their worst. Plots and scenes are designed to keep viewers chatting and disagreeing, resulting in reliable ratings.
Is Meri a selfless hero, pushed to relinquish her legal wife status for the good of the family to insure continuing TLC monies? (and for adopting Sobbin;s children)
Is Meri a hollow brained martyr pushed to that decision by Kody and Sobbin for their own desires, with no thought or ability to refuse their request?
Is Meri a middle aged, empty-nest, unhappy Plyg who just doesn't want to play the game anymore?
Is Janelle truly the understated, unsung hero of the group, keeping them afloat financially and cognitively ?
Is Janelle a passive-aggressive, enabler for Kody's narcissism?
Is Janelle simply disinterested that she is content to just go along for the ride, no matter what?
Is Christine really the high-strung, ineffective ditz she portrays?
Is Christine the one true Plyg just trying to live as she was raised?
Is Christine's mental health the most vulnerable, now needing her mother?
Is Sobbin/Robyn really as sly and calculating as this season has suggested?
Is Sobbin really just hopelessly stupid and desperate for official membership in a man's life.
Is Sobbin fulfilling the role she was essentially *hired* to play five years ago?
Is Kody the co-genius with TLC for keeping the show going?
Is Kody a mindless dolt ripe for the pickings and manipulations of a shrewd production company?
Is Kody just a very lucky egocentric taker who saw the Plyg lifestyle as a ticket to self aggrandizement, AND managed to hook up with a well-paying TV gig?
All these options for viewers and their reactions can keep the show going as long as the producers keep changing up the scenes.
jmho
Great layout of scenarios, Amused. Fun to read.
DeleteI have been reading a little about other types of polygamous relationships and have been reading about one family in particular. It amazes me that most other types in the US where bigamy is a crime punishable by law just don't marry any wife or any husband. So there may be two or more women and one guy and he just doesn't marry either wife. The sleeping arrangements are somewhat different too, I imagine but don't really care. I think having all wives on the same equal plane makes for a better chance of happiness And the Browns prove this with all the drama about Meri's legal status. If her marriage to Kody was not important then why was she given so much credibility to the point of running Janelle off? And, being the legal wife intrudes upon the security of the others as Janelle expresses in her fears. If the legal status isn't important and doesn't make a difference, why do it? Now, Meri is no longer legal and Robyn is legal and the other wives are not grooving on all of this well it just seems that the cries of Kody to either let us merry each wife legally or don't persecute us or you are persecuting us and that is why I have to divorce my wife and marry my girlfriend...cause of all these laws...that are meant to protect kids and parents should not be in place, Kody thinks, for polyamist. If he really loved each wife the same but needed each for different purposes to fulfill his grandiose needs, why not just have all as his spiritual and not legal wife?
ReplyDeleteThis is my problem. They insist on having some in the group married. If you don't plan to be exclusive you need to not get married or not stay married. Period. If her werre unmarried it would go to his will who gets what and a much more fair situation for all involved.
DeleteOn another topic, Nonie had her baby and she has opted her name and pics. She also has a video of the baby in the hospital bc she had an infection. Nonie looks so different without the make-up and hair.
ReplyDeleteI am a faithful reader of this blog; however, I never felt inclined to make a comment until now. The entire legal reasoning they are presenting for the divorce is fundamentally flawed and completely inane. Any lawyer could have told Meri within five minutes that her sacrificial act was lacking in merit and would not work. The premise that Kody will be able to adopt the children if he and Robyn are married is utterly false. Just because Robyn has primary residential custody and the children's father does not pay support does not mean that his rights will be severed. He would have to choose to give up all legal rights, which I cannot imagine he would be willing to do.
ReplyDeleteI know of what I speak. In 2009, I married a wonderful man who brought a beautiful five-year-old son into our marriage. My husband had residential custody. Visits with the mother were limited and his mother did not pay child support. Sadly, my husband was diagnosed with cancer a few months after our wedding, and he died a year after that. We consulted our attorney during his illness. Stepparents have no legal rights, even to visitation. My stepson's mother would have had to voluntarily give up rights for me to keep him in my home. Of course, she didn't do that, and I have only seen my stepson three times in over three years, all for very brief visits.
Meri choosing to give up her marriage will not increase Kody's legal claims to Robyn's children. This act occurred for one of two reasons: either to increase ratings or to give Kody the wife he has been angling for over these past few years. Either way, this episode angered me. Does TLC and/or the Kody clan believe the viewers are actually so dense as to believe that this was done solely to keep Robyn's children in the family upon the event of her death? I think this was Meri acquiescing to the inevitability of Kody's eventual preference and loyalty to Robyn. Well done, Janele, for not rubber stamping this travesty.
Sorry for your loss.
DeleteThe more this story comes out, the more I think the divorce happened because Kody wanted it because he wanted to be married to his favorite. Makes me think the rumors of Robyn giving Kody an ultimatum to either make her the legal wife or she was leaving are true.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sorry for your loss.
DeleteDid Robin graduate high school?
ReplyDeleteShe needs to stop whining about not receiving child support from David Jessop. As the custodial parent, she's the one who cashes Dayton's SSI check every month. (Despite his mother's influence, Dayton seems to be a fine young man.)
He may not be getting a SSI check. Parents income counts. She is living in a 400K home. She has to be earning from the show. I don't doubt she has ample money. But just cause he has a diagnosis doesn't mean he is getting a check.
DeleteShe may not get child support if her income is much higher than David Jessop's, and since he was getting time with them it is possible she had to pay him child support although not likely.
DeleteWould Mariah have been home in September?
ReplyDeleteMariah returns to Vegas almost every weekend it seems. My parents only saw me during Christmas breaks and summer vacations when I was in college.
DeleteAnyway, I took a look at her twitter...It looks like her last day of filming was 8/8, she left for Westminster on 8/14. Notable tweet is 8/28...hm..... the majority of the rest were Harry Potter related, which if I remember from my 6th grade teacher could indicate an attempt to escape reality by becoming absorbed in fantasy (I think those were her exact words). PS, my 6th grade teacher was a nutcase...Anyway here are some of her tweets...
mariah @mariahlian · Aug 14
Westminster, I'm comin for ya
mariah @mariahlian · Aug 20
here's a little first day of sophomore year selfie for ya�� #westminsterslc http://instagram.com/p/r8mmu-SoUs/
mariah @mariahlian · Aug 28
unbelievably filled with gratitude for the family I was blessed to be a part of
mariah @mariahlian · Sep 1
I've literally been cooped up in my room for 3 hours because sterling insists on watching the finale of kuwtk but I'm only on season 5....
mariah @mariahlian · Sep 13
looking up med schools instead of doing my homework l o l
This blog is a million times more entertaining than the actual show. The only episode I watched this season was the Tell All. The whole divorce thing gets me down. Having been married to the same man for over 23 years, we love spending evenings and weekends together. I cannot imagine sharing him with 3 other women and only seeing him every few days. I feel so sad for Janelle and Christine, each giving this dolt 6 children and having no legal status as his wife. Polygamy stinks.
ReplyDeleteI am with you. We have been married almost 33 years and Still look forward to the evening ahead and the weekends. I would hate everything and everyone if I had to wait days and weeks on end. It's a sick way they live.
DeleteI really feel sorry for the Brown kids, particularly Mariah. I do suspect that she has had a better life than the other kids but I still feel bad for her as I do the other kids. In spite of their raising, they are going to college; in spite of their weak education provided to them from their home schooling and their religious schooling, they began to bounce back; in spite of their being raised by single women who probably weren't the most fiscally responsible or the most emotionally mature, they are trying to thrive; in spite of learning life skills, they are adapting. I feel sorry for them because the older kids (Logan, Maddie, Mykelty, and the other older girl of Christine) have raised their siblings, stepped in for their mothers and for Kody. I feel sorry for them because their very personal life has been made very pubic and those who really "love" the family are giving these kids a unrealistic idea of their own celebrity and the haters are forcing them to see the reality of their family. I feel sorry for them because in all of the unhappiness at home, there have been some major body image constructing going on: the girls are obese and Logan is doing some major body sculpting, which looks like he may be getting a little help with the sculpting. I feel sorry for the young kids because they are the middle kids who were uprooted from the only life they knew and are now trying to adapt to all those changes. I feel sorry for the younger kids, the first real generation of living in the public eye from birth or from a very young age. They, bless their hearts, have no idea what life was like before their family became "stars". When I do read the tweets of the older kids, I see such insecurity from Mariah and the other girls...the only daughter that I see thriving in her new life is Maddie and I wonder if it is her new support system, the LDS church. At the end of the day, I wonder which of the kids will spill the beans and my bet was on Maddie being the one to break away but I think her emotional growth is giving me second thoughts and I suspect that the one to do the talking will be one of those middle kids...probably one of Janelle's boys. While girls may hate their dad or be mad at their dad, the boys seem to really get annoyed at him and I think they will be the ones to say, STFU....
ReplyDeleteThe conspiracy theory, show-biz scenarios, for their divorce are much too complicated for this crew and not believable. The divorce decision had nothing to do with the show, it had to do with family financing. Kody admitted as much in his 'restructuring' comment. They just came up with a lame idea on how to present their decision and they thought the public would accept some gooey 'for the sake of the children' reason better than the cold financial reasons. Frankly, I would prefer the truth.
ReplyDeleteMary needs to be single for whatever her plans are (wants to be sole owner of her house, wants to get school loans, whatever) and Robyn needs a husband to afford her house. Kody could only use their one biological child in his list of dependents. He needed Robyn to either be his dependent or co-filer. I think it is doubtful any court will severe the biological father's rights or allow him to adopt those other 3 kids and I do not know what the tax laws are about claiming stepchildren as dependents if you are supporting them.
What was wrong is that Christine and Janelle did not have this thoroughly discussed with them prior to it actually happening. Janelle especially since she is the bookkeeper for the family and sacrificed the most financially. It was majorly disrespectful of her to have this decided behind her back and announced to her in front of a camera. If she had been included in the decision, she probably would have been supportive and had helpful ideas on how the others could achieve whatever their goals are with this process.
Christine is clueless and appears to be on happy meds again, fine. Janelle looks like she's going to have to eat out a Coldstone or Baskin Robbins trying to squelch her anger. Walk it off Janelle and maybe walk away into the sunset while you are at it. You left once before and you can do it again. Take a page from your daughter and make a different choice for your future.
No conspiracy theory because this scenario was created and executed by the producers at TLC's request! Just like other commenters pointed out, this was the producers creating a situation to get ratings, and it worked very well as TLC announced the show was renewed. I do agree with you that this was above Kody's head and that all he saw was $$$$ in the form of a paycheck for filming another season. Meri, Janele, Christine will never leave Kody but golddigger Robyn will be quick to leave once the show is cancelled and the money dries up. I wouldn't be surprised if Kody files for bankruptcy because you know she's run up a lot of debt with that joolry business.
DeleteI believe that Janelle and Christine would make better choices for their daughters if they had to do it in the middle of the no Kody night. If they thought of the pain those girls would go threw I think they would walk away.
DeleteRunkodyrun , You have put it all in a nutshell. So much for all us concerned ones being haters. There is going to be a lot of fallout for the kids.This is why polygamy cannot be called between all consenting Adults. It will take a loy of generations to fix this mess.
ReplyDeleteMaddie's biggest blessings are an older Brother which the little kids don't have day to day, the decision years ago to never be a polygamist, a mom who understands changing religion in adulthood and can accept that first belonging to the religion that insists everyone else convert to and a dad who is distracted.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens when kody wants to leave? Brady basically wanted to leave but what to do about all the wives and kids?
Brady has a conscience and some grey matter in that noggin of his. Kody on the other hand...
DeleteSo if Kody wants out, he will leave. The fact he mentioned to Janelle about riding off into the sunset with Robyn should have alarmed her because to me, it means he's given it some thought (or someone has mentioned it to him) and he's too dumb to keep his piehold shut.
Kody needs to keep the Original Three wives together for the show. Once the show is over and the Mcmansions are foreclosed, the Original Three will move back to the Lehi house and Kody and the new Missus will stay in Vegas or move to Hollywood for fame and fortune. In a few years, he'll be on a "Whatever Happened To..." type show where he'll talk about his new job as greeter at Circus Circus while crying how Robyn left him high and dry for a wealthy old AUB guy where she is again the 4th wife. The "trophy" wife.
That's piehole not piehold...
DeleteYet again, cj, brilliant. I would love to see the original three move back together. I read your recap to my mom the other day and we agree your insight is just amazing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and analysis with us.
DeleteI've thought many times that all of this reminds me of how TLC handled the ending of Jon and Kate plus 8. So sad to see these families unraveling right before our eyes.
Given that they were 'supposedly' remodeling the Lehi house to sell, it may not be there to move to. Goien that they didn't have a much besides that house before the show, I think Janelle and Christine's adult children will feel obligated to be the breadwinner for each family. Janelle will eventually take care of herself. Meri will take care of herself. Christine will always be in the care of her children because she has never grown up. Robyn will bolt, and Kody will go back to grifting.
DeleteYou know, after reading the book I really disliked Meri. Her treatment of Janelle came off as terrible. With this last episode I found myself actually moved by her obvious and deep distress. I don't believe the scenes of her signing and the scene of telling Janelle and Christine were reenactments, it is one of the few times I have seen genuine emotion on this show. I hope that whatever her reasons, whether it was for ratings or the pipe dream of adopting Robyn's kids, it was worth her devastation.
ReplyDeleteCan you even imagine being the producer of their show, having to put up with Kody trying to wheel and deal.....trying to get free parties and vacations......acting all confident and braggy, trying to get more money each season.....negotiating for freebies and creative say......I would go nuts.
ReplyDeleteKody maybe even wheeling and dealing for a new wife , it's not like it would have to be a legal wive, I wonder how any of the female probuct crew feel when he's around YUCK!!!
DeleteI would love love to hear a behind the scenes from a producer or crew person. I wonder if Kody has them all charmed like he charmed the anthropologists. I wonder if for the average person he just turns onthe charm and they are under his spell. It was creepy how much they ate the pile of crap they were served.
DeleteI imagine the staff being fake nice to Kody then rolling their eyes when he struts away.
DeleteSo, any bets/ thoughts on how many seasons can possibly be left, given the current state of "restructuring".......??
ReplyDeleteNow it could be that TLC is cynical and smart enough to film tbehind the scenes footage of Meri, Janelle and Christine's angst about the new Mrs. Kody.
It they were to film actual conversation about attitudes and reactions (authentic or not, if all this *has* been a sham) about how they now will have to deal with her.
That plot would have viewer interest, if for no other reason than it would make some sense, given the whole stupid plot.
It would be difficult for the kids (those old enough to watch) to see that, but you know it would ratings gold. Big Love meets Real Housewives !!
And no doubt the kids have already been told "we had to do it for ratings."
Just like we "had to move"....!!
One thing is for sure, if they intend to film and air phony, saccharin, gaggy scenes of group hugs and "look, see how happy we are" with our new reshuffled hierarchy, even the diehard fans will eventually get viewer acid reflux. I;m thinking 2 more seasons.
Two seasons... because the upcoming one has already been filmed., They will be filming the next one while that one airs. Then they will cancel because the ratings for the upcoming season will tank. Unless, one of the 'cast' does something even more dishonorable than this divorce. Not sure what that could be.
DeleteA few more graduations. The public likes the kids and loves to see them make it out on their own.
DeleteWhat happened with Janelle's counseling sessions - that all suddenly got sidetracked - maybe they'll be some more of that - they all need counseling
DeleteShe doesn't need to work on that relationship anymore.
DeleteHadn't occurred to me that in 5 years Robyn's kids will be of legal age until I read the recap. Wow. Yet another reason this whole divorce thing is dumb. Also, slightly OT but I just want to tweet Meri WE GET IT, YOU'RE A FRIGGIN CAPRICORN WHAT TO DO WANT A COOKIE? She is like the ultimate queen of cheesy tweets. I mean I almost prefer Robyn's crazy meltdown. OK I feel better now, lol.
ReplyDelete**just want to add that I do not live on twitter**
Meri has been a mean girl in the past and has shown some ugly behavior, but I guess I would too if this was my life. I know they chose it, but sometimes when you are deep in a situation you can't see clearly. It's just like any other abusive situation. Many times, the abused don't realize they are being abused. That being said, I actually shed tears for Meri. This was obviously an extremely painful thing to go through. I felt for Janelle too. With Meri, she knew where she stood. The uncertainty of this all must be terribly hard for all of them. Christine seemed to care the least. I think it is because she really does believe that the legal marriage does not matter. Remember, she is the polygamous royalty out of the group and the idea of legal status truly does not seem relevant for her. Janelle on the other hand completely understands the broader picture and knows how SOL they are if something happens to Kody. I think that Meri would not have left Janelle and Christine out in the cold if something happened to Kody. I don't think they would have remained a "family", but I do believe the assets would have at least been split up to keep everyone from being homeless. I don't think this is the case with Robyn. I agree with many of the posters who say that Robyn is turning Kody into a monogamist. She saw what happened when Mariah left and how that left Meri out of the loop. She sees what will happen as Janelle and Christine's children grow up and leave. She will be the one left at the end of the day and yes, she and Kody will ride off into the sunset together. If I were Janelle, it would have scared the hell out of me when HE, Kody, came up with that scenario, not her, Janelle.
ReplyDeleteMy husband watches this with me from time to time and always walks out of the room or asks me to change it. He says, I love you too much to even dream of doing that to you. He doesn't love any of them, he just wants to possess them.
"He doesn't love any of them, he just wants to possess them." Your husband nailed it.
DeleteIt interesting how many of our husbands can't stomach these shows.
He also wants to possess his step kids. The more kids the greater his kingdom. It's about him. Maybe robyn realizes she won't make it to 6 so she is trying to throw in her older kids? It's just nasty. It's unforgiveable. It amazes me that people who are only connected in large part based on will and not legality are so paranoid about their relationship with Robyns kids. They should not have married a woman with kids if they could not stomach the situation.
Yes!!! That is it he just wants to possess them. Sadly, I have spent some time wondering why he bothers keeping Chirstine and Janelle's, and now Meri, around. I think it's for status and they are just collectibles gathering dust. Robyn's the only trophy he polishes regularly. Oh I just grossed myself out but I couldn't help myself.
DeleteDespite what they showed the anthropoligists, I do not believe Kody alternates nights with all the wives. I believe he spends the majority of his nights with Robyn. His kids with the other wives see him sporadically. They do not all eat together frequently nor do they all go the movies once a month. If they do, shame on them because that is needlessly expensive when they have such finaicial insecurity. The reason Kody has a bad relationship with Maddie is because she resents him. She sees how he treats her Mom and she doesn't like it. He is the least close with Christine and Janelle's kids..this is because he spends less time with them.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the fence as to why the divorce really happened. I think part of it was Robyn stomped her foot and demanded it. No more babies unless I am legal wife. She exploited poor Dayton all season long just so they could pull off this "we are legally married for the kids". And how will the kids be effected psychologically if David Jessop does relinquish his rights? Talk about traumatic....no matter how little he sees them (and the Browns did move far away, not really his fault), having your father give up rights has to be devastating. So Robyn doesn't care how much her kids or the other kids are damaged as long as Kody is her legal husband.
And yes, Janelle, you were right...and it is not illogical to think Kody and Robyn will ride away in the sunset. Once the show is over, I predict that is exactly what will happen.
The man child Kody probably just spends nights wherever he chooses. I don't think he rotates on a fair basis, thus why the Browns are so reluctant to discuss whether or not they have a set schedule. Christine's comments about her and her kids not getting to see Kody as much and them feeling kody spends too much time with Robyn and her kids said it all.
DeleteThis is no longer about Polygamy to me. Kody is a Swinger and he's just wife swapping.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, a swinger with 4 monogamous partners. What more could he ask for?
DeleteAgreed. I believe this show is more about a polyamorous type of thing (even though the women don't have sex together) than polygamy. Maybe they will soon claim they are "cultural plygs" and not "religious plygs" as they do not look natural with their "services" and they don't seem very religious
DeleteIsn't Meri getting ready to go back to college? She AND Mariah will get much more in financial aid if Meri is a "single mom.
ReplyDeleteShe makes to much and has too many assets and doesn't take all that many classes to need a great deal of money for school. Mariah is half way done. She may not even finish if she gets married and starts having babies.
DeleteMeri does make too much, even to get Mariah extra help. I highly doubt Mariah has had anyone interested in courting her, if she has it's been as a 3rd or 5th wife since those were the numbers she mentioned.
DeleteThey are royalty for getting the cohabitation law off the books in Utah. I would think that would make them desirable. I wonder if they are keeping up their tithe? That would make the elders not excited to join someone to their girls. I expect someone married in two years. Probably McKeltye. However it's spelled. The 180 she has done is really interesting. I also wonder if the girls married into polygamy would it be kinda secret? Not everyone wants to be outed. If Mariah were a third or fourth wife I could see why she would be less upset and more happy about Meri and Kody and Robyn and the wedding news.
DeleteCJ,
ReplyDeleteNo pressure but are we going to get a recap of the tell-nothing as well? How about a Twitter update? Just asking. Understand if the answer is no😄
OK...beat me up but it took every bit of strength I had to watch the season finale. I'm hoping to watch the Tell All (shudder) this weekend.
DeleteTwitter updates? Well, nothing the Browns have tweeted recently even BARELY compares to Robyn's epic meltdown. But never fear, there will be a twitter update soon...minus the new Mrs Kody Brown who has gone quiet on Twitter again, thank goodness!
Great! Looking forward to it!
DeleteAt least the Williams and the Dargers have some interesting-ish stuff happening with them/postings.
Reading everyone's comments above about the restructuring and the potential consequences reminded me of the high drama at their marriage counseling session in Sedona. There, Kody's great concern was that if he were the first to die, nothing would preserve their family, if the women didn't work on their relationships with each other. (Christine then tried to abort the discussion with an overdramatic response to something so unthinkable to her.) If anything, their relationships have gotten worse since then - despite their mission statement - and Kody's marrying Robyn just exacerbates the existing schisms.
ReplyDeleteMeri is the most obvious example. Without the legal wife status or children growing up with their half-siblings, there is nothing to keep her or make her want to preserve any sister-wife relationship. According to the script, she already gave up Kody...
If counseling sessions for any of the three non-legal Kody ladies are resurrected next season, we can sure they will be scripted and tedious to watch.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, those sessions will NOT be filmed.
Seeing a "therapist" do her/his thing with lights,camera and direction is cringe worthy in its phoniness. Especially when you can see a hastily drawn name plate has been taped on the door/wall/desk of the "therapist." Dr, Phil can pull it off because that is the whole focus of his show. And even then, you just hope that there is more effective work done off camera.
If we are to believe even 1/4 of their 20 plus years' saga, then Kody legally dumping Meri for Sobbin has to be a deeply personal conflict for all three, no matter why it really was done.
And no matter what the *real* why is, that bit of Kodyworld truth will *never* be revealed.
Really, really hope the producers do not resort to airing bogus counseling sessions.
Instead, it would be nice to think that these women would seek help privately and legitimately if they are in need.
One thing is for sure, viewers for next season had better be prepared for Sobbin and Kody to be in full command of the Talking Head spots. Barf bags may be a necessity.
Since when have I ever been in charge of this family? That's Kody Brown at a filmed counseling session. Janelle replied, how can you not make decisions by committee in our situation? They obviously did not make the decision to divorce and marry, which affects the family, by committee.
ReplyDeleteSeason eight is probably already written: Kody & Kompany go to war with the Jessops. I forget if it's Wyoming or Montana where David Jessop lives, but TLC will turn it into a soundstage of their version of Jupiter Creek.
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful to all of you for watching and sharing the shenanigans here. I cannot watch it. I tried yet again last week and my future stomach ulcer put a stop to it.
Juniper Creek. This iPad keyboard is killing me
DeleteI've said this before - I don't know how keen I would be to take on the Jessop family. I don't think that's wise at all, but Kody is delusional, so it'll probably happen sooner or later.
DeleteMaybe Jupiter Creek was more appropriate for a guy who wants his own planet
DeleteKody knows how Big Love ended, right???
DeleteHe might but I don't How did it end?
DeleteI agree with Cynical Jinx that the divorce was supposed to be the focus of the next season and they were going to lead up to it with Robyn throwing her ex under the bus. Maybe if they stop letting Kody and Robyn manipulate the plot lines, they would get better ratings. I have no doubt he and Robyn are right up in the producers' faces. Meri thinks she is involved and feels special because she knows more than the other two. If they were smart like the Duggars maybe they would have thought of plane trips to other countries instead of RV trips. The Browns in another country would be soooo entertaining as they are so judgmental like the Duggars and even better, the Browns can't stand each other. Even if they would just show how they really feel about one another that would make for great TV,
ReplyDeleteCJ, your pages are so much fun! Thanks for your labor. Please, do publish on this page Hazel's transcription of Robyn's purity speech. It would keep all of us guffawing for a couple of weeks! When I read it on fb, all our curiosities about Robyn's intelligence were answered in a couple of paragraphs. bgee
ReplyDeleteYour wish is my command, bgee...coming soon!!!
DeleteIt's done!!!
DeleteThe Biggest Mistake She Ever Made In Her Life
If David Jessop ever willingly gives up his parental rights that would say a lot about him...and not in a good way...ditto if a court makes such a ruling. But as he has been silent we really do not have a clue where he stands vis-a-vis all this drama.
ReplyDeleteAs for Kody and his revolving wives there is no way to understand them...they are beyond the ken of logic and live in a world of make believe and wishful thinking. That they do not see the absurdity of their situation is truly mind-boggling.
I find Janelle putting up with this especially dumbfounding. She grew up in a monogamous family. It was her that delivered her Mom to Kodys Dad. When she left she moved to her Mom's house. Somehow she must feel like she has to stay because she brought her Mom into this lifestyle.
DeleteMeri just can't seem to wrap her mind around the fact that she is NOT happy in this lifestyle. I am really interested in what happens as she takes her psychology courses. However, we have seen several intelligent people fall all over the Browns (counselors, students, pastors (Dani), so maybe I am delusional.
Christine lives in a fairy tale world. She saw her own Mother give up at this lifestyle, and she still can't admit it is destructive.
I want next season to be about the abandoned wives .with no episodes OR clips of Kobyn. Kodylocks is an attention whore who needs to take a break and the new Mrs. Kobyn Brown can practice writing out her new name.
ReplyDeleteI want a show on the three women learning what a piehole Kodylocks is.
I found a weak moment and I couldn't help but watch the final on demand. Wow. B.S. on so many levels. Shame on Meri and Kody for not even including Janelle and Christine in that first conversation when Meri tells Robyn and Kody her plan. When Meri said it, if he really cared for Janelle and Christine, he would have cut her off, stopped the conversation and called them to come over. He didn't. At the end of the chat, when Robyn got up and hugged Meri, shame on him again for not standing up to hug her too. Shame on Kody for not being there when Janelle and Christine were told. That wasn't a wives-only discussion but something for all of them to talk about. Completely dumb.
ReplyDeleteShame on this attorney who should get disbarred for going along with drawing up divorce papers for her and not giving her legal counsel that just because the other two get married by no means does that mean the bio dad will give up rights and a court approve the adoption by a known plyg family. Misleading on that guy's part. Even in her long drawn out out intro Meri said she didn't know it would work out.
If this show was really legit, they would have had a "Housewives" moment, told those three to f-off and left.
TLC DOES think we are a bunch of idiots.
I'm curious was the lawyer legit?
Delete