And if you need background information on the Dargers, try these links:
http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/dargers-on-2020.html
http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/hln-dr-drew-3-wives-24-children-we-all.html
http://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/troy-bowles-growing-up-mormon.html
Here's the latest from Huffingtonpost.com
'Sister Wives': The Brown Family Vacations, Clashes With Another Polygamist Family (VIDEO)
On the latest episode of "Sister Wives," the Browns went on vacation with a family that's structured very much like their own. Joe Darger also has three wives, though he married the first two on the same day. It was ten years later that he added his third wive, who was the twin sister of one of his first wives. The non-sister wife is their cousin, so he's keeping his relationship all in the same family.
You can read the rest of the article (and watch the short video) here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/03/sister-wives-the-browns-the-dargers-video_n_2230405.html
The Dargers remind me of a beef I have with super-huge families on TLC: in order to operate efficiently, they have to be run like sterile corporations. Most people already get enough of being treated like a number if they attend a large public school, live in a big city, enlist in the military and/or work at a major employer. Home, to me, is supposed to be where you're not treated like a number.
ReplyDeleteExactly Magic Undies. I can't imagine how much work and chaos these families are. I like to relax when I'm home. I only have 1 child left at home and I'm getting old and broken down. I can't imagine being my age (almost 50) and having a houseful of elementary aged kids to take care of after working all day. I'm exhausted with just 1.
DeleteHi richsmom: Along those lines, I can't imagine what it's like to be an introvert in a polygamous household. Introverts need some a lot of quiet downtime to recharge, and I just don't think this is possible when sharing a room with four other siblings. I'm not a shrink, but I play one on the internet, and I suspect Hunter Brown is an introvert.
DeleteWow, good call on the introverts. It must be complete hell for an introvert to be born into polygamy. It must be every extrovert's dream.
DeleteI'm 45-years-old. When I was a kid, siblings sharing bedrooms was the norm. I can only recall one of my friends having her own room; however, she was the only girl in her family. Her brothers shared a room. There were four kids in my family. My older sister and I shared a room and my two brothers shared a room. I don't think having to share a room is a bad thing at all. From the time we were very young, my sister and I had our best talks at night. That was our bonding time. None of us kids had the same tastes or interest, but all of us had to learn how to share our space and to compromise. This is something that is missing with a lot of kids, today. Monogamous families are having fewer children. These days, kids aren't in a position to learn how to work with others. Then, we wonder why the younger generations seem so self-centered and shallow.
DeleteHi New Shoes: When kids room-share with one or two siblings, there tends to be opportunities for those kids to be alone, if that's what they want. One sibling is at soccer practice so the other kid gets some quiet time, and so on. I don't think this is as likely in a polygamous household when there are four or five kids in each room, and the rest of the house is full of kids. While this might be ideal for an extroverted kid, I can only imagine how stressful it is for an introverted one.
DeleteJust wanted to add that I do NOT think that Robyn is preggers again....yet. Yes, I know it does look like she has a bit of a baby bump and Sol was around 8 months (guesstimating) when that was filmed so one would think she should have lost the baby weight by then. But if she was preggers again I think it would have been on Twitter by now or you would have been able to notice it in the recent talk shows they filmed.
ReplyDeleteI have an 8 month old and I know that it still kind of looks like I'm 4 months pregnant. Despite all my best efforts at exercising and watching my diet (and I have lost weight since having my son - I'm only about 5 lbs heavier than I was before I got pregnant) that weight just seems to stick around in the belly area.
Can't believe I just defended Sobbin' Robyn. Ugh. I may as well go join their fans only facebook page now.
She looked thinner in the episodes after giving birth to Sol that aired last year, than she does in the more recent episodes. I don't think it's Sol baby weight at all. Maybe just Brown Family Obesity hitting, if she isn't preggo.
DeleteThat's ok....you do not have to join Sobbin Robyn's fb page....I still have my baby pooch too and my daughter is 18. I don't think she is pregnant yet but she definitely will be soon. I think Robyn will have at least 3 more by Kody if she is able. And none will be handed over to Meri via surrogacy.
DeleteRegarding Robin's (future) pregnancies-there's a TLC clip where the adults are discussing more children and Kody point-blank tells Robin, "don't think you're off the hook." I feel that Robin knows that Meri is reluctant to have more children, she doesn't want to be the latest broodmare and is using Meri's stalling as an excuse not to have more children- and Kody has caught on to that.
DeleteCPA Carol, that made me laugh out loud...I'm right there with you as I am short waisted and so even a few pounds shows in my midsection. As for Robyn being preggers....I don't thinks he is either. Someone saw her at the meeting where Christine said they didn't get the houses, and said she was not pregnant. Then someone else saw her at the craft fair and said the same thing.
DeleteI just realized that we speculate about Robyn being pregnant, as much as the press did (until today) about Kate and Will! HAHA!
SheilaAnn, this is exactly what I mean by Kody's mania to reproduce which doesn't appear to be as pronounced in Joe Darger. Yup the Dargers have a lot of kids but I get the impression that Joe wouldn't have more kids than they could financially,and emotionally, afford to raise...
DeleteI saw a clip on YouTube a few years ago where Valerie darger was doing an interview and specifically mentioned that before having another child they do take into consideration whether they will be able to meet all of the needs of that new child. If only kody and his wives had that mentality too.
DeleteThere's so much I want to say about this episode...
ReplyDelete1. I also was amazed when Kody said that they wanted to break the perceptions about polygamy with child brides and welfare fraud. Either hes in serious denial or thinks there's nothing wrong with lying.
2. It amazes me that Meri would even think to mention decorating when talking about sharing a home. She definitely seems to be the most selfish wife. ( but I think Robyn wouldn't want to share her home either but lets Merit take the heat)
3. I am so sick of TLC showing things in the previews to entice us to watch and then never showing the scenes...it started with the first season when Kody was telling the kids about marrying Robyn and saying something like, "this is family business...you don't talk about this to anyone else!" in a very aggressive tone of voice. Then the famous"Bullcrap!" statement by Robyn towards Janelle, and this week's scene showing Robyn stating that when you put two of the wives together in one house there will be destruction. I also didn't see the scene with Christine saying that there would be competition with the Dargers. It makes me really angry that they keep cutting scenes...why bother putting them in the previews if they don't end up getting shown?
4. When Kody said that Joe's wives respect him and Robyn had to pipe in with her, "maybe we should talk less!" That definitely seemed like a passive aggressive jab at the other wives but she should definitely take her own advice.
5. Lastly, I think it's so sad to see how the Brown kids are treated by Kody. The only ones I've seen him show affection to were Robyn's girls. It made me sad to see him say, "where are my slaves?" when loading the cars. He wants to have kids only to populate the planet but never seems to spend time with them or get to know them and definitely doesn't consider their feelings when making decisions. It has to hurt his biological kids to see the affection he shows Robyn's girls. It's just so sad :(
ITA about the 'we don't do welfare fraud' Ok, I agree that they don't do the child bride thing. Kody, go tell your stories about not committing welfare fraud to people who can't look it up online that your family was using government assistance by claming 'single mother' status with 'unknown father'.
DeleteAlso agree on the false clips. I have to say I looked forward that whole hiatus for the 'bullcrap' scene and we have never seen it. Along with the other scenes they cheat us out of. Instead we get to see the Browns "shocking" the surfer dude with their plyg families! Shocking the teachers during the fake parent teacher conferences! Fake discussions with Meri about the IVF. And they spend WAY too much time recapping. My husband, who is a very reluctant viewer, said he already knows all the stuff they are recapping just by listening to me...why do they keep showing the same stuff we have seen when we know they have better stuff?
I'm with ya Bullcrap...I had mentioned the "where are my slaves?" that came from Kody's mouth too!! He's such a jerk ass!!
DeleteNot to mention that Meri at one point, had to say hey, calm down & try to talk in a normal voice instead of acting all crazy...lol
It made me sad to see him say, "where are my slaves?"
DeleteYou and me, both. Kody is just soooo uncouth...
"I am so sick of TLC showing things in the previews to entice us to watch and then never showing the scenes..."
DeleteYes, Yes and double Yes !!
If there is any reason to dis-believe any of their teaser/ come-ons....it is this!!!
All just contrived bullsh**t !!!
Kody's "where are my slaves" comment was pure gold for the editors.
Haven't these Browns (especially Kody) learned *anything* from their 3 years on the TLC gravy train???
But...is this all contrived too ???
They (producers and Browns) all know that to keep this low-rent show going, they need to create controversy....especially on the blogs where viewers (however critical) hang out.
And now add the Dargers and their own special, ick stuff to the mix....Are we all being had ??????
HOLD THE PHONE!! You mean that the ep last night didn't actually have the scene where Robyn said that sharing a kitchen would result in destruction...??? (I DVR'd it so going to watch again for the finer points...at the time the show aired, my Ambien started kicking in and so I was drifting off at some points...lol)
DeleteAs much as I love making fun of the Browns, is it really impossible for a parent to make jokes like, "where are my slaves"? If this was a monogamous family and the dad said something like that in jest, I can't see the viewers immediately responding as if it was anything but goofing around and poking fun. Granted, Kody is generally a dufus and uncouth, but we don't have to jump on EVERYTHING he says. The guy's allowed to crack jokes.
DeleteI was wondering the same thing too DJ, b/c I had missed the 1st 20 mins of it....so did they or didn't they show the part where Robyn said, if U get all 4 of us under one house for too long, there will be destruction...then she takes a big ol' slurp of her drink....smh
DeleteMe too Amused! That's all TLC knows how to do in entice BUT THEN DOESN'T WANT TO DELIVER!!
DeleteAnonymous 6:44
DeleteMy opinion is that anyone who says "where are my slaves" when work needs to be done has stepped outside the boundaries of decency.
As a joke it just ain't funny.
I agree with Anonymous 6:44
DeleteIf it isn't within your boundaries of decency or humor, that's fine, but that doesn't mean that it's abusive or implying anything other than the joke intended. If you don't find it funny, fine, don't laugh, but don't lambaste just because it's not your humor.
This is an edited TV show, you just simply don't know if he did or did not do the work with them while he was making a crack like that. My father growing up made plenty of dry jokes like that when there was work to be done (like packing up the car) and we teenagers were sitting around looking at the TV or something, that doesn't change that he was doing just as much work as he was asking us to do.
Some families joke with each other like that, maybe yours doesn't and that's great. Remember that you're watching someone ELSE'S family, not your own. You're not going to agree with every action or every sense of humor showcased.
My family jokes by using the whole slave thing. Like we will be doing a chore or project together and then my mom or one of my siblings will say " alright, let's move out slaves." My great uncle would joke about and we still joke about it now. I haven't watched the episode so I don't know the context but my uncle would do it to be funny. We were very little, like four and he would say it while we helped him cook or carry something so obviously he was the one doing the work and he was just trying to teach us stuff. He was like a live in nanny for my cousins so him saying that was all in good spirits.
DeleteAs a woman of Color, yes, I find the phrase "where are my slaves" to be offensive.
DeleteI don't need to be reminded of the fact that it was not that long ago many of my ancestors were slaves with their masters no doubt calling out, Where are my slaves?
And trust me, they did NOT choose to be in that position willingly.
Or being called a "slave" as a child. That was 50 years ago. That may seem like a long time for you, but it's like yesterday for me. No doubt that white child's family joked around too, but it was still hurtful just the same.
I'm not asking for people to be overly or even politically correct...All I'm asking is that we learn from history and understand that watching a white man yelling "where are my slaves" can be offensive.
Thank you
Amen CJ...I'm 1/2 black & 1/2 Native American, so his slave comment did not sit well w/ me either!!
DeleteI just wonder how the Dargers honestly felt about Kody's slave comment??
DeleteI don't think calling ones children slaves is a joke. I was always careful to not call my children names of an derogitory manner as children are sponges and have a tendency to believe things a parent says to them whether in a joking manner or not.
DeleteI didn't even think of it from your perspective CJ but I can totally understand how that would bother you. It bothered me because it didn't seem like he was in a joking mood and judging from his rare onscreen interactions with his kids, I have to wonder if in some way that's kind of how he views them...Think about it, he is practically worshipped by his wives and how many times have we ever seen him lift a finger? It was Logan who got up and made his siblings breakfast and the teenage boys who helped Robyn load the car when going to the Christmas house. Remember the fit he threw when he had to stay home and help with the little ones when the wives went to Vegas? I'm all for joking and lightheartedness but a lot of times there's truth in jest.
DeleteI had a totally different impression of this. I thought he was making fun of Joe Darger. Like he was trying to be like Joe who rules the roost and treats his family like slaves.
DeleteNot that it's an acceptable comment to make in any circumstance, but I didn't feel like he was joking around with his kids, as much as he was making a passive aggressive jab at Joe Darger.
How about the fact that in many polygamous families women and children are treated like slaves. In the FLDS many of the boys don't get an education because they are used as a source of free labor for their construction companies. The women live in bondage to their husbands because they are dependent on them to get into heaven and are denied birth control and forced to have as many babies as possible. If you read Carolyn Jessops book the women cannot leave because 1) they are not allowed to take their children with them 2) they don't have a means of transportation to leave and 3) if they are caught running away they will be returned to their husband.
DeleteIf I were Kody and wanting to show a different side of polygamy and distance myself from the FLDS, I wouldn't be joking about my family members being my slaves. I don't think he thinks about these things though and just says dumb things.
(By the way, I also see how this type of joking is offensive to many of their viewers and jokes about a sad and shameful part of our country's history. Again I just think he doesn't think before he speaks and says dumb things.)
I like how you circled "UTAH" as in "the Dargers have been public for some time, but still live in UTAH and have yet to be arrested."
ReplyDeleteTells ya something about the difference between Papa Joe and Kody, doesn't it?
DeleteAnyone else think Christine is working out and losing weight (she has been losing I can tell from the pictures/newer shows) so that she can be Darger Wife #4? I think Joe is exactly what she was brought up to expect from a plural husband. She was positively giddy about Joe. And the way she was GUSHING about Joe was a nice little gift to Kody (his reactions were awesome!).
ReplyDeleteHey, who's that bald man running for the hills? Why it's JOE DARGER!
DeleteI don't think Joe would ever be ready for Christine's brand of...whatever it is. But I think she's losing weight so that she has better self esteem - so that she spends less time being jealous about Robyn. I think her 'flirting' with Joe was her way of getting back at Kody - which is behavior she has used in the past.
But by chance if Joe IS interested, and let's her know, she's got the show as proof of how rotten Kody treats her (Hannukah, anyone?) to get a "divorce", but will Joe's wives accept her as a 4th? Tune in tomorrow...
oooh that would be great (well maybe...if Joe is indeed not as much of a turd as Kody). Get out Christine!! Find a man who ADORES you. You deserve it.
DeleteI'd probably rather be single but...if i had to choose between the Kodster and Joe, I would choose Joe. Better to be married to a man, than an overgrown boy who thinks that spreading his seed makes him a man. bleagh.
DeleteBesides, Christine has always prided herself as always wanting to be a 3rd wife....but who knows, being #4 as a Darger wife might be enticing enough for Christine to leave the Brown brood. Afterall, she would get more attention, affection publicly & she wouldn't have to worry about paying bills on time & feeding her family... IMO, she would probably feel way more secure financially & emotionally as a Darger wife...lol
DeleteI don't know what the Darger life is really like behind closed doors but from the public front they put out and how they acted in front of the Brown's is probably more in line with the idea of plural marriage Christine has in her mind. I feel she is the most uncomfortable in the seperate house situation. I think she would be happier with everyone under one roof even if that means sharing space (granted she wants her kids to have their own rooms in the new houses but why the Hell not if Meri gets a hobby room and a wet bar, along with a pool) Christine is an affection person so Joe showing love for his wives openly probably appeals to her. The wives seem to get along and she wanted sister wives who could be friends as well. She also likes the idea of raising the kids together yet she feels like a "single mother"
DeleteI can see why she is crushing on him, his wives potray the life she always wanted for herself growing up polygamy.
The one thing I think that Joe Darger does that Kody does not is, he acts like the Man of the family. He had thought ahead and started his own business to provide for his family. He has a job and brings in money like the man is typically expected too (as do his wives but Kody doesn't have a normal job these days does he?)
He pays attention to all his wives and his children. His children seem to respect him (from what I've seen not only on this show but on other specials about them as well). Kody's kids don't take him seriously at all.
Joe makes decisions to keep order in his family. He plans ahead (some people couldn't do seating/sleeping charts however; with that many people you have to keep organized to avoid chaos and fights over who sits where) I don't see figuring out where everyone will be as controlling. I think it's good planning to avoid wasting a lot of time and arguing over who will be where. Sometimes when you have 5 people with 5 different opinions someone has to take the lead and make decisions, which is something Kody never does, he let's them fight it out. Joe makes the decisions which probably takes the tension out of those situations for the wives. Then they can be mad at him instead of each other. Though for that to work the women would have to agree to allow him to make those decisions. Kody's wives know that he is not capable of making wise decisions that are best for the family and that he plays favorites. I wouldn't trust Kody to be the final word either honestly. Otherwise you'd have Meri & Robyn in their big houses while Chrstine and Janelle get their own brand new double wides.
Well said Victoria. Seems like Joe's brand is def what Christine signed up for and probably what she grew up with. Can you imagine Meri in Joe's family? She def has a monogamous mindset. And how about Robyn? She would no longer be the trophy wife!
DeleteAfter many interruptions I am finally ALMOST done watching LOL I have to say, I like the Darger family, once you get past the fact that the women are all from the same family. I like how they run their large family. I love the open but not over the top pda and the discussion that went with it. It definitely shows how far the Brown's have to go in maturity and many other areas.
ReplyDeleteI also laughed at the work out comments on the couch. For once I wanted to smack Janelle. Yes, the genes matter but considering your entire family is OBESE including the teenage girls, then there's more at play here than genes and just maybe better work outs would help.
Oh and please someone take the fake tanner away from Meri ASAP!!!
DeleteIf Janelle thinks their family has bad genes, why do they keep replicating those genes so much?
DeleteAnd prescribe her some xanax
Delete& why do they keep eating peanut butter fritos? I'm sure a lot of unhealthy eating plays a large part too.
DeleteNone of Janelle's kids are obese, but more trim than any of the others kids.
DeleteI second that, Take the self tanner away!!! She is starting to look like an overgrown Oopma Loompa these days.
DeleteNot even workouts...just get out and walk instead of driving everywhere, and stop eating so much crap.
DeleteHi Caramel Brownie: I have to admit that, after seeing Janelle's Fritos recipe, I tried dipping Fritos in peanut butter to see if I liked it. Luckily, I did not. It would probably have been a very, very bad thing if I had liked it. Thus far, I've seen nothing else on this show that I wish to imitate in my real life.
DeleteWelfare fraud, eh, Kody? Interesting. Clearly, the Browns wouldn't know anything about that, right?
ReplyDeleteHey did ya'll see on the episode & twitter that the Browns & Dargers are wanting to do this plyg-cation again next year too... In the episode, Kody was like yep I'm already thinking about it now & one of them tweeted, so Same time next year??
ReplyDeleteUmmmm, really Browns, b/cuz the same time next year U will have 2 teens that will be graduating. Not to mention possibly be paying for 4 big houses, if ya'll actually ever move in.
Which by the way, it's now the 1st week in December. So does anyone think that they'll actually be moving in to their new homes in 3 1/2 weeks?? IMO, not really gonna happen!
Hey Dakota Justice when you mentioned on the other thread how the Dargers showed TON of restraint in reacting to Kody's explanation of finding a mansion for pennies on the $$....I absolutely agree w/ you!! Hahahaha....I mean seriously, Kody, who are you trying to fool? & Why haven't you tried telling that to America before esp during one of ur many tv interviews or couch interviews? Unless I missed hearing about it somewhere along this crazy train wreck....Lol
ReplyDeletehahaha! I think Kody is waiting for Wayne Newton to move out of Casa de Shenandoah so he can move his "far more deserving" family right in...lol
Deleteand on the last thread - comment regarding Brandon Flowers of the Killers being Mormon/LDS - I have absolutely NO issue with that, he's very talented, appears to be a loving family man, and is MAINSTREAM LDS. In fact, all of the LDS people I've known personally in my life are SO far removed from the Browns and all that plyg business - I'm sure it would be an insult to my friends to be compared to the Browns, and I KNOW at least a few of them are embarrassed by the family.
"Why haven't you tried telling that to America before esp during one of ur many tv interviews or couch interviews?"
DeleteUhhh, maybe because he wasn't "told" to reveal that until now.
Spin, Spin, Spin........it's all in the spin !!
My sister lives near Wayne.. i do not think having the kodetts as neighbors would make her day
DeleteAnd what kind of person even with the biggest mansion and all the money in the world, builds one with four kitchen? Koturd said that, that the fantasy mansion for pennies on the dollar would have four kitchens. Reality has left the building, folks.
DeleteWell....I have a cousin with a house and two bedroom guest house in Vegas, three kitchens altogether, and 10 bedrooms....for sale.
DeleteIf his plan was to buy some mansion to accommodate his family for "pennies on the dollar", then why didn't he look into it BEFORE uprooting his family to see if there was anything like that available?
DeleteOnly Wife says, "The difference betweeen Joe & Kody is Joe is a father figure & Kody is one of the kids"
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA....Hell yeah, I couldn't agree more! You had me cracking up!! :D
The moment when KB compared families (plural AND blended), he explained how, just like him, Joe married a woman that had children from a previous marriage and because of that " he must be a hero in her eyes!!". I'm sure Robyn shows her gratitude one way or another, but the rest of the universe din not acknowledge KB's own hero status!
DeleteHonestly, I have never seen any parenting (nor affection) from his part on any of those kids.
I agree with Anonymous on the previous blog on the house distribution: Meri should get the house only if she gets to take care of an equal number of children. This is based on their statement, in the beginning, saying that the children grew knowing they have 3 mothers and all took care and had a part in their upbringing and education. Theoretically, is shouldn't matter where they sleep: home is home. A family is a family and is should not matter which mom cooks dinner.
@ LIP, it's funny you mention NOT seeing him show any parenting or affection on Robyn's kids because earlier in the convo/thread someone noticed that ONLY her girls were getting his attention. I just find it amusing how different eyes see different things in the episodes :)
DeleteHe must be a hero in her eyes. That just made my skin crawl!
DeleteWhich lil girl was hanging on Kody during the arrival of the Dargers? Do ya'll know which part I'm talking about? To me it looked like one of Robyn's girls, which I really wouldn't doubt it, since her lil girls seems to be starving for some male attention too!!...smh
DeleteI believe it was Robyn's youngest daughter Briana. It almost seems like his bio. Children don't even bother trying to get affection from him...I wonder if it's because they've learner how to stuff that need for affection down deep from their mothers. It kind of makes sense because Robyn (the bedroom wife) is the only one who seems super affectionate with Lory. Of course they're still having their honeymoon experience...
DeleteBullcrap, on the Jeff Probst Show, Mykelti said it was natural for some kids to be treated better than others, though she didn't explain why. I don't think she realized what that sounded like ... Or maybe she did.
Delete@ Karma, I was really referring to ALL the kids, not only Robyn's. I may not have seen all the ep's because I TIVO the show and watch when I can (hubby not around to roll his eyes), but the only parenting I have noticed was regarding the teen girls cleavage and skin exposure regulations.
DeleteOther than that, not so much of a father figure... KB really seems to enjoy his adult outings, dates and personal vacations with one of the wife's (Robyn and Mary: Mexico or San Diego) and poor Janelle camping and hiking...)
Sissy Mae said, "Did anyone else catch Kody's self-righteous statement about committing welfare fraud?"
ReplyDeleteIKR? I sure did & No U didn't imagine that?...Lol
I also noticed Christine's perplexed look & reaction she gave him after he made that statement!
Come on guys, we know that the bad part of polygamy goes way deeper than child brides & welfare fraud! Ughhhhh!!
In regards to Anonymous 12:12pm & Karma on the other thread about when Meri was trying to justify her abuse b/cuz she was raised to speak her mind.
ReplyDeleteI do agree w/ ya'll & obviously someone forgot to tell her that it's not what you say, it's HOW YOU SAY IT!!!...lol
Oh I am not a sugar coater by any means, don't see the need to add extra words to what I need to say. HOWEVER, voicing an opinion is different from having absolute rule and say over everything which is the impression I got from reading the book (yup, I got it in the kindle edition) that Meri was early on.
DeleteAnonymous 1:43 pm asked, "Isn't Janelle's rental house the one with the pool?"
ReplyDeleteNope! Meri's rental is the one w/ the pool. That was one of Meri's manipulative selling point, saying that she would be able to entertain the bonus kids. I just wonder actually how many times or how often over the summer that the bonus kids actually went over there to swim?
Janelle's rental also has a pool. Remember the episode about the girl teens friends coming over for the party? Janelle was cooking shish-kabobs on the outside grill, and Kody was ogling his daughter's friends as they passed by him in the kitchen. Logan even crashed the party.
DeleteI don't think we have ever seen Meri's pool. You are right CJ the pool party was at Janelle's. Anyone remember seeing Meri's pool?
DeleteOh my bad, I didn't realize she had a pool too. Thanks for letting me know :D
DeleteI remeber Jenelle in one epi. say that her pool was more a kids pool than Meri's and that the teens hung out at her pool.
DeleteI thought Janelle had a pool, but it seems odd that she would have one. Maybe her kids talked her into it, especially seeing that Meri was getting one. I know Christine didn't have a built-in one b/c of the ep where they put in that big blue plastic one for the little kids.
DeleteI'm glad Janelle and her kids got a pool. After all, it's her savings/inheritance that probably paid for it!
All very interesting...we will see what happens.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I just want to say, MAN...the Dargers really made the Browns look like a "chaotic" mess. BOY...did Kody look the fool! CHILD...if you think you are going to be able to recover from this...NO WAY. This was right up there with the "Morales Tell All episode". After seeing this "train wreck" bouncing around on the tracks, it has confirmed my thoughts that these women DESPISE each other sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!!!! THERE IS NO LOVE IN THIS FAMILY!!! (except between Kodster and Robbie of course).
Second, this might be a little premature being that just because they put it in the "Next week on Sisterwives" clip...it may not happen BUT...On the Jeff Probst show they were so concerned about their children being questioned regarding their lifestyle because they are minors....yet.....they send them off alone to be ripped, degraded and verbally abused by some teens. Are you telling me that this is OK for rating purposes for THEIR SHOW?
The JP Show probably came after the ep to be showed next week. Heck, that's probably why they instituted the new "rule" to accompany their kids on interviews. Notice Mariah, most vocal about being a SW, was not there. Betcha there's a good reason for her being MIA in next week's ep.
DeleteI wonder what all the children old enough to speak would like to have in the back yard?
ReplyDeleteI am guessing a swingset, basketball goal, and a pool. Or course, if you are Mariah, you'd be asking for a tennis court.
DeleteI don't know if this has been mentioned or not, but don't you just love how Kody antiquates the kitchen to being a wife's identity.
ReplyDeleteHave we reentered the 18th century and somebody forgot to tell me?
Though seriously, it's just a kitchen. It's not like they have to sleep there or spend any time (other than meals) there. So what would it matter if they had to 'forsake' their own identity in the kitchen... that's when you decorate and personalize the heck out your bedroom and any other areas that are your own.
No, I don't think Kody's caused a time warp back to the 18th century. I do think that the kitchen was one of the areas Janelle, Meri and Christine had conflicts about when they lived together before Janelle packed up her kids and moved away. Being that Meri's head was into projecting her identity thru decorating - seems to me she's the source of the conflict and that's a big problem. So, since Kody hates conflict, he has no other choice but to keep the wives separated, but equal.
DeleteThat is true. Besides there are plenty of men who love to cook/be a chef & in some homes the kitchen is a man's domain. I'm not talking about gay couples either, just to clarify....lol
DeleteI agree Kady. That comment was SO sexist! What an idiot. Take away a woman's kitchen and you're taking away her identity.... Um, not so much. A woman is a bit mire than a kitchen. Smh.
DeleteNot wanting to defend him but will at this point. He did say "not to sound sexist". In my family, to include my IL's, the kitchen IS our domain. It just IS. I have everything where I want it to be and hate for people to move it around etc so I totally understood the remark and the conflict the women had.
DeleteI understand what he was trying to say, & that's great when ur in a monogamous relationship, but if you're planning to live a plural lifestyle,then there has to be some sort of compromise & sacrifice just like the Darger wives were saying...So if you're CHOOSING to live this way, then U know that theres gonna be more than 1 wife in the home, then that's something that should be discussed & handled in the beginning...I mean damn 20 yrs sure is a long time to not really know how to handle your plural living arrangements,esp when U go around parading ur lifestyle to America & claiming that this was ur "calling" from a higher power, IMO!
Delete@Caramel, well Kody's dad's wives (his mom and Janelle's mom) live in seperate houses so maybe that's just how it works best for the Brown families. Each wife has their own kitchen. They did in the big house in Lehi too.
DeleteKody's mom and Janelle's mom actually seemed to get along. Whether or not Robin, Meri, Christine and Janelle live together or not, they still have animosity toward each other.
DeleteThey may seem to get along now, but they still live in separate houses and I recall Genielle saying how they did not get along at first. And remember, Sheryl was Winn's 3rd wife, so there's a 2nd wife we have never seen.
DeletePlus Kody & Janelle's moms are at the age now where they're just pretty much in grandma mode, so w/ age maybe it does get easier b/cuz technically ur not really fighting for your husbands attention & affection. It's just probably nice to have company around, IMO.
DeleteThey may not have gotten along years ago but it seems they figured it out and do now. Then again I believe they get along so well because they are older. Sex and intamacy are probably no longer and issue so there is little to be jealous of and I'm sure the companionship is welcome in their golden years.
DeleteOn the previous post, a comment was made about Christine wanting each girl to have their own bedrooms even though they would be moving out soon. I think Christine operates from the viewpoint of what will serve her family best RIGHT NOW. Aa a different poster has said, this family has never spent more than a few years in a house without moving. So Christine sees no point in planning for the future. Janelle on the other hand is really really hoping to stay in one spot, and be able to pay for it. If they were to actually have gotten the homes, she would be the one that would refuse to move with the rest of the family when Kody made hs next boneheaded move.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Christine understands bills and budgeting so if allowed X dollars for a home, she will spend X.
DeleteAlso, she may be thinking, "I'm going to piss off Meri and make SURE I get a bigger house since I actually have more people living here.". I sure hope that's what she's doing!!'. Since she grew up in plural marriage, she may be better at this part of the game than Janelle.
Janelle didn't want to move to Utah at first either. She said it took her a year to get on board because she was in her own house and well established in her career. She didn't want to move. She only agree'd to move to Lehi when Kody had found the house with the seperate living quarters. So I would not be suprised if Janelle were to hold out again, especially if she manages to establish a life in LV.
DeleteI don't blame Christine for asking for rooms for all her girls. I mean Meri gets to demand a bunch of crap she don't need but wants. So why shouldn't Christine ask for what she wants. It may not be permanent but when in Rome I suppose.
Since Meri is still mentioning her precious wet bar, I guess I’ll comment on it too. When I bought my first house the wet bar was almost a deal breaker for me as well (sigh). The house had one and I thought it made the den look very dated in a not so good 1970’s way. We had planned to have it ripped out but as we had kids we realized the wet bar had a great purpose. It became the area for the kids to do arts and crafts projects. The cabinets hold all of their paints, markers, paper, etc. and the sink makes it easy to clean up. Therefore I believe all the wives with small children should get the oh so coveted wet bar and Meri can go to their homes to admire it:)
ReplyDeleteWhen I started watching this show Christine got on my nerves the most as the perpetual dingbat. Robyn quickly took over that role when she came in to the family as she felt need to inject her opinion on anything and everything ALL THE TIME. Now I do believe Meri is the most selfish bitch (besides Kody) on the show. Not so much because of the wet bar fiasco, as I believe that is probably producer driven and it does not appear that they got the homes anyway. I find her the most reprehensible (besides Kody) because for years there was no show and no TLC income. They really were very poor and she demanded that she get an equal share of Janelle’s money for her and her daughter while Janelle’s kids did without. I really do believe she has always been horribly selfish and has never had a close relationship with the other children. By re watching and observing, it appears the teens seem to prefer Robyn over Merri. That speaks volumes to me as Merri has been in their lives since the day they were born.
Totally agree with you on the money issue! Janelle seems to be the responsible one and knows that the future might not be all TLC -$$$. You can tell the difference from season one until now: they all got heavier (more, not healthier food), they are better dressed (their sense of style improved, although they are not ready for Vogue just yet...).
DeleteI think Janelle really suffered in the past, not only with the financial problems but also with the lack of affection she was exposed too. I hope she gets the strength to detach herself from those infectious, greedy and selfish people. With that being said, I do hope, for her sake, they won't get the houses so close together.
Well Iust have no identity then because I could do very well with no kitchen at all!
DeleteYep, TMW, Meri has let her own pain of infertility build up into bitterness against everyone else. Those teens don't seem close to her. I'm sure they respect her, but I don't see them treating her like mom. I think they treat Christine like a mom and Robyn like a stepmom. Meri like an aunt. U can tell Robyn tries hard to get the kids to like her, which is good but she's so fake with everything.
DeleteI agree did the bulk of the support for the family over the years and she has had the most steady income but Christine had worked in the past as had Meri. I think Meri said she worked at a trophy shop in Wyoming for 10 years (Janelle encouraged her to take that job) Though I'm not 100% sure of the time line or if she worked part time or whatever. I know Christine worked at least part time for a while because Meri said with Christine and Janelle working at the time she was left with the kids most often.
DeleteI'm not sure if she got paid or not but Christine also taught Sunday school in Lehi. I think other than that she was a SAHM for her and Janelle's kids which was a mutally beneficial agreement between the two of them since Janelle needed daycare and to pay outside would have cost her as much as it did to help support Christine. What I don't understand is why Meri only worked part time. Her only child was in school so there was no reason for her to need a part time schedule. Also why should Robyn get to freeload? She worked before she moved to Lehi, she can get a job now.
I liked the Darger family. Lots has been said on previous posts about their organizational skills and apparent commitment to family. Made kody look like he was flying by the seat of his pants, which he is. I did not watch the show in its entirety, but seems to me joe Darger said something about reading books on parenting and relationships in preparation for a polygamous family. Cut to kody, in wrinkled shirt and messed up hair saying he went into this as "a calling."
ReplyDeleteHe said he'd read parenting books since he was 18 while also being a business major. A bit intense for me but it works for his family.
DeleteKarma, he believes he will be a god and need to organize his own planet as well as 'parent" millions of spirit kiddos.. seems to me he takes that very seriously and may be why he is hyper 'organized and he prepared for that eternal life with a business degree and parenting books..this life is just practice for him...Now how would you like to live on Codys planet..YIKKKESS
DeleteToo many things to say about this episode!!!! So, I'll just focus on a few points
ReplyDeleteSo far, it appears as if the Dargers are better organized and have a better work ethic than the Browns, but I find them creepier than the Browns. Joe being married to identical twins certainly ramps up the ick factor.It wasn't mentioned on this show, but Alina is the twins' cousin. When the Browns were discussing how fit the Darger wives were, Jenelle mentioned something about genetics being a factor in body types. I had to chuckle given the fact that all the Darger wives are related. It makes me wonder if that was Jenelle's way of making a little dig about the Dargers. It was fairly obvious early in the episode that she is not as impressed with Joe Darger as the other Brown wives. I pay close attention to what Jenelle says, lately. Within every statement she makes is a veiled statement.
When Alina Darger spoke about the investigation into her baby's death, she implied that she thought that polygamy was a focus of the investigation. I realize that these types of deaths are handled differently from state to state, but I wonder how much of her impression was due to paranoia. Even when a child with medical issues dies at home, there usually is coroner's inquest or a similar investigation. My cousin's daughter was born with multiple birth defects. When she died, there was a brief investigation, but it pretty much ended with what was in her medical history. Like any other parent would be, my cousin was asked questions about her daughter's treatment,as well as her physicians and home healtcare attendants. Those are normal questions. It's mostly just to confirm that the child's death was the result of the medical issues themselves and not because those medical issues were being neglected or worse yet inflicted.
When the kids met over milk shakes, I found the Darger kids statements very interesting. I wished the show had focused on them more in this episode. The Darger boys, particularly the stepson, kept making jokes about Joe's rigidity. I had a professor in college who was also a comedy writer. I remember my professor saying that in every joke there is at least a hint of bitter truth. I really believe Joe's stepson was trying to tell us what Joe really is without being too overt. Did anyone else think that?
Note to Meri: The reason Jenelle felt you were being abusive is because you are abusive!!! Get it?!!!
I just noticed that I have been spelling Janelles name incorrectly all this time. I don't know why I thought she spelled it differently. Hm...
DeleteAnyway I just wanted to add that it's sickening that Janelle is doing her best to live within her budget, while Meri sees no reason to compromise. It is so darned unnerving. I'm hoping that Janelle is trying to live on less so she can save enought money to fly the coop.
I was wondering if they were actually investigating a death due to a consangueneous relationship between the parents. I was thinking that because they asked if the Dr was also polygamous.
DeleteKim are you saying that Joe Darger is a close relation to his wives? I looked up the definition for consanguineous (correct spelling)
DeleteAdjective: Relating to or denoting people descended from the same ancestor
In order for there to be a consanguineous relationship, Joe and his wives must be descendants from the same person. It really doesn't relate to his immediate offsprings with his wives, unless his children decide to marry their siblings, their cross cousins or their parallel cousins.
I agree that Janelle is full of veiled statements. I love that she sits and does not give into the drama, with Meri making her out to be the bad guy all the time. And I love the fact that her kids seem the most balanced.
DeleteI don't see the point in creating a mission statement" means - mission statements work best in the beginning and this relationship has way too much baggage.
We will wind up fighting and getting hurt over every single line.
It will take even more time away and energy away from the kids and providing for the kids.
We will never follow through on any of it.
In my mind Janelle is just waiting out the clock, and if she is determined that this is for eternity then thats a pretty long time. In my opinion the only one in this for religious reasons is Christine. Kody could not even remember that this was part of their religion in one interview. If anything TLC has ruined the concept for Janelle. She did not grow up in polygamy and it is crystal clear for her this is not working.
She wants to run away, she is the only one that cares about their money, the little the have, she is the only adult in this world of children.
Her kids, IMO, are witnessing their mother's abusive relationship with a insensitive selfish spotlight grabbing spouse (Kody), a selfish bullying manipulative spouse (Meri), a disillusioned little girl babysitter(Christine), and Kody's mistress.
Thank God Janelles kids have eachother to keep them grounded.
I think Janelle has enough class or exhaustion not to get out of this in front of the cameras, but hopefully she will when the cameras are off.
You got it this whole thing is a mind game. Its playing out like Survivor and IMO Robyn is winning.
DeleteI think the investigation was pretty normal until they started asking the family about polygamist, such as is your doctor polygamist? They would not ask you or me that. At least that's what I got from Alina's explaination of it on the show.
DeleteIs it just me or did Kody's wives look at the Darger husband like he was a polygamist rock star or something? Just the look at Kody's face said it all. He wasn't the center of his wives attention and it seemed to stress him out. The Brown family came off like a bunch of selfish flakes in comparison to the Dargers.
ReplyDeleteJoe Darger appears to be a model plyg husband. Especially in comparison to Kodster. That fact couldn't have gone unnoticed by the Krew.
DeleteI have to say this has been the best show of the season . Untill more of the crying couch.
As some else said, the train wreck keeps us watching.
Hooked in Florida
The Kodettes looked very impressed with Joe! Kody looked like celestial sloppy seconds next to that guy-
DeleteThe Dargers appear to have their act together but then so did the Brown's at the very beginning. Still, I had to admire them just for being the antithesis of the Browns.
ReplyDeleteThe Dargers come off as more media savvy/groomed for the public eye. I think Joe did that on purpose.
DeleteI wonder if I'm the only one who noticed how the Darger wife on the right who looks older than the others kept smiling like a Stepford Wife. She was creepy IMO. Also, having a control freak for a husband would get old real quick. It seemed to me that the Brown kids had more fun and acted more like regular kids because their lives are not as regimented.
ReplyDeleteI think they women were somewhat nervous- I will keep the jury out until I see more. I am not defending anyone, however I think if you were going to be in a PLURAL religious situation, He seems pretty together, and chose a third wife that would fit in well. Much better than Kodster's situation. Another factor is Joe has an education. Mission Statements were all the rage in college in the 90's. Basically a goal statement.
DeleteMy father was somewhat like that - not as bad dominance, but strict and the boss. Worked well for us. In the bible, Christ is the head of man, and the man (husband) over the woman. At least he's doing what is expected in their culture.
What education does kody have?
DeleteSex Education.....Bwhahahaha
DeleteLove Love Love this blog!! After watching the latest episode. I kept thinking Joe Darger reminded me of someone... especially the pictures of him with hair.....then it hit me.... JACK BLACK.... would love to see a side by side comparison.
ReplyDeleteMore like the Mr. Clean character...Lol
DeleteHa !! That's it, CB !!!
DeleteMr. Clean with attitude !!!
Haha, IKR? Definitely w/ attitude Amused...lol :D
DeleteYes! When he was talking about his good looking young self and they showed his picture I told my husband I had know idea that plygs were into Jack Black.
DeleteDidn't anybody else get the feeling that Caleb Darger was interested in Madison? I thought his face seemed to light up when she was talking. She is far and away the most interesting of the Brown girls. I wouldn't think any of the others would appeal to the Darger boys.
ReplyDeleteGwendolyn is another of the Brown girls who seems to have some spunk. I'd like to see her as a teenager.
The Dargers tweeted this & then Kody retweeted it: "We were at the restaurant for several hours, you are just getting a small tidbit. There was a gal that couldn't keep her eyes off of us, she was starstruck by the Browns. It really was a very enjoyable evening. We don't need everyone to agree w/us,we enjoy other points of view & are always looking at new ways we can improve our way of looking at things."
ReplyDeleteAlrighty, a few things I want to say. I think the ONLY reason Kody retweeted this was because of the sentence....SHE WAS STARSTRUCK BY THE BROWNS
bcuz we all know that if you dare disagree w/ the Browns or even ask them simple questions that they get offended by, then you will immediately be deleted off their twitter & FB friend only page.
On another note, Robyn can take Sol to an adult dinner only for several hours but she couldn't sit at Logans graduation w/ Sol for 2 hrs & actually could've been on time?....She's really just a dumb as her douchebag boyfriend. Sorry, but in reality that's really what he is to her, since they're not legally married, IMO!
You are so right.....that phrase "SHE WAS STARSTRUCK BY THE BROWNS" would be an irresistible high for the Kodman. His ears must have perked up like our dog's do when she hears the can opener.
DeleteAnd OF COURSE, he would want to retweet it just in case it had any after-play potential.
He is such an ass !!
I want to comment on Robyn having her baby at the dinner and actually having him everywhere they go- I have noticed this and think it is so weird since she has her sister at home to babysit and none of the other wives have their children there - like Truely.(spelling?)Its ridiculous.
DeleteAside from the legal and moral issues, another reason plural "marriage" has no appeal for me is that it would be just too much work. Please the husband, please the other women, look after a billion children, always having to "compromise," being afraid to step on another "wife's" feelings, treading on eggshells in some moronic desire to "grow" as a person as you "work out" these problems---as one of the Darger "wives" said.
ReplyDeleteMormons look both to the Book of Mormon and the Bible (as I understand it) and the Bible is clear that people aren't married in heaven (to wit: Matt 22:30, Luke 20:34) instead the only marriage is between Christ and His Church (the bride of Christ). Therefore, this whole celestial planet/sealed forever Mormon belief makes no sense...if they truly look to the Bible as the Word of God.
If kody is working to fill his planet what happens to his sons who go plyg? Don't they get a planet? Totally ridiculous belief
DeleteAmen!
DeleteHi MrSpock: The PBS documentary on the Mormon church, The Mormons, talks about the concept of eternal families. In a nutshell, the early Mormons were constantly moving--because they kept wearing out their welcomes-- so there was a lack of stability in their lives. The idea of eternal families was appealing to them because there was a sense of permanence in it. Worth a watch if you have time; the segment about families starts a little after 1:05:45.
Deletehttp://www.pbs.org/mormons/view/
The thing is, to me, polygamy has a history as abusive. Even in the bible. When folks see the Dargers or Browns, they may say, they are ok, let it be legal. In reality, I would venture to guess MOST are not this progressive.
ReplyDeleteI think given the math you are going to marry relations. Janelle was married to Meri's brother and kodys dad married janelles mom late in life. When you have multiple women with one man, and it's illegal, and the birth rate is half and half boys and girls you are going to have to marry cousins or sisters to get 3 wives. They are not bringing women from outside their religion into it.
ReplyDeleteI have read the Darger book and they seem much more together than the Brown’s. Yes, the three wives are related but the first wife is a distant cousin to the twins and they didn’t really “know” each other growing up. The Darger’s have a meeting every Sunday night to go over the week’s activities for the kids, and who takes care of what for the week. It seems like common sense to me that the Brown’s need to do this, as that would eliminate so much of the kayos that they have. It certainly would have eliminated the problem at Hunter’s graduation.
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line is they are not living like a family and I think that is what the Darger’s were trying to get them to understand. They keep talking about being this big family but yet, they don’t live or act like one. I don’t get the impression at all that Joe is controlling, he just has things under control, and their family is not nearly as drama filled as the Brown’s. In any large group, there has to be a head chief, and that is all I see Joe being. Joe is not the type of man that would be living out of a suitcase and going from house to house. Personally, I think that is disrespectful to Kody, not that I have a lot of respect for him. Even with 4 houses he will have to do that. Joe owns his own business and the family works together to accomplish things. Kody has always seemed very spoiled. From the fancy car, yes I know it was old, but even now, they refer to the convertible as “his” car. To new computers and basically any toy he wants. If you read the Brown’s book, I encourage you to read the Darger’s and see if you don’t get the impression they are much more grounded than the Brown’s.
The Dargers, I don't believe committed fraud, at least not for years. Watching the 20/20 video suggested below, so adding more of my 2 cents in.
DeleteBarely in the video, Joe explains how there are rules to damper jealousy. Seems he cares about their feelings! something Kody can't comprehend.
Makes sense for their lifestyle. Worked out who sits where in the car, fairly, etc. WOW.
Kody needs learn a few things from this man. They live in Salt Lake City - not scared of prosecution, even though they are public!
Joe admits that there is a firestorm of emotions, instead of pretending all is cool. Thought it was also cool that he said they were preparing for eternity, not afraid to speak somewhat truthfully at this point, now we will see what greed does later...
More in a few minutes!
They do seem like they look at everything, and do for the good of the family.
DeleteOf course they didn't know their cousin. Look what happened when to famillies together, they were 50 people! Imagine 25 years from now, even if all the Brown kids are in monogamous relationships and only has two kids each, that family will be 73 people! Without counting Kody's future offspring and/or additional wives.. F
Deleteuture kids of the Browns will never be close, there is just to many. I often thought this when watching the show, that polygamy really steals your experience of the big family more so than give it. Yes, you will grow up in a big family, but you will never have the relationship with you grandparents, ants and uncles, cousins and in-laws as others have. Imagine Kody (who's not even able to give enough attention to his kids) having to do this for grandkids. Unlikely. And probably impossible. I remember the christmas cabin episode; christine I think was talking about looking forward to spending christmas with grandkids. That will never happen! Can you imagine 73+ people for Christmas?
I love this blog and love reading the comments! Having the Dargers on the show just magnified the MESS of the Browns even more. The Darger wives genuinely seem to like each other. I know they're family, but after SO many years together, I would think that Janelle, Meri and Christine would have this sort of relationship. Janelle and Meri just do NOT like each other. Outside of this marriage, I doubt they'd even be acquaintances. Christine seems like a school girl (the majority of which I think is a facade). I won't even touch Robin, but Meri and Janelle? OY! Could you imagine what these couch sessions would be like if Janelle didn't try to pacify every situation (I actually like her for that, but I'd love to see a REACTION).
ReplyDeleteHaving the Dargers on the show only magnified just how dysfunctional the Brown women are. I am not ragging on the Brown family's weight problem, but the Dargers just seem to be overall happy and balanced in ALL areas (from what we could see). The women appear happy and healthy. Janelle was uninterested and looked miserable at that dinner table. Meri was on the defensive about the kitchen and her issues AGAIN! Christine just seemed oblivous to everything going on in her OWN family. Robin was just THERE and Kody reaffirmed that he is a stumbling, babbling buffoon.
I agree...the Browns were even more of a dysfunctional hot mess when you saw them next to the Dargers!
Deletemr darger looks like he would be good, if you know what i mean. go christine!
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if this has been answered yet, but it came up on page one: the Darger's vehicles were rentals. They had the standard no-smoking circular sticker that is on every rental car on the drivers side window; in addition, TLC showed the license plates, which they do not normally do for privately owned vehicles.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I thought it was a smart move -- condensed family, left some anonymity for their cars, no wear and tear on their vehicles, and maybe TLC paid for it.
Better than 5 cars - wonder why Kody must play the playa game?
DeleteIt's obvious Meri and Janelle dislike each other. But they knew each other well prior to Janelle "marrying" Kody, since Janelle had been married to Meri's brother. Did they dislike each other back then? Or did the nastiness only come about later on? Has this ever been explained?
ReplyDeleteYes, that was explained in their book Becoming Sister Wives.
DeleteMeri was friends with both Janelle and Christine (more so with Christine), however, once Kody married Janelle(apparently Meri had no idea that Kody was interested in Janelle, which just shows that story about 1st wives choosing the wives was just that), Meri bent over backwards to be mean to her and ignore her. Janelle complained to Kody, who told her to work it out with Meri. Eventually Janelle had enough and left with her children to live in another house. Christine and Meri fell apart as friends when Christine criticised Meri for over disciplining her children. That's probably the reason the teens don't hang around Meri's house. They remember how mean Meri could be.
In the book, at least from what I got from Janelle's section is that Kody and Meri were nice before the marriage, and Meri became a bully after, IICR. It seems that's a pattern with Kody/Meri be nice/try to impress potential fiancees/wives, but change their behavior once Kody marries the woman.
DeleteA Mission Statement for your family? I think that idea rates right down there with having a "life coach." I wish Janelle had stuck to her guns instead of going over to the dark on this silliness. Don't people just LIVE anymore?
ReplyDeleteIMO when there are more than 20 people in a family,a mission statement might be better than just winging it.
DeleteI remmember in Jon & Kate plus 8 they did a Family Mission Statement before they made their big move. At the time I actually thought it was nice thing to do. It seemed kind of sweet.
DeleteJust wondering, what happens when one wife can't manage the house payments? Does that wife then move in with another or do they let all four houses go? We have seen that Janell handles her money more responsible then the others. Meri likes to live outside her means and Robyn doesn't pay her bills and Christine forgets to pay them.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering the same thing about wives loosing homes. I also want to know why do the men officially get married any of the wives? if they consider themselves married to the others why not marry them all spiritually?? that would seem more equitable to me. Also it was affirm the non favoritism and non superiority of wife one.
DeleteMeri *crying*: 'Janelle felt I was being abusive'.
ReplyDeleteUhh...SHE WAS ABUSIVE! That is not an apology. In addition, attempting to justify her sickening behaviour was even more appalling :S. What a rotten piece of work that cow is. My disgust of Meri continues to grow the more I watch this show. Every time I see Meri passive-aggressively attack Janelle with her snide comments and subtle digs my blood boils and my heart breaks to see Janelle stoically sitting there, enduring it with stony-eyed silence.
I hope that Janelle is pushing for a 3 bedroom home because she has considered fully leaving emotionally abusive Kody & his hag Meri for good. I hope that a 3 bdr house payment is something she could realistically continue to pay off herself, and that this is her thought process. A slim hope, but my hope nonetheless. Get away from them Janelle- for the sake of your kids and your own health, LEAVE!
And although I dont believe for a moment that the Dargers would consider 'reassigning' Christine into their lives, I feel really sorry for Christine because I think in her mind, Joe Darger, is the kind of father and husband she was looking for when she signed up for plural marriage. I think the closeness and self-sacrificing ways of those sister-wives makes the Brown sister-wives look like political, manipulative, selfish b1tches. Cannot believe that 'decorating' was the thing that Meri would bring into the discussion...how pathetic, superficial and selfish is she...*gag*.
Brows say 'chaotic'. I say irresponsible and thoughtless. Glad to see the Darger's on the show, at least giving an example of a functioning polygamous family.
I went back and watched the part where Meri is trying to explain/justify/rationalize her abuse of Janelle....really pathetic to me when Meri says 'I had a louder stronger voice, and I had not yet, in those years, learned to temper that'....she hasn't learned much since then, has she?? She's still a bully in my opinion....I WISH Janelle would have been more assertive in standing up for herself!! Instead, she says they had no role models?? Right is right, role model or not!! How about the role model of the Golden Rule?? Or does that not apply to their 'religion'???
ReplyDeleteEssentially Meri revictimized Janelle and offered nothing close to a sincere apology. I believe I saw Janelle's facial muscles twitching like she was biting her tongue or gritting her teeth when Meri started with her waaah waaah waaah spiel. What's Janelles motivation to bite her tongue? PR? Years of being ignored?
DeleteMaybe I'm just super grumpy tonight, but part of me was wishing Janelle had jumped off that couch and popped the orange peel right in the mouth. That, IMO, would've been epic.
Meri sounds like an abusive spouse. She's basically blaming Janelle for "perceiving" it as abuse, and that Janelle should have barked back. She takes no responsibility, classic trait of an abuser/bully.
DeleteAnd Janelle is the classic "victim", she takes it, has low self esteem, doesn't fight back. This whole "family" situation is dysfunctional on every level, and it's multiplied!
I haven't had a chance to read through all of the comments yet - which I love by the way! - so sorry if this has already been brought up. Anyway, I went into this show wanting to like the Dargers a lot more than I actually did after watching the show. Part of me liked the little digs they got in at the Browns, especially the comments about how it was more important to be a cohesive family unit than worry about such trivial things like individual decorating tastes, etc. Anyway, what really rubbed me the wrong way about the Dargers was what came across as their whole we're doing things better than you attitude. It's that same patronizing and subtly smug attitude that rubs me the wrong way with the Duggars. I'm shocked to admit it, but this show actually made me like the Browns more than the Dargers. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteSmug? Maybe...
DeleteMy opinion is this - I don't think the Dargers were actively trying to get a reality show. Joe and his wives appear to be smarter than that and have seen how these shows tear families apart...it's one thing to have a book and do talk shows and so on...but I don't think they wanted cameras following their every move.
The original "mission statement" of the Browns for doing this show was to put a positive spin on polygamy. (Of course I think Kody had his own agenda of being an attention Ho...) which is probably why the AUB approved the family's participation initially.
However...they've mucked it up...BIG time.
Now time to bring in the Dargers for damage control...and I think they ARE doing things better. That's why they pointed it out - the importance of being one family unit.
The Dargers haven't even committed to a series - just a documentary. (Which btw my bestie reviewed months ago...she said it still needed a lot of work editing wise...wouldn't say more)
The Dargers appear to be financially stable. I look forward to watching their show.
Does anyone else notice that Robyn's step-sister Taralyce looks just like a baby sister of Elissa Wall? there's GOT to be a connection there.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wish that I could sit down with this family and tell them how I really feel. Speak my mind and have them listen like adults, process the information, and then respond with maturity.
ReplyDeleteI would bring up how Meri is incredibly emotionally abusive. Just admit it. Stop calling Kody "lover" (it is so. unbelievably. creepy). Stop questioning Christine and Janelle's parenting choices. OH, and WHO CARES ABOUT DECORATING? I'm sorry, but I was seriously under the impression that one of the reasonings behind practicing polygamy is to have ONE house, ONE family, and to raise the kids as brothers and sisters. I thought it was about growing relationships between sisterwives, about learning to sacrifice, to contribute to a family, to love and love and love some more? I thought that is what she wanted, not a wet bar. I guess I was completely mistaken. WHO KNEW polygamy was about spending as much money as possible, lying to children, disregarding emotional trauma, and crying about things that aren't even your business (ie ROBYN in this episode making it about her by crying when Meri was talking about "Janelle felt I was being abusive." You weren't there, girl. You probably were still in elementary school. GROW UP).
And the tennis court joke? THAT DROVE ME INSANE! oh haha honey, Since I have this excess money because I only have one daughter who is leaving for college in a few months, let's build a tennis court for her anyways! I know it was a joke, but it BOILED MY BLOOD. There is Janelle, trying to cut corners and trying to give her kids as much as she can with what she has while STILL giving most of HER income to the other wives!
KODY. seriously, man. Janelle supported her family the best way she could: FINANCIALLY. just because she chose to work (and was it really a choice? or did she HAVE to work to support ALL the mouths in that house) and Christine stayed at home with Logan, doesn't mean that his graduation day isn't ESPECIALLY special for Janelle. HUG HER! COMFORT HER! LAUGH WITH HER! Don't just stare and act ridiculous.
OH, AND IT IS PROBABLY BECAUSE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO A GRADUATION (INCLUDING YOUR OWN) BUT ROBYN! BROWN starts with a B... I would probably ASSUME that it wouldn't be too too long until he walked across the stage! It IS alphabetical, you know! I mean, you can handle dinner with Sol, so take him to the graduation, watch Logan walk, and leave. NOT THAT HARD.
PS the arena was crazy busy and full. I highly doubt one baby being fussy was going to ruin the whole entire ceremony! SUCK IT UP. according to you, he is one of your SONS!
WELL, I have so many thoughts in my head about this family. My heart hurts for Janelle, and Kody looks disgusted most of the time he looks at her or christine (which I do not get). Meri is looking more and more like a plumper real housewive of LV (thanks self-tanner!!!) and please Robyn. More kids? You guys are barely surviving now. Give your uterus a break. WHo knows, maybe MERI will be needing it soon enough.
I see many commenting that Joe would never want to be with Christine. I think he would jump on the chance. She is cute and fun.
ReplyDeleteChristine might be cute and fun, but IMO she would not mesh well with the Darger fam. None of the Brown wives would - their lifestyles and personalities (not to mention values) are completely different.
DeleteRobyn tweeted this yesterday: "After a long week & weekend of work all I wish I was doing today was Christmas shopping down Main st. in Hamilton MT w/ my girlies. Sigh!"
ReplyDeleteGuess it must of not been her night w/ Kody & she's feeling lonely!...lol Also, guess all that filming at the craft show, really took a toll on her too...smh
Wow, hey Robyn instead of shopping so damn much, why don't U try saving $$ for the rainy days that are definitely heading your way??
When I first started watching the Browns on TLC I was so upset. I was so mad. I would yell at my husband because of my anger over polygamous husbands. It made me so, so angry. I have watched the Sister Wives and I have been sad and angry and happy all at once. I see that these families are trying to abide by their religious beliefs and I am happy that they have found each other. I see what they are trying to do now, almost 3 years later. An off note, the other night I had a dream that I became a 5th wife of a family like this. I was so stressed out that night. I woke up with a head ache and I had to watch Sister Wives to see that I would NEVER do what they are doing. I think I am weak for saying that out loud. I am not as strong as these women.
ReplyDeleteSee Katey, that last sentence is the mind game that tricks women into staying in these seriously unhealthy situations. They are told they're simply not working hard enough, they're not strong enough, etc. They're made to feel like failures if they do what is good and true for their own needs instead of worshipping a man no matter how badly he mistreats them or how messed up their life gets. No, it's not strength that keeps women in these bad relationships. It's strength that gets them out.
DeleteOh yeah, it must of been Meri's night b/cuz Mariah had tweeted after 8pm(Monday) a couple of photos of her dad & mom horseplaying. Caption read something like, Dad teaching mom to fight off turds like Paedon... It looked like Truely was in background & there was another teen girl, standing by the back screen doors looking outside....
ReplyDeleteAnd then Kody will be at Meri's tursday(tonight) also for the LIV party. Not quite an equal balance between wives, eh?
DeleteI genuinely believe that Janelle doesn't get "nights" and prefers it that way. And that Christine's nights are sporadic.
DeleteFrom what I saw on the photo...it looked like Robyn standing and looking out the window with a backpack on her back...also little Truely was standing watching the wrestle match too. Were they at Meri's house or Robyn's?
Deletes
I thought it was funny when Robyn made the comment "all the other sister wives work out...except me" and yeah, I bet Papa Joe's wives are in shape because they probably have no other option...work out or GET OUT! I never thought someone could out-douche Kody, but Papa Joe definitely proved me wrong.....His kids acted like robots and I'm sorry but being married to TWIN SISTERS?! gross!!
ReplyDeleteWhat??? I doubt that. I thought the wives AND kids looked healthy, and happy.
DeleteI don't support polygamy...however as a fitness professional I DO support families working out, exercising, moving, playing together.
Christine implied that the Dargers are on a "fitness regime" (hello - that's REGIMEN) but how do we know what that is? She makes it sound like forced labor - it's easy to tell that whatever kind of workout Christine is doing, she hates it.
Perhaps - just maybe - the Dargers move/workout/stay active because they truly LOVE being active. I see it happen every time I teach a class...a huge reward for me is to see my peeps discover the JOY of movement...the same way I feel after a busy day at my "real job" when I get home and can't wait to get on my road bike and ride! =o7o
Sorry but I didn't see robots - I saw kids/young adults that aren't used to being filmed, accustomed to being in a rural area, next to kids who have spent more than a year in a major city, kind of "City Mouse Country Mouse". When they were at the lagoon (hubby spent a year or so in Oceanside when growing up and had a great time pointing out landmarks etc) the Darger kids just looked like they were enjoying themselves immensely - clearly they are QUITE accustomed to doing active sports, getaways, etc as a family - even the oldest son who clearly stated that he is not going to be a polygamist - he is loved and included.
Really surprised that I'm warming up to the Dargers...! I could hang with them!
Exactly Dakota. Many people have stated that if the Brown women would just excercise and change their diets they'd be much more happy.
DeleteAnd a lot of people said they were poor examples to their children in as far as their diets and lack of physical activity. Snark about Christine letting her daughter skip phys ed? Snark about how heavy a lot of the teens are? Nothing wrong with giving your kids a little push to be physically active and make healthier food choices. I feel the Dargers pratice what they preach in all aspects, health being one of them. Would Dr. Oz approve or disapprove?
So we should come up with our own mission statements for the Browns, true or snarky! Bet we'd see some of the true ones appear on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteTo live a life within our faith that nourishes each marriage and each relationship while living within our means. Every member of the family contributes to the best of their abilities to the greater family good. Needs are met before wants and all are deserving of love, respect, and kindness.
Or...we will all support Kody and whatever wife is the current favorite. Always be sweet and claim ours is a religious devotion lifestyle entitled to everything we think we are entitled to. All must contribute to Kody through work, bleeding the beast, or ego stroking. Everyone must save their extra grocery money for Kody's hair products. Children are created to prove Kody's worth. Out of favor wives must gain weight so they don't consider leaving. Kody deserves more than a dirt farm.
I know many of you are way more creative than me!
MISSION STATEMENT (for Kody): Seek out new wives and new civilizations and boldly go where no man has gone before.
ReplyDeleteUPDATED VERSION (for Kody): Seek out new wives and new chaotic situations and boldly go where no man has gone before.
DeleteUPDATED VERSION (for Kody): Seek out new wives and new chaotic situations and BALDLY go where no man has gone before.
DeleteMISSION STATEMENT (for Robyn): Solomon-ly swear to reassess SW Closet inventory.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot this link:
ReplyDeletehttp://sisterwivesblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/wow-dargers-love-times-three-was-there.html
And that story was/is exclusive to the Sisterwives Blog- so kudos for you! :)
I just realized that I have a huge crush on Caleb. SO handsome. His band is also amazing. Their sounds sometimes reminds of "Active Child", a favorite of mine.
Although several of the Darger men/boys are very good looking. Pretty much all of 'em. It says that their oldest whose name they scrubbed from their website "is currently single".
Mission Statement:
ReplyDeleteFirst, to be one family living in four $500,000 homes, providing favored wives with wet bars, extra bedrooms, and hobby rooms, while financially exploiting wives who are willing to work and share inheritances.
Second, to prioritize the needs and desires of the family members so that the needs and desires of Kody take precedence over all others and the needs and desires of the adults take precedence over the needs of the children.
Third, to vest Kody with any and all decision-making power, regardless of selfishness and ignorance.
Fourth, to financially sustain the family through creative financing techniques, including the willful disregard of state regulations, and procurement of welfare and food stamps, bankruptcies, and sure-to-fail financial risks.
Something else: The Dargers basically complained on their website about faux conflict and that the show cut out everything else.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how much more reasonable than everyone else in the Brown family Janelle is...
I keep seeing Weeping Meri go on and on about her fertility problems and there has been something bugging me about it this whole time. I'm not trying to be gross but what exactly have they been doing about it? The reason I am obsessed with this is because we have been going through fertility treatments for more than 6 years and there is one thing that keeps bugging me about Kody & Meri.
ReplyDeleteOne of the first thins we tried was fertility drugs. When that is going on, you take the drugs and they monitor your cycles. When it is the right time, they bring you in and do ultrasounds. When your eggs are "ready" they tell you to have ntercourse for the next 3 days. It's not always the same time every month. You might have to go in 3 or 4 days in a row for ultrasounds. Here is my question. What if Tuesday is Meri's "night" with Kody. She goes in for ultrasounds on Wed and they tell her the next 3 nights are her best chance of getting pregnant. Her next night with Kody might not be until Sat (after Christine, Janelle, & Robin get their nights). She lost her chance.
Could it be that their only issue is timing? If you think about it, each wife only gets 7-8 nights a month with Kody. I highly doubt that he is going to have sex with each wife every night he is with them (Eww,I know, if I was was part of a plural marriage I would have to sterilaze him every time it was my night but moving on..)so maybe it's just a frequency issue. I know they wouldn't answer the doctors questions about this but I can't stop thinking about it. My husband has threatend to ban TLC from our TV because I am so obsessed with this show. I told him it wouldn't matter he couldn't block this blog :)
I don't think so. I think the nights are arranged accordingly when someone is trying to get pregnant- that IS the most important thing, right? ;-)
Deletenah....I think there are other issues besides "not doing it" enough. She was married for three years to Kody before he was "sealed" to Jenelle...and no babies. I think that might also be some of the underlying issues that Meri (amongst others) has with Jenelle. It's just not a good situation (as we can all see).
DeleteDoes anyone know where I can watch the most recent episode? I checked Fios On Demand, and it was not listed. Sadly, I forgot to set my DVR.
ReplyDeleteIt's on again tonight on TLC at 7:00 Eastern time -I missed too and was search for it last night
ReplyDeleteI think it's probably important to point out that it is NOT a major component of "celestial marriage" for everyone to live in one house and function as one big happy family. It never ever has been in Mormon theology or in Mormon fundamentalism. Not even Joseph Smith or Brigham Young were able to make that work -- all had wives living in different homes and at different rates of income, etc.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I would say that most of polygamy has been done without living as one family, and the children often do not have close relationships with each other, and the wives may or may not have a relationship with one or two other wives, but this idea that all of the wives have close relationships with all of the other wives is the IDEAL, but has never been the reality throughout Mormon history. Now some of this can be blamed on the illegality of it, but it is also because women simply don't do well sharing men and personal living space and raising children with other women. This isn't just Mormon women, but can be seeing in any polygamous culture.
Robyn's family did not live together. They are not close to her extended family, it doesn't seem to me. Christine is an Allred, or "royalty" but she never really talks about her siblings in the way that Robyn or Meri does, probably because there were so many, that she never had a real relationship with very many of them. Meri doesn't talk about her other mothers, nor does Christine.
One aspect of polygamy that is really important to keep in mind is that it can't be based around romantic love. The historical documents on this are very clear. It will ruin everything if people approach it this way. It really does have to be based on men lusting after women and women making a rather calculating decision about the man they want to marry -- is he going to be a good provider, a good father, a good husband. In many of the cases, you have people taking away the choice of the woman to make that decision, and the system gets really screwed up, and badly. And even with that choice, it's still a pretty ugly system from a modern point of view where we tend to see relationship with rose colored (romantic) glasses. But it's based upon a much older, more basic point of view -- marriage is to have children. Not necessarily to "raise a family" but to HAVE CHILDREN to populate first this world, and then the next.
The Dargers seem to have a less romantic view of marriage than the Browns. This is probably because they were more from the world than most of the Browns are. After all, Meri's family, Kody, and Janelle all are converts. This means at base, their notions of what a marriage and family should be are still colored mostly by traditional (ie, non-fundamentalist) notions. I think that Christine was caught off guard by how different the family operates than traditional polygamous families, and, at one time, was very much attracted to that. She thought at one time she could have her cake (cookie?) and eat it too -- she could have a "romantic" marriage AND a polygamous one. But she was very young, and I think she's learned since that it can't really be done. Robyn entered very traditionally (for a polygamist.) She made a calculating decision. Kody lusted after her. That's not a criticism, either. For the world they live in, that's probably a better way to make it work.
And I think that's how it works for the Dargers. They aren't "in love" with each other. They used a lot of words like respect, admire, responsible, affection, etc, but not a lot of romantic words like love, attraction, passion, etc. They probably knew better, having grown up in it. They all approached it like a contract, in a way. And for the world that they live in, that is going to lead to better results almost always.
but the title of their book is "Love Times Three"...?
DeleteCaleb Darger wrote on instagram that he had 70 facebook friend requests from people he didn't know after the show. Go figure. He's a cute leftwing hipster who writes about his band and 'anarcho-communism'. ;)
ReplyDeleteI ADMIT IT. Going back and watching Season 1, episode 1 made me fall in love with the Brown family all over again. Then, after that episode the drama isn't horrendous.. but, episode 1 is definitely the best in regards to showing you a great family. I definitely think they would all fare better under one roof.. but, slowly and surely the wives aren't having it and want their own houses. So, many of our questions could be answered by just watching Season 1 and 2 over.
ReplyDeleteOh, and in season 1 or 2, the wives were sticking up for Meri having an equal sized house and KODY was against it... hmmm
ReplyDeleteLorrie - I think that is a valid question...one that I have never seen answered. They dont' discuss that Meri has tried fertility drugs in either the book or on the show. In fact, Meri was all 'shocked' that the fertility dr they did see (as filmed and courtey of TLC) asked how often they had intercourse and she said "that is not the problem". So I think, like all things the Browns do, they really haven't done anything proactive. They probably have unprotected 'relations' and leave it up to fate as Meri says. And maybe she used that to manipulate Kody into spending more time/nights with her. And for what it's worth, I think it's total hogwosh that Kody spends equal time with each wife. It sounds good on paper and on the show but I do NOT think that is happening and certainly not any more with the move to LV
ReplyDeleteGood morning. Ok, the Darger home kind of reminded me of the Brown home in Utah. Do you all think once the kids are grown and move out they will sell a couple of the homes? With the kids gone, I could see Janelle and Christine sharing a home. Robin and Meri could coexist together.
ReplyDeleteAssuming the Browns haven't lost the homes due to foreclosure, I see Kody moving new wives into the homes as children growup, get married and leave.
DeleteMany mentioned that last week's episode was the best in a long time...agreed. Could it be partly because Robyn's commentary was kept to a minimum? "Just sayin' " :-)
ReplyDeleteYou could hear her trying to put her two cents in every 5 sec while the Brown/Darger adults were at dinner.
...TLC producers please take note...
I can't help thinking about the whole mission statement thing. First, can you imagine this group trying to work at putting one together? Janelle obviously thinks its a waste of time, and given her "checked out" attitude, I doubt she would participate much. Shame, cause I think she'd bring some sense to the proceedings. Then flashback to the couch when they were talking about it. Sobbin says something like: Oh goody, a mission statement with everyone's INDIVIDUAL little clauses in it. See what I mean? Meri would pick one insignificant little point and hang on with the tenacity of a terrier and whimper how she can't help it cuz she has a strong and loud voice and can't seem to tame it, and... if she'd had the eight kids she'd always meant to have it would all make sense. Christine's every point, valid or not, would get the stinkeye from Kody and eventually would be told her input REALLY didn't have any impact on any of this. Kody would then get frustrated with everyone's inability to agree to anything and yell I WILL HAVE A MISSION STATEMENT!!!! He would then give them til they move into the new houses to come to a consensus . You heard it here first.
ReplyDeleteI just thought it was so funny everytime the women would talk about Joe, poor poor Kody just sat there, with this look on his face, swallowing hahaha everytime one woman would say how great Joe was he would swallow hard hahahah..
ReplyDeletepoor poor Kody not number one anymore
One of the best SW episodes ever! Daddy Darger vs Playboy Kody, what can I say? If you're going to do plgy marriage (oh whyyyy?) then go the Daddy Darger route.
ReplyDeleteSome people say he's controlling. Someone has to take control when you have that many people to move, (transport) feed, house, clothe and keep track of. Daddy Darger needs to do it because if you assign that job to a wife (and he does ask for input from the wives!) then chaos would ensue. It's a well managed household. They live modestly compared to the Browns. One house? Wow...no mansions? Double wow. They all work? Gee whiz. And the teens "hinting" Daddy Darger is strict? What teen would say "I love my parents being strict" LOL...
Kody on the other hand is chaotic and his wives are very, very, unhappy.
I noticed when they were at the resturant Janelle was gazing off, obviously bored by the whole crew. She has checked out. I feel for her....
I think the Darger wives have their share of problems like any plgy family but they do put their kids first and who also LIKE each other.
just noticed... the Dargers live in UTAH!!!
ReplyDelete@WINEInTheWetbar Sadly, they have monopolized all the episodes.. so, you have to pay to watch them through Discovery.com, Amazon.com and others.
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily true - I watched it last night on Comcast/XFinity On Demand. they have all of this season's eps available right now.
DeleteWatched the ep again on OnDemand last night.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling less and less sorry for Janelle AND Christine for that matter. Both of them had the choice to go into this or not. And really, Janelle has been allowing Meri to bully her for the past 20 years, and she's allowing it now. She's just as passive-aggressive as the rest of the family, if not more so.
I've been there, done that myself...inside Janelle is probably seething with rage and frustration (actually it kind of comes out in her facial expression quite a lot of the time). But in order to keep peace...and maybe a fear of being tossed out of the family OR a fear that somehow after they die, Kody's spirit will remember and she won't get pulled through the veil into the celestial afterlife or whatever it is they believe in.
With me, it was what I call Fat Girl People Pleaser Syndrome. Janelle is willingly sacrificing herself to make sure everyone else is happy especially the "boss Mare". I wouldn't be surprised if she was brought up believing that "you're fat, what man would want you?" and settling for what she could get.
Kody seems to grativate towards that kind of beaten-down woman who believes she has no other option...and I think maybe all four of them believed that Kody would take care of them and their kids the way Joe Darger takes care of his wives and kids.
IMO the Browns' book shows that Kody scammed Robyn into believing that he was successful based on the image he projected - she talks about seeing Kody drive up to her friend's house in "a white convertible". Also in the book Robyn writes about her first visit to the Brown home: "The first thing I noticed was that there were three convertibles parked in the driveway." Considering Robyn was living in a trailer and struggling to support 3 kids...she couldn't see past that facade.
Compare to Joe D., who married his 2nd wife's twin sister and DID "save" her and her kids. No facade...she already knew him and that he was doing well. I think when Kody stated that Joe "must be a hero in her eyes" he feels that Robyn thinks the same way...but we've seen that Robyn still has collection agencies after her...etc...
anyway I'm rambling...
What I found really strange and a bit annoying: At least three of the Darger's children are already married (Joe jr., Amanda and Laura) and at least two of these have chosen polygamy (Amanda and Laura). Yet they didn't mention that at all and only showed Caleb and one other Darger son (sorry, I don't remember which one) saying that polygamy was not for him.
ReplyDelete