StayingAfterSunday

I hope Meri does go for Mariah's sake. Moral and politicals opinion aside, I think Mariah is really cool and would love to see Meri and her reconcile and establish a relationship once again. Regarding Kody's displeasure, Meri can do as she pleases now that they're divorced. Did the previews show Jenelle going with Meri, or did neither of them go? After Mariah made her big announcement I felt a bit sorry for Meri. She doesn't hide her feelings very well, and if I were to guess her thoughts they'd probably include a sadness over losing a conventional future with Mariah. It had to be difficult, especially since this awarenesss coincided with the traditional events occurring with Madison and then Mykelti.

Oh, Gawd, this was too funny -- and a great idea, to boot!

Fair enough. My problem with Christine concerns her failure to address those issues with Mykelti. Even if, for argument's sake, we could assume she and Mykelti talked about all of this off camera, the fact remains that Mykelti still got what she wanted. Just as she predicted, ON camera, before any of the wedding preparations even began. Maybe I'd feel differently about it if Mykelti and her chubby hubby were paying for the wedding themselves, but that certainly was not the case.

Bank job? The Bank of TLC, no doubt.

But Mykelti said, "Sing it, mama!" and, of course, mama sang. Because it was, after all, Mykelti's Day and "I always get what I want."

Mothra, this (above) had me laughing so hard. Likewise, your other comment: I never watch an episode more than once but I fully intend to watch the wacked-out wedding ep. at least twice. It both fascinated and repelled me for so many reasons, including (but certainly not limited to): 1. The "thou protesteth too much" b-s, courtesy of Robyn and Christine, during the sit-down interviews: "Oh, Tony is so great," "Tony gets her," and probably the most outrageous comment from Christine: "Tony can really dance." (fair enough, Christine, if that's your idea of 'dance.') I thought Tony looked like he was trying to rope a steer. 2. The frenetic demeanor of everyone on the dance floor. I could not take my eyes off Kody, the wild mop of hair doing its own thing, and the underlying aggression that seemed to impel his "crazy." Christine keeping up with the manic momentum, and Tony cutting a rug - by this time his dancing confidence bouncing off the walls, taking him from rodeo rider to John Travolta. I couldn't believe there was no alcohol to blame for this spectacle. I did like the song that played, though. Very upbeat and a nice change from the usual mainstream wedding music. Perhaps the most suprising thing was the positive reaction I had to some of the scenes: 3. Christine's little girl, Truly, looked carefree and joyous as she sprinkled those flower petals. She captured the essence of childhood in that scene. I also liked the music and song. 4. Kody has grown on me to a point where he has become my favorite Brown. There is a goodness about him that I don't discern in two of his wives (Robyn and Meri) -- although I have to admit that I am sometimes amused by Meri's unawareness of the way her actions impact others. As I said, I'm fascinated! 5. Christine has NOT grown on me. I lost respect for her throughout the wedding preparation episodes. The confidence that her kids exude reflects Christine's rearing. I can't comment on her siblings, but Mykelti's confidence, unfortunately, mingles with a toxic sense of entitlement compounded by Christine's refusal to challenge her daughter or to discuss the importance of considering other people when making decisions in life. Worse yet, Kody's input is consistently dismissed, leaving Christine as the primary parental influence on her kids.

I do think Meri fancies herself capable of becoming the main attraction to the house, but if it really is a sleepy town then, as you say, there needs to be something much more compelling. I don't begrude them making money from their show, but I do think it's unreasonable and unfair to expect government assistance for their ever- growing population of progeny. It's just so economically unwise, in my view, to have multiple families with multiple women, particularly when divorce is always a possibility, and not one of these women holds a job - besides what they "earn" from TLC. It is bewildering how poly-men sleep at night knowing they bear the primary financial responsibilities for their broods. In Kody's case he adopted Robyn's three kids from her first marriage, meaning he assumed the full monetary burden for these children, too, right? Raising children is costly in and of itself, but adding in college or vocational school expenses (assuming the kids don't earn scholarships or join the military) would seem one of many logical reasons not to have so many children in the first place.

Ashley wants the man - or would that be "playa?" - and has been willing to do whatever it takes to keep him. She's fooling no one. He, on the other hand, wants to have his cake and eat it, too; or is that just stating the all-too-obvious? Ashley should get out now and find someone who will appreciate her for what she has to offer which I believe is much, much more than Dmitri can offer her.

Sunnybebe, Yes! I, too, believe Kody's intentions come from a good place. I like the Kody we're seeing in these recent episodes - not that he bothered me in earlier seasons. There's always room for growth and maturation, and Kody seems to reflect an older, more introspective adult. The problem I see is not coming from Kody as much as it is from the women in his life. Kody cannot possibly earn the respect of his children when their mothers refuse to acknowledge his place as husband and potential leader of the tribe (I'm giving him time to prove that last one). Which brings me to that particularly irksome reaction displayed by the Sisterhood when Kody attempted to insert his voice on the matter of M&T's out-of-the-blue demand for an instant wedding. When Kody alluded to the motive behind M&T's rush to marry, the wives reacted in the usual manner, dismissing his opinion as one without merit. I think the "plural" marriage dynamic in the Brown household consists of a sisterhood majority who habitually demean and even ridicule Kody's contributions to the family. When he does try to steer the ship there is always someone jumping in to correct the course. Robyn, evidently, has become the self-proclaimed Voice of Reason for the Sister Wives - and their children. Kody's addressing the sexual urgency behind M&T's push for a quick wedding should not have raised the moral rooftop or instigated a "how-to" talking point on appealing to Mykelti's feminine wiles. Whatever that meant. Rather, Kody's observations may have presented a valuable opportunity for discussion and self examination, not just for M&T, but for the older children and even for the sister wives. Robyn, in her wifely wisdom, characterized the dilemma as an "adult" problem that required an adult approach. As usual, Kody sat there in the middle of the wives, struck down and powerless. If Robyn possessed the maturity associated with adulthood she would have appreciated the value in Kody's insights rather than instructing him on the right way to manipulate convince Mykelti to wait. If she really wanted to help, she would have recognized Mykelti's immaturity, while stressing courtesy and thoughtfulness for others. If Robyn were not so busy trying to assume a position of wise old owl (at age 38) and spokeswife, she might have said something like this: "Mykelti, if you are old enough to marry then you are also mature enough to consider others as you plan your wedding. You have a right to want things a certain way, but since you are not paying for the wedding you will need to compromise on some of the items on your "wish list." Have you considered Madison and how a wedding in December would affect her wedding plans? Have you thought about the cost of two weddings in close succession? Have you considered the possibility that an estimation of ten tacos for each of your 400 guests may need revision, and that involving your parents in the wedding-planning process would ensure you are all in agreement with the various wedding expenses? Since you are an adult you might also think about the time of year you get married and how it will impact others. A December wedding? Have you thought about the inconvenience, not to mention risks, to your out-of-town guests who might have to travel in a snow storm or on icy highways? Did you know that winter is also flu season?" Robyn might also have asked Mykelti (and Tony) to evaluate the fairness of that one-sided cultural theme Tony was so intent on promoting for the wedding which suggested disregard for the people paying for the wedding. Unfortunately, the wedding proceeded as planned by Mykelti and Tony, freezing cold weather, illness, winds, and who knows what else. I wonder if Kody was secretly cursing the wives as he shivered, shuddered and complained his way through the rehearsal and wedding ceremony?

I see trouble in the cards for Madison as well; in fact, that marriage may start to falter before Mykelti's and Tony's. From the start there was something about Caleb that I found disturbing. I think he is going to be possessive of Madison to a point that hinders her socially. I just can't picture Caleb wanting to "share" Madison with others. As for Madison's closeness with her family, It seems Caleb won't have to worry about Madison spending too much time with them due to the considerable distance between them. About Tony: Did you notice how quiet he was when Mykelti was talking about the wedding. He was mute, as though he were sending a "f-you" message to the family, as if to say, "You thought I got too involved with the wedding and everything else, so I'll show you! I'll sit here and keep my mouth shut." (What an overgrown child he is). Mykelti: I get a kick out of her. She has a personality similar to her mother's. She will tire of Tony as she matures, much like Madison will eventually feel stifled and smothered by Caleb who is - what? - ten years older than she?

I see trouble in the cards for Madison as well; in fact, that marriage may start to falter before Mykelti's and Tony's. From the start there was something about Caleb that I found disturbing. I think he is going to be possessive of Madison to a point that hinders her socially. I just can't picture Caleb wanting to "share" Madison with others. As for Madison's closeness with her family, It seems Caleb won't have to worry about Madison spending too much time with them due to the considerable distance between them. About Tony: Did you notice how quiet he was when Mykelti was talking about the wedding. He was mute, as though he were sending a "f-you" message to the family, as if to say, "You thought I got too involved with the wedding and everything else, so I'll show you! I'll sit here and keep my mouth shut." (What an overgrown child he is).

And one final request to Maci: PLEASE at least try some wispy bangs instead of that same hairstyle you've been unrocking for the past decade plus.

Hilarious post! And this almost tossed me out of my chair -- : "Meri braying nervous laughter as she unveiled her “secret” B&B plan to Robyn’s horror while Mariah instantly laughed at and dismissed the idea." (Btw, "braying" was the perfect way to describe the crazy laughter coming from Meri after her big announcement.)

Re: Farrah's immense disdain for David. I'll have to figure out which episode it was and re-watch it, but I thought Farrah, when expressing to Debra her feelings about David, said something like this: "...and I just don't think he should be allowed to have the house..." I didn't hear exactly what she said and I may have it all wrong, but the way it was phrased made me think that one of Farrah's reasons for disliking David so intensely has to do with money -- that once they are married David would be a beneficiary and may inherit some of Debra's assets if anything should happen to Debra. I know that David insinuated himself into the ongoing Debra/Farrah battle and that he said things that angered Farrah. Still, Farrah's reaction has been over the top. Then again, there's always the real possibility that this is manufactured drama for the sake of television ratings, and that David is in on the whole thing, snickering at viewers' gullibility.

Was Amber high on something? The way she just HAD to come over in 30 minutes seemed very addict-like, i.e. the urge to get things done when you're under the influence because you know that when the drug wears off you'll be back to the same depressed, non-productive state of mind. Also, the way Gary was looking at her when she was draping herself over Leah; it was a true "penny for your thoughts" moment.

Chelsea has, no doubt, matured. I think she's one of the only girls on TM-OG and TM2 who has such a caring, involved father, and I believe this has been a major factor in Chelsea's decision making and overall adjustment to adulthood. Maybe because she comes across so "together" and because Adam is no longer featured in her storyline, I I now find her (and Cole) boring and non-essential to the show, in general. Then again, so are most of the so-called storylines and the people in them. Still, I watch... About Maci: I am awed by these allegations of her drinking so much. I know pictures have been taken of her in the act, including during at least one pregnancy. Even so, I am surprised she's able to stay so damned thin in spite of all the drinking (not to mention every other scene on TM shows the cast members eating out at a restaurant). Another poster (I tried to find the post but could not) mentioned being able to spot an alcoholic a mile away. Does Maci fit that profile based on her thin build? I know older adults who've been drinking for years often become thin and brittle looking, but I've always pictured younger ones to be more on the heavy side.

And to think that webcams have made the job so convenient, not to mention lucrative, that some "sex workers" don't even have to leave their houses. What a world.

It is a codependent situation, but my opinion is probably not the popular one. I think there are many young people like Ryan out there, people who should STAY living with their parents if that's what the parents want and if that's what the "child" wants. There are myriad reasons why a living arrangement such as this might occur. There are some people who are insecure and anxious and can't live alone. Some of them actually prefer their parents' company to that of people their own age. There are others who live with parents due to financial hardship. The list goes on.... I think Ryan's issues go deeper than what we're seeing. His mother knows him best. It's possible Ryan had psychological/emotional issues early on, which may have contributed to the "coddling" by his parents. As for his addiction, well, he's not a special case. He's part of a mind-boggling, unprecedented opiate epidemic in America. His parents didn't cause his addiction (not that anyone said they did), but they did enable it to continue.

That's a ridiculous amount of presents. Maybe it really is photoshopped. Then again, I remember Christmas shopping for my own kids at that age. They didn't receive piles of gifts like the ones shown with Ryan and Hudson. But I do know that it's not exhorbitantly expensive buying for young children. It's when they get a bit older that the buying gets rough - and pricey. When kids are little there are parents (like my ex-mother-in-law) who would go to, say, Family Dollar and buy dozens and dozens of cheap items which she would then wrap in lovely paper and adorn with big bows. It all looked spectacular to her children on Christmas morning, but once they tore off the paper they had a pile of cheap junk sitting there. Not that they cared. I guess the thrill came from opening all that stuff.

Don't feel too bad, JuliesMommy. I've been watching Doug and Jamie Plus One and checking for a forum for that. Nothing that I can find. (For anyone who's not "in the know" about Doug/Jamie, they are the from season 1 of Married at First Sight - they're one of the three couples (out of 12?) who are still together.) I couldn't finish your post. The first line made me sob. I am so sorry, so very sorry. Cruel people like that -- I pray the devil is the first face he sees when he dies. And I hope someone makes his death a torturous, agonizing experience. He deserves all that, and more.

Jo strikes me as socially awkward in most situations; either that or he just has a flat personality. Same thing with Ryan. Too bad they're not fortunate enough to have the charm and charisma of Tyler. (!)

Oh, was that Azan's aunt? I thought it was his mother. In any case, the woman was all affectionate and warm, sending Nicole off with a hug and some endearing words, including how she would miss May. I'm convinced it was all an act so the money pipeline would continue.

Antonio. What a low-end piece of garbage. His behavior was truly appalling, regardless of David's drunken offenses. And there is something equally disturbing about the sister he was supposedly defending. Then there's Chris. I understood what he meant when he explained that paying for David's expenses on their various vacations was for his own (Chris') benefit as well as David's. Still, he does seem way too over-invested in David. How long have he and Nikki been together? He described her as a "strong woman," but she struck me as a bossy bitch, despite the fact that I did agree with her feelings about taking David off the "t." or however she phrased it. It can't be much fun sharing your husband with a mooch like David - and now Annie. Yes on the idea that those who speak English need to stop the "Like" habit, but this should apply to all who take pride in expressing themselves well, regardless of how many additional languages they're able to speak. The languages they speak most frequently are the ones that matter in this case. Fact is, if someone like Andrei says "Like" continuously here, he probably speaks the same way in his home country where he most likely converses in his native tongue. I would bet it gets annoying to some of the "pickier" people over there, too. About Molly and Luis: For the sake of brevity, I'll start by saying I've lost respect for Molly completely after learning she not only legally married this guy, but after his insane religious rant she asked him to come back to her and her family! This will never, ever last. Olivia has more sense than anyone in Molly's circle, including Luis. I think she's remarkably insightful for a young girl. Luis, on the other hand, is an immature, defensive young man who is using Molly for the visa which he isn't even sure he wants anymore. Their considerable age difference (he is 26, and Molly is 42!) makes this so-called marriage even more likely to fail.

Agree with everything you've said. Also, I wonder if there's more than a grain of truth that Maci (and Taylor) are appreciating the benefits of having the older brother, Bentley, there to help out and amuse the younger two toddlers. I would think that most parents or even those who have babysat or nannied very young children know the value of having someone else take over, even for fifteen minutes or so, to give the much-needed break. I don't care about the argument that Maci's earning a generous salary from MTV and this enables her to enjoy a better life style than many others: Unless she's got a full-time nanny on board she's still going to be doing the lion's share of child care. And Bentley at age 8 is still very young, but I'm guessing Jayde and the other one (?) seek him out all day long. I hope this heroin hair test gets the approval very soon, because I think Bentley is going to start hiding from his younger half siblings before long. Jen and Larry would probably get to resume their visits with Benley even without that drug test for Ryan. And one more thing: Adding this conflict between Maci and Ryan/Jen/Larry to the show gives an edge to the Maci storyline continuing for another season. Never a guarantee, of course.

Caelin is intelligent, but he's still a teenager and, for the most part, is thinking and behaving like one. I think McKayla's consistently flat responses when Caelin humored her request for a proposal might have done her in, so to speak, with Caelin. I mean, really, is a nasal, drone-toned, "I hope so" the best response to your boyfriend's heartfelt, "I love you?" The girl has expressed no genuine emotion towards Caelin or towards anyone in her family - or Caelin's (Shelli). It's plain to see, and it doesn't take a Mensa i.q. to discern she doesn't love Caelin but she does want a father for her baby. Don't worry, McKayla, you'll find someone who will do the job for you. I hate to say it, but the well-meaning grandparents may have created a younger, drug-free, version of Shannon in McKayla. The self-centeredness is there, despite the claims (by Shannon) that McKayla is always thinking of others first, blah blah.