KateHearts

as of when I was doing spine surgery (left it in 2004), we did not body cast anyone after spine surgery. And kids who have scoliosis correction heal quickly and are stabilized by the rods; they have to be careful about twisting and bending but over time the bone grows over the fused sections and it becomes essentially immobile.

I worked in heart and lung surgery for years. Anything where you go through ribs is much more painful than going through the chest. I also did spine surgery; surprisingly people who have an incision on the spine also tolerate it better than separating the ribs.

I found it odd, too, that several weeks after her surgery Ysabel was still on round the clock pain meds... I have done spine surgery on children (I realize she's closer to adult, but still...) usually after a couple of tough post op days, kids snap out of it rather quickly and recover fast. I question that maybe the drama ("she's mis-er-a-ble," intones Christine) is to pump up the story and the already-brewing hostility of the audience for Kody. Did anyone notice (it's been going on a while now) that another pronunciation quirk (aside from the "fillings," and "dill with it") is that they don't say "get to," they say "gedda." This episode Christine says it several times. "Today, we gedda go home." I live in Utah and haven't heard that one in person, but the dills and the mills abound around here. I have never seen such a negative transformation of a human as has happened to Robyn. Do yourselves a favor and go back to season 1 and get a look at what she *used* to be- thin, stylish, sparkling eyes, happy. She is now just a bloated, dead-eyed shadow of her previous self. It's really astounding. Her face never reflects any of the emotion she tries to portray. She has no expression (except for a perpetual slight frown) and I find it hard to believe anything that comes out of her mouth. Meri, Meri- please stop trying to convince us that you're staying for the long run since, you know, covenant with God, getting to heaven, your family belief and culture, blah blah. One minute she's flippantly saying "hey, y'all; you're stuck with me and I ain't goin' anywhere!" and the next she is on the verge of tears despite her "I barely care" or whatever slogan t-shirt. She needs some mood stabilizing medication and someone to slap reality into her- she bought into a bad idea thirty something years ago, maimed it when she got Robyn into the family, and killed it dead with her banana and catfish antics (BTW, what a choice for her "Lizzy's Heritage Inn Family Tradition Baking Extravaganza" - banana bread!) Kody: "I've done some crazy stuff to get into heaven!" I guess being a responsible father, a good citizen who has a real job and pays taxes, and not relying on your TV revenues to support you doesn't count. As phlegmatic as Janelle can be, I find I like her the best of them all. She does her thing; she realizes that the family is a mess but she can't do a thing about it; and she raised some pretty awesome kids. I am in her camp re: the restrictions and "rules" Kody imposed: they are random and often senseless as well as selfish. I think she just doesn't give a shit anymore and is just living her life. I'm not sure, though, why she said, "I can't go on much longer without you being here." Hopefully in regard to her children and not her- em- conjugal needs.

Most churches require a lot of money to maintain the large physical building, provide a modest salary for the minister (often including the rectory- housing), and often programs for the local poor (soup kitchen, outreach, etc). The wealthy preachers you see on TV (including Mary) are wealthy because they are huge business conglomerates with sponsors and people who donate large amounts. I went to a church where a very wealthy local socialite donated large amounts (although she rarely attended). I'm sure her donations helped a great deal in paying the bills. The minister, however, lived a very spartan life. He did have a family home in Canada, but no designer clothes or expensive cars. The bills at the church (fixing the organ, electricity, etc) were hefty. When I watch these women argue and go round and around about "loyalty," etc, my head starts to hurt. They never get anywhere and all they do is talk over one another and tattle on each other. It's exhausting. I realize it's for TV, but they really aren't helping their images. And I always wonder when I watch what the husbands are thinking: "Well, there goes my career." Does the University of Utah really want to continue to employ coach Shah now? What does Whitney's husband do? He's a bad actor, by the way. He was smirking/smiling the entire time she basically told him that she had spent their savings and taken out a huge line of credit. "Ooops! I'm bad with money."

This was so boring. It was basically two hours full of all of the phrases and excuses we've heard from every other person who has been featured on this show, minus anything good (shower scene, big breakfast scene, agonizing car trip scene, fast food drive thru scene, Dr. Now's sourfaced nurse scene, "exercise" scene, etc.) We heard: -"I'm sure I'll meet my goal because I am sticking to the program and I can feel that I am so much thinner." -"A lot has been going on so it's hard to stick to the program but I'm doing really well." (?) -"I can't exercise because it's slippery out and I must be safe!" -"There isn't ice anymore but it's cold. I must be safe!" (what about the chair exercises?) -"My friend is sick and I'm stressed about it so I can't meet (video chat) with Dr. Now." -"No one could stick to this diet-it's rabbit food basically." -"I read that a cheat day a week is helpful for staying on track; that way I'm doing the right thing 95% of the time." (math doesn't work) -"My mom doesn't understand that I need a cheat day- well, maybe a cheat meal here or there- to be successful." -"The scale must not be working." -"My mom and her boyfriend can't take me to Houston so now I have a lot to figure out before I can move. They aren't supportive of me; therefore, I might fail." -"I am selfish to want to follow a diet while my friend is dying; therefore taking care of myself is wrong." -"I can definitely meet my goals, but I have a lot to figure out." -"I never noticed a bunch of missed calls and video calls from Dr. Now. Hmmm." I was sure, about an hour in, that we would see the black screen at the end- either that he was dead or that he had dropped out. Dull, dull, dull.

I don’t see live chat…?

And for him to leverage his power as patriarch, under the guise of virtuously “protecting” his family.

This was a very telling episode, for sure. Kody's epic fail at trying to play both sides, as it were- telling Christine how he had always planned to retire in St George (buttt.... don't you have to have a JOB to retire?) and then turning on her at the family property meeting pretty much told us what we already know. Kody laments that Christine is never happy; he is so burdened with trying to please her and oh, woe is Kody. Christine looks exhausted and sad. She has aged tremendously over the past few seasons. Knowing that your daughter is not a priority in her father's eyes must be the most sad realization a mother can have. I was laughing at Robyn's "sincere" attestation that (all said in a flat monotone with her expressionless, bloated face) "all I care about is having a relationship with these kids"- most of whom she really couldn't care less for. And I was furious to hear her so "innocently" proclaim that she gets to spend the most time with Kody because "he has had so much trouble with the other wives following his rules." Unlike many others, I am finding Meri really annoying this season. I think she is putting on a big show of being "oh, I don't give a f$&%^; look at how I've moved on and I am wearing my IDGAF t-shirts and laughing at Kody every chance I get"; in reality I still think she would lap up his crumbs if he offered them to her. I found a point made above interesting: this lifestyle (or "family koolture," as Robyn calls it) IS something they all went into eyes wide open. Their belief is that a man should take as many wives as God sees fit and should procreate and be the Master of his Domain, so to speak. Which worked for a while, more or less- they all had little kids; some wives did the bulk of the raising of children (Christine) while others worked (Janelle). Then they all got a little tired, a little on the cusp of perimenopause, the kids grew and become more independent; and as the wives wore more on each others' nerves, Kody got more manic and disjointed. Enter Robyn, and enter TLC to chronicle their lives. And now, we see the result of not only the infiltration of the 21st century and the contrast of these women most modern American women, but the infiltration of their taste of "fame" and love of the limelight- and the cash. They have all come to realize that their situation is NOT ideal, fame has corrupted them, and they are all aging without a real life plan (and I daresay without much savings). In an ideal world, I sometimes think that having sister wives would be like a big girl-party: we can commiserate on child rearing, share the household chores, always have help on hand with kids and daily comings and goings, etc. But then I think of my female roommates during my college years and how easily we could annoy one another, how we all lived differently and had different standards, etc- and, I'll be frank- even in my work dealings I found interactions with other women often fraught with delicate emotions and petty conflicts. And I realize that putting four women in close proximity (and sharing a husband, no less) is an inevitable recipe for conflict. As for the COVID restrictions, I am a healthcare provider so I went out, every day, to a hospital where the virus existed. My husband had open heart surgery during the pandemic (delayed for several months) and we navigated it all without freaking out about our kids coming to see their dad while he recovered. Maybe I am less afraid of it due to my job and not being able to quarantine for several months but I think all of the gyrations we see this family going through (keeping kids apart while running around outside, etc) is a lot of theater so that a) TLC feels like they are showing people being responsible and b) the Browns can show how virtuous they are by trying to enforce often pointless rules, such as Kody making everyone stay apart while he bounces from home to home. In my experience (healthcare provider), almost EVERYONE had comorbidities/risk factors, primarily obesity, diabetes and heart or kidney disease.

I'm confused, @MRSHANSON. You describe the reasons a prenup makes sense, then says Steven can shove his prenup...??? (I have seen examples of what you discussed- it happened to my mother with the house and the surviving adult child).

Well, we all have an idea where this all goes. It's laughable that Kody stands on that property talking about five houses, a "growing area," a greenhouse, etc. These people are incredibly delusional. They are constantly borrowing from Peter to pay Paul; meanwhile, Kody doesn't even seem to have a job at this point. While Janelle seems rather phlegmatic and bored, I think that's how she stays and remains happy. "I don't really give a shit; give me my house and my hobbies and leave me alone." I laughed when she said that Kody staying more than a few days made her want to be alone. The theme of this episode seemed to be "we all hate each other and we hate Kody more." He seems painfully aware that his control over the family is dwindling rapidly and he hates it! His agitation grows and grows. He made some comment like, "in a plural family you have to just say you do this; you do this..." How's that working for you, Kody? The entire social distancing thing seems like a lot of posturing to me. I don't know many FAMILIES who restricted themselves from each other during lockdowns. And for Kody to act so superior that he is trying to enforce distancing rules while tootling from house to house is just grandstanding. Christine needs to stop penciling in her brows for the talking heads- she is way too fair to sport the Groucho Marx look. The rest of them all look bloated, tired and aggravated. Stress sure shows on the face.

Also: “she definitely fleed"- haha

It's funny because they show SLC scenes in every opening (along with the "angelic music"), but they all live in the Park City area (or rent). I noticed something funny in a previous episode. Whitney is talking to her brother about their dad, who she has become estranged from. Brother says that he's been playing disc golf with dad- "yeah, I bought him clubs." Uhh- disc golf is frisbee golf and there are no clubs involved.

Not sure what this means; I know some people got a gay vibe and commented here but I don't consider those comments bigoted. I could never, ever be as tolerant as Bao was during this season. She would just look at Johnny contemplatively while he squinted or rolled his eyes at her (or downright insulted her) and didn't seem to lose her cool. I also think some (including Johnny) were too critical of her "immature" behavior; sometimes people are playful and she had those moments but didn't lack for maturity and introspection. Looking at the flashback moments, he was described as "the fun guy," "the life of the party," etc but he ended up being a glum, critical, mean-spirited guy. I was so glad she was able to have the last word. I also think some people here gave Brett a harder time than she deserved; she kept her cool while Ryan glumly avoided eye contact and never showed the level of her frustration. Again, I would not have been able to contain myself. And although her bathroom WAS messy, it didn't seem to be filthy and thus I don't think she deserved the "pig pen" commentary she got. Some said she needed to work harder on her appearance; I think she looked fairly natural most of the time- I did have an issue with the large amounts of boobage showing. Although I think Gil and Myrla have fun and had an enjoyable back-and-forth, I don't think their financial differences will withstand marriage in the long run. And sometimes those "charming" attributes ("ohh, she's so high maintenance") continue to be so cute as the years pass.

I really enjoyed Alina's mother grilling Steven and his slack-jawed reactions. And he made some comment about having had sex because now he knows what he is sacrificing by abstaining? And sorry, just because a bunny picks a fortune for you saying he loves you is not a reason to stick with this rodent-faced hypocrite. I did NOT enjoy the ongoing Corey-groveling. He doesn't seem to be aware that he looks like a mealy-mouthed doormat with a "kick me" sign on his back. One theme on this show I can't stand is that one partner treats the other like dirt, and then the abused person makes a mistake and spends the rest of the season apologizing. It's so unbecoming. I wonder if Jenny has seen the edits and now knows that her excitement at being "accepted" by Mama Sumit (because she is smiling- with dastardly glee, I imagine) is really an opportunity for Mama to openly insult Jenny to her face and in front of the family. I'm assuming Sumit will just go along and not defend her. What an embarrassing way to make a few bucks and be on TV. Ari will face a tough decision- stay with Mommy and Daddy, who are financing her entire life (as well as Avi's) or face them cutting her off. I know her mom loves the baby, so I'm sure she will push long and hard for a comfortable, all-expenses-paid life in Princeton. Ari will have the perfect opening to stay when Bini, who supposedly must stay at home and cry the entire time she is gone, dares to go out with his friends and thus plants the seeds of suspicion in Ari's head. I find Ellie and Victor boring. Yes, it's expensive to live on the island. She didn't get much sympathy for me when she said, "I didn't make any plans financially before I moved here." She had a home, a business, and I assume some insurance bucks from her dead husband. You mean to tell me that now (how old is she, 40?) she has no reserve?

I don't see "tantrums" at all. She might come across as a glass-half-full kind of person, which also could be heavily due to producer shenanigans. She does take note of negatives, but she is mild about it ("the sound of the ocean would be nice here...") but the way they show montages of her comments strung together tells me she may not be a constant Negative Nancy. I was SO hoping that Brett would ask Ryan the exact question that Cal told her to: "when did it turn for you?" I also really, REALLY want to know how she acted on the plane to their honeymoon that made him reference it several times. I think that could have been pivotal right there. I am not as turned off by Bao's so-called "childish" behavior (some women raise the pitch of their voices when excited, etc- I'll take that over vocal fry and uptalk every day). But her cheerleader act really made me cringe.UGH. And her narrative: "Johnny came over to give me a hug. Maybe he's had a change of heart...?"- nope. She needs to stop having false hope (or acting like she does). He's a jerk and he will never appreciate her efforts on their face. The other thing she does is when he insults her, she looks deeply into his face without a change of expression as if she's trying to do a math problem. I would react: "what did you just say??!" and call him out directly.

How many times is Johnny going to ask Bao what SHE is doing to improve their relationship? How many missed opportunities will Bao have to ask in response, "what are YOU doing to improve the relationship?" I know it's been said a lot here- but he does nothing but sit and wait for her to perform some microscopic slight so that he can then proclaim that it's not working and he's unhappy. And oh, the drama. Walking out, holding his head in his hands with a pained expression- he needs to stop saying he will "try" because he never has. He's an A-1 jerk and now every time they talk (which he always refers to as "arguing"), I want to punch him in the face.

Cory is a big guy. The dynamics of their relationship seem toxic, but I'd hesitate to call him weak. He isn't physically weak, he is emotionally weak and a total doormat. He took her word when she kicked him out and said they could see others. He sat there like a limp rag while she and her sisters emasculated him with the soup and laughed in his face. He followed along with covering their marriage up because she didn't feel like telling anyone (and admitted she really has no interest in marriage). He looked the other way when she slept with his friend- and bragged about it. He gave her money to open her business. He watched her roll her eyes when he showed her the dress he'd bought. I could go on. He has long missed the cues that he is losing here. So I lay blame on them both. Yeah, he cheated. But they have both been complicit in a very unhealthy relationship for years. And her crocodile tears? Not buying them. So much old, tired stuff this season: Bini worries about losing Ari like his first wife; Bini cries; Ari smirks; Bini cries; Ari leaves. Steven insists Alina follow his made-up religious "rules;" Alina balks; he is awkward and weird; he admits that he's slept with lots o'women; Alina and her mother balk. Jenny whines; Sumit's mother threatens drastic action; Jenny asserts herself as a "strong American woman;" Sumit does nothing; Jenny asks "what can we dooooo???;" we learn (again) that culture in India is different (who knew?!). MONKEYS! Kenny cries; they get papers for marriage; they collect the papers; they show the papers; they hope they can get married; they hope Armando's father approves; they drive in the car holding hands; they get approved; they both cry. boring, boring.

I realized after binge-watching the last 3 episodes (I'm home sick on the couch) that Rachel is a terrible communicator; and she is very willing to dive into the romanticized version of marriage- and along with it, the drama of a teen-like relationship at the expense of really scrutinizing their compatibility. What stood out to me was when she and José had the big fight after she called him by another name. Let's ignore the fact that it was really not an egregious offense- she didn't say "I love you, Bob-" and come on; they've known each other for a month. On occasion I stumble over my husband's and kids' names. But as they "discussed" it, she focused on "YOU LOCKED ME OUT!" rather than the kitchen conversation when he yelled at her "Get the F*&%k out!"- a total overreaction which has never been hashed out. Then, a few days later after he whitewashes the whole story to the others, they have a couple of drinks and she's all, "I'm in love with my husband again! La-di-da!" Johnny is an idiot. He is another who expects his marriage to be like his first high-school crush. And when Bao fails to meet that lofty standard, he picks a fight and wrings his hands and cries over how inadequate she is. I don't agree with others here that Brett is "disgusting/dirty/filthy." She definitely had a MESSY bathroom, but to me, disgusting is hair-covered, moldy, with spills and smears and smudges. Sure, I would hang my towels and organize my cosmetics on the counter- especially if cameramen were lurking! I find her attractive and I really, really want to know what turned him off to her early on ("the plane incident," which is never really expounded on on the show). I can't decide if Myrla and Gil are just acting for good TV or if there is something there. They both seem to be acting like they are in on a private joke. Zach needs to cut his losses now. Michaela is scaring me; I can't imagine living with her. She acts unstable and swings between manic, furious and fake-cheerful.

Their whole scene is what I call the current trend of "emasculation for entertainment." How many commercials and shows do we see where women insult and embarrass their (supposed) significant others for kicks? Think the commercial where the dumb husband changes the baby diaper on the kitchen counter (as wife discovers with rolling eyes) or the scene here where Evelyn gleefully watches and snickers as her sisters humiliate her husband? It's really awful and tiresome. This whole episode was rather dull and plodding. SteVen is just weird and Alina is naive; Jenny and Sumit are just so repetitive; who knows where they are going with Ellie and what's-his-name. I do have to say that Ari is as transparent as glass, using her ex-husband to manipulate Bini into being her ideal husband. She is the type who probably threatens to leave every other day (this actually has been implied), takes no responsibility for her own failings, and is a master manipulator. Her clingy hug and suggestion to Leandro that he can "stay if he changes his mind!" were very telling. And who noticed that her "reasons" for her marriage to Leandro have changed? Last week it was that he wanted to pursue his doctorate and she wanted to travel; this week it was that she wanted children and he didn't. She is flaunting that in HIS face during the entire visit ("you could have had this with me....")

Everytime I watch these two, I am torn between thinking they are either shameless attention-whores; mentally stunted, delusional and pathetic; or just really, really stupid. There is so little to their life beyond the superficiality of carving up their bodies, spouting self-help book sayings, and chasing "hot" foreign men to fulfill their warped visions of love. It's sad, maddening, and sick/funny all at the same time. And if a lot of this is TV-driven to keep this ridiculousness up for another season or two, they need to look at their desire to make money vs what this looks like not only to the public but to their children. Here are two women who essentially abandon their teen kids (and Aniko is already sliding into their prioritizing of looks rather than intellect and character) to do such stupid shit as exposing their underwear-lacking vaginas on a boat, shaving off their teeth (were they that bad to begin with?) for thousands of dollars' of fake, Chiclet teeth, fighting needlessly with vacant men who just want to be on TV, and cry constantly for attention. It's ridiculous. Let's review a few more of the dumb things that they do, all for attention: -put themselves in danger by undergoing a bunch of plastic surgery overseas which minimally makes them look worse rather than better, and worst-case risks their lives as they let unknown doctors alter them (let's not forget that they act as if they are going to war when they leave their families for these ELECTIVE, VAIN procedures); -continually spout about their strength, their independence, all that they "deserve," while displaying the exact opposite: needy, whimpering, begging and arguing with others to try and legitimize themselves -Darcey's baby-like squealing when she talks to her daughters as if they are infants -Stacey's oversharing about Florian shaving her and his pet names for her body parts (blecch) I could go on. I will say that her "breakup call" to Georgi was cringey. She has standards for herself, supposedly, but does not adhere to them when it comes to him. She can go behind his back to his ex-wife but if he talks to Jesse, it's sneaky and wrong. She can sob and accuse him of being hurtful to her; if he points out that she hurts him as well, she hangs up on him. why do I watch this show?

Ari does too, so they are a match made in heaven.

I'm not. I just think she isn't acting in the spirit of the "experiment."

I think the problem most of us have with Myrla is that she was not dragged into this deal; she had to know what the risks were (i.e., that her match might be imperfect; that they may not mesh at all; that she may not have the wedding/honeymoon/married life of her dreams)- and most obviously that she is being FILMED engaging in all of this and doesn't seem to have any motivation to be a sport and play along. If it doesn't work out, she knows she has the option to end it in six weeks. So by not being a bit more flexible about the circumstances, she is displaying herself as a stubborn, snobby, rigid and unpleasant human being. The fact that she seems rather proud of "throwing tantrums," etc is not helping her cause. To me, if I were a participant (never!) I would first and foremost want to come across as likable. Anyone familiar with this show knows that any slight undesirable character flaw (quiet personality, spender or saver, neatnik, dog lover, etc) is going to be magnified - and usually not in a positive way- for the sake of entertainment.

This show is giving me whiplash. In the "previously" scenes, Darcy is blubbering in the back of the Suburban ("No more PAIN...AAAAH") - what is that? It's the way 13-year old girls talk. She did it again when her "friend' broke the "trash comment" news-( "He doesn't care about you, Darce..." "NO....WUHHH!") Cut to this week and she's batting her eyes at him at the door as he arrives with four bunches of grocery store roses. That's all it took! Three weeks later, she's waving her butt in his face on a bench at the beach and he's her fiancé again. As for the sweet sixteen being postponed: yes, it's too bad they were exposed to COVID but come on, they are not sick and just need to isolate for a bit so stop crying as if they are dead. Drama, drama, drama. It's as if she wants her entire life to play out like a Lifetime movie and when it doesn't, she is absolutely crushed. How many times did we hear her use the term "hash it out"? And I'm sorry, but "get it out in the open" and "hash it out" are not compatible with "so we can all get along" and "have a great time together." Every get together with them is some agonizing expected tell-all session where they all spill their deepest darkest fears/secrets/feelings and all walk away cleansed and calm. Ain't gonna happen. I was kind of in the Georgi camp at their dinner get-together. It was a planned interrogation session and he was doomed from the start. And every time Darcey says "I'm not thinking about [insert latest hot boyfriend name here]- I need to focus on myself and my family. I'm not going to let him ruin my life; I'm an independent woman," you can bet that ALL she is thinking about is said man.

My thoughts on the most recent episode (on D+ now)... These dudes are duds. Flat, boring, just sitting there watching the women emote. The girls go on and on about their feelings, about "opening up," and Georgi and Florian just sit there. Darcey wiping all her makeup on the hotel WHITE washcloth with her dagger-like fingernails... aagggh Their breakfast- sitting at the table and the women grilling the men, saying with grim, sour faces, "It was nice to meet your friends last night..." Darcey has some significant armpit fat. I really can't figure out what great revelation Darcey wants from Georgi. That he has a dozen kids? He is an ex-con? Now that I've listened to his ex, it's pretty much what I suspected- he's a lazy mooch who wants faux fur coats and a woman to support him. I want to know what makes Darcey rich enough to buy him thousands of dollars' worth of clothing. The preview: Darcey ugly-crying in the back of the Suburban. She needs to realize when these relationships end: she really hasn't lost anything as there wasn't much there to begin with. She has a seven-year old's perspective on what a spouse should be: someone who is good looking (well, in her view) who will whisper sweet nothings and tell her he loves her all day long. Not much else. It's a Cinderella perspective that she doesn't realize is totally unrealistic.