graefin

I thought it was more likely contracted out by TLC so they could make an episode out of it. The tone of the voiceover was very odd, which is another reason why I think it wasn't quite truthful.

Who are these "friends" they speak of in the voiceover who came in and finished painting the room in the middle of the night?

Eh, I tend to think that it was because Jim Bob was genuinely emotional, and she would look bad by comparison if she didn't at least dab at some fake tears ;) ("I said to myself, 'I'll cry later! I'll cry later!'"--suuure you will, Michelle!)

I think perhaps in her (twisted) mind, having a passel of children because the Bible says children are a blessing even though she clearly does not care for them makes her more devout--you know, a martyr for the cause.

So that other pic wasn't a fluke. It's amazing how little common sense this family seems to have. From Michelle feeding a baby lying flat on her back (hello, choking!) to Jill smothering her baby in a baby sling. This poor judgment surely can't be solely from their lack of education?

Yes, or perhaps we could engage in that which the Duggars are incapable of: critical thinking. Just because someone on the Internet says it's so doesn't make it so. ;)

Incubating the next blessing and posting bible verses on Instagram keeps her busy enough.

Whether or not they are image conscious, they are also completely lacking in self-awareness. So even if they care how they come across to the public, they probably don't know when their behavior makes them look terrible. Michelle's constant uptalking (did she use to do this?) makes her look even more insane than she already does. She can't imagine (?) or explain what it's like to get that phone call because she does not experience the normal emotions a parent would. Also, Jana stated in a previous episode that the reason she chose doula training as opposed to midwifery like Jill is precisely because she does not like having the responsibility of making decisions for the person in her care. So this must have been extra stressful for her.

So that would mean the Duggars are on the hook but TLC is not?

Didn't Jill say last season that they had no contract--filming was on a season-to-season basis?

How is this woman a trauma nurse? When something goes wrong, does she stand around yelling at the person whose fault she thinks it is while the patient dies?

They're all so good at talking a lot but saying nothing.

The other thing I noticed in this episode is how much Jordyn's verbal skills are atrophying compared to Josie's. I have to assume that's because Josie's mother--I mean buddy--is still at home and paying attention to her, while Jordyn's likely started checking out over a year ago--and is now gone completely.

I was wondering why Jana would be holding her over the sink? That only reason I could think of was she was running a fever and she was trying to get her temp down.

That scene does exactly the opposite of camouflaging Michelle's maternal inadequacies. All any reasonable person can think when viewing it is, WHERE THE F*CK ARE THE PARENTS?!

By far the most interesting event of the episode was Michelle's sarcastic "very good job" when one of the boys dropped the mantel onto the picture frames and broke one. It was a glimpse into her real self rather than the sweet, soft-voiced, loving-mother persona she likes to project. Also interesting was her inability to focus on anyone but herself while shopping for Ben and Jessa. Typical narcissist.

The only one who looks really different is Michelle and, marginally, Joy (because of the braid). I think the others look pretty much the same as they do when they are doing their own hair and makeup. I guess the most significant difference for them are the clothes.

That video is only a short clip that doesn't show the results of the makeovers? Or am I missing it somewhere? Also, I like how one of the rules is "no haircuts." Jill and Jessa in particular could easily lop off eight inches and still have very long hair.

I see their command of the English language is as strong as it ever was.

I would argue that Michelle isn't doing a very good job of hiding hers. ;)

It's probably also the only thing these people are good at. ;) Also, I see Jessa has learned the fine art of bump-emphasizing-back-arching from Jill.

This certainly puts Anna's anxiety over not having gotten pregnant yet after four months of marriage in perspective.

Don't forget that it's their primary goal to populate God's army. The TLC paycheck just facilitates it.

I initially thought transverse meant lying on its side, the way people do when they sleep, as opposed to lying horizontally, in which case "transverse breech" would be possible. Does that "side" fetal position not exist? Maybe People was confused also ;)

I thought that was a joke?