S17.E09: A Polygamist Divorce

[Scarlett45]

Quote

After dropping off Ysabel in North Carolina, Christine tells her emotional sister wives that her house is under contract and she's moving to Utah in a week. Then, Kody reveals that he no longer considers himself married to Meri.

Air Date: November 6, 2022

[mytmo]

In case you ever wanted to know what gaslighting is just watch the exchange with Meri, Robyn and Kody toward Christine.  

[maggiegil]

The vast majority of people rolled their eyes at Gwyneth and Chris when they announced they were conciously uncoupling but it takes genuine maturity and respect to be able to be amicable after a divorce. I don't understand why at this stage in the divorce process Kody and Robyn are still trying to apportion blame. Its over but you will have to see this person for the rest of your childrens lives, the best thing for all involved is to try and form a friendship at best or at worst not have a searing hatred be so evident.

Kody not being able to put his feeling aside to go and see Truely and Gwen after moaning about not getting to see them just proves that hes immature and a terrible parent. He wanted 50/50 custody but still hasn't made a space for Truely in Robyns house

The reaction Janelle had of congratulations on selling your house, is obviously the reaction you should have to news you expect  when you want to have a good relationship with someone going forward. I could understand the reaction Robyn and Kody had if this was the first they were hearing at all that Christine was leaving Kody.  Kody knew the house was sold and I suspect prepped Robyn that she needed to go after Christine.

If the judge of your character (as per Kody) is how nicely you treat your fellow sister wife then Robyn failed.

Thank goodness that Christine didn't tell Kody who asked why she was staying with him. She did rise to the baiting a bit but I think I would have too if I had been pushed that far. In an ideal situation she wouldn't have mentioned that any of the kids had said that, especially given Kody already has a list in his head of which of the kids don't "fit in" and which are ganging up on him.

At least Meri didn't pile on too (she saved her bile for the confessionals)

[magemaud]

11 hours ago, maggiegil said:

At least Meri didn't pile on too (she saved her bile for the confessionals)

Meri didn’t say a word. She just sat there, stone-faced and scowling. 

Edited November 7, 2022 by magemaud

[Adeejay]

Folks love to throw around the word, “gaslighting”, but tonight what Kody and Robyn did to Christine was a Master Class in “How to gaslight the hell out of someone.”  How can you argue with someone about their perception of THEIR relationship?  On the last episode, I distinctively remember Robyn telling Meri that Christine was unhappy when they lived in Vegas.  But now, she is lying.  The audacity.  I wish Christine had gone nuclear on her ass.  What right does Robyn have to invalidate Christine’s feelings about her personal relationship with Kody?

[Art Of Noiz]

When Kidney is gesticulating, stomping and hair flipping, screaming his obviously rehearsed tirade, Christine's middle finger rests on the side of her face!! Love me some Christine! 💕 💕 . 

kodwad? Love the little break in your voice. Does lil Bigdaddy wanna cwy?

[mythoughtis]

Janelle must have been grinding her teeth during that group discussion.  She stayed after and gave a Christine a hug. Plus she flat out stated the true facts in her TH, which was filmed some time after the episode itself.   I really think she’s done with Kody even if she doesn’t declare herself divorced. 

Edited November 7, 2022 by mythoughtis

[Elizzikra]

On a completely different topic, was Robyn wearing actual Tory Burch sandals or knockoffs? Because the originals are expensive...

Quote

you will have to see this person for the rest of your childrens lives

None of his children (except Robyn's) saw much of him while he was married to Christine. I can see Christine's kids drifting further and further from Kody and not really having much to do with him at all in the future. And he won't do anything about it except blame Christine for his own failures as a father.

What a bag of turds.

Edited November 7, 2022 by Elizzikra

[JustDuckie]

Well if this episode was not a master class in narcissism (Kody), gaslighting (Robyn), and being a martyr (Meri) - then I don't know what would be. Christine handled all of the slings and arrows directed at her with more class and humility than I could have mustered.  Maybe knowing she was breaking free of that toxic "family" was what gave her the strength to sit there calmly and let that porch of piranhas unload on her.

She knows she stayed too long and this was her final act. Not fun but necessary. The rest of them will have to live out their days in misery. I'm undecided on Janelle. She looks like she wants to yell "Christine, I'm going too!" She just doesn't trust herself enough to pack her bags.

Next week should be a doozy.  

[Elizzikra]

Quote

Christine handled all of the slings and arrows directed at her with more class and humility than I could have mustered.  Maybe knowing she was breaking free of that toxic "family" was what gave her the strength to sit there calmly and let that porch of piranhas unload on her.

Maybe she drinks. God knows I wanted to.

Quote

I'm undecided on Janelle. She looks like she wants to yell "Christine, I'm going too!" She just doesn't trust herself enough to pack her bags.

Maybe she is waiting to see how it all plays out with Christine - and also waiting to eke out another season by scheduling her departure a bit later.

[Tuxcat]

Thirty years.

Kody is now realizing that after thirty years, he has nothing. Christine and Janelle were the center of the family. Twelve children. Where Christine goes - the family will go. Kody lost.

Meri had already realized, she doesn't matter to anyone after thirty years. She holds on to a "marriage" but lives completely separately without much contact. The "marriage" is her "get in free card" to the "one family."  But now Christine is leaving with "the family." Meri is left with nothing. She matters to no one - except Jenn. Meri lost.

Robyn is really only upset that everyone blames her for their misery. She's not actually upset about the misery. Robyn lost.

Janelle is supportive of Christine because she can be. She's half the power. As someone said earlier - that support finally happened after 25 years and a pandemic. Christine's leaving doesn't really change her family structure at all. Janelle wins.

Christine. Glad she's found her new way. I don't like how dependent she was on Aspyn all those years. And now Ysabel too. Her family have been her confidantes which is tough for children to carry.  I see now why she needed to move to Utah. Still, Christine wins.

Truly - possibly the most mature one of the whole bunch? Truly will for sure win one day.

[Irate Panda]

Didn’t we all think Christine and Kody were super happy in Vegas?  I mean I know when I celebrate my anniversary I bring a couple of therapists with me. Plus, it’s not like a child almost dying would have put any strain on a relationship 🙄

[Tuxcat]

Kody said "three of Christine's kids are close with three of Janelle's kids; that's it"

Which six are we talking about?

Also I have to call BS on Janelle. "They seem good at holidays" does not make them a "cohesive group."  You can be nice to people for Thanksgiving but never text or call.  

[RedDelicious]

Honestly I don’t know how Christine kept a straight face through all of that. 

Oh Robyn. Robyn, Robyn. How convenient that you forget your special trips, your special wedding and honeymoon, special shopping and your extra special existence. TF you think you are?

[Scarlett45]

12 minutes ago, Tuxcat said:

Kody said "three of Christine's kids are close with three of Janelle's kids; that's it"

Which six are we talking about?

Also I have to call BS on Janelle. "They seem good at holidays" does not make them a "cohesive group."  You can be nice to people for Thanksgiving but never text or call.  

I’m guessing Logan, Myketi, Asypn, (who grew up close together) Paedon and Garrison are a close group. I have seen photos that indicate Ysabel and Savannah  are close in a sisterly way. 

[SunnyBeBe]

I realize this shouldn’t be funny, but I couldn’t help but laugh tonight. I just kept waiting for Kody to throw just a tiny little crumb Meri’s way, but noooooo….he would not throw even one crumb of hope for them reconciling!  Lol. Meri is delusional to see anything between them in the future,  I would think he’d give a little something just for show purposes, but he’s not even close.  I wonder what TLC says about that.  

[Onecattoo]

1. Kody will never own up to his relationship with his children being his responsibility and no one else’s.  Absolutely nothing has stopped him from picking up a phone or tablet and speaking directly to and connecting with his children for years!  They are not Robyn’s and Christines kids, they all have a father and they are HIS kids too. His lack of connection with them is a direct result if his own behavior toward them, and his own lack of participation in their lives.  Refusing to so much as stop by and pick Truly up for a one-on-one dinner after her long trip is just example 1,000,000 of all the ways he sucks as a father. 
2. How Robyn “misunderstood” some comment so grossly and reacted like a lunatic was bizarre.  She is clearly SO threatened by her awareness that the world sees the truth of her impact on the entire family and how her desire to ensure her kids got their due that she is the root of the family disintegration and she simply cannot stand it.  She came with an agenda and jumped in with both feet to call Christine a liar when just just week she admitted she knew Christine was unhappy and talking about leaving Kody in Vegas. 
3. Meri coming to the realization that when Christine simply states she’s no longer married to Kody since their marriage was spiritual and associated with a church none of them have attended for years, the marriage is in fact over…. it means no matter that Meri “stays”, Kody has actually already done the exact same thing to her so in fact he is NOT her husband and she’s not married because he has outright said multiple times he doesn’t consider himself married to Meri - that was fun!  On a side note…that hurts doesn’t it Kody?  You do not like it when someone else just decides they aren’t married to you anymore and just walks away without giving you the opportunity to agree that you will end your relationship.  Maybe you’ll have a little empathy for how Meri feels now (or not, you are a raging narcissist).  Yes Christine, you do just get to decide you’re divorced. 
4. Christine and Janelles kids are all pretty great.  They also have never treated Robyn's kids badly at all…that’s all just gaslite victimization. 
5. Kodys derangement next week looks enjoyable to watch. 
6. Christine has many faults and has made a lot of mistakes over the years, but she truly has stood up to Kody, Meri and Robyn’s tactics with grace and calm (for the most part) control.  Good for her. 
7. Kody…it cannot be any surprise to you that many of your adult children see right through you and your failure as a husband and parent, and have little interest in pretending you are a good guy any longer.  It’s your fault, not their mothers…cannot say that enough. 
8. If Janelle doesn’t either outright declare divorce or quiet quit, I’ll be disappointed.  
9. Kody…no one has ever thought you legitimacy to polygamy, you’ve always shown it’s a terrible way to live most of the time. 
10. Shut up Robyn. 
 

[Kare]

Robin mind your business. You and Codick decided to chat, and go "in" on Christine, guess what you look like a big fckn baby, and you re a total Narc. You aren't in the bedroom with Christine and Codazz, so you only know what Codus whines to you about. You two make me sick. I have more respect for Mari and Jannelle for being more respectful. You think it's easy to end a 27yr relationship (I wouldn't call it a marriage)? Who are you to say one single word to Christine, you self righteous, self serving, narcissistic, ass kissin witch. Keep your head up Codorks arse where it belongs. You aren't a scholar in the church you belong to nor is it your business what choices Christine makes, this is America and not a dictatorship as Cody so threatened to make it. Cody needs to concentrate on his mistakes in all his marriages, (except Robbing) and fix those. He bitchez about every one of his wives (except Robazz) and takes no responsibility for their breakdown on and his part in that. grow the hell up.

[taragel]

39 minutes ago, Tuxcat said:

Kody said "three of Christine's kids are close with three of Janelle's kids; that's it"

Which six are we talking about?

Also I have to call BS on Janelle. "They seem good at holidays" does not make them a "cohesive group."  You can be nice to people for Thanksgiving but never text or call.  

I assume Logan, Maddie and Hunter are close with Mykelti, Aspyn and Ysabel. He said Leon and Paedon are outliers who struggle to fit and everyone else is younger. (I mean Ysabel is technically part of the younger set, but obviously quite close with Maddie at least.) 

I love too how they don't consider the fact that the "kids" are all married and have two working eyes each and know what an at least somewhat healthy relationship should look like. And probably have seen the damn show. Robyn on the other hand...lying through her teeth about how "happy" everyone must have been in Vegas. Where  Meri and her catfish happened, where Christine and Kody had to take a therapist on their anniversary trip (which was maybe still the most sad episode of this entire shitshow) and where Janelle...well, Janelle just kept being Janelle. 

I am fully here for the Kody spiral next week. I caught Christine's middle finger extended too. Heee! I'm so glad he's miserable. And Robyn is by extension. Meri's gonna keep Meri-ing. (Boy, was she misnamed.) 

Edited November 7, 2022 by taragel

[Elizzikra]

Quote

I wonder what TLC says about that.  

Probably "keep going, it's bringing in viewers."

[suev3333]

39 minutes ago, Onecattoo said:

5. Kodys derangement next week looks enjoyable to watch. 

Woo hoo!    That should be a real doozy watching Kodouche go off the deep end, ranting.  Can't wait til next episode! 🎉💥🎉💯😁

[Tuxcat]

1 hour ago, taragel said:

I love too how they don't consider the fact that the "kids" are all married and have two working eyes each and know what an at least somewhat healthy relationship should look like. And probably have seen the damn show.

I do wonder how much of the "reality show" dictates their own reality. It surely stimulates some family conversation! I don't buy that Christine wasn't talking to her kids about the state of her marriage. She for sure was. But I also don't buy that Robyn and Kody were so in the dark. They for sure were not.

I will say it's amazing to me that these adult kids all have such "healthy relationships" after witnessing such unhealthiness all these years. Of course no one truly knows what's going on behind those doors. I found it sad that Ysabel - an 18 yo - said that the thing she was most excited to do was to go to NC and see a "healthy relationship." That's sad for so many reasons. 

Edited November 7, 2022 by Tuxcat

[SDVegas]

Kody saying “Robyn, me, and my children” says it all. 

He always says “Christine’s children” and “Janelle’s children.” He never refers to those kids as his children. He is so detached from all of them. 

[suev3333]

2 hours ago, Kare said:

Robin mind your business. You and Codick decided to.....

Codick   😂😆💯♥️

[GeeGolly]

I think "walls up" Meri is the only one being even close to real here. Warped and skewed maybe, but IMO, closer to the truth than anyone else in this episode.

• Nothing more needs to be said about the defensive lying assholes that are Robyn and Kody.
• Janelle perpetually lives with one foot in denial and the other in the clouds.
• And though likely not popular, IMO Christine is not being truthful anymore. She left Kody for a legit reason, so I don't know why all of a sudden she's playing the, its all about the kids card.
• Ysabel wanted to get away from her mom. No kid at that age decides to move so they can be "around a healthy marriage".

On another note, I get really frustrated having to sit through an hour of 15 minutes of content.

[Maire]

Robin saying that Kody and Christine went on "fun dates" in Vegas buried the lede. That was for a TV show! 
 

I remember another occasion, when Kody got Christine to agree to put wrestling mats in her garage. Under her breath she was bargaining with Kody saying she would do this if he agreed to come around more and see the kids. Sad. 

[zamp33]

2 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

I think "walls up" Meri is the only one being even close to real here. Warped and skewed maybe, but IMO, closer to the truth than anyone else in this episode.

• Nothing more needs to be said about the defensive lying assholes that are Robyn and Kody.
• Janelle perpetually lives with one foot in denial and the other in the clouds.
• And though likely not popular, IMO Christine is not being truthful anymore. She left Kody for a legit reason, so I don't know why all of a sudden she's playing the, its all about the kids card.
• Ysabel wanted to get away from her mom. No kid at that age decides to move so they can be "around a healthy marriage".

On another note, I get really frustrated having to sit through an hour of 15 minutes of content.

I think Christine is saying "it's all about the kids" because for me, I was in a relationship with a narcissist, and when I was  in it I did  not realize the harm being done to me because it  becomes normal after awhile, (and gasljghting is an oft used term but when it happens you question yourself all the time).  When I saw how it impacted my kids that gave me the strength to leave and realize what was happening.  I also think Christine was finally validated in her conclusions about her marriage by her kids telling her she had a terrible relationship, and  by Kody not showing up for Ysabel's surgery and ignoring the children. Look at the gaslighting and lies we saw on camera - imagine how terrible it was behind the scenes.  That happens often enough you question your sanity. So at this point it probably is legitimized as being "for the kids" for Christine, but we now see in the talking heads, filmed afterwards, that Christine realizes the full toxicity of Kody. 

I agree that the conversation should have been aired in full this episode. Seriously - did we need to watch Meri and her bff? That could have been edited out, but obviously the producers want us to keep tuning in. 

Edited November 7, 2022 by zamp33
fixing a sentence

[zamp33]

I really wished when Robyn was attempting to "invalidate" Christine with Robyn's version of history that the producers put in flashbacks of all the issues we saw on camera. They seem to love using flashbacks to show us what happened a week before - but seriously they could have had this entire episode be that conversation and utilized the years of footage they have  to refute all of Robyn, Kody and Meri's lies. 

[GeeGolly]

1 hour ago, zamp33 said:

I think Christine is saying "it's all about the kids" because for me, I was in a relationship with a narcissist, and when I was  in it I did  not realize the harm being done to me because it  becomes normal after awhile, (and gasljghting is an oft used term but when it happens you question yourself all the time).  When I saw how it impacted my kids that gave me the strength to leave and realize what was happening.  I also think Christine was finally validated in her conclusions about her marriage by her kids telling her she had a terrible relationship, and  by Kody not showing up for Ysabel's surgery and ignoring the children. Look at the gaslighting and lies we saw on camera - imagine how terrible it was behind the scenes.  That happens often enough you question your sanity. So at this point it probably is legitimized as being "for the kids" for Christine, but we now see in the talking heads, filmed afterwards, that Christine realizes the full toxicity of Kody. 

I agree that the conversation should have been aired in full this episode. Seriously - did we need to watch Meri and her bff? That could have been edited out, but obviously the producers want us to keep tuning in. 

In the first few episodes this season Christine was saying she wasn't going to stay in a marriage without intimacy and where Kody has a clear favorite. IMO, that is the real reason she left. Sure, she was pissed Kody didn't come for Ysabel's surgery, but I'll hazard to guess if Kody was sheltering in place at Christine's during covid, they'd still be married, even if he didn't go to the surgery. 

Edited November 7, 2022 by GeeGolly

[altopower]

1 hour ago, zamp33 said:

I also think Christine was finally validated in her conclusions about her marriage by her kids telling her she had a terrible relationship, and  by Kody not showing up for Ysabel's surgery and ignoring the children.

This was the turning point. Ysabel's surgery was huge and Kody chose Robyn over his daughter. Forget his excuses - he just opted for Robyn, Sol, and Ari over Ysabel. Christine was with Ysabel the whole time and saw the impact his absence had on her daughter at such a difficult time. She put up with a lot before but that was the final straw.

[65mickey]

I have to watch the show this morning. I managed to sleep through the entire show only to wakeup duing the 18 commercials being shown at each break. Fell back asleep before the last commercial ended. Thank god for ff.

3 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

On another note, I get really frustrated having to sit through an hour of 15 minutes of content.

[Kellyee]

Quote

Ysabel wanted to get away from her mom. No kid at that age decides to move so they can be "around a healthy marriage".

For as much as everyone says Christine is the best parent of this bunch, 3 of her daughters (Ysabel, Mykelti, and Aspyn) had to escape her for a time. And both Mykelti and Aspyn (if I remember correctly) fled to Robyn's house. Not Janelle's. 

I find it really interesting that Christine's most vocal supporters appear to be Janelle's kids, not Christine's own kids. 

I still say Christine wants to move to Utah, and that's her primary motivation for leaving Kody. 

[Granny58]

1.  Um, Kody, you don't need a bedroom for Truely yet.  She still lives in the same town as you.  You can spend the day with her and take her home at night.  Just more indication that he has no interest in doing so.

2.  I LOVE Christine's shoes in the scene where she is standing on her porch talking to the realtor.  Thick soled Mary Janes.

3.  The frikkin' nerve of Robyn to tell Christine she is lying!!!  

[GeeGolly]

I find it beyond sad and so, so selfish that Kody didn't go to Ysabel's surgery, but I also find it sad Christine turned it into such a big deal. Any mother worth her salt would have validated Ysabel's disappointment and then moved on. And most mother's would not say out loud that Kody's absence factored into her decision to leave him. Ysabel is still a teenager and is still too young to separate it all out. I'm guessing part of her, well into adulthood, will think she's part of the reason her mom left her dad.

[MsMalin]

So much to unpack. I'm writing my observations before reading anyone else's so sorry if anything is a repeat.

1. Kody: the very definition of a deadbeat dad. Hates his ex wife so doesn't see the kids. You ass...go to a movie, go to McDonalds, go bowling or mini golf. Pick up the damn phone and tell Truly to meet you in the driveway without Christine.

2.  I can't believe that sweet Robin outright called Christine a liar.  As if the viewers haven't been witness to this clusterfuck.  She is unreal.

3. And Meri:  WAKE UP WOMAN!  Be happy for Christine and find your own happiness. It wasn't all that long ago that you were this close to leaving. Even announced at a restaurant that everyone might wake up one day and you'll be gone.

4. The juxtaposition of Meri saying she is hoping Kody  will change his mind and Kody  saying he doesn't give a rats ass about her was mind boggling.  He really doesn't care how ugly he gets on camera anymore does he?

5. Very telling that Ysabel is anxious to see healthy marriages. I feel sorry for her being raised in that atmosphere.

6. Both Truly and Ysabel enunciate their words very nicely.

7. Meri looked happier than I have ever seen her when she was with her bff. Why does she continue to live in misery?

8. Last, Janelle is a very nice person.

[mythoughtis]

Kody and Robyn could do what most divorced non-custodial parents do….have one of their  daughters share a room with Truely.    He’d has months between when Christine told him she wanted out and the point she moved to figure this out.  He hasn’t.  Because he doesn’t want to. 
 

Ysabel’s statement is interesting in that she doesn’t appear to be just including Kody  and Christine as an example of what marriage should not be. She’s also including the other three Kody marriages.    Otherwise she wouldn’t say that the healthy marriages are in Utah or NC. She’d have one to reference in Flagstaff. 
 

She also specifically references that the family hasn’t been together for two months since her graduation party.  Remember when this family did something  together every weekend when they lived in Utah? It is  August 2021 at this point.  Covid restrictions were lifted for gatherings much bigger than the Flagstaff Brown family. 

 

Edited November 7, 2022 by mythoughtis

[Cetacean]

5 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

And though likely not popular, IMO Christine is not being truthful anymore. She left Kody for a legit reason, so I don't know why all of a sudden she's playing the, its all about the kids card.

Truth.  If that were the case Christine would have left after Kootie tried to off Truley when he ignored her illness. If my kid was hospitalized by neglect that would be an unforgivable offense.

[JayDub1987]

Kody's little temper tantrum in the preview for next week actually made me shoot a little pre-bedtime whiskey out of my nose. That's gonna be so fun.

Robyn acting like she's personally offended by the fact that someone would dare defy her lord and savior Kody Brown was a BLAST. 

Meri, you're a stupid c*** muffin who TRIED TO DO WHAT CHRISTINE IS DOING! It's no one's fault but your own that you fell for a catfish scam and weren't smart enough to break away from the cult.

I would've given anything if Christine had looked at Robyn during her whole "You have to go to the church and ask for a divorce" thing and said, "Bitch. I left your little fucked up cult, and I don't have to ask anybody for anything." Alas, Christine is classier than me.

[Elodia]

4 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

In the first few episodes this season Christine was saying she wasn't going to stay in a marriage without intimacy and where Kody has a clear favorite. IMO, that is the real reason she left.

I think so too. Kody treated her and her (!) kids like shit for ages, but only when he told her there would never be intimacy between them again she chose to pack his stuff and leave. I mean, I get that. But it's not because of her kids. It never was.

Edited November 7, 2022 by Elodia
Wrote one"kids" too many😊

[spacefly]

Each and every one of them is divorced. Christine is just the last to leave a situation she was extremely unhappy with. Between now and dead it wasn't how she wanted to live. Meri probably divorced against her will but ever the martyr she went along for "the family". They are hypocrites, well except Janelle because she seems to get it but they have all divorced and if I'm correct all those divorces were 'legal ones. So happy for Christine and can't wait for Janelle to complete her quiet quitting and head for the road or maybe Coyote Pass with a garden and a cure little house.

[GeeGolly]

I hope Christine rings up Robyn right away after her first post Kody boink. Then Robyn can calm down about the "divorce".

[Madding crowd]

I was happy to see Meri smiling and laugh with her friend; I hope she will move far away from Kody and Robyn. When I moved away for college I had zero thoughts about marriage or wanting to be around a successful marriage and my parents were divorced. Christine made it clear that she doesn’t want any kids over 18 living with her, so Ysabel would be gone either way. My unpopular opinion is that Christine doesn’t have a big attachment to her kids, not the way Janelle and Meri do.
I also found it weird that Christine made it a point to say Ysabel is close to Janelle’s daughters instead of saying Ysabel is close to her sisters, because they are her sisters even if “half”. I have a half sister and we just consider ourselves sisters because we were raised together. 

[laurakaye]

Season 17, Episode ?? – The Calm Before the Storm

Spoiler

We are RIGHT on the precipice of watching Kody completely lose his mind, y’all.  The first part of this ep was filler, but the second part – the MEETING – was like seeing a massive thunderstorm on the horizon and watching it creep slowly towards your house.  And I have questions.  So many questions.  Let’s unpack!

The filler portion was actually nice, if I’m being honest.  We see pictures of Christine, Truely and Ysabel on their trip to Maddie and Caleb’s in NC.  The trip took 6 days, they made several fun stops along the way.  Truely complains about riding in the cramped back seat, and tells us that she’ll miss Yizzie (love the nickname) about a 7 out of 10, which means that she will miss her very much.  Ysabel and Christine discuss, in turn, their dependence on each other, especially through the last difficult year, and while they will miss each other, they need to be apart for both of their sakes.  Wise words from Ysabel – it’s good that she recognizes that it might not be healthy for her mom to lean so hard on Ysabel, and also that she’s looking forward to spending time with a couple that has a good relationship, unlike her own mother and sperm donor.  Hunter joins them for dinner, and looking at this particular gathering of Browns who actually seem to enjoy each other’s company is a sharp contrast to just how much some of these people can’t stand to be in the same room together.  As far as I’m concerned this gathering is because of Christine, period.  I hope Kody and Robyn watched this and felt regret, but we know that narcissistic sociopaths don’t have those kinds of fillings.

Now for this next portion, I hope y’all have empty bladders because you’re going to laugh so hard, you might tinkle!  You guys – It’s Meri and Just Jen, the besties from Fridays with Friends!  Here on our teevees!  They are so FUNNY, I can hardly make out what they’re saying from all the laughing!  Meri tells us that Just Jen dropped everything to help her when her mom passed, which again – my heart isn’t so cold that I can’t recognize that it was a nice thing to do for Meri, considering her own family did next to nothing.  Between the raucous non-stop giggle fest, Meri says that Jen is her BFF but not her sister wife!  Hahaha!  Then Meri says, “sorry Robyn!”  And I rewound this portion a couple of times to try and understand if this was a burn on Robyn  - if it is, I don’t really get it, but then we segue abruptly from Lizzie’s Laugh Fest to the biggest sourpuss to ever grace reality tv – Robyn Brown, who mopes that some sister wives are indeed besties, and that’s what she wanted from her own sister wife relationships but it’s not working out that way.  Gee, I can’t imagine why that would be?  Poor lonely Robyn, all alone in a mansion with Mr. CrazyPants.  Hahahahaha, now THAT’s funny!  Kody also chimes in with his grumpy assessment that Meri has basically been a pain in his ass since Day One so he’s glad that there’s one person in Meri’s universe that actually gives a damn about her, ‘cause it ain’t him.  Man, he is SUCH a jerk.  But  he’s only getting started in this episode.

Let’s just skip the part where Christine and Truely are re-arranging furniture, and Christine’s realtor comes by to tell her that she’s sold her house, and get to the MEETING.  Dun-dun-DUNNNNNNNN.

Christine has beckoned everyone to her home (not for long!) to discuss something important.  In turn, we see Janelle, who thinks she knows what Christine is up to, Robyn who is just all stressed out (sure, Jan), Meri who is filling lots of emotions like betrayal and hurt, and Kody who is just angry at Christine, angry that she’s leaving, angry that she just gets to do whatever she wants, etc.  This should be a super fun meeting!

Christine takes a deep breath and tells everyone that her house has sold and she’s moving the following week.  Janelle immediately says “YAY!” and wow, does this piss Kody off!  His perm is in a tizzy when he interviews that he doesn’t understand why Janelle is so happy for Christine, because Kody is furious that Christine has the gall to leave his ass – and in the next breath, he tells us how he’s never going to beg her to stay with offers of his undying love because he doesn’t even LIKE Christine.  SO WHICH IS IT?  Why is he so steamed that she’s leaving when he can’t even stand the sight of her?  Why does he not care at all if Meri runs off to Disneyland with a banana but he goes apoplectic when Christine finally has enough of his emotional abuse to go where she’s actually loved?  Sidebar here – I think the final straw for Christine was when everyone – Janelle included – gaslit her on her desire to move to Utah and Meri told her to look at the stupid mountains.  That is when I think something snapped in Christine’s mind and gave her clarity that she no longer needed to stick around and be ignored and belittled on the daily.  So for Kody to pretend to be enraged that he had no notice of anything Christine has been doing to prepare to leave him is literal crap – he knew.  HE KNEW.  His pwecious widdle ego has taken a big hit, by the wife he always thought would shut up and keep sweet, and he cannot stand it.

Robyn dries a non-existent tear and says that Christine can’t just leave – doesn’t she have to go to the church and ask for a divorce?  BUT – then Robyn interviews that Christine no longer follows their faith, but neither does Kody.  I don’t know why that was a shock to me, but it was.  And trying to follow Robyn’s logic that they have to go to their church leaders to be officially divorced when neither one is in the faith AND they were never legally married?  Make NO sense.  Robyn is trying her hardest to muddy the waters and confuse Christine, but lady – you don’t know who you’re messing with anymore.  This isn’t the meek third wife who humbly begged your forgiveness for her jealousy with the gift of an embroidered craft from Hobby Lobby – this is the new Christine who wants to burn it all down to the ground and start from scratch.  Robyn is clearly frazzled when every arrow she throws at Christine is calmly rebuffed, and it’s a beautiful thing to witness.  Kody says that he never signed any divorce papers and again, how could he when there was nothing to sign?  These two – I swear they practice their righteous indignation in the mirror before every family meeting.  It’s both hilarious and unsettling to watch them go at Christine like bad cop/bad cop.  Meri’s sad hair interviews that if Christine leaves and Kody just goes along with it, does that mean she’s not married to Kody either?  YES, GIRL.  This is EXACTLY what it means.  But Meri says what we all knew all along – she’s going to hang around like a wart on Kody’s butt on the off-chance that Kody doesn’t rilly loathe her and someday, might just want to work things out.  Immediately we cut to Kody who says, “Nope.  Never gonna happen.  No way.”  I laugh out loud – the editors are having some fun this season.

Kody goes on to yammer about how Meri no longer fits in with the family, which is a shitty thing to say out loud, but this jerk takes it a step further – he also tells us that Leon and Paedon also don’t fit in the family.  By whose definition?  Kody’s?  Really?  I was stunned that he said that out loud, on camera.  My instinct is that he picked on Leon and Paedon because both of them have been outspoken on social media about how they don’t respect Kody but that doesn’t mean they don’t “fit in the family.”  It means he has no use for them.  That’s different from not “fitting.”  Is he trying to hurt his kids, and then when they don’t react, cut them even deeper?  He is honestly a monster.

Wrapping up this shitstorm, Christine tells the gathering that things were bad between her and Kody as far back as Las Vegas, to which our resident Eyebrow Expert says, “that’s a lie!”  You guys, what are we even watching anymore?  Should this show be re-named to “Everyone Gaslights Christine?”  Or maybe “This is Us Trying to Take Down Christine?”  Just because Robyn pretended not to know about the tension between Kody and Christine, she tells Christine that things were great in LV and Christine is just making things up and…….my fingers hurt from rage, once again.  The fact that Christine didn’t get up and slap Robyn right off her lawn chair absolutely amazes me.  We end this episode perfectly, with Christine telling us that she is leaving with a clear conscious, because who wants to be married to a man who plays clear favorites and constantly breaks his kids’ hearts?  Not her.  SHE OUT.

BUT NEXT TIME on Sister Wives…..THE STORM ARRIVES.  Bring popcorn and cheap wine, it's gonna be GOOD.

Edited November 7, 2022 by laurakaye

[65mickey]

I'm sure there were many reasons why Christine decided that it was time to leave Kody when she did.  A crappy marriage, Kody not giving a damn about their children, Kody treating her like crap and  realizing that there is only one marriage in the family and there are only 5 kids that count and they live with Robyn. Knowing that none of this will change and wanting a happy life good for her for leaving.  As far as Robyn, Kody ganging up on her at the meeting she handled it well. But I wish that she had said to Robyn you have no idea what went on between Kody and me and Kody and our children so you need to shut up. I guess that they expected tha Christine would cry and beg their forgiveness but her demeanor let them know she wasn't playing that game. 

I maintain that Kody and Robyn are royally pissed because Christine took her money and didn't hand it over to them to pay off Coyote Pass of which Robyn and Kody own the lion's share. 

[ginger90]

1 minute ago, 65mickey said:

I maintain that Kody and Robyn are royally pissed because Christine took her money and didn't hand it over to them to pay off Coyote Pass of which Robyn and Kody own the lion's share. 

Although there could have been something in between that wasn’t filmed, it seems to me when Christine made the announcement she was leaving, the first thing Robyn asked was, “what about the property?”.

[hoosiermommy]

The juxtaposition of Maddy giving Ysabel her own bedroom and “rearranging their lives” to fit around Ysabel vs Kody not seeing Truly in the time since they got back from NC and saying they don’t have a place for her at Kody’s house (let’s just dispense with the charade it’s “Robyn’s house”, shall we?) despite having months of notice at that point about the divorce….chef’s kiss to the editors!

Also, I do not understand all the angst about having to figure out how to co-parent. That’s what you’ve been doing since you moved into separate houses. From Vegas to Flagstaff, the houses have gotten farther apart, putting a literal and figurative distance between you. Seriously, you’re 1 wife, 1 ex-wife and 2 baby mommas. That’s not terribly different from other “family” structures we see today outside of polygamy.

Finally, when Kody’s cooler head prevails (so approximately when I become President of the USA), he’s going to make his divorce with Meri “Christine official” and day “I divorce you” three times and call the cops on her if she trespasses on Coyote Pass. And he won’t even thank Christine for giving him the idea.

[Sedona]

48 minutes ago, Madding crowd said:

I was happy to see Meri smiling and laugh with her friend; I hope she will move far away from Kody and Robyn. When I moved away for college I had zero thoughts about marriage or wanting to be around a successful marriage and my parents were divorced. Christine made it clear that she doesn’t want any kids over 18 living with her, so Ysabel would be gone either way. My unpopular opinion is that Christine doesn’t have a big attachment to her kids, not the way Janelle and Meri do.
I also found it weird that Christine made it a point to say Ysabel is close to Janelle’s daughters instead of saying Ysabel is close to her sisters, because they are her sisters even if “half”. I have a half sister and we just consider ourselves sisters because we were raised together. 

Not seeing this in the least. 

[65mickey]

30 minutes ago, laurakaye said:

Wrapping up this shitstorm, Christine tells the gathering that things were bad between her and Kody as far back as Las Vegas, to which our resident Eyebrow Expert says, “that’s a lie!”

On the show last week Robyn and Meri have a sit down to discuss Christine and Kody. Did not Robyn say that she know that Christine was talking about leaving Kody before they moved to Flagstaff and that Christine hadn't seemed happy for a long time? Now who is the liar Robyn Robyn pants on fire?

[eskimo]

At this point in the timeline I don't know why Christine isn't telling them to fuck off already.  I get why she had to manage Kody in the beginning, but now?  She's all but gone, she needs nothing more from him and there isn't much conversation ledt to be had.  So when Robyn got outright bitchy Christine should have told her all kinds of things.  Kody has already dumped the kids so that's not an issue either. 

If it's not in her 'nature' (meaning 'keep sweet' cult raising), it is in mine and I'm more than happy to be her 'anger translator'.  Like Luther is for Obama on Key and Peele. 😆

https://youtu.be/-qv7k2_lc0M

Edited November 7, 2022 by eskimo

[65mickey]

52 minutes ago, Madding crowd said:

Christine made it clear that she doesn’t want any kids over 18 living with her, so Ysabel would be gone either way. My unpopular opinion is that Christine doesn’t have a big attachment to her kids, not the way Janelle and Meri do.

That was Kody who said that to Janelle that when the kids turn 18 she should put them out let them be on their own.   He sort of forgot about Robyn's grown over 18 year old kids living the high life in the mansion.  Christine said that Gwyn wanted to stay in Flagstaff and finish college. Ysabel  chose to go live with Maddie. And we saw both Christine and Ysabel feeling ambiguous about her decision.  I have never gotten the impression that Christine wanted her children to get out of the house at 18.