S05.E07: Tales from the Crypto

[Fable]

Holly makes a discovery about Wayne's finances. Kenny faces a decision about his future with Armando. Brandan loses patience with Mary's insecurities. Kirsten considers an ultimatum.

[anoninrva]

As a man not far from Kenny's age, I can kind of see his point about not living to see another child grow up, but Armando is much younger.  It almost seems selfish of him to deny him at this point.

Mary and Brandan just seem awkward.  She doesn't seem to have really changed from her position of getting jealous of random cashiers.  It was naive of him to think they'd change just because they're physically together now.   It also takes quite some time to convert to Catholicism, so if that's a prerequisite for the wedding, that could put another barrier between them staying together.

Kirsten is seeming a lot more sympathetic.  If he's dragging his feet forever, maybe she does need to cut her losses.

[Fable]

I think I actually really like Kirsten.  She seems like the only person this season with a lick of common sense.  

Brandan, get help, please!  You will never be enough or do enough for Mary.  She is an insatiable pit of neediness.  

[Scarlett45]

55 minutes ago, anoninrva said:

As a man not far from Kenny's age, I can kind of see his point about not living to see another child grow up, but Armando is much younger.  It almost seems selfish of him to deny him at this point.

Mary and Brandan just seem awkward.  She doesn't seem to have really changed from her position of getting jealous of random cashiers.  It was naive of him to think they'd change just because they're physically together now.   It also takes quite some time to convert to Catholicism, so if that's a prerequisite for the wedding, that could put another barrier between them staying together.

Kirsten is seeming a lot more sympathetic.  If he's dragging his feet forever, maybe she does need to cut her losses.

I can understand Armando wants another child, but this is a discussion they should’ve had before they married. 
 

I have to say I’m team Kenny- he has raised four children and knows what it takes- physically, financially and emotionally. He’s TIRED. Additionally, he knows he might not stay healthy until this child is a legal adult, and Armando may have to take care of both the child and him. 
 

I’d be more sympathetic to Armando if he didn’t have any children, but he has Hannah and she’s half way to physical independence. Yes you want another but we don’t always get everything that we want. Kenny loves him, is helping him take care of Hannah and has seriously upgraded his life financially. Let him spend his senior years in peace and not have to care for a baby or spend his retirement fund on caregiving for anyone that’s not himself. 

I think Kristen really loves Julio but she needs to RUN. He’s shady AF. He’s not willing to consider her emotional needs at all, and had her come all the way to NY to meet his family and was stringing her along the entire time. How cruel. 

 

37 minutes ago, Fable said:

I think I actually really like Kirsten.  She seems like the only person this season with a lick of common sense.  

Brandan, get help, please!  You will never be enough or do enough for Mary.  She is an insatiable pit of neediness.  

Kristen seems nice and sincere.

 

The dynamic between Mary & Brandon creeps me out. Even if they are “faking” this controlling behavior isn’t cute. 

[surfgirl]

Mary is mentally unstable and extremely manipulative IMO. She is seriously nuts and Brandon was so caring and rational telling her what he needs but she can't handle anything other than leading him around by a dog collar. Indont think any ampunt of therapy will fix her,  but if it did, it would take a very long time. Dude needs to see that the last two years of having hia phone on 24/7 is some unhealthy shit that isnt getting better in person, and just go home ASAP. I could see Mary turning morphing from an emotional abuser to a physical abuser over time, this is scary and not entertaining at all to me.

Kenny, I get it. And yes Armando has Hannah so it's not like he doesn't have any children. It seems like he wants another child to replace the one he lost, and that's not a good enough reason to bring a child into the world. Armando needs some therapy to get over that loss. He's usually very emotionally intelligent so I'm surprised he doesn't realize this.

Holly is such a hot mess. She dresses like a cheap hooker and looks like a methhead close up. And dont get me started on that....hair. I've spent time in South Africa and it's a very dangerous country in urban areas. She will never be able to go running at night. Period end of story. And a gated community does not mean no crime. I know someone who lived in a gated community and someone got into their home and attacked a house guest. Shit happens there and she's too stupid to learn and accept the local reality. Mind you, Wayne isn't a prize either, but damn, this girl acts like she's cracked out all the time, her maturity level is that of a 14 year old, and her clothing is straight out of Frederick's of Hollywood, and absolutely people will assume she's a hooker by the way she dresses. Even that red mini dress she wore to house hunt was inappropriate.  Jeez.

Julio is still attached to his mommy's teat. Kristin needs to cut bait with this asshole.

Thats all I got on these chucklefucks.

Edited August 22, 2023 by surfgirl

[libgirl2]

Mary isnt going to change if this is what she is really like. She has serious abandonment issues. I thought Brandan was really trying to explain things kindly to her. She is directing him with everything. I get it that her faith is important but just going every Sunday to church isn't going to convert him. He is going to have to take classes. And gasp, what if there are women in that class?

I feel bad for Kenny and Armando but I'm about Kenny's age and I don't blame him. Kids, especially infants, are a lot of work. I've done that already and I'm done. 

Not much more I can say about Holly that hasn't been said. She is so wobbly. 

I also came away with liking Kristen a lot more. She is sensible. Sure she likes her selfies but we are saying another side of her. A side that doesn't seem to belong on this show. 

Edited August 22, 2023 by libgirl2

[kacesq]

I would really like to know what conversations Kenny and Armando had re: kids before getting married - if they had any at all.  It seems like this is a huge issue to have tabled until after the wedding.  That being said, I'm so tired of Kenny and his tears plus I suspect after this season airs, the two of them will be back on Pillow Talk all happy and content as if this "huge issue" isn't allegedly tearing them apart.  ::cynical::

Ah, poor Brandan - take a good look and see if this is what you want for your life because I don't think Mary is going to change.

 

[Raja]

2 hours ago, libgirl2 said:

Mary isnt going to change if this is what she is really like. She has serious abandonment issues. I thought Brandan was really trying to explain things kindly to her. She is directing him with everything. I get it that her faith is important but just going every Sunday to church isn't going to convert him. He is going to have to take classes. And gasp, what if there are women in that class?

This is the first episode I have seen on this show.

Being on Negros Occidental where practically everyone is already nominally Catholic  any formal conversion classes are probably few and far between. If they are going towards a wedding mass as opposed to  just a Bishop signing off on a wedding it would be more of a one on one. Brandon not attending church since he was 7 being a bigger problem if his parents did not take him to an infant baptizing church which uses the Catholic approved wording.

The entire "don't look at  another woman" feels like follow the script to me.

[libgirl2]

1 hour ago, Raja said:

This is the first episode I have seen on this show.

Being on Negros Occidental where practically everyone is already nominally Catholic  any formal conversion classes are probably few and far between. If they are going towards a wedding mass as opposed to  just a Bishop signing off on a wedding it would be more of a one on one. Brandon not attending church since he was 7 being a bigger problem if his parents did not take him to an infant baptizing church which uses the Catholic approved wording.

The entire "don't look at  another woman" feels like follow the script to me.

I didn't think that instruction would probably be pretty fast and not very formal. 

[Raja]

1 hour ago, libgirl2 said:

I didn't think that instruction would probably be pretty fast and not very formal. 

Of course the acceptance is easy by design. A baptism to qualify for a wedding mass is normally held off to be part of the Holy Week celebrations. 

They seem be just coming out of the universal masking mandates when filming. With only a few of the congregation going without 

[surfgirl]

4 hours ago, Raja said:

The entire "don't look at  another woman" feels like follow the script to me.

I'd agree with you except that her panic attack or whatever that was at the end came across to me as very real and very scary. I actually was proud of Brandon for not running over to console her and instead let the crew deal with her. This is what she will do every and any time Brandon stands up to her controlling BS. He better get used to a life time of this crazy behavior, or go home now. I really hope he goes home before there are kids involved.

Edited August 22, 2023 by surfgirl

[Kid]

4 hours ago, kacesq said:

Ah, poor Brandan - take a good look and see if this is what you want for your life because I don't think Mary is going to change.

He must be thinking with his little head, because I don't understand how he can tolerate even being around that whiny, controlling little shit.

[libgirl2]

12 minutes ago, Kid said:

He must be thinking with his little head, because I don't understand how he can tolerate even being around that whiny, controlling little shit.

He saw this behavior before he even set foot in the country, so he knew what he was getting into.

[surfgirl]

17 minutes ago, libgirl2 said:

He saw this behavior before he even set foot in the country, so he knew what he was getting into.

He must have his own self esteem issues to think her demands are normal behavior.

[suzeecat]

I agree with the comments regarding Mary's controlling behavior.  I get that she has abandonment issues and maybe (?) some therapy could help.  Thank goodness Brandan is speaking up and holding his ground.  If he were to try to appease her, I worry that he'd end up snapping and becoming violent. 

As for Holly running at night, seriously girl, I don't think it's safe to run ANYWHERE alone at night, not even US.  I wonder if there are any running groups she could hook up with.  It's not ideal, but if she MUST run, get a treadmill.  That house they looked at looked quite nice, and the cost seemed reasonable by US income standards.  I don't have a clue how much Wayne brings in but he seems to be very secretive about all things financial with Holly. 

Kenny/Armando seem to be fabricating a story line. 

I haven't been paying too much attention to Kirsten because I'm too busy doing other things when this show is on to read the captions. 

[Raja]

About 20 years ago when communicating became practically free and no longer being paid by the minutes or characters in a text I first heard of folks running cams on their selves while sleeping. 

Like the general reaction to straying eyes their use of technology seems to be over the top.

So meeting on line during the global lockdowns lead to an exclusive relationship including sexting got them cast?

[1011101010001]

8 hours ago, libgirl2 said:

I get it that her faith is important

She can believe in all the wild stuff in the Bible but not that her boyfriend can be faithful.  Also while it sucks to be cheated on, it’s common and it wouldn’t be the end of the world.  No one can guarantee that your partner will never cheat at some point in the future.  If you expect that level of certainty you should stay single.  

[1011101010001]

I assume that $40k number is in South African money which is a fraction of US dollars.  Also if Wayne is renting that house why is he doing all these upgrades like adding a pool?  

[lilysmom]

2 hours ago, surfgirl said:

He must have his own self esteem issues to think her demands are normal behavior.

Don't you think that many people equate jealousy (in the beginning) as a sign of how much someone loves you and only you? That it might seem flattering to have someone love you so much that they can't tolerate having you sit on a plane near a woman. It is only later that you realize that it is not about love at all, but rather an overwhelming desire to control the other person. Mary has shown over and over how controlling she is.

I thought it was very telling when she told him to "leave her then." when he tried to explain his feelings. Of course this came AFTER he had sent all his money to fix up their house.

[CrazyInAlabama]

Instead of a pool, Wayne should look for a place with solar panels, to eliminate the worries about load shedding (rolling blackouts that happen regularly). 

Holly is not going to stay safe with her attitude about ignoring the crime dangers where she'll be living.  

[Kath94]

1 hour ago, MrBuhBye said:

I assume that $40k number is in South African money which is a fraction of US dollars.  Also if Wayne is renting that house why is he doing all these upgrades like adding a pool?  

I was wondering that myself.  Is it USD$40K or ZAR40K?, which is closer to USD$2,000.  Still a lot of money but not necessarily life changing.

...and does he currently own the house they're living in or are they renting?  If he owns it then he'll make some money selling it.  If he's renting  then he can apply the monthly rent to his mortgage.  (Assuming mortgages exist in S.A.)

[IvySpice]

So Brandan, it looks to me like Mary has a condition called Borderline Personality Disorder. The extreme emotional neediness? The constant tears? The instantaneous rage when she said "Then go find someone else!" The part where she makes her problems your responsibility ("What do you want me to do?")? This is a lifelong situation. Even treatment from a psychiatrist isn't that effective, and you as her partner can't treat it at all. Either you like the relationship the way it is right now (which would mean you're as sick as she is), or you have to leave. Adding vulnerable children will only make things worse. It will never get better.

[surfgirl]

2 hours ago, lilysmom said:

Don't you think that many people equate jealousy (in the beginning) as a sign of how much someone loves you and only you? That it might seem flattering to have someone love you so much that they can't tolerate having you sit on a plane near a woman. It is only later that you realize that it is not about love at all, but rather an overwhelming desire to control the other person. Mary has shown over and over how controlling she is.

Nope. All of the above bolded is possessive weird unhealthy behavior whether it's at the beginning of a relationship or well into it. And tbh, if someone is showing this level of controlling behavior - and any time they perceive the slightest infraction they throw a fit and break up with the other person - that should be the exit ticket the other person should take, because if someone is exhibiting this level of crazy at the beginning of a relationship, what's it going to escalate to as the years go on?

ETA: This is an emotionally abusive relationship, and as always with TLC, they exploit both parties in the name of entertainment. There is nothing entertaining about watching Brandon get abused over and over. It's sick.

Edited August 22, 2023 by surfgirl

[Fable]

I think there is hope for Brandan if he gets away and gets some long-term therapy.  He seems, for the most part, to have a good head on his shoulders (relationship with Mary not withstanding), and hopefully he can work through his childhood trauma and abandonment issues.  

I won't go as far as to say Mary is without hope, but she needs a major overhaul, which I can only imagine will take intensive therapy for a very long time.  

Edited August 22, 2023 by Fable

[1011101010001]

1 hour ago, IvySpice said:

"What do you want me to do?"

He told her repeatedly not to forbid him from looking at other people.  She says he can but not if he wants to be with her.  So she is choosing to deliver an ultimatum and it is within her control to retract it.

1 hour ago, surfgirl said:

There is nothing entertaining about watching Brandon get abused over and over. It's sick.

Dahmer attempted to lobotomize some of his victims so they would not abandon him.  This is the level that unchecked insecurity can rise to.  There is nothing romantic about it.

[IvySpice]

3 hours ago, lilysmom said:

Don't you think that many people equate jealousy (in the beginning) as a sign of how much someone loves you and only you?

Yes, I agree that many people do make this mistake. It's never reasonable, and in my experience, lots of other people (like Brandan's family) can see what's going on and warn the abused partner, who refuses to take their advice. Which makes it hard for me to have much pity on that person when they boo-hoo ten years into the marriage about how they got stuck because the abuser was so charming at the beginning. By "charming" they mean this controlling crap that everyone around them could see right through. Other people warned you not to stick your hand into a running lawnmower, but you did it anyway. Poor you.

[AR Traveler]

re Kenny and Armando: I predict that Armando will realize that having a baby isn't the issue, it's unresolved grief.  I hope he realizes that another baby can't "replace" a dead child, and it's not that child's job to make everything OK.  I can see the pressure that child would feel to be as perfect as Hannah is and to almost live up to a ghost (even if the child never learns of the dead child).  Raising a child would be a big ask of Kenny at 60 in the best of circumstances.  What if the child had physical or mental problems?  What if Kenny dies and leaves that child for Armando to care for?  Plus, Kenny's daughter is right: there would be little to no bond between that child and his/her half-siblings. Obviously there's a lot that they didn't take into account before all the romance of the wedding.

What is wrong with Holly?  She's a middle aged woman who has the common sense of a carrot.  I don't know of many Americans, including myself, who would go jogging alone after dark in any neighborhood.  Even King Kong wouldn't try it in SA.  Did she actually have to be told not to dress like you want certain attentions?  But look at Mom, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Brandan must have thought that finally being with Mary in her country would magically fix her problems with trust.  Flash: they'll get worse.  This is emotional damage, not "overthinking".  Brandan has his own abandonment issues if he stuck around for the Big Brother treatment for longer than a week.  He has a lesser seen control streak himself.  It seems that constant surveillance was going on from the start.  Neither of them are remotely ready for a relationship, even before you tackle religion and culture.

Kirsten has found herself a man-boy still attached to Mommy.  If she doesn't call it quits now, she will be ghosted via his excuses.  She already mentioned the excuses were starting.  She can do far better.

[Stuckathome]

10 hours ago, AR Traveler said:

What is wrong with Holly?  She's a middle aged woman who has the common sense of a carrot.  I don't know of many Americans, including myself, who would go jogging alone after dark in any neighborhood.  Even King Kong wouldn't try it in SA.  Did she actually have to be told not to dress like you want certain attentions?  But look at Mom, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

I can only hope/think that this is all an act for the cameras to give them SOME type of storyline and recoup some $$ from his crypto debacle. She has been to SA prior to this and not just at a resort, she hung out with him at his home. Besides being a bit shady about how much $$ he actually has, I think Wayne has been very upfront with her about what life is like in SA on the daily. Either she has some sort of addiction issue that makes her so muddled in the brain, or this is all an act for some air time. 

Brandan does have issues because he was raised by an active addict. He sees himself as having been abandoned by her when he had to go live with his bio dad who apparently was strict and had some rules. Honestly, he is lucky the dad stepped up----it seemed like he hadn't been in his life that much (mom moved on and had other kids) but then was there for his son to keep him out of the foster system. It's the bare min, but hey, more than some get. Mary needs intense therapy. Unfortunately 

Spoiler

the couples thread says that these two do in fact marry and have already added an innocent baby to this toxic nightmare. I predict they will move back to the US. 

 

[Scarlett45]

14 hours ago, IvySpice said:

Yes, I agree that many people do make this mistake. It's never reasonable, and in my experience, lots of other people (like Brandan's family) can see what's going on and warn the abused partner, who refuses to take their advice. Which makes it hard for me to have much pity on that person when they boo-hoo ten years into the marriage about how they got stuck because the abuser was so charming at the beginning. By "charming" they mean this controlling crap that everyone around them could see right through. Other people warned you not to stick your hand into a running lawnmower, but you did it anyway. Poor you.

No one deserves to be abused, but in the case of someone very young like Brandan, who went through trauma and abandonment because of his mother’s addiction, I am more understanding than I would be towards others. 
 

There is so much shame around things like this (especially for men I think) that I would never want to shame anyone when they finally realize they need to get away from the situation (unless an innocent person, like a child was hurt and they didn’t act to protect them). If someone realizes that the relationship is toxic and they want out, I’d hope their family and friends would support them. 
 

Of course people have to put their well being first and I can see so many family and friends being burnt out and not having more to give. 

[1011101010001]

12 hours ago, AR Traveler said:

re Kenny and Armando: I predict that Armando will realize that having a baby isn't the issue, it's unresolved grief.  I hope he realizes that another baby can't "replace" a dead child, and it's not that child's job to make everything OK.  I can see the pressure that child would feel to be as perfect as Hannah is and to almost live up to a ghost (even if the child never learns of the dead child).  Raising a child would be a big ask of Kenny at 60 in the best of circumstances.  What if the child had physical or mental problems?  What if Kenny dies and leaves that child for Armando to care for?  Plus, Kenny's daughter is right: there would be little to no bond between that child and his/her half-siblings. Obviously there's a lot that they didn't take into account before all the romance of the wedding.

What is wrong with Holly?  She's a middle aged woman who has the common sense of a carrot.  I don't know of many Americans, including myself, who would go jogging alone after dark in any neighborhood.  Even King Kong wouldn't try it in SA.  Did she actually have to be told not to dress like you want certain attentions?  But look at Mom, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Brandan must have thought that finally being with Mary in her country would magically fix her problems with trust.  Flash: they'll get worse.  This is emotional damage, not "overthinking".  Brandan has his own abandonment issues if he stuck around for the Big Brother treatment for longer than a week.  He has a lesser seen control streak himself.  It seems that constant surveillance was going on from the start.  Neither of them are remotely ready for a relationship, even before you tackle religion and culture.

Kirsten has found herself a man-boy still attached to Mommy.  If she doesn't call it quits now, she will be ghosted via his excuses.  She already mentioned the excuses were starting.  She can do far better.

What help around the house does Julio’s mother need?  The one sibling is an adult and the other is a teen.  

1 hour ago, Stuckathome said:

He sees himself as having been abandoned by her when he had to go live with his bio dad who apparently was strict and had some rules

It’s like Goldilocks, mom too permissive, dad too strict.  If only he could build the perfect parent.

[kittle1974]

I don't know what it is about these couples, but I am finding this season to be really tedious and boring (and we are getting introduced to even more losers next week???). I don't know about anyone else, but I am getting much more enjoyment from the episode titles than the episodes themselves. Tales From the Crypto!?!? That's gold, Jerry! 😂 At least we are down to an hour per episode now, but it still feels like a slog to get through it. 

[anoninrva]

2 hours ago, MrBuhBye said:

It’s like Goldilocks, mom too permissive, dad too strict.  If only he could build the perfect parent.

I don't feel like they elaborated too much on that point, but it just sounded to me like dad had rules, and he'd gotten used to not having any.  Now that he's a young adult, that's probably less relevant.

[J80134]

Oh Holly, most of us learned as teens that the run off to see if you chase me test most often fails. You're safe because there's a production crew....but still a dick move by Wayne to ditch you. PS...you absolutely look like a junkie hooker stumbling down the street!!

Kirsten is catch! Julio can backpeddle right to mama's basement. A grown man is in her future.

I can't help it basically says I have no intention of changing. Mary is the dictator and Brandon is her loyal subject. It's like a fairytale...Psycho and the Man-Puppet

[Shrek]

1 hour ago, J80134 said:

Oh Holly, most of us learned as teens that the run off to see if you chase me test most often fails. You're safe because there's a production crew....but still a dick move by Wayne to ditch you. PS...you absolutely look like a junkie hooker stumbling down the street!!

She runs off & he's the dick ????????????????????????????? He knows full well there is a film crew with her IF he did drive off and this is entirely her fault, dick move or not.

Why do the Americans on this show continually act as if there are no consequences for them because they are Americans ? That's a rhetorical question.

[J80134]

15 hours ago, Shrek said:

She runs off & he's the dick ????????????????????????????? He knows full well there is a film crew with her IF he did drive off and this is entirely her fault, dick move or not.

I agree she's at fault for running off. He delivered bad news and she reacted foolishly. Maybe he's driving around looking for her. I didn't consider that because I'm a dick who would leave her to figure out I don't play the chase me game.

[1011101010001]

21 hours ago, J80134 said:

but still a dick move by Wayne to ditch you.

I dunno if he chases her when she telegraphs she wants to be away from him then he can be portrayed as a stalker.  This just reaffirms she has the maturity of a child.

[Fable]

On 8/24/2023 at 4:10 PM, Shrek said:

She runs off & he's the dick ????????????????????????????? He knows full well there is a film crew with her IF he did drive off and this is entirely her fault, dick move or not.

I know, right?!  She is so instant that they move because doesn't feel safe where they are, and yet knowing the dangers, runs off anyhow.  

On 8/25/2023 at 12:20 PM, MrBuhBye said:

This just reaffirms she has the maturity of a child.

You said it!  

[Stuckathome]

There are a series of videos on a facebook group called Soft White Underbelly, I think they are on youtube as well, where this man interviews people he meets who live on the streets. Most are addicted to some substance and to be honest, I get these popping up in my feed and most of the time make it one minute. They are so hard to watch because the subject is usually so high or so damaged, they struggle to string together a coherent statement. That is what I thought of while watching Holly's segments in this episode. She is either high, or has some sort of brain damage, severe developmental disability (high functioning in some sense, right cause she does live and work on her own). 

I feel badly for Wayne---from his perspective, he has a decent job, he spent all this $$ to upgrade the home he has to make it safer for them to live in, he is trying to be patient with her and teach her how to adjust to life and all she does is beat him down about getting a bigger house. She is bitching about having spent $5,000 on her move there and wedding dress and equates that with him buying a whole new fucking house?? He has explained to her about safety (bitch, you aren't EVER going to find a place to go running alone at night in SA), about her clothes and now his financial situation and it just doesn't seem to sink in. The latest with her insisting that he let her help him at his business reminded me of Danielle and Yohan and his butcher shop. Wayne calmly explained why he wanted to avoid that with her and she just. doesn't. get. it. 

Kirsten needs to run...when she said "but I have invested a year" I LOL'd. Girl, you are in your 20s!! I remember thinking the same when I was in my 20s, but it was my first husband......18 years later the same annoying shit was what lead to the divorce. Julio will never man up against his mama. He is using mama as an excuse to not get his shit together. 

[1011101010001]

9 hours ago, Stuckathome said:

I feel badly for Wayne

Plumbers make good money in the US so I wonder if the reason he isn’t moving there is because he doesn’t want to or because he can’t because of a criminal record like Ronald.

9 hours ago, Stuckathome said:

Girl, you are in your 20s!! I

I always hear folks in their 20s on reality shows say things like I have never felt this way in my “whole entire” life.  Putting aside the redundancy, you have just barely started your adult life.

[Stuckathome]

13 hours ago, MrBuhBye said:

Plumbers make good money in the US so I wonder if the reason he isn’t moving there is because he doesn’t want to or because he can’t because of a criminal record like Ronald.

I have wondered the same thing. I assume he has family there? This is the first time I heard a mention of an ex-wife. Perhaps he has minor kids that he just didn't want filmed and he doesn't want to/can't leave them? And some people just like life where they are and don't want to leave their country. I think I posted before that I suspect/hope a lot of their drama is manufactured to get some screen time and a larger TLC paycheck. He constantly wears his business's logo shirts so, maybe this is also a way to promote his business? 

[IvySpice]

On 8/29/2023 at 7:59 AM, Stuckathome said:

Plumbers make good money in the US

They do, but that doesn't mean it makes sense to walk away from an existing small business and start over in middle age. He has no connections in the U.S., no apprenticeship here, no union card, no reason to think he can outcompete the plumbers here.