S19.E09: Baptism by Fire

[Mod-Tranquilizer]

Janelle warns Meri about trusting Kody regarding the Coyote Pass property. Despite having dated for only a few months, Christine and David go house-hunting. The family gathers for Gwendlyn's bridal shower, and Kody awkwardly meets David.

[salvame]

Was this Gwendolyn and Bea's engagement party or shower? I'm so confused LOL

[Auntie Freeze]

Oh Meri. Loyal and trusting (and foolish) to the end. I wonder if she helped pay off the debt. It certainly sounded like she assumed she'd have to chip in. Again. Janelle did what she could to open her eyes.

A fleeting background character at your own party. I feel for Gwen. All the inconvenience of a film crew there and yet no real record of the occasion.

I hope Ysabel is seeing a counsellor to help her process. That preview was rough to see.

[Shelbie]

I admit I could have missed it but I think this may have been the first episode that Robyn didn’t cry. 

[Kellyee]

Quote

Oh Meri. Loyal and trusting (and foolish) to the end. I wonder if she helped pay off the debt. It certainly sounded like she assumed she'd have to chip in. Again. Janelle did what she could to open her eyes.

Janelle only came around to "warn" Meri when it would benefit Janelle. I agree with Janelle about Kody and Robyn, but I also agree with Meri being skeptical of Janelle claiming to have her back. I think Janelle does what works for Janelle most of the time. 

That visit wasn't really for Meri. Janelle needs an ally. Janelle has no intention of being Meri's friend in the future. Janelle doesn't really care about Meri any more than Kody and Robyn do. Janelle and Meri just happen to be in the same boat right now, and Janelle wants to use that to her advantage in getting her money out of Coyote Pass. 

 

 

 

 

[Auntie Freeze]

I don't think Janelle's motivation particularly matters when she's telling nothing but the truth. A truth that Meri needs to realise for her own benefit. I also don't believe she or Meri could ever trust each other enough to fight SADKRAB together anyway.

[SunnyBeBe]

After all that’s transpired, you could still see the bristles between Janelle and Meri. Really ladies?  My goodness they hold on long and hard. After all that counseling and they still can’t let it go.  Life is short. Maybe they feel differently now.  
 

I find the CP land situation confusing. I haven’t bothered to see what actually happened.  
 

Kody’s comments about loving and not judging fit with what he’s always said.  Hopefully, improvements have occurred with the kids relationships.  I guess more of that next week.  
 

I thought Christine and David had high standards for their new house.  Must be nice.  

[Kendra143]

I think Kody says what ever he thinks makes him look like a better person. He Doesn’t live and breathe the platitudes he’s always spouting. Kody is all about what is best for KODY. Period. 

[smarty]

How Meri can think that Kody will treat her fairly is beyond comprehension. Does anyone remember how when Robyn and Meri lived next to each other in Las Vegas Kody fixed up Robyn's backyard into a green park with a gazebo and grass and Meri's backyard was a dusty wasteland?  Right Meri, he'll make sure you are taken care.

[General Days]

7 hours ago, salvame said:

Was this Gwendolyn and Bea's engagement party or shower? I'm so confused LOL

It was their engagement party. 

 

Edited to add:

TIMELINE NOTE:

It seems Gwendlyn and Bea's engagement party was the first weekend of February 2023. Here's a contemporaneous article about it from ET: https://www.etonline.com/sister-wives-star-gwendlyn-brown-celebrates-engagement-party-see-who-was-invited-of-the-wives 

Edited Monday at 03:37 PM by General Days
To add information

[sassi214]

So we're still more than a year away from a present timeline. 

I'm glad we're seeing all of this, but they could hurry it along more. I know that's not Puddle Monkey's style, but they have to evolve with the times man. 

Watching Meri and Janelle was painful. They are both still blocked up. They are both still defensive and attempting to play nice. Even in regards to Kody and Robyn where the writing has been on the wall for an excruciatingly long time. 

I would think that it would feel so liberating to let it all out. It doesn't have to be the ex wives club! Meri really has a difficult time with self awareness and reflection. She is still sore that Christine was trying to protect herself when she left Kody and couldn't commit in that moment to have a relationship with Meri. 

Meri ALWAYS was siding with K&R, why would Christine feel safe with her??

It's really too bad. At the party when they were hugging, I felt so happy that they had a moment where they just leaned into it and let their guard down and expressed their love for each other. I thought that was lovely and I think they could absolutely have a wonderful friendship.

I think once they are done with the financial stuff with K&R, they can all get to a place where Kody never has to be a topic of conversation and the three can just be friends. I can see it happening. I hope Meri comes around. 

I really didn't like Gwen's interactions with David. What kind of adult acts like that?

Next week's preview is sad. Ysabel shouldn't look at David as someone who could come in between her and Kody, she should look squarely at Kody if she doesn't have a relationship with him. It is 100% on Kody. 

 

 

[BAForever]

1 hour ago, sassi214 said:

  Next week's preview is sad. Ysabel shouldn't look at David as someone who could come in between her and Kody, she should look squarely at Kody if she doesn't have a relationship with him. It is 100% on Kody. 

 

 

Most of the OG 13 kids seem well-adjusted, happy, productive adults (not forgetting Garrison). That's pretty amazing in today's world. Does not surprise me at all that Ysabel might struggle with any new relationship her mom has. Christine involved her kids way too much in the implosion of her relationship with Kody. I totally agree with @sassi214 about Kody, and think Christine should have kept all of it away from her kids still at home. 

[Denize]

I thought Ysabel was saying that Kody may exit from her life when Christine has a new husband that can father Christine's children 

[kassa]

The scenes between Meri and Janelle reminded me of a talking head when the divorce happened (Meri turning over "legal wife" status to Robyn).  Janelle pointedly said at the time that no matter their fundamental differences, she had no expectation that Meri would have ever been anything but fair should Kody have died and she had to divide everything up (the implication being that this confidence did not extend to Robyn.) So whatever grievances and resentments there were between them, she respected Meri's fundamental honesty and, well, fidelity. So I didn't see these scenes as Janelle being manipulative, but respectfully giving the heads up (and of course also feeling for any chance of collaboration on the topic).  She may not want to have anything to do with Meri but feel some lingering sense of fairness towards her. And Meri seems to have been under the impression that Janelle was minding the finances, something she personally trusted Janelle with, so that was a vital piece of information to have imparted.

As for the kids and David, with age they'll realize the extent to which their mother has been alone for 10-15 yrs as opposed to just being a few months out from a "divorce." Yes, wanting to marry after 2 mos is fast, but barring complete fiscal irresponsibility or safety issues, the stakes are not as high at 50 as they are at 20.  Doesn't seem likely that this guy is going to drain her bank account and run for the hills. She's unlikely to become pregnant. If she gets the high of playing Cinderella for a couple of years and then comes down to earth and realizes it's not a lifetime match she can make other choices and still be a relatively young woman.

Edited Monday at 07:37 PM by kassa

[OlderThanDirt]

If I were one of Christine's kids I'd want to know a lot more about David's life than we are seeing on screen. But presumably there were conversations with some of his eight kids that included hard questions about their mother's death as well as his character and value system. However those conversations don't need to be televised. How he'll treat Truly is the most important thing and it feels like Aspyn and Mitch will keep their eyes on that. Aspyn and Logan were surrogate parents  for the middle kids so she has the history.

I thought the conversation between Christine and Meri after Meri referenced the catfishing was the only real conversation we've seen in years; spontaneous, albeit shortlived, but real. 

[VioletNevermind]

A better title for this episode is "This Could Have Been an Email."  That face-to-face between Janelle and Meri was excruciating to watch and beyond unnecessary.  I have always championed Janelle as one of the only true adults on this show, but that meeting did not have to happen.  While I can admire Janelle's desire to ensure that Meri gets what she is entitled to, it's way past time to butt out and allow Meri to advocate for herself and what she wants.  This is just yet another reason not to enter into these massive financial arrangements without the law behind you.  Again, that's Meri's cross to bear and none of Janelle's business anymore. 

My only other note about this episode was when Christine put her head on David's shoulder while gazing almost defiantly up at Kody.  Oh, girl, please stop.  That was just embarrassing.  I can certainly understand any scored woman's desire to make sure that the man who treated her badly sees her doing well, but she's laying it on a bit thick.  TLC's decision to play the wedding before laying the foundation for their relationship was unfortunate.  Like many of you, I am done with the Christine and David Show.  I also feel really bad for little Truely.  Speaking as a former sensitive child, she may be sitting there, reading her book in silence while everyone talks around her, but believe me when I tell you that she is seeing everything and hearing everything.  She radiates discomfort with her mother's PDAs and it's wrong of Christine to continue to shove them down everyone's throats "whether they like it or not."  Good Lord, woman, practice some self-control and sensitivity while your kids (especially the 14-year-old who will have to live with this day in and day out) get accustomed to things. 

Edited Monday at 08:10 PM by VioletNevermind

[MaryMitch]

Janelle is right to be worried that she - and Meri! - could lose all equity in the land due to Kody's inaction. She needed to have a face to face with Meri to at least try to make her see that. Meri is still shell-shocked about the reality of "it's over", and maybe she's not ready to face that reality, but if they default they will lose a ton of money, and Kody won't be able to stop that. (And you can be sure he won't even think about trying to make it right with his exes.)

I don't have a problem with the speed of progression of Christine and David's relationship. When you know, you know. Christine might be giggly and excited, but they are spending a lot of time together and they seem compatible. And it's not surprising that Christine's children aren't totally on board; it's a pretty common reaction for children of divorce.

[RoxiP]

All of Christine's kids have seen and known that their biological father was in a sexual relationship with 3 other women besides their mother (well, okay, maybe not Meri).  Their whole life has been (to the outside world) inappropriate.  I think Christine is laying it on a little thick but hopefully Truely will learn to adapt and the joy and love that so far David and Christine are manifesting will help her become a happy and functional adult who can find a joyous relationship for herself.  We can only hope! 

[ragingpixie]

Kody: "Here we are with my shy wife. My pretty, shy wife. My wife who is shy. And pretty. But shy, very shy. So pretty, though."

Sure, Jan.

[precious pupp]

1 hour ago, ragingpixie said:

Kody: "Here we are with my shy wife. My pretty, shy wife. My wife who is shy. And pretty. But shy, very shy. So pretty, though."

Sure, Jan.

That was so, so 🤮.

Did anyone else think Kody and Robyn were using those babies as a shield against David and Christine presenting as a united couple?  

Shy, my arse.  Robyn's been a snake "since day one."

[SemiCharmedLife]

2 hours ago, ragingpixie said:

Kody: "Here we are with my shy wife. My pretty, shy wife. My wife who is shy. And pretty. But shy, very shy. So pretty, though."

Sure, Jan.

I was hoping someone was going to bring this up.  Just ugh.

[LotusFlower]

10 hours ago, VioletNevermind said:

My only other note about this episode was when Christine put her head on David's shoulder while gazing almost defiantly up at Kody.  Oh, girl, please stop. 

Not me - I loved it!  Polygamous men get to “court,” flirt, and show affection towards as many wives as they want, in front of the other wives, and the wives have to watch and take it, while suppressing their jealousy, or denying it.  It’s pathetic, insensitive, and grossly unfair.  Who remembers in season one when Kody and Meri went out to dinner on their anniversary, and Kody famously said he would be sick to his stomach if he ever saw Meri kiss or show affection towards another man?!  This, of course, after he was “courting” Robyn, and caught kissing her before they got married.  (This bothered the OG3, as I guess this was not usual or ok?). Kody is finally getting his comeuppance.  Yay!

[Soapy Goddess]

I also enjoyed Christine putting her head on David's shoulder. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. And if Kody no longer has any feelings for Christine, then it shouldn't bother him one bit.

[LilyD]

14 hours ago, kassa said:

Yes, wanting to marry after 2 mos is fast, but barring complete fiscal irresponsibility or safety issues, the stakes are not as high at 50 as they are at 20.  Doesn't seem likely that this guy is going to drain her bank account and run for the hills.

If there are kids involved, particularly when they’re still young/living at home, the stakes are huge. At least that’s how I see it. 
You’re not just choosing a new husband, but also a step-father for your children. Someone who is going to spend a lot of time around them and will likely have a lasting influence on their lives.

[VioletNevermind]

7 hours ago, LotusFlower said:

Not me - I loved it!  Polygamous men get to “court,” flirt, and show affection towards as many wives as they want, in front of the other wives, and the wives have to watch and take it, while suppressing their jealousy, or denying it.  It’s pathetic, insensitive, and grossly unfair.  Who remembers in season one when Kody and Meri went out to dinner on their anniversary, and Kody famously said he would be sick to his stomach if he ever saw Meri kiss or show affection towards another man?!  This, of course, after he was “courting” Robyn, and caught kissing her before they got married.  (This bothered the OG3, as I guess this was not usual or ok?). Kody is finally getting his comeuppance.  Yay!

I definitely get it.  I like the concept that Christine is feeling her oats for the first time and wants everyone to know it.  I just hate it when Kody (during his couch interviews) chuckles at the camera and gives yet another soliloquy about how he never loved Christine and wasn't attracted to her.  I feel like it gives him more opportunities to run her into the ground.  Ugh, I cannot stand him and I'm so glad that Christine finally gets to be happy. 

[RoxiP]

4 hours ago, LilyD said:

If there are kids involved, particularly when they’re still young/living at home, the stakes are huge. At least that’s how I see it. 
You’re not just choosing a new husband, but also a step-father for your children. Someone who is going to spend a lot of time around them and will likely have a lasting influence on their lives.

As a single mother who raised a daughter, I always said I would prefer a man who had children and had a great relationship with those children.  As far as we have heard David has a wonderful relationship with his children, raised them on his own after the death of his wife, and they all seem to still want to be around him (again, to the extent we've heard and seen).  That would mean a lot to me.

[Emmeline]

19 hours ago, VioletNevermind said:

My only other note about this episode was when Christine put her head on David's shoulder while gazing almost defiantly up at Kody.  Oh, girl, please stop.  That was just embarrassing.  I can certainly understand any scored woman's desire to make sure that the man who treated her badly sees her doing well, but she's laying it on a bit thick.  

I agree, I cringed when Christine was putting her head on David’s shoulder. 

[laurakaye]

19 hours ago, ragingpixie said:

Kody: "Here we are with my shy wife. My pretty, shy wife. My wife who is shy. And pretty. But shy, very shy. So pretty, though."

Sure, Jan.

I think I heard him say "my ONE pretty wife" too, during his slobberfest over Robyn.  Meaning what - the OG 3 were chopped liver, I guess?  A$$.

Sometimes it seems that Kody's adoration of Robyn almost borders on stalker-ish.  When he talks about her, he gets that intense beady-eyed stare that seems to say, "I dare you to contradict me on how pretty my wife is! And shy!  And loyal!  Try me!  I work out!  My gluteus maximus is like granite!"  While I don't doubt that this kind of worship from Kody is exactly what Robyn wanted, she probably also welcomed a chance to dilute his attention by occasionally sending him to Janelle's or Christine's for a few hours.  Oh well - play stupid games, win stupid prizes.  

And what the heck was up with Kody glaring at the camera in an interview, saying that David was making more eye contact with Robyn?  Maybe David got the creeps when Kody stared at him, just like we do when he drills his black eyes into the camera during interviews.  That's perfectly reasonable.

 

17 hours ago, precious pupp said:

Did anyone else think Kody and Robyn were using those babies as a shield against David and Christine presenting as a united couple?  

1000%, and I'm also sure they discussed it on the way there and drew up a schematic of the inside of that house so they could immediately divide and conquer those poor innocent shields babies to prove how nurturing and loving they are.  And also so Kody wouldn't have to shake David's hand, or hug Gwen, or anything.

Also, Meri said something about walking into the party just ahead of Kody and Robyn - did they carpool there??  If so, I would like to see the footage from inside that car ride immediately, please.

Edited Tuesday at 08:29 PM by laurakaye

[procrasstinator]

On 11/11/2024 at 8:56 AM, smarty said:

How Meri can think that Kody will treat her fairly is beyond comprehension. Does anyone remember how when Robyn and Meri lived next to each other in Las Vegas Kody fixed up Robyn's backyard into a green park with a gazebo and grass and Meri's backyard was a dusty wasteland?  Right Meri, he'll make sure you are taken care.

Or is Meri not going to say anything disparaging about Kody and Robyn publicly because she knows the best way to get a fair financial settlement is to keep things as calm as possible?  I don't believe that Meri thinks everything will be fine on its own.  There was that other scene (last season?) where Meri made the same comment Janelle was so desperately trying to warn her about that there was only one section of the property with her name on it.  In order to work this out with Kody I get Meri wanting to maintain a false front.  The last thing that would help Meri or Janelle in this situation is for Kody to have any excuse to go on about how he's been betrayed and blindsided--there is no reasoning with him when he's like that.  And Meri has shown that she is very skillful at managing Kody and his reactions.  Like that scene at CP where Robyn offered to speak Kody for Meri.  Meri politely turned her down and then proceeded to compliment Kody for a prior conversation--placating him by feeding his ego.  Meri is no fool.  I think her behavior is deliberate and calculated to get the result she wants with as little grief (aka bitching) from Kody as possible.

[laurakaye]

The most interesting part of this episode for me was Christine and Meri's interaction.  Christine asked Meri how she was, and Meri seemed to gesture in a way that Christine immediately understood - I watched it a couple of times and it looked like Meri was indicating her ring finger or something like that.  I felt that their hug was actually genuine, as was Christine telling Meri that it's better on the other side.  

But good heavens, I am tired of Robyn being all, "we got invited, but I donnn rilly wanna go...I'll juss stay out of the way and hide in the corner and pretend I'm a lamp 'cause isss gonna be soooo awkward."  Maybe if you and Noodles hadn't hijacked the family and estranged all the kids that weren't borne of your loins, Robyn, then you wouldn't fill like you hadda hide from everyone.  Honestly, stand up and be proud of what you did - you're the Queen now!  You worked hard for it!  Unfortunately you ended up not with the King, but the court jester.

[Granny58]

1 hour ago, laurakaye said:

And what the heck was up with Kody glaring at the camera in an interview, saying that David was making more eye contact with Robyn?  Maybe David got the creeps when Kody stared at him, just like we do when he drills his black eyes into the camera during interviews. 

I notice when my husband and I talk to a man (such as a salesperson) that the man will look at me more.  I expect a female salesperson would look at my husband more.  I don't know why it is, but it has been pretty consistent.  Maybe we just prefer to look at the opposite sex?

[Quickbeam]

I just can’t with the Christine/David stuff. I have to fast forward. And geez, high maintenance on the house choosing front.

I felt that Janelle had a deep conviction that she owed Meri an explanation of the financial status. I thought it came from a sincere place. None of these women are without fault but this seemed straightforward to me.

[ragingpixie]

2 hours ago, laurakaye said:

Also, Meri said something about walking into the party just ahead of Kody and Robyn - did they carpool there??  If so, I would like to see the footage from inside that car ride immediately, please.

Meri said she wasn't going to walk into the party behind Kody. She was taking ownership of being a single person and not go "putzing" behind Kody and Robyn.

Like the past 72354985 years she's spent doing just that.

Meri, I support your newly found singledom, but I can't listen to your She-Ra cries of woman power after I've watched you prostrate yourself at the feet of Skeletor for the last 97 seasons.

[mythoughtis]

I’m going to be ok with  Christine putting her head on David’s shoulder.  it’s a lot less PDA than  making out in front of the kids.  In addition, Kody has been talking a lot in his TH about how he can now show affection to Robyn in front of his ex-wives.  

[LotusFlower]

4 hours ago, laurakaye said:

I think I heard him say "my ONE pretty wife" too, during his slobberfest over Robyn……Sometimes it seems that Kody's adoration of Robyn almost borders on stalker-ish.  When he talks about her, he gets that intense beady-eyed stare that seems to say, "I dare you to contradict me on how pretty my wife is! And shy!  And loyal!

I have a different take.  I think the constant stream of compliments is for the cameras.  I don’t doubt he loves Robyn, but his ego has taken a huge hit.  He LOVED being married to four women.  (Not that he loved them, of course.  He never loved them, and it wasn’t his fault!).  But remember when he used to strut around telling people he had four wives?  Even strangers who didn’t ask and didn’t care?  I think he’s compensating for losing his Big Man status.  It’s like he’s telling the world: yes, I’m now only married to one wife, but isn’t she the best?  So pretty and shy!  Lucky me!  Gag 🤢 When in reality, he lost, and he’s humiliated and mad.  

[Tdoc72]

Why do K&R never bring the other kids?  R is so sad about the family not being together but when they have family events (Mykeltis shower, visiting Mykeltis twins after their birth, and how Gwen’s engagement party), K&R show up alone. How is anyone supposed to spend time or get to know their siblings if they’re never around each other?  

[LotusFlower]

47 minutes ago, Tdoc72 said:

Why do K&R never bring the other kids?…..How is anyone supposed to spend time or get to know their siblings if they’re never around each other?  

Is it SAFE?

[LilyD]

11 hours ago, procrasstinator said:

In order to work this out with Kody I get Meri wanting to maintain a false front.  The last thing that would help Meri or Janelle in this situation is for Kody to have any excuse to go on about how he's been betrayed and blindsided--there is no reasoning with him when he's like that.  And Meri has shown that she is very skillful at managing Kody and his reactions.

Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer…

(Let’s hope that she’s smart enough to do that)

[TipseyGirl]

Please remind me never to have Kody and his tenders help me clear my car of snow. Good Lord, he is so aggressive in everything he does. He was so concerned with Baby Tender hitting the truck with the shovel (which she did), yet homeboy is sittin' here scrubbing the paint job down with a push broom. Idiot.

Gwen's conversation with David and facial expressions were really rude. So was Peyton's calling David "Riiichaaaaard." WTF? Some of Christine's children really seem to struggle with appropriate social interactions.

Edited 16 hours ago by TipseyGirl

[Auntie Freeze]

I know I'd not look at the murder face if I could avoid it.

[AZChristian]

1 hour ago, TipseyGirl said:

Gwen's conversation with David and facial expressions were really rude. So was Peyton's calling David "Riiichaaaaard." WTF? Some of Christine's children really seem to struggle with appropriate social interactions.

According to the urban dictionary, it is "a polite way of saying dickhead."  Which makes me want to ask, IS there a polite way of calling someone a dickhead?

11 hours ago, Tdoc72 said:

Why do K&R never bring the other kids?

I wouldn't be surprised if they talk openly about the other family members in front of the tenders, and Ariella seems to be the type who would freely share opinions she's heard as in, "My mommy and daddy say you really are an idiot" in front of people.

Edited 15 hours ago by AZChristian

[Teri313]

1 hour ago, TipseyGirl said:

Gwen's conversation with David and facial expressions were really rude. So was Peyton's calling David "Riiichaaaaard." WTF? Some of Christine's children really seem to struggle with appropriate social interactions.

Totally agree with this. Imagine if David's kids treated Christine this way when they met her. Making jabs about her age, calling her old, intentionally calling her by a different name. It's possible to be protective of your mother without acting like an 8 year old. ETA: I just read AZChristian's post re "dickhead." Wow. And Christine just laughs like an idiot.

Edited 15 hours ago by Teri313

[laurakaye]

I guess to be fair, none of Christine's kids except maybe Aspyn really had a male figure around them growing up so they probably don't know how to act.

It all goes back to Christine's kids panicking that she is moving way too fast with a man they barely know, while Christine is busy mauling David's face in front of them.  She might alienate her kids in defense of her new man, which sounds like someone I know....someone with corkscrew curls and eyes as black as coal....hang on, it'll come to me....

Edited 14 hours ago by laurakaye

[Absolom]

That's definitely a door that swings both ways. Christine (and David) have not been respectful of Christine's kids and their feelings.  So their major example in their lives is disrespectful, what's to expect from the kids?

[applewood]

4 hours ago, Teri313 said:

Totally agree with this. Imagine if David's kids treated Christine this way when they met her. Making jabs about her age, calling her old, intentionally calling her by a different name. It's possible to be protective of your mother without acting like an 8 year old. ETA: I just read AZChristian's post re "dickhead." Wow. And Christine just laughs like an idiot.

I couldn't believe the low level conversation, considering it was the first time they met David. "Do you fart in front of each other?" "Do you poop in front of each other?" Tony saying "the third date means s**." And stop making out every 5 seconds. Christine acts like she's in high school. sheesh.

I feel bad for Ysobel. She seems like she's really struggling to accept this.

[Meow Mix]

There wasn't much there there this week.  The house hunters bit was not great.  They missed the whole point of House Hunters which is looking at the houses, not at two people playing tonsil hockey in front of their realtor.  Any one of those houses are nicer than mine and I think mine is pretty awesome.  There was nothing wrong with any of them.  Though I do understand the need for double ovens if you are going to do a lot of cooking.  Just having one when trying to prepare a big meal for a lot of people can be challenging.

Poor Gwen.  I am sure she didn't realize the producers were going to do her dirty like that.  She was barely shown while we had to stare at Kody and Robyn being their usual selves for far too long.  It really made me mad when Christine said that Gwen put on a brave face for the party.  She shouldn't have had to do that.  Her parents both need to grow up.  Divorced couples come to family events all the time that involve the kids and can manage to be civil to each other.

I thought that poor baby was going to get whiplash the way Kody was gyrating around.  I refuse to call that rocking because he was moving so aggressively.  I am assuming he was wanting to throw an epic tantrum about the fact that David had babysat his grandchildren.  Interesting that he didn't seem bothered that David was being regularly brought around Truely and spending the night at Christine's house.  Let's not even get into his one pretty wife comments.  What a tool.

Speaking of Truely, did anyone else notice that neither of her PARENTS mentioned her at all in all their convos about David.  The only one who did was Aspyn and she just talked about how David was going to be raising her so he and Kody should at least meet each other.  Honestly, my heart breaks for Truely because Christine doesn't even seem to remember she exists as she rushes to move them in with David.  I have a personal bias about this which I won't get into here, but I do hope David is really a decent guy.  The fact that his kids get along with him is a point in his favor.

Not sure what to make of the Meri and Janelle part.  I think there has just been so much that has gone on between them that they can't trust each other.  I don't think Janelle would intentionally cheat Meri, but I do think she approached her there because she needs an ally.  If she didn't, she would have never talked to Meri.  I hope Meri isn't as naive as she came across in real life.  Janelle is right that Kody will cheat them if he can.  I hope they at least got something out of all this mess.

I loved the hug between Meri and Christine.  I think that was a genuine moment.  Meri was clearly trying to put on a brave face, but was still grieving the loss of her marriage.  Yes, I know it was really over years ago, but Meri was raised to believe that it was for eternity no matter what.  Getting the release finally brought it home to her and she was still doing a lot of processing at that time.  Christine was uncharacteristically sensitive to her in that moment.  I hope Meri does find the place where it gets better.  She doesn't deserve to be trailing after Kody and Robyn forever.

I would love to know the real story of Kody and Robyn playing will they or won't they come to the party.  I do believe they pull that stuff for attention and to get people to beg them to come to events.  Then they show up last and late so that everyone will be focused on them.  There was a real edge when Kody said the bit about how God told hm to love and God would do the judging.  That came across as he doesn't approve of Gwen or Leon.  I never believed that he and Robyn were supportive of Leon once the cameras were off and the fact that they haven't seen each other in years bears that out.  I do wonder if the producers made Kody and Robyn come to the party because they wanted that awkward scene of him meeting David.  I can see what Gwen didn't want her wedding filmed. I hate that the party was messed up, but if the producers really want to make Kody and Robyn do something, make them answer tough questions and not refuse to watch scenes.  That's what I want to see.

 

[precious pupp]

I love "tonsil hockey!"  I had never heard that expression.  🤣

Oh yeah, Robyn and Kody want all the attention.  No surprise that Gwen said no to filming her wedding.  

If Robyn is so doggone sure everyone's rejecting her kids, why does she never bring them to family events?  Just so she (and they) can claim that they're victims?  What a nut job she is.