S19.E24: Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

[CM-BlueButterfly]

Quote

Janelle visits the Flagstaff Humane Society to view a plaque that they have dedicated to her son Garrison; Kody and Robyn's family travels to Wyoming where the rest of the Browns will eventually join them for his burial.

Air date: May 11, 2025

[General Days]

I've been trying to cut Kody and Robyn a lot of slack. I'm over that.

[Auntie Freeze]

Yeah, the amnesty is over. Hanging Garrison's photo in the garage is a ****ing insult and that clown thinks it's a tribute. Angered me beyond belief.

Everyone else made me both cry and smile.

I couldn't help but draw comparison between Kody's big neon sign and Garrison's modest plaque at the shelter. One is all about money and the other is about love.

[MsMalin]

Words I'd love to hear Kody say but never will:  "but enough about me".

Jesus, does he ever stop talking about himself?

[VioletNevermind]

1 hour ago, MsMalin said:

Words I'd love to hear Kody say but never will:  "but enough about me".

Jesus, does he ever stop talking about himself?

Thank you for my first hearty laugh of the day.  The sequence where he was going around town pointing out the signs he sold was just plain embarrassing.  God bless the child who said, "Finally!" when he said they were moving on.  Finally, indeed.  

[Granny58]

all the photos of Garrison are lovely.  And I do know that it is a balm for the family.  There's a downside though.  Eventually the photos are all that remain, and they are old, and new photos won't have him.  And eventually that hits too.  There is no win when grieving.  

[spacefly]

Kody is the worst, why did he have to show the kids all HIS accomplishments? Why not go out to the ranch where Garrison spent his youth. Take drive to see the sites that held importance in Garrison's life, book a nighttime trip under the stars and do some stargazing. Anything but brag about all he has "accomplished" selling signs in a small town. He has no shame at all.

[kassa]

I don't begrudge showing the kids around, or even Dad bragging about his past to kids who clearly don't care (who hasn't been there?)  Sol and Ari have gone more than half their lifetimes not having seen Garrison, they've been drug across country by sad adults, and I imagine the previous weeks/months have been dreadful in their household.   Not every moment of their current lives needs to be mourning, and learning about their family roots in the area has value even if they don't know it now.

That said, it's totally tone deaf to film it under the circumstances. 

"His picture will always be in my garage" is just... wow.

I hope the Meri/Janelle/Christine relationship has thawed a bit. Meri's grief is so visceral and moving.   I hope at some point we get the OG 3 on a sofa together. 

[islandgal140]

I really appreciated David this episode. He was there for Christine and he was the only one to mention and emphasize, that counseling would be necessary for the family. 

I thought Christine said something profound this episode. She doesn't know how to grieve, so she cooks, cleans and invites people over. It made me frame Kody's main goal and continued utterings about wanting to 'take his boy home'.  Kody has moved 2-3 dozen times. He doesn't know how to grieve, but he knows how to move something from point A to point B, and this the final move for his son Garrison.    

Seriously, I don't begrudge Kody/Robyn taking the kids to town and showing them dad's old stomping grounds, but it really devolved into National Lampoon's Family Vacation, with the horse and buggy ride, ice cream and neon sign reminiscing. 

I really liked Ari for a moment when she uttered "Finally" when Kody stopped talking about those dumb neon signs. 

Robyn is officially a sociopath to me. I cut her some slack last week, but again, for someone who is overly emotional over every little thing, she seems surprisingly calm and almost cheery/perky. This reminds me of the Seinfeld episode with Jerry dating Bette Midler's understudy who cried and was overly emotional over every single little thing, but when something actually sad and catastrophic happens, she was totally fine and ok.  

8 hours ago, Auntie Freeze said:

Yeah, the amnesty is over. Hanging Garrison's photo in the garage is a ****ing insult and that clown thinks it's a tribute. Angered me beyond belief.

Really disgusting given Garrison wasn't even allowed in the house until he apologized talked over what happened during Covid. Keeping the poster in the garage seems to almost enforce the ban. 

Edited May 12 by islandgal140

[spacefly]

19 minutes ago, islandgal140 said:

Seriously, I don't begrudge Kody/Robyn taking the kids to town and showing them dad's old stomping grounds, but it really devolved into National Lampoon's Family Vacation, with the horse and buggy ride, ice cream and neon sign reminiscing. 

I guess that's what hit me wrong and maybe it was just filming but I thought most of it was just obnoxious. I may drive through my town and say "Hey, I painted that house" but I'm not going to go on a diatribe about the colors, tones, quality etc. It was just way too much Kody for me.

[Mr. Miner]

Kody didn’t design the signs, he was more like a “middle chump” in his own words. I don’t ever need to see his fucking sad sack wife again.

[islandgal140]

1 hour ago, spacefly said:

I guess that's what hit me wrong and maybe it was just filming but I thought most of it was just obnoxious. I may drive through my town and say "Hey, I painted that house" but I'm not going to go on a diatribe about the colors, tones, quality etc. It was just way too much Kody for me.

They were about to watch some kind of a western show/reinactment, which I wouldn't doubt involved gun play of some sort, which is in particular bad taste given the way Garrison died. How interesting that it was called off due to darkening skies, thunder and rain - act of G-d. 

Kody's grieving is just so self-involved. He actually said "I was the first one to hold him" Yeah, but when was the last time you held him though Kody? I am trying to give him grace, but jeez, he makes it so hard. 

Back to Robyn, times like this is when her whole spiel about "feels like we should've been together since the begining" and the photoshopping over Christine's family photo to fake a history that doesn't exist really grinds my gears. Juxtapose her vs the OG3 and we can all tell the stark difference between truly grieving mothers and her. Seriously, heaven forbid, it was one of her bio kids, can you imagine Robyn sauntering around town, treating this like a road trip/vacay with a (small) side of funeral?

[EastCoast4Life]

Did Robyn actually smile and say Garrison was their passenger?! 

[Katesus7]

I absolutely loved the scenes at the Humane Society. What a beautiful tribute and it meant so much to Janelle, although it was heartbreaking her trying to reconcile the facts that all of these wonderful things which Garrison would have loved were the result of such a horrible tragedy.

 
Loved Christine’s and David talks, with David opening up about his own experience, and the showing the plant boxes Garrison had made.

Meri talking about how it took Garrison’s death to get the whole family together and how heartbreaking it was, but it was “so Garrison” really got to me.

And then Kody/Robyn. Yikes. I have to think Production kind of hates them, because the tone of their scenes came off SO differently! It was Janelle/Christine/Meri being “Garrison, Garrison, Garrison”, while Kody/Robyn came off as “Kody, Kody, Kody”. Being proud his picture is n the garage? Yikes. 

Edited May 12 by Katesus7

[Salacious Kitty]

Way too much Kody in this episode. Bleech. 

Loved Janelle at the shelter. I'm so glad that something good happened out of the tragedy of losing Garrison. 

[toodywoody]

I'm glad some of you are still taking one for the team and watching the episodes. If what is out there is true about Garrison's memorial from the National Guard, I just can't with Kidney and Robyn. 

And then to hear Kidney make it me me me and a mini vacation while his OG3 family is hurting, that's just cruel. No wonder no one wants anything to do with him.

[EastCoast4Life]

Robyn's kids must have to sit through a lot of Kody's monologues. It must be excruciating and oh so boring. He loves to hear the sound of his own voice.

Christine is lucky to have a supportive guy like David by her side. It's sad that his first wife died the same way.  

[Granny58]

5 hours ago, kassa said:

His picture will always be in my garage" is just... wow.

 this makes me think he is 100% henpecked.  Remember he had to sit in the closet for some peace and quiet?  

5 hours ago, islandgal140 said:

It made me frame Kody's main goal and continued utterings about wanting to 'take his boy home'.  Kody has moved 2-3 dozen times. He doesn't know how to grieve, but he knows how to move something from point A to point B, and this the final move for his son Garrison.    

very insightful

[LotusFlower]

15 hours ago, Auntie Freeze said:

I couldn't help but draw comparison between Kody's big neon sign and Garrison's modest plaque at the shelter. One is all about money and the other is about love.

👏 

[65mickey]

What kind of parent puts a picture of their deceased child in a garage??  I have a feeling that Kody doesn't want to see Garrison's face because it makes him think about how he treated Garrison and cut him out of his life during Covid.  And I am sure that Robyn told him it wouldn't be "safe" to have a picture of Garrison in their house. It would just depress him and two older girls would not be able to handle it. And he did as Robyn demanded. 

[SunnyBeBe]

A very heavy episode.  I really can’t imagine something so shattering.  i never thought anything about it would air.  Hard to find words.  
 

On a completely different note….how many bedrooms are in Maddie’s house?  
 

 

[ginger90]

1 hour ago, SunnyBeBe said:

On a completely different note….how many bedrooms are in Maddie’s house?  

4

[Meowwww]

3 hours ago, EastCoast4Life said:

Robyn's kids must have to sit through a lot of Kody's monologues. It must be excruciating and oh so boring. He loves to hear the sound of his own voice.

Christine is lucky to have a supportive guy like David by her side. It's sad that his first wife died the same way.  

The kids’ faces at that dinner as Kody went on and on…even Sol had the thousand yard stare. 
 

I cried at the Humane Society part, then the cut to Gabe talking about it and breaking down…I needed lots of Kleenex.  The show did a great job with that and his death.  

[Fostersmom]

4 hours ago, Katesus7 said:

I absolutely loved the scenes at the Humane Society. What a beautiful tribute and it meant so much to Janelle, although it was heartbreaking her trying to reconcile the facts that all of these wonderful things which Garrison would have loved were the result of such a horrible tragedy.

 
Loved Christine’s and David talks, with David opening up about his own experience, and the showing the plant boxes Garrison had made.

Meri talking about how it took Garrison’s death to get the whole family together and how heartbreaking it was, but it was “so Garrison” really got to me.

And then Kody/Robyn. Yikes. I have to think Production kind of hates them, because the tone of their scenes came off SO differently! It was Janelle/Christine/Meri being “Garrison, Garrison, Garrison”, while Kody/Robyn came off as “Kody, Kody, Kody”. Being proud his picture is n the garage? Yikes. 

The difference in editing the segments was glaringly obvious. The O3 moms all beautifully remembered Garrison with true love and fondness. Kody and Robyn made it all about themselves. Robyn's kids were even over Kody's nonsense. The girls are usually oh dad, you are the best, but they weren't even tying. And Sol seemed even more over not just the nonsense, but Kody himself. 

[Gramto6]

Hmmmm, I think those "special kids" are beginning to see that "The Emperor" has no clothes.....

[Meow Mix]

I thought last week was hard to watch, in some ways this was even harder.  Here's what I noticed.

• I have so much respect for Janelle that she is sharing all of this.  It can't be easy even with the great support system she has around her.  I loved seeing her with Savanah.  I'm not sure Kody even remembers there is a Savanah.  I wish her luck with her farm or whatever that morphs into.  I also hope she moves out of poor Maddie's house which must be bursting at the seams by now with all those people. I like that she said she and Savanah were trying to pitch in and help around the house to ease the burden on Maddie.
• I love that Meri has Jen.  I have had the experience of normally knowing what do do, but having brain freeze because of something so unexpected.  Jen helped her get over that so she could be there for Janelle and help with food and people gathering at Janelle's place.  It is such a contrast to Kody that one of the first things Meri said to Jen was how worried she was for Janelle during this time.  Then when she said all the kids were together except one, that was just devastating.  For all the criticism about Meri, she is grieving this situation hard.
• I loved how David talked to Christine.  Yes, he had a similar experience with his wife and talked about it, but managed not to make it all about himself.  Rather he showed Christine he understood and gave her the support she needed.  I loved that he said he didn't know Garrison well and asked Christine to share about him.  That is such a meaningful thing to do.  I have a close friend who lost her husband unexpectedly and a lot of people avoided talking about him to her.  But she really wanted to talk about him and share stories.  
• I'm sorry, but what is wrong with Kody and Robyn?  Seriously, how do you get to the point they are currently at?  I realize this is a reality show where editing happens, but not one mention of anyone else but Kody in all this talk.  I was willing to cut him some slack last week because when he talked about taking Garrison's remains home he just seemed so lost.  But now he's acting like a loon going on about signs he sold as though he designed and built them himself.  I have a feeling in a few years Sol is going to be following the missing Dayton (David) wherever he has gone.  He is over his entire family. The only time Robyn said anything about Garrison was to crow about the fact that they were the ones taking his ashes to Wyoming.  That was really gross. Don't even get me started on the bizarre dinner scene.  Even Robyn's weird kids were mortified.
• And speaking of the ashes - while they were going around that tourist trap, where were they?  Did they leave them in the car or in a hotel room somewhere?  That just seems really disrespectful to me.  I would hope they dropped them off with family somewhere instead of lugging them around like baggage. Also, what is this petty thing with Kody not saying people's names?  Last week it was one of Garrison's brothers who had the remains, this week it was the vague family member.  I am curious what the rumor is around the national guard memorial service because Kody seemed a little hesitant when he mentioned it.
• Janelle at the animal shelter was where I lost it.  It was so sweet of Savanah to step up when Janelle couldn't get the words out to introduce herself and say why she was there.  I understood that perfectly.  Sometimes you think you're fine, then you start to speak and you just choke up.  I loved the lady who showed them the cat room and had all the information about how much good had been done by the donations friends and fans made.  Janelle is right that Garrison would have loved that. I loved all the pictures and anyone who names their cat Catthew is OK by me.  I loved how that made Gabe laugh that Garrison would introduce him as his son.  Also Catthew reminds me of my first cat who was also a big grey tabby.  That scene was a lovely way to end the episode along with the group hug they showed with all the kids and Garrison.  
• Great job TLC listening to all of us.  No huge overlay promoting the next show this week.

[Absolom]

Far, far, far too much Kody in this episode.  He's dreadful.

[Auntie Freeze]

The more we see of David, the more I understand why Christine got so giddy about him so fast. He's a whole person and he's kind and empathetic unlike the shallow hologram she was with before.

[RoxiP]

I agree about David - he is 100% real.  He has an honesty and empathy about him that is solely lacking in Christine's first husband.  He really seems to know how to be present for his wife and for both his children and her children.  Christine got lucky when she met him IMO.  

As for Buffalo Bill KODY, it was hilarious to see the children's expressions while he yammered on and on about his accomplishments in selling neon signs.  The collective eye rolls might have caused a seismic shift!  Young Sol is looking more and more like his brothers by other mothers which must really irk Robyn because aren't her children supposed to be walking clones of her?

I'm glad they told where the cats went.

[Elizzikra]

49 minutes ago, RoxiP said:

 

 Young Sol is looking more and more like his brothers by other mothers which must really irk Robyn because aren't her children supposed to be walking clones of her?

 

Is he still blond?

[RoxiP]

1 hour ago, Elizzikra said:

Is he still blond?

He was. He looked a lot like pictures of Garrison when he was that age IMO.

[Natalie68]

15 hours ago, Gramto6 said:

Hmmmm, I think those "special kids" are beginning to see that "The Emperor" has no clothes.....

I want to know WTF was going on with Brianna's tongue at that restaurant when imitating Kody?!  Does she know what that refers to?  Why was that left in? To show the creep factor with that family?

[mytmo]

Loved the memorial tree "Sedona Midnight".  May it grow strong and voluptuous! 

[Shauna]

On 5/12/2025 at 4:41 AM, MsMalin said:

Words I'd love to hear Kody say but never will:  "but enough about me".

Jesus, does he ever stop talking about himself?

By his own admission, he needs a lot of attention.  So it makes sense he would be attracted to a plural family and a reality tee vee show.  Imagine how excited he is when the camera crews follow him or he sits down for a talking head.  Really feeds that overinflated ego.  Imagine having him as your dad.  

[SemiCharmedLife]

I'm so glad to be part of this forum.  You all have said exactly what I was thinking while watching the episode, only far more eloquently.  Reading your comments helps me process the emotional parts (or as Robyn refers to it-- "heavy"). Completely agree that it is bonkers that Garrison's beautiful photo is in the garage, rather than the main house.  Of course, Garrison wasn't allowed in the house, either, for the last year or so, since Kody put conditions on visiting- that he would have to apologize to Robyn.  When Kody said that he thought he would have more time to work things out with Garrison, my head explodes- he had  time, but couldn't see past his ego.

[ginger90]

1 hour ago, SemiCharmedLife said:

Completely agree that it is bonkers that Garrison's beautiful photo is in the garage

When the picture was shown in the episode, it was at their new house. Perhaps Kody felt that was a private space he could go to. Not a Kody fan, but it is a possibility.

[Twopper]

What is the poster of Garrison that is in Kody’s garage?   
 

I am no fan of Kody, but I don’t blame him for doing a mini vacation in Cody.  It’s a long drive from Flaggstaff— especially for the younger kids. So playing tourist makes sense.  I would think if the ranch is still in the family he should have taken the children there.  

[ginger90]

27 minutes ago, Twopper said:

What is the poster of Garrison that is in Kody’s garage?   

The one from the Nevada National Guard memorial.

[jschoolgirl]

8 hours ago, Natalie68 said:

I want to know WTF was going on with Brianna's tongue at that restaurant when imitating Kody?!  Does she know what that refers to?  Why was that left in? To show the creep factor with that family?

What was she doing?

[Denize]

She may have been sticking her tongue out just to be goofy or dismissive, but was doing it like Miley Cyrus did in her horny & flirtaceous Wrecking Ball days. Creepy, especially for the family restaurant setting.

[laurakaye]

On 5/12/2025 at 3:42 PM, toodywoody said:

I'm glad some of you are still taking one for the team and watching the episodes.

For a SW geek like me who volunteers to write recaps, I bowed out of this week's episode and will probably do so for next week's as well.  I listen to recap podcasts and get what I need to know from those - and if the podcasters themselves are struggling to keep it together, well....I always watch SW on Monday mornings before I go to work and I already ugly cried from last week's episode so I know my limits.

I so appreciate the comments here.  I too was wondering why Kody made the trip to Wyoming all about himself, but then, does he even know how to NOT make everything about himself?  If even his kids with Robyn were cringing and rolling their eyes, that's saying something.

 

22 hours ago, Natalie68 said:

I want to know WTF was going on with Brianna's tongue at that restaurant when imitating Kody?!  Does she know what that refers to?  Why was that left in? To show the creep factor with that family?

Does the Robyn-spawned portion of this family even know how to interact somewhat normally together, ever?  I think those kids get so much coaching from Robyn that they literally have no idea how to behave in real life.  That mansion must be a swirling cesspool of weirdness even when the cameras aren't rolling.

[AZChristian]

20 hours ago, Twopper said:

What is the poster of Garrison that is in Kody’s garage?   
 

I am no fan of Kody, but I don’t blame him for doing a mini vacation in Cody.  It’s a long drive from Flaggstaff— especially for the younger kids. So playing tourist makes sense.  I would think if the ranch is still in the family he should have taken the children there.  

Robyn said, "We have been making this trip the past couple of years to see family."  Apparently, they never made the "signs tour" before.  And hadn't gone into the saddlery store to see his old customer. 

I'm a city slicker married to someone from a town of 25,000.  We do all the same things every time we go, because there's not much to do there.  And they acted like this was the first time seeing the stagecoach.

Greatest understatement of the show . . . Robyn:  "I think it will be sad at the graveside service."

[Denize]

If 'Those Who Mourn' Are 'Blessed', what are those who aren't mourning?

Edited Wednesday at 09:58 PM by Denize

[Orcinus orca]

1 hour ago, Denize said:

If 'Those Who Mourn' Are 'Blessed', what are those who aren't mourning?

lucky

[mythoughtis]

2 hours ago, Denize said:

If 'Those Who Mourn' Are 'Blessed', what are those who aren't mourning?

It’s a Bible quote. It continues ‘for they shall be comforted.’

Edited Thursday at 12:17 AM by mythoughtis

[Elizzikra]

It is one of the beatitudes.The Beatitudes are a set of eight blessings delivered by Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5:3-12. They outline qualities and attitudes valued in the Kingdom of Heaven, emphasizing humility, mercy, and righteousness.The word "Beatitudes" comes from the Latin "beatus," meaning blessed or happy.

Matthew 5:3-12

New International Version

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

[kitkat343]

It would be hard to pick the worst thing Robyn has ever done, but right up there would have to be the talking head interview she gave before the restaurant scene:

 

"We've had a fun day, but..." and I stared up at the screen and thought "and then you realized that you aren't on vacation but travelled here to bury your husband's son?

 

Except she finished her sentence by saying "and then the rains came."  And I screamed, "you aren't supposed to be on vacation" at my tv.  You aren't supposed to notice the weather.  Your husband's son just committed suicide and everyone else is suffering enormously right now.

 

 

4 hours ago, Denize said:

If 'Those Who Mourn' Are 'Blessed', what are those who aren't mourning?

this is from the Bible as explained above, but a remarkably clever title given the fact that there were three sister wives and their children deeply grieving, and Kody and Robyn who thought they were on vacation (it would have been the world's most boring vacation, but now it got to be both boring and totally inappropriate.)

Edited Thursday at 02:14 AM by kitkat343

[Absolom]

Every time I read a post like this I hear Robyn doesn't care in the voice of that commercial shingles doesn't care.

[Denize]

1 hour ago, kitkat343 said:

this is from the Bible as explained above, but a remarkably clever title given the fact that there were three sister wives and their children deeply grieving, and Kody and Robyn who thought they were on vacation 

It struck me that way too, but I was wondering if the producers were that clever. Though Kody probably thought it referred to him as the blessed one, when viewers see the OG3 and OG12 as the blessed ones.

[laurakaye]

What (if anything) do we think is going on in Robyn's head in these episodes?

She worked extremely hard to get Kody to believe that the OG's kids were treating her badly from the get-go.  We know how she felt about Garrison and Gabe because she told us over and over that she didn't feel "safe" with them, and Kody took her side in a family disagreement created by Robyn.  I can think of several episodes where we heard Garrison and Gabe talk about how confused they were about why their dad suddenly had zero use for them.  Talk about heartbreaking.

So Robyn had Kody convinced that many of the kids - G&G especially - were mean to her.  Now, in a devastating turn of events, one of her perceived enemies is no longer here.  I think Robyn is sad on a surface level way.  But Kody is gutted.  So I feel like Robyn has to almost make light of everything to keep Kody's grief from swallowing him completely, because she was instrumental in the distance between Kody and Garrison and she knows that.

Not saying that Kody and Robyn don't have the right to grieve Garrison, but neither of them knows how to do it.  Robyn "won" Kody at great expense.  Kody has to know, somewhere in his pea-brain, that the divide between him and his kids was due to Robyn so if he grieves too hard, he's going to push away the only person he has left.  I think that of every relationship in this show, theirs is the most toxic.  And now they only have each other.  Good for them.