S09.E10: Duggar Derby

[JerseyGirl]

The family is gearing up for their big derby race! But first, Jessa & Ben practice their parenting skills and take the littlest Duggars out for a day of fun. When race day arrives, which team will finish first and be crowned the Duggar Derby champion?

[DangerousMinds]

Sounds booooooooooooooooooring.

[Fuzzysox]

Should be the Great Duggar Baby Derby Race.

[Ljohnson1987]

Yawn!

[BitterApple]

What is this, the 1950's? Do kids even do things like derby racing anymore? Sounds like an episode out of Leave It To Beaver.

[Barb23]

The preview was quick but it looked like they were in a ** gasp ** school parking lot.

[Sew Sumi]

It's TLC-contrived filler plot for anyone not named Jill or Jessa (or the older girls who accompany them everywhere).

 

SNORE!!!!!!

[lottiedottie]

What is this, the 1950's? Do kids even do things like derby racing anymore? Sounds like an episode out of Leave It To Beaver.

I think so. In Akron, Ohio, there's a big soapbox derby race every year. I think there are plenty of people who are into it.

[truthtalk2014]

I think it's incredibly boring and might have been okay for some TV shows in the 50s and 60s, but damn Boob, get those poor neglected little girls a Barbie Jeep or two.  Tell those greedy daughters of yours to put a few on the registers.   It might put a smile on Jenny's face for once. 

[floridamom]

I don't think any of those girls have ever had a Barbie doll nor do they know what that is. It would be defrauding for all of them to come across a naked Barbie in the toy chest. Imagine Jackson encountering that! Only BABY dolls are allowed as they are "in training" equipment for the girls.

[trimthatfat]

I'm sure the girls have seen Barbies. They are sheltered, but not that sheltered. I know every time I go to Goodwill and other secondhand stores, there is an overabundance of jacked up Barbie dolls.

[Barb23]

Did MEchelle pee on a stick before horseback riding?

[Barb23]

Whose happy pills did MEchelle get into? What's with her these two episodes? She's been smiling away & shouting out her stories.

[truthtalk2014]

I'm SO happy that Johanna got her first ever alone time with her second Mommy!  Too bad she had to teach Mullet how to ride.  

 

In typical fashion, Josie was a little brat! Did you notice the eyes when Jennifer had food before Miracle got hers brought out by JoySlave.  If looks could kill.  You know that in private, MEchelle told her she would spend the next two weeks making it up to her. 

 

And I get more and more sick of Jessa pronouncing all her words like the people from Duck Dynasty.  Pull becomes Pool and vice versa.  What the heck is up with her speech?

Edited October 8, 2014 by truthtalk2014

[BitterApple]

After watching this epi, all I have to say is Bin, you better hope Jessa has the sex drive of a porn star to make putting up with her crap worth it. She was a total bitch to him at the arcade, which was funny, because he was actually right and handling the situation better than she was. You could tell she would've rather had a root canal than spend her day baby-sitting the Littles.

 

I think Jordyn is an adorable little cherub, I want to adopt her. 

Edited October 8, 2014 by BitterApple

[truthtalk2014]

After watching this epi, all I have to say is Bin, you better hope Jessa has the sex drive of a porn star to make putting up with her crap worth it. She was a total bitch to him at the arcade, which was funny, because he was actually right and handling the situation better than she was. You could tell she would've rather had a root canal than spend her day baby-sitting the Littles.

 

I think Jordyn is an adorable little cherub, I want to adopt her. 

I totally agree with you Bitterapple.  He was right and she was a total bitch.  The way she looked at him .  I really feel bad for him.  I don't know any other guy that would put up with that crap at that age.

 

Also, I am also seeking a divorce attorney.  Jessa defrauded me twice already- that skirt in the pizza place- as she is sitting down and walking through the arcade area.  You can totally see her defrauding cheeks.  

 

AND- OMG Ben is wearing shorts!  NIKE!  Go Ben!

[ghoulina]

She was a total bitch to him at the arcade, which was funny, because he was actually right and handling the situation better than she was.

 

I agree. I thought his reason for washing up was clever and something that would really resonate with the younger kids. And she just had to shoot him down. I think it very likely that she will lord being older over him all the days of their life. She really thinks she knows better.

[Barb23]

I know people think TLC producers or whoever don't read the internet/these sites but tonight's episodes had a few F U moments: MEchelle smiling like a Cheshire cat & shouting instead of her spaced out look & high pitched voice, the emphasis on hand washing (way over the top), Miracle being disciplined /trained (what a farce) about being happy for others & I may have seen veggies on the tables.

I know the episodes were taped way back when but these are things that have been & will continue to be discussed.

[EtheltoTillie]

That race was boring. What were they doing to make the cars go faster? They . were pumping invsome fashion . Does anyone know anything about derby ra v ing to b answer the question?

[woodscommaelle]

Why the hell did they need TWO of those extra gigantic pizzas?  That was just ridiculous.

 

WRT cleaning their hands after eating...Did you see how quickly Ben changed his reasoning to Jessa's?  He seemed defeated.  Weclome to the rest of your fucking life, Ben!

[Katydid]

I may just have nightmares tonight of Michelle's creepy voice and Josie repeating like a brainwashed robot when Josie was supposed to be learning to be happy for the recipient of alone time with Mechelle.

[lottiedottie]

I am with Jessa on the hand washing. There's no reason to not explain to a kid why you'd wash your hands after eating a greasy pizza. I never made up bullshit excuses to my kids--they have to learn.

[BitterApple]

WRT cleaning their hands after eating...Did you see how quickly Ben changed his reasoning to Jessa's?  He seemed defeated.  Weclome to the rest of your fucking life, Ben!

How long do you think it will be before Bin gets tired of constantly having to appease her? When Jessa railroaded him on the hand-washing thing he looked pretty pissed off before going into lap-dog mode. 

[truthtalk2014]

 Miracle being disciplined /trained (what a farce) about being happy for others & I may have seen veggies on the tables.

I know the episodes were taped way back when but these are things that have been & will continue to be discussed.

After seeing this episode, I know for sure they all watch the boards.  Otherwise, there is no way in hell they would have ever had Miracle get her plate after Jenni.  Did anyone notice the evil eyes she gave her?  That was all staged so that Miracle doesn't look like the golden precious sweet little do nothing wrong gift from heaven that they have portrayed her.  

 

She is now just a little brat and I agree that crap with MEchelle teaching Miracle anything was a joke.  I wonder how many takes they had on that one to get Miracle to say that line.  

 

I had hope for Johanna once, but she has been drinking of the kook aid- when she said that she thought Jessa would have 19 kids.  OMG as if.  

 

AND ANOTHER THING- poor Grandma Duggar's feet looked so swollen at that damned race.  Why couldn't she stay home and take a break?  Give her a vacay from laundry duty please!

[redbird]

The Duggars have always been kooky. But they at least seemed genuine in previous seasons. I don't even know what this is anymore. It's depressing. Not about the Duggars specifically, but about reality TV in general. Which is probably the most first-world problem that's ever been declared, but I don't even care. Sorry Ponyboy. Nothing gold can stay.

[BitterApple]

She is now just a little brat and I agree that crap with MEchelle teaching Miracle anything was a joke.  I wonder how many takes they had on that one to get Miracle to say that line.  

 

Totally. If the kid was used to having to take turns and delay gratification, she wouldn't have had on such a bitch-face when Jenny was served before her and Hannie got to go horseback riding. I know kids will often get pouty for a quick second and get over it, but I got the vibe that Josie had been carrying on for a while.

[Temperance]

I could see soap box derby coming back for kids of a certain age. It seems sort of fun, but strange too how all the boys had to build the cars. I did like that they let the girls drive. 

The soap box derby seemed silly since only their family was involved and they weren't competing in a larger event even if it was with just the Bates. Really you couldn't get anyone else to race you? Not one of the dozen friends Michelle insisted were attending the wedding. 

 What happened to Jackson? When they were installing the carpet, Jackson looked much older than he did when they bought pizza.

Go Jana! Doing more observing than working for once.

I don't think Hannie is hopeless. Her parents let her do three fun things in a row for once, and she's in a good mood. As for J and B having 19 kids of course they might. They're not getting away from JB and Michelle and his parents seem as silly and impractical as the Duggars anyway. 

Jessa seems so smitten these days, speaking of kool-aide drinkers. If it's an act, it's a good one. 

I thought Jinger looked pretty in this episode. I don't think much of the Duggars, but I did think they looked happy together at the derby.

[cereality]

Ben at least seems to enjoy kids more than Jessa. He seems like he does try to play with them, relate to them etc. whereas Jessa has more of the "do it because I said so" vibe with the younger ones. Maybe Ben is just trying to impress, but he didn't seem fake with the kids at the arcade or at the soapbox race where he was handing out the ribbons. I think they will have as many kids as Jessa decides she wants; even if he wants 6-8 kids like his family, I can see her saying "nope I'm done with 2." Her vibe at the arcade was very indicative of "I will wear the pants in this relationship, we will do what I want and you are along for the ride." I was glad to see Jana stand up for herself a bit and say -- I'm here as a chaperone and I may help here and there, but it is Ben and Jessa's job to wrangle the kids today to get that experience. Lord knows she has experience in that area and doesn't need anymore.

 

I guess it's nice that they set up the soapbox derby as a real "event" for the younger kids, but it kind of shows how sad the kids' lives are. I don't know if they do soapbox derbies all over the country, but I think they are done in conjunction with 4th of July in some parts of the country, while other places do things like bike races or bike decorating contests. I mean it's nice that they got to do this with their families, but it would have been so much more fun to race with other kids in conjunction with a town event -- whether school friends or community friends -- if the kids weren't so isolated. Hell these kids would be happy with a field day or gym class at school. And the fact that they have 24 yr old brothers and 19 yr old boyfriends and 22 yr old sisters building ramps, setting up the race, and timing the races just suggests that the older ones need their own peers and activities.

 

And I'm not a physics person, but wouldn't the lighter kids go faster simply bc the car is carrying less weight? I don't get why they all kept saying the bigger kids would be faster.

[kalamac]

 

And I'm not a physics person, but wouldn't the lighter kids go faster simply bc the car is carrying less weight? I don't get why they all kept saying the bigger kids would be faster

It's been awhile since I've done physics, but it's something to do with how derby cars move because of gravity, and the more mass, the greater the force. So the heavier kids would make the cars go faster.

[cmr2014]

 

Ben at least seems to enjoy kids more than Jessa. He seems like he does try to play with them, relate to them etc. whereas Jessa has more of the "do it because I said so" vibe with the younger ones.

 

I'm not a big fan of Jessa, but Ben hasn't had to raise a dozen younger siblings. If it's fun and novel for Ben to spend a day with the kids, great, but I don't blame Jessa for just saying "wash your hands because I said so!"

[WTFFF]

Jessa really, really doesn't seem to like Ben at all.  She seems to think he's an incompetent idiot - and honestly I don't think she's far off the mark.  While I think she's a bitch in general, at least she doesn't feel the need to bow down to Ben's every (stupid) notion just because he's the Bearer of the Almighty Penis. 

 

While Jessa seems to dislike children, I think she still handles them better than Ben does.  Ben is just a fucking dolt.  I did appreciate Jessa pointing out that getting pizza grease on the video game handles would be gross for the next person who used it.  I don't think these kids get even the most basic training in manners from Michelle, so I appreciate Jessa's efforts to make the kids a bit less feral.

 

Jana looked annoyed by having to chaperone but not interact with anyone - as any sane person would.  What a shitty gig that was.  I hope she got paid for it. 

 

Josie is a spoiled brat.  Michelle may babytalk about how she's outgrowing the selfish stages, but she's turning into a regular Michelle Tanner.  More and more I wonder if she really isn't delayed like they keep saying - she's just a perpetual baby lagging developmentally because she gets away with it.  I'm a little embarrassed for her, having to blow kisses in the credits.  Are they still going to make her do that when she's 15?

 

At least Johannah had a good time with her monthly alone time with birth mommy.  If only this horse had kicked Michelle and run away with her, too.  That could've made the episode slightly less boring. 

 

But seriously, if you have to schedule a few minutes alone with your kids, and can't spend individual time with them on a daily basis, you have too many fucking children.  Emotional support should not be a privilege or a luxury; it should be every child's right.  Maybe I'm a liberal hippie who will have spoiled children, but it makes me incredibly sad that these kids spend days at a time not being able to have a conversation with their parents.

[HeyNow]

 

 

 Emotional support should not be a privilege or a luxury; it should be every child's right.  

This just can't be said enough.  Thanks.

[WTFFF]

Thanks.  I just boil when Michelle refers to things like occasionally leaving the house (and this was in reference to going grocery shopping, not a fun outing) as "a privilege, not a right" that has to be earned, and I can't help but think she thinks of time with parents as one of those things, too.  

 

(In most instances I would agree that driving - something else Michelle believes the kids have to earn the right to learn how to do - doesn't need to be a right, but living in rural nowhere means the kids have no way to go anywhere without being taught how to drive, and that makes me think that policy exists purely to make sure that the kids are broken enough to not be flight risks before they're deemed "mature enough" to drive.)

Edited October 8, 2014 by WTFFF

[jmt111]

Does the family ever do anything useful for this world? Serving in a soup kitchen, meals on wheels or helping in a home for unwed mothers? And not the 19 kids creating a circus wherever they go, but one or two of them filmed quietly pitching in would mean a lot more than some empty promise to pray for someone.

[floridamom]

Did I doze off? Please let me know in which episode was Michelle talking about "leaving the house" and driving, etc, being a privilege that had to be earned? I'd love to re-watch that segment. Yeah, Josie is a brat,, courtesy of Michelle, she's responsible for that. I can't believe those people. Now tell me that these kids aren't isolated, strangled and indentured servants to their parents?

[ghoulina]

While Jessa seems to dislike children, I think she still handles them better than Ben does.  Ben is just a fucking dolt.  I did appreciate Jessa pointing out that getting pizza grease on the video game handles would be gross for the next person who used it.  I don't think these kids get even the most basic training in manners from Michelle, so I appreciate Jessa's efforts to make the kids a bit less feral.

 

I agree that the Duggar kids are sorely lacking in manners, and it wasn't necessarily WRONG for Jessa to point out the politeness of cleaning your hands before touching everything in a public place. But it was the way she handled it that bothered me. Because I didn't think Ben's tactic was stupid. Everyone has different parenting styles, and I felt like Ben was just trying to relate to the kids. She just dismissed him like he was a total idiot. And maybe he is, but I didn't think he was being idiotic in that moment and no one should treat their significant other that way. She could have said "Oh yes, that's great a point, Ben! And we also want to be polite to the other people playing the games". I agree with others who get the impression that she's going to be wearing the pants in that family. And I'm not saying HE should, but she doesn't appear like she's going to be compromising or considerate at all. 

[BucFan]

Better watch out "Their Precious Miracle Josie" is turning into Aleeah "Rhoda" Gracie - Leah's little darling from Teen Mom 2.

[SopranoKris]

How many more of these "filler" episodes are we going to get until we finally see the wedding?  Geez, TLC, way to drag it out!

[Straycat80]

I think Hannie enjoyed horse riding, just not with MEchelle. And of course the whole reason to go horseriding was so MEchelle could overcome her fear of horses. Hannie enjoying it was the second reason.

When they asked Hannie if she'd like to do it again, she said yes, but with her siblings. She didn't say she'd like to do it again with her mother.

[BitterApple]

It was great to see Hannie so confident and relaxed on the horse, but it made me sad in a way. None of the Duggar children are really allowed to pursue any interests or hobbies that are unique to them. They're only allowed to do fun things when the cameras are rolling and J'Chelle needs to shut the internet critics up. I doubt Michelle has taken Jessa out for coffee or played chess with Jeremiah since those episodes aired.

[abseedee]

I think Hannie enjoyed horse riding, just not with MEchelle. And of course the whole reason to go horseriding was so MEchelle could overcome her fear of horses. Hannie enjoying it was the second reason.

When they asked Hannie if she'd like to do it again, she said yes, but with her siblings. She didn't say she'd like to do it again with her mother.

I think it's sad that other than their siblings they don't/can't do activities with outside friends.

 

eta:  I thought this was a boring episode.  Didn't pay attention until the horse back riding scene and derby.

Edited October 8, 2014 by abseedee

[gunderda]

Why the hell did they need TWO of those extra gigantic pizzas?  That was just ridiculous.

 

 

I thought the same thing - i thought they were getting one, but then TWO???? Those kids probably ate like 2 pieces tops.  Likely they were free and trying to advertise for the place that they do these massive pizzas but holy wastefulness.  I sure hope someone else in that place got free pizza after that group ate maybe a tenth of that pizza. 

 

Or I suppose they boxed it up in a storage tote and took it home to feed the others. Good grief. 

 

 

and so they made the cars for their own race... which was one race.... and now they're done with the kids hoping they can drive them again.  They did look nice for the minimal usage. 

[nccueagle84]

When the heck did they get those bunk beds shown in this episode.  I don't think I've seen them before now, they always had the metal type bunk beds or single beds.  Now there are some wooden custom built triple decker bunk beds.  It literally looks like their bus inside the boys room.  I feel bad for the boys who sleep on the very bottom they may as well sleep on the damn floor.  And why would they need 15 beds (5 sets of triple bunk beds)???? There was only a total of 10 boys minus Josh makes 9.  It's so sad John- David is 24 & not only does he have to share a room with all his little brothers he then has to sleep on a bunk bed....get the man a regular sized bed!!!

[zenme]

When the heck did they get those bunk beds shown in this episode.  I don't think I've seen them before now, they always had the metal type bunk beds or single beds.  Now there are some wooden custom built triple decker bunk beds.  It literally looks like their bus inside the boys room.  I feel bad for the boys who sleep on the very bottom they may as well sleep on the damn floor.  And why would they need 15 beds (5 sets of triple bunk beds)???? There was only a total of 10 boys minus Josh makes 9.  It's so sad John- David is 24 & not only does he have to share a room with all his little brothers he then has to sleep on a bunk bed....get the man a regular sized bed!!

 

These are great strides! At least Jackson and Jason aren't in a Pack n' Play.  Did the beds have sheets on them? That would be even better!

[Ripley68]

These 2 episodes were the first time I could honestly say that Jessa looked interested in Ben.  She looked at him for a long time, made eye contact with him, just seemed more comfortable. It's also the first time I've seen Ben be comfortable in front of the cameras.  He seemed very natural with the kids, calm and confident. It was a nice change from his usual deer in the headlights look.

[nccueagle84]

Oh yeah almost forgot to call B.S. on them not knowing those pizzas were that big.  The menu for the grill at fast lanes is online & they have 2 pizza sizes (mini & ginormous). It says the 29" Ginormous is like 4 pizzas in one that serves 10-12 people.....but they didn't know.  I forgot SODRT doesn't teach them how to read.  

These are great strides! At least Jackson and Jason aren't in a Pack n' Play.  Did the beds have sheets on them? That would be even better!

There were sheets & comforters.....don't think I saw pillows though. Oh well 2 out of 3?

[Adeejay]

This episode didn’t do Jessa any favor.  She came across as bossy and controlling.  Ben was clearly rattled.  I don’t think he’d ever seen that side of her.  Based on the way he backed down, he seemed to have gotten a startling realization of his future.  Yikes!

[ghoulina]

It was great to see Hannie so confident and relaxed on the horse, but it made me sad in a way. None of the Duggar children are really allowed to pursue any interests or hobbies that are unique to them. They're only allowed to do fun things when the cameras are rolling and J'Chelle needs to shut the internet critics up. I doubt Michelle has taken Jessa out for coffee or played chess with Jeremiah since those episodes aired.

 

That's how I feel every single time we watch the kids engage in a special activity. "Oh, here, Hannie, you better enjoy this 30 minutes on a horse, because you will never do this again". It's depressing. Frankly, I'm surprised riding a horse isn't seen as defrauding the women in some crazy way. 

[Darknight]

Does the family ever do anything useful for this world? Serving in a soup kitchen, meals on wheels or helping in a home for unwed mothers? And not the 19 kids creating a circus wherever they go, but one or two of them filmed quietly pitching in would mean a lot more than some empty promise to pray for someone.

The only purpose for the Duggars is to serve the Lord and reproduce.

[lottiedottie]

Did you guys notice they were building those ramps in the garage...just below Ben's swanky bachelor pad?