The All You Can Eat Buffet: My 600 Pound Life All Episode Discussion

[DC Gal in VA]

Soooooooo apparently the list of those suing TLC has grown to ten according to this article:

https://heavy.com/entertainment/2020/07/my-600-lb-life-lawsuits-megalomedia/

While I have always been a critic of TLC's production methods especially their lazy, predictable documentation of the poundticipants' weight loss "journeys" -- shower or bed bath scenes, blurred crotch scenes, cameras zooming in only inches away from their greasy lips as they shovel in mass quantities of food, etc., I truly hope that this class action lawsuit crashes and burns.

The most egregious for me are the relatives of L.B. Bonner who sadly committed suicide. Every story I've read about this states that he did not leave a suicide note yet his "loved ones" insist that the show is responsible for his death. As I recall from his episode, he recounted having strained relationships and issues with his family members so for them to try and cash in on his death is beyond despicable.

Among the others, Maja's lawsuit is a real jaw dropper with her assertion of TLC "pushing unbeknownst participants to the edge of an emotional cliff" which, seriously, what the fuck does that even mean!? If true, she's got some nerve considering she constantly harassed, terrorized and verbally abused her boyfriend Christian ONSCREEN during her episode including her epic meltdown in Dr. Now's office where she hysterically called her mama on CHRISSHUN!!!

As for the rest, Jeanne "NoHyJeanne" Covey, Annjeannette Whaley,  Nicole Lewis, etc. suing TLC for failure to pay for "promised" health care services, rent, skin removal and even Jeanne's mom's hernia surgery, I find it hard to believe that TLC's lawyers would not have spelled out in great detail exactly what expenses would be covered by the show as well as requiring each of them to sign off on those agreements. If they're trying to claim verbal promises then good luck unless they had the good sense to secretly record any production team members making those promises. What am I thinking, associating these folks with having good sense!?😁

Edited July 7, 2020 by DC Gal in VA
Typo.

[CrazyInAlabama]

My guess is the contract for poundticipants, and their friends and relatives are iron clad.   If the contract is less than 40 or 50 pages then I would be surprised.     

I read that Wipeout (the game/competition show with all kinds of bizarre obstacles) had a waiver/contract 50 pages long, and I'm betting 600 lb does too.  

[DC Gal in VA]

21 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

My guess is the contract for poundticipants, and their friends and relatives are iron clad.   If the contract is less than 40 or 50 pages then I would be surprised.     

I read that Wipeout (the game/competition show with all kinds of bizarre obstacles) had a waiver/contract 50 pages long, and I'm betting 600 lb does too.  

That makes so much sense CrazyInAlabama. However, I wonder if the allegations about TLC failing to provide mental healthcare might be the production company's Achilles Heel. For example, Gina Grasley accuses them of ..... "intentionally causing distress in order to achieve higher ratings" and "failing to provide counseling before administering her diet." Alicia Kirgan also points to them .... "only providing her with one therapy session" and that .... "the one session felt scripted." A lot of us here have had the same criticisms about what we perceive as TLC's lack of attention to the mental health care and needs of the poundticipants.

I know that I've said on occasion that some of these people should never have been accepted to Dr. Now's program because of their obvious depression, anxiety, admitted suicide attempts, etc. Also, many of us here have raised issues regarding their alcohol and drug abuse not being addressed. If their lawyer gets to present that argument to a jury, written and signed contracts or not, might they not prevail because a jury finds TLC negligent in that regard? 

Edited to add: I think that this ambulance chaser keeps adding clients to this class action lawsuit is because he knows that there's strength in numbers and he only needs to win one or two of these cases for a big seven figure pay day for himself and screw the rest.

21 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

 

 

Edited July 7, 2020 by DC Gal in VA
Additional comments.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I'm positive the poundticipants get the usual mental health screening that weight loss surgery patients receive.   

I'm guessing it's like a friend's screening for WLS, with a psych screening (but no therapy), nutritional and dietician sessions, and extensive explanations of the pre-surgery, and post-surgery dietary and nutrition needs, supplements that will be required for the rest of their life, possible complications of the surgery, and post-surgery.      They just don't want to show everything the poundticipants go through, because we would be bored, and the failing patients who never get surgery, or eat through it, would make all of us angry. (My friend's husband had the really radical bypass, lost a ton of weight, and gradually started gaining back by constant eating.   He was in a support group that met at the member's homes, and his wife said that they would do a pot luck for every meeting.   She told me that the foods they brought were almost never items they should be eating.    )

There are also group sessions after surgery (some of the early poundticipants were leading and involved in these, and they showed them in early seasons).     I really suspect that we just saw the last season, and Dr. Now will retire.     Doing many hours of surgery, and being at the office and hospital for long hours is more than he should be putting himself through.      I'm guessing that when Dr. Now retires, that the practice will continue, but I'm betting that the weight limit will be much lower, like other programs.     

The attorney for the lawsuits says that his goal is to end the TV program, and that would be sad for the ones like Justin, who embraced the program, and reached a healthy weight.    People like Dianna give me hope for the WLS program.  

Is it really the show's responsibility to pay for mental health therapy?   On my health plan I get a certain amount of coverage, but that's only if I want therapy.   So many of the poundticipants really don't want therapy, and the parts we see show people that never tell the truth, or mention major issues.  

Edited July 8, 2020 by CrazyInAlabama

[cynicat]

11 hours ago, DC Gal in VA said:

That makes so much sense CrazyInAlabama. However, I wonder if the allegations about TLC failing to provide mental healthcare might be the production company's Achilles Heel. For example, Gina Grasley accuses them of ..... "intentionally causing distress in order to achieve higher ratings"

If they win on those grounds, then every single reality show ever made will have to pay out claims.

[mmecorday]

TLC's lawyers will fire back that the litigants went to Dr. Now hoping he could help them lose weight and were disappointed when he did not possess the wizardry to magically make hundreds of pounds disappear with one wave of his magic wand. 

[Guest]

21 hours ago, DC Gal in VA said:

For example, Gina Grasley accuses them of ..... "intentionally causing distress in order to achieve higher ratings"

I should sue Gina for damages for intentionally causing distress after having watched her homemade porns.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I think that everything Gina and her Coven said and did in this episode was faked, except Dr. Now's portion.     The videos she put online of her dancing around in the living room, about the same time she claimed she couldn't get upstairs to take a shower is proof.  

Edited July 8, 2020 by CrazyInAlabama

[ams1001]

On 7/6/2020 at 8:03 PM, DC Gal in VA said:

Among the others, Maja's lawsuit is a real jaw dropper with her assertion of TLC "pushing unbeknownst participants to the edge of an emotional cliff" which, seriously, what the fuck does that even mean!? If true, she's got some nerve considering she constantly harassed, terrorized and verbally abused her boyfriend Christian ONSCREEN during her episode including her epic meltdown in Dr. Now's office where she hysterically called her mama on CHRISSHUN!!!

How many of us cheered from our couches when he hopped a bus back to Oregon?

 

On 7/6/2020 at 8:21 PM, CrazyInAlabama said:

I read that Wipeout (the game/competition show with all kinds of bizarre obstacles) had a waiver/contract 50 pages long, and I'm betting 600 lb does too.  

I've always wondered about those shows. I've seen a handful of partial episodes of Ellen's Game of Games (mostly the end, where they drop them down a chute when they lose in the last round...I want to know where they land...) and I've caught the end of the new one Don't a couple times (only because they were on before something else I was watching). I always wonder if anyone has ever really gotten hurt. I figured there must be a detailed waiver for them to sign. 

[fonfereksglen]

On 7/7/2020 at 6:37 PM, CrazyInAlabama said:

I'm positive the poundticipants get the usual mental health screening that weight loss surgery patients receive.   

I'm guessing it's like a friend's screening for WLS, with a psych screening (but no therapy), nutritional and dietician sessions, and extensive explanations of the pre-surgery, and post-surgery dietary and nutrition needs, supplements that will be required for the rest of their life, possible complications of the surgery, and post-surgery.      They just don't want to show everything the poundticipants go through, because we would be bored, and the failing patients who never get surgery, or eat through it, would make all of us angry. (My friend's husband had the really radical bypass, lost a ton of weight, and gradually started gaining back by constant eating.   He was in a support group that met at the member's homes, and his wife said that they would do a pot luck for every meeting.   She told me that the foods they brought were almost never items they should be eating.    )

There are also group sessions after surgery (some of the early poundticipants were leading and involved in these, and they showed them in early seasons).     I really suspect that we just saw the last season, and Dr. Now will retire.     Doing many hours of surgery, and being at the office and hospital for long hours is more than he should be putting himself through.      I'm guessing that when Dr. Now retires, that the practice will continue, but I'm betting that the weight limit will be much lower, like other programs.     

The attorney for the lawsuits says that his goal is to end the TV program, and that would be sad for the ones like Justin, who embraced the program, and reached a healthy weight.    People like Dianna give me hope for the WLS program.  

Is it really the show's responsibility to pay for mental health therapy?   On my health plan I get a certain amount of coverage, but that's only if I want therapy.   So many of the poundticipants really don't want therapy, and the parts we see show people that never tell the truth, or mention major issues.  

Is there a link to the actual lawsuit?  I am especially curious,  considering the patients from all parts of the country, in which Federal Circuit  was this filed?

[fonfereksglen]

7 hours ago, mmecorday said:

TLC's lawyers will fire back that the litigants went to Dr. Now hoping he could help them lose weight and were disappointed when he did not possess the wizardry to magically make hundreds of pounds disappear with one wave of his magic wand. 

I said when the lawsuit was first mentioned, that every single missed medical, physical therapy and mental health appointment along with missed phone calls and every other instance of non compliance will be used as a breach of contract.

And there are countless filmed segments of such noncompliance. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

Just search for 600 lb life lawsuit, and it should come up.   I've noticed that the ones that signed on for the lawsuit get their episodes showing how non-complaint they are rerun quite often. 

Watching some of the reruns really makes me wonder what's happened to a lot of the poundticipants.      Tamy and Karina's first episode, and the WATN certainly were full of amazing moments, not always in a good way either.  

Edited July 9, 2020 by CrazyInAlabama

[ams1001]

1 minute ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

Watching some of the reruns really makes me wonder what's happened to a lot of the poundticipants.      Tamy and Karina's first episode, and the WATN certainly were full of amazing moments, not always in a good way either.  

I just caught the end of Karina but I had it on mute. Now I'm watching Tamy Lyn. They're on their way to Houston.

Why am I watching this again? Who knows?

(I don't remember much of her story, but I do remember her husband and his little elf voice.)

[DC Gal in VA]

On 7/7/2020 at 7:37 PM, CrazyInAlabama said:

I'm positive the poundticipants get the usual mental health screening that weight loss surgery patients receive.   

I'm guessing it's like a friend's screening for WLS, with a psych screening (but no therapy), nutritional and dietician sessions, and extensive explanations of the pre-surgery, and post-surgery dietary and nutrition needs, supplements that will be required for the rest of their life, possible complications of the surgery, and post-surgery.      They just don't want to show everything the poundticipants go through, because we would be bored, and the failing patients who never get surgery, or eat through it, would make all of us angry. (My friend's husband had the really radical bypass, lost a ton of weight, and gradually started gaining back by constant eating.   He was in a support group that met at the member's homes, and his wife said that they would do a pot luck for every meeting.   She told me that the foods they brought were almost never items they should be eating.    )

There are also group sessions after surgery (some of the early poundticipants were leading and involved in these, and they showed them in early seasons).     I really suspect that we just saw the last season, and Dr. Now will retire.     Doing many hours of surgery, and being at the office and hospital for long hours is more than he should be putting himself through.      I'm guessing that when Dr. Now retires, that the practice will continue, but I'm betting that the weight limit will be much lower, like other programs.     

The attorney for the lawsuits says that his goal is to end the TV program, and that would be sad for the ones like Justin, who embraced the program, and reached a healthy weight.    People like Dianna give me hope for the WLS program.  

Is it really the show's responsibility to pay for mental health therapy?   On my health plan I get a certain amount of coverage, but that's only if I want therapy.   So many of the poundticipants really don't want therapy, and the parts we see show people that never tell the truth, or mention major issues.  

Great points CrazyInAlabama. I have to believe that they're made aware of the support groups you mentioned.

Hahaha the first bolded part has me imagining the final day of the trial where the judge receives the note from the jury and says "Well, (to the lawsuit's attorney and his clients), I have good news and bad news. The good news is that you've won, TLC has ended the My 600 Pound Life show. The bad news is that's ALL you've won! I would love to see the expression on his face as well as the faces of his grifter plaintiffs since after all he did say that's all he ever wanted! 😁 Oops sorry, no seven or eight figure payout for any of you! Also, good question about the show's responsibility to pay for mental health therapy. I suspect that would also be covered in TLC's mega contract with each poundticipant.

 

Edited July 9, 2020 by DC Gal in VA
Left out a major point! Doh!

[DC Gal in VA]

5 hours ago, Giant Misfit said:

I should sue Gina for damages for intentionally causing distress after having watched her homemade porns.

Damn Giant Misfit, your crazy, wonderful choice of stringing the words Gina with homemade porns actually made me nauseous. Good job!

BTW, I am currently re-watching Tami Lyn's original episode, she of the most shocking/amazing/horrific fupa of all time. But hey she's "only" 591 pounds which makes her a lightweight.😊 Kudos to her though for saying from the outset that it's her responsibility for her situation. How often do we hear that from our poundticipants?

14 minutes ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

Just search for 600 lb life lawsuit, and it should come up.   I've noticed that the ones that signed on for the lawsuit get their episodes showing how non-complaint they are quite often. 

Watching some of the reruns really makes me wonder what's happened to a lot of the poundticipants.      Tamy and Karina's first episode, and the WATN certainly were full of amazing moments, not always in a good way either.  

Oh wow, I just posted that Tamy Lyn's episode is on right now.

[DC Gal in VA]

12 minutes ago, ams1001 said:

I just caught the end of Karina but I had it on mute. Now I'm watching Tamy Lyn. They're on their way to Houston.

Why am I watching this again? Who knows?

(I don't remember much of her story, but I do remember her husband and his little elf voice.)

Me too ams1001. What the Hell is wrong with us, LOL!😁

[fonfereksglen]

1 minute ago, DC Gal in VA said:

Me too ams1001. What the Hell is wrong with us, LOL!😁

That living thing hanging from her midsection is hypnotic!

[OoogleEyes]

I bumped up her thread, we can maybe live chat there?

[Ralphster]

I have noticed the pounders always end sentences with "...what I need" or "...like I need," or occasionally with "...[verb/noun] I need." It's always "...something I need." Since they all end sentences this way, I guess they're just reading from a pre-written script. We'd already surmised that, but it's so obvious since the sentences practically all end the same way. Dr. Now does that, too; he'll say "...like you need" or "...what you need" or "...[verb/noun] you need." Is he following a script, too, then? Because that's awfully coincidental if he supposedly is speaking off the cuff. It's also crap grammar-wise, but that is a whole new topic. 😉

[JunkFoodTV]

@Ralphster have you watched the Lindsey episode? Both the regular and the Supersize are 600 lb snarkworthy gold! 😁

[CrazyInAlabama]

Yes, the famous phrases "Eat Death, Lindsey" (yelled by her husband Paul), and "It Smells Like Grease and Freedom" spoken by Lindsey over the jumbo Pork Tenderloin sandwich on the trip to Houston, are classics, and not to be missed.   

Next Wednesday is the original (5-7 Central) Benji and David episode, the original Erica first episode (7-9 Central), followed by the WATN on David, Benji & Erica,, (9-11 Central).     Both Erica episodes are must see TV.   Erica is delusional in both, and the original Benji & David shows the cosmetic dentistry that some of the Poundticipants need.   

[Ralphster]

Not only have I totally seen Paul melodramatically yelling at Lindsey to eat death, but I happened to be watching that very episode when I checked my notifications! Am I the only one who thinks Paul was just being dramatic for the sake of being dramatic? Yet another narcissist IMO.

[JunkFoodTV]

I wonder why they aren't doing Erica's first WATN episode? When we first met Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy!!! 😍😀

[Ralphster]

6 hours ago, JunkFoodTV said:

I wonder why they aren't doing Erica's first WATN episode? When we first met Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy!!! 😍😀

YES! Where she keeps writhing in her chair while she's talking to him, and it's so weird! I said in another post that I was concerned she was about to run for the vibrator.

[CrazyInAlabama]

They're showing her first episode tonight.   Isn't the end of this where she meets Jimmy again, or is there another WATN that they're not showing?   I know in the David & Benji & Erica WATN there's a lot more information about what happened after this, that's coming on next.

I feel sorry for Erica's sister, she was raked over the coals after this episode, and she's been through Erica's whining for many years, and through countless diets, and broken promises.       

[turbogirlnyc]

Since getting Hulu, I've been watching seasons 2-7 and reading your comments and live chats at the same time. Thank you all for being so entertaining with your thoughts, comments and delicious snark!! So I'm always curious why there's no medication prescribed like Naltrexone for addiction? Not saying medicine is a cure all because it's not. I just know that a drug similar to Wellbutrin and Naltrexone are often prescribed by doctors to curb addiction. I suppose these people don't visit a doctor but I don't get waiting till you're at deaths door to do something. I understand feelings of depression and hopelessness but damn... if I gain weight, I'm on the phone to my endocrinologist asap to check my hypothyroidism which I was diagnosed with at age 10. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

Today's lineup of reruns is Lacey (the one who's long divorced parents are taking her to Houston, and riding in the same SUV to Houston).

Then Parts 1 & 2 of the Steven and Justin Assanti epic train wreck (if it's really the original, the caravan to Houston at the beginning of Part 1 is bizarre), at 5 and 7 central, two hours each.   Then the last part of The Assanti brothers, at 9 central.     

[JunkFoodTV]

1 hour ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

Today's lineup of reruns is Lacey (the one who's long divorced parents are taking her to Houston, and riding in the same SUV to Houston).

Then Parts 1 & 2 of the Steven and Justin Assanti epic train wreck (if it's really the original, the caravan to Houston at the beginning of Part 1 is bizarre), at 5 and 7 central, two hours each.   Then the last part of The Assanti brothers, at 9 central.     

I might watch Lacey. Anything Ass Anti....I'm just saying "no". 

[CrazyInAlabama]

Lacey was entertaining, with her mother getting called out by Dr. Now on her weight after the mother's own weight loss surgery.    And they don't really show it, but Lacey and the parents were all in the same car on the trip to take her stuff to Houston, and that's part of the reason they were all so cranky.    Though apparently the parents had a rather volatile relationship before the divorce, and ever since.  

Yes, and as fonfereksglen kindly remind me, Lacey fell out of the taxi, and was rolling around on the ground.    I will say that Lacey has one of the better homes on this show.   It is one of the few that doesn't look like it's next appearance is on Hoarders. 

Edited August 12, 2020 by CrazyInAlabama

[OoogleEyes]

I'm going to have to 'just say no' to the Assanti Bros tonight. 

[fonfereksglen]

I had forgotten all the classic scenes in the Lacey episode.  Her mulch covered butt was priceless.

Edited August 12, 2020 by fonfereksglen

[ams1001]

3 hours ago, OoogleEyes said:

I'm going to have to 'just say no' to the Assanti Bros tonight. 

Me, too. Saw one of them relatively recently and I can't take them again. Also the AGT results show is on at 8. As boring as AGT has gotten, it's still a million times better than anything Assanti. Watching LegalEagle videos on youtube in the meantime. I'll check the thread to see if there's any good snark.

[OoogleEyes]

I don't think that I ever watched Chuck's episode. 

Oh geeze.....an abuser. "I don't know why I keep doing this". Did they ever find out who murdered his first wife? H'mmm

Edited August 20, 2020 by OoogleEyes

[fonfereksglen]

7 minutes ago, OoogleEyes said:

I don't think that I ever watched Chuck's episode. 

Stick though this one and the next.  Good stuff.

Pretty sure there was something weird about the death of his first wife.  

Edited August 20, 2020 by fonfereksglen

[OoogleEyes]

He only wants to stay married for the insurance? What a romantic! And yes, Chuck, she is absolutely thinking of that baby boy. She doesn't want him to grow up to be just like you

[CrazyInAlabama]

18 hours ago, OoogleEyes said:

I don't think that I ever watched Chuck's episode. 

Oh geeze.....an abuser. "I don't know why I keep doing this". Did they ever find out who murdered his first wife? H'mmm

I read that he was long divorced from the first wife when she was murdered, and he didn't even know she was dead for a long time.    I think they arrested someone for the ex-wife's murder (her adult daughter was convicted).  

 

Edited August 20, 2020 by CrazyInAlabama

[babyhouseman]

22 hours ago, OoogleEyes said:

I don't think that I ever watched Chuck's episode. 

I don't either. I thought I had watched all of them. It seemed older with how Dr. Now looked. Maybe it was an early episode. I have a good memory and I know I would've remembered his dramatics. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

Chuck's episode was older, and there was a follow up.    On the first episode he was married to Nissa, and on the second episode they were divorced, and he married another woman.    He was divorced from that wife after the episode.  

[fonfereksglen]

27 minutes ago, babyhouseman said:

I don't either. I thought I had watched all of them. It seemed older with how Dr. Now looked. Maybe it was an early episode. I have a good memory and I know I would've remembered his dramatics. 

Season 2.  I think this is also the season of Olivia, Tara, and Zsylynn.  And Penny?  I would enjoy revisiting the first three and their WATNs.

[OoogleEyes]

Zsalynn and the asshole Gareth. What a jerk. 

[ClareWalks]

Christina Phillips posted on Facebook in August that she is pregnant!

[auntjess]

On 9/17/2020 at 1:06 PM, ClareWalks said:

Christina Phillips posted on Facebook in August that she is pregnant!

For anyone else who couldn't remember who she is:
https://www.thecinemaholic.com/christina-phillips-600-lb-life/

 

[PSG]

Hi all! I've watched about 10 episodes, and I've read a lot of threads here. 

I appreciate the discussion of whether the people on the show are addicted to food or, really, to eating. Because as I'm watching, it sure seems like the latter. 

My main takeaway from the eps I'v watched: an overwhelming sense of revulsion toward drive-thrus. I keep thinking about the way various folks on the show drive from one fast food place to another, boom boom boom. You don't even have to get out of your car, you don't have to stand at the counter and face someone. I wonder if therapists might challenge some people in these situations to go ahead and eat your fast food (initially), BUT you cannot order out, you can't drive through, you can't eat it secretly at home--you must go there and eat it in the restaurant. 

I also could live the rest of my life without hearing some variation on "Dr. Now is my only hope, my only chance, my only way..." I'm not sure what they actually believe "weight loss surgery" is. It's not surgery that makes you lose weight. It's a tool, but ultimately most of the weight is lost by one's own efforts and seriousness. As is evidenced by the weight they lose prior to the surgery. 

 

 

[CrazyInAlabama]

I read about a woman with bulimia, and she had a regular route of 24 hour places, where since she went late at night, she knew exactly how long the dozen or two of donuts would last, until she could get to the next place, and the one after that, and she could binge on thousands of calories and not run out before she got home.    I think it's not only the eating high they get from consuming the food, but they also are showing that they can't be controlled by others.  

Edited September 25, 2020 by CrazyInAlabama

[PSG]

It's the "thrill of the chase". All sorts of addicts know this feeling and these behaviors. 

Edited September 25, 2020 by PSG

[cynicat]

10 hours ago, PSG said:

It's the "thrill of the chase". All sorts of addicts know this feeling and these behaviors. 

Word. It's also not as humiliating as going into the building.  No one really sees you, even the person who takes your money only gets a glimpse.  No one is judging, or it certainly doesn't feel like they are, and it feels like you got away with something.  Bulimic here weighing in...pun not totally intended

[PSG]

Chuck's episode was the first one I ever watched. OMG, what a fucking baby. I couldn't stand his pleading and crying. "Give me another chance, I'll make it right!" I think that was when I developed the habit of muttering out loud as I watched any given episode. 

"I'm going to do whatever it takes!" No you won't

"I will do anything to be the husband and father I'm meant to be!" No you won't

"I'll do whatever Dr. Now says!" No you won't

"This is my only chance!" No it isn't

"I've been mostly sticking to the diet!" No you weren't

"I've been doing everything I possibly could!" No you haven't

"I eat...two or threeeee? regular meals...and um I snack sometimes on...grapes and crackers." No you don't

"I don't understand what happened (when I only lost 23 pounds instead of 70 this month)." Yeah you do

I finally saw the Maja episode a few days ago, and wow, she was a drama tornado and a total blamer. I was pro-Christian the entire time. Some people viewed him as being on the spectrum, or being a jerk; I saw what he was doing as being matter-of-fact. Just--totally non-reactive. And I was delighted when he bailed. I think he pursued the WLS and helped her get to Houston in order to give her a leg up (owww mah lehhgg) when he left. I think he was already completely outta there, mentally and emotionally, but wanted to try to get her in a better place to be on her own. A person can only take so much of that constant self-centeredness. People like Maja suck all the air out of the room. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

My suspicion with the Maja/Christian episode is that they had so much money, and that lovely apartment because her mother was paying him.     As the huge argument at Dr. Now's unfolded, when she called her mother and blamed Christian for her weight gain, when the mother told Christian she needed him to stay with Maja through her surgery, I suspect that was Mom's agreement with Maja.    I also don't blame Maja's father for banning her from his home, I suspect her behavior, especially towards the younger half-siblings was abysmal.   I think the one incident Maja mentioned with the younger kids was a lot worse than taking them out for a bike ride.    

Remember one person a couple of seasons ago was in the back of the mini van going to Houston, but before leaving town she had the driver go through the drive thru (I think KFC, but I could be wrong), and they knew each other.    It wasn't just small town living either, but from coming through the drive thru so often.   

Edited September 27, 2020 by CrazyInAlabama

[PSG]

OMG, when you put it that way....holy shit. Their relationship seemed way more like a paid attendant/whiny spoiled client than boyfriend/girlfriend. 

Unlike many episodes in which--no matter how fucked-up the dynamic may be--you do hear and see some sort of love or affection between the featured couple, there was none with Maja and Christian. None. 

That also makes sense of the "I can take a day off" comment!

[OoogleEyes]

Boo hoo, no rerun tonight!