S05.E01: We're Back!

[dorcastrilling]

The bed time thing with Bentley has been going on. When Maci and Kyle bought the house he did not want to sleep in his new room. Understandable the first night in a strange place, but rather than leaving a light on for him or staying with him until he fell asleep she tried dragging him back several times then gave in. On the Being Maci special there was an empty room she wanted for herself but Bentley was having none of that. They shared a room and bed there. I guess it being a party house I can sort of see that, except that he would have been in their shared room alone until it was time for her to call it a night.

 

I may be remembering this wrong, but didn't Ryan move out at some point? I think he showed Bentley his new room then, and Bentley was cool with it. Like he is more secure about nothing going down when he is with Ryan, while it is an anything goes thing with Maci.

[LegallyRed2]

But that's the thing -- the bedtime stuff is HUGELY common with kids that age too. It has to do with pushing boundaries - normal childhood development things. Remember when Ryan showed him his own room, that was years ago before they go through that stage. We saw him pushing back with Ryan and the Nashville thing so his issues are not only when he is with Maci.

 

Also, forgot to point out how Maci was arguing the producers how she didn't want to be on the same show as a porn star. But she has no issues being on the show with someone who is a convicted drug addict felon who beat up her boyfriend?

[jacksgirl]

The only problem I had with how Ryan handled Bentley and the Nashville trip was it might have been better to ask Bentley why he didn't want to go. Maybe the car ride seems too long for him or he wants to ride dirt bikes or whatever at grandma's. Bentley is very verbal and Ryan perhaps could have talked to him about why he didn't want to go. I agree that Ryan was right to say I am the dad, this is not a choice, but there could have been less distress on Bentley's part if they would have talked.

Edited March 28, 2015 by jacksgirl

[lezlers]

The only problem I had with how Ryan handled Bentley and the Nashville trip was it might have been better to ask Bentley why he didn't want to go. Maybe the car ride seems too long for him or he wants to ride dirt bikes or whatever at grandma's. Bentley is very verbal and Ryan perhaps could have talked to him about why he didn't want to go. I agree that Ryan was right to say I am the dad, this is not a choice, but there could have been less distress on Bentley's part if they would have talked.

His grandpa had that conversation with him and Bentley just kept saying "because it's not gonna be fuuuuun!!!!"  Typical 6 year old stuff.  I think Ryan handled it in an appropriate way.  There's a time for talking things out with a kid and there's a time for just laying down the law.  This time was the latter, in my opinion. 

[Darknight]

The obsession with Carly makes me feel bad for Novalee like shes always going to be looked at as a replacement baby. Even with all the counseling they still can't look past it. Tyler seems like he wants out, even before they went on couples therapy. I think his mom knows how he feels too and that's what she meant by "freedom" being taken away w/ the new baby. They're both very disrespectful to Carlys adoptive parents. And what's with Tylers mom? I always got the vibe that Tylers mom resented catelyn for holding tyler back from living his life.

Edited March 30, 2015 by Darknight

[Brooklynista]

^^This. I think Catlin knows her life with or without iCarly would likely still be very trailer. Tyler had the curiosity to have gotten beyond Butch's world. I think Tyler would have dated and traveled and maybe not college but he would have gotten a steady jon doing...something.

I think the guilt of manipulating Cate into giving up Carly and the MTV semi fame have him stuck. I don't mean to blame Tyler's lack of motivation on Catlin but I feel w/o MTV he would have moved on from her and lived a more productive life. My guess is every time he has his hand on the doorknob to leave she just whispers "carly" and he drops his hand.

[NikSac]

To me, there's a big difference between understanding that any celebratory event in your kid's life will likely involve your ex, and that you'll occasionally have to suck it up and deal with it for one day, and having to argue back and forth with your ex daily or weekly on any issues that come up regarding your minor child.

 

This is particularly true if your ex is vindictive. My friend is a single mother and her ex goes out of his way to be difficult. I'm sure she'd much rather have to sigh and smile politely from across the room at him at a church or reception hall than spend 20 total hours haggling with him over their holiday plans for their son in the days leading up to Thanksgiving (she wanted to go out of town, he insisted he needed to see their son on that Friday because it was his day), only to find out, after she cancels her travel plans, makes alternate plans for herself that Friday, THEN he says he'll be busy that weekend after all and she can take him. True story. I don't think anyone is looking forward to their kid turning 18 as much as my friend is.

 

I totally agree with this too, I think it's just something people need to acknowledge before they get divorced or separated. Like I said it's probably more of a personal issue of mine too, but I'm now in my 40s and EVERY freaking holiday, life event, Thanksgiving, etc. are still stressful and I feel like these parents don't think about it. I know it's because they're all young too, but it's not like you cut the cord at 18.

[ghoulina]

The obsession with Carly makes me feel bad for Novalee like shes always going to be looked at as a replacement baby.

 

Novalee? Really? Am I watching a bad Ashley Judd movie? If anything, Carly is going to be so grateful she escaped such an awful name. 

[wrestlesflamingos]

Its much worse. The name is Novalee Reign.

[MissMel]

I totally agree with this too, I think it's just something people need to acknowledge before they get divorced or separated. Like I said it's probably more of a personal issue of mine too, but I'm now in my 40s and EVERY freaking holiday, life event, Thanksgiving, etc. are still stressful and I feel like these parents don't think about it. I know it's because they're all young too, but it's not like you cut the cord at 18.

^^this, all day^^

I got divorced after 14 years and two kids. My oldest once told me "I like being around you. I like being around Dad. I don't like being around you and Dad".

On the other hand, my parents got divorced when I was 25. I'm 40 now and it still is a super special mind fuck for me. My ex won't show up for anything if I'm going to be there, including high school graduation. He is always a no show. But my parents? They can sit in my garage or back porch and shoot the shit anytime. Where the hell were these people 30 years ago?

I think these two should have tried to be apart to see how it would work. But now there is a "keeper" baby, and that makes me sad for all them. Hope it all goes well but logic says it won't.

[StayingAfterSunday]

Caitlin and Tyler's baby has been named Novalee Reign?

 

Okayyyy...  Party City, Party Fair, Celebration Station, Noveltee Reigns.  Oops.

 

Didn't that other Teen Mom (Teen Mom 4, was it?) name her kid, "Nova?"   You know the girl -- the one with the crazy Mother and sister.   Key word here is crazy, just like the name.

--------------------------------------------

Amber.

I have always liked Amber.  This season I love her.  Shame on Gary for playing with Amber's feelings.  I never knew he had a sadistic streak since Amber always seemed to be the one portrayed as "trouble." 

That little Leah is too cute for words.  I think she is a mini-Amber.  I noticed she is ultra feminine and is always in a dress.  She's just adorable.   While I think of it - and since this thread has mentioned the name of Caitlin  and Tyler's baby -  I just had to check to see if I heard Amber correctly when she addressed her daughter by saying, "Leah Leanne."   Did she really give her "Leanne" for a middle name, or is the name really "Leah Anne?"   If so, there must be something in the water when it comes time for the Teen Moms to name their newborns.  I also seem to recall Leah from TM 2 giving each of the twins basically the same name. "Allehah" and "Allie" or some such nonsense.

 

On to the next:  Maci and Bentley.  

I have never been crazy about Maci, but I'm liking her much more this time around now that she is allowing more of her emotions to come through.  The scene of her crying in the car after leaving Bentley at kindergarten was pretty raw.  I couldn't help but feel some of her pain. 

 

As for Ryan's parents, I think Maci is fortunate to have them in her (and Bentley's) lives.  Maybe I'm strange, but I can totally understand why they've chosen to care for Bentley on the "Ryan weekends" as opposed to strong-arming Ryan into doing it.

They obviously love Bentley and actually enjoy the time they spend with him.  Obviously, the same cannot be said for Ryan who acts as though Bentley is a pesty, unwanted little brother rather than his own son. 

 

I do think Ryan is an only child, and that he has been cherished by both of his parents.  Can't say I blame them for that, either.  I think the situation regarding Ryan's parents might fit the  "loving well, but not wisely"  scenario.  In any case, I like both of them and feel sorry for them, particularly during those times when Ryan is acting like the spoiled six-year-old instead of Bentley. 

 

The other thing that is becoming more obvious with each passing season of Teen Mom is Ryan's resentment towards Maci and his ill-concealed attitude that conveys the "she got herself knocked up" mentality.  I doubt Ryan ever implicates himself, as in "I got her pregnant."  Also,  every time he announces, "I have to go to work,"  he gives off the impression that he'd rather not be going, but that he HAS to go because of the child-support responsibilities that he never wanted.  Damn that Maci!

 

Farrah

Hell, yes.  Bring back Farrah, along with her looney mother and milquetoast father.  And, of course, So FEE ah.

Edited April 5, 2015 by StayingAfterSunday

[Granimal]

I watched this last night.

 

I cannot stand Tyler & Cate, but Tyler especially.  I LOVE how, when the test was positive, Tyler was like "boy oh boy.  Now I can go to school, and you can be a SAHM until the kid is like 3, then you can go and I'll already have my degree."  I mean, wtf?  Did they wait for her to get pregnant again to start making plans for their lives??  And I hate that they made me defend Farrah in my mind.  Who are they to judge her for making a porn?  "She said she regretted it" one said to the other, as if that made it ok for THEM. Farrah has at least done SOMETHING with herself. Ugh.  I have not liked Tyler since I saw him abuse a dog in some episode way back when.  I wish Cate had better self esteem.  She asked again, "so you still want to marry me right?"  FFS girl.  It looked like April got new teeth.  I did like Tyler's moms reaction to his telling her they were expecting again.  Can't wait to see the BrandonTheresa scenes where they smack Tyler & Catelynn down.

 

Amber's mom looked like she was on something during the spa day.  I think what she said to Amber's cousin struck a nerve...that she only comes around when there's cameras.  In the beginning of the episode, Amber's cousin apologized to Amber that she never visited her in jell, and Amber said something like, "that's ok.  you were going through a divorce and have two kids."  There were no cameras at the jell, was there Amber's cousin?  I like Amber sober.  I caught an episode during the marathon where she was screeching Geary's name, and I had to nope my way out of that.  I hope that doesn't happen this season.

 

Maci? Meh.  Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

 

Whoa! Tyler abused a dog during one of the TM episodes? That's horrifying.

 

I turned this show on for background noise, but became enthralled once I knew they were going behind the scenes with it. I wonder if the participants knew this beforehand? They all acted like they did, which is a shame as it changes the whole dynamic. Things once assumed un-airable now become in play.

 

I didn't think anybody came off too badly here, of course this is supposed to be/theoretically the beginning of filming- so they haven't had enough time to let their collective guards down and show their asses.

 

Amber- Totally rocking the Orange is the New Black prison look during her release from gel. I would not want to be Amber. She has a record, no real friends, and a stressful family life. She has Leah (sometimes) and this bizarre little back and forth codependent unhealthy thing with Gary. Those are the only two things she has to focus on. Girl is going to fall of the wagon real fast if she doesn't get moving into a better direction. While Amber's mom was essentially right about Gary and Amber being toxic, she went about it the wrong way. You would think Mom would have attended Al-Anon by now. Amber essentially just got out of rehab, is spending a fun day at the spa when she doesn't have much of a social life, and its one of the first days of filming. Can't you have one nice day with your daughter?

 

Tyler and Caitlin- Nothing to say that hasn't been said. I love this new behind the scenes type stuff because it has revealed Tyler's true personality. I had no idea he was such a famewhore. Interesting. I think they're dragging each other down. However, it was nice of them to advertise birth control when naming their daughter.

 

I don't really have anything to say about Maci. She was just kind of there.

 

[Maharincess]

I remember a scene with Tyler and Catelynn coming into the house, the dogs were excited and barking and Tyler raised his hand towards one of the small dogs like he was going to back hand it. The dog started cowering like it had been hit before.

That's when my Tyler hate started. I also remember Catelynn picking a small dog up off her lap and just dropping it on the floor.

[Brooklynista]

I remember a scene with Tyler and Catelynn coming into the house, the dogs were excited and barking and Tyler raised his hand towards one of the small dogs like he was going to back hand it. The dog started cowering like it had been hit before.

That's when my Tyler hate started. I also remember Catelynn picking a small dog up off her lap and just dropping it on the floor.

Oh the bloom fell of the Tyler rose for me way before that. I guess it was still during 16 &Pregnant when he was accusing Cate of calling an old boyfriend in Florida.this was some kid she had gone with when she must have been all of 13 and Tyler was acting as if it was an old torrid love affair being rekindled. He made Cate get a copy of her cell phone records and really lorded over her that he would break up w her if she had called this guy.

I mean, dude, you knocked her up and talked her into giving up her baby! You win! Even if Catelyn had called the kid, he was in frigging Florida. Broke ass Catelynn was never going to see him. He was just such a dick about it.

And there was Catelyn, letting Tyler decide her fate. Chewing the shit out of her nails hoping he hasn't displeased the great Justin Beiber of the Midwest.

Asshole.

[FozzyBear]

I remember in the early seasons getting the impression that after Maci and Ryan broke up his parents took over primary care of Bentley because they were afraid if they didn't make fatherhood sort of easy for Ryan he would lose interest, give up custody, and they wouldn't be able to see their grandson as often. Now I'm not saying their feeling were accurate or that Ryan would have done this, but that his parents were worried about the possibility of him giving up if fatherhood was too hard. Since Ryan was really stubborn about doing anything for Bently when they were together Maci picked up on Ryan's parent's attitude and just let her resentment of how Ryan treated her grow. I will say this; in 6 years of filming I can't remember a single sceen of Ryan alone with Bently. There seems to always a grandparent or girlfriend around. I'm sure this isn't accurate, but I honestly can't think of one.

[fliptopbox]

That's really sad, but I can see it. I wonder though, if Ryan were to give up his rights does that automatically mean the rest of his family are cut off as well? I am betting that Ryan's parents wouldn't be totally cut off just because Ryan's an immature douchecanoe. In a way it might almost be better that way, considering we know Bentley doesn't seem to enjoy being around Ryan and senses he is viewed as an inconvenience, even though he is too young to totally get it.

[FozzyBear]

That's really sad, but I can see it. I wonder though, if Ryan were to give up his rights does that automatically mean the rest of his family are cut off as well? I am betting that Ryan's parents wouldn't be totally cut off just because Ryan's an immature douchecanoe. In a way it might almost be better that way, considering we know Bentley doesn't seem to enjoy being around Ryan and senses he is viewed as an inconvenience, even though he is too young to totally get it.

I don't think Maci would have cut them off, but they would have been at the mercy of her schedule and that's different. I'm also sure they wanted Ryan to experience real fatherhood for his own sake. I'm sure there was a lot of "if we just help out until Bently's not a baby, or out of diapers, or starts playing sports, or some other random milestone, Ryan will step up." justification going on. I'm not convinced he ever really did.

[fliptopbox]

I don't think Maci would have cut them off, but they would have been at the mercy of her schedule and that's different. I'm also sure they wanted Ryan to experience real fatherhood for his own sake. I'm sure there was a lot of "if we just help out until Bently's not a baby, or out of diapers, or starts playing sports, or some other random milestone, Ryan will step up." justification going on. I'm not convinced he ever really did.

Exactly, but with that mindset Ryan will never step up. I'm sure his parents have good intentions, but we all know the saying about that. That's why it makes more sense to me to call Ryan out on his absentee-ism as a dad and just deal directly with his parents. If Ryan wants to be involved let him do it, don't get into dumb situations where Maci is waiting around on his lame ass, and ends up going to his parents anyway. As long as someone is nagging him into it he'll never enjoy being Bentley's dad, he'll just feel resentment about the responsibility that he never wanted. The only one who's going to end up hurt here is Bentley, and it's just going to get worse as he gets older and starts realizing that his dad really doesn't give a shit about him.