S05.E18: Honeymoon Is Over

[qtpye]

I'd put Gary in there too. I have many, many issues with Gary, but I do think he takes care of Leah and has more or less always been the parent.

 

 

Sadly, for this show Gary is a stand up guy, that is until his weight will no longer allow him to stand up.  I am not saying that to be mean....get healthier Gary, at least for Leah's sake.

[charmed1]

Dear MTV. I do not need to see a dog's shit coming out of its ass like a play doh fun factory. No seriously. I'm good.

Amber gets Leah all excited about going on a trip and then in front of Leah, says, "Ohh but I hope Gary let's her go." How manipulative. She knows what she's doing.

I've never seen anyone have a fire pit on their front porch.

Edited February 19, 2016 by charmed1

[FozzyBear]

Dear MTV. I do not need to see a dog's shit coming out of its ass like a play doh fun factory. No seriously. I'm good.

Amber gets Leah all excited about going on a trip and then in front of Leah, says, "Ohh but I hope Gary let's her go." How manipulative. She knows what she's doing.

I've never seen anyone have a fire pit on their front porch.

I caught that with Amber too. I also caught the expression on her mom's face when she realized the mind game Amber is running on Leah.

[scrappyrunner75]

I don't watch this regularly but I just can't believe these same girls have been on TV for 7 YEARS! I'm with a lot of posters who wonder what they are going to do when the

MTV money dries up? I pray they have saved some but that is a long shot.

People keep on talking about what the girls are going to do when the MTV money dries up, but I am starting to fear that it will never dry up. Like in 20 years we are going to be watching Teen Mom: Grandma. I was shocked when I saw one of their cakes and saw the number 7 candle. I know I am just as much to blame because I watch every episode but I am nosey and can't help myself! :) 

I don't think I have ever met someone as hateful as Farrah and it truly shocks me every time Simon comes back. Is he doing it for the attention or does he really care for Farrah? It can't be possible that he cares. Does he ever come around when the show isn't filming? 

I don't watch this regularly but I just can't believe these same girls have been on TV for 7 YEARS! I'm with a lot of posters who wonder what they are going to do when the

MTV money dries up? I pray they have saved some but that is a long shot.

People keep on talking about what the girls are going to do when the MTV money dries up, but I am starting to fear that it will never dry up. Like in 20 years we are going to be watching Teen Mom: Grandma. I was shocked when I saw one of their cakes and saw the number 7 candle. I know I am just as much to blame because I watch every episode but I am nosey and can't help myself! :) 

I don't think I have ever met someone as hateful as Farrah and it truly shocks me every time Simon comes back. Is he doing it for the attention or does he really care for Farrah? It can't be possible that he cares. Does he ever come around when the show isn't filming? 

[SPLAIN]

*Stands up and claps* You betta preach! Especially at the last sentence. You ain't never lied. I have been watching this show since day one. I have been watching Ryan and Maci since 16 and pregnant, and year after year it's the same b.s. -- people making every excuse under the sun for Ryan. He's a piece of shit and has always been. He has not changed. It's always sickened me to watch people bend over backwards (and women at that, ugh) defending this prick. And why? Because he WAS once physically attractive? There is nothing attractive about Ryan. Sexy men raise their damn kids. Talk about NO standards. I'm sorry, we need to stop rewarding men merely taking the time to look in their kids' general direction and calling them great dads for acknowledging they exist or watching them for a few hours, while bashing women for working outside the home, and/or spending a few hours or even *gasp* taking a vacation from their kids a few days out of the year.

*mic drop*

It is one thing for any mother to take a much deserved vacation from the kids. It is another to take five, six or seven vacations in less than a year and then exclaim how overwhelming their lives, including the mother who is getting paid to give speeches about using protection during sex to avoid pregnancy.

As for sexism, a few of the girls have pulled out their gender card and even the sex card. Maci was willing to give blow jobs in order to get her guy to do some laundry. How quaint. And yet, she dared to say some not so nice things about Farrah for making a porn video and being involved in the sex toy industry. We have watched one of these girls accuse the father of her child of DV knowing the public is likely to believe her because she is a female.

Overall, there are no innocents in this group. Each one of them has their faults. Some more than others. Ryan has always been a jerk. Nothing new there. But, if Maci gets more criticism it is because she gets more screen time. Ryan is what he is. He is not a paid spokesperson at colleges talking about how overwhelmed life is as a father. Ryan is not writing books. It just seems Maci will be the one who will get more scrutiny for talking out of both sides of her mouth.

In general, I do agree there have been far too many excuses for not only Ryan, but for the rest of the cast including Catelynn.

Edited February 21, 2016 by SPLAIN

[le bordel chaud]

I adore Bentley so much. Does anyone else think he may end up being gay, and that's why his parents are already trying to lock him down with a girlfriend? It's like they're already suspicious. It reminds me too much of how my dad (when he was rarely around) acted towards me. Rhine definitely seems uncomfortable around his son like mine did.

[lilmarysunshine]

Nah. I think a lot of parents tease kids about little boyfriends or girlfriends.

[lezlers]

Is it me or did half the posts on this page disappear overnight? 

[Mya Stone]

Is it me or did half the posts on this page disappear overnight? 

 

They did. As I've said numerous times before - I don't mind discussion, if you can keep it to the show. But when you start tearing others and their opinions down, I take issue with it.

I have hidden QUITE a few posts that either partook in the latter or quoted posts that did. Keep the discussion TO THE SHOW ONLY. Saying something like "I can't believe Ryan gets away with acting like a child" is fine. Saying "I can't believe half the posts in this thread excuses Ryan's behavior." IS NOT OKAY.

 

Know the difference. The next time we see it, more than a mod note and deleting posts will happen.

[guilfoyleatpp]

I adore Bentley so much. Does anyone else think he may end up being gay, and that's why his parents are already trying to lock him down with a girlfriend? It's like they're already suspicious. It reminds me too much of how my dad (when he was rarely around) acted towards me. Rhine definitely seems uncomfortable around his son like mine did.

huh, that's interesting. I really hadn't thought of that. I'm sorry that your own dad was like that, though. :(

 

It could be. As the mama of a 4 year old boy, I like to think that parents now are more ok with the spectrum of sexuality and where people fall on it, but I could see Maci and Ryan being resistant to anything but "traditional." As long as it's not something *they* have to do...like get married before they live together or something.

 

I'm rewatching and just noticing that when his parents are asking him whether or not Ryan called Bentley, he looks high as heck. I thought maybe at first pills, but then he started chowing down and I thought weed. 

Edited February 21, 2016 by guilfoyleatpp

[happykitteh]

I can't believe tomorrow is the season finale. Doesn't seem like there's been 18 episodes. I need to go back and read the descriptions for each ep and see if I missed a few at the beginning of the season. I knew I missed the first episode - had to get a new DVR from the cable company so I didn't have TM set to record when the new season started. I came upon the show by accident one day not realizing the season had started but though I only missed the first.

[Maharincess]

I adore Bentley so much. Does anyone else think he may end up being gay, and that's why his parents are already trying to lock him down with a girlfriend? It's like they're already suspicious. It reminds me too much of how my dad (when he was rarely around) acted towards me. Rhine definitely seems uncomfortable around his son like mine did.

I don't think that has anything to do with it. How would you even have an inkling that a kid that age was gay?

I hope in this day and age that even if he was gay it wouldn't matter.

My kids are now 30 and 31 and I told them from the time they were old enough to understand that it doesn't matter the gender, race, ethnicity etc of the person they fall in love with. I told them I just wanted them to be happy and find a good person who treats them well.

I used to make them laugh by telling them "I don't care if you bring home a Steve or a Stephanie, a John or a Joan, I don't care, just don't bring home an asshole". We still laugh about that speech but it stuck with them and while my son doesn't have kids yet, my daughter is planning on using the same speech on her kids when they're older.

If they had thoughts when they were young that they might be gay, I didn't want them to think that they had to hide it like it was something to be ashamed of. I would hope they're telling Bentley the same type of stuff.

I just think Ryan is kind of a jerk who doesn't give a shit about anybody or anything. I wonder how often he would see Bentley if it wasn't for his parents. If he lived separately from his parents would he still have Bentley at his house as often? I doubt it.

I would say that one say he'll look back on these days and regret not spending more time with Bentley, but I don't think he will. I just don't think he cares.

Edited February 21, 2016 by Maharincess

[DCC]

I can't believe tomorrow is the season finale. Doesn't seem like there's been 18 episodes. I need to go back and read the descriptions for each ep and see if I missed a few at the beginning of the season. I knew I missed the first episode - had to get a new DVR from the cable company so I didn't have TM set to record when the new season started. I came upon the show by accident one day not realizing the season had started but though I only missed the first.

I think the season has been broken up into two parts, one premiering in the summer and this one for winter. I'm not sure though, but that's what I'm betting on.

[happykitteh]

I just think Ryan is kind of a jerk who doesn't give a shit about anybody or anything. I wonder how often he would see Bentley if it wasn't for his parents. If he lived separately from his parents would he still have Bentley at his house as often? I doubt it.

I would say that one say he'll look back on these days and regret not spending more time with Bentley, but I don't think he will. I just don't think he cares.

In total agreement with this. I think the ONLY reason Ryan sees Bentley is because he just so happens to be at his parents' house when Bentley is there. If Ryan had to make the effort to set up visitation and be the one who feeds, bathes, puts to bed and generally take care of Bentley during visitations it would never happen. IIRC, several seasons back Ryan's parent tried to get Ryan to go to court and get a set visitation schedule and lock down his rights legally but Ryan couldn't be bothered to follow through.

Edited February 22, 2016 by happykitteh

[CofCinci]

Has Ryan ever even made Bentley a sandwich?

[GreatKazu]

Dear MTV. I do not need to see a dog's shit coming out of its ass like a play doh fun factory. No seriously. I'm good.

Amber gets Leah all excited about going on a trip and then in front of Leah, says, "Ohh but I hope Gary let's her go." How manipulative. She knows what she's doing.

I've never seen anyone have a fire pit on their front porch.

Amber is always going after Gary and putting the blame on him for not having Leah and yet, has she ever filed those court documents? She would rather spend her energy playing those manipulative games than spend her $$$ on trying to get shared custody.

I wish Gary would give Amber two weeks of full-custody just to see what would happen. Amber would fail at getting her kid to school on time. She would fail at being a hands-on mother. That would be enough to prove that Amber could not do her job if Matt were not there to pick up all the slack.

[ghoulina]

Has Ryan ever even made Bentley a sandwich?

 

I doubt he has ever fed that boy. Unless throwing pumpkin guts in his face counts. 

[Tatum]

Amber is always going after Gary and putting the blame on him for not having Leah and yet, has she ever filed those court documents? She would rather spend her energy playing those manipulative games than spend her $$$ on trying to get shared custody.

I wish Gary would give Amber two weeks of full-custody just to see what would happen. Amber would fail at getting her kid to school on time. She would fail at being a hands-on mother. That would be enough to prove that Amber could not do her job if Matt were not there to pick up all the slack.

That is what drives me batshit about both Amber and Jenelle. While the cameras are on, they spend all this time flailing around, crying crocodile tears about how they miss their kids and their kids' primary custodian is withholding them out of spite, yet they never actually even go through with a court date, let alone taking the steps the judge would want to see them do in order to look more favorable in court.

 

I'll say one thing for Leah (Messer) and Adam- they are both selfish, lazy pieces of shit, but at least they can drag their hungover asses into their attorney's office a couple times a month. Amber can't even do that. And while Jenelle does spend a fair amount of time in an attorney's office, it's not for family court.

 

I still remember an early episode of Teen Mom where Amber and Gary were living together and Leah was a baby. Gary was leaving for work and apparently made too much noise and woke up Leah. Amber shrieks that he woke Leah up and now she has to deal with her (it was like, 6 am. Early for a college kid, maybe- not that early for a baby to wake up for the day). Gary apologizes and leaves. Amber slams the door to her bedroom so she can't hear Leah crying as loud. Mother of the year, right there.

I doubt he has ever fed that boy. Unless throwing pumpkin guts in his face counts. 

Hey now. Ryan did run through the drive thru after picking up Bentley (when he was late) and offered to buy him something. That totally counts!

[pakalolo]

Jen, Ryan's mom, seems so very G Rated and I'm sure she expects Ryan to be at least PG-13 at home in her presence. I have a feeling that Ryan could not wait to "grow up" and get out of the house and party whenever he wanted and not have to censor himself. Maci and Bentley threw a monkey wrench into his plans and I don't think he's ever really "forgiven" them for it.

Ryan obviously was never on board with having a child and when he was faced with making a home and family with Maci and Bentley, Ryan realized that would throttle back his party time and force him to be a G Rated parent 24/7 and that was absolutely not something he was going to let Maci or his own son force him to do yet. It was apparent a few episodes ago when Ryan exclaimed sarcastically while flying paper planes (or something like that) alone with Bentley what wholesome fun they were having.

Ryan might come around someday, when he feels Bentley is old enough to party with and he can be the "cool dad" but that will really be too little, too late. Luckily Bentley has Larry for a male role model, he seems to be an okay man to emulate.

[qtpye]

I doubt he has ever fed that boy. Unless throwing pumpkin guts in his face counts.

 

 

What's funny is if my older son did that to his younger brother, then he would be in trouble.  I am not an uptight person and can understand playing around, but it was a nasty thing to do.  Bentley said he hated the stuff and his reaction to having that stuff on his face was not "ha ha".  Of course, at seven, Bentley is more intelligent then Ryan and we had the cute prank scene out of it, but it still made me uncomfortable.

 

I wonder if Ryan's mother and father let him get away with bullshit like that all the time when he was a child?

[ghoulina]

It made me uncomfortable as well, because Bentley had just got done saying how gross he found that stuff. You could tell he is the type who doesn't want it all over him. When we do pumpkins, my older son revels in it. He scoops it out by hand and is all overdramatic about how gross it is, but he loves it. My younger son hates the idea of touching it, and we just let him watch. Yes, I would absolutely punish my older son if he threw the guts on his brother. Why is okay for an adult to pull some crap like that? He's showing Bentley that he has no right to his own space, no control over the boundaries he tries to set for himself. I really hated it.

[Marisagf]

It made me uncomfortable as well, because Bentley had just got done saying how gross he found that stuff. You could tell he is the type who doesn't want it all over him. When we do pumpkins, my older son revels in it. He scoops it out by hand and is all overdramatic about how gross it is, but he loves it. My younger son hates the idea of touching it, and we just let him watch. Yes, I would absolutely punish my older son if he threw the guts on his brother. Why is okay for an adult to pull some crap like that? He's showing Bentley that he has no right to his own space, no control over the boundaries he tries to set for himself. I really hated it.

Not to mention the fact that Ryan's reaction to Bentley's objections to the pumpkin guts was, "Don't be a girl!".  I HATED that!!!   That, along with the comments about having girlfriends, really bothers me.  Just let him be a little boy.  Bentley - not Ryan.  Ryan should grow up!

Edited February 22, 2016 by Marisagf

[qtpye]

Not to mention the fact that Ryan's reaction to Bentley's objections to the pumpkin guts was, "Don't be a girl!".  I HATED that!!!   That, along with the comments about having girlfriends, really bothers me.  Just let him be a little boy.  Bentley - not Ryan.  Ryan should grow up!

 

 

I had forgotten all about that.  So, not wanting to be covered in pumpkin slime and act like an asshole makes one a girl?  What the heck is wrong with being a girl anyway?  Why is that an insult? (I'm female)

 

If Bentley turns out to be tiny and small framed (like his mother), I really hope Ryan does not physically "bully" him to be a man.  I could see Ryan not pulling that type of stuff if Bentley grows up to look like a linebacker. 

 

Perhaps Ryan should first start to understand that real men actively parent their children and not hand them off to mommy and daddy.

[evilmindatwork]

I think Bentley will most likely end up being a teen parent because Maci is always trying to convince him to "get a girlfriend" (as if it's strange for him to not have one) and Ryan seems super invested in Bentley proving he's a "man." The emphasis on stereotypical gender roles makes me sad. 

[DCC]

I think Bentley will most likely end up being a teen parent because Maci is always trying to convince him to "get a girlfriend" (as if it's strange for him to not have one)

I thought the same thing. She's asked him about having a girlfriend. I'm like girl, do you want to be a grandma at 32?! But it wouldn't surprise me if she did...

The child I think will be the most well adjusted is Leah. She's already smart and adorable, I can't imagine her in high school. :)

Edited February 22, 2016 by DCC

[Marisagf]

I had forgotten all about that.  So, not wanting to be covered in pumpkin slime and act like an asshole makes one a girl?  What the heck is wrong with being a girl anyway?  Why is that an insult? (I'm female)

 

If Bentley turns out to be tiny and small framed (like his mother), I really hope Ryan does not physically "bully" him to be a man.  I could see Ryan not pulling that type of stuff if Bentley grows up to look like a linebacker. 

 

Perhaps Ryan should first start to understand that real men actively parent their children and not hand them off to mommy and daddy.

 

 

I think Bentley will most likely end up being a teen parent because Maci is always trying to convince him to "get a girlfriend" (as if it's strange for him to not have one) and Ryan seems super invested in Bentley proving he's a "man." The emphasis on stereotypical gender roles makes me sad. 

 

Word to both of these comments.  I really hate gender stereotyping with little kids (like what Ryan did). That's like saying, "Don't throw the ball like a girl!"   or "Blue is for boys!"  So some people don't like pumpkin guts!  Big deal!  Last time I checked that wasn't a male or female trait.   I don't think anyone enjoys getting pumpkin guts thrown at them, especially when they clearly state they don't want to get dirty.  Give the kid a little respect!  Ryan got what was coming to him with his shower of pumpkin guts.  

 

Bentley seems like a wonderful boy.  Let him be a kid.  Coupling up will come along soon enough.  Maci and Ryan ought be careful what they wish for lest they end up with a child who disrespects women, ends up a teen dad, or goes around try to prove he is a "man" and becomes a jerk to everyone.  (Based on Ryan's definition of what it means to be a "man".)  

 

Same goes for Butch and Tyler!  Didn't Butch say something to Tyler about not being a "man" and keeping his kid (Carly)? Tyler also thinks all men and women have to go to strip clubs for bachelor and bachelorette parties.  (Remember his line about Catelynn getting a dick in her face?)  Guess what, Ty-Ty?  Not everyone does it!  And it's okay if they don't want to.  And the moms don't have to do EVERYTHING for their babies because they are women.  Dads share the responsibility, too. And it's okay if Nova and Carly grow up to be six feet tall!  Newsflash: You are very tall and they have your genes, dipwad!  Girls are tall and boys are short, you know.

 

Farrah's "adultification" of Sophia is most troubling.   She may look like a little kid, but she acts like a toddler and her mom dresses her and does her make up like a teenager.  Let her be a little kid!!  What is the rush!?

[DoctorWhovian]

Amber-is she so desperate for love she will put up with Matt having 7 (8?) kids and 15 dogs? Wth? That house probably stinks like animal urine and feces.

 

I can smell her house through my TV

 

I don't think that has anything to do with it. How would you even have an inkling that a kid that age was gay?

I hope in this day and age that even if he was gay it wouldn't matter.

 

Maci and Ryan don't seem like the type to even be capable of thinking that way (thinking that their son would be anything other than 100% masculine boy). Doesn't mean he is or isn't, but I highly doubt they lack the ability to even consider that possibility.

[handshakefulness]

 

Maci and Ryan don't seem like the type to even be capable of thinking that way (thinking that their son would be anything other than 100% masculine boy). Doesn't mean he is or isn't, but I highly doubt they lack the ability to even consider that possibility.

Agreed.  I think it's more that Ryan seemed disdainful of Bintley's wanting to keep his clothes clean (and said "don't be a girl").  Bintley looks a lot like his mama, and naturally has picked up on some of her mannerisms.  (Saying "seriously?" when Ryan threw the pumpkin guts on him was classic Maci.)  It's interesting that we used to hear so much about racing or moto-crossing or whatever that sport is called with the three-wheelers and four-wheelers, and Bintley used to have a little car he raced around in, but now that he's older he seems to be playing more civilized sports (baseball, basketball).  

 

But overall, I don't think Ryan is thinking this much about it at all.  As someone astutely pointed out upthread, he generally treats Bintley as you might expect him to treat a kid brother -- sometimes jokingly, sometimes affectionately, and sometimes with a nasty, bullying undertone.  It's not surprising when his parents have done the bulk of Bintley's parenting at their house, turning him into more of a baby brother than a son.