S02.E01: At Home & Away

[bigskygirl]

Quote

 

Jessa and Ben navigate life as a family of three with their new baby; Jill and Derick settle into their home in Central America; Jessa enlists her sisters to help prepare a fall feast for the whole family.

 

[Henri205]

Just watching that poor Anna. Frankly, she's as dumb as a post. I'm sorry for her but she's an idiot, Josh is a pig and her husband's family is a brood of vacant idiots. Sorry I'll head to the prayer closet now because Satan laid it on my heart to tell the truth.

[NewDigs]

They are all, each and every one, dumb as posts.

And some are drugged. The lucky ones.

[Chalby]

New Diggs and Henri... it's like you both read my mind. And I have to really emphasize that above all, Ben is the most vacant, and as thick as a plank. I don't believe it's possible for a person to get any more stupid. He owns that word/label.

[Brooklynista]

Whew!! So lucky my husband just walked in. I was dangerously close to slipping into a coma. Damn! Dill is the dullest couple ever.

And a fall feast? Really? This is riveting TV? Jessa wants a lot of butter. I smell a second season fo sho

Edited March 16, 2016 by Brooklynista

[Sew Sumi]

She's trying to lose 3 pounds on her all-carb (and butter is a carb) diet. :D

[BitterApple]

Spurge, Izzy and Mere are cuties. That's about all I have nice to say.

Bin is so over his life. I have more enthusiasm for my yearly Pap smear than Bin does for fatherhood and marriage.

Jill and Derick, clean your nasty ass house. You've got plenty of cabinets. How about putting shit IN them instead of leaving it scattered all over the counters?

Anna blathering about her visit to Josh is completely inappropriate, especially with several of his victims in the room. Those girls should NEVER be put in a position where they're supposed to feel sorry for their lying, cheating molester brother.

Am I a pervert for having impure thoughts about Jer? He's kind of hot.

Edited March 16, 2016 by BitterApple

[pinkelephant3]

Eww Jim Bob and Michelle are front and center

[luvbadtv]

Yawn!  I think Ben even yawned during one of his talking heads.

[Guest]

Wow, I feel sorry for Anna.  The sadness you sense under the surface is just so intense.  

 

I don't care about the Dullards.  Those segments I tuned out.  Jessa's segments were more interesting.

 

On a shallow note, Jinger would look so much better if she were to lay off the 5 pounds of eye makeup.

[OnlyMeSuz]

OK, when Jill said when there was a "cougar" next door and they had to consider the safety of the family, was I the only one thinking of the not-cat-type? I was seriously thinking, wow she really believes some older woman might try to put the moves on Derrick...but then that thought quickly passed, after a fleeting second...

[Lillybee]

I hope I never hear the phase "walk through" again.

[MarysWetBar]

New Diggs and Henri... it's like you both read my mind. And I have to really emphasize that above all, Ben is the most vacant, and as thick as a plank. I don't believe it's possible for a person to get any more stupid. He owns that word/label.

"Butter is....butter"- Ben Seewald 2016

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Edited March 16, 2016 by MarysWetBar

[flyingdi]

You know what I think would be interesting? Something a little more in depth to the reality of 19 kids. Do any of them have medical problems-migraines, asthma, epilepsy. Out of the sheer number there has to be something I would think. Their learning disabilities, let's go more in depth with that. Just show us one thing that's real. Any of the babies have plain old ear infections, croup or any other childhood maladies? Any of the children shy or backwards? I lose interest when every single child is exactly the same. Let's see more of the kids doing something with their hobbies. JD and his flying. Jinger and her photography. Even Jana with a group of kids would be more interesting than shopping and cooking and complaining they don't like shopping or cooking.

[StaceyNotStacie]

Didn't we see this twice with Anna? First when she lived in Jessa's house when everyone came for dinner and again with the "holiday" meal in DC. I was half expecting everyone to show up an hour early expecting a full meal to be ready.

This seemed a bit like an infomercial as to how well the older single girls can cook for a potential family.

[Jordan Baker]

I tuned in for a few minutes, to take a break from the election coverage. Jessa was preparing two turkeys. She said they looked as though they had tumors.

 

I decided that the election coverage wasn't so bad after all. 

[Barb23]

Did anyone else notice Anna was talking more with the sweet childlike voice than usual? I guess she was practicing for when Joshley came home. She was all dolled up to see "Josh-U-a" and did she really say she was "excited" to see him after what he did to her & his sisters?

[SmallTownMom]

I was flipping channels and caught just a little of the Central America portion.  Jill said they are trying to "adopt to their life there."  I screamed, "The word is ADAPT, you idiot."  How are you going to learn Spanish when you don't have a grip on the English language?

 

That's about all I could take.  Sounds like I didn't miss much!

[BitterApple]

Didn't we see this twice with Anna? First when she lived in Jessa's house when everyone came for dinner and again with the "holiday" meal in DC. I was half expecting everyone to show up an hour early expecting a full meal to be ready.

This seemed a bit like an infomercial as to how well the older single girls can cook for a potential family.

We did see it twice with Anna and yes, it was definitely a thinly veiled Christian mingle ad. Those girls had on more makeup than a Kardashian. They're definitely trolling for husbands. Although their cooking 'skills' are pretty horrendous. They might want to step up their game a tad. Edited March 16, 2016 by BitterApple

[cmr2014]

Yawn!  I think Ben even yawned during one of his talking heads.

 

Who wouldn't.

 

What happened to the "re-boot" from the promos. Remember that bunch of high energy young adults jumping up and down with excitement?

 

Where is the energy? Where is the focus on the lives of the young adults? Hearing Jessa say over and over and over that she has responsibility for her baby 24/7 is hardly giving the show new direction, especially when they flash right over to the TTH and all the kids all the time.

 

The "young wife prepares her first Thanksgiving dinner for ALL the Duggars" was a boring story-line when Anna did it, why are we seeing it again? I honestly thought I would black out when they started in on how many bags of "family-size" corn they would need to buy. How many years of "The Duggars use xxxx bags/boxes/cans of (thing) in a week!!!!!!" can we possibly stand?

 

Anna is pathetic and her life is sad, and it's not going to get any better for her. 

 

Jill is also pathetic. Her desire to be back at the TTH is palpable and must be exhausting for Derick.

 

Remember how Jana was going to "open up" about being single. What was that? One short talking head?

 

These people have been on television for YEARS, and they still can't string two words together. Ben thinks he's going to be a minister? Really? Has he seen himself on television? Has he heard himself on television? Does he really think that successful television ministers slip "er" and "uhm" between every other word?

 

It is all so painfully scripted, but I wondered tonight if it's TLC or JB who is writing the script. I know that there is a Gothard-approved way of speaking, but no one could use the phrase "what we have walked through" so consistently without it being coached. That happy bunch of kids jumping for joy was nowhere to be seen in this very tense, and highly scripted hour of painfully boring television.

 

ETA: a short rant on corn

Edited March 16, 2016 by cmr2014

[Pachengala]

This seemed a bit like an infomercial as to how well the older single girls can cook for a potential family.

Or, to quote Jessa, how well they can 'prepare;' I was astounded (or mildly bemused, really) at how little actual cooking they did, given all the food they served. They bought everything pre-made, canned, or frozen! Even the desserts they bought pre-made! Now, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong* with going that route if you don't have the time or the inclination to cook, but being homemakers is ALL these women have. There's nothing else there! So, like, COOK!

*Except for that nasty, dumped-from-a-can green bean casserole. That was all kinds of wrong.

[lizzie3]

Okay, how many episodes of Duggar dinners/parties have we seen, and they still make a big deal of cooking for a large number of people?  I can appreciate the space constraints of Jessa's relatively small kitchen, but really?  For my family's "holiday meals" we cook for a large number (not quite as many as the Duggars), and we pretty much make everything from scratch. It's not that big of a deal to peel and chop a few potatoes, especially with all those extra hands.  Certainly not must-see TV!  It makes me wonder how much "real" cooking goes on at the Duggar home.

[Chicklet]

Who, Who I ask would have guessed that once you are pregnant and deliver a real baby you have to take care of it 24 hours a day? I'm shocked. I'm amazed she doesn't resent that kid for more than diverting her attention from her craft projects.

And she left that infant in the middle of a bed while he napped and she was cooking. That nut didn't fall far from the tree, it never fell OFF the tree. 

[bigskygirl]

I am grateful I am not a member of this family.

I am grateful Jessa and her sisters do not cook any meals for me.

I am grateful I know how much butter to use when I cook a meal.

I am grateful my husband has a brain.

I am grateful my husband and I can have decent conversations.

 

Of course, JB and Michelle had to show their mugs on television. And Michelle, my lawyer and eye doctor will call you in the morning in reference to your ugly, too bright blouse causing eye pain.

[MarysWetBar]

Who, Who I ask would have guessed that once you are pregnant and deliver a real baby you have to take care of it 24 hours a day? I'm shocked. I'm amazed she doesn't resent that kid for more than diverting her attention from her craft projects.

And she left that infant in the middle of a bed while he napped and she was cooking. That nut didn't fall far from the tree, it never fell OFF the tree.

So did Anna! Walked right away from the bed that baby was squirming around on. No wonder Izzy always looks like he did four rounds with Mike Tyson! Haha

I am grateful I am not a member of this family.

I am grateful Jessa and her sisters do not cook any meals for me.

I am grateful I know how much butter to use when I cook a meal.

I am grateful my husband has a brain.

I am grateful my husband and I can have decent conversations.

Of course, JB and Michelle had to show their mugs on television. And Michelle, my lawyer and eye doctor will call you in the morning in reference to your ugly, too bright blouse causing eye pain.

Yeah i was pretty pissed to see the babymakers show up on my t.v. as well.

[Fostersmom]

My curiosity got the best of me and I watched. A few things jumped out. Dill are even dumber than I remember. Good lord, they are just not bright. Jessa surprised me though. What I saw with the baby was adorable. She was much more maternal than I imagined she would be. Obviously raising her mother's children wasn't for her. Also, they are much more plugged into popular culture than expected. It seems there's some TV watching going on. I caught a few references that were just kinda slipped in. And the older girls actually seemed like sisters and not so much like Stepford children. Lack of Jill or have Michelle and JimBob just gotten so tired they gave up their failed fight? Oh, and seeing Anna tonight, I'm calling it now. She's popping out a new baby by the this time next year.

[Sew Sumi]

Wanna bet that Boobchelle make cameos at the end of each of the 8 episodes they've planned for this "season" (of life)?

[BitterApple]

It's not that big of a deal to peel and chop a few potatoes, especially with all those extra hands.

All those extra hands and a $300 Kitchen-Aid mixer.

Speaking of which, in Jilly Muffin's apartment I spied a washing machine, microwave, stainless steel appliances, coffee maker, crock pot, laptops and several portable fans. They're really roughing it out there in the wilderness!

Edited March 16, 2016 by BitterApple

[bigskygirl]

Was Jana comment about wanting a guy who gets his hands dirty at work instead of having an office job a dig at Derick's former Wal-Mart job.

[Chicklet]

Holy crap, I just realized that I missed the first pre-episode episode. Praise dog. Saved myself a lot of teeth grinding.

Edited March 16, 2016 by Chicklet

[flyingdi]

How come when Jana talked about how close she and Jill were and how close Jessa and JInger were, I only believed half of it?

[Sew Sumi]

All those extra hands and a $300 Kitchen-Aid mixer.

Speaking of which, in Jilly Muffin's apartment I spied a washing machine, microwave, stainless steel appliances, coffee maker, crock pot, laptops and several portable fans. They're really roughing it out there in the wilderness!

I'd love me a $300 Kitchen Aid and stainless appliances (this goes for both girls) in my apartment here in a major urban city in the US. Those girls have NO CLUE how good they have it. Did "love offerings" buy Jilly Muffin all the large appliances? One wonders. 

[riverblue22]

The sisters did seem a little more mainstream and "relatable" than they used to with old Ma and Pa lurking.

[Sew Sumi]

Was Jana comment about wanting a guy who gets his hands dirty at work instead of having an office job a dig at Derick's former Wal-Mart job.

It justifies a fellow Gothard student of the DRT who is unable to find work in the real world. IOW, Jana's schlub will be absorbed into Duggar, Inc. like Ben. 

[Missy Vixen]

All those extra hands and a $300 Kitchen-Aid mixer.

Speaking of which, in Jilly Muffin's apartment I spied a washing machine, microwave, stainless steel appliances, coffee maker, crock pot, laptops and several portable fans. They're really roughing it out there in the wilderness!

Our family gatherings are anywhere from twenty to thirty people. Everyone brings a dish. Our family has been fighting the gluten-free/vegan/vegetarian battles for a long time now, but we can get a meal on the table. The Duggars have a commercial kitchen at the TTH. One would think that the "cooking" for a holiday would start the day before with roasting turkeys, putting together side dishes, etcetera. Of course I realize I'm asking for the impossible, but Good God Almighty -- what is it these people do all day if they're not cooking from scratch? And another thing -- if they aren't using that Kitchen Aid to make meals with, I'd like to show up at the front door of the TTH, repo it, and give it to a woman who will actually use it. It's criminal to buy top-of-the-line when they have no intention of actually using it.

 

It's hilarious to see that Jilly Muffin was not about to go to the "mission field" without her creature comforts. One has to ask why Jilly Muffin dragged a coffee pot (Keurig?) to THE DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE mission field; a French press would work quite nicely for two people. Then again, she wouldn't get that sweet, sweet product placement money from the makers of Keurig, would she?

 

I'll be firing up Microsoft Word in the morning to write to a few of the advertisers. If they think we were kidding about that boycott, here it comes, boys!

[larfs]

Synopsis for next week: 'A DIY lighting project is undertaken by Jessa and Jana while the rest of the family visits Jill and Derick in Central America.'

Of course Jana doesn't get to go and visit Jill who is supposed to be her best friend.

[Lillybee]

Okay, how many episodes of Duggar dinners/parties have we seen, and they still make a big deal of cooking for a large number of people?  I can appreciate the space constraints of Jessa's relatively small kitchen, but really?  For my family's "holiday meals" we cook for a large number (not quite as many as the Duggars), and we pretty much make everything from scratch. It's not that big of a deal to peel and chop a few potatoes, especially with all those extra hands.  Certainly not must-see TV!  It makes me wonder how much "real" cooking goes on at the Duggar home.

 

 

I doubt that real cooking goes on in the Duggar home.  From what I have gleaned from watching is that the kids even the lost girls are on their own for breakfast and lunch. Dinner seems to be whatever can be assembled from frozen and canned goods.

[Missy Vixen]

I'd love me a $300 Kitchen Aid and stainless appliances (this goes for both girls) in my apartment here in a major urban city in the US. Those girls have NO CLUE how good they have it. Did "love offerings" buy Jilly Muffin all the large appliances? One wonders. 

Kitchen Aid standing mixers are actually on sale more than you might think. And you're right -- imagine what anyone here might be able to do with a commercial kitchen, brand-new small appliances (thanks to the leghumpers and the exhaustive wedding registries!) and a commercial dishwasher. Piece of cake. Or TTC.

[Lillybee]

I really feel bad for Hannie, it looks like she is now an official J'slave.

[Sew Sumi]

Synopsis for next week: 'A DIY lighting project is undertaken by Jessa and Jana while the rest of the family visits Jill and Derick in Central America.'

Of course Jana doesn't get to go and visit Jill who is supposed to be her best friend.

Oooh, we get to see Jana the Electrician at work! I have a feeling they're putting up tract lighting, not tearing up walls and installing new circuits.

[BitterApple]

I doubt that real cooking goes on in the Duggar home. From what I have gleaned from watching is that the kids even the lost girls are on their own for breakfast and lunch. Dinner seems to be whatever can be assembled from frozen and canned goods.

Even Bin and Jessa admitted they basically just graze all day. I think the Duggar kids pretty much do the same at the TTH until Jana tosses a frozen lasagna in the oven for dinner.

[pinguina]

Whoa!  I can't believe I actually sat through this (and I brought home stuff from work to finish!) 

Just some random thoughts:

*Why does Jessa voice always sound soooo smug? Why does she always have that (seemingly fake) smile?

*Fall Feast??? Really - they can't call it Thanksgiving? Or is that just left over from the "we do things just a little bit different"?

*Everything that they were bringing to their "Fall Feast" was pre-made. So much so that they (the "older" girls) commented on it. But of course it didn't dissuade them from still doing the pre-made.  Plus the face Joy (?) made when they said to make mashed potatoes using real potatoes!

*One of them, can't remember which one, actually said "Thanksgiving" instead of Fall Feast.

*The over complimenting of each girl --- so and so is just such a good cook. She just throws this and this, it's great.

*Oh, my god!  Jill can't clean up the kitchen, I mean, the dishes were clean put them in those cupboards that you said were so wonderful for storage! Plus her kitchen was better equipped than mine is! And the rest of the house - she had to know that the cameras were coming, clean up your XXXXXX house!

*When we get together for "Fall Feasting", there are between 20-25 people. Everything is from scratch (except the bread) and not that tough to handle if you manage your time right.

*Aaaannnd - I just feel so sorry for Anna but she is so desperate to hold onto the dream she had  since she was 8 and Josh-uuu-ah is it. As Elsa says, "Let it go."

Well, I feel better!

[Sew Sumi]

Remember, Anna's "fall feast" happened at the beginning of November. I bet this shindig happened sometime in December, between the actual holidays. No way they would have done this with Spooge less than a month old; it took Jessa a while to recover from the birth. He also didn't look quite that small when they showed him on the bed. Just a reminder about how TLC loves to manipulate plotlines. And this is a re-tread TLC plotline (3rd time's a charm).

[MarysWetBar]

Did anyone else notice Janas face when Anna started talking about how much Josh loved them all? Same face I get when i step in dogshit or smell sour ass.

[OSM Mom]

For God's sake, pull your hair back, girls!! Ugh. Hair in all the food.

The baby is so cute.

[BitterApple]

Did anyone else notice Janas face when Anna started talking about how much Josh loved them all? Same face I get when i step in dogshit or smell sour ass.

Jana looked like, really? Everyone was having a great time and then Anna had to bring up the family train wreck. Anna needs to see a licensed therapist. She's shaky and barely holding it together. She also needs to keep in mind that Josh cheating with porn stars is not the real tragedy in the family, the molestations are. The Duggars would be just as happy to ship Josh to Siberia and pretend he doesn't exist.

[Sew Sumi]

So Anna passed up a trip to RU at the first 45 day opportunity? However, she confirms that she did go in November, when the plane was still online and tracked there after a Republican rally in Wisconsin. 

 

The timeline for this thing is totally wonky. We've just gone from early December (fall feast) to early November (Anna).

 

eta: The Dullard footage is even older; Derick is clean-shaven and we haven't seen THAT for quite some time. However, in the TH, he's bearded. 

Edited March 16, 2016 by Sew Sumi

[Pachengala]

Did anyone else notice Janas face when Anna started talking about how much Josh loved them all? Same face I get when i step in dogshit or smell sour ass.

Who knows what's what with editing, but yeah, that was a 'girl please' look if I ever saw one. And goddamn right if so, Jana!

[Wellfleet]

I tuned in for a few minutes, to take a break from the election coverage. Jessa was preparing two turkeys. She said they looked as though they had tumors.

 

I decided that the election coverage wasn't so bad after all. 

 

My story too. I watched for a couple of minutes when MSNBC went to break, and in less than 2 minutes of Jessa fumbling around with those 2 cold naked birds, I was done. Yuck. PS - her enthusiasm for married life and motherhood is seriously underwhelming too. Episode idea for TLC - administer sodium pentothal to both Jessa and Ben on camera, then do a TH - either together or separately. Among other things, have the interviewer ask whether either or both of them have had any regrets yet. I'd loved to hear some honest answers.

[Sew Sumi]

News at 11! Jill cooks eggs just like her mother!