S02.E06: Girls Hit the Road

[Mollie]

This discussion has disintegrated into picking apart the dinner menu because this episode was so very boring.  Branson, Missouri, is full of fun things to do, yet the Duggars did nothing but mostly stay in their room and go out to dinner one night.

 

When they went to Inspiration Tower, they didn't even understand where they were.  That tower was built on the spot where Harold Bell Wright wrote the famous novel in 1907 that began the Branson tourist industry:  The Shepherd of the Hills. 

 

In the book, the place where the tower was built was called Inspiration Point and it was a lookout over Mutton Hollow.  It was the scene of a romance in the book between Young Matt and Miss Sammy Lane.

 

The novel is also full of religion, which should have at least interested the Duggars.  Not one of the Duggar girls mentioned the book and didn't seem to even know where they were or what they were looking at.  They were more inspired sitting in their room and deciding which color to paint their toenails.

 

Few people visit Branson without knowing the story.  "This book is singularly responsible for the founding of Branson, Missouri, and the Branson tourism industry … which winds like paths through the hills with mystery, murder, ghosts, betrothal, betrayal, guilt, and forgiveness, while discovering the essence of nature and of the human soul.

 

"Among the first books in America to sell over one million copies, for a time it was second only to the Bible in number of copies sold. It has been continuously in print for over a hundred years and is required reading in the Missouri public school system."

http://hubpages.com/literature/The-Shepherd-of-the-Hills

 

All the Duggars could do at Inspiration Point was complain about the height.  I don't think one of them even knows what the word 'inspiration' means, let alone have experienced it.

Picture caption: "We'll wait for the moon, here."

[Kiss my mutt]

Again we see just how useless they are. That treehouse was built by those four guys at the bottom of the ramp the kids were high fiving.

I, too, was taken in by the blind date joke. Too bad, that would have made this show much more interesting.

So Ben must be living the high life getting four days to himself. I'm sure he squandered it on performing rap in front of the mirror and cruising porn sites. He did have a job that got his hands dirty-cleaning toilets.

I thought it was funny when Joy said that it felt good to help a fellow farmer out when trying to corral that cow. Since when do any of them farm? They don't even have a potted herb garden! I also lol'd at her saying cage. She has no idea what farming is. If you see a cow outside the fence someone usually calls and says hey, Uncle Andy, your heifer (or whatever) got out again, you better check that fence down there. They don't chase a cow down the road.

I thought they were going to a spa in Branson not that 3rd grade sleep over play spa.

I really hope Jana is courting if that is what she wants. She is my favorite. Poor JD. I think you can give up on the dream of having kids that will play in the treehouse. I'm not seeing a line out the door.

That restaurant didn't look nice enough to me that to warrant those prices but the menu did look good. I was impressed they were actually eating on real plates with linen napkins. And one cheesecake for five of them?

[BitterApple]

That restaurant didn't look nice enough to me that to warrant those prices but the menu did look good. I was impressed they were actually eating on real plates with linen napkins. And one cheesecake for five of them?

I didn't think so either. The decor looked like something you'd find in the restuarant at a mid-level airport Marriott. If you're going to charge $30 an entree, at least throw down some tablecloths. Sheesh.

[bigskygirl]

Where was Constable JD at? He should have taken care of the cow and make sure she got back to her cage.

[Ilovemylabs]

First kudos for the tree house.  It looked good to me.   As for Branson, I was there a few years ago...a great family friendly venue, when they are not trying to sell you a time share!  Too bad they didn't do anything! There was a zip line at the top of Inspiration point and we went down it.  Maybe it was too windy that day or maybe the girls with their fear of heights wouldn't even consider it.  Also those girls are abysmally ignorant regarding real food.  And if you don't know what something is you politely ask!  And for a 'religious' family, they don't say Grace before they eat, unless you consider Jana's 'ready, set, go' a prayer.  My husband and I do even if we are out.

Edited April 21, 2016 by Ilovemylabs

[Churchhoney]

I didn't think so either. The decor looked like something you'd find in the restuarant at a mid-level airport Marriott. If you're going to charge $30 an entree, at least throw down some tablecloths. Sheesh.

 

Well, but don't most people come to Branson riding in tour buses and wearing t-shirts, windbreakers and sneakers and carrying a pretty small bag that'll fit in the luggage section of a bus? I know a lot of people who've gone to Branson and that's been the style of travel all have taken.

 

And when people are there, they're running from show to show to shop to show to amusement activity and back again. I've seen several Branson-trip itineraries printed out and there doesn't seem to be a spare minute. I don't get the impression that it's a tourist venue where you'd have the time, the available wardrobe or the inclination to go to a really really fancy place for dinner. An upscale casual dining-type atmosphere would be about the height of the decor one would want to dress for in Branson, from what I've gathered.

Edited April 22, 2016 by Churchhoney

[Tabbygirl521]

First kudos for the tree house. It looked good to me. As for Branson, I was there a few years ago...a great family friendly venue, when they are not trying to sell you a time share! Too bad they didn't do anything! There was a zip line at the top of Inspiration point and we went down it. Maybe it was too windy that day or maybe the girls with their fear of heights wouldn't even consider it. Also those girls are abysmally ignorant regarding real food. And if you don't know what something is you politely ask! And for a 'religious' family, they don't say Grace before they eat, unless you consider Jana's 'ready, set, go' a prayer. My husband and I do even if we are out.

I thought I spied a zip line! Whoa! I think I would like to try that.

There was a choppy edit before they chawed down that made me think they probably had said Grace, but it was not shown. Dunno.

[louannems]

This discussion has disintegrated into picking apart the dinner menu because this episode was so very boring.  Branson, Missouri, is full of fun things to do, yet the Duggars did nothing but mostly stay in their room and go out to dinner one night.

 

When they went to Inspiration Tower, they didn't even understand where they were.  That tower was built on the spot where Harold Bell Wright wrote the famous novel in 1907 that began the Branson tourist industry:  The Shepherd of the Hills. 

 

In the book, the place where the tower was built was called Inspiration Point and it was a lookout over Mutton Hollow.  It was the scene of a romance in the book between Young Matt and Miss Sammy Lane.

 

The novel is also full of religion, which should have at least interested the Duggars.  Not one of the Duggar girls mentioned the book and didn't seem to even know where they were or what they were looking at.  They were more inspired sitting in their room and deciding which color to paint their toenails.

 

Few people visit Branson without knowing the story.  "This book is singularly responsible for the founding of Branson, Missouri, and the Branson tourism industry … which winds like paths through the hills with mystery, murder, ghosts, betrothal, betrayal, guilt, and forgiveness, while discovering the essence of nature and of the human soul.

 

"Among the first books in America to sell over one million copies, for a time it was second only to the Bible in number of copies sold. It has been continuously in print for over a hundred years and is required reading in the Missouri public school system."

http://hubpages.com/literature/The-Shepherd-of-the-Hills

 

All the Duggars could do at Inspiration Point was complain about the height.  I don't think one of them even knows what the word 'inspiration' means, let alone have experienced it.

Picture caption: "We'll wait for the moon, here."

Thanks, Mollie for all that. I had no idea. I don't think the Duggars' do either! I'm going to check out that book.

[cereality]

I think the benefit of Jill and Jessa marrying first is that the rest of the sisters have had a chance to watch those courtships and marriages and figure out what is or isn't acceptable to them. I think Jana and Joy are particularly self aware. I think Jana's whole thing about "I don't want an office job guy" is because having seen Derick and Josh, she is realizing there is some expectation in their fundie cult or maybe just in their crazy family when the guy is headed to an office. Apparently you have to drive him to/from work, show up to have lunch with him, bring him lunch, or if he has his own business like a car lot, you have to show up and spend the entire day sitting in the back room so that you will be "close to" your man. Maybe she doesn't want to live like that -- when her man leaves for the day, she wants him gone all day so she can sit around reading a book or watching soaps or whatever (since some of the couples do relax their rules post marriage) and then whip up some dinner at 5 pm to have on the table by the time he's home. I mean she has raised 18 siblings with zero alone time-- maybe she's craving that without having to drive hours in a day to bring her man lunch. Maybe in her mind that's only possible if her man is like a welder on a construction site -- where she can't/isn't allowed to show up due to safety reasons.

 

Honestly the best case scenario for Jana and Joy is if they end up with a guy like Alyssa Bates' husband -- blue collar (as is Jana's wish); owns a business in another state that's a plane ride away; goes to church every Sunday but isn't thinking his wife is some kind of hussy if she's wearing a tank top, jeans, or a sleeveless dress.

 

Love that Joy is self aware enough to notice that they wear "mostly normal clothes" -- i.e. it isn't normal to buy bridesmaid dresses and add 6 inches of white under them to make them longer or add random mismatched collars. Hate that they just will NOT let the girl be herself bc their cult doesn't allow it. In the room where they were packing she goes, I really don't like dresses. Anna jumps in quickly and definitely says -- you prefer skirts. Um -- we wouldn't want anyone to believe your sister in law is some Godless hussy sporting Levis -- I mean I'm sure that's Anna's biggest image problem given the cheater she's with who she keeps defending. And I feel like Jinger was pretty pushy about -- Joy let me check your packing -- so she could add Duggar approved items. God forbid she go away for one weekend and not be Duggar approved in any way.

 

Somehow I think there is a courtship in the works. Fingers crossed it's Jana as she DESPERATELY needs to get away from the TTH and this is the only way it'll be allowed. And fingers crossed it isn't Joy -- way way too young to marry at 18 and be pushing out a child next yr. They're a business oriented family, they know their ratings are low and if they don't stir something up, their show is over. AND mentioning it SOOOO many times (i.e. in 6 months any of the girls could be married and gone) is just plain dumb if there isn't a courtship coming up for 5 more yrs -- bc their ratings are already low and when people realize that it's just more fake tree houses and fake trips to see rappers or get some girl time, viewership will off of even more.

[SometimesBites]

Restaurant scene:  They cannot possibly be this stupid.

In reality, they think everyone outside their holy circle of belief is utterly deluded and benighted. What we recognize as willful ignorance and outright stupidity is much closer to condescension and mockery. We get that they are dorks-out-of-water, but they have an ingrained sense of superiority and wear their ignorance of the world outside their ken (which is basically EVERYTHING) as a badge of righteousness. Arrogance and ignorance are a nauseating combo.

[queenanne]

I agree. I have a friend who's curvy and she has to buy all her dresses a size up and have them tailored down. When you have boobage it's hard to find dresses that fit well in that area. It's probably more comfortable for Joy to wear separates. I've always worried that the Duggars would pressure her to lose weight. She has a beautiful healthy figure but Gothard likes his women stick thin. They made poor Jana go to Weight Watchers for a couple of extra pounds of baby chub, ffs. Hopefully Mechelle is so tuned out by this point that she can't be bothered.

 

Maybe it's legs.  Granted we may have seen Joy's and I am blanking, thus projecting, because mine aren't good, and I cover them up whenever possible.  Also if you're heavier, your bum etc. rucks up more dress/skirt hem when you sit, which makes it shorter still.  I generally wouldn't care about that for going out but it does mean I can not wear dresses to work unless I'm slimmer, because they're pretty indecent to sit at the desk chair.

[cmr2014]

In reality, they think everyone outside their holy circle of belief is utterly deluded and benighted. What we recognize as willful ignorance and outright stupidity is much closer to condescension and mockery. We get that they are dorks-out-of-water, but they have an ingrained sense of superiority and wear their ignorance of the world outside their ken (which is basically EVERYTHING) as a badge of righteousness. Arrogance and ignorance are a nauseating combo.

 

I see this arrogance mostly in the older children - Josh to Jessa, but less so in Josiah, Joy, and the twins. I mention this because it was the older ones who really took the brunt of the JB and J'chelle stupidity. They are the ones who remember being crammed into that tiny house while JB blew $250,000 on a failed senate campaign. They are the ones who remember wearing the matching frumpers. They are the ones who remember when JB had an "anger management" problem, and the days before J'chelle adopted the baby voice. And, they are the ones staring down the barrel of adult life now and realizing that this isn't going to end -- they have no skills, no education, and no prospects.

 

Back to the episode, I thought that Joy looked like a deer in the headlights every single time that Anna mentioned courtship and marriage and babies (which she did, over and over and over again). Joy may not be the giggling nincompoop that Jill is, but there is nothing about her that suggests she is even remotely ready for marriage. I guess that doesn't matter in their world at all -- she has the plumbing to produce babies, so she better get to it. There's no reason to wait until she is emotionally prepared.

[Mollie]

Thanks, Mollie for all that. I had no idea. I don't think the Duggars' do either! I'm going to check out that book.

Because it was written more than 100 years ago, it is in the public domain.  You can read it here free online: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/4735/4735-h/4735-h.htm

Edited April 22, 2016 by Mollie

[becca3891]

I don't know if this question is okay, but did anyone else find Joy coming off as a little "butch"?

I know what you mean. And I won't even speculate on her sexuality -- I will just say that I can relate. I am straight, but I have no patience for shopping, makeup, heels, etc. Joy reminds me a lot of myself, and I hate that she probably feels like a fish out of water because all of her sisters love endless shopping, nails, etc. I found it obnoxious the way they were all pressuring her to be someone she's not. They probably also think "But she'll never get a man if she doesn't cake on the makeup!" Which is ridiculous, and also, maybe she doesn't want one, for whatever reason!

 

Maybe she doesn't want to live like that -- when her man leaves for the day, she wants him gone all day so she can sit around reading a book or watching soaps or whatever (since some of the couples do relax their rules post marriage) and then whip up some dinner at 5 pm to have on the table by the time he's home. I mean she has raised 18 siblings with zero alone time-- maybe she's craving that without having to drive hours in a day to bring her man lunch. Maybe in her mind that's only possible if her man is like a welder on a construction site -- where she can't/isn't allowed to show up due to safety reasons.

Actually, though, Jana seemed to be saying the opposite of that. She said that with a husband with a desk job, you're stuck home all day and she wants to be able to work alongside her husband. In their world, that's okay and encouraged, especially in the pre baby days of marriage. The husband is the breadwinner, but the wife can assist him. So I think she's picturing something like the car lot, where Anna "helped," or owning a store, etc.

[Barb23]

I'm surprised they were allowed to have a male server at the restaurant. At a normal table of girls, you know the (male) servers would have come up in conversation. Years ago at a restaurant my then teenaged nieces were checking out the servers & bus boys. Of course there were the Jilly Muffin™ type giggles, finger pointing & even the adults got a kick out of it. But with the Duggars, we get to watch them sit around, staring at one another & saying the usual lines about courting & babies. I've had better conversations sitting at a table with strangers.

Also, since they knew they were going to a fancy restaurant out of their comfort zone, why didn't they check out the menu ahead of time? You would think Anna would have known more since her & Smugs hit the dinner banquet circuit with his job in DC where some fancier type of food was served.

I think Anna looked the nicest, IIRC she had on a black dress with no sweater. I don't understand their thinking that the wedges were dressy. (I think they were the ones from Jill's wedding) Even black ones vs the natural color would have made them look less casual. But then again, I don't think we'll ever see a Duggar gal, besides Anna, wearing heels/pumps. I'm not a heel wearer either but a dressy pair of sparkly flats would have been nicer looking.

Thanks Mollie for the background of the tower. You would have thought TLC could have squeezed in info about the tower.

[SoSueMe]

Hmmmm, zip line.

 

That would/could present some modesty challenges I think. Although Michelle dealt with it water skiing, didn't she? 

[kokapetl]

Hmmmm, zip line.

That would/could present some modesty challenges I think. Although Michelle dealt with it water skiing, didn't she?

Ziplining happened in Puerto Rico:

They went snorkeling there too:

Yes, he is wearing a polo shirt and denim shorts.

[Aja]

So God is the creator of everything, and everything God does is perfect and holy. Except the human body, screw that disgusting mess.

[Jenilane6]

 

There was a choppy edit before they chawed down that made me think they probably had said Grace, but it was not shown. Dunno.

So much for the TV show as a ministry.

[Sew Sumi]

IKR???? Remember the praying over the food before Smuggar and Anna saw Fireproof with Jana and JD. Remember the Redneck joke? So creepy in retrospect. Irony abounds here.

Edited April 22, 2016 by Sew Sumi

[Love2dance]

Because it was written more than 100 years ago, it is in the public domain. You can read it here free online: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/4735/4735-h/4735-h.htm

Thanks, Mollie. I downloaded it for free on my Kindle.

Edited April 22, 2016 by Love2dance

[BitterApple]

Who the hell wears black panty hose while vacationing in a humid, tropical area?

[NikSac]

Who the hell wears black panty hose while vacationing in a humid, tropical area?

 

The same people who wear skirts zip-lining, and polos w/denim shorts to swim.

[sleekandchic]

Ziplining happened in Puerto Rico:

They went snorkeling there too:

Yes, he is wearing a polo shirt and denim shorts.

Oh come on! What kind of zip line contraption is that?! She looks like the turkeys my mom and grams truss up at Thanksgiving. In fact, she could be practicing to be a balloon at Macy's parade! And are those black pantyhose? o_O

I've zip lined, and I've never seen anything like that.

And the snorkel getup!!! Lol. These people drive me over a cliff! ;)

Edited April 22, 2016 by sleekandchic

[NewDigs]

Bold mine.

I'm surprised they were allowed to have a male server at the restaurant. At a normal table of girls, you know the (male) servers would have come up in conversation. Years ago at a restaurant my then teenaged nieces were checking out the servers & bus boys. Of course there were the Jilly Muffin™ type giggles, finger pointing & even the adults got a kick out of it. But with the Duggars, we get to watch them sit around, staring at one another & saying the usual lines about courting & babies.

I've had better conversations sitting at a table with strangers.

Also, since they knew they were going to a fancy restaurant out of their comfort zone, why didn't they check out the menu ahead of time? You would think Anna would have known more since her & Smugs hit the dinner banquet circuit with his job in DC where some fancier type of food was served.

I think Anna looked the nicest, IIRC she had on a black dress with no sweater. I don't understand their thinking that the wedges were dressy. (I think they were the ones from Jill's wedding) Even black ones vs the natural color would have made them look less casual. But then again, I don't think we'll ever see a Duggar gal, besides Anna, wearing heels/pumps. I'm not a heel wearer either but a dressy pair of sparkly flats would have been nicer looking.

Thanks Mollie for the background of the tower. You would have thought TLC could have squeezed in info about the tower.

You just nailed it there. It's sometimes like they barely know each other! I've had some pretty bloated small-talk conversations but can't remember having one with family.

They've had this shared existence that no one seems able to share beyond platitudes and awkward silences.

Do you suppose they're always that vacant or is it for the teevee show?

[sleekandchic]

Do you suppose they're always that vacant or is it for the teevee show?

I vote for "always." But it's not their fault. They've had their natural curiosity unnaturally tapped down and made dirty. Reading secular lit is a no no and their particular homeschooling is tragic. They're dead inside in many ways.

A few posts have mentioned that a few of the kids are old enough now to make their own decisions and to break away. But they've been brainwashed, indoctrinated, isolated in important ways. It will take a VERY strong, healthy personality to say, see ya/dont wanna be ya! I have little hope.

[SoSueMe]

Ziplining happened in Puerto Rico:

They went snorkeling there too:

Yes, he is wearing a polo shirt and denim shorts.

OMG

Creepy, somehow looks  like someone trying to use a love swing and not understanding the concept.. Don't ask .

[NikSac]

OMG

Creepy, somehow looks  like someone trying to use a love swing and not understanding the concept.. Don't ask .

 

At least he's wearing a flotation device though.  All those heavy, absorbent clothes had to really weigh him down the second he got in the water.

[Churchhoney]

Oh come on! What kind of zip line contraption is that?! She looks like the turkeys my mom and grams truss up at Thanksgiving.

 

Looks like some places keep a special zipline around for people who show up wearing prairie skirts. .... Maybe it was a fundie resort. Or a mission.

Bold mine.

They've had this shared existence that no one seems able to share beyond platitudes and awkward silences.

Do you suppose they're always that vacant or is it for the teevee show?

 

Spontaneous and honest conversation of any kind is a threat to the system in Duggardom. I'm sure it's considered just as dangerous when it's among family members. And they're under constant surveillance and they don't even necessarily know by whom. They have live-in secret agents, too. Conversation is not encouraged, to put it mildly.

[sleekandchic]

Spontaneous and honest conversation of any kind is a threat to the system in Duggardom. I'm sure it's considered just as dangerous when it's among family members. And they're under constant surveillance and they don't even necessarily know by whom. They have live-in secret agents, too. Conversation is not encouraged, to put it mildly.

God. Just terrible.

[queenanne]

I know what you mean. And I won't even speculate on her sexuality -- I will just say that I can relate. I am straight, but I have no patience for shopping, makeup, heels, etc. Joy reminds me a lot of myself, and I hate that she probably feels like a fish out of water because all of her sisters love endless shopping, nails, etc. I found it obnoxious the way they were all pressuring her to be someone she's not. They probably also think "But she'll never get a man if she doesn't cake on the makeup!" Which is ridiculous, and also, maybe she doesn't want one, for whatever reason!

 

Actually, though, Jana seemed to be saying the opposite of that. She said that with a husband with a desk job, you're stuck home all day and she wants to be able to work alongside her husband. In their world, that's okay and encouraged, especially in the pre baby days of marriage. The husband is the breadwinner, but the wife can assist him. So I think she's picturing something like the car lot, where Anna "helped," or owning a store, etc.

 

Doesn't Joy have good skin?  I haven't seen her in all lights but I don't think she needs the makeup.  She is the one who strikes me as being designed to form the wholesome, corn-fed fresh-faced leader of a Christian pop group, could she but sing.

 

As for Jana, I feel like that interpretation comes closest to the mark for a reaction I could imagine a Duggar having.

 

Who the hell wears black panty hose while vacationing in a humid, tropical area?

 

As previously mentioned I don't even like my legs, I would probably get away with that if I could, but the thought of it also enrages me.  That would be one miserable vacation.

[Ilovemylabs]

At the Inspiration Point zip line you are seated.  I think it could be done with skirts.  Poor Anna.  I think she is actually a pious person and will stick with that two-timing jerk no matter what.  Will Josh change?  Hate to be cynical but I think the only thing he learned is not to use his real name and be more careful when he cheats.  I actually gave him a pass on the molestation thing because of the way he was raised and by whom he was raised, and because the girls really seemed to put it behind them.   But the Ashley Madison stuff was all on him.  Be interesting to see how much of Anna we see when he is released.

[kokapetl]

Josh and Anna will seriously need their names changed and drastic plastic surgery for the both of them to escape the world of shit they're in at the moment.

[Zahdii]

OMG

Creepy, somehow looks  like someone trying to use a love swing and not understanding the concept.. Don't ask .

 

What's a...?  Oh, I think I know.  But why?  How?  It seems like it would be uncomfortable if it's just made of straps, especially if the swinger is heavy.

[sleekandchic]

Bold mine.

You just nailed it there. It's sometimes like they barely know each other! I've had some pretty bloated small-talk conversations but can't remember having one with family.

They've had this shared existence that no one seems able to share beyond platitudes and awkward silences.

Do you suppose they're always that vacant or is it for the teevee show?

I do want to say that anything is possible, so, maybe, one day, a couple or three of the Duggars or other Gothardite prisoners could break free. We have a courageous, extraordinary poster on this forum who overcame and broke free of her chains. I love her.

Still, when you have permanent scars and tattoos, every day is a battle. You've got to be stronger than strong. You've got to acknowledge that you'll have very bad days, when memories and indoctrination take on lives of their own. You've got to bounce back daily.

I work with the wounded...children and seniors. When I started a few years ago, I thought love, understanding, support and "call me 24/7!" would do the trick. But of course it's not that easy. At all. I'm still hopeful, but I'm no longer an optimist when it comes to kids who have had tragic upbringings. The true survivors are the exception...They are the few and far between. All I can do is show kindness and an understanding heart. But I know it's not enough.

Duggardom drives me crazy. But TLC drives me even crazier. They've whitewashed, romanticized and legitimized Gothard and his followers to America. I'm all for edification and transparency and everyone's right to make her own decisions. But be honest! Fill the viewers in on the truth of Gothard. Why not? What are the Duggies and tlc afraid of?

[SoSueMe]

What's a...?  Oh, I think I know.  But why?  How?  It seems like it would be uncomfortable if it's just made of straps, especially if the swinger is heavy.

Now ya see, I said "don't ask" lol.

 

I only know what it is because of the "Nine To Five" movie. The women had Dabney Coleman trussed up in one, haha.

Edited April 23, 2016 by SoSueMe

[Tabbygirl521]

Now ya see, I said "don't ask" lol.

I only know what it is because of the "Nine To Five" movie. The women had Dabney Coleman trussed up in one, haha.

Isn't that also the contraption featured in the infamous Pamela Anderson/Tommy Lee home video....? Edited April 23, 2016 by Tabbygirl521

[drafan]

In that zip-lining pic of Mullet, I can see part of her knee, the complete outline of her butt, and a peek of an armpit. Highly defrauding, I would say.

In the snorkeling pic....is that pasty JB or pasty Josh? ....that has to be the worst idea ever...it would take two or three  of those floats to hold him up with the wet heavyweight denim and knit. And I'm sure he (whichever one it is) can't swim.

[Barb23]

I'm on the fence about them announcing who is courting, if anyone actually is. On one side, I see them revealing it on last episode since they've been dropping hints. On the other, I see them teasing us thinking they will reveal it this season but then saying the usual line "you'll have to keep watching & wait & see" leading the viewers to think there will be another season & it will be exposed then. The only thing with the "wait & see" theory is that it will be hard for them to keep a secret with social media & everything they put on it. Of course, all of this hangs on IF they return for another season.

We also can't forget that the cliffhanger could be a pregnancy announcement. God help us.

[SoSueMe]

Isn't that also the contraption featured in the infamous Pamela Anderson/Tommy Lee home video....?

Gee, I missed that masterpiece but it sounds like it could have definitely happened :)

[Tabbygirl521]

I know they were throwing red herrings all over the place but at one point someone patted Jessa on the tummy. (NIKE!) but no one said anything at the time. It seemed sort of spontaneous and genuine and so I am wondering if she is in fact pregnant.

I want to break something every time someone mentions Ben wanting 15 sons. does he mean 15 sons plus however many daughters? Or No Girls Allowed? Idiot.

[cereality]

It's amazing how shelters these girls (and their brothers are) AND how they have NO deductive reasoning abilities at all -- as demonstrated by the utter confusion at the restaurant. They really couldn't google some stuff on an iPhone?

 

I grew up in a totally middle class suburban family and we ate out plenty but given where we lived, it was always Chinese (how exotic for the Duggars); pizza; or an Applelbees/Cheesecake Factory type of place. So when I moved from there to a big fancy big city law firm where there were nighttime events, client dinners etc. -- yeah -- there was a whole lot of new food that I didn't know. So my solution was not to say -- ew a demi glaze, don't want that. Frankly I'd just decide what I wanted as a main portion -- beef; chicken; etc. -- and then just go with one where I knew most of the ingredients. If it came with shallots or a demi glaze or whatever, so what -- it was still a steak!? And that's how you got to try stuff and figure out what you didn't or didn't like. Barring an major allergy issues where you just can't have something (which we haven't heard is a problem for these girls), couldn't they have used that method?? Pick a chicken dish that sounds reasonably ok and go with it!?

 

It's always interesting to see the contrast between them and the Bates. A few Bates went to NYC when Nathan asked his fiancé to court, and she took them to an authentic Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. Erin Bates could be seen on camera chowing down. And then in the talking head she honestly says -- we haven't really gotten the opportunity to try a lot of new foods and when we do, it's always American. Then she's seen with her future sister in law learning to make noodles at that restaurant bc the owner/manager offered -- and then in the interview she says -- it's hard bc they keep breaking, but I can get it with practice; I'm going to make noodles all the time at home and Chad's going to be wondering why we always have noodles for dinner. Whether she does it or not -- it showed the attitude. She WANTED to eat new food and learn a new skill. Whereas the Duggars always default to -- ew, what is this, it's not processed food out of a can, I don't want it . . . .

I know they were throwing red herrings all over the place but at one point someone patted Jessa on the tummy. (NIKE!) but no one said anything at the time. It seemed sort of spontaneous and genuine and so I am wondering if she is in fact pregnant.

I want to break something every time someone mentions Ben wanting 15 sons. does he mean 15 sons plus however many daughters? Or No Girls Allowed? Idiot.

If Bin knows what's good for him, he should shut up re 15 sons. 15 kids (boys or girls) means 30 yrs of his life changing diapers -- as they don't seem industrious enough to potty train kids early. Given that his wife WON'T do diaper duty and he's grossed out by it -- and has to "mentally prepare himself" (his words) every time a diaper change is needed, maybe one more blessing is enough. Though who am I kidding . . . .

[kellylovessnark]

I can't be really surprised how the Duggars girls were at the restaurant. I'm just glad it was better than the Duggar response to the restaurant in DC.

[cereality]

I can't be really surprised how the Duggars girls were at the restaurant. I'm just glad it was better than the Duggar response to the restaurant in DC.

Remind me -- what was the response in DC? Where did they go (what type of food)? Was it when Josh and Anna lived there? Bc I'm sure J&A themselves wouldn't preferred to take them to a chuckie cheese or Dave & Busters kind of place since they themselves are familiar with it.

[Sew Sumi]

That was the Ethiopian place. Ugly American behavior abounded at that plane.

[kellylovessnark]

Cereality, the Duggars went to a restaurant in DC. It was Ethopian or something. I can't remember and unable to find clip of it. Maybe someone can find the clip. It might be off topic for this thread. There was incense and dancing going on. I can understand if the incense bothered them, but I remember them not really be nice about the experience.

[cereality]

While lots of people aren't exposed to various foods -- bc they don't want to be or don't have the opportunities -- it's the Duggars' attitude about it that's off putting. There was an episode where cinder-Jana was dispatched to Jill's house to make dal bhat for Derick -- bc Jilly wanted to impress her new hubby. The did a series of talking heads where the producers asked the kids to guess what dal bhat was, what type of food etc. The "kids" including JD and all of the ones that are Jackson's age made the most grossed faces and expressions, as if people in Nepal eat $hit -- and it's not like they were forced to even eat the dish, as it was being made at Jill's house. Even Jana made some comment about -- WELL we don't eat THESE things. And FWIW, dal bhat isn't something that's particularly gross or exotic -- it's rice and lentils with a veggie. Sometimes the veggie is cooked into the lentils so it's a stew consistency. Or sometimes the veggie is served as a side. Sure it doesn't look like a classic American meat and potato dish, but it doesn't look that different from any kind of rice and beans dish -- which most Americans have at least seen.

 

I don't know how they have raised kids to have ZERO curiosity and COMPLETE suspicion of the world -- in that, if we don't do it, it must be wrong or bad -- kind of way. Like in this (or the last?) episode where they were asking what hip hop is and after saying the don't listen to it, Jinger sarcastically says "it's different" or JD says "you don't even need talent to sing hip hop." Um -- just bc you're not into it, doesn't make it automatically awful.

[Tabbygirl521]

Again I say, being so dismissive of most of creation is a slap in the face to God.

[Celia Rubenstein]

I suspect the producers go out of their way to pick places to eat that will throw the Duggars off and wouldn't dream of telling them where they are going in advance because they don't want them to be prepared. They probably think the audience will find the Duggars sneering at the food or being baffled by it cute or more entertaining than watching them just sit there staring at each other blankly because they have nothing at all to say to each other.  

 

Given the amount of conversation generated here about their trip to the restaurant, I think the producers are right.  Although I wouldn't actually accuse anyone here of finding the Duggars woefully limited palates "cute" or of being "entertained" by the ignorance they displayed, it has at least given us something to talk about.  

 

Lord knows little else in the episode did. 

[cereality]

True -- the producers KNOW this crew has nothing to say to each other so an "exotic" restaurant will at least generate conversation beyond "purposing to get married," as they try to figure out the menu.

 

I wonder if Jana realizes how boring they are. She was a bridesmaid for one of the Bates daughters -- I think Michaela, and was shown at one of their homes pre-wedding as they were putting together centerpieces or candles or something. The girls were laughing and talking THE WHOLE TIME. And [gasp] the conversation even turned to sex, as the girls wondered -- and point blank ASKED their sister -- are you more nervous about the wedding or the wedding night, as other girls were hysterically laughing. And as Michaela lied and said she wasn't nervous about either, Erin was pretty up front about how she was nervous about "the whole shebang" after the wedding. Jana must think -- wow, when my sisters and I get together we stare at each other and make polite conversation as if we're distant 3rd cousins who see each other at reunions once in 5 yrs, and here are the Bates girls loud, laughing, story telling on a random Tuesday . . . .Wonder if she's put it together though that it's bc the Bates girls all have some kind of job or school or something outside the home so they have friends, they meet people, and that leads to all kinds of stories to share that their sisters weren't already a part of since Erin's sisters weren't there when she got together with her college bff or whatever . . . .