S05.E05: Growing Up Polygamist

[Toaster Strudel]

Not to change the subject away from weight loss conspiracy theories but the kids are really boring and the fakery of their friends bringing up polygamy was too much to bear.

 

Please TLC pull the plug on this and bring us polyamory.

Edited June 30, 2014 by Toaster Strudel

[Palomar]

Not to change the subject away from weight loss conspiracy theories but the kids are really boring and the fakery of their friends bringing up polygamy was too much to bear.

 

Please TLC pull the plug on this and bring us polyamory.

I actually liked the segment on the kids.  I do not think they are boring at all.  They are the best thing about the show to me and actually I would like to see more of them when they are visiting and less of the wives.  The last thing I want to see is any more stuff about Sister Wives Closet.  I suspect the lack of a segment on Mariah is because there have already been so many story lines involving her and there isn't much more to tell right now.

[SometimesBites]

 I think she doesn't really care too much, in that it would be nice to lose wieght but if she doesn't-- oh well. Kody never mentioned it, she would still be stuck with the shitty sister wives. She would like to lose weight but not badly enough to actually put in the effort of discomfort it requires.

 

I agree that Janelle  hasn't been willing to go through the discomfort required to lose more weight, but I very much disagree that it is because "she doesn't really care too much."  There are people who stay stuck because they don't care, but for some people (and I believe Janelle is one of them, based on what we've seen on the show), removing the narcotizing effect of comfort-eating exposes a level of psychological discomfort that they just cannot face. It's quite possible to want desperately to overcome the problem, while simultaneously feeling raw and depressed when the food changes. She won't ever break through if she doesn't do all three things at once: stay active, eat cleanly and honestly, and work extremely hard on learning to cope with the emotions that drive her to eat against her own best interest.

 

Additionally, there are several interesting studies out there that indicate other factors may drive the brain to keep eating--meaning that weight loss may require a different level of internal fortitude for every individual. While overcoming obesity for one person might be the psychological equivalent of  doing a marathon, for another person it might be more like doing a 100-mile super endurance footrace through Death Valley.

 

It's a soul-grinding issue to face down, and I honestly wish, for Janelle and everyone who faces it, freedom.

[Adeejay]

Perhaps Logan's roommate's father should be more concerned about the fact that his 19 year old daughter is living with her boyfriend.  Just sayin'.

Edited June 30, 2014 by Adeejay

[DakotaJustice]

Perhaps Logan's roommate's father should be more concerned about the fact that his 19 year old daughter is living with her boyfriend.  Just sayin'.

I didn't get a boyfriend/girlfriend vibe from them.

That said, they're adults, and if they choose to live together, romantically involved or otherwise, I say WTG! And I think dad was right to call out Christine for calling the girls "stupid and silly".

[wrestlesflamingos]

Logan introduced the roommates as a dating pair.

[camom]

And the father wasn't necessarily the father of Logan's roommate.  There were other girls there.

 

Like most "reality" shows, this one has run out of gas.  The polygamy thing was interesting at first, but not their lives seem just as boring as mine would be if I had a TV show.  Time to bury it.

[purpleflowers]

It was SO much more interesting and enjoyable having an episode all about the kids rather than MSWC or parties or the wives' drama. Logan seems like a wonderful young man, and the other kids seems great too. I think it would also be interesting to see how things are going with Mariah since college began; I'm kind of curious if she is still maintaining close connections with her polygamist church community as she seemed to want to initially. 

 

Random note, I love Aspyn's golden hair! I could see her as a teacher.

 

I have to say, talking about the children seems to bring out the best in these five adults. The wives and Kody come across as mature and rational and pleasant towards each other and the viewers when talking about the kids. I always wanted to see more of the wives discussing the other moms' kids because they have more than once claimed they are all moms to the kids. The children seem to be the main factor drawing these people together. 

 

It is a little unclear as to what the dating rules all are. It looks like it more or less depends on the biological mothers' preferences; Aspyn talked about courting being the predominant theme in her family but that she would like something in between casual dating and a serious relationship. OTOH, Madison has apparently "dated" more than any of the siblings, and I'm not sure what rules Janelle had enforced for her in her high school years. 

 

While the Browns have some deficiencies, one thing they handle quite well is their expectations of polygamy with their kids' generation. They seem really realistic and fair about it. 

Edited June 30, 2014 by purpleflowers

[aulait]

Sooooo boring. I ff'd through large parts of it and my husband asked, "Why did you add this back on the DVR if you aren't going to watch it?" Good point.

 

I feel for Janelle, but I really got the impression that she is eating too much vs. any deeper medical issue. I am not obese but I have the metabolism and body type that unless I exercise AND cut back hard on calories nothing will happen. I was running 30 miles a week and not losing a lb and my clothes weren't fitting better (so its wasn't like I was losing fat/gaining muscle). If you are working out hard regularly and not losing its almost always the eating. Either too much, or wrong food, or you aren't tracking accurately. I so get it because eating is a stress relief (and heaven knows this family has tons of stress constantly), its a social thing, its fun to cook. And when you are cooking for a family and have to make food kid friendly (I have 4 kids... its tough to find something they all will eat) its even harder to not nibble on that, grab a handful of this.

 

She said procrastination is her problem. To me that meant putting off workouts, maybe starting to eat better "next week" and never getting around to it.

[Rhondinella]

NOTE FROM THE MOD: Ok, guys.  I think we've speculated about Janelle's weight-loss issues enough for now.  The fact is, few of us are doctors or nutritionists or weight-loss specialists, and even you are, unless you know Janelle's specific health situation you can't know for sure what's going on.  So I think critiquing her progress or lack thereof is pointless and can come off as judgmental and superior (e.g., "Well, I started eating less and I lost weight, so surely she should be able to do it, too").  I'm not an expert either, but I'm fairly certain that the underlying causes of weight gain and obesity are very complex and probably related to genetics to a point.  So I don't think it's fair for us to judge this situation as if we know what's going on.

 

So, in the interest of not stigmatizing people who aren't losing weight at a rate we consider acceptable, let's just be happy she's trying at all and move on, OK?  Thanks.

[DanaMB]

So when they showed Logan's room, was I the only one looking for the quilt that was his graduation present? 

[MarkySnark]

I am surprised that Robyn isn't pitching more of a fit that the kids are going to college and bailing on her "dream." I mean, there are built-in workers right there and if they weren't going away, she could have a baby. It is, after all, all about Robyn.

[wrestlesflamingos]

The quilt..  Notice they did show Aspyn's reaction to her own quilt again.  It was a combo of polite thanks/sucking lemons.  I also love her golden hair.  It's like a halo.

[DakotaJustice]

I am surprised that Robyn isn't pitching more of a fit that the kids are going to college and bailing on her "dream." I mean, there are built-in workers right there and if they weren't going away, she could have a baby. It is, after all, all about Robyn.

Course it would be totally different if it were her own kids wanting to go to college, I betcha.

Remember Robyn was kinda annoyed that Logan wanted to stay in a dorm while going to school too? She's losing all her babysitters.

[Absolom]

She's losing all her babysitters.

 

That brings a smile to my face.  How old is her older daughter?  She's looking like she's entering babysitter range. 

[DakotaJustice]

No ratings yet?  I'm curious to know how the Browns did this week.

[Absolom]

Sunday cable ratings usually show up on Tuesday.  

[MakingBacon]

When Kody was discussing the possibility of his children not being polygamist, he had this weird look of a cross between deer in a headlight and someone who is trying to do long division in their head. I could barely pay attention to what he was saying. That being said, it is as if Kody cannot fathom why his kids would not want to follow his lead. I almost feel like Kody, and by extension Christine and Robyn, have no understanding as to why people would not prefer polygamy. I am also over the continuing storyline of lets meet more polygamist families. It's no different than the Duggars visiting another large family. Same story, just as boring as the first time around.

 

I will agree that the kids seem very well grounded. I too get the feeling that although all the moms (and by moms I mean Meri, Christine and Janelle) seem to be so well-loved by the kids, Kody is almost a non-entity. Its amazing with so many kids, none of them seem close to Kody. Also, when moms on the couch talked about the kids, you could just feel the love and pride they felt. Although I have no doubt that Kody loves his kids, I never sense that same connection the moms seem to have with the kids, regardless of if they gave birth to them or not. 

[crgirl412]

I was glad NOT see another second of Mariah.  We saw enough of her last season to prove that she isn't even a little bit as good-natured and mature as her siblings.  I'm sure she gets very exercised over things not going her way at Westminster and very well may not have the close bonds of friendship with anyone there.  Goodness, remember the scene when her sister were messing around while cooking breakfast and she got upset and took off out of the room???  That doesn't fly anywhere especially not in college.  Yes, I think we know all we have to know about Mariah's adjustment to college.  She hasn't.  Probably because she wasn't very adjusted at home.     

[Featherhat]

I'm not willing to write Mariah off just yet. Lots of people (including me) think they're all that and huge fish in small ponds and then they get to college and do more growing up in 3 months than they did the last 2 years of high school. Of course most of them don't have a family TV show, but that could be a source of embarrassment to her as much as prestige.The fact that she isn't home every week end and Meri isn't there camping on her floor is a good sign for them both. 

[Curious5]

Has anyone seen anything - even a small bead - that shows that any of the women are making jewelry, shipping orders, working on the computer?  Who is supposedly sewing or designing the clothes?  They  couldn't even come up with decent designs for their dresses for their groupie party.  I still squirm thinking about that poor young women who was trying to sew them dresses.

 

I've posted several times to their facebook about the lack of a business.  I hope women are being taken by buying junk for the purpose of supporting these women.  Etsy has fantastic jewelers and prices are decent.  They should have taken a hint from the true artists.

[Palomar]

Wouldn't getting the money for their business spur them on to start getting creative to design new products.  If that is happening they are not showing it. Instead, Robyn made the comment about once they got the money she would now have the time to have a baby?  Huh?  The opposite should be true.  This is their chance to really progress.  Are they now going to hire someone to design and market new products instead of doing it themselves?

[Absolom]

Readers here apparently aren't the only ones finding the shows becoming boring.  Another ratings drop this week:  1.246 M viewers and a .4 rating. 

 

I agree on the look on Kody's face when he was talking about the kids being polygamists or not.  He had "the prophet" look.  I think that's what he was going for.  I call it the crazy eyes look.  I don't think he grasps the kids' view of polygamy at all.  And yes the original mothers are so proud of all the kids.  That was heart-warming to see.

Edited July 1, 2014 by Absolom

[Bella]

Just a reminder that a mod has already asked to curtail the weight loss discussion. Thanks to those who comply.

[DakotaJustice]

Has anyone seen anything - even a small bead - that shows that any of the women are making jewelry, shipping orders, working on the computer?  Who is supposedly sewing or designing the clothes?  They  couldn't even come up with decent designs for their dresses for their groupie party.  I still squirm thinking about that poor young women who was trying to sew them dresses.

 

I've posted several times to their facebook about the lack of a business.  I hope women are being taken by buying junk for the purpose of supporting these women.  Etsy has fantastic jewelers and prices are decent.  They should have taken a hint from the true artists.

Well, they did have Robyn with her spiral notebook filled with squiggles, and Kody chatting with the jeweler about "his" design which reminded me of someone going to a police station and having a drawing done of a perp based on a verbal description...

Readers here apparently aren't the only ones finding the shows becoming boring.  Another ratings drop this week:  1.246 M viewers and a .4 rating. 

 

Wow.  Gotta wonder if TLC bases their offer for next season's shows (if any) on the ratings for this season.  Because that's a pretty big dive, in fact from what I saw on Wiki (not sure if it's accurate) those are the lowest yet in the history of this show.

Edited July 1, 2014 by DakotaJustice

[Absolom]

I can't swear that's the lowest it's been, but it's the lowest number of total viewers that I recall.  We're apparently entering or have already entered the trip per season portion of the scheduling.  I think what saved last season was Truly being in the hospital. 

[DakotaJustice]

There's someone (I thought it was you Absolom) who's been putting the ratings on Wikipedia under Lists of SW Episodes, with references.  This is the lowest number yet.

[Absolom]

Not me on Wikipedia.  :) 

[DakotaJustice]

Not me on Wikipedia.  :) 

well then it wasn't you who screwed it up this week by putting in this weeks' ratings under that ridiculous Vegas Surprise snoozefest that was the second ep last week.

[LilWharveyGal]

I'm late to the party this week and I totally agree that the episode was a complete snoozefest, however one point really stuck out to me as noteworthy.  The teens came across as more genuine in their brief segments than 90% of anything the "adults" have ever said.  No, nothing they shared was particularly earth-shattering, but it was so refreshing in the midst of the faux drama and perceived slights that their parents gripe about the rest of the time.  

[Kohola3]

Has anyone seen anything - even a small bead - that shows that any of the women are making jewelry, shipping orders, working on the computer?  Who is supposedly sewing or designing the clothes?

 

I would bet that absolutely nothing comes from their brains or their hands.  It's all made in some third world country out of toxic materials and there are boxes and boxes of it sitting in Sobbin's "office" (wasn't that one of the rooms that was off limits to filming the new house?).  I bet there is no rhyme or reason to how it's been tossed in there which is why they need a week to unearth some ghastly overpriced trinket and stick it in an envelope.

 

He had "the prophet" look.

 

He talks a good game about abiding by the decisions of his children but I bet he gets those crazy eyes on when he meets with them individually to let them know their planetary fate if they don't follow his prophesy.  Fingers crossed they blow him off and stand firm.  Watching the deterioration of their family should be enough to have them make an informed decision on following the footsteps of this insanity.

[kassa]

As far as the giggling girls go, my boss had to film a tv segment once where he walked into our office and he handed me a piece of paper and we had to pretend to speak briefly about it... and we both kept laughing so much they finally dumped that segment.  

 

I can totally believe that the girls were self conscious to the point of giggling because of the cameras.  Bad form for Christine to imply they were all gaga over Logan.  Even if it's true, which I can also imagine because he's goof looking AND good, which is an awesome combination.  And the polygamy thing would be a bonus for girls looking to piss their families off.

[CousinOliver]

Best thing about this episode is that it was mostly about the older kids, which means Robyn had very little to say on the couch segments.

[DakotaJustice]

I dunno, I'm not a mom, but I wouldn't be adverse to the situation if my fictional daughter started dating Logan, as long as I didn't have to deal with the adult Browns - which would probably be a remote issue as it is clear, to me anyway, that Logan runs his life the way he sees fit.  I'd be willing to bet he didn't really want to be featured - he seems to be stepping back further and further with each season, good for him - but he was probably persuaded to do so as it's clear to me that the Brown adults as well as the producers Figure 8 Films are scrambling for semi-cohesive material.  As for TLC, I'm sure they don't care all that much and probably have another concept/show waiting in the wings (NOT My Five Wives - I think they've milked the Polygamist Cow as much as they possibly could to the point where no one really gives a crap.  As for me, I'm just waiting for the train wreck, and I watch the show purely to enhance my enjoyment of the forums/blogs.

[toomuchtv]

I'm sure they've done this before and I just didn't notice, but the caption under Robyn's oldest daughter was "kody and Robyn's daughter"?? He's her stepfather and I know they call him dad, but it still seems weird to me.

[sunrisepink]

I feel so bad that the adult children are constantly grilled with the same questions over and over. It seems that I've heard each of them answer the "are you going to be a polygamist? what do your friends think of you?" questions so many times. Leave them alone! It's good to see them all branching off and, thankfully, working on college and career aspirations.

[mmmsoap]

I don't mind that each individual interaction with the kids was clearly staged, as much as I mind that they couldn't be bothered to do it differently for each kid. "Oh, we're all going to go out and hang out! Let's have a conversation! I wonder if polygamy will come up naturally." The three girls all went out to "lunch" with their friends, and Logan had people over to his house for a similar conversation. It would've made so much more sense it had been spread out over several episodes, the way Michele Duggar's awkward experiences with her older children have been. Or, at least it would've been less obvious. This whole thing just shrieked staged.

[kccody]

Readers here apparently aren't the only ones finding the shows becoming boring.  Another ratings drop this week:  1.246 M viewers and a .4 rating.

 

I have a fantasy that TLC cuts whatever they pay these people by 2/3, due to low ratings. However, the famewhores want to continue with the show, so we watch them slowly lose the houses one by one and have to start sharing homes- that would be a hoot. In my fantasy, all of the kids get college/trade school scholarships, I am not totally mean. This epi was so staged, but I still love the older kids.

[Turquoise]

Long time TWoP lurker...my first post!

I was not surprised that most of the kids were not enthusiastic about the MO trip. But color me shocked that Robyn's daughter had to immediately pipe up with how she loved the idea. What a kiss-ass.

[kassa]

I'm sure they've done this before and I just didn't notice, but the caption under Robyn's oldest daughter was "kody and Robyn's daughter"?? He's her stepfather and I know they call him dad, but it still seems weird to me.

 

 

I noticed that too (and wow -- she has really grown a ton this year!)  I feel for her biological father, but I think it's the kindest thing for her sake, if every other child is identified as "Kody and _____'s daughter/son."  To label her as "Robin's daughter" would create a distinction she wouldn't necessarily appreciate at her age.  She seems to have glommed onto her new family pretty strongly.  

[RedheadZombie]

Long time TWoP lurker...my first post!

I was not surprised that most of the kids were not enthusiastic about the MO trip. But color me shocked that Robyn's daughter had to immediately pipe up with how she loved the idea. What a kiss-ass.

 

I feel a little guilty for it, but Robyn's two girls really get on my nerves.  They're always in the middle of everything, and the focus of attention.  It doesn't matter if it's the scene of Janelle and her children walking into their home for the first time, a scene in which the other kids are saying goodbye to the dog they grew up with, or a scene in which Kody has to watch all the children by himself.  Aurora and Brianna are front and center - crying hysterically, having to be carried through seizure-like moments, or just making sure they get camera time.  I'll go weeks at a time without seeing the other little kids, but I know I'll see Robyn's girls every episode.  It doesn't matter whose house the camera is at, or even whose garage the guys are wrestling in - they are there.

 

Now I try to tell myself that their incredible neediness is because they lack the attention they need.  But what they do is suck up extra time the other little kids could get from Kody, and that's not fair.  Christine's girls seem assertive enough to push past these two drama queens, but Savannah seems a shy little girl who seems to be forgotten at times.

 

Regarding the trip to Missouri - I think the kids are often overly outspoken about every little thing that irritates them.  But then I think of the Duggar children and how they accompany their parents everywhere (even the twenty four year old, and the twenty five year old who has kids).  Their eyes glazed over and fake smiles glued on their faces - everything is precious and wonderful.  Blah.  I'll take these mouthy teenagers.

[kassa]

I think it was editing hijinx -- from the previews I thought that the blond son was pitching a fit about Missouri = misery.  But when we saw the actual scene, he was joking.  Complaining through joking, obviously, but not lashing out about it.  Just acknowledging that RVing cross country in small containers was not their idea of fun.  

 

As for the faces they were making during the "this is what we're doing on our vacation" scene, who knows how long they were forced to sit there before and during Christine's presentation about the world's largest ball of string, or whatever else they're going to see along the way.  

[arc918]

Blah, blah, blah...

 

Interview segment with friend: I've never met anyone from a polygamous family before, but _____________ (insert Brown kids name) is really a nice person.

[Soobs]

Finally got around to watching this and even though the move to Las Vegas was done for nonsensical reasons and was a poor financial choice, socially speaking, the kids have benefited from it a lot. Meeting different kinds of people and seeing how others live, you can tell it has opened up their world for the better. Since polygamy is illegal, I guess these families feel forced to live in tight knit communities away from everyone else, but it also conveniently keeps their beliefs from being tested.

Edited July 4, 2014 by Soobs

[RedheadZombie]

Finally got around to watching this and even though the move to Las Vegas was done for nonsensical reasons and was a poor financial choice, socially speaking, the kids have benefited from it a lot. Meeting different kinds of people and seeing how others live, you can tell it has opened up their world for the better. Since polygamy is illegal, I guess these families feel forced to live in tight knit communities away from everyone else, but it also conveniently keeps their beliefs from being tested.

I agree with you. Utah was forced to ban polygamy to enter statehood. I think that's why they're more intolerant of polygamy than any other state. You can't even have families living together there.

So even though LDS origins are completely polygamous (which I don't think they've ever repudiated Brigham Young or Joseph Smith for), they despise modern polygamists, and "plyg" kids are tormented by the other kids. Las Vegas seems to have a more open population, and doesn't feel the need to put on a show of fighting against polygamy.

[Nire]

I liked the focus on the older kids.  I have to say both Janelle and Christine have managed to raise some very well adjusted young adults.  It was nice to see them with their friends and I liked that they all seem to be choosing their own paths in life and the girls aren't just wanting to become a wife and mother.  I actually think the Browns will accept the children choosing monogamy.  Kody's brother is monogamous so it's not like all their family members are polygamous.  I would expect that Kody would try to encourage his sons especially to choose polygamy but I think they will accept and remain in contact with their children regardless of what they choose in life. 

[mythoughtis]

 

Kody's brother is monogamous

 

 

 

Kody's brother Curtis was monogamous, he passed away last summer.   Kody mentioned that his Dad didn't have much to do with Curtis because he married outside of the faith that Kody's Dad had converted to.  So, not sure that Kody is really going to be all that understanding when he kids reject his faith.

[Higgins]

Kody's brother Curtis was monogamous, he passed away last summer.   Kody mentioned that his Dad didn't have much to do with Curtis because he married outside of the faith that Kody's Dad had converted to.  So, not sure that Kody is really going to be all that understanding when he kids reject his faith.

Just because that's what his father did? I don't see him rejecting his children if they choose a different lifestyle.

[DanaMB]

As much as I can't stand Kody, I've never gotten the feeling he'd reject his kids if they chose monogamy.

[ghoulina]

Just because that's what his father did? I don't see him rejecting his children if they choose a different lifestyle.

 

I don't either. A great many of them have already expressed that they're leaning away from polygamy and I don't see him treating them badly because of it. And it's quite possible that his dad's treatment of Curtis made him even more aware of how important it is to love and accept family despite your differences.