This week's half-hour opens with Kody and Christine at loggerheads, angry and utterly opposed to one another. Christine doesn’t want to move from Utah despite the police investigation (now turned over to the prosecutor’s office); she appears to feel that the situation can be ridden like a wave, or perhaps simply doesn’t want to think about what will happen if they stay.
Kody has decided that he has to “be the leader” and firmly chooses to make the decision to move to Las Vegas. “The main reason we have to move is to preserve our family, and we’re moving in eight days.”
“I know it’s unfair, but I feel that the most important thing is that we keep the family together… and we’re going to leave in eight days,” Kody says firmly. There is a lot of anger and tension in the Brown's polygamist menage.
The older children decide to “be positive, because we’re sick of the grownups being negative.” They are aware of the possibility they can be broken up and not allowed to grow up as brothers and sisters. They put up signs urging the grownups not to despair and to be positive, and do their best to put on a show of determined good cheer,both for the distraught grownups and for the younger kids, who still don't know what's happening and who look up to them.
The older children’s “Be postive” movement seems to delight Kody, who says, “Our kids decide to “correct” us!”
Part of the reason to move quickly is that the children’s school semester is coming to an end, and the one in Las Vegas begins shortly. Another, of course, is that Kody can be taken off to jail at any moment.
Meri, Kody, and Robyn travel to Las Vegas, meeting up with Robyn's father, who lives there, to seek new houses—not an easy task for a family of more than twenty people. At the same time, the family members who stay home plan to put on a surprise party for Meri’s birthday though “Meri is never fooled,” says Janelle. They decide to arrange the party while Meri’s away—and they settle on a “'70s theme,” since Meri was born in the '70s. A friend agrees to cater the party for free as a gift to Meri. Janelle and Christine, with some of the children, shop for pet rocks, headbands and male and female “gender pendants.”
Meri, Robyn and Kody, calling realtors in Nevada, discover that there are no giant, 15-bedroom polygamist homes in Las Vegas. (I wondered what it must cost to heat those immense houses, and how much effort it must take to keep them clean!)
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Sadie
The children are well taken care of. Isn't that most important? They are not harming anyone. Its not my choice for a life style but that does not make it wrong for them. People with smaller, 2 parent families don't do a better then these people so why not just leave them alone to live their life the way they want to... again, the children are well taken care. They are a happy family, probably happier then most these days. I live in Las Vegas and would be happy to run into them at the store, or welcome them to our neighborhood... we have a few houses in forclosure in our neighborhood, and we would welcome them here, its just most houses here are 2 bedroom/bath, tho there are a few 4 bedroom ones. They would be great on the neighborhood watch ! I know I'd feel safer with them around instead of having the vandals break in and take over the vacant house's we currantly have in this neighborhood. Come on over Brown Family! :)
2 - JOYCE S
THE BROWNS ARE A "WONDERFUL" AND "LOVING" FAMILY. I THINK THAT THE PROSECUTION SHOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT CATCHING CRIMINALS AND LEAVE THE BROWNS ALONE.
3 - mary jones
Their breaking the law of the land outside of Utah and feeling the natural consecquences. The majority of the population don't live by the Old Testement.
4 - Donna C
This is about choices and responsibilities. I was brought up that I have freedom of choice but with choice there are responsibilities. This is what is happening here. They made a TV series about thier lifestyle and now have the responsibilites of their choice. My heart goes out to the children; but the adults knew what they were doing and what might happen.
5 - carle
Their barbaric lifestyle is illegal, which does not make them wonderful. Only one wife is legal. Because the others are considered single moms, they collect state benefits as such (which is financed by taxpayers -- all of us!)How else could they support all these people? If they do not want to live by the US laws, they can go to Iran or Iraq or another country, where it is common to have more than one wife.
6 - Ladybelle Fiske
Thank you all for your insightful comments. I can't tell you how much I enjoy reading your thoughts and weighing them against things I've thought and read about this sort of polygamy.
Carle, DO the Browns collect benefits from the state? How do we know that? It has never been quite clear to me how they manage financially, but I have no knowledge (or lack thereof) of their using welfare or food stamps. This would not be uncommon in situations such as this, but how do we know the Browns do it?
Donna, you are correct, I know; they probably did not have any idea how much trouble they'd unleash upon themselves when they decided to "come out." On the other hand, as a society, we've moved to the point where gay couples don't have to live in the so-called "closet." I wonder if we should not offer equal freedoms to other kinds of marital arrangements-- being sure that the kids are protected, of course?
Sadie, I like your welcoming comment. Nevada is clearly a more relaxed environment than Utah in many respects, so perhaps it will work out (I have two brothers-in-law who live there and seem to like Vegas). I understand the thoughts of those who feel that they are breaking the law and deserve what they get, but do the children deserve to be taken away from one another and their parents? Isn't this, in some ways, a victimless crime? I wonder if it won't end with the Utah prosecutors deciding not to bring charges, though I don't have any information on this. They'd have to prosecute many such families, it seems...
In any case, it is an interesting, if sad, snapshot of America in the early 21st century, at least in Utah and Colorado. I so appreciate all of you posting here, and hope to hear more from you next week, when the young Browns learn that they will have to move in three days (I'd probably have given them more time to get used to the idea).
We will see how it all comes out. There are only 2 eps left. Join me next Sunday, same time and place (TV Open Thread on Blogcritics), and we'll see how everyone is looking at the life of the Browns then.
A question... would any of you ever consider letting a reality show be made about your life? WHY do people choose to do this? I find it quite baffling. Is money involved? Or is it done for that elusive 15 minutes of fame? Post your thoughts here and let me know! Thanks!
7 - Rachel
Perhaps they should lease the Mustang Ranch. Plenty of bedrooms!
8 - lori
I don't see how their lifestyle is illegal. It is my understanding that Kody is only legally married to his first wife. The others were "spritual ceremonies". There are men out there who have children with 3 or more "babies momma's" and don't take care of them let alone get involved in their lives. I personally would never be able to live this lifestyle it would be too hard to share a spouse with another woman. Also one last point, these women were well into their 20's and 30's when they entered into this unlike some polygamist situations where they are forcing 12, 13, 14 yr old girls to marry some 60 year old guy. Thoose are the people they should spend their time trying to prosecute ! I hope they move to LV and are able to get on with their lives.
9 - mary
Obvious solution to the housing problem... Buy a motel...
NO matter how you look at it, he is only legally married to his first wife.. He is having affairs with the other three, with his wives blessing..
I think it is demeaning that these four women are willing to share one man.. They have shown their turmoil and their pain trying to deal with issues that wouldn't come up if not for trying to live this way..
If they were all 'really' liking it.. It wouldn't seem bad..But why should any women suffer so much just to share one man? :(
10 - carle
Ok, then, how do they support 20 people? They have 2 homes, eat well, nice clothes, cars, entertainment and trips.
As such, #1 is legally married, so she cannot collect benefits. #2 can get benefits per each kid as single unemployed moms --that adds up fast as they have 12 kids. #4 is divorced so she may get child support but now she is pregnant and will be eligivle for benefits as a single parent.
Who pays for their health care and all the maternity and baby costs for #2, #3 and #4? Since they are not legally married, he cannot insure them all under his policy. Even as basic as it probably is, someone has to pay when they go to the doctor, dentist, etc.
Only Mister Wonderful and #3 work, #2 stays home, #1 was fired from a part-time job for being polig -- so who knows what she does all day, and #4 they don't say. NONE of the kids work -- but most likely not.
When #1,#2,#3,#4 "wife" gets too fat or too old, he gets a new one, so he can continue to impregnate them and live off the taxpayers. This is how their "lifestyle" works. What's really sad is when the girls reach their upper teens they will be "courted" by an older man and expected to marry and repeat the only "lifestyle" they know.
11 - Shyla
I have researched and read many stories about the polig lifestyle as it has always been intriguing to me...this is not a lifestyle I would choose and this is much different scenario than all the terrible truths you hear about young girls being marry off to dirty old pervert men. This family has changed my mind about letting polig families alone to live their lives. With the understanding that there is not the young girls being married off to old men. In this scenario the children seem to be more traumatized at the thought of their family being torn apart. They seem happy and like they are respectful and responsible kids. I say leave this family alone. It's a tough call though.....the law doesn't allow you to pick and choose who gets to breAk the law. I agree that he is legally married to Meri and not the others....how can they prosecute? Whew...I do not envy this family Nd the tough decisions. I am shocked they did this knowing full well their family could be tragically torn apart. I would love to know the financial means thy have to support their family and if there was any $ thrown their way for the show "sister wives"
12 - julie
But what was that ridiculous nonsense about them needing at least 16 bedrooms; hence 4 houses. If they really are one big happy family, then why can't two wives share one huge 5 bedroom house, and with so many of the kids still little, can't they share rooms? I mean, these houses each have a living room, dining room and family room -- they could remodel just a bit to give each wife her own living room, and share the dining and kitchen. Just sayin'... they may be pligs, but they just sound like spoiled suburban americans.
13 - Ladybelle Fiske
I too am sometimes surprised by the relatively luxurious lifestyle they seem to lead (and feel they need). Yes, couldn't some of the kids share bedrooms?
I live a very funky existence in a Vermont mountain house, with an 11 year old car-- so I see what you mean, Julie, and others who have commented on this.
I look forward to your further comments next week (and sooner if you like)!
14 - Mrs.V
They aren't living by the Old Testament. They are living by the Book of Mormon. In the Old Testament when Abraham took on multiple wives, it was because his wife Sarah suggested it, not God.
15 - Ladybelle Fiske
So, the Book of Mormon says, polygamy is ok, and God says so? I have yet to read it, I'm afraid. But is this religion worse in some way than many others? Should we not be tolerant as long as the young ones are not forced to live the same way? The Browns claim, at least, that the children will be allowed to choose their own way of life (and some of the girls have said that they will not marry polygamously). It seems to me it may be no one else's business what they do as long as the kids are well-treated, though they have made it the business of others in some sense by being the subject of a reality show, as they call these surely heavily edited shows. I wonder if the Browns don't regret bitterly ever having gone for that 15 min. of fame (and money if there is any involved). Have any of you seen the movie Cinema VeritƩ, about the first reality show with (believe it or not, the name of the family is really...) the Loud family.
Thanks for all your comments...
16 - Ladybelle Fiske
Dear Friends, TLC has kindly sent me a clip from tonight's finale, "Keep the Family Together!" -- Sister Wives , 9/8 Central on TLC.
Check out the video...
And here's what they say the show's about: With 3 flat tires and a run in with the Utah Highway Patrol, it takes the Browns 24 hours to go 200 miles. They are finally making the move that will change their lives forever.
Tune in to an all-new SISTER WIVES this Sunday, May 22 at 9/8c, to watch one of the most powerful episodes of the season. Follow the Browns as they gamble on their future and begin the move to Las Vegas. With the move to only three days away, Kody tells the younger children they will be leaving their home in Utah forever. Despite some protest, the Browns begin to pack. But when the media gets hold of the news, plans turn into panic.
Meet me here at TV Open Thread tonight about 10-- I'll post and we can chat as always.
Thanks!
17 - Julie
If Kody Brown's belief in God were as strong as he says, he would remain in Utah, put his trust in God, and face the law, as everyone else has to. Instead, he drags his entire family from their home in the dark of night, in utter chaos. In my opinion, he's a coward, who simply doesn't want to face possible jail time and who uses freedom of religion as an excuse for his illegal flight across state lines. It will be interesting in the next few weeks to see what the charges are, if any. Utah rarely proscutes bigamists. I will be very, VERY surprised if the charges don't have more to do with fraud and tax evasion than bigamy. Why is it people get hot under the collar about their tax dollars going to welfare mothers, and don't see this as the smae thing, on a grander and more luxurious basis? THe sort of bigamy practiced by most early Mormons was both understandable,in their circumstances, and respectable. All of the "Sister Wives" on this show seem like terrific women. It's the egotistical, post-adolescent "sperm donor" they chose to get involved with that's brought them and their innocent children to grief.
18 - Ladybelle Fiske
My new article on the finale should be up soon. Thanks!
19 - Ladybelle Fiske
I'm sorry it took me so long. The episode seemed very intense to me, and hard to write about quickly! I should have an article up here later tonight or tomorrow, depending on when my editor can put it up.
It is true that the trip seems to have been very hard on the family...
20 - Ladybelle Fiske
I agree with you that people should not beat up welfare mothers. They have a hard time. I was one once.
21 - Jamie
I really think that we are in the year 2011. Let these poor people alone. If he has 4 wives so what he has 4 wives. If he was gay with 4 husbands than so be it. What I am trying to say who are we to judge. People now a days judge too much.
22 - KayLee
Live and let live. This is a loving family who changed my mind about what the face of polygamy looks like. It's not a life style I would personally choose, but neither is the Duggar's lifestyle. When no one is being harmed, leave them alone!
23 - Ladybelle Fiske
Thanks, KayLee and Jamie... I tend to agree.
Please see my article on the finale, which is now up, and leave some comments if you feel like it!
24 - Ladybelle Fiske
Here is the link to my TV Open Thread article on last night's finale, "Gambling on the Future."
25 - katly
I believe they should live the way they want to live too. Nobody's being abused and everyone is healthy so just leave them alone! As far as public assistance, he works and 2 wives were working until Meri got fired and I'm sure they get paid from TLC for making this show so I don't see how they could. I love this show and hope it doesn't get canceled.