I think it will probably bring them closer together, in the end. With so many kids to look after, and no new women for 16 years, I don’t think they’ve had to deal with this level of emotional difficulties between the adults before. It would be easy to just bypass a lot of that and focus on handling business. This seems to me like it’s making them be more real with each other.
Robyn’s baby is likely to help the sister wives bond. As fundamentalist Mormons, the Browns place a very high value on having lots of kids. (I don’t agree with this personally, but I honor their right to their religious beliefs.) As hard as it may be for some people to understand, having kids with the same man brings these women closer together, gives them something very intimate and special to share.
If they can get a family business going together, as they are trying to do, that may also really save the day. In addition to being the financial vehicle they need to create a housing situation that will work for them, it could be the way they all reconnect more intimately again in the meantime.
They’ve all got to really be on board, though. At one point in this episode, Robyn confronts Meri on her reluctance to participate in trying new business ideas, and in her greater commitment to keeping her separate house a mile away from everyone else. Robyn laughs when she says it, but I think that’s just her way of trying to not get too heavy while still speaking her truth. I think she means it, and I think she might be right.
Article comments
1 - Ladybelle Fiske
Good job, Poly! I really enjoyed reading this and agree that Robyn (perhaps because of her closeness with Meri) feels that Meri is pulling away from the Brown family in some respect. Meri is in a different stage of life. Her only child is almost grown; her relationship with Kody seems in a more casual stage than it was in Utah. She would perhaps veer off on her own if it were not so difficult to do that, one feels. COuld this be particularly because her daughter, Mariah, is unhappy with the entire arrangement?
I find Janelle's disinterest in Robyn's baby more than simply her disturbance over loss of work. It seems to me she's never really gotten fully bonded with Robyn; in fact, all of the wives with the exception of Meri seem to have their problems with Robyn... but she's a bonus to the group. She's good with the kids, wants very much to be united with the other women, and is appealing and caring. Still, her youth and beauty may be difficult for the older women.
C'est la vie! If only their religion permitted multiple husbands, things might pan out more easily.
I wish the Brown family well, and also the new TV Open Thread commentator, Polygrrl. I'll be writing about Sister Wives from time to time but am happy that Poly is taking Sunday nights.
2 - polygrrl
Thanks for the feedback, Ladybelle! I'll look forward to your future articles!
I think you're right about Janelle - she and Robyn are so different that it's not a natural fit for them to be friends, and she also seems to be irritated by her. She has always seemed way too in her head to me, and not having her career seems to be making her deal with personal relationships more, which isn't her forte. No shortage of drama this season!