(S0307) The Browns are visited by a couple from their church in Utah. The family is trying to figure out how to start courting another wife, since they feel it's a commandment, but they don't know where to start. Through the entire episode, it sounds like they're trying to convince themselves more than anyone else -- they want another wife, but neither seems all that thrilled about the prospect. It's a little sweet; they've been together long enough that they have several kids together, and they're worried about not sleeping in the same bed every night.
It's strange to me that the Browns never say anything that we see about getting both spouses in on the courting. He's talking the whole time about, "how am I supposed to do this?" but there's never much of a discussion about what she can do to help find a good second wife who works for her as well as for him. And the only benefits either of them can come up with are for the kids, not for themselves.
Sister Wives is about the benefits, and how they outweight the drawbacks (even when the drawbacks are legal action and moving out of state), so maybe these two should watch the show more before they start courting.
Meanwhile, Hunter is starting to loosen up and is trying out for football. Somewhere along the way, we got through an entire summer, and it's a new school year for the kids. Maddie, too, is loosening up, and she's changed her hair and decided to try being more positive. Since I'm tired of hearing the kids snip at each other and make the little ones cry, this is great news! I guess Meri's talk last episode had an impact.
Also meanwhile, Kody has to talk about the mess with Warren Jeffs to his kids. His consternation is understandable: here he is, doing his best to put a new face on the public perception of branch semi-Mormons, and Jeffs is out there bringing all the old stereotypes out in the open again. We do get a few more snippets of their own faith, though. They have nothing to do with arranged marriage, they stay far away from child-brides, they don't segregate, they're allowed to be modern.
Which is for the best.
The best thing to come out of that discussion, in my opinion, is that the wives want to form some sort of safety net so they can get other sister wives out of that sort of a situation, and bring them out into the modern world and a situation where they can make their own choices and aren't hidden away by a crazy. Maybe this is their family calling--direct action to save those girls?
More thoughts on "Another Wife":
Video: Sister Wives, "Another Wife"
Over on TLC as usual.
Reminds me of the thought I had when the fictional family on Big Love went in for a fourth wife: that's a lot of wives ;-)
I know! But maybe it's like when you're having kids-- after the first three or four, it's easier. I do wonder if Kody's going to go for a fifth wife. If he does, from a purely storyline standpoint (and ignoring for the moment that these are real people), I hope she's from Vegas and has to convert and come from a more mainstream culture. That's be good TV, there.
~;)