Psychologist & Wife React to Sister Wives Season 18 e.5

[@plantsnrants]

Robyn nudged Meri to not invite everyone to Christmas Eve, then did her dirty and didn't invite her to second Christmas. She knows what she's doing. Also, she nudged Kody to not let Meri over during covid even though Meri was listening to all the rules.

[@debbieescobar6267]

And Meri is starting to see how Robyn manipulates her.

[@wintergirl8]

​@@debbieescobar6267OH yeah. The penny finally dropped for Meri here.

[@OuraniaAthena]

So true. Robyn is just as manipulative and a liar as Kody is. They are perfect for each other. I am happy that this year all the other wives announced their separation and hopefully can move on to find happiness. Christine at least has.

[@DoctorJoanieTool]

I absolutely didn’t know why Meri want at the Christmas she knew was happening w Truely etc - she said she saves presents for it … she plays around w Meri’s emotions then begs her to stay. Loathe Robyn. let Robyn and Kody behave each other. it’s NOT Janelle’s role to intervene.

[@jmbballard]

I agree Robyn is as big a liar as Kody. They strung Meri along for money. Hey the deal breaker is he wanted Christine to stick around and be ignored just like Meri. Christine said no to that deal- that was the deal breaker you manipulative poor excuse for a human being.

[@christalhoughtellingphotog9241]

Robyn is ridiculously manipulative. This episode highlights it front and center.

[@jlmdd2]

Yeah, there isn’t much subtlety in this episode. The producers are showing us Kody and Robyn’s whole selves and it ain’t pretty.

[@missmia3920]

My goodness! So true!!💯💯

[@Meri.chari1003]

💯... She is the puppet master.. she the one who messed the hole family up... And she always playing the innocent, the one who no nothing.

[@Sophia-uu1im]

Robyn’s mask really dropped in this episode. She sabotaged the gift exchange, had only Kody and her kids for Xmas, made Meri feel awful, etc. then sits there crying as if she has no idea what is going on and blaming everyone else for “not trying.”

[@judypranke735]

Someone made a comment about Janelle being OK with Cody's absence. And the comment was, that Janelle was OK with Cody's absence to avoid getting into conflict over it. Janelle saw Christine calling him out and it wasn't working for her. Cody resented Christine mire for needing more time with him. Janelle out up and shut up to avoid conflict with Cody. But her kids became wounded in the meantime.

[@judypranke735]

💯 you hit the nail on the head

[@missmia3920]

💯💯🎯🎯

[@angelamaried7218]

Robyn’s lies and fake bullshit is insufferable in this episode! Kody and Robyn are like the same manipulative person.

[@gretchenhughes9652]

Robyn is like a widow spider.

[@valeriesoles2758]

Absolutely!!! They are both master manipulators!!! Robyn has known exactly what she’s been doing.

[@toniirion5225]

If Janelle can't get Kody to talk to their boys. What is she suppose to say differently to make him tallk to their Daughter?

[@AMYV3]

He’s the type to do it even less If she calls that out. Etc. My ex is him 100%. And nope he would definitely not do it. If I ever asked.

[@amyrudolph1090]

I think Janelle knows that if she approaches him about Savanna, Kody will just be more stubborn about not talking to her because he doesn't want to be bossed around by Janelle or give in to what anybody else wants. If it's not his idea, he'll resist it.

[@oneofthosewhowander]

@@tashgardnerKody is incredibly insecure. I think that’s why Robyn’s willingness to affirm him incessantly draws him in. Savannah did nothing but as soon as he got into that fight with Janelle he assumed she would talk bad about him (tell the truth about him) to and around Savannah, so he started proactively rejecting her. Unfortunately he was right. I was disappointed in both Janelle and Christine for having these conversations around Savannah and even involving her in it. Regardless of age it’s very stressful to be involved and knowledgeable about your parent’s marital issues.

[@qhluvr77]

@@oneofthosewhowanderThe fact that your parents relationships and supposedly innermost thoughts have been worldwide entertainment fodder for most of your life would make her more aware anyway than the average kid.

[@tracim3080]

@@tashgardnershe’s been trying for years. Also if the reason he calls is she made him that’s cause her daughter MORE damage in the long run. Kids need to know when their parents suck otherwise your teaching them abuse and neglect is ok. That they should feel loved even when they aren’t. It’s extremely unhealthy.

[@DK-tq3fy]

Somebody buy Robyn all the seasons in DVD so she can finally figure out the divorce 😂

[@brigitred]

I will personally pay for her Max subscription if we don’t have to listen to her “I don’t understand” bs anymore.

[@nyssa76jones]

Christine’s analysis of Kody’s statement that Janelle needs to be a better Sisterwife to Robyn - “who was friends with Robyn and still got shafted….oh yeah, Meri”

[@uhsaywhatnow]

2:57 the blowup argument in Janelle’s living room was about her pleading with him to call the boys. Holy crap, she’s done everything short of hold a gun to his head while he dials the phone. She’s not the one letting Savannah down.

[@lawanapleasant454]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

[@LynnWahby-q8g]

Janelle, stop beating a dead horse. Hes not going to do anything unless it benefits him directly.

[@missmia3920]

I often hear this encouragement for Janelle to take the high road and repair the relationship with kody. But speaking as a divorcé, that only works when the other party can be influenced and has the capacity to put aside their own hurts and put the kids first. In so doing, you put yourself in the path of the estranged partner’s rage. That is really traumatic and exhausting. Kody has so much rage, he can’t do it. He doesn’t have the depth of character to do it.

[@bethking1682]

Well said !

[@gracem8885]

🎯🎯

[@kristiryan740]

Agreed. And at some point, an almost adult child needs to see a person for what they are or they will think its them and not the adult who is abandoned them.

[@shenitasmith628]

Facts....

[@jeaninemiller3402]

Yes and let's not forget Kody asked Janelle to stop facilitating his relationships with his children, so anything she said to encourage a relationship with Savannah may have fallen on deaf ears or even made things worse.

[@cristyf5431]

Robin has spent YEARS trying to keep the family away from her and Kody, including this year, but then whines that Christmas wasnt alk together. She's just dreadful. And stupid if she thinks anyone falls for her BS.

[@BLARG09]

Well thos guys falling for her bullshit, she strokes Cody's ego so he falls for it

[@maggieyoung8090]

If she really wanted all of them for Christmas, she would have excepted Mary’s offer to have Christmas at her house. This would allow them to be at a kind of Neutral place. She’s a liar!

[@HappyPlace5-bi2xe]

I can just see Robyn in the text message, we can't have you at our house but you can send us gifts of money

[@erinye]

Janelle had to schedule a meeting just to talk to Kody. You think she can just call Kody up and say see Savanah

[@marisa9600]

I think she should have. I think she should have texted him and said "hey, your daughter is hurt and upset that you did not call her, stop by, or given her a gift for Christmas. She is your daughter and she has done nothing to you to deserve this neglect. Unless you are ready to destroy another relationship with one of your kids, you need to make it up to her and quick. She is not a part of our fight, nor your fight with the boys. This is all on you Kody". It may piss him off, but it needs to be said. This proclivity to only say things on camera that they are not willing to say to each other is not healthy.

[@kathyelliott6051]

Why she's not his mother ? I'ed never do that ever !

[@Shebbie68]

This content creator has some deep-seated traditional roles he sees as how women should operate. He has never stated that Kody should be managing relationships for the women, ever; yet he is constantly bringing up how the women should work hard to facilitate actions for Kody (instead of Kody himself). It is so cookie-cutter, this support of benign patriarchy, where Kody needs the woman to handle HIS relationships with HIS kids, and yet this content creator cannot seem to see it at all. Savannah deserves to know the truth of what she is dealing with, and this need on behalf of the content creator to consistently speak to basically forcing these women (with the reason being "but it for the kids") to forge a lifetime of servitude (managing relationships that are not theirs to manage) in the service of Kody needs to be examined by this content creator. The wife is a welcome respite to these ideas. The only thing I could offer her is to stop her blind love of the giant grifter that is Rachel Hollis and be a little less naive. However, her takes are much more on point than his every time. (To not figure out Robin is manipulative at this point is just hanging onto your original opinion and not allowing it to evolve with the actual evidence you are presented)

[@timekacarter3142]

How many times is Janelle supposed to step in to tell Kody he needs to calls his kids? His response will be the same, phones work both ways, why waste the time. His older kids don't need the mom's to foster a relationship.

[@eringiselle81]

@@marisa9600I agree… I would contact Kody too… because if I was the mother… I would see it as wanting the best for my daughter. Now, I won’t beg him… and I believe Savannah is smart enough that she will see through the bullshit, BUT I would at least attempt to confront him to fix it with my daughter bc it is not emotionally and psychologically good for Savannah. I would tell him how I feel or my thoughts so he couldn’t deny or act oblivious about our daughter. I mean we all know Kody and Robyn acts oblivious so he may feign ignorance anyway. I just need to attempt to make him understand you are responsible for our daughters mental health too.

[@runninggreywolf8313]

She's been in the "family" well over a dozen years. It's unfathomable that she hasn't figured out the family dynamics & how they operate. The Covid-19 rules were definitely Robin's. Robin never opened herself to Christine or Janelle while she plays Meri like a fiddle.

[@aprilsunflower7440]

I know. She ( Robyn) came in started making changes to suit her, started leading family meetings and now trying to act like she's brand new.

[@ladybugmom10]

@@aprilsunflower7440oh man truth right there!!

[@tiffanyarmstrong6065]

Christine and Janelle read Robyn like a book from the start. She was never able to manipulate them like she has Meri and Kody.

[@missmia3920]

Agreed, I’m tired of hearing her talk like she arrived yesterday, “cap in hand”🤣🤣

[@joanna0988]

​@@tiffanyarmstrong6065This is where I can't fully feel sorry for Meri. Meri was buddies with Robyn to spite Janelle and Christine and get Kody's favor which backfired on her when Robyn used her to her advantage.

[@monicaaguilar3396]

I highly disagree and of course just my opinion... Us a parents should not have to force the other parent to be a PARENT. It would most likely get to a point where Savannah would feel that her dad is being forced to be around her and who wants a forced relationship? It'd be a, no thank you from me. *Edit to add: It's crazy how Robyn thinks she gets to say how everyone else should feel and what they should do in their "marriages", yet she came in a divorced woman, you'd think she have some understanding, yet she acts completely clueless. She constantly contradicts herself about wanting everyone to get together, but says and does the opposite to make the kids feel unwelcome, as does their dad. And Meri needs to finally speak up!

[@seameology]

Exactly. My ex got mad at me after our divorce because I didn't teach him how to be a father. Dude, not my job. It was your dad's job.

[@sacrosankt3892]

Agreed.

[@LorettaNance]

It isn't Janelle's job to do Kody's parenting job.

[@beepbopboop7727]

Maybe this is why she doesn’t want a monogamous relationship with Kody; she knows it will fall apart.

[@maryslominski7984]

I may remember this wrong, but didn’t Janelle advocate for her sons by trying to talk to Kody? And didn’t it have a bad result?

[@rebeccajones4stories]

Yes and yes

[@BrklynGirl66]

Yes, and it’s understandable why she’d be hesitant to intervene

[@jlmdd2]

Correct. No matter what you say to Kody, he twists it. And he would just continue to say “the phone works both ways.” I do wonder if any one of the wives have ever said straight to his face what Christine said in the interview… “No, Kody, it’s YOUR responsibility as a dad. YOU step up and make the call.” Having said that, I realize how hard it is in the moment talking with Kody because he’s so busy being defensive and angry and talking over. Very frustrating.

[@confidential5897]

Yes! And Kody at the same time told her to stop being his messenger but also blaming her for not having the kids call him.

[@jentroytravel312]

Exactly. She was accused of gaslighting and twisting his message to the boys. That was the entire premise of their huge fight a couple of episodes ago.

[@chelktty]

Of all the women in the cul de sac who had the extra space for Kody to have an office and garage space, it was Meri. Yet he wasn’t at Meri’s house at all, he was always at Robyn’s place. 🤷‍♀️

[@rooroob]

Mrs. Pop Psych is right about the gaslighting. Kody knows he is lying. He knows he is denying the reality of the other wives.

[@KristySki]

It's weird to me that he(meaning in this video) won't admit that Kody is gaslighting.

[@rooroob]

@@KristySki yeah. I understand why people are tired of the term “gaslighting” but I think it’s here to stay. Mr pop psych has said it’s only appropriate for cases where one party is specifically trying to drive the other party insane. However, when you knowingly lie about someone’s lived experience, and continue to do so, this is crazy making behavior. Gaslighting fits.

[@lanierogers3315]

​@@rooroobyes, you said it perfectly. If you are a person like Kody that is hearing that you are not at their house (meri, Janelle, and christine), you're at Robyn's and you continue to say well that's not true. I'm at everyone's equally. And then he says in a private interview, well I'm not spending time with Robyn, I have my office and garage space there, I'm there. Then yes you are effectively gaslighting the people that you continue to tell that they have no idea what they are talking about that you are not spending time at Robyn's. When you are actually there, even tho he may not see it as quality time, he is there. The min you deny someone their reality and try to convince them otherwise then yes you are gaslighting because eventually it does drive someone mad/insane. Maybe not to a clinical level but that's why the term is used, just because the movie was a certain way doesn't mean that it isn't a word that can be used to describe what someone is doing. Pop psych guy just doesn't like it because it is over used and it's very difficult to diagnose narcissist that tend to use this tactic to abuse people.

[@redss111]

@@lanierogers3315 Great comment!

[@redss111]

@@KristySki It's also for a reason. Robyn might be the gaslighter. Kody is responsible for his lies. Lies are not gaslighting though.

[@rak7293]

Apparently Mykelti said on her podcast that she had asked Robyn not to invite Meri because of their bad relationship. I don’t think Robyn’s dumb She acts dumb to deflect blame and to avoid taking responsibility for her actions. Kodys office at Robyn’s was ‘ruined’ when the wives gave him a laptop , a gift that Robyn said she knew he didn’t want 😂

[@deb9201]

So since Robyn is Meri’s good friend perhaps she should not have told her that the girls came over to spare her feelings?

[@tarazinn4542]

Great point about the laptop. That one always baffled me but now I can see why Kody and Robyn wouldn’t want it.

[@Imzadi]

Wow great connection! 🤯

[@AdgTee21]

Great point! And remember when they were all planning the LV homes and Robyn asked for an office? Us fans wondered why she needed an office! Hmmmm

[@angelapepple9901]

Yeah because after that he no longer had that excuse as to why he was at Robyn's most of the time " The I have an office to do my work there" kinda went out of the window....

[@sallywasagoodolgal]

Those 25 days he was with Christine...are those the days when he almost let Truely die, and they were at the hospital sitting the 'death watch'? I think so.

[@wstone4046]

I didn't think about that...but if that was the time... omgosh, he's terrible. He should have been with her during that time and if he was counting, ugh. The funny thing about Kody's time, every wife indicated in this episode that Kody did not spend his time evenly. Robyn only had one example, the 25 days. Then Kody comes on and says "I always split my time evenly". Either all 4 of his wives are lying, he is, or he's absolutely clueless. The guy is not organized, does not use a calendar, so I don't know how he'd know.

[@DoctorJoanieTool]

ROBYN KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT SHE IS DOING AND ALWAYS HAS. Yes. CHRISTINE raised Janelle’s kids … she raised Meri’s kid. She furious that Kody is treating Behr entire family so disgustingly.

[@j.henninger]

Lol 😂 watch Meri, it’s almost like she’s trying so hard no to roll her eyes at Robyn, especially when Meri tries to chat about her experiences and Robyn turns it back onto herself. I think Meri at this point has seen through Robyn’s manipulations and isn’t “falling” for it any longer.

[@marb9664]

I don't blame Janelle for not trying to call out Kody about not talking to Savanah. She's tried multiple times to get him to contact her sons without success. Unless you're Robyn, when people try to get him to step up and take responsibility, he is going to dig his heels in.

[@ging-a-roo2429]

He tested Christine, what is wrong with Janelle testing Kody about her kids.

[@kimc555]

If this was a functional marriage and 1 spouse ‘forgot’ or missed a child’s event or holiday - yes that’s when the other parent steps up and helps facilitate communication between the kid and parent. The most I would have done is talk to Savannah about contacting her dad. Let her know that it may be a good idea to reach out. Then there’s no ‘what ifs?’

[@tracydietz]

💯 agree

[@Laur288]

This. She tried with her sons and it got her no where.

[@beepbopboop7727]

It always falls on the woman to do all the socio-emotional labour.

[@cahatlady]

TLC doesn't show everything, so we don't know for sure if Janelle contacted Kody for her daughter. Even if she didn't, it is HIS responsibility. He is not Janelle's child.

[@michele1491]

“Is he stupid?” I almost spit my coffee out laughing 😂

[@kimc555]

Janelle could have messaged Kody to contact Savannah … but best case scenario - he does and now Janelle becomes responsible for managing that relationship. Or worst case - he doesn’t and now she feels like shit. Honestly - Savannah is old enough to see what a f*cking assh*le her father is.

[@kimc555]

@ElizabethSanto22 agreed. What we see tho is just a fraction of what actually happens. TLC showcasing family turmoil is nothing new.

[@jennissley6870]

this!

[@JS-ss6ig]

She did this when Kody forgot Gabe’s birthday.

[@daciadaniellarsen4060]

Janelle is also seeing her older kids realizing now that their Dad is a jerk. She probably feels like there's no point delaying the pain and setting up Savanah to be hurt later.

[@hop775]

I think the other thing that opened Christine's (and hopefully Janelle and Meri) eyes was seeing the grown children have happy monogamous relationships. It shows what relationships could actually look like!

[@Lina_unchained]

Yes, Christine has said that seeing Aspyn and Madison and Mykelti married and so happy in their relationships made her realize that she could have that, too.

[@brookew2403]

And when Maddie started having babies. I think seeing how devoted her husband was to her and their children also played a part.

[@dalebailey754]

Christine doesn’t trust Robyn because of her dirty deeds dating back to the beginnings of the relationship, such as the pre-marital affection, the wedding dress scandal, etc… Christine sees through the manipulation. What’s there to trust?

[@theresa8128]

Exactly! The wedding dress lies & manipulation was a HUGE red flag that Robyn could never be trusted! 🚩🚩🚩

[@thetravelingwisewoman4223]

Plus here was Christine giving birth and Kody is with Robin kissing on the porch and laughing he has a wife in labor. That dating marriage time was completely selfish. They should have stepped back for a moment and allowed Christine to have her husband for her birthing and new born experience but instead she's waiting in the wings in labor. Right then and there I wouldn't have liked Robin or Kody.

[@ellencook1658]

And what do you get if you win?

[@quinn_2329]

4:55 When Savannah feels like she wasn't that important to her dad, it will be because it's true I'm guessing she's already feeling that. Suggesting that Janelle could prevent it is cruel to both of them. Kody cares about people only if they are useful to him. Being a child of a person like that sucks, and no amount of begging will ever make them care.

[@emrysaki]

This is what I was thinking too, there’s no reason to try and force a relationship with a shitty person that just isn’t interested in having one, even if that person is related to you.

[@gretchenhughes9652]

Poor Savannah! She is the forgotten daughter! It is a shame because she is growing up to be a fine young woman. A daughter he should be proud of.

[@SleepyLeeeee]

In the episode before this, after Kody left Janelle's and he told what happened to Meri and Robyn, at that point he said he's done with it. Robyn said something like "I really wish there was something they could do to figure it out"...then Kody snaps his head up and says "You were the one who couldn't take them all last year, last Christmas." It was clear then that Robyn had issues before any of this other stuff happened. Then she says it's "all out of her control." I don't think so. Robyn and Kody both know exactly what they are doing.

[@lbarmstrong1]

Great catch. If I cared enough I'd go back and watch it :)

[@heatherthomas333]

From the first day robin came to the family she lied. She lied about Cody not sleeping at her house before marriage, lied about kissing before marriage, lied about wedding dress, lied about wanting to help and support the whole family. So at the beginning she couldn’t trust robin.

[@CarlaBaku]

Expecting Janelle to get up in Kody^s face about how he's mismanaging his relationship with Savannah is a recipe for ugly, codependent interaction. Janelle's role is to be a strong, supportive parent with an open heart, broad shoulders, and a listening ear. As for gaslighting, one can most assuredly gaslight someone unconsciously (no matter how intentionally Charles Boyer behaved in the film) by constantly moving the goalposts in order to be the self-righteous victor of every conflict.

[@MG3Laws]

Sadly, Janelle acted like she always believed Kody was 'out of her league' and she was willing to settle for less just to be with him. Even take on a whole new religion. Her actions/loyalty over the years seemed to back this up. Meri actually said on camera she was willing to 'put up' with other wives just to be with Kody. Again this 'Kody is out of my league' vibe that even Christine admitted she felt too. Now all 3 finally realise it was always the other way round and it was Kody who was lucky to have them & they were out of HIS league. It's a joy to see Christine now experiencing a true, loving relationship and I wish the same for Meri and Janelle.

[@redlipstickrealitytv]

LMAO....:"Is he stupid?"...Yes....yes he is.

[@jackieknoll9818]

Christine had just had truly and He walked awy from her and the baby for Robyn.

[@Chrissy85308]

I do not think Janelle could have gotten Kody to do anything. He is punishing Savannah to hurt Janelle. When he is mad at a wife he mistreats that wife's kids. Robyn is a master manipulator in my opinion.

[@AdgTee21]

Probably true. And probably best to NOT react and get into it again w Janelle. Ball is in his court. Seems like from the confessional that Kody knows about leaving Savannah out. Because he says “he’ll get a gift to her.” 🙄🙄🙄🎁

[@clearevidence7]

I think it’s unfair to place the blame on Janelle for Kody not calling his daughter. That is completely his fault and his responsibility

[@jenniferreinhart7670]

Savanna is going to be impacted as she realizes that she’s just not that important to her dad. At this point, if Janelle steps in, she’s just delaying the realization. You can only protect your kids from the truth for so long.

[@chelktty]

Robyn came out of the gate with acts of dishonesty from the beginning. The whole wedding dress fiasco, how she made a big show of going dress shopping with the OG 3 to “bond” with them when she knew she had already picked out her dress with Kody. Then she kept claiming that Kody wasn’t at her home all the time, when he was, in fact, at her home all the time.

[@Jennifer_7600]

I will say, when I watched the wedding dress episode, and Robyn was new to the family; she truly wanted her sister-wives to feel included and to bond with them. Then Kody intruded, picked a new dress for Robyn 🙄; and when he reveals his “big secret” with everyone present on the couch, Robyn seems genuinely upset and uncomfortable. I think she felt utterly deferential to Kody and acquiesced in letting him choose the dress. 😕

[@dakotablueskies]

Savannah’s body started to elevate for just a second when Christine floated the moving idea to Janelle. She looks really depressed. She’s the baby of their family and feeling so isolated in that sad tiny apartment.

[@lbarmstrong1]

Yep, after those months of living in that RV as well. But when she's finally grown, she can certainly say she and her mom have had adventures!!! I know she'll be fine. She's Janelle's daughter!

[@lulua65]

I believe maybe she is happy now because she lives with Maddie and can see what a good relationship looks like. Instead of knowing her father living down the road and not visiting, It makes a difference. A phone relationship would've been more expected now she stays in n.c.

[@uhsaywhatnow]

I wish she would’ve spoken up and told Janelle she wanted to move. Part of the reason they stayed in Flagstaff was because she was still in school.

[@lindaefraim5895]

If they moved in to the same duplex as Christine, Savannah would see her siblings as Truely and Ysabel

[@dakotablueskies]

@@lulua65 Isn’t that Izzy?

[@ridiculousnessreigns8018]

Mykelti said that she requested that Meri not be invited to the 2nd Christmas. In which case, Robyn shouldn’t have even brought it up to Meri - or she should’ve told her the truth since Meri knows that Mykelti doesn’t want a relationship with her.

[@gretchenhughes9652]

Robyn is the common denominator in all the familie’s troubles & estrangement of his 3 wives & children especially the minor children of the OG wives.

[@frostypop934]

If I were Robyn, I'd have made sure Kody acknowledged ALL his children, ALL of them.

[@lbarmstrong1]

YES. Robyn had that power. And she's failed miserably, trying to look out only for her own.

[@lillybethford1915]

Because Kody is a narcissist, if Robyn insisted that he do right by the other children, he will view her as a traitor. I believe that Robyn is a sociopath and she just don’t care.😳

[@lisareed1884]

My daughter spent years having to help create a relationship between her ex-husband and my granddaughter. He has never called and hasn’t lived nearby for the entire 7 years of her life. When you say it’s Janelle’s responsibility you do it to help her daughter but the relationship is fake and far more hurtful when they do spend time with Dad and he doesn’t pay any attention to them so moms creating the relationship and Dad really only cares about himself. Savannah is much more grown than my granddaughter so she knows who her Dad is, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Trying to get a narcissist to do what’s good for someone else is impossible.

[@JaymieJaymieFrederick]

Meri didn’t pick the wrong team, she was not allowed to be on the other team.

[@KristySki]

She was allowed she just chose not to. She was treated poorly by Kody for decades and yet she still stuck up for him and made sure to get on the good side of the favorite wife. She could have chosen the side of Janelle and Christine.

[@uhsaywhatnow]

Her past behavior towards Christine and Janelle has come back to haunt her now. Maybe she’s a changed person, but they still remember the years she was awful towards them and their kids.

[@jf5045]

@@uhsaywhatnow I see you think Janelle and Christine's treatment of Meri is a-ok. No response I can make will make someone who can't see understand the dynamics at play here.

[@jf5045]

@@KristySki Surface response. Janelle and Christine are just as bad as Meri, and happily complied with Kody's actions and treated her badly. No one and I mean no one is innocent in this.

[@mjc42701]

Christine and Janelle, mutual experience of shared loneliness.

[@user-jv5pp8pv9l]

Sacred loneliness! Don't forget the sacred. 😂

[@kimc555]

Trauma bond more like.

[@caitgrigsby761]

If Kody is at one house all the time even if he isn’t speaking or interacting with them his presence still means something to the kids and wife. There are many times my dad was working at home but I felt safe and secure because I knew he was there.

[@lanierogers3315]

Exactly this

[@xristinanoriega6584]

For 4:11 kody told Janelle not to get in between him and his children and he'll talk to them. And not for her to no longer talk for him that he'll talk for himself.

[@Sarah-xj9il]

Just cause Janelle CAN intervene…does NOT mean she SHOULD! If her daughter gets hurt, she can hurt for her daughter…still NOT JANELLES PLACE to make the relationship happen FOR Kody! Especially after all this BS

[@nighthawk6167]

It is absolutely NOT Janelle’s job to facilitate this relationship with Savannah and Kody. He is who he is and Janelle groveling won’t change that for Savannah.

[@maganalia]

I cannot believe that you thought Robyn is oblivious about anything. From a woman's pov I have seen how manipulative she is from early in season 1. I think Janelle meant that she was ok with Kody's lack of attention to her but she's far from ok with it happening to her kids. Kody's not gaslighting he's just full of shite. He thinks the audience is stupid and will believe his crap. He's a twit. He and Robyn deceived the wives right from the start with the weeding dress thing and I sure many other times. He told Robyn all about the other wives which is a betrayal. She often slipped and the wives knew he was talking to her about them and THAT'S why they don't trust her.

[@aprilm7619]

Twit!!! That's the best way to describe Kody!!!!

[@lesliesheppard6112]

This is my favorite episode so far. You being just a little petty and admitting it would be funny if Janelle moved in next to Christine because it would piss Kody off. Then, “is he stupid?” I died 😂😂😂 I mean, that’s exactly what I said but seeing you react like a viewer and not a professional for 2 seconds was the best!😂😂

[@michele1491]

Robin missed out on bonding with the family by not allowing the other wives to coparent her kids. She point blank told Meri “no” when she asked to have Solomon go on a trip with her. She sent a message.

[@lillybethford1915]

I remember that, I felt so sad for Meri.👍

[@Jen10000]

Sorry, but Robyn is not socially inept. I think she is a master manipulator. Love your work, but wish your reviews were longer and more frequent.

[@mykoniichistorychannel]

She’s a thunder c-u-next Tuesday.

[@bizburgess1947]

@@mykoniichistorychannel best comment.

[@jlmdd2]

I agree to a point… I think Kody has always been cruel and abusive, but back then he did it with a smile and an “aw shucks.” He was able to charm them.

[@Lina_unchained]

They even discussed it in this episode when they were talking about Robyn buying the house how Robyn was very well aware of the conversation that she had with Janelle and somehow mysteriously when it was presented to Kody, it was presented that Janelle had the problem and even Janelle said "I see how Robyn is, I see how it's going to be now". Robyn tried to justify how everything went down but it was pretty clear (imo) that she was just trying to save face because she had been caught. She's manipulative and calculated, not socially inept.

[@Lina_unchained]

​@@jlmdd2 what does that have to do with whether Robyn is socially inept or not? Of course Kody has always been able to get away w crap behavior up to and including abuse... That's just known at this point but I'm confused how it connects to OPs comment

[@expeditionconfidential8853]

At what point, after all these years, are the wives allowed to throw their hands in the air and STOP helping Kody not be his own worst enemy? They are already mothers....only he can be a father. Im with Janelle on this. Let Kody look like the dickh**d. Let him own his poor behavior with full responsibility. Let him fall on his face and lose respect from his children without the mothers cushioning the blow. The women have GOT to be exhausted. Savannah is old enough to realize who her father is now. Janelle need not assist here. Please give the wives a break (except Robyn) when it comes to Kody's shenanigans.

[@IndigoBellyDance]

And Janelle works Hard AF! How much does one woman need to do , While Robyn & Kody live the easy spoiled brat life.

[@deborahgee799]

It's insane how he tries to put this on Janelle. As if her reaching out to him would make any difference anyway. And if I were Savannah I would rather know my dad didn't want to have a relationship with me rather than him reaching out only because my mom told him to.

[@lbarmstrong1]

And maybe Janelle thinks Kody will just HURT Savannah (the way he emotionally hurt his boys in their conversations). If you recall, when Kody reached out to the one boy on his birthday and didn't remember it was his birthday, he only made things worse. Why advocate for your kids' disappointment?

[@daciadaniellarsen4060]

Janelle trying to tell Kody to talk to Savanah would just make him more determined to avoid it because she wants it!

[@dianemorris3536]

You underestimate Robyn. She KNOWS exactly what she is doing.

[@sjwhitley8199]

Christine left Kody, Robyn, and Mary. She did not leave Janelle. They still consider themselves Sister Wives and I love them for that.

[@critiquerwhittaker]

I heard that Mykelti recently said that she specifically asked Robyn NOT to invite Meri for 2nd Christmas because Mykelti didn’t want her there. They don’t get along.

[@kimberly3131]

In past episodes, Kody always seemed to be dashing off to another place. One of them even commented (back then) that Robyn always needed him to come help her and was always calling pulling him away from other wives' time. She likes playing the damsel in distress and being rescued. (so romantic in her mind). Kody loves being the big man hero. My nickname for her is Help, Help Me Robyn sung with Beach Boy harmonies.😎. I think they each thought they were fooling the others. Janelle became more independently strong with Christine helping at home raising her kids. Christine also became stronger but but was more vocal about needing physical and emotional help. To Kody she felt to clingy and needy and she stifled his care free image of himself. He tried to make her feel like a bad person and mean to her sister wives. I think Meri tried to fill her empty nest and empty life by searching for ways to fill a LOT of lonesome hours and that made her unwise and vulnerable.

[@TG-fq6vy]

Just think if he would try to tell Robin that the kids were going to have a delayed Christmas and he would get to it at some point.😂 absolutely disgusting

[@96phobia]

My favorite thing is you guys saying my exact thoughts when I watched this, out loud 😂 the “aren’t they tired of this conversation” literally

[@abeal49]

why doesnt Christine trust her? 1. Robyn and Kody's courtship was kept a secret from Christine and Janelle so that Christine would not find out Kody was dating her first cousin's ex-wife, the gold digger with 3 kids and $32,000 in unsecured debt 2. Robyn and Kody were kissing before marriage 3. the wedding dress debacle 4. Robyn told the other wives she was looking for a job and then Kody blurted out, in a couch session, that "we" had decided Robyn would stay home 5. Robyn wouldn't let Christine babysit her kids, so that the other wives would not know how she was spending her time 6. Robyn coerced Meri into divorcing Kody, claiming she needed a legal marriage so that Kody could adopt her kids because they just had to be adopted; for the TV audience they pretended it was Meri's idea 7. Robyn lies about everything.

[@daphnewilliams5984]

Well done. This is a good summary why Robyn could not be trusted.

[@jancarmy5749]

Savannah doesn’t need Kody to “bring her Christmas .” She just wants to see her Dad.

[@wintergirl8]

Does she, though? She seems pretty indifferent.

[@qhluvr77]

@@wintergirl8I think the indifference comes after the hurt and disappointment. And it’s beyond ridiculous Kody saying he will bring her Christmas, better late than never. I thought one of the points about Christmas was that it was at a specific time. What use is Christmas in late January? If he ever does even see Savannah?? Personally I think he won’t make any effort to see her, he’s trying to hurt Janelle by hurting who she loves.

[@erikaclose5998]

She is better off without such a horrible father.

[@squirrly001]

As a divorced person, I completely disagree that Janelle has a responsibility to enable a relationship between her kids and Kody. The whole reason she is separating is his lack of interest in being with her children and she was trying to explain it to him. Its like hitting your head against a brick wall. It is Kody's responsibility to step up and BE a father. Both he and Robyn lack self awareness and empathy which is why they both look continually confused.

[@Sherbert89]

Something you don't seem to grasp is that had Janelle called Kody and asked "What the hell are you doing?" no matter WHAT she said to him, he would have just dug his heels in harder and put all of the blame back on Janelle.

[@ssed8527]

It will be devastating for Savannah to see that her father doesn’t care. But her father doesn’t care. it’s a hard lesson to learn, but she needs to learn it so she can process it and move on. Janelle, reaching out to Cody will only prolong the inevitable.

[@cathywithac]

Kody was so angry, and wanting to be angry, that he would have ignored any prompt from Janelle to do anything, including wish their daughter a Merry Christmas. Kody has finally worked his way to being civil to Christine's daughters (Mykelti, Gwendlyn, Truely) by being more angry with Janelle and her children.

[@AdgTee21]

Good point. Hard to imagine J calling K up about Savannah and K doing ANYTHING that J wanted. He would never relent and say yeah you’re right.

[@RitaGillis-or3df]

I can totally understand Janelle not wanting to intervene on Savannah’s behalf. Kody berated and screamed at her for talking on his behalf to the boys. Why would she try this again?

[@susanlaperriere8815]

Look at Mary’s face. She is done

[@lbarmstrong1]

Their good bye was so fake.

[@elizabethbeattie5855]

Did anyone notice back in EP. 4 that when the producers asked Robyn about Kody saying he has thought about leaving her, she didn't get upset? Not one bit of emotion. But anytime she talks about the sister wives relationships falling apart she cries. I find it very interesting that the idea of Kody leaving her doesn't upset her but not having a relationship with Christine makes her cry. She cries about wanting to sit on the front porch with her sister wives but not about growing old with Kody. EP 5 was basically Robyn pretending to be oblivious to the chaos she has created so that she looks like she isn't responsible in anyway for the family breaking up. She is performing for the cameras and the whole "I don't understand what happened" is such a lie. The manipulation is very clear. I think Meri has always known her relationship with Robyn was fake and she kept it because she wanted to be back in a relationship with Kody. Everything she is doing is with the hope that it will bring her back into Kody's arms. It's sad that she has taken so long to realize it will never happen. Christine was smart to see how Kody refused to fully let Meri go and strung her along and when she knew Kody no longer wanted a romatic relationship with her she wasn't about to sit around for even more years waiting to be let back in like Meri did.

[@karenbridenthal3180]

Meri is trying so hard to not let loose un front of the camera.

[@catenystrom6506]

It's hilarious that you actually believe Kody would be all "Oh, ok, Janelle, I'll give Savannah a call right now". NEVER going to happen. Also, Kody has already damaged his other children with all the favoritism, neglect, etc.

[@emilyvinci6830]

“He’s trying to justify his nonsense.” Allison, you are a gift! 😅

[@StephanieRivera33]

I do understand where you’re coming from in regards to Janelle calling Kody on Savanah’s behalf. On the other hand, I think Janelle is doing Savanah a service by letting her see her father for exactly who he is.

[@trixietrx2346]

Gotta tell ya from experience, asking an ex to talk to your child, even when the kid and ex husband are on decent terms, doesn't work well. It doesn't fix their relationship at all even if they make the call or time to see their kids. It just prolongs the time of the suffering.

[@Mushroomstops]

Dr. David, I think Janelle has probably reached out to Kody in the past and not gotten a good response from him. I think they probably all did at one point or another and were left with even more heartbreak for their kids. I think it’s painful for the moms to see their children hurt.

[@Jkm7fh]

13:10 Yes, Allison! Meri’s face says it all.

[@emmakarena1]

Janelle calling Kody to get him to reach out to Savannah would not have changed anything.

[@nanaannabelgn2771]

I can’t believe you as a trained professional, could believe that Janelle could talk him into calling his daughter. And Robin is not clueless she knows exactly what she’s doing.

[@JaymieJaymieFrederick]

The term baffling with bullshit fits Kody’s rhetoric

[@meganm.9277]

As someone that has a child with a father like Kody, contacting him on the child's behalf is not a good idea. They use the child to punish you, so if you reach out about it they see it as ohhhhh that's bothering you. I'll keep pushing that button then. And now the kid is in an even worse situation. Dealt with this for 15 years! All she can really do is get her in therapy to learn to cope and have a sounding board.

[@jmariew9966]

Robyn is so good at being passive aggressive, & a pot stirrer we should come up with an award for her - she is perfect for Kody who throws the best self pitting parties I have ever seen. They deserve each other. Also if you think about Janell she states often she is an independent woman she owns that statement the only thing she needs Kody for is for him to be a dad to his children.

[@joschaarschmidt151]

You are saying that Janelle should call Kody. Have you ever had to call an angry abusive man? As a mom I'd fight to hell and back. But to call a man who has no interest in doing the right thing knowing that a wall of anger is going to crash over me for daring to try to bring it up... there's no point to that and it only makes it worse for everyone - including the kid. You protect your kid at that point by keeping dad away, calm, and hoping that he calms down enough to do the right thing later.

[@youtubeismytimemachine5917]

Kody is an adult, it's definitely not janel's place or responsibility to ask kody to call his daughter. That's the problem, he's always been fully directed. He's making a choice.

[@shawntamitchell8735]

Janelle should most certainly NOT remind Kody of HIS parenting responsibilities.

[@deekorbel5259]

Honestly if Janelle had contacted Grody about Christmas with Savanah he would just blown a fuse and still not contacted Savanah. And Sobyn know exactly what she is doing and what she has done.

[@helenbell1988]

Fog lighting would be how I would describe it 😂

[@sickofitallization]

The faces Meri was making during that convo was hilarious..you could almost see the veil being lifted from her eyes with this realization that Robin is out of her mind..and delusional, and not that smart

[@annehunt787]

“Robyn, the plumb line for truth “. Hilarious

[@justinetorres670]

I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with your take on Janelle intervening with Kody and Savannah. Kids pick up on things way more than people think. Even if Janelle facilitated Kody reaching out to savannah, I fully believe Savannah would feel like “oh the only reason Dad is here right now is because Mom strong armed him…” it just hits different when a parent is making the effort because it’s what they want than when it’s because they feel obligated

[@robindawn]

Christine knows she can’t trust Robin because she has discernment, I knows bs when she hears it. Love it!

[@sarahbiddulph8245]

I love your wife's comments so much! She is always on point'

[@CF1971]

I think bamboozled is the term you're looking for 😂

[@jackieknoll9818]

I love how you two sond off each other, and the little smiles that goes with that. makes my night.

[@gerileewhite3590]

I agree Savanna will think she was not important to her dad. I think Janelle has not called Kody b/c she is done covering for him! Savannah is a senior in high school and knows the history. Hold Kody accountable!

[@thompsoncindy42]

Sorry, I totally disagree about Janelle contacting Kody. I acted as the intermediary between my ex and our children for many years. Because I did that, he expected me to continue when we divorced and I did not. Now I look back and see that it kept him from having to forge his own relationship with the kids - through the ups and downs. My kids have tried to develop adult relationships with their dad several times. Sadly, he's a bit like Kody and my kids are independent thinking adults.

[@rackin20]

Why should Janelle reach out to Kody? She asked him to come over to their airbnb on Christmas and he refused without a second thought? It's either Kody and Robyn's way or it doesn't happen. Kody has become so high and mighty on his pedestal thinking he is doing everything right since it's what Robyn wants. How many relationships with his wives and children does he have to ruin before he thinks hmmmmmm maybe I'm the problem and need to do some self reflection? I can't imagine how Savannah felt when Christine's kids came back to the airbnb from doing Christmas with their dad and knowing she wasn't invited and didn't even get a gift sent back. And then for all the kids to watch these episodes back and see how much their dad did for Robyn's kids but not for them? So sad.

[@laurenjacobs9625]

When I watched this episode Sunday and saw Robyn's real tears, I knew in my heart of hearts you guys were gonna call it out in this video! 😂

[@jlmdd2]

Robyn’s been reading all the online comments about her crocodile tears and figured she’d better step it up, and boy did she…! That whole segment of the interview was quite the dramatic performance!

[@MeemaLiz]

No no no. I need you both to come back and comment on Robyn’s meltdown. Its not over lol😂

[@kalane]

I'm glad Janelle's kids pushed her to realize she deserves more than what Kody was giving her. I just wish Meri had more people in her life who would do the same.

[@Ramblingeesha]

History suggests she doesn’t listen to Leon anyway. They spent an entire summer telling Meri she was being catfished and she didn’t listen.

[@Jennifer_7600]

I think the term you’re looking for in terms of Kody’s behaviour, is “Machiavellian.” It is “a personality trait that denotes cunningness, the ability to be manipulative, and a drive to use whatever means necessary to gain power. Machiavellianism is one of the traits that forms the Dark Triad, along with narcissism and psychopathy.”