Should ‘Sister Wives’ Come to an End Now?
Warning: The following post contains discussions of suicide.
When Sister Wives first started, the TLC docuseries shared the story of Kody Brown and his first three sister wives, Meri, Janelle, and Christine, as they welcomed a fourth wife, Robyn, eventually swelling into a family with 18 kids. “Love should be multiplied, not divided,” Kody told viewers in the first episode as he introduced his plural, fundamentalist Mormon family.
Now, though, that love has been divided… and divided… and divided. Hundreds of episodes later, Kody is divorced from Meri, Janelle, and Christine, and he’s struggling in his relationship with Robyn, by his own admission. He’s not speaking to several of his children, and off-screen, the family is dealing with a heartbreaking tragedy. So, should TLC’s cameras still be rolling?
On one hand, Sister Wives remains compelling, perhaps even more so now that the Browns are candid about the tensions that existed long before reality TV producers came knocking. We viewers know now that Meri, Janelle, and Christine struggled to connect in the family’s early days — and that when Robyn entered the picture, it was clear to them that she was Kody’s favorite.
Now that the dirty laundry is airing out, the women of Sister Wives are asserting their power. Meri is enjoying a fresh start, even as she holds her ex-husband accountable. Janelle is loving life as a single woman. Christine has already found the love of her life with another man. And Robyn is doing everything she can to get Kody to mend fences. In these latter (day) seasons of Sister Wives, Meri, Janelle, and Christine prove it’s never too late to find happiness. Janelle and Christine are even close friends now!
TLC
On the other hand — and we know this might seem like a knife in the kidneys — perhaps it’s time to let the Browns live their lives off-camera.
Nowadays, it seems the family drifts farther apart with each successive season — Kody even called the family dysfunction a “civil war” in a recent episode. And yet Sister Wives forces Kody, Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn to rehash the past instead when they should be looking to the future.
Worse yet, Sister Wives’ confessionals mean that those five stars all hear and respond to each other’s thoughts about each other, which can’t be healthy for anyone. Robyn seems miserable when she has to rewatch scenes from the show, and Kody can get openly hostile when he does. We’re not convinced any of the Sister Wives stars actually want to be on the show, and maybe TLC paychecks are the only thing keeping them on our TV screens at this point. (Coyote Pass isn’t going to pay for itself.)
TLC
Plus, with everyone but Kody and Robyn living separate lives — and with many of the Brown children no longer appearing on camera — not much happens in each episode. We don’t know how many more shots of Meri doing yard work we can take — but producers can only do so much, considering how little is keeping Meri connected to anyone else these days.
Meanwhile, we’re hurtling toward what stands to be the Brown family’s most painful chapter yet. Garrison Brown, one of Janelle’s sons, died by suicide in March 2024, and though the show mentioned Garrison’s death in a title card at the start of Season 19, the onscreen narrative hasn’t caught up to the tragedy. Frankly, we were surprised Sister Wives even returned for a 19th season after Garrison died. But now that it has, it’s only a matter of time before we witness the family’s excruciating grief. And until then, it’s painful to watch the Browns go about their lives, unaware of the devastation to come.
TLC
All of that is to say, maybe the Browns don’t have to do a 20th season. Maybe they can follow the lead of some of their kids and step out of the spotlight. Maybe they can heal and move on without cameras rolling, without mics recording their off-the-cuff thoughts about one another. If the Browns want to continue the show, that’s their call, but we certainly hope they don’t feel forced to.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
Sister Wives, Sundays, 10/9c, TLC
Conversation34 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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G
Once there is a resolution about Coyote Pass, the whole thing will be over and this show should end. Don't get me wrong...I've watched out of curiosity about how they could exist as a plural family, but we have seen enough now. There are no real story lines at this point.
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G
End? The show should have never aired in the first place.
19 2
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G
I thought the exact same thing. There's no lack of trash on TV.
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O
It should end. So much has come out in recent months that doesn't bode well for them that's been brushed under the rug. From abuse allegations by Meri to foodstamp fraud and neglect of the children by Cody for starters to Cody disobeying a recent court order.
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O
Last season we saw Christineswedding. This year she is dating the guy. Please end this nonsense.
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B
It needs to end. Wasted dollars.
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C
I truly think that it's time for Kody to go. He is a self made SOB who thinks he has done no wrong to his wives and children. Mary made the sacrifice of ending their marriage so he could marry Robin so her children could be legally adopted into the family. He didn't even thank her for it. And wanting Janelle to Get rid of her children, which is his children to, to leave her home because of covid. When he was going all over the place without wearing a mask. Not going with his daughter that had back surgery for support
Christine was there for their daughter no Kody
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C
Yes this show is done the family is done I’m surprised it’s lasted this long just my opinion
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O
Yes
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D
Yes. They need some healing some happiness and peace away from that show
6 1
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O
I thought it should have ended 10 min. into the very first episode.
3
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O
I would love to see spin offs with Janelle and and maybe some of the kids. Christine in cameo appearances from time to time. But the others are boring and story line worn out. Now if there are lawsuits by the women to get their fair share of funds from Coyote Pass and the funds spent on Robins house that would be interesting to see unfold.
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G
Personally, I hope Meri, Janelle and Christine rename the show, LIFE AFTER SISTER WIVES and get rid of Kody and Robyn! I am so tired of him and all the BULL he says and Robyn crying and acting like she is a victim.
The three former wives have been used and humiliated in front of MILLIONS for way to long. THEY DESERVE TO BE LOVED AND HOPEFULLY FIND WHAT CHŔISTINE HAS FOUND IF THAT IS WHAT THEY WANT.
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O
Yes...it has run it's course - enough is enough! Seeing Robyn pout & fake cry pretending to wipe tears away w/one finger is hysterically flawed. Kody is repulsive. He liked his three ex-wives when he was making children, didn't he??? 🤣 Bye Kody & Robyn 👋👋
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S
“Sister Wives” should end. It has become painful to watch.
In my opinion, the “family” should receive a “parting gift” of the funds required to pay off the property and relocate.
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O
Any parting gifts of funds would only go to Kody and Robyn and they have taken enough from the other ladies.
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G
No parting gift, just Kody & Robin go away
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O
Please end the show and stop supporting this man and his evil ways. The whole premise of “Sister wives” no longer has meaning without the wives and their families as one. It is not all enjoyable to watch with Kody justifying his treatment of his former wives and children. Make it go away and stop supporting this man’s lifestyle.
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G
End the madness. The whole show was to be about how great polygamy was. What a joke! The sister wives didn't like each other, and curlylocks proved he didn't know how to make anyone happy except himself.
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R
RIP
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C
I hate that this is on The Learning Channel. There have been so many shows canceled that deserve way more to be on air. I do not care for this at all. Enough is enough. They had the tell all. Be done. Go away!!!
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R
Season 20 has already been filmed and I would like the show to continue. I want to see Kody and Robyn busted for fraud and charged. Plus Meri and Janelle are still owed by Kody and Robyn for CP and there Vegas home equity by Robyn and Kody. So they need the show to pay them back and that gives the OGs time to save and buckle up, and Christine needs his child support money. Hopefully the repayments will be court ordered and we can watch these 2 suffer. Cancelling the show won’t bring Garrison back nor will it mend the relationships between Kody and the kids. He refuses to take accountability for his actions and apologise to them and until that happens there is no resolution. I don’t think you can blame the show for Garrison’s death but you can blame Robyn and Kody for contributing to his mental health.
Robyn coming into the family ruined everything.
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O
Sick of seeing kodys stupid face
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O
Yes, please!
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P
I feel TLC should do a spin off with only Christine & Janelle and their family.
It is heart warming to see the way their children love their biological moms & their sister wife’s mom.
I am sick of watching Kody & Robyn!! They both are so fake not to mention they are conniving money hungry twosome.
Watching the show is no longer a priority for me.
I cannot take anymore scenes of Kody saying how all these men are after Robyn, why… Robyn has nothing to offer them except for her doomsday appearance, seriously how many times do you see her with a genuine smile & the worst part is she has passed this on to her 2 oldest daughters.
Also, so over watching Meri. I’m glad she’s moving forward with her life and is finding her happiness. But, she doesn’t hold my interest like Christmas and Janelle.
Christine & Janelle have formed an incredibly strong bond with each other and their children have as well. I can’t imagine a boring episode with these two and their children.
My vote is cancel Sisterwives and give the TLC audience an exciting new adventure with Christine and Janelle.
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O
yes
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R
I hate that Christine is still on. Take her off! I’d miss this show but it’s no longer sister wives. I knew this was going to happen when kids began leaving home and no more to raise! And Kody isn’t the only bad guy here! Yeah he went a bit nutty over Covid but so did a lot of other people! I love the Cody/Robin relationship but the show is about a polygamist family. It’s no longer that. If it keeps going please don’t show Christine anymore!
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B
Should have ended after he quit on Mary. How can you have a show called Sister Wives if there is NO sister wives.
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G
End it! It’s boring. They all need to move on. There are no sister wives anymore. Cody just wanted Robin and all the money the show makes. COVID helped him do that. He never saw his other kids or wives or went to their homes. I’m sick of it. Should have ended when their son killed himself. Cody treated his sons awful. Please let your viewers have closure on this messy show. Only one left worth watching is sweet Janelle.
I hope she finds happiness in NC.
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B
Should have ended at least 17 years ago! WTF?
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G
It needs to end now! When Kody brought crybaby Robin into the mix I knew this was gonna be rough! And the fact he spent more time with her! I would rather see the family from My 5 wives. It should've stayed Nd sister wives canceled! That man made time for all his wives and 24 kids. As well as run a successful business.
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G
The show is called ‘Sister Wives” not “Kody knows Best”. Many people get divorced and go on with their lives. It has been interesting to see how the wives have begin to plan their new futures. They have all seemed very brave to me. I would still watch a show about their lives, including Robyn but I am done listening anything from Kody. He keeps trying to cheerfully tries to rewrite history so he looks better in the eyes of the viewers. He needs a reality check very badly and a ton of psychological help.
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O
None of you were forced to watch it were you? But you did anyway to have such strong feelings about it? Mind your own business and stay out of other's!
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O
So you’re on here why????
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