‘Sister Wives’ Season 19 Dated and Damming: Brown Family’s Overstayed Their Welcome on TLC
As season 19 of Sister Wives unfolds, the series tries to make old drama new again. Some scenes are dated and damming in light of current events in the clan. Is it time for the TLC series to move on, bring viewers to the present day, and close the book on the Brown family?
Sister Wives has historically needed to catch up in its timeline. This element of the TLC series has been a sticking point with fans for years.
Of all the seasons of the series thus far, season 19 has the most emotional elements tied to it. Garrison Brown’s 2024 death adds impending sadness to the series as viewers wonder when and how it will be addressed.
It’s painful to watch Janelle Brown speak of Kody and Robyn Brown’s mistreatment of her and the other wives. But, as the women untangle themselves from Kody’s emotional grip, they diminish his power over them.
Christine Brown also continues to speak out against Kody and Robyn this season. But the real outlier is Meri Brown. She’s telling her side of the story, ready to put Kody’s feet to the fire about their relationship in a way never before seen on the series.
Therefore, although the show is a cash cow for the network, it would have been best to feature the past year’s events, share how the family has moved on, and end the damming series on a positive note. But that’s not the case.
Old news can’t be the anchor drama of ‘Sister Wives’ season 19
Sister Wives season 19 began with scenes filmed in 2022, one week after Meri and Kody Brown had their breakup conversation on Coyote Pass. Kody Brown continues to fume over losing control of his family, and Robyn Brown remains confused.
Janelle wants a resolution on the still-unpaid Coyote Pass (which was finally paid off in June 2023), and Christine Brown is enjoying her single life (she married David Wooley in November 2023).
“Too much has happened in the past two years to sneak it by as new,” wrote one fan in a Reddit thread connected to the series. A second agreed, “The show is useless anyway. We only get half-truths about everything.”
A third fan concluded, “Last week during episode 1, when Meri said it had been a week since their conversation that happened last season, I turned my TV off and went to bed. I honestly don’t need to watch another season of the OG wives talking about Kody not speaking to them. I don’t care about the birth of the twins, and I don’t need to see Christine date a man whom we watched her marry. Why not give us a 5-minute update and get to 2024 already?”
Season 19 coincides with major financial moves within the Brown family
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Coincidentally, the stars of Sister Wives are making some major financial moves as season 19 debuts. This not only adds to the ridiculousness of airing old footage, but it also sheds new light on the current Brown family situation.
In one month, Janelle, Meri, Christine, Robyn, and Kody Brown made significant life decisions related to their financial situations, coinciding with season 19. These sudden changes led viewers into the present-day framework of the Brown family.
Christine Brown filed a lawsuit against Kody for child support for their youngest child, Truely Brown. Christine is asking for full custody of their 14-year-old daughter in paperwork filed on September 16. She is also asking the court to establish the paternity of her youngest daughter as Kody isn’t listed on Truely’s birth certificate as her father.
In late August, Meri Brown shut down her business Lizzie’s Heritage Inn, for renovations. She has not revealed when the business will open again.
Janelle Brown, daughter Maddie, and Maddie’s husband Caleb Brush have gone into business together, opening Taeda Farms in North Carolina. She also purchased property in the state.
Finally, Kody and Robyn Brown are selling the Flagstaff, Arizona home that caused much drama between the wives on the TLC series. It is listed for $1.65M.
Sister Wives airs Sundays at 10 p.m. EST on TLC.