Sister Wives Season 18 Ratings Are Sky High (But The Show’s Getting Boring)

Before Sister Wives season 18 started, there was so much anticipation, and although the installment’s a hit, some scenes are downright stupefying. For a few seasons now, the whining and complaining have been out of control, and it’s no different this time. In fact, it’s so much worse. Onscreen, Christine Brown’s leaving Kody, and this is triggering even more negativity from other cast members. Christine’s the only one who seems to be enjoying her life (maybe Paedon Brown is too). The others all look miserable… so miserable.

The Sister Wives season 18 premiere was insanely popular, according to Variety. The entertainment industry trade publication reported that the premiere was a powerhouse, attracting more fans than any Sister Wives premiere in the last 6 years. However, impressive viewership doesn’t always mean riveting action. While the drama’s there, and some scenes are really compelling, there’s a certain monotony to the Brown family’s dynamic. Each cast member’s locked into their point of view and unwilling to change. Except Christine.

Why Fight Over “The Boy In The Bright White Sports Car?”

“Here they come/the boys in the bright white sports car/waving their arms in the air/who do they think they are?/and where did they get that car?”

– The Boys In The Bright White Sports Car – Trooper (click to listen to “Kody’s theme” at Spotify)

Ok, Christine tapped out, and good for her, but why are the others still in the octagon during season 18, fighting for curly-haired Kody? It’s just so difficult to understand. Since all the women do is moan about his shortcomings, the series has zero passion and romance.

Kody’s the “boy in the bright white sports car.” Remember how much he loved his Lexus convertible? That was his baby. He’s a guy who needs his ego stroked. He’s into horsepower, making money and workouts… oh, and his legacy as an uber-patriarch. He does not want to listen to kvetching night and day, and that’s seemingly all he hears.

Since none of the women currently bring out the best in Kody, he’s deteriorating through the episodes, mentally unraveling in a way that should be more exciting to watch. There was one interesting glimmer of intensity and emotion during his fight with Janelle Brown. For a moment, things got so real – it was hard to look away. The “boy in the bright white sports car” was losing his cool. He forgot the cameras as he stormed out in a blind rage, telling Janelle, “YOU don’t listen!”

That was way better than listening to Robyn pretend to care about the fact that organizing a family holiday was tough. That brings us to the issue of Robyn’s all too obvious crocodile tears. The seasoned puppetmaster’s in fine form in season 18, but her shtick’s so tired. The eyes filling with tears over the family’s plight is just embarrassing. Of course, she’s secretly wanting monogamy the whole time, as she recently came out and said that…monogamy is what she wants.

Robyn’s Fakery Is Boring (But Occasionally Fascinating)

Robyn’s got her rather effective manipulation style down to a science. It’s almost like she’s Method acting. She loses herself in the role of long-suffering sister wife. However, a cursory glance under the surface shows a lot of wheels turning. When it comes to getting her way, Robyn’s a well-oiled machine. She takes care of business.

Some people get aggressive when they want results, but Robyn goes for her goals in the softest, gentlest, more insincere and annoying way. Robyn simpers and cries, pretending that she’s all about polygamy. The whole time, she’s probably planning her next move, which brings her closer to the end game – she and Kody together, minus other women.

In season 18, she’s still playing her little violin. She’s still Sobbin’ Robyn. However, it’s hard to believe that she even cares that Christine’s flown the coop, in light of the perpetual tension between them. Christine was openly jealous of Robyn, and with good reason. Robyn was the apple of Kody’s eye. Kody helped Robyn pick out a wedding dress. He kissed her before they tied the knot. For Christine, all of that really stung.

He’s older and way more bitter than he used to be, but Robyn’s still Kody’s number one. So, why would Christine be sobbin’ over her enemy’s exit? Sure, they were civil mostly, but Robyn and Christine weren’t really friends. It was more like a Sister Wives civil war. Fighting, if passive-aggressively, over “the boy in the bright white sports car” made a real bond impossible.

Will The Onscreen Action Heat Up?

There are things to look forward to. For example, Kody’s fight with Janelle promised more blistering arguments to come. It’s hard to pretend that isn’t what Sister Wives viewers really want. Paedon’s scenes with Christine are the perfect comic relief. Hopefully, Kody’s controversial son, who’s openly feuded with his dad, and basically accused Kody of being an anti-vaxxer, appears in more scenes. He’s got some of Christine’s gusto, but a little of Kody’s narcissism. In terms of reality TV, that’s a golden combination.

Boring or not, viewers are hanging in, addicted to the ups and downs, even though some scenes might make them glaze over. It’s been a very long journey with the Brown family, and season 18’s showing a pivotal moment. Christine’s game-changing exodus is worth watching, as she’s a living symbol of female empowerment. She looks fabulous. She looks better than she did when she married Kody. That’s what freedom does for a woman. She’s reveling in the possibilities, and it’s fun to go along for the ride.

The only way to know if it’ll get less boring is to watch. Sister Wives is likely to have more stultifying scenes, but the little gems in the mix make it ultimately worthwhile. Kody’s spiraling, and it’s interesting to a see a man who’s used to controlling women lose control. Christine’s calling the shots now, and what a beautiful sight it is! She’s embracing destiny outside of polygamy, and carving out her own identity, with a gallant belief that the future will be better than the past.