The disintegration of Kody Brown’s polygamous family, including a string of divorces and conflict with his children, leaves his Sister Wives future uncertain. While the show originally documented Kody’s plural marriage to wives Meri Brown, Janelle Brown, Christine Brown, and Robyn Brown, Kody’s story has taken an unexpected turn in recent seasons. Christine announced her decision to divorce Kody in season 17, becoming the first wife to leave the family since it began more than 30 years earlier. Soon after, Janelle and Meri also ended their marriages, leaving Kody and Robyn in monogamy.
Robyn has often been viewed as the catalyst for the family’s downfall. She married Kody in season 1, disrupting the balance Meri, Janelle, and Christine had spent decades creating. Although Robyn was initially a welcome addition to the family, her unique connection with Kody left the other wives feeling neglected. Kody spent most of his time with Robyn, and he prioritized their young children over the 13 he shared with his other wives. This contributed to not only the end of Kody’s other marriages, but also his estrangement from most of his older children.
Kody’s Relationship With Robyn Has Made Them Both Outsiders
The Rest Of The Family Resents Robyn
Although the Brown adults played nice during the early seasons of Sister Wives, as the family fell apart it became obvious that Robyn and Kody’s relationship was a major source of contention. Meri, Janelle, and Christine, as well as many of their children, have acknowledged that Robyn monopolized Kody’s time and took him away from the rest of the family. Because of their painful history, none of Kody’s ex-wives have any relationship with Robyn.
Even Meri, who was once the closest to Robyn, realized that Robyn was never genuinely there for her.
The division within the family became clearer than ever at the memorial for Kody and Janelle’s son, Garrison Brown. The family laid Garrison to rest in Wyoming, where they had spent their summers on a ranch owned by Kody’s family. The trip, which took place six months after Garrison’s death, laid bare just how much had changed in only a few short years.
Kody and Robyn took in the sights in Wyoming, reminiscing about Kody’s life there and the start of his career. Meanwhile, Janelle’s family mourned and celebrated Garrison’s life with Christine, her children, and Meri’s child. At the burial, Robyn and her children were noticeably divided from the rest of the family. Kody and Robyn’s isolation, even in their time of grief, proved the extent of their alienation from the rest of their former family.
Kody’s Best Season 19 Moments Didn’t Involve Robyn
His Reflective Moments Hinted At A Possible Reconciliation With His Children
Kody has spent the last few seasons of Sister Wives seething in anger and resentment. But as the wounds from his divorces heal, he appears to have calmed down. After returning from a trip to see his grandchildren, Kody excitedly informed Robyn that he’d made progress in mending fences with some of his estranged children. He relayed that his daughter, Aspyn Thompson, had spoken to him about their estrangement, leading to a productive conversation that helped resolve some of the pain between them.
Kody sounded thrilled that he was slowly patching things up with his children, but Robyn wasn’t as supportive.
She called the conversation a “confrontation” and spun it in a negative light.
This supports the claims of Kody’s ex-wives and children that Robyn is holding Kody back from making things right. If Kody had the opportunity to film without Robyn, the door would be open for more honest, healing conversations with his children, without outside interference.
Later in the season, Kody dealt with Garrison’s death by taking on the painstaking task of digging the grave himself. As he detailed the laborious and cathartic process, Kody was brutally honest about his agonizing anguish over the loss of his son. The heartbreaking scene, which didn’t include Robyn, allowed Kody to be more humble and genuine than he’d been in years. The tragedy seems to have given him a new perspective, one that might lead to a turning point in the family.
Robyn Doesn’t Appear To Enjoy Filming
A Break From The Show Could Be Beneficial
The fallout of Kody’s divorces has been unquestionably difficult for Robyn. She’s faced accusations of being the catalyst while still having to endure Kody’s anger and confusion. Kody and Robyn are aware of their tanking reputation, with Kody ranting during the Sister Wives One On One that he was tired of having to defend their relationship.
At the start of the episode, Robyn’s disdain for filming was unmistakable. She complained that she would rather have a root canal than be questioned by host Sukanya Krishnan and claimed the drive would be the only nice part of the experience. Robyn refused to watch clips from past episodes, claiming they were “disturbing.” Her attitude conveyed her unwillingness to face questions and take accountability, which are inescapable in the reality television setting.
It’s understandable that Robyn doesn’t want to subject her marriage to any more negativity. Sister Wives could survive without Robyn or even mention of her marriage to Kody. Kody and his ex-wives still have a story to tell, and it may be beneficial for all parties to remove Robyn from the equation.
Kody Needs To Focus On Mending Relationships In Season 20
His Children Deserve His Full Attention
Now that the show is no longer about polygamy, Sister Wives needs to find a new direction moving forward. The past several seasons have been disjointed as the storyline weaved between Meri and Janelle’s independence, Christine’s new marriage, Kody and Robyn’s family, and various Brown children. If the show intends to continue, the best path forward is to shift the focus toward healing the tattered relationships within the former family.
Viewers initially tuned in to watch the complex operations of a plural family. Even though Kody’s marriages are over, the Browns remain inherently connected. Kody shares children with all his ex-wives, which demands the former spouses maintain open, productive communication. Even in adulthood, those children need their father. Kody’s reputation took a beating due to his treatment of his ex-wives and children, and it can only be repaired if he takes steps to rebuild those relationships.
Kody and Robyn’s love is strong, but it’s tied to so much hurt relating to the former plural family. Kody can’t begin to fix what’s broken without separating his other relationships from Robyn. If Robyn is absent from Sister Wives season 20, the door would finally open for Kody to focus on forgiveness and healing.
