RECAP: ‘Sister Wives’ Christine Confirms Robyn Tricked and Manipulated Meri Into Divorcing Kody

RECAP: ‘Sister Wives’ Christine Confirms Robyn Tricked and Manipulated Meri Into Divorcing Kody

The December 29 episode of Sister Wives serves up a full plate of drama, tears, and a generous side of “wait, what just happened?” as Christine Brown dishes the tea about Robyn Brown’s manipulation and Meri finally starts cutting ties with Kody — literally.

Meri Erases Kody’s Name and His Memory

The episode kicks off in Utah, where Meri Brown is fully embracing her new chapter at her bed-and-breakfast. She’s settled in for five months now and even welcomes friends Lisa and Amber for a little bonding time. But before they can get too cozy, Meri has some unfinished business: dismantling a street sign that lists the names of her mother’s children and their spouses. Naturally, that means Kody’s name is on there, and Meri is not here for keeping any remnants of her failed marriage around. She rips off the “Meri & Kody” portion of the sign, bends it in half like a true boss, and tosses it — quite literally — into the trash pile of her past.

“I’m done with these memories,” Meri declares as her friends cheer her on. Honestly, we’re all cheering too. Bye, Kody!

Christine Brings the Receipts on Robyn

Meanwhile, Meri takes viewers down memory lane to revisit the emotional wreckage of her 2014 legal divorce from Kody. While Kody’s official reason was to adopt Robyn’s kids, Meri reveals she had convinced herself she’d still have her spiritual marriage with Kody. Spoiler alert: that didn’t last. Within six months, Kody was gone, and Meri was left feeling blindsided and discarded.

Christine, however, has a theory about how it all went down. In her confessional, she claims Robyn planted the idea of divorce in Meri’s head from the very beginning. “When Robyn first came into the family, she started talking to us about these other families where the first wife divorced the husband so he could marry the second wife legally and adopt the kids,” Christine explains. “That’s a plant,” she says, adding that Robyn’s subtle suggestions were anything but accidental.

Christine continues, “She mentioned that several times through the years, like, she was putting that in there because she would have loved that to happen.” She admits she doesn’t think Meri realized she was being manipulated, saying, “I think Meri felt like it was her own idea.”

Christine’s perspective adds a whole new layer of drama, making viewers wonder if Robyn’s sweet demeanor was more calculated than previously thought. It’s juicy, and you can practically hear the tea kettle whistling.

Robyn Denies Everything

Robyn, of course, isn’t about to let that accusation slide.

“The idea that I, like, planted an idea in Meri’s head is an absolute lie,” Robyn insists during her confessional. “I never said it.” She even claims she’s never heard of such an arrangement before, saying, “I don’t even know anyone who divorced their first wife so that the second wife could adopt kids.” 

But Christine isn’t the only one throwing side-eye at Robyn. Janelle also admits she was wary of the divorce at the time.

“I was actually sort of speechless when [Meri] told us that she was actually doing it,” Janelle recalls. “I already had started to see that there was a little bit of favoritism for Robyn from Kody at that point, and I did worry.”

Janelle’s confession adds weight to Christine’s claims, making it clear that Robyn’s actions were raising eyebrows long before the divorce papers were signed.

Kody’s Take: It’s Just Paperwork

In true Kody fashion, he downplays the entire ordeal, brushing it off as no big deal. “In my mind, we were just shuffling legal paperwork,” he says. He even recalls taking Meri out to dinner and giving her a “special ring” afterward to reassure her. “We probably went home and made love,” he casually adds, as if that fixes anything.

Meri, however, isn’t buying it. Reflecting on the divorce, she says, “I do question if at that time he already kind of had this plan in mind, [saying], ‘If I can just do this, it’ll be an easy transition.’” Within six months, she claims, Kody had all but vanished from their marriage.

This revelation from Meri underscores just how emotionally devastating the divorce was for her, despite Kody’s flippant attitude. It’s hard not to feel for her in these moments.

Robyn’s Sob Story

Robyn continues to insist the divorce wasn’t her doing, claiming she didn’t even want a legal marriage. “I was very happy and content with my spiritual marriage. I didn’t need anything else,” she says, adding that her previous legal divorce was traumatic enough. She claims it was all Meri’s idea, and she was simply “really grateful” for the opportunity to adopt her kids.

Meri, however, paints a very different picture. She recalls feeling “emotionally unsupported” throughout the process, saying, “It felt emotionally like I was getting rid of the whole marriage.”

The contrast between Robyn’s and Meri’s accounts leaves viewers questioning whose version of events is closer to the truth. Either way, it’s clear the fallout from the divorce continues to ripple through the family.

Robyn and Her Daughters Face Their Past

Switching gears, Robyn takes center stage in another storyline, this time with her daughters Aurora and Breanna. The trio meets with pastors at a local church in Flagstaff to discuss their complicated religious past. Robyn explains that their plural family faced threats of prosecution in Utah, which partly motivated their move to Arizona.

“We basically moved because we were trying to be a family without being torn apart,” Robyn shares. Despite their struggles, she remains committed to her faith, even if it means facing judgment from others. “Usually when I tell people about my religious background, they look at me like I’m wrong or I’m a sinner because I was a part of a plural family,” she says.

Her daughters echo her sentiments, sharing their own experiences of feeling ostracized. It’s a touching moment that highlights the challenges of living in a plural family, especially in a society that doesn’t always understand or accept their lifestyle.

Christine Finds Her Dream Dress

In a much lighter moment, Christine embarks on the ultimate bridal mission: finding her wedding dress. Joined by her daughters Aspyn, Ysabel, Mykelti, and Gwendlyn (via FaceTime), Christine tries on a lacy white gown that immediately has everyone swooning. “It’s beautiful,” Christine gushes in her confessional. “I’m already in love with it.”

Her daughters are equally enthusiastic. “That’s gorgeous,” Mykelti says, while Ysabel declares it her “favorite.” Christine’s joy is palpable as she says, “I had no idea how incredible it would feel to look at wedding dresses with my daughters.”

Reflecting on the experience, Christine admits she’s never felt like this before. “Not like this,” she says when asked if she’s ever felt like a bride. “I have the dress, and it’s perfect, and my girls are here. Gosh, I had no idea that being a bride would feel so flippin’ fun.”

This joyous scene provides a much-needed contrast to the heavier moments earlier in the episode, reminding viewers that new beginnings can be beautiful.

A Sneak Peek at What’s Next

The episode wraps with Christine’s giddy anticipation of her wedding to David Woolley. The two tied the knot in an outdoor ceremony in Moab, Utah, fulfilling Christine’s dream of a big white wedding. “I do want the big white wedding,” she says, and it’s clear she’s finally getting the fairy tale she deserves.

Catch new episodes of Sister Wives Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on TLC. This drama is far from over!

 

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