In the most recent installment of the long-running TLC reality series “Sister Wives,” Janelle Brown opens up about her sense of tranquility when her estranged husband, Kody Brown, is not in her vicinity. This season, the show delves into the complexities of the Browns’ troubled marital relationships, particularly emphasizing Janelle’s desire to maintain her separation.
The episode, titled “Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket,” showcases a joint Easter celebration organized by Janelle and Christine Brown for their children. During this event, Janelle reflects on her first Easter without Kody and shares her surprisingly peaceful disposition.
She admits, “It’s definitely a different holiday, but I’m not really missing Kody. I’m not missing Robyn and Meri. I’m finding a lot of peace, maybe the most peace I’ve felt in a long time, at this holiday,” during a confessional. Furthermore, she expresses that she does not foresee herself spending future holidays with Kody.
Janelle characterizes her separation from Kody as “amiable” and identifies the major argument preceding their separation as the “end of our relationship.”
In a separate confessional, Christine conveys her sadness about Janelle and Kody’s separation. Nevertheless, Janelle makes it unequivocal that she is not yearning for her estranged husband’s return. She firmly asserts, “We are not reconciling. I’m not hoping he’s coming around. I’m not going to settle for less than I deserve.”
Christine speculates that Kody has transformed into more of a “monogamist” and is now primarily focused on his marriage with Robyn. Janelle concurs with this notion, remarking, “It really feels like he slipped into the role of monogamy, and I think maybe he did it a while ago and was just trying to maintain his responsibilities with his plural family. If I cared, it would bother me. But I don’t care. I really don’t. (Kody and Robyn) can have each other.”
During a conversation with Christine, Janelle discloses that she would consider remaining in her plural marriage if circumstances changed. She states, “I would if he could fully engage with me as a marriage partner again. We’ve been friends with benefits for years. And I think I’m ready now for something a little bit more. If he were to give me what I needed in a relationship, I would stay.” However, at present, Janelle seeks “something different.”
“I’m more at peace when he’s not around,” she affirms.
Christine believes that Kody is not inclined to reconcile either, emphasizing, “He’s not going to stop being Robyn’s husband to be Janelle’s.”
Kody Brown himself reflects on the intricate dynamics of his plural marriage during a confessional. He acknowledges, “It’s been weird because I’m married to the love of my life. I’ve got these other situations at different levels of discord and it’s hard to reconcile, and (we’ve) just got all this angst in our lives.” Kody also addresses his relationships with Meri and Janelle, describing them as devoid of passion. He vents his frustration regarding Janelle and Christine’s close bond, stating, “Christine has so much influence over Janelle. I just think it’s pathetic.”
Meanwhile, Janelle appears to have embraced the present state of her relationship. She suggests that Kody may have assumed his current role for a few years, awaiting the family to evolve or disintegrate unless it conforms to his desired way of life. She speculates, “He’s not pining in any way for the family that he’s lost, except for when his ego is involved and it makes him look bad that his family is no longer intact.