Meri chooses to skip Thanksgiving with Kody and Robyn, feeling like a “third wheel.”
In the latest episode of Sister Wives, the Brown family faced a much different Thanksgiving than in previous years.
With the family dynamics shifting after the breakups between Kody Brown and three of his wives—Meri, Janelle, and Christine—the holiday was a reflection of these changes.
Kody Brown, 55, spent Thanksgiving with his wife Robyn and their children, marking the first time they had celebrated the holiday alone without the other family members.
“We’ve never had this before,” Kody said during a confessional in the episode that aired on October 6. While he described it as a “pleasant experience,” it was clear that the day was bittersweet for him. Kody expressed that he was “really struggling in many ways” because the gathering was small, with just the seven of them.
Meri Brown, 53, who had been part of the Brown family for over 30 years, decided not to spend Thanksgiving with Kody and Robyn, despite receiving an invitation from Robyn. “I’m not going to do that.
That’s just weird,” Meri explained, adding that she had initially made plans to travel to California for the holiday, but those plans fell through. Meri’s decision not to join the gathering was based on feeling like a “third wheel” in the relationship between Kody and Robyn.
Meri shared that her presence often made things awkward for Kody, as he struggled to show affection to Robyn in front of her. “I’ve heard Kody say multiple times how awkward it is that I’m even there because he can’t show the affection and adoration to Robyn that he wants to,” Meri said.
- READ NOW: TikTok star Taylor Rousseau Grigg dies at 25; husband shares emotional tribute and GoFundMe
Acknowledging her complicated role in the family, she added, “I’m not a member of the family. I just really don’t want to go be a third wheel.”
Kody admitted that having Meri around changed how he interacted with Robyn. “Robyn and I don’t behave like a married couple when my other wives are around,” he said, explaining that Robyn, 45, is very sensitive to others’ feelings and tends to hold back when the other wives are present.
This, in turn, caused a distance between him and Robyn during family gatherings. “Now, I’m no longer close with Robyn because Meri’s present and Robyn wants to be sensitive to Meri,” Kody added.
Janelle Brown, 55, who spent Thanksgiving with Christine and their children, was surprised to learn that Meri had not joined Kody and Robyn. “I think Meri deserves a lot more and I think it’s time for her to do something different,” Janelle said, adding that she had hoped Meri would have spent the holiday with someone instead of being alone.
- READ NOW: Lady Gaga reflects on her growth, challenges, and new role as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux
The holiday brought up conflicting feelings for Kody, who expressed missing the larger family gatherings they used to have. “I want my other children in my life,” he said, admitting he didn’t know how to make that happen.
Reflecting on the changes in the family, Kody also noted the tension that used to exist in the family when they were all together. “Ten years ago, I was safe for everybody, but they weren’t safe for each other,” he said, suggesting that the dysfunction in their relationships played a role in the collapse of the plural marriage.
Though the family has faced many changes, Kody shared his hope for the future, saying, “I believe I’m grateful for the faith and hope that I have that things get better.”
Sister Wives airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.
News Source: PEOPLE
