Sister Wives stars Kody and Robyn Brown are currently grieving the loss of Kody’s son, Garrison Brown.
Despite this tragic event, fans of the show continue to criticize them online.
The viewers of Sister Wives have always been vocal about their opinions, often sharing harsh critiques.
The backlash against Kody, especially following his son’s death, has been particularly intense. While Kody has never been a fan favorite, many believe this is a time for compassion rather than criticism.
However, the criticism persists, targeting both Kody and Robyn.
Season 18 of Sister Wives was challenging to watch for many fans.
Kody was often on the defensive, trying to prove he wasn’t a bad husband to Meri, Janelle, and Christine Brown. Robyn, on the other hand, appeared to be feigning sadness over the family’s state while secretly desiring monogamy.
Some of the Brown children openly criticized their father on the show, adding to the tension.
The strain within the family was palpable, bringing out the worst in many cast members.
Christine seemed to be the only one who managed to rise above the bitterness and anger that permeated the season.
Kody’s relationships with his wives were fraught with issues. His attempts to mend these relationships were largely unsuccessful.
Over the years, Kody had done much to push Meri, Janelle, and Christine away. They stayed in the marriage for various reasons, but eventually, each wife decided to leave when the negatives outweighed the positives.
In a loveless marriage, it’s often best to leave rather than repeatedly trying to fix what’s broken. Meri, Janelle, and Christine likely saw the warning signs for years, knowing deep down they would never find happiness with Kody.
Financial benefits and other perks of being with a famous polygamist might have kept them around longer than they should have stayed. Eventually, each wife conducted her own cost-benefit analysis and chose to leave.
Janelle, for instance, complained about financial issues during season 18. Christine seems to be doing well, having recently purchased a home in Moab, Utah, with her new husband, David Woolley.
Meri, a hardworking individual, runs her own bed and breakfast, Lizzie’s Heritage Inn, and sells LuLaRoe clothing.
The trio of former wives feels that Kody failed them. Meri, the first wife, once held the coveted “legal wife” title, which Kody later gave to Robyn.
Meri agreed to this change, likely due to her timid nature. She should have fought to keep her title rather than allowing a younger fourth wife to take it from her.
This pattern of retreating continued until she finally found the courage to leave Kody.
In contrast, Janelle fought back in season 18, expressing her frustration with Kody’s excuses and deflections.
She bluntly told him to “f*ck off,” a statement that Kody, with his fragile ego, did not take kindly to. His attempts to mend their relationship, such as a lackluster “first date” experience, were insufficient to heal the damage.
Christine left with minimal drama, indicating that when she’s done, she’s truly done.
Fans of Sister Wives are also mourning the loss of Garrison Brown. However, some fans are lashing out, blaming Kody and Robyn for various issues.
Kody’s favoritism towards Robyn disrupted the balance within the family. He lavished attention on Robyn while neglecting Meri, Janelle, and Christine. This favoritism extended to their children, with Robyn’s kids seeing more of their father than the others.
This situation angered and discomforted fans, who felt it was not a proper plural marriage. They believe Kody dragged out the marriage for financial reasons.
The tragedy of Garrison’s death adds a Shakespearean element to this saga. The impact of his death is profound, and fans continue to assign blame to Kody and Robyn.
While they are dealing with intense emotions, they also face hate from the fan base. This criticism is particularly painful given their current grief.
Detachment is impossible when dealing with the death of a beloved child. Kody and Robyn are acutely aware of the harsh comments being made about them.
The worst comments are too hurtful to share, but even the milder ones are quite dark. For instance, one comment on Kody’s Instagram post criticized his parenting and expressed condolences for Garrison’s death, stating that Kody failed as both a husband and a father.
Reading such comments must be incredibly painful for Kody. It’s surprising that he doesn’t disable comments on his posts, but perhaps he believes that interacting with the public, even negatively, extends his fame.
After season 18, Kody attempted to rehabilitate his image, but his efforts backfired. He blamed his ex-wives for everything that went wrong, accusing them of parental alienation.
However, his feuds with his children began long before the women left him. Kody sometimes alienated his children, contributing to the strained relationships.
To be perceived as non-villains, Kody and Robyn need to make significant changes. They must address the issues that have caused so much pain and work towards healing their relationships with their children and former wives.
Only then can they hope to improve their public image and find some peace amidst the turmoil.