How Control Undid Kody Brown's Polygamist Family in 'Sister Wives'

Kody Brown led his family with the motto “Where we go one, we go all.” This motto, often repeated in “Sister Wives,” was more about control than unity.

It influenced everything, from moving to personal relationships. Kody made sure his wives—Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn—supported his decisions, even if it meant silencing themselves.

Their moves, from American Fork, Utah, to Flagstaff, Arizona, showed this. Janelle’s resistance to moving from Wyoming to Lehi early on hinted at cracks in their unity.

Kody’s control extended to how he divided his time among his wives. They had to be grateful for any time with him. “We have to be thankful for what little time Kody gives us,” said one wife. This highlighted the imbalanced power in their relationships.

Sister Wives: Chaotic Storylines and Patriarchal Power Plays

The Brown family’s polygamous lifestyle drew in viewers. Yet, it was Kody’s backstage moves that kept the show profitable. They made $40,000 per episode, boosting their annual income.

This extra money led to more intense storylines, with Kody leading the chaos to ensure the show’s success.

In later seasons, Kody’s control grew. He clung to patriarchal values, especially as Christine and Janelle sought more independence.

Kody Brown’s efforts to assert his dominance caused tensions and unhappiness among his wives.

Janelle’s reaction was particularly telling: “He wants a wife who’s all partnering with him, not independent. And I’m like, ‘That will never be me.’ He’s really advocating patriarchy, and I’m not that person.”

The way Kody scowled at Robyn when she said they should schedule time together was very telling. In his mind, there won’t be any scheduling at all. #SisterWives pic.twitter.com/zxPRUw8qoC
— Who Dat Cat 😺🇺🇸🇵🇷 (@Louisiana_Cat) October 9, 2023