Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Keeps the Transgressions Coming

As someone who’s spent countless hours binge-watching reality TV shows, I must say that the allure of delving into the lives of people living under strict social norms is both infuriating and thrilling, much like the world of Bridgerton or even the Real Housewives franchise.

In the world of reality TV, there’s no surefire recipe for success, but “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” was positioned to make a strong impact. Whitney Leavitt, who manages a group of Mormon momfluencers and exits with flair that’s as dramatic as it is unexpected, serves as an exceptionally intriguing antagonist. Taylor Paul’s legal and romantic struggles provide the season with an engaging kick-off and a shrewd reason to revisit and understand the sequence of events leading up to this point. Jen Affleck, who appears unrelated to Ben Affleck, combines central character strength with elements of self-proclaimed victimhood, her obliviousness about the latter adding depth to the narrative. Moreover, an amusingly self-deprecating hashtag — #MomTok — is introduced, leaving us wondering how it will weather this storm.

This series, titled “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives“, isn’t merely a copy of “Real Housewives“. Instead, it’s like a diet soda with coconut cream topping that you just can’t resist. The reason is that it blends the typical drama and chaos found in a Bravo series with the intriguing peek into lives offered by shows on TLC, such as “19 Kids and Counting“, “Sister Wives“, or even documentary-style programs like HBO’s “The Vow“. This unique mix is what makes the show truly captivating. (Or, to use a different analogy, it’s the special sauce that sets this series apart.)

For TV narrative backdrops, Mormonism offers several advantages because it shares many similarities with the deeply rooted Christian values in American culture. Key elements such as church, marriage, moral guidelines, Jesus Christ, baptisms, and Christmas provide a comfortable framework of belief for a vast American audience. Shows like “Big Love” and “Sister Wives” are set within a unique, sectarian realm of Mormon beliefs, yet “Secret Lives” chooses not to delve deeply into the controversial aspects like polygamous families hiding from legal consequences. Instead, it focuses on eight women who have either grown up in or converted to Mormonism and gained fame on TikTok for sharing glamorous and enlightening insights into their lives as Mormon wives (some also became famous due to a 2022 scandal involving “soft swinging”). In essence, the setting feels more like visiting a historical reenactment village rather than peering into a cult.

As a captivated movie reviewer, I find myself drawn into the alluring world of “Secret Lives” – a series that delves into the unique lifestyle of an exclusive community far removed from mainstream American culture. The show piques my curiosity in two distinct ways:

Each subculture possesses its unique codes of conduct and class structures; the Real Housewives franchise serves as a slightly toned-down peek into uncharted territories. This is why we have shows set in various cities, and it’s a significant factor behind their varying quality. The success of these shows relies on their ability to feel authentic to their specific locations. A New York series, for instance, showcases the city-specific norms – such as dining choices, income sources, fashion tastes – that may not apply universally to places like Atlanta or Miami or Orange County. When the local nuances are strong and noticeable (like Jenna Lyons’ unique New York celebrity status confounding traditional housewife models in the RHONY reboot), the show becomes engaging. However, when everything seems like a blur of new wealth and party invitations (Miami, I’m looking at you), the series fails to distinguish itself.

From the perspective of that standard, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City appears poised to be one of the top series within the franchise, and it frequently has been. However, since its cast consists of current, former, and those who have never been Mormons, it portrays the LDS church as a choice made by some individuals in this community, while others do not. While this is accurate overall, it results in a less captivating television show. The allure (and often disturbing) aspect of a lifestyle program – particularly one that exhibits cult-like levels of groupthink – isn’t only the mysterious regulations for living. It lies in the fact that the participants genuinely embrace these beliefs. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives focuses on navigating these rules within Mormon culture, even for women who have distanced themselves from their deeply religious Mormon faith. These cultural norms color all the seemingly casual, entertaining outings, like the fascination with soda and trips to get Botox because nitrous is one of the few LDS-approved forms of intoxication. All major conflicts are set against questions about devout behavior: Who gets excluded from the naming ceremony due to misconduct at a hot tub party? What constitutes a traditional marriage, when they all earn more than their spouses?

In my perspective, “Secret Wives of Salt Lake City” cleverly leverages the societal expectations within Mormonism without making the unusual aspects of the religion the main focus. Instead, it amplifies the DNA of reality shows like “The Real Housewives,” with its intricate web of conflicts and dramas.

In an LDS belief system, the rules are a significant resource for gaining and losing influence. These rules are far more rigid compared to the flexible, changing social norms seen on shows like “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” or “Summer House”. Instead of arguing over which bedroom you get at an AirBnB, you could be engaged in heated discussions about whether a hot tub party might endanger your spouse’s eternal soul.

2024-10-02 22:54

Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Keeps the Transgressions Coming

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