The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Recap: Standing on Business

by

Phew! I think I could use a moment to collect myself. It’s not due to the recent events involving Demi-Taylor or Liann’s antics that have me feeling this way, but rather because this episode presented something significant for me. For as long as I can remember watching reality television, there has been a list of scenes I’ve been eagerly waiting to see unfold. I’ve studied episodes of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City like I would The Scarlet Letter the day before an AP Literature exam, hoping each episode might include one specific scene from my wishlist. I felt like it was destined to happen, but it never did. In fact, I had almost lost hope.

In the depicted setting, everyone gathered in a single chamber was engaged in an in-depth debate about their faith, with one individual expressing disbelief in a deity. This intriguing scene arrived earlier than expected, and it has left me yearning for a 55-minute expansion of this engaging narrative. Despite its current length, it offers a wealth of material that could easily fill 2,000 words. However, to cater to everyone’s needs, I will provide a concise recap instead.

Let’s delve into the details of this captivating scene: [Recap follows here]

During her preparations for the New Orleans girls’ trip, Jessi receives a visit from Mayci. Due to several nurses who privately messaged her on Instagram, mentioning that her thyroid appeared slightly asymmetrical during a Chippendale’s show, Jessi sought medical attention and discovered multiple nodules. She will soon undergo partial thyroid removal surgery. This situation is a powerful illustration of women supporting each other. Despite her apprehensions about her friend Demi potentially saying more hurtful things about her business, Jessi and Mayci are looking forward to the trip. Mayci assures her that if anyone were to betray their friendship like Mikayla did by speaking negatively about her work, the friendship would be irreparably damaged. I stand with Jessi in this situation, as it is difficult for me to fathom a scenario where someone I care about and trust would recommend avoiding my creative endeavors as if they were contagious with head lice.

Miranda underwent a wise detox, which might mean everything will turn out fine. If harmony reigns during the New Orleans excursion, it’s probably because Taylor chooses not to attend. Demi claims that Taylor is playing a game of avoidance, but she’s eager to mend friendships without any “toxic influence.” Frankly, I don’t buy her act for a moment! She certainly had at least six counterarguments prepared and was all set to challenge the CEO of MomTok, Taylor, head-on. The other women don’t share Demi’s sense of relief. They thought the trip’s issues would only involve Taylor and Demi, so without that, they’ll need to stir up some fresh drama to keep the gods of reality TV happy. Hang on tight, darlings!

The mothers are enjoying lobster macaroni and cheese when a pivotal moment similar to “Love Island” occurs, as they receive a text (with only 14 days left until returning to the villa). The message is from Jen, who has just come from therapy and shares her struggles in a video sent to the group chat. Layla emphasizes the importance of mental health issues over everything. Miranda proposes showing understanding. Jessi concurs. Given Demi’s insight into Jen’s troubled relationship during the previous season, one might expect sympathy; however, Demi expresses skepticism towards the apology and finds self-recorded cries manipulative and cowardly. I too find such videos challenging, but Demi, let’s consider Jen’s current state. This apparent lack of empathy seems inconsistent with MomTok’s core values, as well as teachings about repentance in the Book of Mormon.

In a refreshing twist, Layla is embarking on an admired transformation journey, much like Whitney’s redemption story. Yet, the contrast between their journeys becomes particularly evident when the group visits a burlesque performance. In a surprising turn of events, one performer retrieves a joint from within herself and Layla casually partakes without hesitation. This act certainly cements her status as a rising star.

On the less playful side of things, Taylor spends time doing a puzzle with her sister and mother in Utah. Liann calls Demi a “countess,” finds Miranda untrustworthy, and appreciates Taylor for initiating MomTok. They discuss Dakota and whether Taylor might finally follow her instincts this time. Liann insists on confirming that Taylor is always praying. If Liann gets more screen time next season, I’m out. I can’t handle any more scenes with her, even if they offer insight into why Taylor behaves the way she does.

In New Orleans, Mikayla performs a lymphatic massage on Miranda, while producers pose questions to Layla about Demi’s friendship prospects with Taylor. The answer is clear: they won’t be friends. Jessie ponders how different Taylor might be today if she hadn’t crossed paths with Dakota. Miranda believes Taylor often contemplates this herself and suggests that Taylor was previously more laid-back. Demi chooses to overlook the challenges of dating a difficult man and maintains that Taylor simply thrives on turmoil.

Let’s make it clear once more: It’s not Demi who is the antagonist in this story, but rather the Mormon Church. As for New Orleans day two, both the church and production share the villainous role. In an unfair game called “pregnancy roulette,” the women are forced to participate. They pee on tests, then scramble the results, revealing them one by one anonymously. Two tests come back positive, and Demi, who has been trying for a baby for quite some time, is devastated immediately upon seeing these results. It’s heart-wrenching to think about wanting a child so desperately and being subjected to this cruel reminder of the joy and pain a positive test can bring, all while being filmed for a TV show. It’s truly despicable! (It’s important to note that neither Demi nor anyone else is actually pregnant; Mayci and Mikayla are.)

As a film enthusiast, I’m eagerly following the latest developments in the story of Taylor and Dakota. Instead of saying “Taylor is planning” to end things for good with Dakota, I would rephrase it as: “Taylor has made up his mind to part ways permanently with Dakota.” This decision brings a sense of tranquility that he embraces.

While touring New Orleans, Jessi privately talks to Demi, hoping for a better angle on the ongoing hair issue. She expresses her concern that Demi was undermining her business, which is troubling since she often offers free hairstyling, extensions, and curling services to MomTok whenever they require it. Demi focuses on details but doesn’t offer anything significant, leaving Jessi feeling even more disheartened. As the minutes pass, Demi’s chances of pulling off a successful move seem increasingly slim. Perhaps there’s room for them in the cast of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City?

Afterward, let’s move on to my preferred scene. A passionate recital of a street poet’s work stirs thoughts among the moms about something known as “Young Women’s.” Mayci elucidates that in the Mormon Church, once you reach thirteen, you attend this gathering called Young Women’s, where you engage in activities and foster friendships with fellow girls of faith. Jessi expresses that although her first marriage took place within the temple, she no longer holds those beliefs, and hearing the Young Women’s prayer echoed aloud inside an Airbnb in New Orleans gives it a cult-like vibe. Demi poses a question to the group, asking if they believe the Book of Mormon is factual, and Jessi replies, “How can we truly know? There were no smartphones back then.

Jessi elaborates on a notion termed “sealing.” Despite her divorce and remarriage, she remains bound to her ex-husband for all eternity through this sealing. Miranda delves deeper into the intricacies of this practice, explaining that when her ex left the church, he withdrew his records, resulting in her losing her seal to her children. Mikayla notes that men are permitted to have numerous eternal families in this system. Essentially, without a man, one’s prospects in the afterlife become problematic. This calls for a MOMTOK RED ALERT! It remains to be seen if the brand has the clout to tackle “Mormon doctrines of the hereafter,” but it would certainly be intriguing to witness such an attempt.

As a movie enthusiast, that evening found me all dressed up for a clandestine dinner at Fangtasia. Demi broke the news to us that Taylor wouldn’t be gracing our Christmas celebration, an event she was co-hosting with Bret. She then proposed a motion of no confidence regarding Taylor’s presence within our circle. We were asked to share our thoughts on whether Taylor merited her spot based on three factors:

1. Her commitment to the work
2. Her alignment with MomTok’s core values as a brand ambassador
3. The potential risks she posed to the well-being and success of our business endeavors.

Everyone seems to shrug off the situation, referring to Taylor’s apology and giving them the advantage of the doubt. However, Demi becomes frustrated, questioning how many chances one should give before pointing out that someone is acting irrationally. She declares, “If Taylor stays, I leave.” Mikayla ponders if it would be fair for her to do this to Whitney (hypothetically speaking), but Demi quickly dismisses the idea because she has an alliance with Whitney and states, “In a regular business scenario, Taylor would be let go.

As a movie critic, I must say that Mayci shrewdly observes a glaring flaw in the narrative: if this is all about business, it seems Demi wasn’t exactly backing Jessi’s corner. The discussion then veers into intricate nuances of business and friendship, but Demi falls short in amassing the necessary votes for her takeover. In my estimation, she only had Whitney solidly on her side, who incidentally isn’t even a voting member of MomTok’s board (and it appears Demi has been actively opposing Whitney’s inclusion in that role). All in all, this situation feels like Demi is blindly hurling bitter jambalaya at the wall, hoping something will stick.

Next time around, it seems they might attempt a last-ditch effort to make us tune in to Vanderpump Villa. Frankly, I couldn’t care less! If my mind ever becomes so engrossed in Stassi Schroeder that I feel compelled to do so, I will revisit the first season of Vanderpump Rules, as if following the divine plan.

Read More

2025-05-21 01:56