The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Recap: That Escalated Quickly

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Initially, I assumed that “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” offered a fair insight into Utah’s small business culture. However, as I delve deeper into “Mormon Wives,” I uncover layers of quaintness that seem excessive. If you reside in Utah, I’d appreciate your insights. Are unique eateries specializing in items like soda and cinnamon rolls commonplace or is it merely a distinctive preference of the show’s location scout? In any case, let’s return to the drama.

Previously, Taylor had concluded an intense performance of an anonymous note stating “I believe Jen is inauthentic.” Notably, the writer added a smiley face at the end, leaving me uncertain if that softens or intensifies the remark. Leaning more towards the latter due to my disdain for passive-aggressiveness, yet it seems characteristic of MomTok culture. Tears stream down Jen’s face, and Whitney extends an invitation for all ladies to attend a baby shower in honor of “Baby Billy.” Immediately, I researched the Leavitt family lineage to verify if this baby could realistically be called “Uncle Baby Billy,” but it appears unlikely. However, considering LDS members’ high birth rates and Whitney’s commitment to this nickname, I’m not entirely dismissing the possibility yet.

Whitney and Miranda, both showing a good nature, head to a flower shop for Baby Billy’s shower. Miranda takes a guess about who might not attend, and her assumption aligns surprisingly well with the mothers she thinks penned the “Jen is fake” note (which includes Demi, Mikayla, Layla, and Jessi). Whitney attempts to bring these same women together for Mayci’s pickleball event. However, they all ignore her messages, offering an intriguing glimpse into the boundaries of “professional courtesy.

It seems like you’re still caught up in the drama surrounding Taylor and her family overseeing her romantic life, huh? Absolutely not, darling! Taylor’s mom and sister are still stirring things up because Taylor made a TikTok featuring Dakota playing Cinderella by cleaning Taylor’s floors. One might think they should be supportive, but instead, they’re upset because Taylor is having a relationship with someone who is clean and sober, does household chores, and is desired by Taylor. In my opinion, if your partner is responsible, helps out at home, and you both enjoy the relationship, it’s nobody else’s business. However, Taylor’s family seems to enjoy meddling in each other’s lives, so they suggest abstaining from sex while working through issues. Taylor agrees with this advice. She also mentioned that she has lost feelings and that the intimacy is a coping mechanism for past traumas. Regardless, it’s not my place to comment further on her personal matters.

Regarding Whitney’s path towards redemption, she discusses some videos Mikayla produced that revolve around Whitney’s personal struggles with Mayci. Now, I’m not a licensed mental health expert, but is leaving a group chat of your own accord considered a traumatic event? Whitney finds it hard to believe that her long-time friend, Mayci, participated in the creation of unkind videos about her. Mayci claims she was simply following a trend, but she promises to mediate a conversation between Whitney and Mikayla. The MomTok community emphasizes love and solidarity, and neither party is living up to these principles. Not very becoming, I must say.

At the Pilates studio, Jessi and Demi reveal an unexpected decision: they won’t attend Whitney’s baby shower. It appears their absence is less about any ongoing issues with Whitney and more due to their belief that Jen is a habitual liar. In contrast, they plan to organize a hibachi dinner for those who choose not to attend the baby shower. This seemingly divisive act has them looking forward to their upcoming girls’ trip to Arizona as a chance for calm and relaxation. Interestingly, these same women have often accused Whitney of being delusional. They also set forth a principle that may shape future disagreements – that MomTok values empowering women not by blindly supporting each other but rather by standing in one’s power and speaking the truth. One can only wonder if they will apply this philosophy to, for example, MomTok’s public voting records.

Discussing the impact of MomTok, Jen clarifies to Zac that it’s a significant task for everyone involved since they aim to shape global perspectives. Zac expresses his curiosity about their objectives, assuming they only criticize each other, apparently unaware of reality TV shows. It’s as if he has never interacted with the machine before, and MomTok is certainly not one! He then queries her approach to handling this situation since she often cries. She responds that she intends to address the problems directly. Jen warns him, in a calm manner, that the “problems” might be present within their very conversation itself.

In Jen’s thoughts, the problems she sees are centered around Jessi and Demi. To emphasize this, she tells Zac about her upbringing in a rough neighborhood, then meets privately with Jessi over hot chocolate to deliver an impromptu speech on integrity and intent. However, pre-prepared arguments can be tricky, especially when you’re not a lawyer in court. Sadly, Jen isn’t quick-witted enough for such situations. When the mothers argue about the nuances of humor in male performances, Jen quickly becomes confused. She ends up shouting that she didn’t give consent for Jessi’s husband to touch her inappropriately and then demands that if anyone asks to sleep with them, it’s a no, before leaving the restaurant in anger.

In an attempt to maintain their competitive spirit, Whitney and Mikayla decide to visit Sunshine Buns as a test of their friendship. However, Mikayla shows no interest in salvaging the relationship, covertly calling Mayci while ignoring Whitney’s attempts at conversation. Frustrated by the continuous appearance of videos related to her online, Whitney believes Mikayla is intentionally antagonizing her, but these videos are actually coded therapy sessions. Mikayla argues that she’s not targeting Whitney with her posts and they argue back and forth about this for a while before agreeing to maintain civility in person while continuing their online feud. The audience craves drama and Mikayla is determined to deliver it, even if it creates discomfort at her workplace (participating in the show).

At Taylor’s place, Dakota drops by to engage in airplane play and chat about their relationship status. As is often the case for them, they are both drained from taking care of an infant and caught in a loop of arguing throughout the day and sleeping together at night. Taylor suggests that it’s high time for them to take a significant break and end the cycle because “nothing will change unless something changes.” It seems like I’ve channeled an Al-Anon auntie, as this advice sounds so familiar due to its worn-out tone from years of smoking Virginia Slims. Admittedly, though, I am intrigued about what these “changes” might involve. Is Dakota still spending his evenings out with other women at places like Chuck E. Cheese and the trampoline park? In any case, he’s no longer allowed to stay up late.

It’s crucial to understand that cradling a baby isn’t an entitlement, but a precious opportunity. Whitney realized everyone would be eager to hold Baby Billy, so she cleverly offered plush bunnies as stand-ins to safeguard her infant from unwashed hands. This idea is brilliant, and I must admit, Whitney’s attempt at redemption might just be swaying me. Taylor and Mayci put their petty differences aside and attended the shower. Jen also came because she’s been making alliances since discovering Layla (apparently influenced by Jessi and Demi) was the one who doubted her authenticity.

Taylor doesn’t grasp the situation at all, so she bluntly inquires from Jen about her problem with Demi. Jen explains that Demi was playing truth or dare with men in Italy and one of them kissed her on the cheek. This leaves Taylor utterly bewildered, but instead of mocking her, she probes if Jen had brought up the rumors about Bret cheating. The others are shocked because this is the first they’re hearing about it. Taylor excels at reality TV, to the point that it seems plausible to joke about her being a planted producer, but her candidness and openness make that notion implausible. If this show doesn’t work out for any reason, send her off to ‘RHOSLC’ as soon as possible.

Across the fence from where the baby shower attendees were, Demi, Jessi, Mikayla, and Layla sat, fishing for shrimp with eager anticipation. They collectively expressed their shared disdain for Jen more than Whitney, primarily due to her dishonesty. The question arose among them as to whether the lie Ben Affleck told was significant or just a one-time occurrence. In my opinion, the bigger issue is that Jen appears equally scared of her husband and confrontation, causing minor misunderstandings to escalate uncontrollably. However, it’s irrelevant what I think. Demi stated that if Jen challenges her, she will “overpower” and “embarrass her,” asserting that “it can only end in a bloodbath.” This is supposedly about “empowering women,” but one might wonder what could potentially go wrong?

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2025-05-17 04:54