In a deeply emotional and at times jarring episode of Sister Wives, Season 19 Episode 23 delivers a raw and unfiltered portrayal of grief, frustration, and personal reflection following the tragic loss of Janelle and Kody’s son, Garrison. But before the heartbreak unfolded, the episode began with a surprisingly light-hearted moment between Christine and her fiancé David, offering a stark contrast to the emotional gravity that would follow.
The episode opened with Christine and David enjoying a sunny day with their blended family — their children and grandchildren playing together, laughing, tossing a Frisbee around. Things took a comedic turn when the Frisbee was accidentally thrown over the fence. David, ever the playful partner, attempted to hop over the fence to retrieve it, despite Christine warning him sternly not to. “Don’t do it, David,” she warned multiple times — but, of course, he did it anyway. Her reaction was full of classic Christine fire, expressing her frustration later in a confessional where she admitted she’s used to setting the rules and having them followed. But with David in her life now, things have changed. He’s independent, spirited, and she’s learning to adapt — recognizing that, more than anything, he’s a good man who respects her kids. That, above all, matters to her.
Meanwhile, over at her bed and breakfast in Utah, Meri was preparing for a big renovation. She’d just said goodbye to her last guest and shared plans of converting the space into a wedding venue. This sparked some unresolved feelings for viewers who recalled past drama surrounding Meri’s friend, Jen, who had once offered to officiate a wedding — only to disappear without explanation. The unresolved bitterness around this situation became a distraction, as the viewer recounted feeling ghosted and hurt, ultimately skipping through Meri and Jen’s scenes altogether, labeling them as disingenuous and irrelevant.
Robin, as expected, didn’t escape criticism either. Her appearance was largely dismissed, with the viewer fast-forwarding through her segments, clearly expressing a lack of trust in both her and Meri. The sentiment was blunt: if they’re not bringing sincerity, give them their own spin-off — because, to some fans, their presence only muddles the emotional core of the series.
But the focus soon shifted to the heart-wrenching centerpiece of the episode — the devastating news of Garrison Brown’s passing. A reminder from TLC marked March 5, 2024, as the day the world lost him. The tone of the show immediately shifted. Fans were reminded of how deeply this tragedy shook the family — especially Janelle, who appeared completely shattered by the loss of her son. The grief on her face, in her voice, was palpable.
One of the most powerful moments came from Gabriel, Garrison’s younger brother, who had been incredibly close to him. When Gabriel appeared on screen, the raw pain in his silence spoke louder than any words. He couldn’t speak about the moment he found Garrison — it was too much. His heartbreak was real, honest, and unfiltered, and for many viewers, this was the only moment that truly brought them to tears. It was one of the rare times the show felt completely unguarded.
In contrast, some family members’ responses came across as detached or superficial. The episode drew heavy criticism for the way mental illness was addressed. While some family members acknowledged Garrison’s struggles — his drinking, his depression — the way it was discussed felt too casual, even dismissive. It reflected a broader frustration many viewers feel about how mental health is still not taken seriously enough, even in the face of such loss. One viewer, speaking from personal experience with mental illness, expressed intense frustration at the seeming lack of empathy, stating flatly that Garrison wasn’t heard or seen when he needed it most.
Janelle’s pain stood out above all. While others skirted around the issue, she sat in her grief. Her conversation with her sister was especially moving — her sister visibly more heartbroken than some others who seemed emotionally distant. The viewer expected to be emotional throughout the episode but was instead left angry — not at the loss itself, but at the way it was handled. There was a perceived lack of sincerity in how the family processed the tragedy on camera, and it felt as if some were more concerned with appearances or continuing their television presence than truly honoring Garrison’s memory.
This sentiment was intensified when attention turned to the family’s material lifestyle. For a family that has often discussed financial struggles, many viewers couldn’t help but notice the large homes, the new cars, and the reality that several of the wives don’t appear to work outside of the show. It felt tone-deaf in contrast to Garrison’s hard-working spirit. He had a job. He was trying. He wasn’t living a reality TV lifestyle, and yet, he’s the one who’s gone.
The viewer did not hold back, stating that many of the family members — especially Kody and Robin — seemed more invested in damage control than healing. Robin, in particular, drew heavy criticism for inserting herself into a narrative that wasn’t about her. As the viewer bluntly put it: Garrison didn’t even like Robin, so why was she positioned so prominently in the response?
In closing, the episode left a lingering feeling of disappointment. It had the potential to be a sincere tribute to a beloved son and brother. Instead, it came off, to some, as performative — with only a few genuine moments of grief. The frustration was real, the grief was raw, and the disconnect between some family members and the reality of mental illness was painfully clear.
Whether the show can recover from this moment will depend on how future episodes handle the fallout. One thing is certain: viewers like this one are tired of fake storylines and want something real. And if the show continues to ignore the deeper issues at play, more fans might choose to step away entirely.
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