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Sister Wives’ Kody Brown feels ‘so rejected’ – like he’s ‘begging’ Janelle for a ‘deeper relationship’

December 5, 2022

Sister Wives’ Janelle Brown Says Kody’s “Broken Record” Fidelity Demand “Frustrate Me Beyond Belief”

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sister wivesBoth Janelle and Kody Brown recognize that their relationship needs work – otherwise they risk it falling apart completely.

Sunday’s episode kicked off with the longtime couple arguing over Kody’s continued demand for Janelle’s “loyalty.” Janelle, Kody’s second wife, was particularly frustrated that Kody constantly put fourth wife Robyn Brown on a pedestal.

RELATED: sister wives‘ Janelle Brown says Kody’s ‘Broken Record’ loyalty claim ‘frustrates me beyond belief’

As the discussion evolved into the current state of their marriage, Janelle and Kody, both 53, admitted they were worried about where things might go.

“You and I acted like we weren’t a married couple for most of our marriage, Janelle,” Kody said. “I don’t know why it’s been fine for so many years, and it’s not now, but you actually live as a single woman.”

In her defense, Janelle said she believes her independence is what “plural marriage” is all about.

“I appreciate the independence,” she continued. “I don’t know how it started, but I enjoyed it. I feel like maybe we lost something.”

RELATED: sister wives Janelle Brown told Christine not to leave Kody until she could ‘support herself financially’

Janelle Brown/Instagram; Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic

Kody then asked if their relationship “didn’t fit,” asking, “Maybe it’s not working?”

Janelle opened up about how she felt the “rules had changed” in their marriage, which left her unsure of how to navigate their changing dynamics as partners.

“I never thought I would ever be in a place where I would question my relationship, but in recent years I’ve started to wonder if we were compatible,” she later said in a interview. “Maybe it doesn’t work for me anymore. I don’t know.”

Kody later shared in a separate interview that he “evaluated” his life.

Referring to his split from former third wife Christine Brown, he wondered, “Are we going to be better than me and Christine if we don’t improve something here? That’s what I’m looking for. “

RELATED: Christine Brown’s sister wives and ex Kody say they feel ‘betrayed’ by her decision to leave the family

Christine Brown Leaves Wife Sisters and Kody in Mid-Season Teaser: — Christine Brown Leaves Wife Sisters and Kody in Midseason Teaser: ‘I Hope They Don’t Hate Me’

tlc Kody Brown and Janelle Brown

Back in his conversation with Janelle, Kody confessed, “For me, emotionally, it’s sinking. The boat is sinking.”

Janelle then told the cameras, “I don’t know if you can change the way our relationship has lasted 30 years all of a sudden, I mean, maybe it’s a sign that it’s not working anymore.” She added that she was starting to realize she couldn’t give him everything he needed.

After asking in a confessional if this marriage was “working” longer for them, Kody said there was “something fundamentally wrong” about their relationship. Janelle, in turn, suggested the pair do a “reset.”

“I just feel like I have to do everything I can to make this work. I’m not even sure it’s possible to get back from where we are,” she said in a confessional. “I still have so much affection for Kody. I don’t know if that’s love.”

RELATED VIDEO: sister wives‘ Kody Brown says his marriage to Janelle is strained by his RV living situation

Separately, Kody admitted he needed Janelle to be a “strong enough woman” to help him through his “grief” after his divorce from Christine.

Kody then told Janelle he wanted them to behave like a “married couple” and for Janelle to be “a life partner” to him – but this confused Janelle, who thought they were already doing it.

“I know I don’t really want to give up my independence, but I have to consider you more,” she acknowledged, adding that she still wanted to “stay” in their plural marriage.

“We can work this out but, you know, we’re going through this transition where I think we’re going to have to work it out,” Kody said as Janelle replied, “I think you and I are in a very logical place where kids are leaving now, and also I look at you and I’m like, “Oh, wow. I think we could have a better relationship.”

RELATED: Christine Brown Says sister wives‘ Janelle was ‘supportable from the start’ of her choice to leave polygamy

Later in the episode, Kody reflected on his recent discussion with Janelle that took place before he tested positive for COVID.

“TO [the] oily olives [restaurant]I was having this conversation with Janelle because I was begging her to have a deeper relationship with me because I feel so rejected by her,” he said in a confessional.

“It made me think about how I’m not doing well — or, I don’t care about Christine leaving, about taking Truely,” he continued. “I am in mourning because we will never go back there again.”

RELATED VIDEO: sister wives‘Christine Brown wouldn’t wish her relationship with Kody ‘on any friend of mine’

RELATED: Christine Brown says Kody Brown ‘doesn’t know’ their children after years of ‘missing’

Kody then recalled looking at old family photos while he was sick. The memory brought him to tears thinking of how he was going to “lose” the life he had known. He then wondered if the social distancing, which caused a lot of turmoil in the family, was even “worth it”.

“I have a division with my family,” he said. “I had a divorce that happened, which, no doubt in my mind, COVID was a catalyst for that.”

He added, “It seems like the family is going in different directions. And it’s actually very sad.”

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sister wives airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.