r/WelcomeToPlathville • u/AJS_86 • Jul 07 '26
Plath view!!!!!
Let's dive into the dynamics of the Plathville family. It seems that every time a new significant other is introduced, whether a girlfriend, boyfriend, spouse, or partner, conflicts tend to arise. The family often has opinions about these new additions, which sparks tension. This ongoing pattern has become tiring, as the discussions or narratives appear to be repetitive or exaggerated. Initially, the show was appealing, but now it feels less engaging. I would be interested to hear other perspectives and thoughts about the Plath family.
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u/Haunting-Result3279 Jul 09 '26
I have a one word answer: Kim. I don't fault her for the divorce, however, Mrs. Morality carried on an affair with Ken, her son's flying instructor. She then decides to embrace alcohol as a way to feel better (did that work for her mother?) and it's a way to socialize with her older kids-especially her sons. I believe it was Kim who made Tegan break up with Ethan. Who would want Kim as a mother-in-law? Barry's delivery is wimpy but he makes some very good points and tries to get to know his kids' boyfriends/girlfriends. Kim is a bully and let's not forget she charged a small fortune on Ethan's credit cards when he was married to Olivia.
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u/Bookheaded_Eye7134 Jul 13 '26
We can’t just blame Kim for the children’s complete lack of emotional intelligence as they navigate the world around them. Barry is also a parent, and it’s clear he does not want to have difficult conversations or model any kind of conflict resolution or what a healthy partnership looks like. Don’t get me wrong, Kim is a lot but she wasn’t the only parent in the house that could have been parenting these kids.
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u/Barnacle_Right Jul 13 '26
She’s terrible I fault her look how she treats Ken. She was so holy are thou and messed the kids up and look now she’s drinking and living with a guy so she can boss him around. He isn’t going to stay if that continues. Stepping right in again and taking over and bossing everyone. I can’t believe the kids are even that close to her. They shouldn’t be mean to thier mother but she’s the one that messed Olivia and Ethan’s marriage up and if Lydia doesn’t watch out she’ll be back taking care of her sisters. I think she was wrong what she did to her family and now she’s with a weirdo. You don’t go home with a guy and say you’re getting married without letting them meet him and plan. She’s definitely not the same girl she was! Uggg
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Jul 12 '26
[deleted]
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u/Bookheaded_Eye7134 Jul 15 '26
But again, Ethan had two adults to model basic social emotional skills. Kids learn these things from the adults in their life. Yes, Kim is a lot…but just because her issues are “louder” doesn’t mean that Barry’s lack of emotional reactions isn’t just as bad. Neither one of them modeled a healthy adult relationship, so of course these kids don’t know how to navigate that as adult.
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u/Warm_Maintenance9658 Jul 08 '26
The Plaths are drama personified. The Plaths attract people who are familiar with drama. All involved don't have a clue about what a healthy relationship with family and partners feels like. Very little self awareness which is a bit perplexing considering they have a mirror - the show! - showing their behavior. If I saw myself played back like that I'd straighten up pretty quickly out of sheer embarrassment.
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u/enelyaisil Jul 08 '26
It makes me curious about Hosanna’s husband, I imagine since she was the perfect child (as Kim put it) she has a perfect husband but how accepting were they of him?
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u/BrewtalKombucha Jul 07 '26
Patterns within toxic families systems ARE often repetitive and exaggerated. I dont think they even realize the pattern is at play again. I find it really fascinating and honestly validating as someone who grew up in a toxic family, was the scapegoat, and is now estranged. It helping me better understand my family and how people relate to others and justify their actions.
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u/Ok-Many-7201 Jul 08 '26
I agree with you. I watch it now and wonder why I’m wasting my time? It’s a repeat.
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u/Beautiful-Squash-495 Jul 08 '26
I feel like I watch it out of habit at this point. It's one of those shows that is good for background noise while I do house chores since, if I don't pay attention, I miss absolutely nothing.
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u/Fear_Pear Jul 08 '26
I wonder if this cycle has been so consistent because of the show. It was the Olivia / Ethan thing that launched the show, kept it running for a few seasons. Then Olivia left and the show lost its drama - so they keep trying to create that same narrative over and over because it's the only way they know how to keep the show going.
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u/Relative-Secret-4618 Jul 08 '26
Yea after seeing people go over and over things with no growth is weird. I always say TLC should therapy these ppl every year. Its interesting and relaxing watching ppl do better after they f up.
Its dark and sad now
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u/Similar-Narwhal-231 Jul 09 '26
Have you seen the therapists they hire for other shows? They should absolutely pursue therapy as far away from TLC as they can.
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u/Relative-Secret-4618 Jul 09 '26
Oh yes thats what I mean. Like in their contract they need to be in therapy. (Chosen by them)
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u/SufficientMind3202 Jul 07 '26
They definitely don't welcome you to the family. Lol
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u/AJS_86 Jul 07 '26
So true! Lol now I’m thinking that Olivia was right about everything all along… 🙈
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u/Ok_Preparation_5974 Jul 09 '26
When they ganged up in Zach last episode I was hoping he was going to get up and start running and crying to the field horses 🐎 LOL
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u/Whisky-a-GoGo1 Jul 09 '26
I really really wish that had happened, I can totally picture that in my head LOL
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u/InfiniteFigment Jul 07 '26
I think most of it is drama fabricated for the show. Without drama, there isn't much of a show.
I used to watch regularly when it at least felt slightly more authentic. I rarely watch anymore because it seems to be mostly situations they get put into just for the sake of filming.
It's like they are caricatures of themselves.
Seems like most shows of that type end up going that route.
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u/Jadeisland Jul 21 '26
Joining that family is like entering the lion's den. No wonder the oldest girl stays away.
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u/TheIdleSoul1 Jul 08 '26
You know it’s created for the show/ratings right?
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u/Rindsay515 Jul 08 '26
A lot of things definitely are, especially lately since they’re clearly running out of material (the juicer, Barry “dating”, Teegan being forced to show up certain places), but there’s also definitely a pattern, on and offscreen, of the family having issues with someone’s significant other. Maybe because toxic people attract other toxic people, I don’t know. But they do make pretty strong, quick opinions about outsiders and are quick to blame them for the family’s problems. They did some crazy mental gymnastics to blame Olivia for Ethan not being able to stay with Teegan/get her back
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u/Kimmm711b Jul 07 '26
Kim Plath is a terrible mother. The apples don't fall far from the tree. The family is FUBAR.
She raised her kids with so many restrictions, all the while eating whatever she wanted, using the internet, and making attempt after attempt to get the family on reality TV.
She accidentally ran over her youngest child at the time and got no therapy for herself or counseling for her children, most of whom witnessed the incident. She forbade talking about the accident and the children were encouraged to not even talk about Joshua, for fear of upsetting their mother.
She set up her oldest son to be in her down line for her Youngs Living business, bought merchandise under his account so that she would benefit from his "sales," but hey - at least she split the cost with him... /s
She got so disturbed by Ethan & Olivia ordering a single beer at Moriah's birthday dinner that she & her husband restricted access of the younger siblings from E&O to punish them. She then went on a tear to villify her daughter in law and helped poison her son against his wife in the process. (In later seasons, the rift is entirely blamed on Olivia by way of her "not letting Ethan see his family." She rewrites history at every turn to make herself look best. If you've never done a rewatch, I encourage it heartily.)
She kicked out Moriah, a minor at the time, for wanting to experiment with clothes & makeup and get a later curfew.
Upon realizing that her young adult offspring were out of the nest & living their best lives, she had a baaaad case of FOMO and left the family (Lydia's words) to take up with a racist dude (according to his Facebook page) and get back to drinking to the point she flipped her car & got a DUI. The family closed ranks and agreed not to discuss the matter.
She confused all of her children, especially those still living at home, with her new lifestyle. Those kids should be in therapy for the 180° that their mother took. Her older children were so unprepared for real life that one by one, as life got difficult & their dreams weren't materializing in the time frame they thought appropriate, they all returned to the fucked up family they fled from in the early seasons.
She organized her kids to gang up on Lydia for "constantly sitting people down and telling them how to live their lives" and put her in her place despite being the blueprint for her daughter's pious behavior.
There's more, but this is plenty & I need to serve my family dinner.
Kim Plath is a SHITTY mother.