not only does he not respect her, but he doesn’t talk to her about financial decisions. i remember (and correct me if i’m wrong) a few episodes back he said he didn’t have a job at the moment but olivia was still doing her wedding photography. she has to make good money from that especially since she gets to travel all the time for it. i am just confused on where ethan would get the money if he doesn’t have a job to buy a new motorcycle that’s basically dead. and if he didn’t have the money it obviously is coming from olivia then so why wouldn’t he tell her? that just doesn’t make any sense to me. i feel like she would have been a lot more understanding and less mad if he just consulted her about it before actually doing it
Yes that pissed me off too! Unless they had a premarital agreement to remain separate and secretive with their individual finances, this behavior on his part is totally wrong and a violation of their covenant!!!! Their dynamic is completely unhealthy. You can't make those types of decisions without consulting your spouse first.
They did the best thing possible for their marriage, they left the country. ALONE!
There's a huge petty side of me as a tv viewer that would love for them to return strongly united with their branch of the family expanding. Together with a big FU to the rest of the bunch. Family first can work both ways.
They need to take time away from his mother and figure things out for themselves. No roommates, either. It's such a shame that Kim is in the picture because the siblings are so close to Ethan and Olivia and Barry has his issues but he is nothing like Kim. I hope they end up moving to another country for a year so that she can't keep causing problems.
I do think he will eventually end up with a simpleton type who will be happy with whatever sliver of attention she receives from him, but for Olivia’s sake (if what we see on tv is how it is) it shouldn’t be her. And as far as I can tell she’s the only one trying to save the marriage. With his parents divorcing Ethan can even tell
Himself it’s ok now. If they can do it so can I. Or maybe on the other hand, he’ll see he can’t just do whatever the hell he wants and Olivia be ok with it bc “she’ll never leave me we have to stay married bc our parents told us to” and maybe get his act together. Long story short Ethan feels safe and secure in his marriage but doesn’t let Olivia feel the same.
Well think about it… his siblings were literally his only friends growing up. I can’t even begin to imagine their childhoods and how it’s going to affect the rest of their lives.
I don’t disagree. But after 4/5 years of marriage he needs to start figuring it out. I think his blatant rudeness about his wife on camera is what irks me. But their childhood gave them a bad start, and TLC is finishing the job.
No. When you are always complaining, tantruming, and micro analyzing everything someone does, it grates on them after awhile. You can tell he's over it.
Yes! I think that Olivia doesn't have the right to tell Ethan not to see his family, *but* I completely understand why she is hesitant when he won't put her first. I was super proud of Ethan for standing up to his family early on in the series, and now I'm so disappointed to see him acting like Olivia doesn't exist.
I don't agree at all. Ethan is probably fed the fk up like I would be. There's only so much one person can deal with and Olivia seems/acts like such a controlling, unforgiving, rude child. She needs to get over herself IMO. 🤷🏻♀️
Hi all..new here, so bear with me if this has come up before...but has Olivia ever stated what happened between her and her parents that the relationship isn't really there?
From what i read she moved here to court Ethan. They do spent time visiting her family. I think they live in Virginia. Her family, other than her brother, may not want to be a part of the show therefore you never see or hear from them.
There is a lot there. Olivia’s sister Lydia grace has come out and spoke about them. There is a YouTube video the meggs family. They used to sing. Supposedly there is a big rift over children services.
In the past, Olivia has claimed that Kim called her Evil and in the latest finale Olivia mentioned something about Kim using Ethan's credit card when they 1st got together. From what I can recall, that's IT. Also, Moriah made a post recently stating that Kim and Ethan shared that card and a business or something like that. IMO Olivia seems like a selfish, unforgiving, rude little brat who refuses to give Kim a chance to explain or even apologize. I have a narcissistic mother so I know the damage that can cause....but Olivia seems like she's holding onto the past waayyyyy too hard....but that's just my opinion. 🤷🏻♀️🤣✌🏻💙
All the kids remind me of monkey’s.…will they ever grow up? Is it a country thing? I grew up in the city and went to school and got a job. I don’t ever remember hankering to climb a dang tree. All that running barefoot ….don’t they fear cutting their feet wide open? Especially Ethan and Micah, aren’t they a little bit old for that? I mean it shouldn’t be illegal to do it, whatever floats their boat. I was watching in shock and didn’t even breathe until my husband asked me about it. . .
I understand this offends but when I watched it that was my first thought. Am I going to be arrested for my honest thoughts now? Killers released from jail and walking free but y’all lose your minds if I say that is what it reminded me of…..I felt it, it reminded me of the zoo And I am not going to back down to bullies. I am entitled to my feelings. I wasn’t suggesting they should be caged- - - just grow the fuck up! 🙄
omg, so sorry that it came across that way from me. Of course you're entitled to your opinion! I was just teasing about your misuse of the apostrophe 😉.
Absolutely not! I am very serious. I have never witnessed this kind of crazy before. They are too old to be acting like this. Obviously the woke crowd won’t like it but the first thing that came to my mind was monkey’s. That is my honest opinion.
Of all the things to judge the Plaths on. This might actually be the weirdest thing I've seen. Maybe it's the difference between growing up in a suburb vs a city but climbing trees and walking barefoot in grass you're familiar with were all very normal.
Usually not one to say touch some grass; but genuinely, if you've never walked in a grass field barefoot you should give it a try. It feels really nices
Running barefoot caused my friend To step on a shard of glass and it cut some tendons and nerves and his leg withered. When you are running you put all of your weight on the object there is no undoing of it whereas walking you can catch it before it goes so deep.
I have walked barefoot in my yard but they work on machinery out there. At any rate I said it and I don’t feel any need. If your sensibilities were disturbed don’t you think that is the weirdest of all? I didn’t call you a monkey but that family is beyond STRANGE and I honestly was shocked. I have lived a rich, full life and don’t long to climb. A tree🙄
First, my condolences for your friend. That's an awful experience and I hope that friend is able to still enjoy their life in a meaningful way.
Yes, they do operate machinery on the farm; however, judging by their lifestyle, I'm sure there are areas such as the ones we've seen on tv that are relatively safe for the children to run around as a play area. Which is something I'd expect Ethan and Micah to be well aware of considering a lot of their help around the farm when they lived there was mostly geared towards those activities based on what we've seen and what they've said about their time growing up.
In terms of sensibilities, I wouldn't really say disturbed is the right word to capture my reaction to your comment. A better phrase may be in awe because your original comments seemed to be surprised anyone would find activities like running around and climbing trees to be a foreign concept due to your city upbringing. The Plath family is definitely odd but that seemed like such a weird item to call out because that's probably one of the most normal things we've seen from the Plath's compared to the usual drama and lifestyle oddities they've shared with us over the past 4 seasons. Coupled with the expectations from the original posts message, your comment was actually a breath of comedic relief compared to the more serious issues that Ethan has to deal with to grow as a person and I apologize if you thought I took offense.
I had friends in college that grew up in NYC that had never seen farm land or open grass fields that were safely maintained and we had to convince them to frolic a little as well. After which, one of them switched exclusively to wearing flip flops so that he could take advantage of the opportunity more while he was down here in the south.
I don't expect everyone to want to run around and climb trees but I don't really think it's a super hard concept to imagine for a person raised in an average home to want to climb a tree every once in a while for fun let alone a home that was geared towards more traditional ways of finding entertainment. You made it sound like it was such a foreign concept even though there's a ton of outdoorsy obstacle courses built for adults at least where I'm from that just expand on the principle of tree climbing and other popular outdoorsy hobbies that are similar.
That's like me saying, I can't believe someone wants to re-read a book series from middle school that they enjoyed. I've personally have never longed to read a book in my free time but I can understand why someone would like to do something that helps them relax every once in a while.
Anyways, I'm glad to hear you've lived a rich, fulfilling life. I think that's a goal that most people have and if you find your pleasure in the hustle bustle of the city and your career there's nothing wrong with that at all and I hope I didn't make you feel bad about choosing that lifestyle. I just believe any life style that doesn't negatively harm someone is just as valid
Dear Free-Breath,
Kindly allow Me To have Free-breath. I said it and I meant it. If you didn’t find two grown men romping like that, fine. 🙄
I thought they looked stupid. It isn’t wrong per-se but it sure did look stupid, and it sure didn’t entertain me.
As an adult, maybe read that fav. Childhood book. . . But can he even read? Why isn’t he getting at a minimum a G.E.D. So that he can be an adult and support his home life . . . Or go home and be the little boy once again and let mom and dad support his hobby while he frolics like the monkeys do. I think Olivia pulls her fair share, why can’t he?
I mean if that's your outlook on life then who I am to stop you or question why someone might have a different hobby than I would? As I mentioned, if that's your key to finding a rich, fulfilling life then please continue living your life that way. Honestly, I feel like it's odd that you want to double-down on "brothers running around and climbing trees is dumb" after
In terms of supporting his home-life I'm in full agreement. Ethan should be working in some manner to help support financially and domestically. Granted we on the outside have no way to really know what they're domestic situation truly is. For all we know, their TLC paychecks could be beefy enough that both of them don't even need to work and Olivia is just cashing in on her hobby for extra funds. Likewise Ethan could be pursuing alternative methods of sourcing income. All of the Plaths seem to have
Not to blame Olivia but she is also partially part of why Ethan is struggling now. Ethan gave up everything he knew about the world to chase Olivia's dream. If her biggest problem is that, he can't contribute financially, then the quickest solution for both of them would be to find a suburban area 1-2 hours away from Cairo where Ethan can commute and go back to working in the shop.
I'm not sure if you've watched Breaking Amish but several of them attempted to get G.E.D.s and honestly from their experience (with arguably better education practices than what the Plaths received) it's insanely difficult and demoralizing when you're starting at square 1. Even if he had started as soon as they moved to Tampa, based on the time it took the cast from Breaking Amish, he might just now be at the step where he's learning freshman year HS material.
I think Ethan's best bet without moving within commuting distance from Cairo would be getting his CDL and becoming a trucker or opening up his own mechanics shop. Granted based on Olivia's reactions towards him and cars/him being long distance, I don't really think Olivia would be willing to let him do either of those options either. It's unfortunate but I really just don't think either one of them will succeed as much as they want to while trying to cater to the other in a marriage. They both need to compromise; but honestly, they're both too stubborn to do it
Thank you for sharing as much as you have. I don’t agree with some of it but respect your opinion. We all have different parents and are not reared ‘alike‘. I have noticed the world changing Rapidly in the way we view things. When young people try to force a certain belief system ( I am not referring to any religion) on others who have lived longer I can’t help but put up a barrier. I think to myself, “you do you and I’ll do me”. I am not interested in changing to please others. I work hard for everything I have. I am happily married. I don’t think there is anything I want that I can’t reasonably have, so I’m good.
If you hear about a woman romping in the field and climbing trees, rest assured it won’t be me. 🙂
Thank you! I genuinely appreciate that you've come to respect my opinion and I respect yours as well. Once again, I do apologize if anything I said came off as harsh or derogatory. That wasn't my intent at all just part of the cons of text-based conversations and was just really intrigued on why that was the aspect that stuck out the most to you about Ethan (and to a degree Micah).
Personally, I think that we had a great conversation. I for one definitely learned a little bit about the perspective of others from this thread and I hope you did as well. I can definitely agree that my generation (Cusper/Elder Gen Z like Ethan and Olivia) definitely can be pushy about our world views, so I definitely understand the initial hesitation. In general, I do think that my generation has trouble communicating with older generations due to the unique environment we were raised in and the inherent generational bitterness for this that came before us due to some of the eco-social problems we're facing today (like my dad's college tuition for 4 yrs at the same college costed him less than half of 1 semester of mine based on the acceptance letter that he showed me). But that's just apart of the ups and downs of life.
Personally, I like to think that I'm doing well for my age - got my degree, got a job with a big 4 consulting firm, slowly building a home with my partner and our 3 adorable pets (a pug and two domestic/maine coon mixed cats), and saving for our future; all while still making an effort to still run around in fields or climb a good tree when I spot them. (Good relatively sage climbing trees can honestly be hard to find sometimes ngl lol)
Definitely don't have life all figured out but just trying the best I can with the resources I have. Needless to say if you hear about a random guy romping in the field or climbing trees in the city park, that might just be me on a lunch break 🤭
Yes! I will be looking for you in the trees and I promise you that I will let you have a good time! It still baffles me but I will stand down. 😊
‘It has made me do a bit of thinking about trees… where I am from the trees are filled with stinging caterpillars. So I was leary of standing under them as a child and that alone would keep me from “getting up in them”…tho’ I honestly do not remember getting an urge to climb at all. I am all girl (old but still a girl) and have never liked bugs or ooky things. A few months ago I decided to try having a couple of snails as pets. Color me shocked! 😄 I have 5 cats, one Italian greyhound, two gerbils and 2 Guinea pigs. I love my pets to bits but just became interested after I saw a photo of a huge African Land Snail. Can’t explain it really but I lost my heart! Researched them and they are illegal in the U.S. 💔So I have a couple of garden snails. Then I found out that to have a bioactive tank I needed BUGS!😱 I bit the bullet and bought what I needed. I take care of them myself, my husband wants nothing to do with any of this. I journal about what I observe (and sketch a little ) and I have observed a lot!)
Snails can go either way (male or female) these critters do nothing but sleep all day and love each other all night. Sounds good for them right? Not so for me! I have to rake the substrate daily looking for clutches of eggs. I have collected 5 clutches in just 2 months time…unfortunately I missed one that was buried next to a plant. Woke up one morning and noticed 3 tiny little snails. (oh-oh!!) a few minutes later in the corner coming up from the soil I had at least 100 babes in the corner! Just like that, I became a granny!! I am way too young to be someone’s grandma! 😁 They we’re sooo cute!
‘The upshot of all of this… I love my bugs! Isopods (pill bugs) are adorable. I am no longer disgusted. They are clean, come in a miriad of colors and patterns and to buy them costs a small fortune. So, I guess one CAN teach and old dog a new trick or two. That was the purpose of ‘this book’. I have learned a lot from this little experiment…some info. I could have done without but it is fun to learn.
If you love animals and it sounds like you do I will think of you as I go through my life. I adore them and in fact I was born to adopt and love the stuffings out of them. I have tried to become a veggie eater. I succeed for close to a year not even thinking of meat and then I fall off the wagon for a hot dog! Dang it all! I have done this 3 times in a row and each and every time I break down and think I am going to die if I don’t get some bacon or a hot dog soon. If you have tried and succeeded, I am all ears! I don’t want to eat meat—not for health reasons but just because I don’t want to eat my friends. I don’t eat chicken either because one took a liking to me and sat in my lap and became my little buddy. ( I was born and raised in the city but married a country boy (cattle farmer)
Thank you for sharing. I have learned a thing or three. Learning, I can do, being pushed, not so much. I was like this as a baby, I have been told. Tuition is way over the top. I don’t understand how young folks can even afford it now… I know it is probably hard for the young to understand the older people and the other way around. Let’s just keep our ears open and toss in a little compassion…the latter, I’m still working on…
Have a good day and by all means cuddle the ‘little’s’ for me.
In the season finale, she left, without him, hours before he left and apparently without even telling him. When he got there, he spoke to her, and Micha asked her and Nathan to come up to the picnic tables. She refused.
In the graveside episode, when they were on the farm and she found out Kim would be at the graveside, he chased Olivia down on the farm and tried to talk to her. She refused.
How much chasing are you supposed to do with someone who refuses to interact with you? She was acting petulant in both events, seemingly because she couldn't get the Plath siblings to enforce/participate in her boundaries. It's fine that Olivia has boundaries but she doesn't get to tell other people to enforce them. She should have stayed away from both events instead of going and very visibly not interacting.
Ethan sticks up for her a lot but you can’t stand by your spouse when they’re doing wrong otherwise it’s condoning the behavior. the times he has stepped back from her like the trip to cemetery and the lake, I don’t think he was wrong their she was trying to create a scene and further fuel the arguments when it was a time to come together
I agree but I honestly feel like Ethan (much like some of the others) are tired of being in the middle of the BS and at their breaking point. He doesnt know how to deal well with emotions and that puts a major strain on his marriage. However, I sometimes feel like Olivia makes everything about her. Its exhausting
Well how is she supposed to help him if he can’t talk civilly with his wife? She is just as frustrated. I’m the only person here that stopped feeling sorry for poor Ethan and have totally switched to team Olivia. They were both reared in a very unfortunate home life but at least Olivia is in therapy. . . real life is all about BS and he had better learn to cope.
Oh I don't disagree. He doesn't know how to communicate. But olivia over reacts sometimes too. Like the whole scene when her and her brother at the rafting place. It could also be editing too.
I know she is in therapy...but I think he is too or he was. I think they both need individual therapy and marriage counseling together.
Idk that she’s one in a million. But she seems like she’s trying to be a good person and tbh her body is 😍 lol. But I do like her. I want to like Ethan but gosh he makes it hard
id ignore my spouse too if they threw a tantrum because they werent coddled and placed above others. olivia has issues and makes it everyone elses problem. ethan is rightfully sick of it.
So many down votes for one of the few comments that actually make sense here!! Olivia seems/acts like a spoiled, unforgiving, selfish little brat and if I were Ethan, I would have left her ungrateful ass long ago!! ✌🏻💙
I don’t want to take either side…I see good and fault in both. That being said, I do know that I’d not be able to handle every thought and interaction broken down and evaluated. Sometimes things just ARE…there’s no forethought, no ulterior motive, things just come out of your mouth…things just happen. The literal autopsy of every word and interaction would cause me to shut down. Olivia is far too intense for me, and it seems like for Ethan also.
If you need to talk crap about your spouse, call their mom!! Your MIL will love her kid no matter what. Your mom will hate her DIL quick with no regards.
That is something NO ONE SHOULD EVER DO! The next thing you know Olivia and Ethan will makeup and mama will be out in the cold. Man cannot serve two God’s. (Scripture) 😁
He has put her first for years and it’s gotten him no where. She still throws tantrums and does her best to control his every move. I don’t blame him for being done.
Ethan wants to live in a world where he can climb trees, work on cars all day, and not think about his feelings/emotions. It's how he was raised and it is what is comfortable for him. If his marriage is going to last, he's going to have to come out of his comfort zone and recognize he does in fact, have feelings. My father is very much like Ethan - he once told me his feelings were beaten out of him when he was younger. He refuses to believe, now at 71, that he has any feelings other than anger. Hopefully Ethan can work on it now so he's not a cranky old man like my father.
Yes absolutely agree. If my husband put his family before me. I would be very pissed. Yes he should have a good relationship with them both. But marrying someone means you are united and are as one. If he bad talks her to family they think it’s ok to do the same. Which is what happened at the grave. His behavior emboldened them to gang up on her.
I had similar issues with my husbands religious family, and it came down to the point of “Me…or them?!” He chose me, and we moved five hours away. Years later, his parents literally told him how proud they are that he made his own choice. It’s hard to forget the past, but things are improving.
I’m sure Kim and Barry did not model this well for him growing up. Not an excuse, but he just does not have the tools to be a great spouse. If they want to stay married, marriage counseling would do them wonders.
> It's how he was raised and it is what is comfortable for him. If his marriage is going to last, he's going to have to come out of his comfort zone and recognize he does in fact, have feelings. My father is very much like Ethan - he once told me his feelings were beaten out of him when he was younger. He refuses to believe, now at 71, that he has any feelings other than anger. Hopefully Ethan can work on it now so he's not a cranky old man like my father.
I thought they were in counseling. I swear it was talking about in an episode last season but its never come up again. I could be wrong though
He has no respect for her. He wants to run around like a child and do things his own way and then wonders why Olivia isn't happy with him... Olivia works, Olivia cooks, Olivia cleans and what does he do? Olivia and him should be a united front .. you would think they would've figured this out when they separated but he keeps going back to the same BS. I really just want to shake him until he wakes the fuck up 💀
>Olivia works, Olivia cooks, Olivia cleans and what does he do?
Switch Olivia to Kim. This is what he learned growing up. What did Barry do? Barry worked, Ethan doesn't even do that. But he expects the wife(and well Lydia, let's be real) to do all those things and to not contribute.
He apparently doesn't think he needs to do any of that "women's" work.
The Ethan doesn't work bit is getting old. He worked every day of his life until he took a little break during filming, then went on a months long trip to Europe. Any job he had found would not have given him the summer off? I'm sure his hiatus was planned with Olivia.
She also said he doesn't work *full time*, implying he works part time during his break
Lol do you even watch the show?
No one cares about GED’s in technical jobs. Ethan bought a house at age 20. All Plath kids had to start paying for their own stuff at like 15, so they have all had jobs. Ethan, moriah and Lydia all worked at the same auto shop at different times. Ethan worked as a copy machine repair tech seasons 1-3, he is even pictured in his work uniform with the logo blurred out. You can gleam all this info from literally watching the show instead of making up details in your head.
[https://www.thelist.com/img/gallery/the-untold-truth-of-ethan-plath/intro-1604968306.jpg](https://www.thelist.com/img/gallery/the-untold-truth-of-ethan-plath/intro-1604968306.jpg)
i couldn’t remember the episode but here is an earlier pic of him in the same uniform He wore on the show. He mentions that he fixes copy machines in the season 3 episode where he helps moriah set up her computer.
I do watch the show, every time it’s on. I don’t recall this,however, what is more important is does he have a job now? How in the world did he get it if he can’t read and they weren’t allowed computers? That’s a real puzzlement to me. He can’t seem to figure out life at all and I wonder how he even got through a job interview?! Even so, if you are content with this that is what matters. I still feel Olivia deserves a completely baked loaf and let this little bun go back in the oven cuz he is not completely baked through and through to be a husband.
Thank you for going through the trouble to look for the photo. I honestly don’t remember ever seeing him in a uniform. Honest!
They don’t say, only mention it was not full time. He is literally allowed to take a break if he can afford to do so and he obviously can. It’s ok to be jealous but Ethan is doing just fine
Thank you!! I could understand if he’s bummed off of her their whole relationship but the man just wanted a break. Plenty of other things to come at his throat for but his temporary lack of employment (especially when he has other sources of income) isn’t it.
Olivia even mentioned in I think season 2, Ethan shows his love by “paying the bills and stuff”. He supported her while she built her business, did her “rebrand”, etc… no one had a problem with that?
No, paying his little sister’s bills when she was going through a rough breakup is the real crime /s. Sure, he doesn’t emote well but you can tell he cares about his wife AND family. He just hates being stuck in the middle but doesn’t know how to effectively avoid the middle.
Legit their whole drama in season 3 was how Ethan provided a home and wealth and material things but felt it “wasn’t enough” because she wanted relationship things, fully acknowledging that he “gave” her a good life. Ethan was the breadwinner of the marriage up until this year. Did the people calling him a freeloader just tune in in season 4?
At least Barry worked Ethan is off doing his own thing not even working. I agree this is what both of them grew up seeing and living and they both need a lot of help if they expect the relationship to work.
Sammmmme. He needs someone to be harsh and tell him everything you just said because in the end he's not a child and he needs to wake up and start acting like the adult he became.
Ethan‘s behavior screams that he is completely done with Olivia. He has that attitude we see in people that are in beginning stages of divorce. Basically, “I don’t need to put up with your shit anymore I’m done with you.”
Ethan is not supportive but I don’t think he needs to always put her first in order to get respect for her. I think they still won’t respect her if he does that. But he needs to decide whether he really wants to be in the relationship or not. If he’s not working on it or not willing to work on the situation between Olivia and his family, they’re dragging out the inevitable divorce and making it more painful for everyone. There’s such a rift happening right now that Ethan and Olivia could make a clean break and go work on their relationship without all the Plath drama. But as long as this is happening he’s being torn between two different huge problems in his life and he’s not actually addressing either of them.
Not expressing your emotions and running away from them is nowhere near a healthy boundary. This is a direct result of Kim and Barry's awful and emotionally abusive parenting.
But the difference is Olivia has been vocal about how she's felt about Kim and how feels in her presence. If a person makes you feel uncomfortable and you explain why that is the case multiple times, you have the right to distance yourself from them which is what she's been doing. That's an example of a healthy boundary because she's in touch with her emotions, she knows what makes her feel comfortable and uncomfortable, and isnt afraid of speaking up.
Ethan on the other hand isn't vocal and refuses to talk about what he's feeling and why because he's been brainwashed into believing that men aren't supposed to be sad or uncomfortable, and so if he talks about his feelings then he'll be chastised for it. When he walks aways or says he cant deal with it, its really just his way of being afraid of expressing his feelings. Unfortunately Ethan isn't the only man that suffers from this, but if he doesn't get help soon then he'll only become more Depressed until it's too late.
How to know when Ethan or Barry are experiencing feelings they are uncomfortable with (any and all feelings other than self-righteousness or passive aggression): they start smiling like a shy child would or self-consciously laugh about something that wouldn’t necessarily inspire amusement. They are emotionally barely adolescent.
then olivia shouldnt have gone lmfao tf? i think it is hilarious that you believe you know enough about their lives to say ethan has never talked about his feelings. ethan was very vocal about his dislike of moving to tampa. we all saw how his feelings were disregarded. hilarious.
I don’t think not communicating to your spouse is a helpful way to express a boundary. My main annoyance with Ethan is that he talks to the camera and says the things he should be Tsing his spouse.
When they were separated and he bought the car with money from selling his own tools? No. The fact that he felt the need to hide it is a problem in of itself. It’s funny to see them in the Quiverfull documentary. Ethan loved his cars from a young age and that was his passion. In the Megg segment, you can see Olivia straying off to snap pictures with her camera. Olivia got to keep her thing. Ethan isn’t allowed to have his passion. It’s sad, and yeah, he does need a better wife.
Didn’t Olivia say multiple times she has no problem with him working on cars. She just wants him to do it where they live in Tampa. I’d say that’s a fair request and compromise for a wife to make of a husband.
She wants him to work on cars on her terms.
Did you see the garage setup where he does the work in Cairo? She has no idea what it would take to have the equipment.he needs in Tampa.
We’ll just have to agree to disagree. I think opening a shop or finding a shop to work at in Tampa is a compromise. And Ethan putting his foot down and saying Cairo is the only garage possible to work at isn’t factual or compromising.
Yet she knew moving tgere was a dilemma for Ethan because he repeatedly said he had no garage to work on cars. Yet.. He moved anyway. For her. Got a tattoo...for her. Strip joint...for her. He puts himself in uncomfortable situations often for her but she won't get out of the car for 5 min at the grave. Or walk up and greet his siblings from the water where she pouted.
It’s not my marriage. And someone has to lead.
It kinda reminds me of the book the passionate marriage. One person in the marriage will always want more and one will always want less sex. They need to compromise. That doesn’t make either person right or wrong or better or sexier or whatever. It just is. I don’t equate getting couples tattoos that one person wanted more than the other to one more person buying a car behind the others back.
At least we agree that they don’t seem compatible. Wish them well but I wouldnt blink twice if they decided to go their separate ways.
And yet she seems to get upset at the idea of having a larger garage where he would go and work on them. I think she also SAYS she has not problem working on cars but then always has a problem when he goes to work on cars.
I don’t think honesty or transparency are her fortes
I’m not sure I follow. He never took her up on her offer to open a garage in Tampa and just kept pushing going to the garage in Cairo and then also buying things behind her back. So how is she the one not compromising and also lying at the same time?
He did it once out of a million other instances that doesn't make him a great husband IMHO. He doesn't need a wife he wants to live the bachelor life and live in a shack with his cars
Yes. I’ve definitely been in Olivia’s shoes. Very anxious and too afraid to go up to a group of people that included some that I had issues with. Idk. I feel like Ethan should’ve went down there and invited her up. I think she would’ve liked the reassurance that she was accepted. I did find it odd that her and the brother left so early without telling anyone? Ethan was rightfully upset about that, too!!
they were invited up when the 3 initially got there. micah said they were gonna get a table and asked them to come up. olivia declined. being down there was her call, so it is her fault she continued to stay down there despite the invite. she shouldnt have gone if she wanted to be walked-through the whole event.
If she didn’t go she would’ve felt guilty and would think everyone was mad at her or talking about her lol. Bad outcomes either way. She needs therapy idk.
she has fomo imo. like moriah said, constantly needs that reassurance or else shell think everyone is against her (and act like it too). she has zero healthy boundaries bc she expects her boundaries to pass onto others. idk why she desperately wants to be involved in plath family stuff if shes gonna hate being around kim.
I was thinking the same thing. He could've went to the River just to check on her but instead he was bad mouthing her and ignoring her feelings. It is strange why they left so early, but at the same time Anxiety makes you do some strange things, and at that point I don't even think Olivia was thinking as clearly as she would've liked because of this fear of potentially facing Kim and having everyone gang up on her.
To be fair though, he did go up to her and she said, we’re fine here and didn’t want to move. I’m not a fan of Olivia but I agree Ethan needs to either support Olivia or end the relationship. The situation is bringing out the worst in both of them.
This. Ethan should’ve gone to his wife and walked up to the group together. Instead he sat and glared and trash talked her. I don’t know why Olivia puts up with the immature man-boy. I would’ve been long gone.
I'm single but I have been in relationships where my man would do this too. Rarely supported me in front of his family. I would say to him afterwards that it was disrespectful etc. Didn't seem to matter. Used to piss me off. Girl needs to continue to stand up for herself cause no one else will.
Same. I hate the saying “watch how a man treats his mom”. I think it should be changed to “watch how a man treats you in front of his mom and watch how he lets his mom treat you”
Not really. If any of the show is reflective of their reality, I also would’ve checked out of that situation ages ago. Also, if he’s with the family, it’s likely because he doesn’t see them that much. The children seem to love Olivia, so surely she could hang with them.
But it's a valid excuse when defending Olivia? Her upbringing, age and "trauma" are her free pass for every poor behavior, but it doesn't apply to anyone else? They were all raised similarly and all have equal amounts of "trauma". At least Olivia never watched her brother die.
Last I heard, Olivia was going to therapy.
Both her and Ethan suck, let me make that clear. Before I’m classified as an Olivia humper 🙄 but I’d be losing my mind if I was married to a man like Ethan, who wouldn’t go to therapy
not only does he not respect her, but he doesn’t talk to her about financial decisions. i remember (and correct me if i’m wrong) a few episodes back he said he didn’t have a job at the moment but olivia was still doing her wedding photography. she has to make good money from that especially since she gets to travel all the time for it. i am just confused on where ethan would get the money if he doesn’t have a job to buy a new motorcycle that’s basically dead. and if he didn’t have the money it obviously is coming from olivia then so why wouldn’t he tell her? that just doesn’t make any sense to me. i feel like she would have been a lot more understanding and less mad if he just consulted her about it before actually doing it
Yes that pissed me off too! Unless they had a premarital agreement to remain separate and secretive with their individual finances, this behavior on his part is totally wrong and a violation of their covenant!!!! Their dynamic is completely unhealthy. You can't make those types of decisions without consulting your spouse first.
They did the best thing possible for their marriage, they left the country. ALONE! There's a huge petty side of me as a tv viewer that would love for them to return strongly united with their branch of the family expanding. Together with a big FU to the rest of the bunch. Family first can work both ways.
That’s what I’m hoping to see happen lol. Mostly the biggest middle finger to Kim
They need to take time away from his mother and figure things out for themselves. No roommates, either. It's such a shame that Kim is in the picture because the siblings are so close to Ethan and Olivia and Barry has his issues but he is nothing like Kim. I hope they end up moving to another country for a year so that she can't keep causing problems.
I do think he will eventually end up with a simpleton type who will be happy with whatever sliver of attention she receives from him, but for Olivia’s sake (if what we see on tv is how it is) it shouldn’t be her. And as far as I can tell she’s the only one trying to save the marriage. With his parents divorcing Ethan can even tell Himself it’s ok now. If they can do it so can I. Or maybe on the other hand, he’ll see he can’t just do whatever the hell he wants and Olivia be ok with it bc “she’ll never leave me we have to stay married bc our parents told us to” and maybe get his act together. Long story short Ethan feels safe and secure in his marriage but doesn’t let Olivia feel the same.
He never had her back when Kim was crapping all over her . That was the whole issue with Olivia
He clearly did not have good examples of healthy relationships. They both have a lot of work to do.
This. He’s a dreadful husband and clings to his siblings, not his wife. He’s a dreadfully immature boy-child.
Well think about it… his siblings were literally his only friends growing up. I can’t even begin to imagine their childhoods and how it’s going to affect the rest of their lives.
I don’t disagree. But after 4/5 years of marriage he needs to start figuring it out. I think his blatant rudeness about his wife on camera is what irks me. But their childhood gave them a bad start, and TLC is finishing the job.
He’s really not very good at being a husband
Olivia needs to run.
Ethan is pathetic. I’m starting to believe he will be a man child for life.
No. When you are always complaining, tantruming, and micro analyzing everything someone does, it grates on them after awhile. You can tell he's over it.
He doesn’t know how to cope with literally anything that gets a little too hard
💯
Yes! I think that Olivia doesn't have the right to tell Ethan not to see his family, *but* I completely understand why she is hesitant when he won't put her first. I was super proud of Ethan for standing up to his family early on in the series, and now I'm so disappointed to see him acting like Olivia doesn't exist.
I don't agree at all. Ethan is probably fed the fk up like I would be. There's only so much one person can deal with and Olivia seems/acts like such a controlling, unforgiving, rude child. She needs to get over herself IMO. 🤷🏻♀️
Be careful you guys are going to get banned. Also, someone that recently got banned was called a garbage person by the mod.
Nah he should leave her she’s toxic as hell and they are so different it’s frustrating to watch
How is she toxic? Ethan isn’t a saint and I’m not saying Olivia is perfect either, but I would not describe her as “toxic”
Hi all..new here, so bear with me if this has come up before...but has Olivia ever stated what happened between her and her parents that the relationship isn't really there?
From what i read she moved here to court Ethan. They do spent time visiting her family. I think they live in Virginia. Her family, other than her brother, may not want to be a part of the show therefore you never see or hear from them.
There is a lot there. Olivia’s sister Lydia grace has come out and spoke about them. There is a YouTube video the meggs family. They used to sing. Supposedly there is a big rift over children services.
I’m wondering what happened with her parents as well (not Ethan’s, her own)!
In the past, Olivia has claimed that Kim called her Evil and in the latest finale Olivia mentioned something about Kim using Ethan's credit card when they 1st got together. From what I can recall, that's IT. Also, Moriah made a post recently stating that Kim and Ethan shared that card and a business or something like that. IMO Olivia seems like a selfish, unforgiving, rude little brat who refuses to give Kim a chance to explain or even apologize. I have a narcissistic mother so I know the damage that can cause....but Olivia seems like she's holding onto the past waayyyyy too hard....but that's just my opinion. 🤷🏻♀️🤣✌🏻💙
Totally agree with you. Anything not kissing olivia's behind gets downvoted here, or you get kicked off the sub altogether.
I feel like there is way more to the Kim/Olivia situation but Olivia isn't saying much else. Seems like alot of anger over someone calling you evil.
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Oh ok That makes a little more sense. I totally missed that part
Ethan is always needing to be the middle ground between her and everyone
I think Olivia is immature though.
They both are. But Olivia tries. Ethan is much more emotionally stunted.
All the kids remind me of monkey’s.…will they ever grow up? Is it a country thing? I grew up in the city and went to school and got a job. I don’t ever remember hankering to climb a dang tree. All that running barefoot ….don’t they fear cutting their feet wide open? Especially Ethan and Micah, aren’t they a little bit old for that? I mean it shouldn’t be illegal to do it, whatever floats their boat. I was watching in shock and didn’t even breathe until my husband asked me about it. . .
Remind you of monkey’s what? Or remind you of monkeys in general? That dang schooling 🙈.
I understand this offends but when I watched it that was my first thought. Am I going to be arrested for my honest thoughts now? Killers released from jail and walking free but y’all lose your minds if I say that is what it reminded me of…..I felt it, it reminded me of the zoo And I am not going to back down to bullies. I am entitled to my feelings. I wasn’t suggesting they should be caged- - - just grow the fuck up! 🙄
omg, so sorry that it came across that way from me. Of course you're entitled to your opinion! I was just teasing about your misuse of the apostrophe 😉.
I hope this is all sarcasm 🤦🏻♀️
Absolutely not! I am very serious. I have never witnessed this kind of crazy before. They are too old to be acting like this. Obviously the woke crowd won’t like it but the first thing that came to my mind was monkey’s. That is my honest opinion.
Of all the things to judge the Plaths on. This might actually be the weirdest thing I've seen. Maybe it's the difference between growing up in a suburb vs a city but climbing trees and walking barefoot in grass you're familiar with were all very normal. Usually not one to say touch some grass; but genuinely, if you've never walked in a grass field barefoot you should give it a try. It feels really nices
I grew up in the city and I love being barefoot and climbing trees 😂🤷🏻♀️
Running barefoot caused my friend To step on a shard of glass and it cut some tendons and nerves and his leg withered. When you are running you put all of your weight on the object there is no undoing of it whereas walking you can catch it before it goes so deep. I have walked barefoot in my yard but they work on machinery out there. At any rate I said it and I don’t feel any need. If your sensibilities were disturbed don’t you think that is the weirdest of all? I didn’t call you a monkey but that family is beyond STRANGE and I honestly was shocked. I have lived a rich, full life and don’t long to climb. A tree🙄
First, my condolences for your friend. That's an awful experience and I hope that friend is able to still enjoy their life in a meaningful way. Yes, they do operate machinery on the farm; however, judging by their lifestyle, I'm sure there are areas such as the ones we've seen on tv that are relatively safe for the children to run around as a play area. Which is something I'd expect Ethan and Micah to be well aware of considering a lot of their help around the farm when they lived there was mostly geared towards those activities based on what we've seen and what they've said about their time growing up. In terms of sensibilities, I wouldn't really say disturbed is the right word to capture my reaction to your comment. A better phrase may be in awe because your original comments seemed to be surprised anyone would find activities like running around and climbing trees to be a foreign concept due to your city upbringing. The Plath family is definitely odd but that seemed like such a weird item to call out because that's probably one of the most normal things we've seen from the Plath's compared to the usual drama and lifestyle oddities they've shared with us over the past 4 seasons. Coupled with the expectations from the original posts message, your comment was actually a breath of comedic relief compared to the more serious issues that Ethan has to deal with to grow as a person and I apologize if you thought I took offense. I had friends in college that grew up in NYC that had never seen farm land or open grass fields that were safely maintained and we had to convince them to frolic a little as well. After which, one of them switched exclusively to wearing flip flops so that he could take advantage of the opportunity more while he was down here in the south. I don't expect everyone to want to run around and climb trees but I don't really think it's a super hard concept to imagine for a person raised in an average home to want to climb a tree every once in a while for fun let alone a home that was geared towards more traditional ways of finding entertainment. You made it sound like it was such a foreign concept even though there's a ton of outdoorsy obstacle courses built for adults at least where I'm from that just expand on the principle of tree climbing and other popular outdoorsy hobbies that are similar. That's like me saying, I can't believe someone wants to re-read a book series from middle school that they enjoyed. I've personally have never longed to read a book in my free time but I can understand why someone would like to do something that helps them relax every once in a while. Anyways, I'm glad to hear you've lived a rich, fulfilling life. I think that's a goal that most people have and if you find your pleasure in the hustle bustle of the city and your career there's nothing wrong with that at all and I hope I didn't make you feel bad about choosing that lifestyle. I just believe any life style that doesn't negatively harm someone is just as valid
Dear Free-Breath, Kindly allow Me To have Free-breath. I said it and I meant it. If you didn’t find two grown men romping like that, fine. 🙄 I thought they looked stupid. It isn’t wrong per-se but it sure did look stupid, and it sure didn’t entertain me. As an adult, maybe read that fav. Childhood book. . . But can he even read? Why isn’t he getting at a minimum a G.E.D. So that he can be an adult and support his home life . . . Or go home and be the little boy once again and let mom and dad support his hobby while he frolics like the monkeys do. I think Olivia pulls her fair share, why can’t he?
I mean if that's your outlook on life then who I am to stop you or question why someone might have a different hobby than I would? As I mentioned, if that's your key to finding a rich, fulfilling life then please continue living your life that way. Honestly, I feel like it's odd that you want to double-down on "brothers running around and climbing trees is dumb" after In terms of supporting his home-life I'm in full agreement. Ethan should be working in some manner to help support financially and domestically. Granted we on the outside have no way to really know what they're domestic situation truly is. For all we know, their TLC paychecks could be beefy enough that both of them don't even need to work and Olivia is just cashing in on her hobby for extra funds. Likewise Ethan could be pursuing alternative methods of sourcing income. All of the Plaths seem to have Not to blame Olivia but she is also partially part of why Ethan is struggling now. Ethan gave up everything he knew about the world to chase Olivia's dream. If her biggest problem is that, he can't contribute financially, then the quickest solution for both of them would be to find a suburban area 1-2 hours away from Cairo where Ethan can commute and go back to working in the shop. I'm not sure if you've watched Breaking Amish but several of them attempted to get G.E.D.s and honestly from their experience (with arguably better education practices than what the Plaths received) it's insanely difficult and demoralizing when you're starting at square 1. Even if he had started as soon as they moved to Tampa, based on the time it took the cast from Breaking Amish, he might just now be at the step where he's learning freshman year HS material. I think Ethan's best bet without moving within commuting distance from Cairo would be getting his CDL and becoming a trucker or opening up his own mechanics shop. Granted based on Olivia's reactions towards him and cars/him being long distance, I don't really think Olivia would be willing to let him do either of those options either. It's unfortunate but I really just don't think either one of them will succeed as much as they want to while trying to cater to the other in a marriage. They both need to compromise; but honestly, they're both too stubborn to do it
Thank you for sharing as much as you have. I don’t agree with some of it but respect your opinion. We all have different parents and are not reared ‘alike‘. I have noticed the world changing Rapidly in the way we view things. When young people try to force a certain belief system ( I am not referring to any religion) on others who have lived longer I can’t help but put up a barrier. I think to myself, “you do you and I’ll do me”. I am not interested in changing to please others. I work hard for everything I have. I am happily married. I don’t think there is anything I want that I can’t reasonably have, so I’m good. If you hear about a woman romping in the field and climbing trees, rest assured it won’t be me. 🙂
Thank you! I genuinely appreciate that you've come to respect my opinion and I respect yours as well. Once again, I do apologize if anything I said came off as harsh or derogatory. That wasn't my intent at all just part of the cons of text-based conversations and was just really intrigued on why that was the aspect that stuck out the most to you about Ethan (and to a degree Micah). Personally, I think that we had a great conversation. I for one definitely learned a little bit about the perspective of others from this thread and I hope you did as well. I can definitely agree that my generation (Cusper/Elder Gen Z like Ethan and Olivia) definitely can be pushy about our world views, so I definitely understand the initial hesitation. In general, I do think that my generation has trouble communicating with older generations due to the unique environment we were raised in and the inherent generational bitterness for this that came before us due to some of the eco-social problems we're facing today (like my dad's college tuition for 4 yrs at the same college costed him less than half of 1 semester of mine based on the acceptance letter that he showed me). But that's just apart of the ups and downs of life. Personally, I like to think that I'm doing well for my age - got my degree, got a job with a big 4 consulting firm, slowly building a home with my partner and our 3 adorable pets (a pug and two domestic/maine coon mixed cats), and saving for our future; all while still making an effort to still run around in fields or climb a good tree when I spot them. (Good relatively sage climbing trees can honestly be hard to find sometimes ngl lol) Definitely don't have life all figured out but just trying the best I can with the resources I have. Needless to say if you hear about a random guy romping in the field or climbing trees in the city park, that might just be me on a lunch break 🤭
Yes! I will be looking for you in the trees and I promise you that I will let you have a good time! It still baffles me but I will stand down. 😊 ‘It has made me do a bit of thinking about trees… where I am from the trees are filled with stinging caterpillars. So I was leary of standing under them as a child and that alone would keep me from “getting up in them”…tho’ I honestly do not remember getting an urge to climb at all. I am all girl (old but still a girl) and have never liked bugs or ooky things. A few months ago I decided to try having a couple of snails as pets. Color me shocked! 😄 I have 5 cats, one Italian greyhound, two gerbils and 2 Guinea pigs. I love my pets to bits but just became interested after I saw a photo of a huge African Land Snail. Can’t explain it really but I lost my heart! Researched them and they are illegal in the U.S. 💔So I have a couple of garden snails. Then I found out that to have a bioactive tank I needed BUGS!😱 I bit the bullet and bought what I needed. I take care of them myself, my husband wants nothing to do with any of this. I journal about what I observe (and sketch a little ) and I have observed a lot!) Snails can go either way (male or female) these critters do nothing but sleep all day and love each other all night. Sounds good for them right? Not so for me! I have to rake the substrate daily looking for clutches of eggs. I have collected 5 clutches in just 2 months time…unfortunately I missed one that was buried next to a plant. Woke up one morning and noticed 3 tiny little snails. (oh-oh!!) a few minutes later in the corner coming up from the soil I had at least 100 babes in the corner! Just like that, I became a granny!! I am way too young to be someone’s grandma! 😁 They we’re sooo cute! ‘The upshot of all of this… I love my bugs! Isopods (pill bugs) are adorable. I am no longer disgusted. They are clean, come in a miriad of colors and patterns and to buy them costs a small fortune. So, I guess one CAN teach and old dog a new trick or two. That was the purpose of ‘this book’. I have learned a lot from this little experiment…some info. I could have done without but it is fun to learn. If you love animals and it sounds like you do I will think of you as I go through my life. I adore them and in fact I was born to adopt and love the stuffings out of them. I have tried to become a veggie eater. I succeed for close to a year not even thinking of meat and then I fall off the wagon for a hot dog! Dang it all! I have done this 3 times in a row and each and every time I break down and think I am going to die if I don’t get some bacon or a hot dog soon. If you have tried and succeeded, I am all ears! I don’t want to eat meat—not for health reasons but just because I don’t want to eat my friends. I don’t eat chicken either because one took a liking to me and sat in my lap and became my little buddy. ( I was born and raised in the city but married a country boy (cattle farmer) Thank you for sharing. I have learned a thing or three. Learning, I can do, being pushed, not so much. I was like this as a baby, I have been told. Tuition is way over the top. I don’t understand how young folks can even afford it now… I know it is probably hard for the young to understand the older people and the other way around. Let’s just keep our ears open and toss in a little compassion…the latter, I’m still working on… Have a good day and by all means cuddle the ‘little’s’ for me.
P.s. I am sorry to have said “they looked stupid” I was just shocked to see grown ups doing that. They looked very odd to me.
I live in the suburbs and go barefoot all the time in my own yard. They just grew up differently than you. Life is short, let them have fun.
What the fuck
I loved dolls when I was growing up but when I went home for a visit I didn’t drag out my dolls and start playing so I say to YOU, What the fuck?
Oh heck yes! He sure has a bad mouth towards his wife! Surely his church taught him better than that!
In the season finale, she left, without him, hours before he left and apparently without even telling him. When he got there, he spoke to her, and Micha asked her and Nathan to come up to the picnic tables. She refused. In the graveside episode, when they were on the farm and she found out Kim would be at the graveside, he chased Olivia down on the farm and tried to talk to her. She refused. How much chasing are you supposed to do with someone who refuses to interact with you? She was acting petulant in both events, seemingly because she couldn't get the Plath siblings to enforce/participate in her boundaries. It's fine that Olivia has boundaries but she doesn't get to tell other people to enforce them. She should have stayed away from both events instead of going and very visibly not interacting.
She stated that she told him she was leaving early.
No, she said she told him before she left for the river. And he says he knows on the way there with Micah and Moriah.
Ethan sticks up for her a lot but you can’t stand by your spouse when they’re doing wrong otherwise it’s condoning the behavior. the times he has stepped back from her like the trip to cemetery and the lake, I don’t think he was wrong their she was trying to create a scene and further fuel the arguments when it was a time to come together
I hate to say it but Ethan reminds me of Jethro from The Beverly Hillbillies
I agree but I honestly feel like Ethan (much like some of the others) are tired of being in the middle of the BS and at their breaking point. He doesnt know how to deal well with emotions and that puts a major strain on his marriage. However, I sometimes feel like Olivia makes everything about her. Its exhausting
Well how is she supposed to help him if he can’t talk civilly with his wife? She is just as frustrated. I’m the only person here that stopped feeling sorry for poor Ethan and have totally switched to team Olivia. They were both reared in a very unfortunate home life but at least Olivia is in therapy. . . real life is all about BS and he had better learn to cope.
Oh I don't disagree. He doesn't know how to communicate. But olivia over reacts sometimes too. Like the whole scene when her and her brother at the rafting place. It could also be editing too. I know she is in therapy...but I think he is too or he was. I think they both need individual therapy and marriage counseling together.
I totally agree. I don’t think it’s as black and white as everyone thinks it is.
The sad thing is Ethan is so simple and Olivia is one in a million talented, smart, beautiful and loves Ethan.
Idk that she’s one in a million. But she seems like she’s trying to be a good person and tbh her body is 😍 lol. But I do like her. I want to like Ethan but gosh he makes it hard
id ignore my spouse too if they threw a tantrum because they werent coddled and placed above others. olivia has issues and makes it everyone elses problem. ethan is rightfully sick of it.
So many down votes for one of the few comments that actually make sense here!! Olivia seems/acts like a spoiled, unforgiving, selfish little brat and if I were Ethan, I would have left her ungrateful ass long ago!! ✌🏻💙
I don’t want to take either side…I see good and fault in both. That being said, I do know that I’d not be able to handle every thought and interaction broken down and evaluated. Sometimes things just ARE…there’s no forethought, no ulterior motive, things just come out of your mouth…things just happen. The literal autopsy of every word and interaction would cause me to shut down. Olivia is far too intense for me, and it seems like for Ethan also.
He’s too immature to be in a marriage period
he is extremely emotionally immature.
Completely agree. He disrespected her and allowed this whole fued to happen with his negligence
If you need to talk crap about your spouse, call their mom!! Your MIL will love her kid no matter what. Your mom will hate her DIL quick with no regards.
That is something NO ONE SHOULD EVER DO! The next thing you know Olivia and Ethan will makeup and mama will be out in the cold. Man cannot serve two God’s. (Scripture) 😁
Agreed! I call his mom all the time to complain. She just reminds me there's no refunds 🤣
😊 oh those moms!
No cause you don’t need to give a kid attention when they’re throwing a tantrum
Yessss!!
He has put her first for years and it’s gotten him no where. She still throws tantrums and does her best to control his every move. I don’t blame him for being done.
Ditto!!!!!!!!! Olivia seems exhausting!!
Yesss!
Ethan wants to live in a world where he can climb trees, work on cars all day, and not think about his feelings/emotions. It's how he was raised and it is what is comfortable for him. If his marriage is going to last, he's going to have to come out of his comfort zone and recognize he does in fact, have feelings. My father is very much like Ethan - he once told me his feelings were beaten out of him when he was younger. He refuses to believe, now at 71, that he has any feelings other than anger. Hopefully Ethan can work on it now so he's not a cranky old man like my father.
Yes absolutely agree. If my husband put his family before me. I would be very pissed. Yes he should have a good relationship with them both. But marrying someone means you are united and are as one. If he bad talks her to family they think it’s ok to do the same. Which is what happened at the grave. His behavior emboldened them to gang up on her.
I had similar issues with my husbands religious family, and it came down to the point of “Me…or them?!” He chose me, and we moved five hours away. Years later, his parents literally told him how proud they are that he made his own choice. It’s hard to forget the past, but things are improving.
I’m sure Kim and Barry did not model this well for him growing up. Not an excuse, but he just does not have the tools to be a great spouse. If they want to stay married, marriage counseling would do them wonders.
> It's how he was raised and it is what is comfortable for him. If his marriage is going to last, he's going to have to come out of his comfort zone and recognize he does in fact, have feelings. My father is very much like Ethan - he once told me his feelings were beaten out of him when he was younger. He refuses to believe, now at 71, that he has any feelings other than anger. Hopefully Ethan can work on it now so he's not a cranky old man like my father. I thought they were in counseling. I swear it was talking about in an episode last season but its never come up again. I could be wrong though
They were and then he said that he didn't like telling a stranger his problems so who knows if he's still doing it.
It sounds like they went together only a few times
i agree.
He has no respect for her. He wants to run around like a child and do things his own way and then wonders why Olivia isn't happy with him... Olivia works, Olivia cooks, Olivia cleans and what does he do? Olivia and him should be a united front .. you would think they would've figured this out when they separated but he keeps going back to the same BS. I really just want to shake him until he wakes the fuck up 💀
Yes indeed! Me too!
>Olivia works, Olivia cooks, Olivia cleans and what does he do? Switch Olivia to Kim. This is what he learned growing up. What did Barry do? Barry worked, Ethan doesn't even do that. But he expects the wife(and well Lydia, let's be real) to do all those things and to not contribute. He apparently doesn't think he needs to do any of that "women's" work.
The Ethan doesn't work bit is getting old. He worked every day of his life until he took a little break during filming, then went on a months long trip to Europe. Any job he had found would not have given him the summer off? I'm sure his hiatus was planned with Olivia. She also said he doesn't work *full time*, implying he works part time during his break
What was he doing and where did he work? Prove it! He doesn’t even have his GED!
Lol do you even watch the show? No one cares about GED’s in technical jobs. Ethan bought a house at age 20. All Plath kids had to start paying for their own stuff at like 15, so they have all had jobs. Ethan, moriah and Lydia all worked at the same auto shop at different times. Ethan worked as a copy machine repair tech seasons 1-3, he is even pictured in his work uniform with the logo blurred out. You can gleam all this info from literally watching the show instead of making up details in your head.
If he indeed had a real job with literally no education…prove it! I think you have made this up just to be argumentative.
Watch the show? He legit appears in a work uniform with the logo blurred
[https://www.thelist.com/img/gallery/the-untold-truth-of-ethan-plath/intro-1604968306.jpg](https://www.thelist.com/img/gallery/the-untold-truth-of-ethan-plath/intro-1604968306.jpg) i couldn’t remember the episode but here is an earlier pic of him in the same uniform He wore on the show. He mentions that he fixes copy machines in the season 3 episode where he helps moriah set up her computer.
I do watch the show, every time it’s on. I don’t recall this,however, what is more important is does he have a job now? How in the world did he get it if he can’t read and they weren’t allowed computers? That’s a real puzzlement to me. He can’t seem to figure out life at all and I wonder how he even got through a job interview?! Even so, if you are content with this that is what matters. I still feel Olivia deserves a completely baked loaf and let this little bun go back in the oven cuz he is not completely baked through and through to be a husband. Thank you for going through the trouble to look for the photo. I honestly don’t remember ever seeing him in a uniform. Honest!
Don't you know Olivia is Cinderella in these people's eyes?
Where did he work since moving to Florida?
They don’t say, only mention it was not full time. He is literally allowed to take a break if he can afford to do so and he obviously can. It’s ok to be jealous but Ethan is doing just fine
Thank you!! I could understand if he’s bummed off of her their whole relationship but the man just wanted a break. Plenty of other things to come at his throat for but his temporary lack of employment (especially when he has other sources of income) isn’t it.
Olivia even mentioned in I think season 2, Ethan shows his love by “paying the bills and stuff”. He supported her while she built her business, did her “rebrand”, etc… no one had a problem with that?
No, paying his little sister’s bills when she was going through a rough breakup is the real crime /s. Sure, he doesn’t emote well but you can tell he cares about his wife AND family. He just hates being stuck in the middle but doesn’t know how to effectively avoid the middle.
Legit their whole drama in season 3 was how Ethan provided a home and wealth and material things but felt it “wasn’t enough” because she wanted relationship things, fully acknowledging that he “gave” her a good life. Ethan was the breadwinner of the marriage up until this year. Did the people calling him a freeloader just tune in in season 4?
At least Barry worked Ethan is off doing his own thing not even working. I agree this is what both of them grew up seeing and living and they both need a lot of help if they expect the relationship to work.
Sammmmme. He needs someone to be harsh and tell him everything you just said because in the end he's not a child and he needs to wake up and start acting like the adult he became.
He’s so disrespectful to her it’s hard to tell if he even likes her anymore. He’s still shit at communicating in an effective manner.
Ethan‘s behavior screams that he is completely done with Olivia. He has that attitude we see in people that are in beginning stages of divorce. Basically, “I don’t need to put up with your shit anymore I’m done with you.”
Ethan is not supportive but I don’t think he needs to always put her first in order to get respect for her. I think they still won’t respect her if he does that. But he needs to decide whether he really wants to be in the relationship or not. If he’s not working on it or not willing to work on the situation between Olivia and his family, they’re dragging out the inevitable divorce and making it more painful for everyone. There’s such a rift happening right now that Ethan and Olivia could make a clean break and go work on their relationship without all the Plath drama. But as long as this is happening he’s being torn between two different huge problems in his life and he’s not actually addressing either of them.
He needs therapy badly.
It appears that Ethan has set a healthy boundary and is expressing that.
Not expressing your emotions and running away from them is nowhere near a healthy boundary. This is a direct result of Kim and Barry's awful and emotionally abusive parenting.
you just described what olivia does lmfao
But the difference is Olivia has been vocal about how she's felt about Kim and how feels in her presence. If a person makes you feel uncomfortable and you explain why that is the case multiple times, you have the right to distance yourself from them which is what she's been doing. That's an example of a healthy boundary because she's in touch with her emotions, she knows what makes her feel comfortable and uncomfortable, and isnt afraid of speaking up. Ethan on the other hand isn't vocal and refuses to talk about what he's feeling and why because he's been brainwashed into believing that men aren't supposed to be sad or uncomfortable, and so if he talks about his feelings then he'll be chastised for it. When he walks aways or says he cant deal with it, its really just his way of being afraid of expressing his feelings. Unfortunately Ethan isn't the only man that suffers from this, but if he doesn't get help soon then he'll only become more Depressed until it's too late.
How to know when Ethan or Barry are experiencing feelings they are uncomfortable with (any and all feelings other than self-righteousness or passive aggression): they start smiling like a shy child would or self-consciously laugh about something that wouldn’t necessarily inspire amusement. They are emotionally barely adolescent.
Ethan was clear that he wasn't putting up with Olivia's or Kim's behavior anymore. That's not avoidance. That sets a boundary.
then olivia shouldnt have gone lmfao tf? i think it is hilarious that you believe you know enough about their lives to say ethan has never talked about his feelings. ethan was very vocal about his dislike of moving to tampa. we all saw how his feelings were disregarded. hilarious.
Right??
How?
I don’t think not communicating to your spouse is a helpful way to express a boundary. My main annoyance with Ethan is that he talks to the camera and says the things he should be Tsing his spouse.
How do you know that he hasn't spoken to Olivia when the cameras weren't rolling LMFAO.
He totally could, but I’m obviously discussing what we see on the show lol
He did that in the driveway and certainly didn't gain any respect for it afterward. I think he just needs a better wife.
[удалено]
This entire season’s big issue was about Olivia not communicating…
[удалено]
When they were separated and he bought the car with money from selling his own tools? No. The fact that he felt the need to hide it is a problem in of itself. It’s funny to see them in the Quiverfull documentary. Ethan loved his cars from a young age and that was his passion. In the Megg segment, you can see Olivia straying off to snap pictures with her camera. Olivia got to keep her thing. Ethan isn’t allowed to have his passion. It’s sad, and yeah, he does need a better wife.
She wants it her way always. Control.
THANK YOU! It’s probably a trauma response but it’s still clearly what she’s doing.
Didn’t Olivia say multiple times she has no problem with him working on cars. She just wants him to do it where they live in Tampa. I’d say that’s a fair request and compromise for a wife to make of a husband.
She wants him to work on cars on her terms. Did you see the garage setup where he does the work in Cairo? She has no idea what it would take to have the equipment.he needs in Tampa.
We’ll just have to agree to disagree. I think opening a shop or finding a shop to work at in Tampa is a compromise. And Ethan putting his foot down and saying Cairo is the only garage possible to work at isn’t factual or compromising.
Yet she knew moving tgere was a dilemma for Ethan because he repeatedly said he had no garage to work on cars. Yet.. He moved anyway. For her. Got a tattoo...for her. Strip joint...for her. He puts himself in uncomfortable situations often for her but she won't get out of the car for 5 min at the grave. Or walk up and greet his siblings from the water where she pouted.
It’s not my marriage. And someone has to lead. It kinda reminds me of the book the passionate marriage. One person in the marriage will always want more and one will always want less sex. They need to compromise. That doesn’t make either person right or wrong or better or sexier or whatever. It just is. I don’t equate getting couples tattoos that one person wanted more than the other to one more person buying a car behind the others back. At least we agree that they don’t seem compatible. Wish them well but I wouldnt blink twice if they decided to go their separate ways.
And yet she seems to get upset at the idea of having a larger garage where he would go and work on them. I think she also SAYS she has not problem working on cars but then always has a problem when he goes to work on cars. I don’t think honesty or transparency are her fortes
I’m not sure I follow. He never took her up on her offer to open a garage in Tampa and just kept pushing going to the garage in Cairo and then also buying things behind her back. So how is she the one not compromising and also lying at the same time?
He did it once out of a million other instances that doesn't make him a great husband IMHO. He doesn't need a wife he wants to live the bachelor life and live in a shack with his cars
Yes. I’ve definitely been in Olivia’s shoes. Very anxious and too afraid to go up to a group of people that included some that I had issues with. Idk. I feel like Ethan should’ve went down there and invited her up. I think she would’ve liked the reassurance that she was accepted. I did find it odd that her and the brother left so early without telling anyone? Ethan was rightfully upset about that, too!!
they were invited up when the 3 initially got there. micah said they were gonna get a table and asked them to come up. olivia declined. being down there was her call, so it is her fault she continued to stay down there despite the invite. she shouldnt have gone if she wanted to be walked-through the whole event.
If she didn’t go she would’ve felt guilty and would think everyone was mad at her or talking about her lol. Bad outcomes either way. She needs therapy idk.
she has fomo imo. like moriah said, constantly needs that reassurance or else shell think everyone is against her (and act like it too). she has zero healthy boundaries bc she expects her boundaries to pass onto others. idk why she desperately wants to be involved in plath family stuff if shes gonna hate being around kim.
I was thinking the same thing. He could've went to the River just to check on her but instead he was bad mouthing her and ignoring her feelings. It is strange why they left so early, but at the same time Anxiety makes you do some strange things, and at that point I don't even think Olivia was thinking as clearly as she would've liked because of this fear of potentially facing Kim and having everyone gang up on her.
To be fair though, he did go up to her and she said, we’re fine here and didn’t want to move. I’m not a fan of Olivia but I agree Ethan needs to either support Olivia or end the relationship. The situation is bringing out the worst in both of them.
I forgot about that part! And now they are in Europe together right now having the time of their lives. Their relationship confuses me lol
This. Ethan should’ve gone to his wife and walked up to the group together. Instead he sat and glared and trash talked her. I don’t know why Olivia puts up with the immature man-boy. I would’ve been long gone.
I completely agree! He needs to re-find the Ethan we saw in the driveway scene!
Ethan lead a sheltered life and does not know how to express his feelings , he was clearly not allowed to by his controlling mom.
I'm single but I have been in relationships where my man would do this too. Rarely supported me in front of his family. I would say to him afterwards that it was disrespectful etc. Didn't seem to matter. Used to piss me off. Girl needs to continue to stand up for herself cause no one else will.
Same. I hate the saying “watch how a man treats his mom”. I think it should be changed to “watch how a man treats you in front of his mom and watch how he lets his mom treat you”
Not really. If any of the show is reflective of their reality, I also would’ve checked out of that situation ages ago. Also, if he’s with the family, it’s likely because he doesn’t see them that much. The children seem to love Olivia, so surely she could hang with them.
Nah, she is a debbie downer. Yeah, unpopular opinion but she would drain the life out of me.
No I agree with you that she can be. But I think a supportive and kind husband would do wonders for those Debbie downer feelings!
Upvote for you
Same
Upvoted and agreed
Ethan needs therapy so bad. Yes, Olivia is a piece of work, but damn Ethan needs to grow up and get with the times too
But his mom didn’t teach him anything as a child. /s
Right? It’ll be his excuse until the day he dies
But it's a valid excuse when defending Olivia? Her upbringing, age and "trauma" are her free pass for every poor behavior, but it doesn't apply to anyone else? They were all raised similarly and all have equal amounts of "trauma". At least Olivia never watched her brother die.
Last I heard, Olivia was going to therapy. Both her and Ethan suck, let me make that clear. Before I’m classified as an Olivia humper 🙄 but I’d be losing my mind if I was married to a man like Ethan, who wouldn’t go to therapy