Married To The Army: Alaska “You Ever Been In A Turkish Prison?”

Photo: Married To The Army FB Page

In this episode, we get to delve deeper into the lives and personalities of the cast.

The blackout went on for two days, after which, Yolanda was called by her husband.  On the verge of tears, she tells on the video cam that the Brigade has experienced its first KIA (Killed In Action).

A few thoughts from the spouses:

• Rynn says you go through the thoughts of happy it’s not your husband and feel guilty about that.  Then you think of the soldier’s family and their heartbreaking loss.
• Blair just doesn’t know what she would do in that event.  

Yolanda invites the wives over after the memorial service.  What are they feeling right now?  How are the new wives doing?  Lindsey says it’s a reality jolt.  Blair says that you think things are hard, but “It can be a lot harder forever.”  They join in a circle of self-reflection and sisterhood.  Yolanda gives very encouraging words as her voice cracks.   “From the privates wife to the Colonel’s wife, we’re a sisterhood of Army wives.”  That is the line of the night, in my opinion.

Lindsey and Traci talk about the phone call from the premiere.  She apologizes for calling Traci’s past a joke.  Traci accepts and says she dislikes her a lot less now. Traci’s  husband calls at that moment and he’s on speaker.  “Hey baby, what’s up?”  Lindsey admits envy to the chemistry in his voice.  She wishes Phil was the same and voices this.  Makes me wonder if he was more affectionate while they dated?  It seems to really hurt Lindsey.  

Yolanda takes Blair and Lindsey on a cross-country ski lesson.  She is just the best.  A mother, sister and best friend in one.  Blair says she typically wouldn’t get a chance to socialize with officer’s wives.  She wouldn’t have come if Yolanda didn’t extend the invite.  Blair wants more girlfriend time and admits she’s not telling the truth when she says being home all the time is what she likes.  

Blair prefers the off base life to maintain a sense of privacy from the on base gossip chain that can happen with women.  I hope Blair corrects me if I’m wrong, but I think she is selective on who she lets in as a friend for the reasons she stated above.  Let’s face it, women can have problems keeping friendships without some crazy drama.  Blair seems like a straight shooter who doesn’t have time for the mess, but if she’s your friend, it’s for real.   

They have a fun skiing and do some chatting on how Lindsey and Phil’s visit is going. She wanted to do more things with Phil, but he wants to chill at home.  Yolanda gives both women the soldier’s perspective of needing quiet and space after being in a war zone.  

Lindsey wants a positive ending to Phil’s time at home.  She asks him to try harder to Skype more on his free time.  Communication during deployment is so precious, but Phil is very focused on the mission.  Sometimes she wants to be the mission.  The family delivers him to the airport and Phil says it’s like deploying all over again.  He’s confident in Lindsey handling things and leaving is probably hardest on him.

Rynn and Blair discuss seeking help for their depression.  No shame at all.  I’m very glad they openly discussed this in front of the cameras.  Now they can support each other emotionally.  Rynn is struggling with this deployment on many levels.  Teenagers add a new challenge.  She’s not getting through to them and they admit that they take advantage of her which dad wouldn’t put up with.  Rynn wants to feel like she’s succeeding during this deployment and meeting her kid’s needs, but she feels like she’s not.  Is it more important for her kids to like her or respect her?  She’s going to set more boundaries for them.

Blair brings Rynn along on her beer run in preparation for Brian’s R&R.  Atta girl.  She plans to liquor him up and take advantage of him and I don’t think he’ll mind.  She’s a spicy broad and I like it.  Rynn can’t drink because she’s Mormon.  It’s hilarious to watch Rynn watch Blair tasting beers.  She’s a great sport. Blair admits that she knew what brand to get, she just wanted to taste some beers!

Now it’s Blair’s turn to go shopping for some R&R boudoir gear.  She brings Lindsey and Rynn along.  She’s looking for something that shows off the loss of baby weight.  Whipping open the curtain in the dressing room, we can see that she looks great.  Blair is looking forward to sex and fun which will cure the nervousness of seeing him again.  

Salina’s been married for seven years and they found themselves expecting just in time for the deployment.  She starts to have pains and is instructed to go to the hospital.  She calls Sara to meet her there and everything is fine.  With Sara by her side, Salina learns that the baby is a girl.  She gets her pictures taken with a pink sign against a snowy backdrop that reads:  “Afghanistan may have my daddy for now, but I will have for always.”  He loves it and they get to share the excitement together via Skype.  

A nervous Blair shows up the airport.  She’s fidgety and anxious, when “I’m Already There” starts playing from the coffee shop and she turns to see her man.  Best hug!  Brian had planned the musical surprise for her and tells her she looks hot as shit.  Great homecoming scene.     

Viewer and military spouse, Kaitlyn, told me that this episode was “Heart wrenching.”  

What did you think? Check the sneak peek of next Monday’s episode here.

Tags: 44blueproductions, alaska, army, army wives show, arrmy wife, blackout, blair flanagan, brigade, docuseries, jber alaska, KIA, lindsey bergeron, married to the army, married to the army alaska, OWN, salina tillman, sara dunlap, tessara dunlap, traci moran, yolanda goins