Jill & Jessa: Counting On, "Family Reunion"...
- TLC flashes back to moments from Jessa and Ben’s courtship, wedding day, pregnancy, and first months as parents.
- As you may remember, Jessa and Ben shared their first kiss in private after their wedding ceremony. What do the other Duggar siblings think about that?
- Joy-Anna: “I’m not exactly sure what I’ll choose. I guess I’ll have to wait and see, see what my guy things.”
- Jedidiah: “I don’t know if I could wait that long…might as well do it then.”
- John-David: “For me, it’s not that big of a deal…to kiss in public.” But he says he will have to see what his wife thinks.
- Jessa says her entire labor is a “mental blur” and that it did not feel like real life. She shares more about her 24-hour stay in the hospital after Spurgeon’s homebirth. She had a large amount of blood loss when the placenta separated from the wall of the uterus, so her birth team called an ambulance and had her transported to the hospital. The doctor checked her out and told her she could either consume extra iron and recover over a period of about three months or have a blood transfusion. Jessa opted for the blood transfusion.
- Jessa and Ben take four-month-old Spurgeon to a camera shop to have photos taken for his passport, in preparation for their trip to Central America in two weeks.
- Jana, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy, Jedidiah, Jason, and James are also going along. Although it has only been a couple months since their Christmas trip to Central America, they look forward to coming alongside the Dillards and helping with their ministry activities.
- The Duggars sign birthday cards to deliver to Jill, Derick, and Israel. “I’m so thankful that after a really difficult year, my family has drawn even closer together, and we’re stronger than ever before, and going on this trip together is a testament to that,” says Jessa.
- “It was very difficult, and we cried a lot of tears,” shares Jessa, thinking back to summer 2015. “And I feel like it was especially difficult for me, just because I had spoke out in defense of Josh and had stood up for him, and then there was another whole wave of things that came through. It was really difficult for me. It was very emotional through those months after that, just working through all of that.”
- “The fact that I was pregnant was kind of a breath of fresh air,” continues Jessa. “I think it really helped to kind of get my mind off the circumstances…” The newlywed says that she and Ben are now even more focused on keeping God first and staying true to their wedding vows.
- Jana agrees, saying that Jessa’s pregnancy was a reminder to the entire Duggar family that there could still be joy in the midst of pain.
- The group heads to the airport at 3am to catch their flight to Central America. “Any time that our family goes on a trip, it is pretty much like chaos, from the amount of bags that we have, to passports…” says Jinger. “It’s always a challenge.”
- When everyone arrives in Central America, Derick picks them up at the airport. The proud uncle enjoys holding nephew Spurgeon for the first time. Everyone is eager to reunite with Jill.
Tune in next week for what TLC is calling the “life-changing
season finale.”
That was a total waste of an hour of airtime. They could have shown the new footage in 5 minutes. The rest was OLD footage shown for the umpteenth time! And 5-minute commercials for "Little People, Big World," "Sister Wives," etc.
ReplyDeleteSo much for sacrifice in the mission field, when you get a couple duffle bags full of junk food & new clothes from home every few months. And they were taking "snacks" (junk food) to the locals, too! When I go overseas and take gifts, I take something representative of the best this country has or makes, not junk food!
ReplyDeleteThey use too many euphemisms to describe what Josh did. "The troubles," "the difficulties," "a wave of things" - all sound scripted, and as if they're in denial. We all know what happened and we've heard the correct words for it, so just say it. To watch them pause and pussyfoot around it, trying to find more euphemisms, is painful.
ReplyDeleteI think they were told (from parents) that they can't say the proper words on TV. But it's crazy to watch them do everything but say it, and for TLC to keep bringing it up on camera.
DeleteI wish they would stop mentioning what Josh did very episode. They must be running low on material as this whole episode had nothing new! Saw all new bits on previews already!
DeleteI found it interesting to hear Jinger say that once they weren't on the covers of magazines, life had returned to "normal." (And then the cheating scandal broke.) But it sure sounded as if Jinger enjoyed the "normal" life of not being in the public spotlight. Well then the only way to get back to "normal" again is to keep yourself off camera, isn't it. Why aren't they doing that?
ReplyDeleteI heard her say that and thought the same thing, that she enjoyed not having publicity. Hope her parents heard that, too.
DeleteDid TLC put up a "graphic" warning before they showed the birth scene? I really did not appreciate seeing all that blood everywhere......
ReplyDeleteThe posted it at the beginning of the episode.
DeleteThat was icky! And not necessary to show.
DeleteYes they did put a warning up. I saw it.
DeleteYes. I saw it at the beginning.
DeleteThey did but it up, 2-3 times I believe.
DeleteYes, they absolutely did put up the warning at the beginning of that episode. I was very relieved that Jessa and Spurgeon were doing well after being transported and treated at the hospital. Spurgeon is a beautiful baby!
DeleteDo their religious beliefs fully allow them to accept blood transfusions? What if the blood came from someone of another background or religion, or no religion, or someone who has a different lifestyle than they do? Can the Duggars still accept blood from them?
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of doctors asking your religious beliefs when giving blood. How would they know then?
DeleteYes, they can give blood to or accept blood from anybody who matches medically speaking.
DeleteDonated blood is safe and goes through many many tests to rule out possible transfusion related diseases. Blood transfusions has saved millions of lives and is fully regulated by the FDA. The need for blood to saved lives never takes a holiday or a day off. Check out your local blood bank and ask them your concerns. Less than 5% of the population donates blood and there is a 15 to 20% chance for you or your family member may need a transfusion in their lifetime. I am proud of Mrs seewald to opt for the transfusion. It tremendously helped her in time on need!! Congradultions to Ben and Jessa on their new addition to their lovely family. Spurgeon is beautiful!
DeleteSome religions do not allow blood transfusions, despite the testing.
DeleteJessa said that Spurgeon was trying to roll over, yet she left him unattended on the sofa while she packed and talked to the camera. That is scary!
ReplyDeleteIs the show ever coming to England ?????
ReplyDeleteOkay, I really dont relish in negatively dissing the show...buuuut, what the heck is TLC doing, it's like they are giving up on the show and not putting any real effort into it.You mean to tell me that they didnt have enough new material to fill an hour...come on, do we really need all the repetitive flashbacks innsessively? They could take a cue from the Bates producers on entertainment, I hate to compare, but it's so evident that they have lost their mojo.Us loyal fans deserve more, if I were that family, I would certainly read between the line and realize that TLC has clearly given up on them...too bad...so sad😢
ReplyDeleteThey really didn't think this season through before running out to film it.
DeletePerhaps it is time for the Duggars to quietly remove themselves from the spotlight and try to live their lives privately and out of the fishbowl. They have had a good run and shouldn't be expected to provide entertainment indefinitely. In my opinion, the show has lost whatever luster it may have had and it seems as though they are just going through the motions. I have to hand it to Anna. She's been through incomprehensible public heartache, yet appears to have more spark than all of them put together. I hope she knows what she's doing, sticking with Josh. She does not deserve any more grief.
DeleteIt was nice to revisit the past but I'm really looking forward to the next episode. Spurgeon is such a happy baby. What a blessing😊
ReplyDeleteThat episode was nothing but reacaps! TLC, you blew it. Your fans wanted a new show, not the same footage over and over. I suppose next week will be more of the same.
ReplyDeleteLast nights episode was very boring, already seen jessa,s wedding and giving birth so many times. They should of shown more on the trip with Jill.
ReplyDeleteI found the episode ok but again they are drawing it on too long.I waited for the reunion and all we got was preamble with the last 5 minutes if them arriving. TLC take note- you did that constantly before and that's when people wearied of the show. I wish you could fill the downtime with interviews of the girls but they just can't articulate themselves. In the bright side Anna is finding herself- a beautiful, articulate woman and I hope she continues to grow. Did anyone else notice she's not talking in a baby voice anymore? Go Anna
ReplyDeleteThe last episode was just a rerun show about Jessa. It was so boring. Why didn't they show more about Central America?
ReplyDeleteI think you have a small typo in your quote from Joy-Anna: “I’m not exactly sure what I’ll choose. I guess I’ll have to wait and see, see what my dad things.” I think she said "guy thinks" not "dad things."
ReplyDeleteJust a rehash of prior episodes. Very lazy TLC.
ReplyDeletehey! love the site, but pretty sure joy said wait and see what my GUY thinks (not dad)...that's what i heard at least... :)
ReplyDeleteThat's what I heard too... my guy not my dad.
DeleteDid Derick call Spurgeon his "naturalized" nephew? What?
ReplyDeleteI heard that. What exactly does he mean? Mac, Michael, Marcus and Meredith are the same relation as Spurgeon no Matthew how you look at it. I've never heard such a term.
DeleteMaybe that's the "big reveal" for the finale - everyone has become naturalized citizens of El Salvador and they're all moving there!
DeleteReally Joy! Your first kiss is between you and your husband. I can't believe you said you will see what your dad thinks.
ReplyDeleteJinger definitely has someone she's taken a liking too! And I think Jessa hinted that she is now pregnant because she said, "We might have more babies coming in through birth, through adoption, maybe simultaneously."
ReplyDeleteLove your show and I think you do an awesome job raising those kiddos its a really tough world to raise kids in a Godly manner keep up the great work God bless
ReplyDeleteI like the Duggar family, but the show was not very entertaining. All I remember is different ones packing for the trip to Central America. They showed different scenes from past shows. That was about it, the whole hour. I hope the nest show is more entertaining. When the people ask them a question, I wish they would answer them, instead of saying I don't want to answer that or smiling and hinting around like they might have a girlfriend or boyfriend, like their falsely leading us. I don't enjoy the show like I use too. Maybe that's because their not enjoying doing the show like they use too. I might have a word or two spelled wrong. I didn't feel like going back and typing thie for the third time.
ReplyDeleteI think Joy said: What my guy thinks
ReplyDeleteExtremely bored with the constant recaps every episode.
ReplyDeleteDerick needs a shave.
What kind of questions are they asking about kissing at the alter? It's ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI agree with almost everyone else here, this episode was long and drawn out only showing recaps of episodes that were only shown a few weeks ago. Nothing bad to say of the Duggar's, this is a TLC issue.
ReplyDeleteLove the show there is nothing wrong with it Jill and jessa are grate moms and after all they been through they still hold up good every day
ReplyDeleteSince when can you take liquid insecticide (in those traps) on an airplane? You'd think that would fall under dangerous chemicals, not permitted even in checked bags. Why don't they just get the traps at Wal-Mart where Derick got the mosquito spray?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the show very much. I like the recap and look forward to the upcoming show.
ReplyDelete