Kody and Christine Brown's marriage has been on the brink of collapse for the past several years in Sister Wives, but fans think they have finally unearthed the conflict that will lead to their separation in season 16. Ever since Kody and Christine announced their breakup in November 2021, viewers have hypothesized what issue pushed their marriage to the point of no return. From Kody not visiting her family to possible COVID-19 exposures, here's what fans think ultimately compelled Christine to leave Kody in Sister Wives season 16.
The Sister Wives fanbase has hoped Kody's first trio of wives would leave the polygamist as the reality star has failed to treat his four wives equally over their decade on reality TV. Once Kody married his fourth wife, Robyn, in 2010, the polygamist has redirected all of the affection he once gave Meri, Janelle, and Christine to his relationship with Robyn. From spending time with Robyn while Christine was in labor with their daughter to admitting that he regrets marrying Meri, Kody has given viewers ample reasons why they think his sister wives should break their spiritual marriage. Unfortunately for fans, none of Kody's first wives indicated any desire to part ways from their unhappy relationships despite their complaints.
Christine shocked the Sister Wives fanbase when she declared her marriage with Kody ended. After years of putting up with Kody's antics, viewers thought Christine had given up and submitted to her bleak relationship. Fortunately, within the past year, Christine was awoken and garnered the courage to upend the Brown family for her own wellbeing. Although fans were elated to learn of Christine's liberation, viewers wondered which conflict between the spiritual couple resulted in their demise. As Sister Wives season 16's played out, however, the rifts in Christine and Kody's marriage have become more apparent and irreparable. A Reddit user noted that a synopsis for upcoming season 16 episodes hint at the rising action that culminates in the pair's divorce, citing, "A conversation with Kody is the last straw for Christine." In preparation for their fallout, fans have theorized which straw broke the polygamous camel's back.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Kody's relationships with Meri, Janelle, and Christine have been strained. On top of fearing that the virus will spread through the extensive clan, Kody's marriages have been shaken by the patriarch's distance from his wives. Kody's strict COVID-19 rules have effectively relegated him to living a single-family life with Robyn and her kids. Fans think Kody's inability to visit Christine and their kids leads to their breakup in season 16. A viewer predicted, "Christine follows his rules and he still finds excuses not to visit her and the girls and she loses it." Another popular theory is that one of Christine's children contracts the virus, sparking a dispute between the dueling polygamous partners. One fan assessed, "If... [Christine] or her children inadvertently exposed Kody... to the virus, you know Kody would never, ever let her live it down."
Kody and Christine have been preparing for a fierce face-off and the climactic showdown is set to take place in Sister Wives season 16. Whether it's prompted by a COVID case or Kody's distance from his family, viewers think Christine will have plenty of reasons to split from Kody. Although it isn't what Kody might've hoped for, fans are eager to watch Christine's emancipation come to fruition in Sister Wives season 16.
Sources: adjudicateu/Reddit, simplysufficiant/Reddit, getittogethergrace/Reddit