In Sister Wives Season 20 Episode 14, long-buried emotions and unresolved issues take center stage as Kody Brown attempts to repair his fractured relationship with ex-wife Meri Brown. What begins as an effort at reconciliation quickly turns into a tense, emotionally charged encounter that reveals just how complicated their history has become.
After reaching out to Meri in the previous episode, Kody arrives for their meeting hopeful but apprehensive. In his confessional, he admits he’s surprised Meri agreed to meet, and says he wants to use the conversation to clear the air and apologize for past behavior. However, his efforts are met with hesitation and resistance from Meri, who explains that their relationship has been “awkward” for some time.
Kody opens by acknowledging that they haven’t spoken recently and references tension with Meri’s friends — moments that clearly still sting her. He tries to apologize not just for specific events but for the larger toxicity that has come to define their interactions. At one point, he even admits, “I was toxic to you,” and attempts to take responsibility for how things unfolded between them. Despite his sincerity, Meri remains guarded and conflicted about the purpose of the meeting.
Meri points out that they’ve never had a relationship where they could easily share personal details or speak openly without tension. When Kody asks her about her life, she is honest in saying that they simply haven’t had that kind of connection for years. Even as he continues to apologize for moments when he wasn’t present, supportive, or respectful — including awkward remarks about her friends — Meri makes it clear that closure isn’t something she’s actively seeking from him.
The tone of the conversation fluctuates between attempts at amicability and escalating defense. Meri sets strong boundaries, asserting that when mistreated, “the people closest to me will defend me.” She also asks Kody to stop using the word “apologize” so frequently, saying it starts to feel insincere rather than helpful.
Despite his genuine effort and multiple apologies — even for failing to appreciate her sense of humor — Meri does not fully embrace his attempts at reconciliation. She shares that she has “moved on” and that the conversation feels futile if it doesn’t evolve beyond apologies. After clashes over her friends and long-standing disagreements, Meri chooses not to engage further, clearly signaling emotional distance.
In what may be one of the most sincere moments of the season, Kody calls attention to how toxic the dynamic has been and acknowledges his shortcomings. Ultimately, he reflects that his relationship with Meri has shifted — at best, he hopes they can be friends, but he recognizes that the closeness they once had is gone
Meanwhile, the episode also features Janelle Brown exploring the idea of a spiritual divorce with Kody, discussing her feelings with daughter Madison and emphasizing the emotional complexity of their split.
Season 20 Episode 14 is a stark reminder that even after relationships end, the emotional residue can linger — and sometimes, a heartfelt apology isn’t enough to undo decades of pain and misunderstanding