Wishful Thinking – The premiere of “The Next Chapter” titled “Wishful Thinking” starts with a reunion of sorts of the participating “Teen Mom: OG” and “Teen Mom 2” cast. All eight of the moms kick off the season with a group chat, reflecting on the upcoming season. Amber Portwood is the first to convey her excitement, while Ashley Jones can’t help but feel a familial closeness with the other girls. With quick introductions dispatched, Cheyenne Floyd reveals herself as the resident tech guru when he tells the others that she transferring them to a group chat. With her outdated Android device and the absence of the new emoticons not registering, Amber finds herself feeling left out at times.
Amber Portwood – Speaking of Amber, that’s where the story of the next chapter begins. From her classic Victoria Indiana rental, she updates the crew of moms with her excitement of being included in her daughter’s introduction to young adulthood. Quickly flashing over to Gary’s posh farm spread, he all but has to convince Leah to invite Amber to the event, revealing that the relationship is still rocky. With this stark realization, Amber reflects a bit on the rocky relationship and how it became so estranged. She also talks about her son, James, and the custody battle she’s currently wrapped up in with the father. With the mention of fathers, a gregarious call comes from Gary, extending Leah’s invitation to her upcoming birthday party.
Maci Bookout – What started with one son and a failing relationship, Maci and her current husband, Taylor, have turned their sprawling Tennessee spread into a loving family of 5. It’s been so happening over the last few years that the parental units are having a hard time finding time for each other. That’s why they choose to begin their next chapter with a dry-erase marker and board, writing out the kid’s upcoming extracurricular activities. As they work on the schedule and manage to sneak in a possible date night, Maci reflects on her failed relationship with Ryan as well as the recent troubles she’s experienced with Taylor. Finding time for counseling has helped and they are headed in the right direction. Fast forwarding through the kid’s busy schedules, Maci and Taylor arrive at an open block in the planning. Unable to procure a babysitter and not knowing how the other kids will react, Maci and Taylor discuss leaving Bentley in charge while they go out to eat. Things are soon in motion, but not before Taylor takes advantage of some cleverly placed hidden cameras.
Briana DeJesus – Shae, Briana’s good friend arrives with some delectable takeout and the two get everyone caught up on Briana’s lawsuit with Kailyn Lowry. Kailyn had recently brought charges against Briana for claims of abusing Javi Marroquin and emotional distress. Briana thought the matter would have been resolved by now, but nearly a year in and she and Kailyn have only each just given their depositions. Briana feels her questioning had nothing to do with the case at all but her dealings with Javi and her friendship with Chris. Claiming that the episode has already cost her $100,000, she is ready to put it behind her.
Most of it’s the need to live a double life and put on a strong face for her children that has taken its toll. Briana’s dreams come true later that day when she reveals from work that the lawsuit has been settled in her favor, and she’s ready to start her next chapter. Even later that evening, she reaches out to fellow alum, Jade Cline and invites her to a small celebration.
Jade Cline – Calling with congratulations and showing off her new salon, Jade Cline gives Briana a sneak peek of what she’s in for the next time she visits. Chau, another of Jade’s good friends has just stopped by for a dye job. As she gets underway with the girl’s hair, Jade reflects on her daughter Kloie and her failing relationship with Sean Austin. Things are starting to look up though as he’s spending more time with Kloie and even recently completed a 4-month stint in rehab. Chau is also a longtime acquaintance of Sean’s and she can’t help but comment on the young man’s complete transformation. To hear her say it, he’s a completely different person. Jade begins her next chapter with high hopes for her small family of three.
Cheyenne Floyd – Cheyenne continues the family tradition 5-year tea party-themed birthday with her young daughter, Ryder. The girl is decked out in full princess regalia as Cheyenne updates the other mothers. In light of that and the rigors of planning a huge wedding, Cheyenne and Zach Davis recently welcomed baby boy Ace to the small family. This is where the couple looks to focus the next chapter of their lives. Ryder’s tea party may give the image of a happily blended family, but Cheyenne points out how that couldn’t be further from the truth. Although the problem is not necessarily an internal one, it is one that certainly hit close to home. While Zach and Cheyenne do not reveal the man behind the mayhem, it is noted as a close personal friend who spent time at their home. The mother and father team would get Ryder and Ace all set for a typical doctor’s checkup when at a random stop someone opened fire on them. 13 shots later, the couple count themselves lucky to be alive.
Maci Bookhouse – Maci and Taylor’s big dinner out turns out to be a covert op in their garage with Chinese takeout. There, however, are adult beverages and the garage is as nice as most homes. Quickly tearing into the food, they also enjoy Taylor’s earlier handiwork of the hidden “nanny cams.” With the parents only gone a few minutes, it doesn’t take the kids long to get into hijinks. Wrestling matches and ice cream ensue.
Briana DeJesus – Briana’s got company again, but this time it’s in the form of her sister, Brittany. There is also more takeout, however, it’s Chick-Fil-A this time. Briana is still relishing in her recent lawsuit win. It’s not only an emotional victory for Briana, but it will be a financial victory now that Kailyn is forced to recoup Briana’s past legal expenses.
Amber Portwood – Amber updates the girls via group chat as she heads out for Leah’s big day. With Amber being excited, nervous, and a bit hopeful, co-parents, Gary and Kristina, are as calm as can be as they get Leah and the crew buckled in for the trip to the restaurant. Gary’s crew arriving first at the little local “hole in the wall,” Catello’s Mozzarella Bar, quickly find their seating. With food on the table, Leah lights up when she spots Amber’s mother, Tonya. Despite the immense gift bag in hand, Leah’s smile isn’t near as big when Amber arrives on the scene. Things are cordial enough as Amber issues well wishes all around and Leah even offers her mother some bread. It doesn’t take long before “Happy Birthday” is being cajoled and Leah is digging into her gifts. As Leah digs into her gifts a montage of past birthdays rolls on the screen. Amber gets a hug and thank you from Leah.
Cheyenne Fisher – Cheyenne and Zach are equally drained, emotionally and physically and tomorrow’s looming court date isn’t helping matters. At least it represents some light at the end of the tunnel for the couple and a possible chance to put the shooting behind them. Despite that, Zach admits that he will have a hard time maintaining his composure in court. This session ends with the couple heading into the Los Angeles Courthouse, with Cheyenne’s parents tailing.
Jade Cline –As Sean and Kloie join Jade at her Indiana home, the small family discusses wedding plans while admiring how much Kloie looks like her father. It could be the funny faces she’s making, but nonetheless, Jade has recently been doing some ring browsing online. With Sean proposing to his one and only on two previous occasions, he couldn’t be more excited that she’s ready to move forward. Maybe it took him getting clean. Whatever the reasoning, Jade reminds him that she’ll be out of town for Briana’s party this weekend just in case he wants to do some shopping. Off camera, Jade admits that it is Sean’s sobriety that drew her back to the boy.
Maci Bookhouse – Maci and Taylor’s night out is cut short by the rambunctious Maverick. She can’t help but expect the worst as he leaps up and down on the couch. Bentley does an amendable job of trying to control the youngster, but even Maci is getting stressed. Gathering on the couch and setting the children down, the snooping parents give Maverick the second degree. His claims that his raucous behavior was due to Bentley’s being mean are met with the revealing of the hidden cameras. Not only did Maci and Taylor see what the kids were up to, but they could hear everything. Bentley didn’t do anything wrong and Maverick was the one who was being mean. Bentley can’t help but relish the moment as his younger sibling is being punished and forced to make amends.
Gary’s House – Leah and Gary rehash the party and touch on Leah’s mentality towards her mother. Leah admits that it is still awkward, but he does want a relationship with her mom. Amber is still glowing like a pregnant mother from her daughter’s initiated hug. Although Amber would love for things to develop faster, she promised to let Leah take charge of the situation. There is no question that Amber wants a relationship with her daughter, it’s just up to Leah when, where, and how that relationship develops.
Briana DeJesus – Arriving at the AirBnB last, Briana makes a grand entrance. She’s not only pleasantly surprised to see the festivities well underway, but she can’t help but admire her best friend Shea’s shirt. It’s a shirt with multiple headshots of Briana. Discussing the guest list, things get a bit tense for Jade at the mention of Jenelle Evan’s possible attendance. Jade can be cordial and doesn’t want problems with her, but she also can’t overlook all the crap that Jenelle has supposedly been throwing around online about Jade and her family. Despite that and Jade’s feeling like she took Jenelle’s position in the group, she is willing to admit that the online trolling may have been the husband, David. On the plus side, David isn’t supposed to be coming.
Cheyenne Fisher – Despite making it through the court event without problems, none of the Fisher family’s anxieties or uncertainty were resolved. If anything, they’ve only been heightened thanks to the absence of the shooter. His lawyer simply stood in for him and merely just stalled the case. No closure whatsoever and now it’ll likely be months before another hearing is scheduled. The Fishers can’t help but express their displeasure at not being able to put the event in their rearview. Joining her mother, Margaret, and sister, Kyle Lynn, Cheyenne and Zach discuss their displeasure with the delayed hearing. Cheyenne can’t help but comment on how unfair the whole event was for the kids while Zach struggles with the littler triggers. Riding in the car, driving by the street, and hearing loud sounds don’t elicit the same reaction they once did.
Teen Mom: The Next Chapter Review
As a longtime viewer of the original 16 & Pregnant, I can’t help but find myself admitting that it was good to catch up with the originals. It’s also a huge revelation that some of the kids are now entering their early teen years. I am not as familiar with Cheyenne, Jade, Briana, and Ashley. That said, their stories are just as intriguing, especially Cheyenne’s shooting. I can appreciate how those girls appear to have a stronger connection and are steady fixtures in each other’s lives.
All that aside, I am almost disgusted with myself for enjoying the series. It does absolutely nothing to discourage teen pregnancy. If anything, it encourages it. In addition, it should be a huge reminder that notoriety comes with just as many dark sides as it does perks. The emotional and physical addition should be sheer proof of that. And, don’t even get me started on Briana’s and Kailyn’s frivolous lawsuit. In the episode, Briana says that she accrued nearly $100,000 in legal fees. The fact that either of the two irresponsible ladies can afford those expenses is depressing.
16 & Pregnant was aimed at curbing teenage pregnancy. As more spinoffs hit TV screens, it is beginning to look quite the opposite. More like “MTV’s dirty laundry.” Unfortunately, none of the enough to turn me off from watching and I’d even give the premiere a 5 out of 10 for interesting content.
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