Nothing accelerated the family's demise more than Kody's stringent COVID-19 protocols.
: Kody’s refusal to travel to New Jersey for his daughter Ysabel’s major scoliosis surgery—calling it a "vacation" for Christine—was a final blow for many viewers and for Christine herself.
The season concluded with a dramatic three-part "One-on-One" special where the family members addressed the official separation of Kody and Christine. Sister Wives - Season 16
Several key events highlighted the irreversible damage to individual marriages:
The season premiere, titled "There’s No Me in Polygamy," immediately established the central conflict: Christine’s desperate desire to move back to Utah. After being outvoted by Kody and the other three wives—Meri, Janelle, and Robyn—Christine reached a breaking point, privately telling Meri that she could no longer continue her marriage. Nothing accelerated the family's demise more than Kody's
: The disagreement over these rules led the family to spend the holidays apart, with Janelle and Christine choosing to see their adult children over following Kody’s mandates.
: Kody continued to refuse an intimate relationship with his first wife, Meri, stating there was no "spark" and that they were essentially just friends. Several key events highlighted the irreversible damage to
: Kody produced a lengthy list of strict guidelines that Janelle and Christine's families found excessive and "stupid".