Summary
Welcome to Plathvilleseason 4 is a welcome improvement from prior seasons. The new season opened with a somber mood in the aftermath of Ethan Plath and Olivia Plath’s decision to divorce.Parents Barry and Kim Plathcontinue to work through the ramifications of their own divorce and its effect on their children. Meanwhile, the older Plath children are finding themselves, and continuing their own journeys.
Welcome to Plathvillepremiered in 2019 on TLC. The series focused on the conservative lifestyle of Barry, Kim, and their nine children. The Plath children were raised on the family’s farm in Cairo, Georgia, without television, Internet, or formal schooling. While some of the children loved their bucolic upbringing, others — particularly older children Ethan, Micah Plath, and Moriah Plath — began to rebel and seek real-world experiences. This led to rifts within the family, and subsequent seasons have captured thefracturing of several Plath family relationships.
Barry Plath And Kim Plath Have Changed Their Attitudes
The Once-Conservative Parents Are Finding Themselves Amid Their Divorce
In the early seasons ofWelcome to Plathville, parents Barry and Kim were unpopular with viewers. Their isolated lifestyle seemingly deprived their children of experiences necessary for survival in the modern world. Some of their older children resented this. AfterEthan’s marriage to Olivia, his relationship with his parents became strained.
Barry and Kim were controlling - they kept Ethan away from his younger siblings.
Barry and Kim announced their divorcein 2022. Since their separation, both have begun to relax their attitudes and loosen their control over the children. Barry threw himself into fitness, and he’s proud of his buff appearance. Kim focused her energy on her dance studio and moved on with her new boyfriend, Ken Palmer. Kim even considered living with Ken, which is in stark opposition to the religious rules she and Barry imposed on their children.
Most importantly, Barry and Kim have improved their relationships with their children. Barry even helped baptize Moriah when she rediscovered her faith. Kim worked to repair her relationship with Ethan, and she acknowledged the mistakes she made while raising her children. Freed from their not-so-romantic marriage, Barry and Kim have grown and discovered who they are as individuals. In doing so, they have shed the ultra-conservative beliefs that were once the focus ofWelcome to Plathville, opening the door to more diverse storylines.
Most Of The Plath Children Are Now Adults
The Dynamics Of The Show Shifted As The Cast Grew Up
While Ethan and Olivia were married at the start ofWelcome to Plathville, the remaining Plath children lived at home with their parents. Micah and Moriah caused a stir when they moved out, looking for freedom from Barry and Kim’s strict rules.Middle daughter Lydia Plath remained at home, tasked with extra responsibility for her younger siblings: Isaac Plath, Amber Plath, Cassia Plath, and Mercy Plath.
In season 6, Isaac and Lydia are now becoming adults. Lydia, once afraid to question her parents, is openly skeptical of Kim’s boyfriend in the trailer. Isaac, meanwhile, is pursuing his dream of becoming a pilot. The three youngest girls, Amber, Cassia, and Mercy, now live on a houseboat with Kim, giving them a vastly different upbringing from their older siblings. The Plath children growing up lends the show a more sophisticated feel.
Micah Plath Moved Back East To Live With A Woman
Micah Left His Adventurous Lifestyle Behind
Perhaps the most unexpected change in season 6 is the return of Micah. He previously moved to California to become a model. He met new friends and embraced a wildly different lifestyle on the West Coast, opening up about his dating life and accepting people from all walks of life. While he remained on good terms with his family at home, Micah seemed to be thriving in his new life.
In the season 6 premiere, Micah announced that he had moved to Florida, where he was living with his girlfriend. The update was very unexpected, considering Micah had never been in a serious relationship. Micah was very protective of his girlfriend’s privacy, and her identity was never revealed in the premiere. However, she is likely to appear more as season 6 continues, as it would be impossible to keep her hidden while she lives with Micah. It will be interesting to see how Micah navigates premarital cohabitation and acclimates to domestic life back East.
The Plath Family May Finally Come Together And Put Their Differences Aside
Season 6 May Include A Resolution To The Division Within The Family
Due to the estrangement within the family and Barry and Kim’s divorce, the entire Plath family has rarely come together in recent seasons. However, the season 6 trailer teased Moriah gathering her entire family. Considering Barry and Kim’s growth, as well as Ethan’s divorce potentially bringing him closer to the family, it is entirely possible that the Plaths will once again be able to spend some quality time together.
Welcome to Plathvilleseason 6will feature big changes. As the Plath family leaves their conservative beginnings behind, they are discovering themselves as individuals. Each member of the Plath family is at a turning point, and it will be fascinating to see what direction they take.
