I think The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Jen Affleck is the problem and why you will too 

Hulu's reality sensation The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has captivated viewers with its glimpse into the drama-filled world of Mormon social media influencers. Among the cast, Jen Affleck has positioned herself as something of a victim, particularly in her marriage to husband Zac. Their relationship troubles took center stage across both seasons, from Zac's controlling behavior after her Chippendales outing to their unusual ketamine therapy session in Season 2.

While Zac's issues appear more obvious on the surface—his gambling history, jealousy, and rigid religious expectations have all featured prominently—a closer look reveals that Jen might be the more problematic partner. Her pattern of stirring drama while avoiding accountability paints a troubling picture.

As The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cameras continue rolling on this complex relationship, viewers are discovering what I've suspected all along: Jen's carefully crafted innocent image masks someone who thrives on chaos while deflecting responsibility for her actions.

The ketamine therapy revelation and other reasons why I think The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Jen is the problem

The couple's ketamine therapy session stands as one of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' most bizarre moments, revealing more than perhaps intended.

What was meant to showcase a couple working through their issues instead highlighted Jen's performative approach to her marriage. During the therapy, neither Jen nor Zac appeared to have any meaningful breakthroughs. They simply drifted in and out of consciousness before declaring the session helpful without explaining how.

This scene from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives perfectly encapsulates Jen's approach to her relationship problems: opt for dramatic gestures that give the appearance of trying without doing the genuine work. The couple chose an unconventional therapy route that made for compelling television but didn't address their fundamental issues.

Jen's pattern of feigned surprise emerges consistently throughout both seasons of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

When examining her reactions closely, it becomes clear that Jen often knows more than she lets on. The most telling example came when she acted shocked about Jessi and Demi's mock Chippendales performance at a party, despite knowing about it beforehand.

This selective innocence allows Jen to participate in drama while maintaining plausible deniability. She enjoys being adjacent to controversy without taking responsibility for her role in it. When confronted, she can always fall back on appearing blindsided or victimized.

While Zac's controlling tendencies deserve criticism, Jen's contribution to their dysfunction often flies under the radar.

Her dishonesty creates an environment where genuine trust becomes impossible. How can a marriage thrive when one partner consistently misrepresents their knowledge and involvement in situations? Jen's tendency to cultivate drama while positioning herself as merely caught in its crossfire undermines any authentic progress in their relationship.

The real issue isn't just that Jen participates in drama—it's that she refuses to acknowledge her participation. This denial prevents meaningful growth in their marriage, as problems can't be solved when one party won't admit their role in creating them.

Beyond the edit

Reality television always presents an edited version of events, but Jen's behavior shows a consistent pattern despite the production cuts.

Her approach to both her marriage and friendships reveals someone comfortable with deception. Whether it's misleading Zac about her activities or pretending ignorance about group drama, Jen has demonstrated she prioritizes maintaining her image over honesty.

What makes this particularly troubling is how she leverages Mormon values when convenient while sidestepping them when they conflict with her desires for drama and attention. This selective application of principles suggests a deeper problem than just typical reality TV behavior.

As The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives viewers continue watching Jen and Zac's story unfold, the evidence mounts that she bears more responsibility than initially apparent.

The editing initially framed Zac as the primary problem, and while his behavior certainly has issues, a more nuanced examination reveals Jen's significant contribution to their dysfunction. Her pattern of dishonesty, drama cultivation, and accountability avoidance paints a concerning picture of someone more interested in appearance than substance.

Perhaps the most compelling evidence is how consistently this behavior appears across different contexts—with her husband, friends, and in group settings. The common denominator in all these situations is Jen herself, suggesting the problem might not lie solely with those around her.

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You can watch The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives streaming on Hulu or catch it live on ABC every Monday at 10:00 p.m. EST.