Breaking Amish: The Surprising Renewal

It's no surprise at this point that Breaking Amish made a lot of headlines when it aired last fall. It received a lot of viewers for TLC, a lot of criticism from other formerly-Amish folks, and a lot of heated discussion because of how several truths came out during the run of the show, contradicting what was being shown. After some personal research, I agree that TLC really contrived a lot of information to make the show more interesting. (and I think one of the best sources that has rounded up facts is here.) I suggested TLC not continue down the path with this series (even if the series averaged over 3M viewers per episode), and to stop focusing on religion in general.

Walling McGarity/TLC

So, you can imagine my surprise when news broke this morning that TLC will air a second season in just three months. That's right... in May, eight episodes will air, featuring the five characters (because as much as this is a reality show, they're still characters!) in Florida, trying to find their way in the Sunshine State. It seems that they will again live together, attempt to start careers, and struggle with culture clash. Will you watch?

Breaking Amish: The Final Interviews

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

Well, this mess is finally over. I added quite a few remarks in the recap below, and I don't have much to say about it overall except for the fact that I didn't care for the moderator and I am glad that this show is over. Hopefully TLC will stop doing reality series featuring non-mainstream religious groups.

Walling McGarity/TLC

Breaking Amish "The Shunning Truth, Part 2" (Special): The first thing addressed is the internet controversy over how "true" the show is - they all say they weren't acting and that only ex-Amish are digging up dirt. [well, no. plenty of people with no Amish affiliation went searching to see if the stories of these young people were true.] The group then talks about how they had saved up money because they don't spend much on a lot of things - it certainly wasn't from the payout of this show, as Rebecca mentions that they received less than $50,000.

Jeremiah talks about how he has left the Amish multiple times and kept returning. [this is one of those fuzzy facts that could have been more clear. at this point it's become obvious that many sins don't shun you for life, but how (and why) does he keep coming back?] He explains that he has three children (ages 7, 5, and 3) with his ex-wife, Naomi Stutzman, who claimed he was abusive multiple times, though each instance was thrown out in court. He pays child support (though he didn't always do so), and, when he's in Ohio, he sees the children every other weekend; while he's living in Pennsylvania, he sees them once a month. [I'm still unclear about WHY he's living in Ohio. with Sabrina.] Naomi has left the Amish and is raising the children outside the community. He is also shocked that people believe the internet over interviews.

Sabrina talks about how her divorce is in the process of finalizing. She also explains that she's been using Sun-In forever so she hasn't been completely true to the Mennonite faith for quite some time. [holy cow! I had forgotten all about Sun-In!]

Kate says that she's in Florida now and has two more classes to take, then probation for her DUI, and she plans to return to modeling after all of that is over

Rebecca is asked about a pool party where she wore a bikini, and she says that she had snuck out. She also explains that her teeth were not pulled as punishment, but they were decayed and she had them pulled to stop the pain. [the fact that she had "no clue" how old she was when they were pulled was kinda unbelievable and disturbing. could she not figure out if the answer was "14 or 15" or "17 or 18"?] Rebecca also says that she and Abe were on Rumspringa together but she was dating someone else at the time, so they did know one another a little better than was let on during the early episodes. Abe and Rebecca are asked about whether they dated or lived together before the show, but neither gives a clear response at all. Abe even tells the host to stop asking questions about the baby and everyone but Kate jumps to the defense of Rebecca, saying she shouldn't have to answer questions about her child. Abe explains that he moved to Kentucky and did know about the baby, but he didn't know that Rebecca was married before. [just how common is it for these kids to move other places? and are there many Amish in Kentucky and North Dakota? and did Rebecca ride in a rental car or something all the way to North Dakota and back??]

Abe was arrested for underage drinking when he was 18, and his parents never knew. [the comment by the moderator that "they will now," was a bit odd... is she assuming that his AMISH parents are going to watch television?? or just that someone will write about that bit in a newspaper and they'll read about it?]

Breaking Amish: A Wedding & a Discussion

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

Was it just me or was the middle of the bachelor/bachelorette party a terrible time to cut-off an episode? I thought that this one would start off on something else, not continuing the raucous after Abe and Rebecca left! Plus, this "Shunning Truth" mess is rather awful. I don't know where they dug up this moderator, but her attitude and questions are bad, and some of the things being discussed are ridiculous... we KNOW that Sabrina is a big flirt. We KNOW that Abe and Rebecca were spending a lot of time together after they kicked Kate to her own room (how long did that last, anyway?). And ending an episode with a horse braying is not impressive. 

Walling McGarity/TLC

Breaking Amish "Finale" (Special): Still at the bachelor party, the stripper gives Sabrina, Kate, Jeremiah, and Abe's brother lap dances. Rebecca wants to call security but Jeremiah says that they should just enjoy the "English lifestyle" if that's what they want. [ha! I didn't have strippers at my bachelorette party and I'm "English"!!] Rebecca says that she has a daughter and doesn't need strippers in her face, catching everyone by surprise. [why would having a kid stop you, exactly?] Rebecca explains that she got divorced in July 2012 and has a nineteen-month old whom her ex-husband doesn't acknowledge. [so... she got divorced after the original show taped?] Abe won't talk about Rebecca's child, saying that's a private matter. [ya know, he's really starting to get on my nerves...] Sabrina calls Harry for support, but he just starts up with Jeremiah as soon as he arrives. [Lancaster and Atlantic City are at least two hours apart, if not more, so that was no pop around the corner!]

Kate has another couple shoots and is invited to do some future work with a catalog.

The other four talk about the wedding, which will have a lot of Amish traditions involved. [we don't get to see any, though.] When the guys look at tuxes, Jeremish is upset about wearing a pink tie and cummerbund. [WHY did Rebecca put on a vest and tie??] Abe's mother is already being shunned for two months for going to New York to try to convince Abe to return. Abe and Rebecca get a "church wagon," which has everything you'd need to have church at your house. Abe has a cousin who left the Amish over ten years ago and he helps them.

Rebecca and Sabrina get their hair and makeup done professionally. Jeremiah keeps telling Abe that he can still walk away if he wants. There's a diamond (rhinestone?) missing from Rebecca's dress. Kate is late to the ceremony. [I wasn't a fan of Sabrina's singing "Amazing Grace." or her hair for that matter.] Rebecca didn't want alcohol at the wedding, but Jeremiah brought whiskey in a flask. [eye roll, everyone!] Abe surprises Rebecca with a limo, as they've always fascinated her. Jeremiah apologizes to Sabrina for yelling at her, and we learn that he and his new (English) girlfriend move in with Sabrina. [um, whaaaa?] Abe and Rebecca have regular contact with their families but joined a Christian church. [how are they having this regular contact?]  

Breaking Amish "The Shunning Truth, Part 1" (Special):
"How has life changed since the show?" Sabrina: everything changed and you're recognized places. Rebecca says more people are judgmental.

"How did you feel when you got to NYC?" Rebecca just wanted to go home. Sabrina didn't feel safe with that many people around.

"First impressions of one another?" Jeremiah thought Abe was a weak, shy dork. Kate thought Rebecca was a b!tch.

Abe explains a skank as a woman whose butt and breasts hang out. Rebecca and Abe admit to sharing the same bed in NYC and sometimes "doing it." Sabrina explains that he stopped Jeremiah from having sex with her twice. [so he just talks big. got it.]

Rebecca got upset the first time she saw the clip where Sabrina and Kate went looking for Rebecca's dentures. Sabrina talks about how she used to be overweight, then became anorexic, and the teasing she faced made her be mean to Rebecca regarding her teeth. [I think this was a bit contrived...]

They all admit that they weren't newbies to alcohol.

Jeremiah talks to his sisters but not his parents. Kate talks to her family but it's not heavy on sharing what's going on in their lives.

- - - - -
And, no... we will NOT be covering Amish Mafia. I'm surprised that a Discovery Network is even trying such a thing after Breaking Amish has received such backlash!

Breaking Amish: Bachelor Party in Atlantic City

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

The gang reunites in Atlantic City shortly before Abe & Rebecca's wedding. If you ask me, it's a foolish place to get married when the bride isn't old enough to drink OR gamble, but for young adults who were raised in respectful cultures, they're certainly pretty self-centered. At this point it is clear that Sabrina is the only one who is returning to her upbringing, and she's even managed to find a former Baptist to date. For the sake of drama, TLC is making it clear that Sabrina and Jeremiah enjoyed an intimate relationship in New York, which should come up again in the second part of the finale when Sabrina's new boytoy is at the wedding.

Breaking Amish "Party Time" (Special): It's been thirty days since the group left NYC, and Sabrina's parents have left for a missionary trip so she talks about how they want her to dress more conservatively, but they're not too upset with her because they feel bad for lying about her adoption. Turns out, Sabrina's adoptive mother (who called her "Leela") kept a box of mementos from Sabrina's infancy and letters from Sabrina's birthmother. Jeremiah and Sabrina talk about the bachelor/bachelorette parties for Abe and Rebecca, and Jeremiah thinks Atlantic City is the perfect place. Sabrina thinks that hiring strippers leads to sex, but Jeremiah is going to handle it. [I don't know whether or not that's an ignorant choice on Sabrina's part...]

Sabrina has a boyfriend, Harry, who gets jealous that Jeremiah texts her. Jeremiah asks her why she's with Harry and not him, and she says she doesn't want to date an Amish or Mennonite guy. [believable, but not.] He gets pretty upset, all in all.

Kate goes on a date with a guy she met at a club, but he was expecting someone else, as he thought that she had blond hair. Kate pays because she can't wait to get out of there.

Abe (who wants to be a professional bull rider in five years, by the way) gets his ears pierced to show that he's not turning back to the Amish. [I found that to be an odd choice, but okay.]

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/breaking-amish/abe-journey-pictures8.htm

Then, he and Rebecca head to Atlantic City, to the Trump Taj Mahal. [I stayed there for a night a few years ago - cool place!] The two enjoy their suite, but once everyone else arrives, they take a stroll on the Boardwalk while the others gamble. She says that he can go hang out with everyone else, but he doesn't want to waste money. The next day, they enjoy massages, and Abe's brother comes to town for the fun. The couple puts on t-shirts and hats and has people sign their shirts before heading back to the suite, now adorned with sexual candy and blow-up dolls. When the strippers show up, the Abe and Rebecca leave the room.

Breaking Amish: Not Amish Anymore

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

This was supposed to be the end of this show, but it seems that it will receive two more episodes... "reunion specials," if you will. In them, we will see Abe and Rebecca get married, and Sabrina two-time Jeremiah. Nothing fancy, nothing extravagant, and nothing all that interesting. Much like this episode, which largely ignored Sabrina, barely showcases Jeremiah, and has homeless, uneducated young people moving to another city. Oh, and Kate returning to New York to go try being a model.

Breaking Amish "Decision Time" (S01E08): Kate flies for the first time, back to Pennsylvania. [I guess she rode in a car or bus to Florida and back?] She wears English clothes to go see her friends, but they stop playing volleyball and walk away from her. She tries to talk to her parents, but her father won't see her, so she returns to New York to live in the model apartment. She has two castings her first day - one of just photos and measurements, and one where she's told to lose another five pounds to make her cheekbones more prominent. She also gets into trouble for having an injured elbow (apparently a car hit her when she was biking at home?), and is told that 80% of the models who move into that apartment don't make it. [I was weired out that she used her purse handle as a belt.] 

Jeremiah tries to see Ivy, his old girlfriend, but she slams the door in his face. When he goes to see his parents,we don't really know what happens, but it's assumed not to be positive. Jeremiah isn't planning to stick around for long.

Abe dresses in English clothes (because he doesn't want to be a hypocrite) when he goes to tell his family of his plans to stay in the outside world. His mother makes him eat alone. [Corinthians 5:11 says "You must not associate with anyone who call himself brother but defies God. With such a man do not even eat."] Abe doesn't think his brother should be angry with him as he has a short haircut that also goes against the traditions. [but that's a smaller sin, I would think?] His mother and brother ask him to leave after he's eaten. [it was awkward that the camera stayed in Abe's house when he left.]

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/breaking-amish

Rebecca goes to meet some friends at a restaurant when she returns, but they leave immediately upon seeing her in English clothes. When she gets to her grandparents' home, she finds that they've left - the house is empty, and even her own things are gone. She uses the phone on the edge of the property to call a family friend, who explains that her family moved. [why is the phone still hooked up?] She calls Abe. [how? what number did she call?] The two decide to go ahead and get married and figure out their future together, moving to Lancaster to get out of Punxsutawney. [why move to another area that's heavily Amish??] They meet with a wedding planner to talk about the basics - hiring a caterer, not having dancing, etc., but were uninformed about the costs of getting married in America. Abe asks Jeremiah to be his Best Man, and Sabrina goes with Rebecca to look at wedding gowns, where she becomes the Maid of Honor. Sabrina talks about how she married a Mennonite in 2009 and they parted ways after a while. [...I didn't like how that was just so casually thrown in there!]

Breaking Amish: Wrapping Up Everything...

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

Many people believe that TLC has changed the second half of the season to show what the public has already discovered - most of the kids had been outside of their Amish communities before, Jeremiah has left and re-joined the Amish, and Rebecca and Jeremiah have respectively been married already. Maybe. And, even, probably. But other facts still exist that throw everything for a loop - like the idea that Abe and Rebecca already have a baby together and that Jeremiah has three children. I guess we'll have to wait for the finale to see how that will work, but I don't see that stuff coming to light, especially if Rebecca is shown to have no family left. I don't have any expectations or hopes for the finale, though I do think that TLC should nix any thoughts of doing a second season (whether following different kids or following up with these ones) as well as anything similar... these "curious religion" reality shows (like All-American Muslim) just aren't working out for them!

Breaking Amish "Final Days" (S01E07): It's the end of their time in New York, and before coming together to have dinner and talk about the future (going back will be worse for some of the kids than others), quite a few things take place.

First, the quick stories... Kate is accepted into the modeling agency for a 30-day trial period, where she'll live in an apartment on Madison with other models. Sabrina meets her father as well as his mother, who is dying. She's surprised to learn that they have photos of her growing up - her adoptive parents sent them all the time when she was young! [um... SUPER WEIRD!] They exchange numbers and she hopes to stay in touch. [...I'm not sure how that's going to go.]

Now, the big story... Rebecca and Abe knew one another and used to hang out long ago, before Rebecca moved to North Dakota and Abe to Kentucky. They pretended that they weren't acquainted though they did reconnect when both returned to Punxsutawney anyway. [we're not clear on what Abe was doing in KY, but it's speculated that Rebecca was in ND to join her "jerk" husband.] Abe writes "Will you marry me" in the sand (asking the crew how to spell "marry") at Coney Island. He proposes on one knee, she accepts (amidst tears), and he heads home to tell his family of the engagement. [what's with the choice to play "This Little Light of Mine" in the background of a proposal, TLC?]

TLC

Abe's mother tells him that she knows a woman who claims to be Rebecca's HUSBAND's mother! [let me get this straight... she's 20 years old, has no teeth, and has been MARRIED??] So, Abe would be shunned if he stays with her - the Amish don't believe in divorce, though some individuals legally obtain them. Of course, Abe immediately goes to Rebecca to ask her what the deal is... she gets defensive, claiming that she should get a chance to explain what happened. [we don't hear such an explanation.] He says that she should have told him, and she says that she's ashamed, but it shouldn't make a difference if he loves her. [ha!] Jeremiah is pissed when he finds out, as Rebecca not saying anything is very disrespectful.

Also, following up on previous issues... No camera footage was ever found of Kate taunting Sabrina in the middle of the night. Abe and Rebecca think it was probably a hoax so Sabrina and Jeremiah could be together, as everyone learns the pair have been having sex, though they're not sure where - it's not either of the rooms! [I don't know why we drop this without further exploration, either.]

Breaking Amish: Doing Your Own Thing...

by Amy K. Bredemeyer
Abe prepares to propose, Kate does a photo shoot, Sabrina's ready to meet her father, Jeremiah is now a cabbie, and Rebecca doesn't do much. There's still drinking, there's still suspicion within the group, and there's still evidence that these kids aren't as naive as we're supposed to believe. Go figure. 

Breaking Amish "Good vs. Evil" (S01E06):
Group Activities? Well, everyone tried to go out to dinner together, but they weren't all super-excited to spend time with Kate, who doesn't really seem to eat anyway. (in fact, everyone calls her out on it, but she says that her small salads and 3-4 hours of working out per day are just so she isn't bloated when she models.) Sabrina sticks with Kate and they drink and ride a mechanical bull. Except... Sabrina and Kate have a falling out shortly thereafter. Jeremiah tells Sabrina that he suspects Kate spiked her drink (it seems kinda unlikely, but it does seem like Sabrina is a heavy drinker), so between that, Kate's allegations that Sabrina and Jeremiah are into witchcraft, and the fact that Sabrina woke up to Kate hovering over her at 2am talking about monsters (which Kate denies), Sabrina has had enough. She moves Kate's stuff into the guys' room and the guys move in with Rebecca and Sabrina.

You'd think this would make Abe really tense, as he's about to propose to Rebecca. Yep, he's purchased a $550 ring (thanks to Jeremiah loaning him $250), though he is a bit nervous that Rebecca might say "no." I found it particularly amusing that he both looked at a $45,000 ring and tries to haggle a $600 ring down to $450 (and just where is he going to earn the money to repay his friend? Is that stuntman thing working out?). What's more amusing, however, is that Jeremiah talks of his own PREVIOUS MARRIAGE in trying to make sure Abe thinks this through. Oh, and about Jeremiah... he's had his own taste of the "working world" when he drives a cab all day, only to make about $50. He blames it on tips being poor. I blame it on him not knowing his way around Manhattan. Kate also puts blame on Jeremiah - she believes that he called Sabrina a "slut" (because she's texting with three different guys) because he wants her to himself. But, that's besides the point.

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/breaking-amish/
jeremiah-journey-pictures5.htm

Sabrina's got enough going on. The detective tells her that her mother died in 2005 (with photos of her daughter by her bedside), but he gives her contact information for her father and grandmother. She's interested to find out if her parents were really "druggies who left her in a trashcan," as that's the story she heard all her life. I'm not sure that she's ready to meet her dad, however, as she gets a little squeamish around anything uncomfortable, like the Museum of Sex. When the group went there, Sabrina focused on the fact that her family would disown her for even entering, though Abe embraces the experience and buys his first condoms (glow-in-the-dark ones at that!), and Rebecca wonders about Kate's sexuality after she feels a mannequin's chest. I think that Kate is just embracing womanhood in a new way - like how she got her hair cut and colored and how she was able to put aside her reservations and do a swimsuit modeling shoot.

Breaking Amish: Trying New Things

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

By now you have probably heard that Breaking Amish is incredibly contrived. This site, in particular, has drawn a lot of attention (you may have visited it after it was shared in the comments section of last episode's Breaking Amish recap) in sharing discrepancies that illustrate just how much of Breaking Amish TLC is making up versus what could possibly be true.

So, many have turned away from the show because it's fake. But, then you have to ask yourself why you had tuned in from the start. Did you want to experience an educational moment or be entertained? Either way, you can still succeed, though you'll have to ignore the fact that TLC stood fro The Learning Channel at on point in time...

Those points aside, I'm planning to stick with the actors (because we can't really call them "characters," per se) through the end of this season, but I wouldn't watch the series again, whether it be the same folks or another set. The one improvement I did notice, however, is that the change in music and the insertion of mangled Bible verses breaks it up a little better. Otherwise, this is a mess. TLC should know better. 

Breaking Amish "Breaking All the Rules" (S01E03): They all go to get sushi, and later meet up for fireworks. Rebecca and Kate search for modeling agencies online, find one, and go interview after shopping for English clothes. [Rebecca buying lingerie is a bit of foreshadowing, don't you think?] They get their measurements taken, they meet the owner of the agency, walk around in heels, and then face a problem. When they're asked to wear swimsuits for pictures, Rebecca speaks up about their modesty and they are allowed to wear bikini tops and jeans instead. the "gorillas" comment was awkward, I thought.] In the end, Rebecca is too short and is let go, though Kate has potential, as long as she gets in shape/loses weight and clears up her skin. [I would have guessed that clear skin would be a deal-breaker.]

credit: TLC

Jeremiah: He gets a tattoo of a heart, a cross, and the names of important people in his life. Then he goes into a clothing store and picks out some jeans, a shirt, and a hat. [how did he know how to do a handshake like that?] He runs into a bachelorette party, then pops into another store, deciding that he wants some pants that are baggier... except the store employee puts him in really tight pants. [he got kicked out of the Amish three different times??] He goes to Queens to take some driving lessons, figuring that he wants to try being a cabbie. [he grew up New Order Amish and has secretly drove on country roads before. Oh, and that's a big ad for Ena's Driving School!]

Abe: His mother shows up in NYC and wants to take him home. When she realizes that she can't, she reminds him to keep up with his prayers, stay away from drugs, and to wear Amish clothes only, but he says that he's planning to dress to fit in. [why is Jeremiah in the room for this?] They go to a cafe to chat, and he tells her that nothing beats her cooking. [LoL!] When Jeremiah takes him shopping, Abe tries different hats and button-down shirts that aren't too different from the Amish clothing anyway. He really doesn't like t-shirts but decides to give it a try for a few days. He asks out Rebecca and she accepts.

Rebecca: Her grandfather shows up in NYC but she convinces him that she's fine. [it seemed incredibly fake that they looked at a periodical stand and bought their first newspapers. odd music playing when Abe asks out Rebecca. And, awkward that she doesn't care what kind of food they have.]

Kate: Kate isn't a fan of the others' tipping attitudes. She buys a red jacket even though that's a color they're not supposed to wear.

Breaking Amish "New Beginnings" (S01E04): The group goes cell phone shopping - Sabrina and Kate get advanced phones, but the others are just into talking and texting. [Be not deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." 1 Cor. 15:33] so this is where the whole idea came from that being near bad kids influences you, LoL.] Everyone goes bowling, which is new because Amish don't believe that you should spend money to have fun. [so how do they buy those trampolines?] Then Abe, Rebecca, and Sabrina talk about staging an intervention for Kate, who is having extreme ups and downs (and, in secret, feels left out). After all, they're going to be together for four more weeks. The group also goes to a lively Christian church.

Rebecca: Her dentures hurt so she goes to the dentist because she wants better-fitting teeth. Her Amish dentist had no training and pulled all of her teeth when she was 19 - there are no cleanings in her background. [omg!] It will cost her almost $3,000 to get new dentures, but after hearing her story, the dentist decides to do the work pro bono, and Rebecca loves the results. [I bet!] Then, she meets Abe for a date - he just tells the cab driver to take them to the best Mexican restaurant in town (though, somehow, they wind up at a Chinese place!). Abe asks her about her schooling - she passed 8th grade but is only good at reading and spelling. He dropped out in 5th grade or so, but he says he's good at math. Then they go to Little Italy to listen to some live music. [so were they eating at the one non-Italian restaurant in Little Italy?] 

Jeremiah: He goes to his second driving lesson, which includes parallel parking.

Sabrina: She wants to get in touch with her Puerto Rican roots so she asks a bunch of strangers where to go, and then takes the subway to Astoria (in Queens), where she applies for a job as a waitress. She gets along well with a couple of the girls and they go to a hair salon, which is a first for the Mennonite. She also has her makeup done, which she really enjoys. Then they go shopping and Sabrina gets some cowboy boots [did they go to Manhattan to shop or are they still in Queens?] She talks to a detective about finding her biological parents, but all she has for him to work with is the county where she was born and one of her grandmother's names. Later, she asks Jeremiah about his relationship status, and kisses him while drunk.

Kate: She goes back and forth from being happy to fearing that she'll be shunned for life from her family. We also see that she's experienced at pole dancing.

Breaking Amish "What is Really Happening?" (S01E05): The kids go to see Stomp, as they're not used to seeing live shows, plus music and paying for entertainment aren't for the Amish. Rebecca and Sabrina aren't fans of that part of town, and after going to dinner, the others agree that there are creeps in this neighborhood. [I *believe* Stomp plays in the East Village.] Then they talk about problems in the Amish culture (incest, sexual issues, etc.), but Kate defends the community. Another night, everyone goes to an Italian street fair, gets massages, and goes out to eat. Sabrina and Kate order a bottle of wine, get rowdy, and start wailing on Jeremiah, who winds up in pain. Another day, they all go to see the Brooklyn Bridge, and they experience some rude people. Next up is time for Rebecca and the guys to try a laundromat, where Jeremiah thinks that he can get a woman to do his work for him, while Abe believes that he wore the clothes, he can wash them. [no Kate and Sabrina?]

The girls go for a day of pampering, with manicures, pedicures, and waxes. [it was a bit odd that Sabrina didn't seem to mind the waxing.] Then, they get makeovers, and Sabrina begins to wonder how much Mennonites are wrong after talking with her gay makeup artist. 

Abe & Rebecca: They go for a carriage ride in Central Park, and Rebecca likes the smell of the horses because it reminds her of home. Later, he decides that he wants to marry her, but he needs to get a job so he goes to a stunt school to get some information. [how did he even come up with that ambition?] He finds out that he can work for two days as a stuntman and make the same as he would in a month as a construction worker back home. [interesting to hear him talk about the Amish's three occupations: farming, construction, and masonry.]

Jeremiah: he takes Abe to a strip club, and although Abe leaves right away, Jeremiah stays, thinking that Abe should put friendship before respecting his girlfriend. Abe says that he would be in there if he was single. Then, Jeremiah goes to Queens for his road test, and the instructor thinks that Jeremiah is rough with the car, as her water bottle keeps falling off the center console. [odd test.] He passes. Later, he tells Kate that he hasn't liked her "from day one," and she tries to smooth things over with an apology. He also admits that he wants to stay in New York.

Sabrina: She has her first day of work, where she's told to study the menu, practice saying things in Spanish, and serve customers. But she wasn't taught the computer system or where to find supplies (like utensils), so she struggles left and right and winds up crying in front of her manager. [poor girl.] Part of her wants to go back home.

Kate: She goes shopping for a bikini, says that she wants to go someplace else, and some paperwork arrives about her upcoming trial.

Breaking Amish: Getting Settled in NYC

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

What did Abe, Rebecca, and Sabrina eat on their first day in the city? They hadn't found a grocery store yet, so presumably they went out someplace. I'm surprised this wasn't filmed (or, if it was, that it wound up on the cutting room floor), as the group probably had something worthwhile to say about the food, the cost, or the choices, if nothing else! I'm a bit thrown as to how, exactly, these youngsters volunteered to do this show... they all know it's a show and it seems to be planned that they'd end up meeting two days apart, but their situations are all rather different. We're also not 100% clear on the time of year it is, but it's not fall (because Jeremiah references fall being in the future) and it's not winter (they're not bundled up). I imagine that we'll get some more clues as the series continues, but for now it seems it's most likely April, May, or June. Clearly, the storylines of the five will begin to split, and with two of the girls attempting modeling, I wonder what sort of "work" the guys will find themselves attempting! Manual labor of some kind is my bet! Overall, I didn't think that this episode was as interesting as the first, but things are only going to get more dramatic... after all, this does seem part Real World!

Breaking Amish "What Have We Gotten Ourselves Into?" (S01E02): First, a reminder of some of the basic facts about the five young adults on this show:

Sabrina, 25, Mennonite, Lancaster, PA. She wants to be a singer, wear jeans, pierce her ears, and learn about her birth parents (father is Puerto Rican and birth mother is Italian). Before she left the community, she received hate mail from others.  

Abe, 22, Amish, from Punxsutawney, PA. He's been thinking about leaving the community since he was 18 and dropped out of school at 15.

Rebecca, 20, Amish, from Punxsutawney, PA. She grew up with her grandparents (her mother had an affair with a non-Amish man as a teenager, and she also had an affair with a taxi driver, resulting in her being shunned and then beating Rebecca because of it). She thinks that men and women should be equal. She wants to see the ocean. She and Abe know one another because they went to the same church.

Kate, 21, Amish, Lancaster, is a Bishop's daughter, wants to be a model. She recently got a DUI in Delray Beach, FL, where she partied with friends after being kicked out of her family home. She lost her license and has an upcoming court date. 

Jeremiah, 32, Amish, Holmes County, Ohio. Five out of seven kids in his farming family (himself included) are adopted. He left a serious girlfriend to see what he thinks about driving cars, having privacy, and going to the tops of tall buildings.

We pick up with Rebecca and Abe on their way to the airport, with Rebecca having second thoughts but pushing forward. She also mentions that she did meet her father once, but he has a family of his own and never wants to see her again. [ouch! cute little "The Little Light of Mine" music.] Then we see Sabrina driving herself to the airport and meeting up with the others, who recognize her as Mennonite because her bonnet is different. [did she just leave her car at the airport indefinitely??] Abe loves the flight but Rebecca is completely petrified. When they land in New York, they ride an escalator for the first time, then they take a cab (Abe's first) to the hotel (Sabrina's first - Mennonites don't stay in hotels because they have alcohol in them. [different shots - sometimes Rebecca is in the middle and sometimes it's Sabrina.] Rebecca turns on and off the lights and Sabrina eats complimentary donuts, then they have an espresso and listen to music. Abe looks forward to having a real shower. The trio then goes to see Times Square but get lost, despite receiving directions, having a map, and all of the streets going in order. [I wonder how manners will come into play, or even what's considered "socially acceptable." when Rebecca asked the limo driver to look inside, I was a little shocked.] The next morning, Rebecca tells Sabrina that she likes Abe, who orders a room service breakfast that winds up costing $52.

When Kate arrives, she finds Grand Central Station dirty. She takes a cab to the hotel and doesn't understand how to use the elevator. [I was a little unclear over what she was doing incorrectly.] She's nervous about sharing a room, and when she arrives, Rebecca is surprised that she doesn't look outrageously beautiful. [you know how people exaggerate...] Rebecca doesn't want to share her bed so she calls for a cot for Kate. [any idea how long this trip is going to last?] The girls then head to the gym downstairs, where Rebecca falls off a treadmill. [They're staying at this Hyatt, by the way.] Jeremiah arrives at Penn Station and starts cursing because he can. [haha! what's with these weird "flashbacks," though? kinda almost Blair Witch!] Jeremiah finds Sabrina attractive. The five of them check out sunglasses because the Amish can't wear them (it's a vanity thing). Abe haggles the price to impress Rebecca. [odd, but maybe it sparked something for her!] The next big step is to go grocery shopping (on a Sunday), and the prices shock them. Rebecca and the guys go for junk food and soda, and Sabrina wants to try wine. They overspend a bit. When Kate and Sabrina have wine, they talk about Rebecca's teeth, speculating that they're fake.Late that night, they go looking for them and find dentures and a lighter in Rebecca's bonnet. [yeah... I wonder how this is going to play out. I hope they don't embarrass the poor girl! the lighter is amusing, too...] They go to the penthouse to see what it's like to be up high, and Abe spits off the roof. Rebecca isn't 21 so she can't drink like the rest of them.

Walling McGarity/TLC

NEW SHOW: Breaking Amish

by Amy K. Bredemeyer

If you weren't aware, this series is a short look by TLC at four Amish and one Mennonite who have decided to leave the only lives that they have ever known and discover the world of the "English" in NYC. ("English" is what they call non-Amish people.) This first episode introduces us to the five characters (three female and two male, all from Pennsylvania except one from Ohio), giving us some backstories on their lives, sometimes showcasing their families, helping us understand why they want to try something different, and illustrating the "jumping the fence" process. There are also quite a few historical tidbits, like, "Pennsylvania Dutch is the first language of the Amish. It is a dialect of German." Some facets of the pilot make you wonder how common some things are in those cultures (like, does EVERYONE have a scooter and play on trampolines?). The five featured people are rather different, and I was pretty surprised to learn that two of them are adopted. I was also taken aback at how much cash one of them had, and that they all had their own suitcases. Of course, I don't know how much they use banks or whether they travel much as families, but hopefully those facts will come out later. [but I'm not a complete novice on the Amish culture, either... I attended a Meeting of Friends in undergrad and wrote a paper on the Amish for a Religion in America course, and I did spend a weekend in Lancaster once.] Have you checked out this show? If you read on and decide to tune in, let us know what most grabbed your attention!

This episode doesn't actually get as far as having the young adults in Manhattan, but you can see, below, from left to right: Kate, Jeremiah, Sabrina, Abe, and Rebecca.

Walling McGarity/TLC

Breaking Amish "Jumping the Fence" (S01E01):
Kate, 21, Lancaster, is a Bishop's daughter. She wants to be a model, having seen magazines in the mail. She explains that there are no photos in the Amish culture and she doesn't know what her parents looked like when they were younger or what she looked like as a baby. [I knew there were no photos (thanks to an Amish girl in first grade), but never thought about how you'd never know what you looked like as a baby!] She doesn't like all of the restrictions, like how you can't have zippers on their dresses and the seams on bonnets must be a specific width... but she does like that Amish stick together. [...except that's about to work against her when she's shunned!] When her father learned that she was being filmed, he kicked her out. She packed a few dresses and her Bible, and headed to Florida, where she has friends. [I'd like some information about how she has friends so far away! are they pen pals?] She stayed in Delray Beach for several weeks, got her driver's license, and was having fun when disaster struck. [how did she learn to drive so quickly? Though I guess she had some buggy experience?] She drank twice the legal limit, drove without her lights, spent the night in jail, and was charged with a DUI. She lost her license and got a court date, but she had the date reset for four weeks later so she could get a lawyer. [how is she going to be able to afford a lawyer?] She returns home, but can't bear all of the disappointment she will cause her parents, so she plans to write them a letter after she's in New York. [eep!]

Jeremiah, 32, Holmes County, Ohio. [the pilot doesn't actually mention his age, though I'm not sure why. I am also a little surprised that he's 32 and still unmarried.] Five out of seven kids in his family (himself included) are adopted. His family has a successful farm, but he'd be leaving a "set life" if he went to New York. He tells his girlfriend (whom he was thinking of marrying in the Fall) about his plans, and she's surprised that he'd leave, as she'd have to shun him. [I guess she has no desire to try living with him and without her family, huh? was he secretly hoping she'd come along?] He's always wanted to drive a car, have privacy, and go to the tops of tall buildings. [interesting goals.] The Bishop's wife sees the cameramen, which could cause him to be shunned, so he immediately packs some clothes and his Bible. [no "goodbyes" to his family?]

Sabrina, 25, Lancaster, PA. She's the lone Mennonite on the show, so some differences include that they can drive cars, have electricity, and listen to Christian radio. She wants to be a singer, but that's considered showing off, so no way. She also wants to wear jeans and earrings. [I can totally believe that!] She was adopted, and because her birth father was Puerto Rican and her birth mother was Italian, she's always been curious about her background. She even subscribes to a Spanish magazine so she can learn about the culture. [all of these magazines make me wonder about the print media allowed...] She's been receiving "hate mail" because she has been thinking of leaving the community, and knows that she'll lose a lot of friends if she leaves. [how are people "finding out" about Sabrina's desires?] She tells her friend, Rose, about her plans, and Rose finds it weird that Sabrina doesn't think she's "normal" as-is. [cute giraffe tea kettle!] Sabrina's parents wouldn't appear on camera when she told them about wanting to leave. Her mom was okay but her dad got mad. [her mom was okay with it? can we find out more about that, please?]

Abe, 22, from Punxsutawney, PA, dropped out of school at 15 years old and has been thinking of leaving the community since he was 18. [we do not yet know if Rebecca and Abe know one another.] He regrets not being able to read better than a third grader. He introduces us to his mother, Mary, his sister, Ella, and his brother, Andy. He tells his mother about wanting to go to New York, and she says that if he does so, he'll be shunned and won't be allowed to eat with the family anymore. Andy admits to Abe that he'd also go experience the world, but he cares too much about his parents. [I'd like to know more about how Abe has broken free from that mindset.] His sister disagrees, thinking that leaving would be throwing away your life. One night at dinner, Abe announces that he's going to do what he wants, and his mother simply ask that he think of the family once in a while and say his prayers at night. [I thought that she took it rather well! of course, if he's been thinking about leaving for four years, this probably is something that she's thought about over time.]

Rebecca, 20, from Punxsutawney, PA, is up washing clothes at 5:45am. She thinks that men and women should be equal, and that a guy who would do inside chores would rock her world. She shows us an outhouse, a gas light, a "hopes and dreams" cabinet, and talks about having a phone on the edge of the property, used for emergencies or to call drivers. [I would have liked to hear about some instances when they need drivers, but maybe another time.] She lives with her grandparents (her mother had sex with an English guy as a teenager) and dreads telling her grandfather that she's leaving. [I wouldn't have thought to make toast with a broiler!] Her cousins tell her that she'd have to miss her grandfather's funeral if she left and the worst happened. [foreshadowing?] After her grandfather sees the cameramen, he asks her to get her stuff and leave. [I was a little sad that she wasn't able to tell him in her own way.]