Trading Spouses
O'Brien - Shackelford Families
The Road Trip Season Finale!
Recap By Unicornchaser
February 18, 2005
Shackleford Family (VA):
Michelle (mother / real estate agent), Craig, Tasha, (17), Devin (10), Holly (7) and 2 dogs.
O'Brien Family (CO):
Janette, Dan, Kyle (14), Maura (11) and no dog.
This episode was the last episode of the season for Trading Spouses, so these families only get one episode instead of the usual two. This means we don't get to know the families nearly as well as with the usual format. Fox has not updated their site so as yet there is no info about these families or when the show will start up again.
"Our family spends our life on the road". The O'Brien family lives primarily in a RV as a family band. They travel 25,000 miles a year. Last year, it added up to 80 live appearances. Both parents were teachers and Janette has home schooled the kids since the start. Janette's favorite thing about it is all the opportunities with them she gets with the road life. Dan proudly tells us that Janette is a great wife, mother and "a pretty darn salty bass player, I might add!"
Janette comments that a definite drawback to the RV lifestyle is being confined to a small space. However, this has made the family incredibly close. It has taught the O'Brien's how to get along as well as how to work as a team, an important part of being a family. At the end of the show we see they also have a nice house to rest in between road trips. The best of two worlds!
On the other hand, the Shackleford family lives as a typical family in a very nice house in suburbia. "We have the perfect family!" Michelle is also a real estate agent besides managing her household. She and Craig are been newlyweds for only 4 months. Craig is absolutely Michelle's best friend. Not having spent one night apart since the wedding yet, this separation will be hard for them. Michelle, with a very cute smile, admits she will miss the sex as well as the camaraderie!
Michelle talks about how some might drive up to their house to think they are probably really wealthy, stuffy, all about career, money or keeping up with the Joneses. But she thinks they should be "really, really proud of what we've accomplished", and they should be. Michelle doesn't like to be bored... so an O'Brien musical road trip is in store for her!
The Shackleford family is staunchly republican. Even the younger children, by their own choice Michelle tells us, since they know the issues and discuss them. "You are the biggest butthead I've ever met!" we hear next.
Michelle says the children are very independent, stubborn and head strong. Michelle admits Craig goes off the deep end a little bit with the kids at times. So of course we see Craig being very impatient and bickering with them. When Tasha tells Craig she is excited about being an adult in a month, he tells her "Now you can legally go to jail!". It is obvious that Craig would have been the bad guy if this had been spread out over 2 episodes.
We also get no more info than we did last week about the odd comment Craig makes about keeping quiet about something someone sees. There is no context for it at all other than it seems to be bickering with the kids. However, it certainly is not said to the new mom...
The swap is on!
Both moms are typically scared and nervous at the airport. Both moms get a warm welcome from the kids and hubbies.
Craig seemed very uncomfortable to Jeanette at the airport. However, as a smoker cooped up at an airport this could be a from lack of nicotine as much as anything else for him. Craig is shown only a mild reaction to the news that Michelle will be picked up in a RV. It's not clear that he was told she would be living in one at this time.
"Are you looking for a new family?" Dan greets Michelle. It turns out the Michelle's maiden name is the same as that of her swapped family. She is thrilled with the RV because she has always wanted one. Michelle tells Dan how lucky he is. However, she seems much more concerned in her diary thoughts. "The first thing that crossed my mind was "Oh, my God!"
The kids are perched expectantly on the top of the RV with a sign for Michelle. Maura has specific concerns about the new mom. "When I first laid eyes on my new mom, my impression was, oh, my gosh! This is too cool because I was looking for either a 400 lb lady coming out or a lady in high heel who was 20 lbs who would eat an almond for dinner!" Maura is obviously the sassy one of all the kids...
Reality TV Calendar will send you the latest casting calls as soon as they are released. Calls are often short notice with short deadlines. You need to make contact immediately. You can't do that unless you have immediate notification of the call. One Time Payment, Only $7.95.
Click For More Information.
