Ben's mom is bitter

I think Ben's mom is acting normally, she didn't say not to invite Carly, just that they are seated separately. At the dinner I get why she was upset, Carly was the center of attention. No one likes to be left out, especially when they are the parent. Carly even said that her grandfather was more the dad figure to her. So really Carly being at the dinner was not that important, she shouldn't have gone. She has functioning relationship with her, unless its important Carly should stay back. I don't think Ben's mom is that angry at Carly, but she does need to get over it more, its a thing that takes time.

Hmm, I think Ben's mother's feelings are appropriate; she may, understandably, never "get over it." This seems traumatic for her. I don't understand this whole idea that one person's "courage" isn't another's anguish. The man she loved betrayed her, failed to love/trust her, had a child with, and then abandoned her. And to anyone's shock, began "transitioning" all while remaining in her life.

This may come as a surprise to you, but believing you're going to spend the rest of your life with someone, and then that dream is shattered (for the second time) you might be devastated.

It's interesting to compare her and Carly to Danielle's parents who are divorced for the same reasons yet remain best friends.

I'm not taking Carly's side. She is a bit selfish on many levels. I just really want Ben's Mom to be likable and either it's the editing or whatever she's coming off as a villian. I don't know. Divorce is hard, a divorce surrounding a transition is probably harder. But we don't know the whole story either maybe Charlie was an aweful person, maybe he was driven to drink by his then wife, Who knows. It's still an interesting show even though I feel it is heavily scripted or maybe even staged.

I agree with you. I do understand that it must have been super hard for Ben's mom, but she is coming off as very bitter and IMO looking horrible. She might not have said to not invite Carly to the wedding, but she heavily hinted to that with Sutton. I think part of the problem with her is that she doesn't want Carly to be happy, so because she finally is, it pisses her off even more, she'd rather he be miserable since she is.

Well said!! That's exactly how I feel!

She needed to present herself that way for the cathartic finale.


"In a time of universal deceit,
telling the truth is a revolutionary act."
George Orwell

I am currently up to episode 5 and yes, as a mother myself, it is very conflicting watching her project her feelings on to her family. Her anger and hurt is warranted, but it is very crappy for her to say the things she is saying to her children. It seems to me like Ben is just being a normal teenager, who is sick of school and using Carly's transition to slack off because of the "stress" it is causing. The mom seems to love getting any ammunition she can to use against her ex. I am enjoying the show, and cant wait to find out how it progresses! Seems a little too put together that three transgender people cross paths and have the opportunity to have it filmed for a reality series, especially when Caitlyn Jenner has just been in the news. But meh who cares, i LOVED Transparent, and its the middle of winter here in New Zealand. There is nothing better to do...haha!