Hi, my name is Brandi. I am a proud army wife to my husband Ric. We have been married 2 ½ years and have a combined family of three children; two sons ages 6 and 7 and one daughter age 11. The previews for Army Wives really had my interest peaked. I always have an undying curiosity for how a military wife is going to be depicted in TV shows. Being one myself, I am aware of the stereotype that goes with what kind of personality makes up an army wife and what kind of man she is married to. So, I knew before the show even aired that it would be on our must see TV list. It wasn’t long into the first episode that I was pleasantly surprised with the characters and the different dimensions of the show. I was relating to various aspects of each character -- whether good or bad, directly or indirectly -- the familiarity of it was there. I couldn't wait to see how things were going to progress in the episode and am enthusiastic to see how the show will progress through the season. Read on to meet the characters!
Watching the show was interesting to me because I was sitting there saying, “I know her” or “That was/is so me.” So let’s have a run down of the characters.
Roxy is a single mom of two boys, who is working two jobs to provide for her kids. She meets her husband, and after a five-day courtship they get married. I could relate so well to the army acronym lessons between her and Trevor, it brought me back to the days of being a newlywed, and I admit even now when my husband gets on a roll I still stare at him with a blank look on my face. I already feel a connection with her. Roxy and I are very similar in many aspects so far.
Then there is Claudia. She seems to be the military-wife mold that many of us aspire to be: an honorable and supportive woman, a true friend, a real person who stands up for what is right and who isn’t afraid to think for herself although it may not be the popular opinion. She is passionate about her husband’s career, which is evident in the conversation between her and Michael about their frustration about missing a promotion. This topic is something most military spouses have to experience at one time or another. It’s never easy to see the disappointment when the lists come out, and there really is not much you can say to make it better, especially when your spouse has worked so hard to earn it.
We have Denise and Pamela -- two strong women who are doing all they can to take care of their families. Both ladies are dealing with such different circumstances but both are so strong and determined to hold it all together for the sake of their husbands, their husband’s careers and their children. Pamela is dealing with financial debt by being a surrogate for another couple. She is keeping the true facts of her pregnancy a secret from everyone and thus having to be the butt of gossip within other wives' groups. Then there is Denise, who is no doubt very devoted to her husband and her son. Her husband is deploying for three months and her teenaged son is becoming more and more violent toward her with each separation from his father. He is very resentful of his father and is taking it out on his mother by hitting her. Denise has yet to confide in her husband about their son’s actions for fear that it will worry and distract him from his duty.
Let’s not forget about Roland either, he is a military husband. I think it was wonderful to have a male character introduced as an army spouse. Oftentimes people forget that there are men who stay home while their wives head to war. He is a professional man who is supportive of his wife and her military career. His wife has just returned after a long tour, and now they will have to deal with the adjustments of reintegration of home life and finding that connection between husband and wife again. Having a different perspective through his eyes is definitely going to be an asset to the show and the storylines.
One key thing about this show that got me was how it touched on the less than flattering aspects of military life. For example, the military wives who always gossip and try to make their way up the social ladder? We’ve all met them. The spouses who are your best friend until you turn around and they stab you in the back because you don’t play the gossip game. The feelings a new wife has about not being able to fit in because she does not know all the protocols or what is expected of her -- not knowing anyone and being unsure of herself. How about the “Jody Bar" -- the hangout for military spouses whose soldiers are deployed? It's an aspect of military life that is very real for some. It’s definitely not accepted as okay by most, but it’s just one of those things that everyone knows about. It’s a sad reality but a reality none the less.
The Army Wives are a diverse group of characters. Each one has so much depth, and you can see there is so much more than can be shown in an hour. I was sorry to see the first episode end; it was closer to a reality show rather than a fictional show for me. Maybe that is because I live in that world, and I can understand things more so than the average civilian... I don’t know. This show has such great potential and I look forward to getting to know the characters.
