On the last episode of Marriage Boot Camp: Family Edition, nobody seemed to improve. And call it a hunch, but I have a feeling the same will happen this week. This filmed last year, and I’m sure Jim Jones didn’t marry Chrissy yet, right? Since that’s like, a quick courthouse trip.

Amber realized that she’s out of her meds, or as she says her “chemical imbalance medication.” Matt says this is kind of a recipe for disaster. Dr. Ish, watching the family from a stalker camera, says that with her mood swings, there’s no doubt she’s out of meds. He’s noticed signs of withdrawal. “Amber without her proper medication is a ticking time bomb ready to explode,” he says. Ish also thinks that her mom Tonya is also going through some stuff, as she’s slurring a lot.

Speaking of addiction, Renee says she’s about to attend an AA meeting. But Lana and Jenn think they should stick back at home instead. Lana in the past said she always said she always wanted to learn about addiction, but totally blew her off. “Is it a matter of, they don’t know how to support her?” Dr. V asks. She thinks she should confront the Graziano sisters and know for sure.

The “Intervention”

Ish goes to Amber’s crib, and Amber admits she’s been off her meds for a few days. As for Tonya, she’s another story.

V gets real with Lana and Jenn, and pretty much says that the two of them failed to support Renee. “It’s important that the both of you really step forward out of love and care,” she says. But they both kind of think Renee needs to do this stuff herself. “It makes me nervous to approach her, to ask her,” Lana (at least, I think it’s Lana) admits.

While trying to identify that Graziano, I missed all of Tonya’s slur. But Ish starts talking about opioid addiction, so I’m pretty sure it’s serious.

Renee gets back, and she admits that she was disappointed her sisters weren’t there. Mama Jones tries to talk to her about it and thinks she needs to have more support for her family.

Ish and V think that since Amber just started back on her meds after two days off, it might be a good idea to have her sit out for a little until she is more like herself. That’s a noble thing, but also, this is the second time a Portwood has been MIA, and the show only takes like, 10 days to tape. And we’re nowhere near the end.

The Blind Challenge

At the challenge, the housemates need their families to rescue them for once. And only some of the housemates are there. Renee and Chrissy are missing, but it’s because they’re “stranded” in a lake on an inner tube. The land members need to get into a raft, paddle, and retrieve their loved one. The most successful family will get a reward from Judge Lynn Toler. And there’s also a punishment to be handed out, which  — good. Maybe Jim Jones will finally have a reason to do something.

As the paddlers need to be guided by their loved-ones voice (yes, they’re blindfolded,) Brandi thinks this challenge will end up with someone in the hospital.  Personally, it sounds just like a popular Survivor challenge.

Renee, who doesn’t like to be restrained, keeps yelling for her sisters to follow her voice. Meanwhile, her sisters haven’t even left the dock. As for Chrissy, she yells that her family is just going in circles. Tonya is in the inner-tube yelling directions to Matt, and Matt actually says her directions are fantastic — they’re detailed, presumably not slurred (unless Matt’s used to understanding) and helpful.

Tonya ends up making it into Matt’s boat, which is surprising. In comparison, Brandi, blindfolded and rowing, is getting frustrated by Guy’s instructions. “This would not have been as easy with Amber in that boat,” Ish says after Matt and Tonya make their way back (somewhat) successfully.

Unfortunately, a Graziano is down. Renee thinks that Lana exaggerated her medical needs, having been pulled out of the challenge for a panic attack.

As for Brandi and Guy, they get real tense and paddles and puddles are created. Guy flops into her boat, so at least they managed to make contact. “We didn’t give up. I think that’s the most important thing,” Brandi admits.

Calling The Medic

Lana officially gets pulled from the game. So, there’s a good chance the Mob Wives family will be named the challenged losers. In the meantime, the contestants all get cards that will supposedly help them communicate during an argument.

Let’s check on Amber. Renee physically joins her in her crib and talks about AA. “When do we get a fucking break?” Amber asks Renee. The two just have a lot in common, which is sweet. When Matt comes back, he tries to talk about the challenge and how great Tonya is, but Amber is not about it. She snaps at him, saying she’ll participate when she feels better. Again, why does this show make me pity Matt, the major villain of Teen Mom OG?

Guy and Brandi talk about the paddle throwing incident, and the Graziano sisters use their communication cards to try and figure out what’s wrong. The cards say things like “Shut Up,” which — in all honesty — was the equivalent of a curse word in my sheltered family. So, they really aren’t the best communication tools. Lana feels attacked, especially in regards to Renee’s ex. Jenn admits she’s kind of in the middle in all of this.

Suddenly, everyone is asked to the Boot Camp Room. V and Ish talk about the challenge today, and how it was all about communication. The Portwoods were first, followed by the Joneses, the Glanvilles, and then the Mob Wives. And Amber’s absence probably had a lot to do with that. Amber swears that’s not true, as she’s been 100% on every challenge. Okay.

Ish and V admit that Guy sounded more like Brandi’s pal than father during the challenge,  and noted that Brandi really just needs a dad (who probably doesn’t tell people she’s an escort while hanging out in the kitchen.) Now it’s time for the Graziano sisters. Renee flips and feels rage. “The guidelines of successful disagreement are called the rules of engagement,” Ish says. V admits that the cards are the polar opposite of what they should be using.

Now it’s Amber’s time to freak. She starts getting angry about her relationship with Tonya and uses the “Go Away” card to walk away from whatever is happening right now. Matt supports her walking away.

The “You’re Wrong” card was used by most. Instead, they should have used the “I” statements. Matt actually thinks all of this is worth knowing and tries to get Amber to come back to the room, as they’re giving them “some interesting tools.”

Meeting The Judge

But now it’s time for Judge Lynn Toler to pass judgment on everyone. She starts by saying that a year ago at this time, her mom was dying. And she was upset since she wasn’t close to her sister.  Oof. “I saw a tear, and it just meant to me that she was real,” Brandi admits. “I trust her. I don’t trust that many people.”

The Judge and her sister are now BFFs, and she’s in her late 50’s (and looks AMAZING, I must say.) She then compares Jim Jones to a racehorse and does a very awkward impression. Chrissy admits that she does she improvement and growth in the relationship, but… I don’t believe that, Chrissy. Sorry. I love you.

Brandi is a big fan of Judge Toler, noting that “when she speaks, you listen.” Toler says Brandi grew up with a sense of “Whoosh!” For the Mob Wives ladies, Toler thinks there’s a lot of anger that needs to be placed on the man who caused it. She’s also super sad that Jenn and Lana’s didn’t go to AA with Renee.

For the Portwoods, Toler is all about Tonya and Matt kicking ass and treats them to an ice cream social. Those events actually exist? … It’s ice cream and booze, and they’re served by Renee and fam, who want to smash their faces in the ice cream.