A Sneak Peek at "Army Wives"

The television series Army Wives will debut on June 3 at 10:00 EST on Lifetime. The series is based on the book, Under the Sabers: The Unwritten Code of Army Wives by Tanya Biank. "Real" Army wives have been buzzing about this for a few months. Will Army Wives be a sensational, Hollywood portrayal of life as an Army wife, or will it be pretty close to the real thing? I had the opportunity to view the first episode of Army Wives, and it's too early to make a definitive judgment, but after viewing the DVD four times, as of now, my answer is... yes, and yes.

I can only assume that the producer of Army Wives hired consultants who were insiders. Nearly all of the scenes featuring checkpoints, uniforms, homecomings, departures, post housing, formals, etc. were well done. If the details were not realistically presented, we would notice them in an instant and it would become a distraction.

Army Wives features five military spouses. Refreshingly, one of them is a male spouse. Three spouses are married to officers and two are married to enlisted men. Not surprisingly, the entire cast is beautiful. Each actor is brilliantly cast and the performances are solid. Based on our own experiences, each of us will relate differently to the characters. The two wives that stick out to me are Roxy LeBlanc and Claudia Joy Holden.

Roxy LeBlanc marries her soldier only days after meeting him. She's a rough-around-the-edges gal who has clearly lived a tough life. Roxy is completely unfamiliar with military life and learns her lessons the hard way. I did too, but Roxy is less bothered by her faux pas than I was, which makes me like her all the more.

In one funny scene, at a formal event, Roxy takes her lead from her husband and salutes a Major. She then goes on to spill a glass of wine all over the table, and her dress. When Roxy receives her first invitation to a "tea" she says to her husband, "I'm never going to fit in here." Many of us have felt that way at times. Roxy also struggles with the world of acronyms, the secret language of the military. The language that each of us have to learn quickly in order to communicate.

Claudia Joy Holden is the wife of a Colonel. Claudia is the perfectly pulled-together, squared-away Colonel's wife who is fiercely protective of her husband and his career track, which is evident when she takes on a General's wife. Claudia is approachable and likable, but she's apparently hiding a secret.

One flaw I've found with Army Wives has to do with the relationship between LTC Joan Burton and her civilian husband, Roland. Joan returns from an apparent two-year tour in Afghanistan (which I didn't quite understand) and has trouble readjusting. She and Roland have sex in the ladies room at the same formal where Roxy spilled her wine and Claudia had a run-in with General's wife. Later in the episode, Joan gets drunk at a "Jody bar" and dances provocatively on top of the bar. It's clear that this story line is meant to deal with the difficult process of reintegration, but I found these scenes to be unrealistic. I thought it a real stretch to see a LTC drunk and dancing in a Jody Bar.

I'm hoping that as the episodes unfold, we'll see a more realistic portrayal of the reintegration process and the hardships it can place on relationships inside the home. In my opinion, reintegration is one of the hardest issues we deal with and the reality of reintegration would certainly make for dramatic viewing, no embellishment necessary.

Pamela Moran and Denise Sherwood are the other featured Army wives. Pamela is a feisty redhead who is the favorite target for post gossip. Pamela takes some extraordinary measures to pull her family out of debt. Denise Sherwood appears to be the perfect wife and mother, but life at home is not very tidy, you'll be surprised to find out why, I know I was.

Although I can't relate to all of the characters, I've known all of them in some form or fashion since I became an Army wife. I know about gossip, the process of trying to figure out the system, the rules and military etiquette. I also know what it's like to be proud of my husband for what he does, and I was happy to see that, so far, these wives (and husband) are proud and supportive milspouses.

What I didn't like was the promotion of some old stereotypes. Pamela comments to a chaplain that "soldiers don't like their wives to work." In thirteen years, I haven't seen any evidence that this is true. Then there's the "rank has its privileges" storyline, which came into play when Claudia, the Colonel's wife, attempts to squeeze her daughter in for a last-minute medical appointment by essentially jumping in line, though not in a rude manner. There's some backstabbing, pettiness and gossip shown, but this happens everywhere, not just on a military post. Yes, I'm cherry-picking some scenes, but only because they seemed to be the ones where all-to-easy stereotypes were highlighted.

I liked much more than I didn't like. Specifically, I was happy to see that no political agenda was visible. I hope it stays that way. As I mentioned above, the milspouses are very supportive of their husbands and wife, which is important. At the end of the first episode, something happens that brings the five spouses together. It's hard to believe that the situation would ever occur in "real life", but I did appreciate the message it conveyed. We do stick together and help each other out.

I realize that producers have to take some liberties to make a television show dramatic and interesting, which led me to ask this question of myself, "is there this much drama in the life of an Army wife?" In my opinion, no. Not to this degree, and not for everyone, and not all the time, but clearly, the most intense and emotional situations that we as Army wives deal with will be the focus of Army Wives, as it should be. So far, they've touched on homecomings, departures, reintegration, what it's like to be the new kid on the block and the personal relationships that we form with other Army wives, and that's only the first episode. How entertaining would a television show be if it featured trips to the commissary and the process of renewing ID cards? Well, if it featured airforcewife doing those things...

This is not a reality show, it's a drama. Although the military community is a large one, and one which will likely be interested in this show, I believe that non-military viewers will enjoy this series and will be interested in it. What we as real Army wives can hope for, especially in a time of war, is that Army Wives will capture some of what we're about, the sacrifices we make as military spouses and what our lives are like inside the gated, guarded walls of a military post. I've said it before, and airforcewife repeated it in San Diego, we experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I think we'll see all of the peaks and valleys in Army Wives.   

I laughed a lot while watching Army Wives. The humor is well-placed. I was surprised to find myself becoming emotional during a couple of scenes, though. The episode I watched reminded me of the miles I've logged as an Army wife, and all of the stages I've been through so far. All things considered, I liked what I saw. I'm looking forward to watching the rest of the episodes. I want to know what happens next, and I want to watch lives unfold on screen. I want to know if the series will continue to be something I can somewhat relate to, or if it will take a dive off of a steep cliff and become an unrecognizable caricature of our lives as real Army wives. One thing's certain, I'm going to stick around to find out.

I look forward to reading your reactions when the series debuts. I'm sure we'll have a wide range of opinions, we always do....

We'll open a discussion thread at SpouseBUZZ on June 3, and we'll have one each night the series is on television. Should be interesting. For now, tell us what you would like to see in Army Wives, and then we'll compare your wish list with what you actually saw on June 3.

You may want to tape/DVR the show and watch it more than once. I found that my expectations and what I took away from the episode changed each time I viewed it.

Update: Did you watch the premiere? If so, join the June 3 discussion thread and share your thoughts.

Update (June 11): June 10 discussion thread can be found here.

Comments

[airforcewife]

A feisty redhead who is the target of much post gossip?

I am intrigued. ;P

[Jan Wesner]

The episode online made me laugh and made me cry. What more can you ask from a TV show? I agree some of the plotlines were farfetched. I expected the typical stereotypes that are there. And yes, it's TV, so they needed to add some drama. But the show looks pretty good.
We'll be discussing over at blogs.tampabay.com/standingby, too.
Can't wait to see what you all think.

[Andi]

Fiesty redhead AND pregnant too, airforcewife. Hey, wait a minute...

[Some Soldier's Mom]

I'll be interested to see if they can keep the politics out of the show... doesn't seem like anyone in Hollywood can -- Boston Legal, ER, CSI, Vegas... then again, even Army life (and wives) are not w/o political opinions.

[VA Jon]

I wonder what kind of reaction this series will get in the mainstream media? If the show's creators can keep their personal ideology out of it and portray somewhat accurately a life of a servicemember's wife, then I'm all for it.

[Sarah]

I asked my husband if he'd watch it with me, and he said he will. I don't know if that was a smart move on my part -- he has a tendency to yell at the TV -- but I think it will be interesting for both of us to watch it unfold.

[Andi]

Sarah - My husband watched it with me, and he didn't really "get it." He commented that Major Sherwood's beret was "substandard" and that just about every cliche that could be shown, was.

I had the advantage of watching it four times, which enabled me to sort through my thoughts. When I first watched, I was hoping to see my life on screen. The second time I watched, I did so to pay attention to details and make notes. The third time I watched, I watched with my husband who fixated on the things that I didn't like in the show, but that's what happened the first time I watched it too. Finally, on the fourth viewing, I watched with no expectations and with the knowledge that this wasn't, as I mention above, a reality show, but a television drama.

Jan's comment above pretty much sums up my entire review. If we watch expecting Army Wives to be an accurate depiction of our everyday lives, we'll all be disappointed, but if we watch keeping in mind that it's a mix of Hollywood and Ft. Hood, I think most of us will find the series entertaining.

I haven't watched a television series since "Sisters" went off the air. I don't watch network television, so I'm pretty excited to have something other than cable news to watch and I do think, if the rest of the episodes are anything like the first one, stereotypes and all, that Army Wives is going to be a big hit.

[armywifetoddlermom]

Well in oreder to have a series...I suppose there has to be a certain amount of salaciousness involved. Because my life certainly would be nothing of long term interest to observers...

I am concerned about what a negative potryal of one wife could mean to our reputation as WIVES? What could it do to the moral of our soldiers?

This may have inspired a post or two...

Heck I may have to watch it...and the last two series I watched was Deadwood.

[Nikki]

I was wondering that as well, armywife...

It seems the last couple of things I've seen concerning wives of military members had a few that were fairly decent portrayals (i.e., spouses/significant others who were trying to cope with what the military threw at them with grace and dignity), but the most screen time was dedicated to the ones that were faithless or weak and sniviling.

There was a TV show on FX a few years back called "Over There". I only watched for a while, but it did that with the wives. You had the "good" wife, and you saw her a little, but mostly you saw the cheating wife. It's all about drama, and what gets people watching, I guess.

(And don't even get me started on the movie "Jarhead". I didn't even finish watching that one, it peeved me so).

I am planning on watching this show, but not with the DH. He tends to critique from the couch, and I can't watch military shows or movies with him anymore... ;)

[CaliValleyGirl]

I wanted to DVR it, but I think that Dish Network and Lifetime had some disagreement, and thus Dish doesn't carry Lifetime...so I guess I will have to wait for the DVD...bummer.

[Molly Pitcher]

TV networks always feel the need to sensationalize...maybe for good reason, I don't know.

If they did it with school teachers, lawyers, doctors, medical interns, etc., no reason to think we're exempt, I suppose!

The thing is that most of the things they show do really happen--just not usually in the same unit to the same group of people over the course of a few months. But they would lose the narrative arc if they spread it out and made it more statistically realistic.

[Navy Wife Wendy]

I have a feeling this show will be a guilty pleasure. With no more Bachelor or Grey's, I've already set my DVR.

I'm not counting on Army Wives being too "realistic". The series is on Lifetime, so its sure to have lots of drama, lots of controversy, lots of "loving", and lots of sap.

[Wiese]

I hate this! I can't watch it and won't. Hollywood can't get anything right, let alone the diverse, complex and details personna of an Army/Military wife. If you watch it just know you are far more excellent, beautiful and intelligent than Hollywood can depict. Sorry to be so negative.

[armywifetoddlermom]

OK I watched some previews, and I love this Roxi charactor!! And the 2 officers wives...Oh and the sweet husband!!

I think I am sold!!

[monica garrison]

This show is a joke! Ask the real army wivws, not some Hollywood look a likes!!!!!!
Go to the real women!!!!!

[Heather S.]

I watched...and so far I'm intrigued. I really love Roxy and the husband. I think that the characters will be good. I like that there is some diversity in rank and situation...of course it is not too realistic that they'd come together...but they have to do that for the show. I am really curious to see where these story lines go. I'll keep watching.

[REAL 2X ACTIVE DUTY WIFE]

I AGREE ITS ONLY TV? THEY NEED TO TALK TO REAL ARMY WIVES!!!!

[JLO]

Wow,
What a horrible show. I don't think they could have portrayed more outdated stereotypes in a show as poorly researched and written if they had actually set out to do exactly that. Way too many absurd story-lines. This show makes military personnel and spouses appear as dysfunctional as a deep south trailer park. It was like a train wreck in a way. They just jammed a bunch of poorly written character introductions into a one hour show. I couldn't stop watching it even though it was so bad though.
I was disappointed that the writers, producers, and director(s) seem to have blown a good opportunity to research the army and develop the story over multiple episodes. Instead it was military stereotype diarrhea.

[Andy2]

The show doesn't hold a candle to real life. I married a Ranger without knowing what a Ranger was. Should have suspected something when he said the CO gave the following instructions for the Ranger Ball: "Stay off the tables and eat with your forks." My husband dressed in his BDUs grabbed another soldier for a witness, me in a sundress and we drove a few miles to Alabama from Fort Benning to get married one afternoon. I spent my honeymoon night in the barracks inside the Ranger compound in the CQ room while he pulled CQ. I recall a soldier opening the door unexpectedly and yelling, "there's a girl in here", and my husband saying, "yes, meet my wife".
At the first pre-deployment briefing we attended we were told that some would be divorced during the deployment. Being Guard/Reserve we don't have anywhere near the emotional resources around to hold "it" together during deployments and we are facing another from May 2007 to Sept 2008. I WISH for the 3 months referenced in the show. I didn't know what a jody bar was until tonight and feel like I'm speaking another language when near non-serving people (99.9% of the people around here).
I so wish this series can highlight the differences in support between active duty on base wives and those in the Guard/Reserves. Family Readiness Groups organized by units don't work! i'm about 225 miles from the rest of the wives and I don't see myself going over to meetings just to organize yard sales but would just be delighted to know that other wives could lay down their husband's rank for the moment, let our personal strengths shine through and support one another as women are designed to do.
Does that strike a chord with anyone?
Now, give me some cheese for this whine.
My soldier HATED the color, olive green, after he ETSd, so imagine my surprise a few years later when a recruiter called asking me for personal information and I asked him why he needed it. My husband had re-enlisted in the Guard/Reserves without telling me.
This is not what I thought my life would be like.

[Andy2]

One more comment. I had the privilege of being present as the only woman besides the widow at the airport ceremony of a deceased combat soldier and the honors given. I am still deeply moved by it 3 years later. It was in a unit we were no longer with. There were no wives there to assist the young widow. Why?... it hit too close to home.

[Laura Roberts]

I watched the premier tonight and came away disgusted. Supposedly written by an actual Army Wife it portrayed only officers wives with one or two enlisted wives who were portrayed as "white trash". In no way did it deal with what we deal with on a day to day basis. The enlisted wives deserve better then how we were portrayed. We are the backbone, the ones who are always there, the ones who have to deal with countless deployments and such. I'm disgusted by this show and found it highly insulting. Someone needs to tell it like it really is. I'm shocked that this is how our lives will be portrayed to the public.

As an Army wife, I spend my days supporting my husband and his troops. I live with all the separation and day to day problems. I'm educated and by no means the crude "trailer trash" that they portray in this series. I demand that we get equal respect and an honest portrayal of what we go through. Army Wives is nothing but garbage.

Respectfully,

Laura M. Roberts
Army Wife
to SGT Keith M. Roberts
Currently serving again in Iraq

[Laura Roberts]

I watched the premier tonight and came away disgusted. Supposedly written by an actual Army Wife it portrayed only officers wives with one or two enlisted wives who were portrayed as "white trash". In no way did it deal with what we deal with on a day to day basis. The enlisted wives deserve better then how we were portrayed. We are the backbone, the ones who are always there, the ones who have to deal with countless deployments and such. I'm disgusted by this show and found it highly insulting. Someone needs to tell it like it really is. I'm shocked that this is how our lives will be portrayed to the public.

As an Army wife, I spend my days supporting my husband and his troops. I live with all the separation and day to day problems. I'm educated and by no means the crude "trailer trash" that they portray in this series. I demand that we get equal respect and an honest portrayal of what we go through. Army Wives is nothing but garbage.

Respectfully,

Laura M. Roberts
Army Wife
to SGT Keith M. Roberts
Currently serving again in Iraq

[Alice Franklin]

It looks to be entertaining, but I have never, ever seen so many "beautiful" military wives in one place. So this is the draw? T and A? Oh...my bad...I thought it was about the LIVES of military wives. I am a retired veteran, woman soldier, wife, mother, you name it. In those days we all looked "regular". You know, one was obese, one was anerexic and smoked like a chimney, one lived in a trailor with six kids which she left alone on occassion. You know, "regular people".

[Tat]

Wonderful show for the Officer wife.Disgusting for us ,the regular enlisted wives.....
Hollywood should interview a "real" Military Wife......

[Traci Mosholder]

What an embarrassing attempt at portraying Army Wives. This who was a veritable train wreck. It was factually inaccurate in many instances and beyond ridiculous in most other aspects. It's writes should be ashamed of themselves at their pitiable attempts at portraying the Army Wife of today. This show should rank right up there with Delta Farce. Two thumbs down!

[Traci Mosholder]

Oops not enough coffee yet this a.m. Need to correct my typos! What an embarrassing attempt at portraying Army Wives. This show was a veritable train wreck. It was factually inaccurate in many instances and beyond ridiculous in most other aspects. Its writers should be ashamed of themselves at their pitiable attempts at portraying the Army Wife of today. This show should rank right up there with Delta Farce. Two thumbs down!

[Nadia]

I am completely horrified and disgusted by the show. As an Army wife and prior service officer in the Amry, I can't believe how they chose to portray Army wives. The only correct detail on the show was the color of the uniforms. I was exicted that there would be a show to express the different day to day challenges of military spouses, but this show was not it. It is awful, negative and disgusting. From the bartender wife, to the drunk female Lieutenant Colonel, I was horrified all the way through. It was offensive and I hope the show will be canceled.

[Army Wife]

Well, after reading all the comments I have to say I was surprised. I totally loved this show! Although it is a "Hollywood" version of what life is like for Army wives, I can honestly say I have encountered many people thoughout my husbands career who resemle the characters in this series. I will say that the cast is much "prettier" than us regular folks but come on...these actors are paid to look like that. I'm sure that there will be flaws that we can all pick apart since we live the life but I for one am very happy to 1) have a show I can identify with and 2) have a show that raises the awareness of what life is like behind the uniforms. Since the first episode has aired I have had neighbors and friends offer up help and company that they never did before in the two years we have lived here. People don't realize how hard it can be. It's nice to be recognized for a change.

[ArmyWifeyKrissy]

I didn't even bother to watch it. I pick things apart too much. Anything from the berets being cockeyed or a patch in the wrong place to saying *all too often* "oh my word no one actually SAYS that!" From what I'm reading in the other comments I'm glad I skipped this one. I don't know much about doctors so I'll stick to Grey's. Atleast there if they say something or do something incorrectly I won't know it :)

[DJ]

It wasn't that bad. If you have been around long enough you have seen some of that stuff. Yes, it is Hollywood, all in all it was entertaining. Roxy is the one to watch. She seems to be the one that is the most realistic. I'll keep watching just to see how things unfold.

[JodieCoyote]

(Spoiler alert).
I read Andi's review and all of the comments before actually watching the show last night. I was lucky enough to catch a repeat of the premiere episode and the "new" one both last night. My husband watched part of it with me and couldn't stand it. He complained constantly that it "was ridiculous" and "made Army wives look bad." I was prepared to hate it, too, based on the comments I read here, but to be honest, I really liked it. It was fun and silly and so "soap opera" in the best tradition of evening dramas.
I kept talking to the TV and was offering advice to the characters and telling my husband what I would do if our son (now 8) ever hit ME when he was a teen. (I wouldn't need anyone to teach me to box). :-)
I wasn't offended by the unrealistic portrayals or the errors (no one really says, "Jody Bar," or "paratrooper training"). After all, I am a registered nurse and can assure you that real life in the hospital is NOT like Grey's Anatomy or ER. And being a "house wife" is rarely as 'desperate' as the ladies on Wisteria Lane make it appear. And of course, the average NYPD detective doesn't show his naked butt around nearly as much as portrayed on NYPD Blue.
Sure, Army wives may be offended at the exaggerations and stereotypes, but we aren't exempt from portrayals of our lives that make for good TV and sell advertising any more than doctors, lawyers, or police detectives are.
I am going to keep watching the show. I have been through some REAL drama as an Army wife (farewells, funerals, dealing with dysfunctional FRGs, ugly gossip, etc) and to me, this show doesn't even scratch the surface. It's actually escapism for me.

[Byrd Lady]

I am a 6th generation washingtonian who's Great Grand Father won the silver star for serving in world war two and who's Grand Father served in Korea during the Korean war my first husband stayed in the Army for 11 years and served in the Gulf during the Gulf war. When my first husband ETSed I joined and served 3 1/2 years. Our eldest son and youngest sons served in Iraq simultaneously, the eldest served his country for 9 years and my youngest has served now for seven. All three kids are grown and gone and sucsessfull. I am on my second marriage and am preparing to move to Fort Campbell KY where my newly wed husband's first post of assignment is. It is also where my kids(one borne there) grew up.
I waited for the first episode of Military wives and missed it I am so mad!
Also who out there thinks that I should be one of the writers for the show?

[Mrs. smith]

lighten up everyone! It's a drama! It's t.v. It's entertainment. I like the show!
I think it is just like the army wives I have met. I can really relate. If you don't like the show then don't watch it! Just shut up!

[Kendra]

I haven't really started my army life yet, my finance is just about to finish up his training, but from the experiences I have been through with family and close friends, I think "Army Wives" does a good job with portraying what life on an army post is really like. Now I know there is a little bit more emphasis on the drama because it is a tv show but for the most part it seems right on. Anyways I am really into the show. I don't miss an episode and in fact I have already finished the book because I enjoyed the show so much! If anyone has anyone has any advice for me I would really appreciate it! Thanks

[Julie]

I saw Army Wives on DVD for only $19.99

http://bestdvdentertainment.com/product_info.php?products_id=309

[Julie]

I saw Army Wives on DVD for only $19.99

http://bestdvdentertainment.com/product_info.php?products_id=309

[MIRELA ORNELAS]

ITS JUST A SHOW TO HAVE FUN WITH LIKE ALL OTHER SHOWS, ITS RIDICULOUS TO THINK ANYBODY COULD OR WOULD TAKE IT PERSONALLY. THIS IS WHY OUR SOLDIERS ARE FIGHTING FOR, THE RIGHT TO GET YOUR BUTTS UP OR PICK UP YOUR HAND AND GUESS WHAT CHANGE THE STATION!!! THATS THE BEAUTY OF OUR FREE COUNTRY. "GOD BLESS AMERICA, FOR GIVING US THIS SPECIAL RIGHT"

[Sherry]

Oh Please...Does Grey's Anatomy portray actual life at a hospital??? It's entertainment people! I love Army Wives and it's so much better than a lot of the garbage out there these days.