Ep 11. My Cousin, My Lover

In season 4 episode 11 of Escaping Polygamy, entitled "My Cousin, My Lover," the focus is on the story of Angela, a young woman who has fallen in love with her cousin, a fellow member of the FLDS polygamist cult. Despite the fact that their relationship is taboo and prohibited within the confines of the cult, Angela and her cousin have maintained a secret romantic relationship for months.

Angela's situation becomes even more complicated when she discovers that she is pregnant with her cousin's child. As she grapples with the reality of her situation, she must also confront the fact that she is trapped within the cult and has no means of escape. Her cousin offers to take her away and start a new life together, but she knows that doing so would mean severing all ties with her family and community, something that is difficult for her to consider.

Throughout the episode, we see Angela confiding in the women of the AUB, a rival polygamist group that has left the FLDS. Members of the AUB have left the FLDS for various reasons, including a desire for more freedom and a rejection of the extreme beliefs and practices of the cult. They offer Angela a different perspective and an opportunity to consider a life outside of the FLDS.

The women of the AUB listen to Angela's story with compassion and offer her advice and support. They understand the complex emotions and challenges that come with leaving a cult and starting a new life, and they are eager to help Angela navigate the difficult path ahead of her.

As Angela weighs her options and considers the future, she is haunted by the possibility that her child will grow up within the confines of the cult, subject to its extreme and oppressive beliefs. She knows that she must make a choice that will not only affect her own life but also the life of her unborn child.

The episode is a powerful exploration of the difficult choices that women within polygamous cults must make in order to shape their own lives and protect their families. It is also a reminder of the strength and resilience of individuals who are able to break free from the control of a cult and forge a new life for themselves, sometimes against all odds.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a glimpse into the realities of life within a polygamous cult, including the intense pressure to conform, the lack of access to education and healthcare, and the pervasive culture of fear and secrecy. By highlighting the stories of individuals like Angela, Escaping Polygamy continues to shed light on the dangers and injustices of polygamy and the urgent need for change.