Ep 18. Mary & Mary Ann

Mary and Mary Ann are the focus of Season 3 episode 18 of Hoarders. The episode begins with footage of Mary's home and surrounding property, which is cluttered with items ranging from toys to furniture to clothing. Mary has held onto everything, including garbage, for years, and the clutter has taken over her home to the point where she has no room to move around. Mary is a widow and has no family, so she has been left alone to deal with the hoarding problem and her declining mental health.

Mary Ann, on the other hand, has been struggling with hoarding for most of her adult life. Her home is filled with boxes and bags full of clothes, books, and other items that she cannot bear to part with. She has also allowed animals to take over her home, and there are feces and urine stains throughout the house. Mary Ann's daughter has had enough and has called the Hoarders team for help.

The team begins by assessing the rooms and items in both houses, making the tough decision to sort through everything and decide what can be kept and what must be thrown away. Mary's home is particularly difficult, as she constantly changes her mind about what items are important to her. She becomes emotionally attached to items that remind her of her deceased husband, making it challenging to let anything go. Despite this, the team members persevere and work tirelessly to clean up the house.

Mary Ann's situation is different, as she is willing to let things go but needs help in doing so. Her daughter reveals that she has been enabling her mother's hoarding by giving her money to buy things, so the team must also get her daughter on board with the cleanup process. With everyone's cooperation, the team makes significant progress in sorting through Mary Ann's items and removing the animal waste from the home.

The episode also explores the psychological aspects of hoarding, as the team members work with Mary and Mary Ann to understand the root causes of their hoarding tendencies. They dig deep into their pasts and help them come to terms with their emotions, so they can work towards a cleaner, healthier future.

Throughout the episode, we see the transformation of both Mary and Mary Ann's homes. The team clears out nearly everything, leaving only the most essential items, and gives the houses a thorough cleaning. By the end of the episode, both Mary and Mary Ann are emotional but grateful for the assistance they have received. They vow to maintain their new, clutter-free living spaces and continue to work towards a better future.

Overall, Season 3 episode 18 of Hoarders is a heartwarming journey that shows the grit and resilience of both the hoarders and the team members who help them. The episode serves as a reminder that with patience, hard work, and empathy, positive change is always possible.