Duck Dynasty's Season 8 concluded with "John Luke Gets Hitched" on August 19th on A&E. Episodes before that had Jep Robertson giving marriage advice to John Luke about his marriage to Mary Kate McEacharn. It is interesting that viewership has stayed on for 8 seasons, but does the marriage episode signal a bowing out for the Robertson family? Perhaps a better question is whether or not viewers want to see more of the Robertson family.
The show's popularity is based on its portrayal of the Robertson family's down home values. A recent video posted on A&E from Season 8 shows what Jep believes about a good marriage as he gives advice to John Luke while playing a game of golf. Jep Robertson relates marriage to surfing. He states that "the water represents life and the dangers it poses, whereas the ladyfriend is "the board". He advises that "you got to keep on top of her and ease her along". When John Luke comments "that's deep", Jep's response is "as deep as the ocean".
Jep seems very content with his surfing analogy of marriage, later saying "water is life, the lady is the board, and you have to have the board to keep you above water". He then realized that he wasn't good at surfing, but his wife Jessica is, so maybe "I am the board, and I keep her above water". He then concluded with "Regardless, it all works in the end".
Jep then probably goes to providing too much information about how "it's all in the hips", "sensual oils", and music choices of R. Kelly and Ray Charles. Jep wonders if John Luke will take his advice, but I he doesn't, "he's an idiot".
It would be very easy to compare Jep's advice to Michael Scott, the branch supervisor of the Dunder Mifflin paper company on The Office. Often Steve Carrell's character would have his confession cam time, and he would often start out with advice that initially sounds wise, and then steer into the realm of folly, and yet attempt to end his diatribe as if he had just given the wisdom of Solomon.
If Jep's advice is characteristic of the takeaway factor espoused on Duck Dynasty, it certainly makes one wonder how viewers followed the Robertson family for 8 Seasons, and if it will be back for a 9th Season. A recent article from Renew Cancel TV reveals that there is no word if A&E wants the Robertson family back.
It was pretty obvious that Duck Dynasty was a hit and had a following and even a lot of merchandising, but it is a simple fact that every fad peaks. Perhaps the Duck Dynasty clan will always be with us, like The Simpsons have been with us for the past quarter-century.
Regardless, it all works in the end, just like Jep says.
