‘16 and Pregnant’: Kailyn

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For a minute during Tuesday’s season finale of “16 and Pregnant,” I questioned whether I was really watching “The Twilight Zone.”

In the episode, we’re introduced to Kailyn of Pennsylvania. And it was clear right away that the teen mom’s life was anything but normal. Her father left when she was little. Her selfish mom is largely absent -- too busy hanging with her man and searching for a job. Jo, her teen boyfriend, is, shockingly, immature. The only stable thing in her life? Jo’s parents.

Kailyn and Jo had been together nine months when they conceived -- that can happen when you don’t use a condom. And a basically orphaned Kailyn was living with Jo and his parents. If a viewer had tuned in 10 minutes late, it might appear like the romance between Kailyn and Jo was incestuous as their relationship started taking on traits of siblings -- bickering and yelling.

And every step of the way, Jo’s parents, especially his mom Janet, were there as Kailyn struggled. When it came time to search for baby furniture, sure, Kailyn’s mom went with her, but it was Jo’s parent’s footing the bill. When Kailyn voiced her desire to hide her pregnancy so others wouldn’t judge her, Janet was there to console Kailyn and boost her self-esteem. Whenever Kailyn became upset with Jo for shutting her out or spending more time with his friends, Janet was there to lecture her son on his new responsibilities. And when it came time for Kailyn to fly to Texas and meet her father -- thanks to Facebook -- for the first time, it was Janet who she called for comfort when the results of the reunion wasn’t what she expected.

Other thoughts:

-- Did anyone find their jaw on the floor when Kailyn’s mom used the inane excuse, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder; so let me leave,” after dropping the teen mom off with Jo’s parents so she could spend time with her boyfriend? She makes Joan Crawford seem loving.

-- If Janet’s saintliness wasn’t proved early on, it definitely became apparent when she comforted a crying Kailyn with these words: “I want you know that regardless of what happens, dad and I are still here for you … This is your bed now.”

-- I really, really hope Kailyn’s sticks to her plan of becoming a dental hygienist.

-- What were the three words Kailyn uttered upon seeing her father for the first time? Not “I love you.” Nope. “You are short” is what stumbled out. Classic.

-- Kailyn’s father enlightening Kailyn (and me) about the reason there’s a hole in the roof of the Dallas Cowboy’s stadium: so God could watch his team play on Sundays.

-- If that wasn’t awesome enough, her dad had a lock on the fridge. Why? He has $200 worth of meat to protect. It makes sense. The dude loves his meat.

-- Did anyone else want to reach into his or her TV and slap Kailyn’s mom? Bad-mouthing Kailyn’s father’s absent ways when she’s no better. And, to top it off, finding an excuse not to visit the baby.

-- And how heart-wrenching was Kailyn’s closing interview? Kailyn said of Janet: “I couldn’t ask for a better mother even though she’s not blood-related.”

So Show Trackers, what did you think of the season finale? What did you think of Kailyn’s situation? Were you just as in awe of Janet’s unconditional support?

-- Yvonne Villarreal