Did anyone else notice the wide shot at the beginning appeared to be West Medford, not Arlington?

As someone who's never seen this show before (besides clips this morning), it's pretty shocking so far -- especially seeing where Valerie sleeps and seeing her walk up near the ceiling on top of her stuff.

The toilet in the Michigan woman's home is the most graphic image so far -- no running water. It appears they'll switch back and forth between her and Valerie in Arlington throughout the hour.

The Michigan woman, Anne, also sleeps in an unthinkable space between items/trash. Literally not a clear space in either women's home.

The lead in shots they keep showing aren't of Arlington -- maybe to protect her identity.

Valerie's neighbor Adam could barely fit in Valerie's bedroom door because of trash.

Although in shock, Valerie's neighbor Adam has been very respectful so far -- good neighbor.

I think Anne in Michigan might have more items/trash than Valerie, but it's close. Obviously both women need help.

Anne's daughter (Michigan) says of 1,800 sq. ft. in Anne's home, only 100 sq. ft. free of items/trash.

Valerie seems to have a better mental handle than Anne on her addiction so far -- less denial.

Any idea where this house is?

No sign of Health Inspector Jim Feeney yet -- looks like he might be on next segment though.

And Jim Feeney has arrived, "The stakes with Valerie are very high, if she doesn't do what needs to be done, she could ultimately lose control and ownership of the home," Feeney said.

@Brian Via Twitter, the Turkey Hill bus goes by it. That's as close I've been able to pinpoint it yet.

Via Linda Skurchak, @lindavslinda on Twitter, town shots they are showing are of Woburn, not Arlington. I did see the Brickyard pizza place in Woburn in one of them.

@Brian Via Twitter, Forest Street near Sunset Road.

So far they seem to be spending more time on Anne in Michigan.

Do you think this show exploits people b/c they need the financial assistance to clean up and save their homes? Hard to imagine anyone would agree to be on otherwise.

"I had the space so I just brought thing in and filled up the space around me," Valerie.

"I don't think people like me when they really get to know me so [that's why I hide]," Valerie.

Good investigative work!

Lots of 10s so far.

Might have to keep this Live Blog going for My Strange Addiction and Myrtle Manor after those promos.

Valerie also in danger of losing her home, according to counselor.

Starting to clean out Valerie's house now -- this could get emotional.

"This is a book I wanted to read and haven't read it," Valerie. ... we've all been there.

Adam's got a real Boston accent, unlike those fake Boston shows.

Adam's picking up the intensity now, throwing stuff out of the house.

Anne's house up now -- don't think she's going to take this easily based on before.

Only 10 minutes left, is this a two-parter? I feel like so much more work still needs to be done.

In Michigan, it's about Anne and her daughters, with Valerie in Arlington, it's about her and her neighbors.

After Hoarding, you can watch Arlington's own Pat Connaughton on ESPN2, as his Notre Dame basketball team takes on Rutgers in the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.

Anne's home is much improved two months later, but you have to wonder how long it'll last -- hopefully it does.

Feel like the show jumped ahead too much, should devote one episode to one person in my opinion.

Back at Valerie's now for the "after."

Arlington Director of Public Health Christine Connolly on the notice on Valerie's door.

"I'm very impressed, I'm happy to see this," Feeney on Valerie's home.

"It's been very difficult getting rid of the stuff, some days I make more progress than others," Valerie.

"I'm grateful to be where I am today, I really am," Valerie at the end of the episode.

Prior to Valerie's quote above, episode ends with Feeney taking condemnation off Valerie's door -- nice moment.

Apparently TLC has the market on unusual addictions as My Strange Addiction starts with a man that has sexual feelings toward balloons. On that note, I'm out. Thanks for reading! And feel free to discuss the episode further.

I have mixed feelings on this, since the subject of this show is our neighbor and town 'sister'. On the other hand, if Valerie is up to it, it would be great if she'd be willing to help other hoarders (I know some) in town to make improvements. I've noticed that the hoarder has a hard time getting rid of his/her stuff, but that it's easier when the 'stuff' isn't your own.

Although I've never watched TLC and what seem to be their pretty outlandish "real life" stories, I did watch this program, and I so admire the 2 women featured for having the strength to allow TLC cameras into their homes and lives. Hoarding can be a serious problem which is only recently being recognized and treated.

(Sorry to repeat this message, thought my earlier reply to John Waller would get lost up there.) I heartily dislike this show. The hoarders are beyond desperate, as most are being forced by town authorities to clean things out in just TWO DAYS! Even a month wouldn't be enough to do the process in the most beneficial way (for the hoarder). The short time deadline is impossible to achieve without an army of strong, physically fit Got Junk soldiers (which TLC provides). And some of these hoarders got into this predicament because they are physically unfit or challenged, cleaning up is difficult in the best of circumstances. I've watched this show a bit, and am usually angered by it. (I find it a lot like The Biggest Loser shows, which frankly I consider abuse.) People at this level of hoarding cannot possibly let go of their emotional ties to the items in this short time span. IMO it's more traumatic done this way. Worse, the show usually will bring in relatives to "help": what happens is the opposite, makes the process worse for the hoarder. But it provides drama -- and TLC ratings -- for those who like to watch the ilk of "Real" Housewives, Jerry Springer, etc. For the hoarder, the chances of rehabilitation with this process is very low. The only good thing about it is that when the hoarder can experience what it's like to live in a clean, nice home, it can kickstart the wish to move in that direction in future.

It is a sad situation. While it is without question intrusive, the alternative would be to handle with situation with kindness and understanding and lots of time, and that approach would result in homelessness. Most hoarders families have tried all of the above, usually the hoarder will choose to alienate their own family in favor of their behaviors. So while I agree it is insensitive and invasive, given softer approaches don't seem to work at all, it is effective and the person does not become homeless.