Source: Kinetic Content / Kinetic Content
Three weeks into marrying a whole stranger, I think we’re starting to see which couples are bound to make it and which ones might as well call it quits right now.
Last night there was a lot going on, but for two couples that “lot” wasn’t all too good.
Get into what we’re talking about below and on the following pages.
Karen and Miles
Communication
I know the people love to give Karen a hard time online but I really do see the effort she’s putting forth. And this week, particularly, I noticed that Christina is not the only one breaking the third wall between herself and production. I know we’re not privy to every moment these couples share but I would love to know how she and Miles interact when no one is around. But these days, the conversations between the two of them seem a lot more natural and relaxed.
Karen was right
The conversation the two of them had on the bed about Miles internalizing certain feelings was a very important one. It was good they got clarity. Miles thought Karen was taking jabs at his age when she was really talking about a pattern of behavior she had to unlearn. I think Karen had/has reservations about the other shoe dropping with Miles because she sees that he acts like things are okay when he’s really bothered. And she’s right to tell Miles he needs to express himself instead of attempting to keep the peace. Because in the long run, that’s not healthy.
Is sex off the table?
When Dr. Vivianna visited Karen and Miles they talked about the fact that she feels hesitant about physical intimacy because she feels like she may be sending Miles the wrong message. She doesn’t want to do too much and then have to pull back if he keeps trying to advance their physical intimacy. So, Dr. Vivianna suggested that they take sex off of the table for the duration of the eight week experiment so that Karen and Miles can explore physical intimacy without feeling like they’ll go too far. I thought it was an interesting strategy. It could work. Miles has already shared that he has no problem with waiting–and has waited for much longer in the past.
While they are married, eight weeks is not that long. And perhaps it will open them up to exploring one another in other ways.
https://twitter.com/cshell75/status/1309032184846614530
I think they’ll make it
If you ask social media, they don’t see it for Karen. But I’m actually convinced that she and Miles will make it. The type of conversations the two are having with one another are deepening. They seem to enjoy one another’s company and I can see Karen hanging around after decision day just to see how they fare without the cameras always all up in their business.
Source: Mike Lirette Photography / Mike Lirette Photography
Amelia and Bennett
Cheesing
If you were a good student growing up, you knew that when it came time for parent-teacher conferences, there just wasn’t all that much to talk about. If your grades are good and there are no behavioral complaints, it’s a little love fest. And that’s how I feel about Bennett and Amelia. They’re the star pupils on this show. During their scenes, I just can’t help but be cheesing so hard watching them. Their collective vibe during the intimacy exercise was beautiful. Literally love to see it.
https://twitter.com/srmacx/status/1308925360046837761
Residency
The only downer in their relationship is the future possibility that Amelia may have to leave New Orleans for residency and Bennett will have to make the difficult and uncomfortable decision to follow her or not. This discussion comes up nearly every epsiode. And it’s a bummer. Even Amelia’s auntie could feel the tension of facing that prospect through FaceTime.
Source: Julie Verlindon Photography / Julie Verlindon Photography
Brett and Olivia
Them jokes…
…aren’t really jokes at all. They’re jabs disguised as jokes. Every single time Olivia mentions his house, he gets defensive and petty. She’s never saying that he’s trash for having a home. She’s saying it would have been easier if he didn’t own because then they would have options when it came to living together. Brett doesn’t seem to realize that his sarcasm and attempts to “lighten the mood,” don’t show Olivia the reasons why she should stay. And there is nothing more annoying than when you’re attempting to have a serious dialogue and the other person keeps playing around. I would say Brett could joke after those eight weeks, but I doubt these two will make it that far.
What is Brett like off camera?
It never occurred to me that Brett was not sincere or behaved differently off camera. I just assumed, he was annoying all of the time. But when Olivia suggested that his smile comment might have been for the cameras more than it was for her, it piqued my interest. But if homeboy is trying to look like the good guy on screen, it’s not really working all that well.
Insecure
Olivia asks Brett if he’s committed to staying in this marriage. He says he’s been clear that he has. Obviously not clear enough to her, so she asks again. And instead of answering earnestly, to reassure her. He calls her insecure. So gross. Bruh, it’s been three weeks. And in that short amount of time, you haven’t done enough to convince her. What is wrong with answering the question? Every time he feels like he’s being threatened–or even questioned he goes on the attack. And that is a huge red flag. Should these two stay together (and they shouldn’t) I don’t see how they would ever resolve anything when his default is so insult.
Digging a hole
After the cocktail class, during which Brett may or may not have had an attitude, Olivia put herself out there once again, trying to talk to this man. And in doing so asked Brett if she felt they had come to a resolution about the conversation they had the other day. Brett said they had not. And there was no resolution. Annoying. There’s no resolution because he’s not willing to have a conversation or see the areas where he can improve. As much as I think Brett intentionally attacks Olivia, he may not recognize how much his behavior is driving a wedge between them. I wouldn’t be surprised if, on decision day, he says he wants to stay and Olivia says she wants to go.
Source: Mike Lirette Photography / Mike Lirette Photography
Woody and Amani
Adorable
Even though I’ve been rooting for them from the beginning, I’ve had my reservations about Woody. But last night, these two were perfection. They were running on all cylinders. They had conversation, playfulness, sensuality. While other couples are worried about the cameras, Woody and Amani are in their own little world. And from the outside looking in, it’s a beautiful one.
Daddy issues
During a trust exercise–without the blindfold–Woody opened up to Amani about the relationship, or lack thereof, with his father, due to his incarceration. Not only does that information draw them closer to one another as a couple, I’m sure it helped shed some light on why Woody clicked with Amani’s dads so quickly and even the effects his father’s absence will have on the way he parents his children.
The dog convo
Even this little pretend squabble was cute. And as much as I love Amani, I have to agree with Woody on this one. Get the dog with the kid. That way the dog knows what it is from jump.
Intimacy exercises
Bayyybeee I thought the cameras were going to have to cut for a minute. It felt like they were about to get into something.
Source: Mike Lirette Photography / Lady Portrait and Wedding Photography
Henry and Christina
The Blindfold
I foolishly thought the Blindfold exercise was going to actually work for Henry and Christina. But that was not the case. If anything it worked to reveal that these two, despite their progress a couple of weeks ago, likely won’t make it past these eight weeks. Christina’s patience seems to be running thin and more than anything, she’s irritated having to deal with Henry’s subpar communication and relational skills.
Rude
As much as Christina has wished for Henry to open up, the minute he talked about the childhood trauma of being overweight, she dismissed it, telling him he should “get over it.” Then later, the next day she asked if there were deeper emotions behind his reactions. Well girl, if there were, he’s not sharing them with you after the way you acted up. Come on, now.
Lack of confidence…
is a dealbreaker. I’m sure that was a hard pill to swallow for Henry. And as he suspected, it was a bit of jab. Still, I don’t think it was rude for her to say that. If it is a dealbreaker for her, he should know now. And either work to build his confidence or recognize that he’s not the man who can give her what she wants. After he criticized her for being impatient, he also said impatience was a dealbreaker. The difference is Christina seems willing to work on her impatience and Henry said building confidence is not a top priority for him.
Bennett explaining confidence
As far as I’m concerned, Henry and Christina are done. But if nothing else, hopefully Bennett and Henry can remain friends. Because that word he gave him about confidence being the ability to self reflect was spot on. It doesn’t mean you never question yourself or that you have nothing to improve upon. It means going inward and accepting or working on what you find. I don’t know if Henry processed the profundity of that message in the moment but hopefully, it will serve as a seed for the future.
Henry is growing
Just a week ago, he was telling all his problems to Amani. But this week, after having a discussion with Bennett, he did the mature thing and came back to Christina to have a conversation about how he was feeling with confidence dealbreaker statement. It might not have provided the resolution he was seeking but if he was paying attention, I’m sure he learned some things.
Does he know how important confidence is?
Henry’s lack of confidence wouldn’t just be an area he should focus on for the benefit of attracting and keeping Christina. It would benefit every aspect of his life. And it’s not something he should dismiss so readily. It should be a priority for him, no matter what happens between he and Christina. What makes me a little sad is not Henry might not recognize how much prioritizing confidence could help him.
