Source: Kinetic Content / Kinetic Content
Chile this episode gave us a bang for our buck. It was jam packed with all types of eye-raising developments. There was sex, (even though we didn’t see much of it), lies and plenty of videotape from the couples who were forced to record themselves in this experiment. And I don’t know if it’s because production wasn’t there but some things were exposed. Before we get into the mess with the couples, I have to wonder why were the experts MIA for like six weeks? They could have met online at any time. But the couples were just left to fend for themselves. And for more than a few of them, that time away from expert opinions did some real damage.
Let’s get into it.
Source: Julie Verlindon Photography / Julie Verlindon Photography
Brett and Olivia
I think it’s been clear for a minute that Brett and Olivia weren’t going to make it. What I didn’t foresee was him dipping out before the conclusion of the experiment. That was next level. And the way he did it, left a lot to be desired.
It is a bad idea to drive during the pandemic
Of everything that Brett discussed with both Olivia and the experts I disagreed with except for the fact that it is generally a bad idea to be driving to see family during a pandemic. I get that Olivia wanted to see her people. And this was early pandemic days. But knowing what we know now, her working in the medical field and then deciding to go see elderly folks was not entirely smart. Still, Brett’s response to her decision was truly ridiculous. Packing up and leaving was a punk move. And something I know he didn’t discuss with her beforehand. Not to mention the comment about accidentally leaving the coffee pot was such an asshole move. Ugh.
I can’t keep putting my life on hold (????)
Those were the words Brett said to Olivia. And all I could think was what the entire f*ck?! If he felt that way that there was stagnation in the marriage and the relationship wasn’t progressing, why didn’t he say any of this before disappearing? He used her trip to visit her mother as an escape. And it was a pretty terrible thing to do.
He was fake for the cameras
Folks, including Pastor Cal, thought Olivia’s claims that Brett was being fake for the cameras was an indication of her trust issues. But nah that’s exactly what he was doing. He was playing up for television when in real life, he was looking for an escape route. The minute production was gone, the relationship went downhill, so fast that it couldn’t be saved. And he wasn’t even willing to fight for it in any way, shape or form.
Not to mention the fact that he told Pastor Cal that the reason he left was because the cats were fighting was an out and out lie from the pit of hell. So gross.
Painful to watch Olivia fight
Even though it was clear these two weren’t going to make it, watching Olivia ask Brett if there was anything that could be done to save it was painful to witness. Homeboy had completely checked out–without so much as a conversation. And her she was still holding out hope. He didn’t even have the decency to explain effectively. Instead, he ended a whole marriage with, “No thanks.” Trash behavior.
Brett was who Christina said he was
I still stand by the fact that Christina was way out of line for telling Olivia how she felt about Brett. But that doesn’t mean homegirl wasn’t right. She clocked him from a mile away.
Source: Mike Lirette Photography / Mike Lirette Photography
Woody and Amani
Y’all know I had my reservations about Woody. But I think this was the first episode where I’m all in. Let’s talk about it.
Love
No surprise that Amani finally broke down and told Woody that she loved him. No surprise there though. It’s all over these two. And now Woody knows for sure what he’s been suspecting and lean into it.
It Goes Down In the DMs
Judging by how Amani has acted and carried herself throughout this entire process, I’m sure she was joking about honestly seeing Woody’s DMs. But the fact that homeboy turned up to the point that they got into a whole argument would make anyone suspicious. And seeing that Amani just told him that she loved him, that type of sneaky behavior is scary. I’m sure there are women in Woody’s DMs. But as long as he wasn’t responding since he knew he was going to be on “Married At First Sight” then they shouldn’t be a problem.
Our willingness to communicate
Honestly, as much as Amelia and Bennett get along, the communication between Amani and Woody is better than theirs. They simply talk it out. And the things that could trip them up, don’t because they’re mature enough to have a conversation. Truly love to see it.
There was a particularly vulnerable moment Woody shared with Amani about being sure that he was “that guy” in terms of being a father. So honest. And given the history with his own father, it makes complete sense. But what I also loved was the fact that in that moment, Amani assured him that he is enough. Beautiful.
Source: Mike Lirette Photography / Mike Lirette Photography
Bennett and Amelia
If the quarantine would strengthen anybody’s relationship, we knew it would be Bennett and Amelia’s. I mean—they really are perfect for one another. Amelia switched it up with a new haircut and things are looking bright for the two of them.
Matched in Virginia
All season long the idea of Amelia being matched in a location away from New Orleans was the only pressing issue facing this marriage. And last night, we watched it come to fruition when Amelia got that email. What I like though was that while this was a source of stress for Bennett (mostly), he didn’t let that keep him from celebrating her accomplishment.
https://twitter.com/_joahbee/status/1314014999170383872
Split time
After talking with the experts, Bennett realized that he was going to split time between New Orleans and Richmond, Virginia. It makes sense. From the way they edited the episode, it wasn’t clear how Amelia would feel about it. But she was completely on board. Of course.
This wasn’t a huge point of conversation but I’m a little concerned about how Bennett is going to make money moving forward. He works primarily in the theaters and it’s going to be quite a while before those open up again…he might be moving to Virginia full time out of necessity unless he can make something else shake.
Source: Kinetic Content / Kinetic Content
Miles and Karen
Before we get into these two, I think it needs to be said that Miles’ expectations for quarantine being “fun” when Karen was still working during the midst of a pandemic was more than a bit unrealistic. And I think Miles needs to extend just a little bit of grace to Karen. And while I generally try to see both sides in their situation, it’s clear that Karen is still hung up on some archaic gender roles and it’s a hot a$$ mess.
Doing nice things for each other
I know that a couple of video clips don’t tell the story. But even in their conversations with the experts, all I heard was what Miles was doing to maintain a semblance of a relationship during this time. Making meals for Karen etc. I didn’t see what she was doing for him in return–and it doesn’t even have to be cooking and cleaning. We were all stressed in those initial days. And being out in the world seeing it firsthand was a lot, I’m sure. Still, Karen needed to be able to give something. And I didn’t see all that much.
Feminine traits
Lawd! I was hoping Karen had outgrown her obsession with gender roles and the box in which she tries to place Miles’ masculinity. Sis is so hellbent on him being feminine, she couldn’t even see he was referencing Salt Bae during their cooking class. It’s extremely frustrating to watch knowing that there are so many men suppressing their emotions and feminine sides in ways that are incredibly toxic for women–especially Black women.
To hear Karen say that she doesn’t need Miles to be her girlfriend is peculiar because she’s certainly not treating him like a husband. And I’m not just talking about sex. If there is no physical intimacy–at all–then that’s all we are is friends, love.
Does Karen have the capacity to love Miles the way he needs to be
I know the internet would have you believe that it’s just not in her. But I don’t think it’s fair to make that type of judgement call from a television show. But Miles is certainly right to question it. I don’t think that quarantine is a good barometer for how someone would and should act in a marriage because that was a lot for us all. But there was time before then and it’s not like Miles has a reference point.
https://twitter.com/Queen_Esther29/status/1314017927943917568
Wants but isn’t ready for a progressive dude as myself
Whew! Part of Karen’s problem with Miles being emotionally mature is his ability to call her out on her stuff as well. She isn’t ready for someone as progressive as Miles–no matter what she says. Because associating word choice and emotions with femininity is a real problem. And I really hope that Miles is able to recognize that the problems of perception in terms of his “manhood” are for Karen alone to hold.
Conversation went well
For all of their stuff, I’m never quite ready to give up on Karen and Miles. When they do have difficult conversations, they seem to handle it well and, at least for the time being, emerge closer to one another. Time will tell.
Crying
It would be interesting to know exactly why Karen was crying. Does she have genuine affection for Miles? Is she troubled by the thought of him rejecting her? Does she see the error in her ways? Does she realize how challenging his masculinity might have dampened the relationship. What is it? Either way, if it was any of those reasons (except the rejection), I think that’s a sign that Karen is not as checked out as she may appear.
Source: Mike Lirette Photography / Lady Portrait and Wedding Photography
Henry and Christina
These two could have been a whole slideshow of their own with all the sh*t they went through in this episode alone. Throughout the whole season, it’s been painful to watch Henry and Christina struggle to communicate with one another. Now that sh*t is hitting the fan, there is plenty to discuss.
Christina forgot Henry’s birthday
It is pretty bad for your spouse to forget your birthday. Knowing Henry though, I wonder if he even mentioned it. And honestly, given the state of their relationship, I’m surprised to hear that he cares.
The Lies
Bayyybbee. Henry has been taking detailed notes. And he wanted to let you know that if you thought he missed that quip about Christina not having a home, he didn’t. And he told Pastor Cal that he peeped her dishonesty. About the house and also about taking a walk from 2pm to 3 am.
Christina’s obsession with flowers tho
Remember on her wedding day Christina shed tears thinking about the fact that a man had never bought her flowers? I found it strange at the time but let it go. But to hear her mention it again when talking about Henry going to the store and not thinking about her, I had to wonder what is with that? If she’s sneaking out, spending a whole day away from Henry, why does she think it would occur to him to buy her flowers? Like, y’all don’t even have a friendship at this point. Flowers for what?!
https://twitter.com/AliciaJ_71/status/1306432167480905728
But Henry won’t talk
Initially, I thought the experts talking to Henry and Christina was a complete waste of time. These two are checked all the way out. In different ways. But there was a huge breakthrough in the conversation Pastor Cal had with Henry. Christina has and had no idea about the way Henry felt about her, her behavior or anything else because he never told her. And while Henry likes to fall back on the excuse that he’s not a good communicator, that’s not entirely true. Because we’ve seen him communicate very well, complete with eye contact, to literally everyone but Christina.
So I feel Christina when she says that she would like to see Henry try.
Accusations of cheating with a man
I don’t even know what to say about Christina’s allegations that Henry is/was cheating on her with a man. I just… It’s too much. You can never swear for what people do sexually. But I thought Henry’s argument about not marrying a woman on tv if he was gay was salient. All I can hope is that this wasn’t some wild scheme Christina concocted.
