Married At First Sight (MAFS): whether you know it, love it and can’t get enough of it or have absolutely no clue what it is, it is undoubtedly all anyone in the office is talking about.
For all those too pressed for time to watch (or would rather watch anything else), this is your (somewhat) reliable source of juicy updates to keep up with all the office banter.
For the avid MAFS viewers, if you’re here because you want to know whether or not your MAFS opinions are controversial, I hope you find solace below.
Episode Thirteen: Reckoning
This week’s second commitment ceremony more than made up for the last dinner party’s disappointment.
For any (like me) who were long-awaiting the reckoning of specific individuals’ abhorrent behaviour towards their respective spouses, the second commitment ceremony certainly delivered.
The first couple on the couch were Bronte and Harrison. While the experts were shocked by Harrison’s behaviour at the Dinner Party, certified Sexologist Alessandra even commented that Harrison was full of himself when he was forced into confessing to Bronte that he had taken the number of a woman.
The experts weren’t the only ones hoping for Harrison to be held accountable for his deception. However, Bronte appeared to be the only one who didn’t recognise the suspect actions on Harrison’s part and instead defended the incident.
“Women are going to hit on him. I get it. It’s human nature. He’s a good-looking guy,” shared Bronte.
This statement by Bronte was questioned by the expert, Alessandra, to encourage Bronte to reevaluate the nature of the story she was told and is telling.
“So what you’re saying is that because, to some people, he is good-looking, it’s not his fault?” asked Alessandra.
Harrison interjected, speaking for Bronte, which was quickly shut down. Harrison revealed he would not have confided in Bronte about the incident if he hadn’t been prompted. Bronte managed the situation calmly and stated that Harrison is responsible for how he deals with advances towards him and that she cannot control every situation.
Whether or not the whole truth has been unveiled is yet to be determined. In the meantime, Harrison and Bronte wrote ‘stay’, much to the dismayed expressions of everyone else.
The following couple invited to the couch were Sandy and Dan, who were a united front. Dan felt betrayed by Harrison, his implication of Dan putting Dan’s integrity in question. Sandy came to the defence of her partner, stating that she accepts the truth from Dan, with whom she has cultivated trust over the words of Harrison and Bronte, who have had a tumultuous, drama-riddled relationship with Harrison sharing half-baked truths at best.
This revelation appeared to be a shared feeling amongst the other couples, including this viewer watching from her bed.
However, the most significant reveals of the evening were from couples (or should I say ex-couples) Melissa and Josh, as well as Caitlin and Shannon.
Sex-centric Melissa had proclaimed herself as the ‘alpha’ of the relationship. The extent of her dominance over Josh revealed a controlling and belittling mindset that only served to villainise her.
Josh, in evident distress, stated that he could no longer stand for this situation where he was being degraded and dehumanised by his partner. Melissa shook her head and continued showing little to no remorse for her partner.
“I just feel like he’s not a big man. I want a manly man,” stated Melissa.
Tears rolled down Josh’s cheeks, and he removed himself from the couch as Melissa remained emotionless, continuing to describe to failings of her partner.
The other husbands followed Josh, hugging and comforting him as he broke down. In a MAFS first, Josh was allowed to leave, although Melissa voted to stay, as his mental state was clearly in disarray, and the experts decided that it was not healthy for the marriage to continue.
Finally, Caitlin and Shannon entered the couch. Shannon’s words of blame and shame towards Caitlin were laid bare for all to see.
“If I could do it all over with someone else, I would because I deserve that chance, but this man does not deserve me. So, I will be leaving,” revealed a tearful Caitlin.
Caitlin’s words evoked emotion as the other couples applauded her for knowing her worth and leaving a toxic situation with a partner who did not respect her. These actions earned the approval of the experts, with John Aiken supporting her actions.
“Good,” concluded a proud John, affirming the feeling shared by all.
