Source: Kinetic Content / Kinetic Content/Lifetime
I have to admit, there was a lot to discuss on the last episode on “Married at First Sight.” And now that the couple are out of the first two weeks, their “problems” are starting to look an awful lot like the problems traditionally married couples face as well. Check out what I mean on the following pages.
Source: Mike Lirette Photography / Lady Portrait and Wedding Photography
Henry and Christina
With the salsa lesson and round of golf, Henry and Christina exhibited the most progress last week. Sadly, the happy feelings didn’t last that long. And this time, there was no one to blame but Henry.
Henry calling Christina sexy
When Henry and Christina met up with Brett and Olivia and Amani and Woody, everyone seemed to be in a great place. They were vibing, talking, laughing and in the midst of all that, Henry messed around and called Christina sexy. It was a moment that caught everyone by pleasant surprise, including Christina who had never heard that from him before. Certainly she should have heard it first. We’ve known for some time now that Henry has a problem expressing himself. But it appears that it’s exacerbated when it comes to Christina…
https://twitter.com/uptownlboogie/status/1306395547029438464
Henry complaining to Amani
…because when he talked to Amani he had a whole mouthful. He told her that Christina’s impatience could be a dealbreaker for him. He and Christina have had conversations about how her impatience and rudeness affect him, but the use of the word dealbreaker is something serious when you literally have weeks to decide whether you’re going to stay married to someone. And I don’t know what homeboy was thinking but Amani immediately went back and told Christina what he said–and rightly so. Christina was really hurt to hear that. And rightly so.
Christina advocating for herself
One of the worst things is for an outsider to know something about your marriage that you don’t. And after the progress Henry and Christina made last week, it was very hurtful to hear that he was still harboring thoughts of getting the hell out of this thing. Thoughts he hadn’t clearly expressed to her. And she was absolutely right to read Henry for filth and tell him behaving like that was not the move. I was happy to hear her ask him outright if he was just waiting for the eight weeks to pass so he could get out of this.
Henry low key apologizing but we need more from him
Henry offered an apology but I don’t know if he fully comprehends the gravity of his actions. And I’m just not sure what his level of commitment is at this point. He’s hard to read.
Source: Mike Lirette Photography / Mike Lirette Photography
Bennett and Amelia
The love is truly flowing between these two–as we knew it would. After Amelia nursed Bennett back to health, they had sex and seem to be closer than ever.
Before we dissect what’s going on with these two, I think it’s important to address this query from Twitter.
The likelihood is high. I mean, New Orleans was just coming off of Mardi Gras season. The couples were traveling for their honeymoon. He could have come across Ms. Rona in a number of ways. Either way, we’re happy he made it through whatever sickness he was battling.
Appreciation
Once he started feeling better, Bennett wanted to show his gratitude for Amelia and he did so by cooking what looked like a nice vegan meal, and hiring a couple of his oddly dressed friends to come and perform for her. It was a sweet, sweet gesture. And Amelia really felt loved by it. I loved to see it.
I could be rushing things–but in his confessionals, Bennett is all but saying he’s in love. “I feel warm and gooey and close to my melting point with Amelia.” We know what that means.
What annoys you?
During an outing, Bennett wanted to address the things that may annoy each person about the other. He had a couple of concerns for Amelia but sis couldn’t think of a single thing that annoyed her about him. Bennett kept poking, prodding, and even suggesting things that might annoy her. She was not biting. There were some people who looked at this as a good thing. When you like/love someone, maybe you shouldn’t worry about the little things you can’t stand. Others, including Bennett, felt like not seeing a person’s faults means you’re not in love with the reality of who they are. And Bennett shared from personal experience that adoring someone can lead to trouble down the line.
Chores
More than the annoying traits conversation, I wish Bennett and Amelia shared more about how they were feeling when it came to chores. Bennett would like for everything to be split evenly. While Amelia thinks that because she’s the breadwinner she shouldn’t be required to do as much around the house. I don’t think either one of them is wrong. But it’s certainly something they should iron out. Because slacking on chores or feeling like you’re doing the brunt of the work can lead to a lot of resentment.
Source: Julie Verlindon Photography / Julie Verlindon Photography
Brett and Olivia
I hate to say it but honestly, I’m just waiting for Olivia to wake up and realize this is not it. But let’s discuss anyway.
Rock climbing
Any time Brett takes Olivia anywhere, with the exception of his home, she’s appreciative and it gives her hope that perhaps he can be the man she needs and they can do the things that she got married to be able to do. But…
Trivia
For every good moment they have, Brett ruins it by being negative when it’s time for her activities. She thought trivia would be the perfect activity for him. Yet when he got there, he didn’t like the type of questions they were asking and completely checked out. Not only did he shut down, he was even a little snippy and antisocial with Olivia’s friends.
The only fault I found with Olivia in all of this is that instead of telling Brett that she didn’t appreciate the way he was behaving, she left the bar and told her friend instead.
Source: Mike Lirette Photography / Mike Lirette Photography
Amani and Woody
The fan favorite continues to exceed our expectations–and even their own week after week. It’s a joy to watch them really. Still, as you know, with Woody there’s always something to discuss.
The spanking discussion
Woody has a lot of traditional views. So when the issue of spanking any future children they may have came up, I wondered if he was going to dismiss her ideals on this as well. But he did not. And I really liked that he listened to her example about not using corporeal punishment on the students he teaches and he’s still able to get them to behave–so why would be it be appropriate for any children they raise together. They have plenty of time to discuss this. But I was happy to see that they were able to come to this controversial topic with an open mind.
Bruh, Amani can leave…
Woody made some comment about Amani not being able to leave him. She had to remind him, that’s always an option. It wasn’t a real moment of contention for the two. Just a gentle reminder. Fans thought that production tried to make it seem more than what it really was. We’ll see…
Woody and Miles
I love to see Black men talking about their feelings on television. And it’s really great that Miles and Woody have one another to confide in during this process. But there is always a risk people take when sharing their relationship problems with friends–especially in the context of a marriage where you’re supposed to be sharing your feelings with your partner, first and foremost.
When Woody asked Miles how he felt about Karen leaving, he said he was pissed. Well, that was news to us. And I doubt he told Karen that. But he should have. I don’t think there was anything wrong about him apologizing for making her feel uncomfortable. But he should have also used that opportunity to tell her how her actions made him feel.
Woody is right to be concerned about Miles and whether or not he’s compromising too much for Karen. Still, I think the conversation got into murky waters when the two begin to compare their marriages. Amani and Karen are completely different people. They have both been betrayed by past relationships but the way they’ve chosen to move forward is night and day. And the way Woody treats Amani is not the way Miles can treat Karen. And that’s okay to recognize and accept those differences.
Someone on Twitter mentioned that after his conversation with Miles, Woody went back to Amani and asked her if she was scared to love him because of past hurt. That’s just not her story. For any relationship, it’s important to remember to stay in your lane.
Source: Kinetic Content / Kinetic Content
Karen and Miles
I know Karen be working y’all nerves and folks think that she’s not attracted to Miles. But I don’t see it that way. While I don’t think she was ready for a show like this–at all. I do think she finds Miles attractive. But this is what guarded gets you.
https://twitter.com/dreamchaser0710/status/1306447164034502656
She shouldn’t have left
I know these are not traditional relationships. But they are marriages and I think in most cases married people shouldn’t leave their home when there’s an argument. Stay and talk and find a resolution. People wanted to argue the validity of Karen’s claims that she felt unsafe. That’s not helpful or anyone’s call to make. We don’t know that lady like that. But I think it is fair to say that she could have handled her feelings better. Even if it meant taking a walk, going for a drive or whatever. Not coming home often compounds a problem. Because now in addition to the initial issue, you now have to resolve the feelings of abandonment, rejection and frustration your partner may feel as a result of your absence.
https://twitter.com/dreamchaser0710/status/1306407938869923840
Came back ready to work
When Karen said she didn’t know how she and Miles were going to get past his “scheduling sex” comment, I thought for sure that she was going to drag this conflict for the next couple of weeks. Thankfully, her time away from the apartment provided her with a little bit of clarity in terms of the effort she was (or wasn’t) putting forward in the marriage. Like this is something you chose to do, love.
I was happy to see that she took Miles to get that massage. That’s a great way to ease into one get more comfortable with physical touch and ease into the eventual conversation of sex.
Also, them playing bocce ball with Bennett and Amelia seemed to work wonders for them as well. Those two seem to bring out the good in people. And that’s lovely.
All in all sis is trying and I’m hopeful.
