Were You Surprised? MAFS Decision Day Recap - Page 2

Source: Mike Lirette Photography / Mike Lirette Photography

Last night we watched as the couples revealed their decision to either stay married to one another or get a divorce. To be honest, the reveal was a bit lackluster, considering we knew what all of the couples were going to say, with the exception of one: Karen and Miles. Who we’ll get to at the end. For some couples, decision day served as a way for them to profess the love they already felt for one another. And for others, it was a time to hash out their grievances and explain to the experts why their marriages seemed to be doomed from the start.

Let’s discuss what we can.

Amani and Woody

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Amani seeing if Woody was going to flash out

There was no question that Woody and Amani were going to stay together on decision day. If you listened closely, they all but confirmed it during the last episode. Their fate was so clear that these two started joking about the hypothetical chance of one of them saying no to the other. If there was even a chance, Amani was going to choose to leave Woody, she wouldn’t have played him like that. And Woody, being as extra as he is, told her that if she said no, he’d probably flash out. But judging by his behavior on decision day, I don’t know if that’s entirely true.

Unsure about Woody but I’m a believer now

Y’all already know Woodrow had me skeptical from the very beginning. Homeboy was extra, admittedly a player, and I didn’t know if he was really ready to be married–and especially in this way. But over the weeks, I’m convinced that he’s sincere. Not only because of the emotions he’s displayed on the show–and particularly on decision day–but because Amani seems to be a good judge of character. It was good to see a Black man be honest about his past, including his trauma, admit that he’d sought help to address it and then be open to love when it appeared in his life. Truly love to see it.

Source: Julie Verlindon Photography / Julie Verlindon Photography

Brett and Olivia

At this point the sight of Brett makes my skin crawl. Homeboy was a fraud from day one. And while he tried to tuck it in, slowly but surely, the a$$hole in him reared its ugly head–over and over and over again. He’d made it clear to Olivia and to the experts that there was no chance he’d want to stay married. So the fact that we had to sit through this discussion with the experts was a bit painful. And it also made us more than a bit confused by some of Brett’s behavior that day.

Why did Brett call her hon when she came in?

The fact that Brett, the partner who fled the marriage without so much as a note in the hallway, wanted to greet Olivia with pet names on decision day, is exactly the reason why Olivia said it was impossible to get to know that man. And again, it supports the fact that Brett’s goal was to look good for the cameras–until the very end. But the plan never all the way panned out because he also displayed some pretty bad behavior on camera as well. But that gaslighting with the pet names and unnecessary compliments, he could have saved. It was clear, he was still trying to impress the experts. And it worked.

The experts weren’t placing enough blame on Brett

For one reason or another, the experts seemed to be hellbent on pinning the downfall of the marriage on Olivia’s shoulders. They remarked on her being shut down when she hugged Brett when she entered the room. Uhh yea. Because he left me. And he’s fake. The whole conversation devolved into the ways that Olivia could have been better, more open, more expressive, more affectionate. But it’s hard to do those things when you feel like someone is being inauthentic. I don’t think the experts fully grasped that concept or believed it was true. Olivia was not perfect. But with Brett as a partner she didn’t stand a chance. I can’t wait until they watch him in action this season and see exactly what she was talking about.

Source: Mike Lirette Photography / Lady Portrait and Wedding Photography

Henry and Christina

These two were a mess. Their personalities couldn’t have been more different. And things went from bad to worse in terms of Christina’s accusations and outright lies about Henry’s sexuality.

I thought Christina might have said yes

Clearly Christina and Henry were playing a very intricate game with one another. One that took place with each other and another for the cameras. Still, the way she reacted to Henry complimenting her writing on their last date and the things she said afterward, I thought that there was a chance she was leaning toward saying that she wanted to stay married and see what the end was going to be. But once again, it was a lie…which you know, seems to be her thing.

Tell it all

I knew Henry was going to get in the room with the experts and air out Christina’s text. And not only that, the blackmail as well. The exchange got so wild that the experts just sat there dumbfounded. What is there really to say? Christina’s exaggerated faces told us she was acting…and not very well.

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Henry has to take some responsibility

I know Christina shouldn’t have been matched with Henry–or perhaps anyone. But Henry left a lot to be desired in terms of his honesty. Throughout the entire season he showed he was able to communicate with just about everyone else and not his wife, the person who needed to hear it the most. I understand being checked out but it seemed like he was just going through the motions at one point. And if that was the case, it would have been great for him to let her know.

And no these two don’t need to be together.

Source: Mike Lirette Photography / Mike Lirette Photography

Amelia and Bennett

The lovebirds baby! Honestly, it’s hard to find matches like this in real life. Amelia and Bennett were so incredibly unorthodox but it was so much fun watching them in action. And that didn’t stop when they revealed their decision.

Bennett’s tattoo

It was a very sweet gesture and certainly something we would expect from Bennett. Still, there were folks who thought perhaps he should have waited until after the pandemic for folks to be handling his blood. I have to admit, the aftermath doesn’t look so great but it could be just the way his skin reacts.

We knew they were going to be together

Despite Amelia admitting that she only joined the show for clout, she really does love Bennett. And I think we’ll continue to see them grow–even though I’ve seen folks share opposite opinions online. But reality tv and reality are two different things.

Source: Kinetic Content / Kinetic Content

Karen and Miles

The couple we didn’t know about

Well, well, well. If there was a question about any of the couples, it was Miles and Karen. Their relationship was full of ups and downs. And while there seemed to be sparks between the two of them, we never knew how Karen would feel about certain things Miles said and did. And to be honest, we have to acknowledge that editing plays a part in the way she was portrayed on the show. Still, with all that in mind, we had an inkling that she and Miles were going to stay together. And it turned out to be so.

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They’re still not where they want to be but I think they can make it.

Obviously, from their interaction on decision day, it’s clear that physical intimacy is still something they need to work on. Their body language still read like they were unfamiliar. But in addition to moving slow, I also think Karen will be a lot more comfortable with Miles once the cameras aren’t documenting their every move–and to be real, once the two of them adjust to what living in a pandemic as a married couple means. It’s a lot but I’m rooting for them. Time will tell.