Well, I am not longer hoping that Kate dumps Luke in this episode of Married At First Sight, or the next one. I think they must have been told they can’t give up on the relationship before the decision day is filmed or they lose their stipend. There was a clause in Celebrity Big Brother this year with that clause. Production wants to make sure everyone stays until the end. I’m ready for decision day at this point. The only couple I am undecided on is Jasmine and Will at this point. This week focuses on communication.
AJ & Stephanie
It’s time for the psychologist, Jessica to check in with the couples. Is it me or is this trial marriage period a couple weeks shorter than the eight weeks we are used to seeing. Are they hoping for more couples staying together on decision day? The topic is communication. AJ thinks their communication is just perfect. Or at least that is what he likes to tell the cameras. First they watch some examples of their “good communication” which was basically Stephanie adjusting to whatever mood AJ was in at the time.
Then Jessica got to the reason why she is there. AJ’s bad behavior. AJ says this tape has nothing to do with the marriage. “There have not been frustrations in the marriage.” I’d make him watch those tapes again and pay attention to Stephanie instead of looking at himself. He blames production for any tense moments in their marriage. AJ volunteers to fix production. He could revamp it and streamline it for them. AJ won’t let Stephanie speak. It’s textbook poor communication.
Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder?
Stephanie has her first trip for work since the marriage. AJ is a complete asshole all the way to the airport. I am sure this is just production making him look bad though, right? If he were in charge of production this would not be happening.
After the trip, AJ really missed Stephanie. Stephanie wants to revisit the communication therapy from Dr. Jessica. She lets him know that this sort of long-term aggression and anger cycle won’t work for her. Suddenly, AJ is very accountable and apologetic. I am not liking this for Jessica at all. Jessica falls for his routine hook, line and sinker. The problem is the good times are really good, and the bad times are really bad.
Will & Jasmine
Will has decided he wants to coach basketball. Jasmine is concerned about finances. Will wants to help the community. He talks to his friends about Jasmine’s disinterest in his desire to explore his passion, helping kids, rather than chasing the almighty dollar. With decision day only two weeks a way. This is a problem. For both of them. Like the other couples, they need more brutally honest communication.
The meet with Dr. Jessica who appears to simply say they have to figure out if their compromises are actually compromises or one or both of them behaving counter-intuitively to their core values. I am pretty sure in this case it is the latter.
Luke & Kate
Kate has yet another conversation with one of her friends. She points out every time they have free time, he leaves to go somewhere else. Kate is ready to seriously consider divorce.
Later, Kate calls Dr. Jessica and explains her position. She is ready for a divorce. Dr. Jessica says that they will totally support her in her decision. I think Dr. Jessica knows this relationship is never going to work. Kate is brokenhearted.
Kate approaches Luke with, “we need to talk.” That is never the beginning of a conversation about what the person being talked to wants for Christmas. This is the most creepy and monotone conversation of divorce Luke says several times he does not want a divorce. I have ever seen. Where was their therapy about communication? Luke makes no sense. Then he says she speaks in extreme absolutes. Then he says he has been trying to “make the best of the situation.” She actually asks him to repeat that insult. He says there are some things she does he finds attractive. Then he says he had no idea how upset she was. That’s probably because he is never there unless the cameras are. There is zero communication.
Keith & Kristine
Over dinner, Kristine and Keith differ on when to have children. Keith wants to start now. Kristine wants him to get out of school first. Plus she wants to get her brokerage license and that takes a lot of effort.
Kristine wants to work hard, save money and get some travel in before babies come. That sound perfectly reasonable. Keith is currently racking up student loans and making a fairly low salary at a job he works at the same time. He has no time for kids right now and they can’t afford them. Dr, Jessica needed to talk to these two about communication as well. Keith feels like Kristine is making all the decisions. That is because she is the only logical person in the couple.
Next week: The couples have just over a week to decide on their future. Luke has been hiding something from production that Kate shares with Dr. Pepper. It’s time for their mini-moons. Oddly, this season, MAFS production has decided to put them all in a cabin together instead. This leads to some mixed emotions among the newlyweds. AJ is angry and drinks. Kate looks sad as usual.
AJ is a case of dynamite with a happy face painted on it. During the initial interviews I didn’t think they’d pick him. He has obvious mental problems that no amount of counseling can fix.
As far as Luke, I kept hoping some spark would develop but i don’t hate him like everyone else seems to. I think he’s doing everything to make Kate back out so he doesn’t have to dump her.
He made it clear to the experts he preferred women of color. They completely ignored that and gave him a blue-eyed blonde. I think they set them up just for the drama of watching them fail. That said, Luke is acting like a man who doesn’t want to cheat on someone – and certainly not on camera. I wonder if shortly before he the wedding he either met someone or got back with an old gf. If so he should’ve come clean about it but I hear there’s a lot of money involved.
Luke criticizing Kate over the way she talks (he worries about the words she uses) rather than acknowledging what she is saying is so typical of this terribly manipulative relationship. Why on earth does he say he doesn’t want a divorce? He clearly does! If one of the experts does not call him out on gaslighting soon, I will scream. He is all about making Kae think she is the problem.
DITTO!!!! A very strange character, but a perfect candidate for intense therapy. Women of color.. beware.
Thanks for the recap TT. My heart breaks for poor Kate. Luke has toyed with her from the start I can’t wait until she gives him the finger. I thought maybe Keith and Kristine might make it but I don’t know anymore. Jasmine is too emasculating and unsupportive for Will. AJ has got major anger issues… I can’t believe Steph hasn’t already walked away.
I truly don’t understand the dynamic with Luke and Kate, so I agree there must be a financial incentive to see it through to the end. I was so creeped out by the way he was talking to her about not wanting a divorce, and her use of extreme absolutes worrying him (huh?). I also thought it was weird we didn’t see any interviews or talking heads of Luke, or a meeting with the “experts”, and it was just that awkward, stilted conversation on the bed. My guess is the secret is that Luke has been staying at his own place.
I really like Will, and am sad for him he got stuck with a money-hungry, emasculating snob. He had also mentioned rental properties along with coaching, and currently owns his own home, so it seems like he’s financially responsible but just like he said, he’s not all about chasing dollars and wants to give back to his community. He deserves a woman who can respect and take pride in that.
It’s not surprising to me AJ has his own company since he bristles at criticism and authority. The way he was dismissively sniping at Dr. Jessica was hard to watch. The very reasonable suggestion of calmly communicating your stress and taking a moment to calm down was met with, “nah, she can just figure it out when I throw my temper tantrum.”
Keith needs to mature some more, and then they might be able to work things out. I wonder if physically they thought Kristine wouldn’t find Will attractive, or vice versa, because they seem like a better match. He works out, is mature, more financially stable and seems willing to compromise on most issues.
I bet you are right about the secret. That makes perfect sense.
I can’t stand AJ (goofy and angry) or Luke (lying piece of shit). Keith is clueless about the impact a baby will have on their time and finances, and he is way too cavalier about planning. Will is a cold fish.
AJ & Steph. This woman is clearly afraid of that man. Run girl! Don’t be so desperate to have a husband.
L & K
Pssh!
Will & J
Old man, daddy’s little girl. They won’t last.
K & K
I’m routing for you kids. But if K doesn’t want kids. This could end it. I don’t think 5 years is unreasonable for them to start having kids. It’s time Kristine start to give in a little. She can’t keep putting things off because of her career goals. You will always have goals to accomplish, from one to the next. Keith is right. In 5 years they will be almost 40 & fertility isnt always easy from this point on, besides he wants to be a young dad.
Hoping that Keith and Kristine figure this out, quickly. They both have pretty serious professional goals they want to accomplish. They literally need to spend the next few years working towards obtaining those goals and could enjoy the together if they support each other. Is Keith really frustrated that Kristine doesn’t want to be pregnant 5wks in? Yikes!
I’m trying to figure Luke out. He’s got secrets for sure, but what? Kate is now officially a scapegoat. She’s verbally stated she wants out, yet she’s still in and I don’t think it’s because Luke woed her back. I hope she’s ok.
AJ reminds me a A LOT of someone I know very personally. He’s manageable if you know what you’re doing. It’s not so great though and ruins a lot of “should be good” days.
Awww…I feel bad for both Will and Jasmine. Really poor match (that they didn’t make!) They can’t stay together. No physical attraction, no financial planning/goals agreement, no life goals in common. Wtw?
How many more episodes? I feel like I could “fix this” if I was part of “production”, giggle. Not this season, but maybe next? The “experts” need to hang their heads in shame this season!
I don’t understand what game Luke is trying to play but, whatever it is he’s losing. AJ’s temper is out of control scary. He seems to run at extremes. Over the top happy, angry etc. He needs help in a big way. Queen Kristine is a pleasant surprise! From her behavior in the first episode I was expecting a spoiled narcissistic nightmare. But, she’s the opposite. I don’t think Keith is together enough for her. She can do way better. Will and Jasmine aren’t a good match either. I don’t think Jasmines issue is really gender roles. She doesn’t want to be subservient she just wants to be a wealthy housewife but, is putting that label on it. I’m so glad I’m finally caught up!
I think Jasmine wants to be able to be a stay at home mom if they have kids, without having major financial problems.
I looked at her LinkedIn profile and saw that her whole career has been in caring for intellectually disabled people, and now she is the assistant director of a residential facility for the disabled. So presumably she is caring and responsible.
I don’t know what Will does or how his financial situation compares to hers. But I think Jasmine is uncomfortable with the idea of being the breadwinner, while he is thinking of pursuing a dream as a coach. This is a huge marital problem in the making.
But it won’t be for them, because he isn’t attracted to her at all, and they will divorce on decision day.
I agree with what you’re saying. Kids or no kids though, it’s more to do with financial security than gender roles. I think. I think she just says gender roles so she sounds a certain way. I’ve no doubt that she works hard and is responsible. But, your last sentence had me laughing! You summed the whole thing up perfectly.
I hope Kate throws that Luke under the bus and these “experts” let him have it at the reunion otherwise I’m done with this show. I’ve said all along AJ is mentally unstable where his anger is concerned. Something isn’t normal and Stephanie can’t be that desperate. She looks at him like he’s her last hope. Pathetic.
Oh but I think she is just that desperate , why is she willing to agree with him like she’s a battered wife . It’s so sad .
AJ is bi-polar with anger outbursts. I hope Stephanie doesn’t need therapy after this.
Dangerous for sure and they had to know. I see it loud and clear… experts?!!
I think will is like Luke but kinder and smarter . He’s is giving every indication that he’s not attracted to Jazmine . Maybe he was and her wanting him to pay all the bills changed that but he like Luke is saying things to make her want to leave and is showing her that he’s not attracted to her .
Yeah, Will isn’t attracted to Jasmine. He might be if she wasn’t so emasculating. I hate to compare him to Luke b/c Luke is being cruel to Kate for no reason. Jasmine says she wants Will to be the head of the household and to pay all the bills but she just wants him to pay the bills and she be the head of the household. She wouldn’t even hear out his plan for coaching and bringing in income from rental property. I don’t think he’s the type of man she’s looking for.
L & K I truly believe she is on the wrong team for him to go for her. He has very effeminate features and responses. I believe there is financial benefit. He doesn’t love her or want her but she says she wants a divorce and he says NO?! WTH? Messed up… I believe the comment he is living separately is the secret is correct. Why is K always in the same nightshirt every time? Crazy but on scale of important.. not so unless they film it all sooner then 8 weeks. No woman lives in the same nightshirt 24/7 over an 8 wk period.
This is a fail and dangerous
W & J This is not working. He’s mature and set in his ways. She is immature daddy’s princess who wants to be taken care of, not work as a team towards something.She wants it all given to her and on her terms. This is a fail
AJ & S This relationship is dangerous. If he isn’t the poster child of bi-polar I don’t know who is?
He’s manic and we are seeing the highs and lows. She needs to run out as quickly as possible.
This is a fail and dangerous!
K & K of all of them I had the most hope for them. That is dwindling. Keith has been a gramama’s boy and just clueless of a lot of things he should have working knowledge of. He does try, I give him kudos for that. Kristine she wants to wear the pants and for”maturity” reasons she should but that will turn into a major power struggle over time. So I am thinking no this will not work. Fail
The experts failed miserably! This season was more about watching a train wreck waiting to happen then hoping any of the couples were really matched for lasting purposes. This season to me was for sure all about the 5 mins of fame then anything else.
At least women have a true heads up about Luke and AJ who are abusive in their own way. Men know about Jasmine daddy’s princess who wants the world handed to her on her terms.
I hope Kate and Stephanie get needed therapy for the abuse they have endured. Keith needs it also to overcome the spoiling to a detriment so he can overcome.
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Hi TT,
I’ve just started watching the latest episode on my DVR. The first 12 minutes – I got so much to say!!!! I look forward to your recap, so I don’t post any spoilers!!!
I know, right? This episode is just full of things to talk about! I can’t wait for the recap!
What does it say, when I’m watching this DVR’d show before I watch RHOBH?