Katie and Derek
Katie Conrad is 25 and a mental health professional. She has type 1 diabetes and wants to get pregnant as soon as possible for health reasons. She also recently got out of a bad relationship. Once she was selected to be married at first site, he showed back up in her life. Even as she is trying on her wedding dress, she is unsure if she should give her ex another chance.
Derek Sherman is a 26 and works in cyber security. He comes from a military family and seems more mature than some of the other grooms this season despite being the youngest. I hope Katie makes it down the aisle with him. Based on the photo above, it seems like she gets married. At the bacherlorette party, Katie says she is down for sex on her wedding night. She also got a bit drunk and um…frisky at the party. Derek is a bit goofy too, so this might work.
Jessica and Austin
Every season there is one couple that seems like a deliberate mismatch. This is this season’s mismatch. Austin is 31 years old and may in face still be nursing. He cannot get through a single conversation without talking about his mother. He talks about what “we want” in a spouse. It’s ridiculous. I never expected them to to pick for anyone.
The unfortunate bride is an identical twin. She has “we issues” as well. She talks on the phone to her twin sister all day. Neither one of these two are ready for marriage.
Taylor and Brandon
Taylor is a super smart 27-year-old research scientist from Pittsburgh. She also does promotional work with a Bourbon company. She has brains and beauty. She recently ended a four year relationship that her profile describes as “traumatic.” Is this a rebound marriage?
Brandon is a 34-year-old DC native. He’s a sales manager. He has a great sense of humor and seems to in this for the right reasons. He seems like a total gentleman. Or, Zach could be right about him and he is just a smooth operator.
Mindy and Zach
Mindy Shiben is a 34-year-old figure skating coach from Maryland. She had a younger sister who died. She dated lots of guys that didn’t work out. Zach Justice is a 32-year-old “fitness professional.” I think he is from Georgia. They both have the athletics thing in common. Neither of Mindy’s parents are willing to come to the wedding. Zach had a lot to say about the other guys at the bachelor party. He thinks very highly of himself.
Meka and Michael
Meka is very ambitious and driven. She’s very confident and independent. I like her. Her mother is one of the most supportive parents on the season. I just realized she is only 25! She’s very mature for her age.
Michael works with special needs students, teaches yoga, works out six days a week and love the fine arts. I like this match. He’s 31 and had a traumatic childhood.
As you can see they chose FIVE couples this season. That is two too many. Thoughts?
I think that this may be the first year in which none of them stay together. I watched the matchmaking special and the ‘experts’ couldn’t even agree on some of the couples. A couple of them are already doomed – the mama’s boy and the girl who wants to go back with her ex-boyfriend. But I love watching this show. Bring it on!
I just can’t get enough of this show!!! I am not ready to make any predictions, yet. But as always, my romantic side wants everyone to find true love. That is what keeps me coming back.
Also, it was nice to see Jephte and Shawniece in the Supernanny promo. I know it hasn’t been an easy time for them. I still hope they keep their family together.
They could’ve paired Derek with someone just a bit more emotionally stable than Katie but who knows, maybe things will work out. He definitely seems like he’s in it for the long run so let’s see how this plays out.
Jessica and Austin didn’t spark my interest but we’ll see.
I really like Taylor and her energy but I just hope that Brandon isn’t a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He has an undertone of cockiness to him.
Zach seems kinda shallow so it’ll be interesting to see how he feels about Mindy. He’s definitely full of himself so hopefully Mindy doesn’t get heartbroken.
Meka is my girl! I really like her and her family and I’m really rooting for her. I honestly don’t know about Michael yet, I wondered if he was even straight honestly or on the downlow but I could be wrong. His friend with the glasses was a total hater though.
Was his friend the one with the inside out deodorant stained tshirt? Wonder what the shirt said that they couldn’t blur out? Worried.
They may have five couples so that if one couple blows up in the middle of the season like Amber and Matt season 9 or Luke and Kate season 8 they can leave. When the bride is really being tortured or gaslighted the couple needs to be able to quit early.
I don’t see the Austin and Jessica match. I’m always hopeful for them to find love, and I hope they do. And yes, Derek does remind me of Ashton Kutcher. And I can’t with Austin’s hair.
Obviously matched for drama. Katie should have been disqualified. Her match deserved a chance. Her baby voice is so annoying. The rest should be great for ratings i.e. fireworks. Let the s***show begin,
Meka and Michael remind me a little of Jasmine and Will from season 8. It will be interesting to see how they mesh.
I like Derek but feel Katie is too unstable to be on this show. Even her mother was crying when she told them about her situations. Someone should have told her to bow out. She is this season’s Matt in my eyes.
Zach is a total douche bag. I feel sorry that Mindy got stuck with him but this could be the one relationship that makes it.
I’m in Canada and for some reason, we (or at least MY satellite provider) doesn’t air this show until MONTHS after it’s wrapped up in the States. We are literally on episode 4 of last year’s season! The one with the douche basketball player and the hyper virgin. I already know who broke up, but watch it to see the demise. Regardless, I enjoy your MAFS recaps. Wish Canada would air them at the same time though! I’m so confused – MAFS has aired on like 4 different stations since I began watching it years ago. Was it on A&E back in the day, or did I imagine this?
I am watching the current season in Canada on Lifetime.
Yes, it was on A&E and I believe WE tv before moving to Lifetime.
I get very narcissistic vibes from Zach, he’s just way too full of himself and there’s no room left for admiration of anyone else. I also don’t see him and Mindy as being a physical match, not in terms of athleticism, but in terms of attractiveness. Mindy is a very nice looking woman, but she looks a good ten years older than Zach, and I see him going more for the arm candy type. Hopefully, I’m wrong.
Unless we’re being deliberately misled which is always a possibility, Katie and Derek are doomed. She’s nowhere near ready to settle down with one person, and I think it was unfair to match her up with Derek. Still, who knows, maybe he’ll win her over.
Meka and Michael seem like a good match, at first glance, which probably means there will be unexpected fireworks.
Jessica and Austin are going to have a really hard time concentrating on each other when she’s so closely intertwined with her sister, and he with his mother. Expect a definite adjustment period there.
Taylor and Brandon give me major red flags. She seems much more accomplished than he is, but perhaps love will overcome any differences.
I love this show. Thanks for the recap, Tamara. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this season unfolds.
Happy New Year everyone, I’m hoping 2020 is a much better year than 2019 was. The stars just didn’t align well for my family during the past 12 months. Like an astral stomach virus, with lots of gurgles and running to the psychological bathroom. TMI? Sorry about that. Wonderful days are ahead.
I’ve been missing you EnglishRose, best wishes in this new year!
Thank you so much, Kipper! Same to you.
I didn’t catch all the names and matches, but I hope they matched the girl Whose family owned a Christmas tree farm with the boy who had lights in his kitchen because he “loves Christmas “. But I don’t know their names.
Let’s get this train wreck on the road! It’s been too long!!
TT- Thanks for the recap. I didn’t see the first episode in it’s entirety so your recap was really helpful. Taylor is gorgeous. Is it just me or does she look different in the photos they showed of her that I’m assuming she posted in social media. I’m not familiar with photo shop. Is it the lighting, styling, angles or is she just one of those lucky girls that looks good anytime anywhere?
Oh no! I’m actually ahead of a recap? I may have drank too much wine cooking supper tonight. I am such a sucker, please recap (and u know I NEVER ask for a recap) need you TT but I don’t want to be a spoiler!