Vision boards, samurai swords, beer steins, and pot-smoking skulls made up the eclectic decor of Ryan’s home, quickly reducing his wife Jacqui to a flood of tears.
It’s the second episode showing the Married At First Sight Australia couple’s home visits, and if you thought things couldn’t get any worse for the constantly pessimistic pair, you’re wrong.
And, sadly, they weren’t the only couple experiencing a homestay horror story, with Beth and Teejay falling into an unexpected drastic spiral.
You’d be forgiven for thinking Jacqui acted as if she’d just entered a haunted house as she stepped into Ryan’s south Sydney abode, her eyes staring at the mouldy blinds with panic.
“It was eye-opening to see his home. It really reminds me of the elderly, because a lot of the elderly live alone for 10-15 years,” she said, breaking down into tears.
Immediately putting her stamp on the vision board (literally), Jacqui tells Ryan what she wants done with the place, continuing her crusade to “make him a better person”.
But hard truths are dished out when the pair meet with Ryan’s friends Adam and Karla, who berate the bride for her refusal to accept Ryan for who he is.
“She’s not willing to compromise,” Karla said. “She’s constantly pointing the finger at Ryan”.
“She has a distorted view non-stop,” Adam added.
As she had in previous arguments, Jacqui claimed she had done no harm, before bursting into tears and making a speedy exit with her friend.
I’m sure the audience is baffled that Ryan hasn’t quit the experiment by this point, but perhaps the chickens will finally come to roost during the next dinner party.
Jacqui quickly got on with updating Ryan's vision board. Photo / Nine AU
In happier news, Carina and Paul are “the best they have ever been” after a rocky few weeks, and Jeff is so sure he wants to spend more time with Rhi after the experiment that he even gives her a key to his apartment.
Adrian and Awhina are also starting to see a future for their relationship, with the revelation that they were willing to do long-distance for a while after the experiment wraps up.
Even Dave and Jamie, who were close to calling it quits last week, mended their relationship after Dave committed to being a “better person and a better partner,” telling Jamie she was “worth doing that for”.
A heartfelt moment came when Jamie had the chance to meet Dave’s dad, Howard, who originally couldn’t make their wedding at the start of the series due to cancer treatment.
After seeing Dave’s care and compassion for his dad, Jamie said she felt “optimistic and hopeful” about the future.
“If I knew he didn’t see a future with me, I would’ve never brought him home,” she said on the verge of tears.
With homestay week over, it’s looking like there could be a few solo appearances at the next dinner party. Could one more couple be heading for the exit near the final stretch?
Mitchell Hageman joined the Herald’s entertainment and lifestyle team in 2024 and has taken on the unofficial role of Mafs correspondent for this season. He previously worked as a multimedia journalist for Hawke’s Bay Today.
