Darting glances as cold as ice daggers shot across the shared apartments of the recently married couples this week, with “confession” tasks putting some relationships on a knife’s edge and revealing shocking truths.
In a Married at First Sight Australia first, the on-the-nose Ex-Files task saw the newlyweds question each other about their previous dating experiences after moving in with each other for the first time.
Coupled with other returning tasks like ranking other couples' photos on attractiveness, writing confessional letters, and viewing previous audition videos, tensions were destined to flare at some point.
Naturally, Jacqui and Ryan ramped up the awkwardness to 11 with their stilted bickering, dislike of habits, and off-the-cuff statements, creating a tension that would carry on to a crescendo.
In the task of ranking attractiveness with photos of other contestants, “warrior mentality” Ryan ranked his Kiwi wife Jacqui as the “third most attractive” woman on the experiment.
“Dark hair absolutely slays me,” he confidently said as I emitted a groan.
Jacqui hit back in the Ex-Files task by describing her ex as “god-like”, while admitting she would’ve married him after six months.
“I really wanted to get under his skin,” she said, with these mind games making me feel more and more uncomfortable the more unnatural it felt.
It wasn’t all awkwardness, with one ironic statement leaving me chuckling.
Jacqui refused to let her husband watch TV in bed, stating: “I think electronics are bad for humankind. People are just dumbing their brains by watching TV.”
I imagine the thousands watching the show in the comfort of their bed right now would’ve let out a wry laugh.
Another shocking reveal came for jilted bride Katie, who decided to attend confessions week on her lonesome after gaslighting groomTim decided to quit the experiment and return home to Melbourne.
I have so much respect for Katie, who with her empathetic demeanour and blunt humour has powered through to try to get the most personal growth out of the experiment despite being treated abhorrently.
Katie has been put through the ringer by her gaslighting runaway groom Tim. Photo / Warner Bros. Discovery
Viewers could only cringe when Katie views Tim’s audition video for the first time and the inevitable revelation that he had been lying throughout the whole process emerges.
“I’m willing to give it a go,” he said after a producer questioned whether he would stay if there was no initial spark between him and his match.
“Where the f*** are you now then?” Katie says, voicing what most of Australia and NZ was thinking. “What a selfish p****”.
A good wine and cheese catch-up with her fellow brides brought a cathartic release of frustration for Katie, who vowed to leave the experiment having learned more about herself and her values.
It was refreshing to see her epic attitude in such crappy circumstances.
Things started okay for Adrian and Awhina, with both putting each other at the top of the photo-ranking contest, but things took a turn when Adrian’s audition video resurfaced, and the topic of having children was mentioned.
Adrian’s fears of becoming a stepfather to Awhina’s young son were swiftly reignited, reopening old wounds and spelling uncertainty as to the long-term prospects of their relationship.
Adrian and Awhina were at odds over their thoughts on family. Photo / Warner Bros. Discovery
But there were also some sweeter and heartfelt moments amid the chaos, with older couple Tony and Morena exploring the banality and quirks of marriage (he’s a big snorer and she loves to talk), and British expat Billy breaking down when telling wife Sierah about his rejection from his father.
The next episode teases more of the couples experiencing confessions tasks, and by the look of things there are more shocking revelations to come for TV’s most watchable trainwreck.
Mitchell Hageman joined the Herald’s entertainment and lifestyle team in 2024. He previously worked as a multimedia journalist for Hawke’s Bay Today.
