A Harsh Review Of All 4 Couples On Lifetime's "Married At First Sight" | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

A Harsh Review Of All 4 Couples On Lifetime's "Married At First Sight"

Put on your life jacket, we've got some rough seas ahead.

213
"Married At First Sight" Cast

Woman losing balance on a boatGiphy

If you're anything like me, you've already binge watched Lifetime's "Married at First Sight" on Netflix and have some issues with a few couples on the show. In simple terms, "Married at First Sight" is a reality TV show that follows four couples who all meet their spouse for the first time at the altar. They are matched up by a group of experts based on qualities and similarities they share with their new partner. Season 9 was filmed in Charlotte, North Carolina, and these couples - specially chosen by experts - meet for the first time at the altar and begin the eight-week experiment in a legally binding marriage. After the eight weeks, they can choose to either stay married or get a divorce on "Decision Day."

Disclaimer: Spoilers Ahead




1. Greg and Deonna

Greg and Deonna from "Married At First Sight" walking down the wedding aisleGiphy

From the get-go, Greg and Deonna had really good chemistry. They both had a really strong emphasis on religion and wanting to incorporate it into their marriages. Deonna was very standoffish at first, though, because she hadn't been in a relationship for over ten years. She had taken time away from dating to work on getting her degree and starting her career. This was a huge shock to Greg, as she wasn't as receptive to his affection as he was hoping. They still were both very committed to their marriage and went out of their way to get out of their comfort zone and try new things for the other, like zip lining and eating bugs (YUCK!).

The major challenge in their relationship was that Greg wanted Deonna to be more open with her emotions and let down her walls. In the beginning, it was extremely hard for her, but as she began to trust him more, she became more emotionally vulnerable and even admitted to be heading down the right path to "grow in love" with Greg. While Greg had always been open about his feelings towards Deonna, as she opened up throughout the season, you could see how much happier they both were becoming. They eventually decided to continue to grow their marriage on Decision Day.


2. Keith and Iris

Keith and Iris from "Married At First Sight" walking down the beachGiphy

Keith and Iris were a very hard couple to read from the beginning. Immediately, they were physically attracted to one another and shared a lot of the same morals and values. The issues that arose came from the lack of sexual maturity and experience on Iris' side as she was a 27 year old virgin. The issue wasn't with her virginity, though, but rather how she shielded behind it and used it as an excuse. She refused to engage in any physically intimacy besides kissing and hugging, as she was just too "uncomfortable" with it. Keith was very understanding, but she almost hung it over his head that she was a virgin. The relationship experts tried different bonding exercises to get them to both open up, but Keith quickly realized Iris was just too immature to fully commit to any.

Come Decision Day, Iris was still adamant on staying married, but Keith had his doubts. I think Keith knew after the honeymoon that this relationship wasn't going to work out, but he still wanted to give Iris time to open up to him and feel more vulnerable around him. Unfortunately, that just never came. I also think Iris had put a huge emphasis on marriage and wanted it to work very badly, but I agree with Keith's final decision that she didn't have enough relationship experience or maturity to be married right then.

They really did seem to mesh well, so maybe in the future - once they both learn more about themselves - they can revisit the idea of pursuing a relationship again.


3. Matt and Amber

Matt and Amber from "Married At First Sight" talkingGiphy

If you've seen this season, you know how much of a shocker it was to see these two. A 6'9 basketball player and a 5'2 elementary school teacher was just the start of this relationship being far from normal. Matt was used to the transient bachelor lifestyle while Amber was eager to settle down and plant her roots with a family of her own. Seeing these two next to each other looked quite bizarre, as you can imagine, but they seemed to have immediate chemistry at their wedding and into their honeymoon. Matt still wasn't quite sure he was ready to fully commit to Amber and quit his career of being a basketball player (foreshadowing). This became a huge point of discussion in their relationship.

As the marriage progressed, Amber expressed concerns with Matt staying out late or not coming home at all for days at a time. When meeting with the experts, they specifically asked if there was another woman, and he said it was "disappointing" that was even a question. Amber also said he would say what she wanted to hear when the cameras were rolling, but when they weren't, he was nowhere to be found. In one of his famous disappearing acts, he "accidentally" left his wedding ring at home as he was running out of the house to see his friend (suspicious much?). On the night before Decision Day, Amber's friend reveals he had seen Matt leave with another woman from the bar. This was the ultimate turning point in Amber's decision. She called him out and they both decided to divorce.

To me, Matt was selfish from the start. He seemed extremely cocky, even when he was walking down the aisle on his own wedding day. I immediately got bad vibes from him. As the marriage progressed, Amber was very open and trusting when she shouldn't have been. She gave him multiple chances to change his behavior, which only ever lasted a few days until he would fall back into his old routine. Being a former professional basketball player, I think he went on the show just for more fame and attention. He was already talking about quitting to work for his friend and his mobile detailing business. Matt got scared he would lose his street cred, so he signed up to be on television. He even later would brag about going to sleep with an Instagram model at the final reunion. Amber deserved better.


4. Jamie and Beth

Beth from "Married At First Sight" knocking over a coffee tableGiphy

Whew. This couple was a headache and a half during their eight weeks after the wedding. They always would say they felt they were on a "rollercoaster" in their relationship, but I would argue it was more like a washing machine - around and around and around. The minute they would "resolve" one issue, the other would make a comment that set the other one off. It isn't normal to have such fueled and abrasive arguments in any sort of relationship, especially in only eight weeks. I'm surprised there were never noise complaints or the cops being called on their apartment with all the screaming, slamming of doors, and flipping of furniture they did.

One issue Jamie had from the start, though, was that he was extremely condescending. Anytime an issue arose, he would threaten to leave the house and leave their marriage. He called all the shots. He would yell at Beth in public and embarrass her, and then get on her about embarrassing everyone else while her actions were a reaction from how he treated her. He was very insecure and used them not having sex as leverage against her. On their one-month anniversary, Beth gifted Jamie a coupon book full of sexual favors he could use. Later, they were having a serious discussion after one of their arguments and he pulled a coupon out. To me, it was very inappropriate and showed he wasn't interested in fixing their problems and only wanted sex.

There were many comments and actions made from the both of them which revealed this was the start of a very painful and toxic relationship, but to the viewers' surprise, they both decided to stay married. One can only hope they have resolved their differences and put in the work to create a healthy and safe marriage.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

4680
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

119050
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

1038
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

747
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Signs You Go To Kent State

You know you're a true Kent Stater when...

831
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments