Gurkel

I wasn’t bored, but not much happened in terms of the couples learning more about each other or growing closer. Other than Jamie and Liz having their weekly argument and reminding us how toxic they are together. Iris didn’t say anything like that in the full episode. But if she feels that way, then she and Keith need to talk about it.

I read This article about harmful dog saliva, and it made me think about Elizabeth’s dog drinking out of human dishes.

I wonder if he manscapes. Did they talk about that?

This. I've been fooled these 8 weeks. I thought Iris and Keith were close and growing closer--at the wedding, they both said they were attracted to each other, and they're almost always talking and joking. And Iris is always touching Keith. She puts her hand on his leg, they sit on the couch with their legs over one another, and Iris loves to play in Keith's hair. I thought they were moving toward real intimacy. But Iris doesn't even want to talk to Keith about sex. It's like she can't even admit to herself or other people that she has sexual thoughts. And that seems weird to me. Does she think it's wrong to imagine having sex with your husband? Even if you're not ready to have sex with your partner yet, wouldn't you think about what it's like to have sex with that person? And if you like your partner, why wouldn't you want to at least talk about sex and where your feelings are with that person? Why did Keith talking about sex make Iris so uncomfortable and eventually make her cry? And even though they talk a lot--well, Iris talks a lot--they don't really talk about things of substance. At least not on camera. We heard Keith share things about his grandmother's health, but we don't hear the two of them having discussions about their childhoods, their jobs working with children, or their hopes and dreams for the future. Even their likes and dislikes. I know that Iris likes drawer liners and lemonade, and she doesn't like shoes inside the house or friends inside the refrigerator. But what about deeper likes and dislikes? What does she like from a romantic partner? What does he like? In fact, none of these couples have had many impactful conversations. Ironically, Jamie and Beth have probably had the most vulnerable and meaningful conversations out of the entire bunch. Too bad their deep conversations inevitably end with yelling and cursing.

I think someone upthread listed their mid-season predictions, but for the life of me, I cannot find that post. Here are mine: Matt and Amber: They win the award for Saran Wrap attempting to cling to an oiled-up Teflon skillet. Sadly, I predict divorce. I hope Amber recovers afterwards. And gets the therapy she needs. And I hope Matt's detailing business takes off. Or he gets another basketball contract. Or he becomes lovers with his handsome salt-and-pepper haired friend, either though neither is gay, but they learn to love one another and live happily ever after. Deonna and Greg: I want them to stay together. I really do. But I just don't sense any sexual chemistry or sparks between them, especially on Deonna's end. These cute kids win two awards: 1) People I'd like to hang out with in real life and 2) You're a great guy, but she's just not that into you. I hope I'm wrong about this, but right now, I predict divorce--but they'll vow to remain friends. They won't. Iris and Keith: She's annoying at times. He's almost too good to be true and might not be as committed as he pretends to be. But they still communicate well and seem to like each other. They win the award for Pretty People Most Likely To Stay Together Unless Someone Unpredictably and Royally F**** It All Up. This Is Reality TV After All. I predict they'll stay married. Jamie and Big Red; They've been passionate and conflict-ridden from the start, and now their explosive chemistry is causing them to implode. They exemplify why basic Caucasian sex and sandy vaginas do not make for a good match. I predict divorce.

Most TV programs have Facebook discussion groups. The comments are generally civil. But comments are short--there isn't the level of in-depth conversation that there is on this Primetimer.

Is this the first time they've talked about whether Matt wants kids? I can't remember his response to her bringing up their future son "Matt Gwynee V." If Matt weren't already so distant and emotionally closed off with Amber, I don't think his "5-8 years" statement would've been as big of a deal. Because they would've had an open conversation about that feeling like a long time, and Matt reassuring her that chances are, she will still be very fertile at 32-35. But Amber already feels like Matt might not want her. So this is another nail in her coffin of insecurity. And then he basically told her he didn't want to have kids right away and end up with a "Baby Mama" that he couldn't get rid of. Damn, that's harsh. Combine that with his cold, dead eyes--I feel bad for Amber. But I agree with other posters that it isn't Matt's job to solve her abandonment issues. She needs therapy. And I know the experts are not great, but why aren't the spouses able to call them with their issues, the way couples did in prior seasons? I've heard there are other therapists on staff besides the ones we see on the show. ETA: People seem to think it's okay that Matt stayed out all evening and never called or texted Amber, even when it got late. It would've been considerate of him to send her a quick text saying the evening ran late, or something.

Possibly, but it's just the thought of your dogs tongue touching poop, dead animals, urine, random bones, and anything else on the ground then touching your face or your dishes. Actually, if your dog just licked another dog's poop, and his tongue touches your tongue, you good get the E. coli from the other dog's poop get a bad infection.

I totally get your matchmaking sentiment. As I stated in my post, I would love the process of completing the questionnaires and going through the interviews with the experts. And I didn't mind Iris's picky preferences as much I got tired of her saying husband. "Okay, Husband, you don't have to use drawer liners, Husband. But I'm going to use liners in my drawers, Husband." I wonder if she's going to call him husband when they finally have sex. "Do it to me, Husband. You're an animal, Husband. Ride me, big Husband."

I wish I could get a truly honest answer from these cast members about why they're doing this show. The answers they give on camera: trouble finding love, history of bad relationships, I don't trust myself to choose, etc. explain why they might try online dating or even use a professional matchmaking service. But to go on reality TV and agree to an arranged marriage? That's something else entirely. If anyone on this forum can see themselves going on this show, will you explain why you would? No judgement. I'm really curious. I know I don't have the personality for reality TV--I'm introverted, and I avoid conflict and drama like the plague. You guys would hate me. But I love, love the idea of filling out a long personality questionnaire and having interviews with therapists and advisers who want to figure out who I am and what my type might be. And then to learn that there's a person out there who fits the image I've created in my mind of the perfect guy? That's exciting. The problem is, I don't think that's what this show does. The producers match up couples that have a few of the characteristics that the other likes. But their matches are total opposites in other areas, which they'll hope will make for great TV. Jamie and Liz-- He's neat and picky, she's messy and quirky. It's the Odd Couple! LOL Matt and Amber and the height differential--from what I remember, Matt specified that he prefers taller women. So let's match him with a 5'2'' woman. And Amber has abandonment issues, so let's give her a guy who lives out of his trunk and travels 6 months out of the year. Iris and Keith--I don't have any proof of this, but young and handsome Keith probably talked about sex being something important to him that he enjoys it and likes to have sex often. Can you blame him? So why not match him with the virgin! Won't that be fun? Greg seems emotionally, financially, and probably psychologically ready for marriage. I'm sure wanted to be matched with someone who was as committed as he was to starting their new life together right away. That is not Deonna. She has been ambivalent about this process from the start. Even in the early interviews, she said that getting married was next on her life's To Do list. She never--or hardly ever--talked about the emotional (and sexual) aspects of finding a partner and being married.

I'd never considered that, but you're right. He totally does. I've also heard Aster say in an interview that this is a break up movie. How is condemning your boyfriend to death a break-up? Well, I guess she did literally break up with him, but it was more like conspiracy to commit murder. And I hate to keep harping on this, but Dani was not supposed to be there! She guilted Christian into inviting her. Maybe the other guys would've met their fates anyway, I'm pretty sure Pelle invited them to the festival just to be sacrificed. And will the families of Christian, Mark, and Chidi ever find out what happened to them? That saddens me.

I'd forgotten about that part! He was almost as smart as our Chidi, but he was kind of a dick in the movie, so...

True. And it's not like she's home twiddling her thumbs with nothing to do.

This will be like the married version of Big Brother. I wonder how they will spin it, though: camaraderie, support, blah, blah, blah. You don't have to live in the same apartment building to have that.

I can't figure out why Matt came on this show. Maybe, like other past male contestants, he thought he was going to get matched with an Instagram model or a Beyonce look-alike. I still think Matt is cute, but IMHO he's a few light bulbs short of being bright. Also, if he expressed himself well, he would communicate better with Amber instead of hitting her with a passive-aggressive back door exit plan like the potential basketball contract. He also wouldn't lie down in bed casually asking her what's wrong when he knew he'd just chastised her off-camera for offering to be a supportive wife while he opened his business. Why couldn't have told Amber during the meal that he doesn't want her to think he's broke?

I just hope Amber is okay. She's been hurt by boyfriends before. I didn't watch all of Season 1. Will someone tell me briefly tell me when JamieO's feelings about Doug evolved from being repulsed him at the wedding to having children with him and laughing about having sex while on her period and taking a cleansing shower afterward?

It seems like you're damned if you do, damned if you don't on this show. If you're eager to get to know the stranger you impulsively married and try to make things work, you get called thirsty and desperate (Amber) or disingenuous (Jamie and Liz). If you're understandably hesitant and distant with the stranger that you impulsively married, you're called a cold, frigid, distant, selfish asshole who's probably hiding something (Deonna and Matt. And sometimes Keith. Jepthe and Jasmine in prior seasons). BTW, I'm not excusing myself from my own critique-- I've used some of these same descriptions for the spouses. I'd say Iris probably gets criticized the least, but she still gets called melodramatic, extra, hyper, or even phony. (Again, I'm including myself in this). At least she stopped calling herself The Virgin. I don't think there's any right way to organically develop a healthy marital relationship when you're in a televised arranged marriage, but society (reality TV society) is telling you that you're still supposed to have all of the butterflies and chemistry that you would if you were in a love marriage with someone you met in college and dated for 3 years.

Team Roger. I'm rooting for the over 35-ers to win it all.

I tried to nitpick that couple just because that's what I do when I watch House Hunters. But I agree with you. I couldn't find anything really wrong with them. They were a pleasant couple whose 'demands' weren't unreasonable. When it came to renovations, they were quick to label things like wall paper or worn carpet as cosmetic problems, not deal breakers. And even though the houses they looked at were large and rather expensive, based on their dual-income as ENT doctors, they actually could have afforded a much grander home I'm glad they didn't however. Their choice made them appear somewhat fiscally responsible. And who knows how much they're paying their former spouses for alimony and/or child support?

Okay, this is a strange one, so don't laugh. I have always found Billy Crystal sexy. In When Harry Met Sally, when he apologizes to Sally after their wagon wheel argument, the way he hugs her is incredibly sensual and tender. And any man who makes me laugh gets bonus points. So yeah, he can get it.

I'm trying to think of anything bad that was said about her during her career. I've got nothing. Except that she probably wouldn't have won as many Grand Slams as she did if Monica Seles hadn't gotten stabbed. Which wasn't Steffi's fault, of course.

Damn. What's left? Hard to top that last ritual. ETA: But Swedish guy (Pelle?) said both of his parents died in a fire. I'm assuming it was some kind of ritualistic sacrificial fire, so I don't know how that fits in with the time line. Maybe the extended cut will explain.

I missed her name and don't recognize her. But she said she's played against Serena in the past. Yes. It should be a good final. Both women are intense. I know that Wimbledon does change things. The players used to have to curtsy in front of the chair umpire after the match, but they did away with that. But yeah, the winner must want to stay on the court longer to sign balls, wave at fans, etc. And the loser just wants to go to the locker room to take a shower, cry, scream, meditate--anything to out of the spotlight for a few minutes before that dreaded press conference.

Matt doesn't seem all that bright to me. Maybe the dumb jock stereotype applies to him. But he probably went to college for at least one year, right? But to respond to your post, I think neither Keith nor Matt is the best conversationalist in the bunch. I honestly wonder what they would be like as a couple. Would they ever talk to one another?

I agree with you both. I don’t think Matt is into Amber, and when he talked about maybe getting another basketball contact overseas, he might be setting up his reason for getting out of the marriage at the end of the eight weeks. I don’t ever see Deonna doing anything to make Greg feel loved or appreciated. Have the couples talked about Love Languages yet? I think they’ve done this in prior seasons. I think learning how your spouse needs to be shown love (through gifts, words of affirmation, etc) goes a long way to helping couples communicate and eloping them be kind to their spouses.