Paddywagon

This episode was the first time I saw Neil really smile and it was when he was giving her the gifts. Holy crap I almost cried seeing him smile after all Sam's put him through. He put so much thought into those gifts and they were specially picked just for her. She gave him wedding photos which we KNOW are provided by production cuz they provide those every season. She sure as hell didn't get those for Neil. So whatever...she plans the trip "for Neil" and they go fishing because she likes fishing. Um, explain to me how that was a trip for him. We've never seen her do a single thing for him that would match the thoughtfulness of the gifts he gave her. She's such a self-centered shithead she doesn't have the slightest clue about what he likes. I also gotta believe she was genuinely shaken up that Neil didn't miss her. He totally stumbled into that and I LMAO at her reaction! It was way cool to see him be a bit of an asshole by saying he didn't miss her. She just now realized he isn't charmed by her so she's gonna toss him some affection scraps to reel him back in. It's so obvious it's another one of her control traps. Run, Neil!

Unique observation. Can you elaborate?

Ctbabe, you are rockin' our world, lol!!! <3

This part here makes a ton of sense. I remember when Ashley was professing how hard she was working at the marriage and said, "I'm wearing my ring...." At the time I thought that was such a strange thing to say as proof that she's trying to make the marriage work. But now, after reading this, of course she would say that because she was being told to wear it and in her book that would count as her "trying to make it work."

Sam in tonight's preview: Neil's on a business trip and I really wanted to hear him say he misses me. (Duh, really Sam? What's to miss?) Neil's friend calls Neil during tonight's episode: Friend: wuttup bro? Wanna get a beer tonight? Neil: can't, I'm on a business trip. Friend: that sux...you're a newlywed! You must really be missing her. Neil: um... Friend: ah c'mon, I know you had hot sex before you left. Gotta be missing that! Neil: um...no, we haven't had sex yet. Friend: ok, but you must be missing the make out sessions. Neil: we haven't kissed yet. Friend: dude, has she worn lingerie at least? Neil: I don't think she owns any. She likes to melt wax though. Friend: wtf man. Ok, you must be missing that good home cooking then. Neil: well, I don't know if she can cook. We've only had boxed and microwave food. Friend: I'm having a hard time stayin' with ya bro...so she's gotta be talkin' you up around our friends at least? Neil: well...she thinks I'm fake. Friend: but you gotta be missing her because she likes to hang with ya and do stuff you like to do, right? Neil: *crickets* oh wait, we're making progress because there's pressure when she hugs me! Friend: ..............dude, run. Sam's "turnaround" is just not gonna be believable and its ridiculous the show is even attempting it. It's gotta be all about the experts trying to save face over another fail season with bad matches. I really dislike Ashley but, believe it or not, I dislike Sam more. She's just...ugh...raunchy.

If this rumor is true, Ashley better hire a bodyguard. After her mom preached what a cheater David is then to find out Ashley did the show just to get her ex jealous...wow, can't get any more hypocritical than that. I don't care for Ashley but I'm hoping this isn't true. If it is, I would seriously be afraid for her because of the anger it would cause. Some looney crazy person might really go after her.

After what we've seen of Sam plus what her roomie said about her at the bbq (after living with her for seven years) we're supposed to believe she's now transformed into this wonderful person who is in love with Neil? PUH-LEEESE. Dumbest storyline ever. Neil's in for a world of hurt if he doesn't get out.

I think he believes if he keeps trying it will work out, just like his grandmother's arranged marriage. I don't get the sense that he's in it for the cash at all. He probably has an excel spreadsheet with associated graphs showing the success rate of certain efforts over others and a probability chart of this working out. Just sayin'.... I love Neil. :)

I don't think Neil is a masochist, he's just trying to avoid setting off Sam. I really believe he wants to make it work, as futile as we all know it is. If you notice, Sam's roomie is also very quiet around Sam. She gave Neil advice at the bbq about how to handle Sam and Neil is following that advice. Everyone tiptoes around Sam. Everyone tries not to set her off. When Neil stood up to her on the honeymoon, she stormed off. When he stood up to her at her place, she told him to leave and again, stormed off. And that's only what was caught on camera. So now he's trying a different approach based on the advice he got at the bbq. Neil's a smart guy, for sure. He's trying different things to get along with her. It's wearing him down so I believe he really is in this. It looks pathetic to us but when he finally gets free he'll know he gave it his all. That's true freedom.

He was waiting, as usual, for Sam to throw him scraps.

I noticed that, too. Very strange.

Ashley can put David on blast all she wants and thinks she has a face-saving out now, but she still comes across as a snob and the ice queen. The way she glared at David over the kitchen island...if looks could kill, nine lives wouldn't have saved him. That was a look of hate. *shudders* Sam must've upped her meds. She actually seemed human this episode. Neil is dissolving in her shadow and, sadly, that seems to make it work. Tres needs to get Vanessa out of the house. Take her out for her birthday! I'm getting restless just watching them night after night at home. I'd go crazy in a relationship like that. They act like they're 90 years old.

If anyone is curious, here is the full list of Dr. L's fishbowl questions. There's 100 questions, but no way did Sam/Neil or David/Ashley have 100 questions in their bowl. http://loganlevkoff.com/index.php/blog/post/dr._logans_fishbowl_questions

I'm worried Neil will stay with Sam even if she treats him badly. He admires his grandmother's arranged marriage and how they had to work through difficult times. Neil may believe that he and Sam are just having difficulties and that he needs to stay and work through them. After all, his grandmother and grandfather worked through their difficulties and ended up having a lifelong happy marriage. Honestly, my only hope for Neil is that his family lets him know what he's putting up with is not normal. Otherwise I truly believe he'll stay through thick and thin at any personal cost. (It may even be an ingrained "honor" thing, although there hasn't been any mention of that.) I'd never wish divorce on anyone but Neil deserves so much better.

What I would've REALLY liked last night was if Neil invited his female friend to the bbq--his ex at the wedding. Whoa, if we all thought Vanessa was throwing shade, can you imagine how powder keg Sam would react?

Did anyone else think it was a burn for David to give Ashley a cupcake for the 1-month anniversary gift? Then he specifically told her he bought it for her. I might be reading too much into it but he seemed to be showing her what it's like for someone to genuinely buy something for someone rather than dig out a smashed box from a backpack.

David is joking about the "other woman" message on Twitter so, yeah, looks like it will be nothing: David Norton David Norton – Verified account ‏@David_MAFS WAIT WHAT!? We have 2 wait another week 2 find out about the message- not fair @FYI @AETV #MarriedAtFirstSight #MAFS Also, according to David's Twitter, Ashley's "friends" were invited but didn't show. (Maybe they're still mad about not getting to see the male strippers!)

There were only strangers to her cuz her friends didn't show up (or she didn't invite any). Not David's fault. Also, David was told to back off and give her space. She could've gone out to the grill and hang with him for a bit. She isolated herself then blamed it on David.

Ashley's friends didn't show up to the bbq? It's mean, but I lol'd at that. I think she's so standoffish that she doesn't have any friends. And her message to David: I want you to act like we're married unless I don't want you to act like we're married. Yeah, clear as mud girl. Good looking cake though. Neil is looking so worn out. It's obvious that everyone in range is worried about tripping the wire that sets off the Sam powder keg. That's gotta be exhausting. Sam thinking Neil was quiet at the bbq because hes's an introvert....wow. He was obviously upset by her comments but Sam's too self absorbed to get it. Even Neil's friend pointed out that something was bothering him. How is it possible for Sam to be so clueless? The most shocking comment was when she said Neil being happy makes her happy. WTF???!!!! We haven't seen her do a single thing for him or do anything to make him happy. The aerial gym looks fun though...I gotta try that! Tres, take your woman out and party and dance! Have some fun with her. Sitting at home all the time is a stew pot for problems.

Sorry, Olivia, but you look way older than 23. Amanda thought it was a good idea to have a second child in a troubled relationship...something weird about her story. Also, the ombré hair color thing is, like, so 3 years ago. Emily is way to young to be considering this show and an engagement. Jubilee is beautiful, but complicated = high maintenance. I'd run from anyone who told me that. Way too much work to maintain a complicated relationship for the long term. Ben is an adorable Bachelor. He's smitten with Lauren b. I really like the dates this season. They're romantic and fun. I never really like the pig chasing, mud wrestling dates.

Lets say all three couples are offered a First Year show. Which of the three would you want to see? No fair saying "none" haha!

Ashley has deeper problems than just David I think. In one of the early episodes (first or second) she said she has no male friends. To me that's a red flag. Even more so because she treats David like he's got the plague or something but maybe it's just because he's male and she can't handle guys at all. I think I'm in love with Neil, lol! Love his humor and when he was doing the eye contact exercise he was totally sexy. Sam...reminds me of frat boy humor. Srsly, grow up and get some table manners. Vanessa is gorgeous. I'd be cautious, too, if I were her. I think Tres might be ok but there's nothing wrong with a little caution until more time has passed and she learns what's a pattern and what's not.