zooey

Assuming that you're correct, then what the hell were these experts doing asleep at the wheel? With their barrage of tests, surely they should have been able to tell that such a person would be a lousy candidate for a show of this format. This only goes to show that the selection and matching process was anything but scientific and that whatever "success" they had could be chalked up to beginner's luck. Good observation, btw.

I know a lot of people can't stand the girl but let's try to keep things in perspective. Yes, Sam mocked/attacked Neil's masculinity (or lack thereof), but she never called him a pussy. Neil said as much in the Unfiltered interview --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVatV_APzLw I think all the jabs about not being a manly-man and him carrying a murse triggered deep-seated childhood insecurities or adolescent issues that made him arrive at the word pussy. Of course, this is all speculation on my part... since he didn't really share anything about his life beyond his parents divorcing at an early age and his grandparents being in an arranged marriage, we'll never know.

My theory is that it was a case of "he's just not that into you". I just wish that Neil was more forthcoming about it. Again, I do not fault him for his choice to divorce but he never really expressed his thoughts or feelings to Sam or even to the viewers on camera. He was languid and placid at all times, repeatedly throwing the same measured lines, using words like "excited about their progress", "committed to this marriage", "receptive to changes and displays of affection", over and over, when in truth and in fact, he was anything but. That's what irked me the most. The only time we were clued in on his thoughts was when he placed that call to his mother. Well-mannered and well-spoken, he always said the right things even when his thoughts and emotions ran contrary to them. So this goes back to my issue on where do you draw the line between being/playing the good guy and being open and honest enough to participate in this social experiment? I think it was more than being dumped on TV. I recall her mentioning it a few times that she would like to make a go of the relationship and see how they would do without the cameras rolling. She was taking into account the pressure and the stress of having the relationship unfold within the context of the 6 weeks, so I think that was what she meant by waiting or giving her just one more day. I also think she took it to heart that Neil was just so over her and the whole experiment that he couldn't even stand to spend one more day with her, hence the comment about "her being such a terrible person that he couldn't even wait another day."

Lol. I had the same reaction. I have come to expect Kevin Frazier to host the reunion show--- he comes off as a fan, someone who's invested in the show just like the average viewer. It's also nice to have a third party ask the questions for a change instead of the experts moderating the show. Makes me wonder how big a disaster this season is for Dr. Pepper to be hosting it. Will the rest of the experts be there? How come we don't get all the couples in one room? Does the production have issues regarding its budget, venue, or schedules? Gosh, can't wait for all this to be over.

I didn't either which is why I'm so annoyed at how the show kept showing them holding hands in previews. When did they get a shot of that? Were they told to hold hands for that particular teaser? Or were they really holding hands prior to being asked/interviewed by the experts? Sheesh, it's all so contrived.

True, but looking at these discussion threads, I can't help but notice how the bulk of the criticism is directed at the women. I mean, I understand that they have issues and that they're probably more prominent from a viewer's standpoint but the whole concept of the show is that it's a partnership and each person does contribute to the success or demise of "the relationship". And yes, people draw from personal experiences and tend to favor one participant over the other, but sometimes the amount of animosity, or dare I say hatred, towards some of the participants come off a bit lopsided. I totally agree. Even if it was just to save face, you have to understand that it was her attempt at closing the experiment with some dignity. That last conversation though reminded me of how they were during the first week. They both had their guards up, tempers in check and were very diplomatic in their choice of words. It was interesting how they easily fell back into paying lip service when they were probably bristling with anger in the aftermath of decision day.

Exactly. And what's up with the hand holding?

I think there's more pressure on the part of the men to appear extra patient and cordial throughout the process but where does one draw the line between being/appearing to be a gentleman and being truthful to the process? I know it's a reality show but sometimes I wish that both the participants and the experts had the nerve to call a spade a spade. It seems like they always have to contend with the idea of how they will be portrayed and how viewers will react on social media, maybe even honoring their contracts, that most of their energy is placed into creating this farce in order to string viewers along. I remember seeing a couple from Married at First Sight Australia bowing out early on. The couple talked it out and decided not to waste each other's time-- it just wasn't working. I wish the US version had the same commitment to being true to the experiment, at least make things more authentic. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.

I know I'm in the minority here because Neil comes off as pretty likable but his passive aggressive demeanor does make me wonder if there's some truth to this. There are indeed instances when Neil may have intentionally taken a jab at Sam and triggered an outburst, we're just so used to seeing Sam overreact that most people never gave it a second thought. So it was either he was fighting back in his own way, feigning ignorance or he's an emotional dimwit. I remember seeing a rerun of the wedding preparations and I found this weird--- he defined love as being utterly vulnerable and giving another person the power to hurt you, and trusting that they don't.--- There's some truth to this but to define it with particular emphasis on getting hurt at the get-go is plain odd. On the upside, since he's so used to being a good guy, I wouldn't be surprised if he has a few ex-girlfriends that he kept as friends. Thank you for this. I totally agree. It just seemed like a cold and calculated move to publicly hurt and embarrass her which was totally unnecessary.

Lol. I have to admit I felt bad for Sam. Granted, she reacted badly and didn't handle the situation of being married to a stranger well... but to be dumped like that? Nobody deserves to be blindsided like that. Part of me thinks that she thought she had more time to sort things out, holding on to Neil's pronouncement that he was in it for the long haul. On a different note, I personally don't understand why the women this season got all the flak. David appeared to be needy and pushy while Tres was clearly overcompensating with all that gift-giving. And Neil, well, he never really got around to expressing himself to his partner when it really mattered. He, in fact, had the same expression on his face every time he was interviewed throwing words like "exciting" and "commitment" all throughout the show.