I actually paid for this season via YouTube so I could discuss it with my teenage niece, who's obsessed. I don't have cable and up until recently I was able to watch uploaded episodes on YouTube for free, but I guess TLC cracked down on that.
I understand that living in America is the ultimate fantasy for a LOT of non-Americans, so much so that they'll do nearly anything, including hook up with an American, to get here. Maybe I'm just old, or a pragmatist, or both, but...if I was going to leave everything and everyone I know to live in America or really any other country, unless I was literally fleeing for my life I'd do as much research as I possibly could BEFORE leaving. (Simply being poor might not be enough, e.g. Rosemarie (who seems to be doing fine).) And then, once I arrived, if the situation wasn't exactly as I'd pictured (and it NEVER is), unless I was in an abusive situation I'd do my best to make the best out of my situation. Love ain't that blind...or again, maybe I'm just old, or maybe I've never been in that kind of love, I don't know.
Brandon/Julia: Julia's behaving incredibly well for someone whose fiance largely misrepresented his situation. She had a mini-snap this episode but at some point I think she's going to have a major snap and that's when we'll find out whether there's a man inside that man-boy she's engaged to. Also: How is it possible for Brandon and his parents to all have full-time jobs outside the farm? Is Aspen their employee? I know just enough about farming to know that it's a helluva lot of work...why would you keep all those animals if you weren't going to be working with them yourself? Did his parents just go to work expecting Julia to pick up their slack?
Mike/Natalie: Without knowing much about the type of women in Sequim and surrounding areas, I have to believe that the only reason Mike hasn't completely kicked Natalie to the curb is that he's blinded by her beauty. It's a song as old as time. Also, I don't eat a lot of red meat, but that tomahawk looked good as hell. And speaking of food...
Tarik/Hazel: Guess who's been eating congee nearly every breakfast since the cold weather rolled in? This woman (fiftysomething African-American). The only sweet thing I have for breakfast is the sugar in my coffee. Hazel's already stated she's overwhelmed...let the girl get acclimated, shit. Also I'm trying to understand what it's going to be like to care for a stepdaughter (ASD or not; my teenage niece happens to be ASD) while your biological son is still in the Philippines. I thought I saw something indicating that Tarik was providing support. And speaking of support...
Ryan/Stephanie: She's basically supporting him and his family in exchange for marriage, but she can't get him on the phone. Okay, Stephanie.
Zied/Rebecca: Does Zied need to know that he's living in the same building that Rebecca lived in with her ex? Is it the same apartment? Sheesh. Also, I like Zied's sister (Wiem). She's like: I don't like her, I never did like her, I'm never going to like her. LOL.
Jovi/Yara: I've got nothing. They can both go away at any time.