Elizzikra

It's like that last Christmas you force yourself to still believe in Santa because you want to get gifts... but deep down, you know...

Maybe Oastor Cal declines to marry Emem and Brandon?

That’s too bad because I kind of liked that they were friendly. I think the stuff you noted that Juan has said isn’t really bad. She did quit her job; I think they talked about how she didn’t like to cook or clean.

What has he said about her that is bad???

Oh dear Lord there’s more???

I disagree. Michelle didn't like David. That's fine. She was honest about what she didn't like. He asked for that. Their marriage was unpleasant, sure. They were a terrible match. But I don't think he was a victim. She could have waited. If her feelings were real, they would still have been there when they both were done participating in MAFS. Or if they were so overwhelming that she couldn't wait, she could have said something to Allen. I don't see David as a big teddy bear. I see him as a man-child who moved from his parents' home to Michelle's home. I don't think he is particularly ambitious, which is totally fine but makes him completely incompatible with Madison. I have a sense that he is a player, who likes the chase and shooting his shot, but I am not sure he is ready for commitment. I can see him going back to his parents' house if things get difficult with him and Michelle. I think they are a fun couple in a collegiate sort of way. Both of them like to drink and party. There's nothing wrong with that, but I do think that downing shots and staying out all night loses its appeal for most people as they mature. I envision their wedding celebration to be a tequila fueled conga line with lots of canoodling and off-color jokes and toast. That's been grating on me since episode 2.

Yet I still somehow forgot about it when trying to figure out out what we were seeing under her dress!

I wondered that too! Ohhhhhhh - that would make so much sense...

Many people consider that cheating. Both Madison and David admitted to having "caught feelings" for each other while still married to other people. I consider that cheating and I think the rest of the cast does as well. You don't have to actually have sex with someone else to be cheating. True. Thomas and Camille gave us nothing to work with and all they have on Juan and Karla is the very tired "you forgot me" on the honeymoon.

The number of people who didn’t have a diabetes diagnosis and had to pay for it out of pocket AND could afford it was probably too Small to have caused the shortage. Some of it was almost certainly the drug companies themselves making the drug more desireable by making it scarce. It also turned out to be much more effective in controlling diabetes, hence its popularity. Maybe you heard of some people taking it only to lose weight when you determined they didn’t need to, but that’s really between them and their doctors. Even a small amount of weight loss can have positive effects on health. I object to the characterization of people who use Ozampic and similar medications as “lazy.” You don’t know what other people have tried and what may or may not have worked for them. Also agree that there is really no evidence that Michelle has taken Ozampic. I don’t think she really looks like she has lost a dramatic amount of weight. I do think the clothes she is wearing on the reunion show (and in After Party episodes) are more flattering than those she wore on the show. I also think her hair and makeup have been great.

Wow. Ozempic is expensive, hard to get and hard on the body. Most insurers won't pay for it unless you have a diabetes diagnosis. As someone who has taken it for both diabetes and being overweight, I will say that I am not lazy. I was able to lose weight on the medication when I could not despite my lazy ass dieting and exercising. I struggled with some pretty unpleasant side effects but continued to use it because it was really effective in bringing my blood sugars under control. I don't appreciate the judgment.

I think he subscribes to the "all publicity is good publicity" philosophy...

Madison and David acted like they were in middle school and dressed like they were going to the prom. I don't buy their constant canoodling; it seemed performative. I still love Allan. I think he is mature and gracious. He looked good dressed up for the reunion. I hope that things work out for him with the new GF. I think he met her and they went on a first date sometime before the wedding; I'm guessing even before he knew he'd been chosen for the show. He said she called the day before the wedding to say she was ready for a second date and he told her he was getting married. Kudos to the ladies who wore dresses they didn't have to pull up or down (or both) to sit comfortably and avoid a wardrobe malfunction. Once again, I think Michelle wins best in show. She looked amazing. I maintain, though, that evening gowns for this event are ridiculous. I wish they would go with more of the cocktail dresses or even smart casual for these things. I like Thomas and Camille together. I think they are sort of what this show is about - two people who have enough in common and enough of an attraction to build a relationship on, even though I don't think either would have picked the other out of a crowded party as a potential mate. I think they are a little boring because... they are normal? I also thought that Karla looked maybe a little less frail than she looked all season? A little older in the face, too, in a good way. I can't quite put my finger on what it is, but something seemed different. I was surprised that the conversation between Emem and Ike was as civil as it was. I'm tired of watching them fight, though. I still think Ike is a dick who thinks way too highly of himself. As for Emem and Brandon... I guess time will tell? I suppose they could be like Camille and Thomas but I don't have a good feeling for them. I have a feeling that his "move in" process was to just spend more and more nights at Madison's and to pick up his clean laundry from mom every couple of days, until eventually all of his stuff was at Madison's. Who knows? Maybe he brought the keg thing too? Also, why was I not surprised that Madison is the "queen of shots?" @kristen111 - hope you enjoyed some heart healthy snacks and continue to be on the mend though!

I did enjoy her face when she met Emem's new guy and was all like "THAT'S your light? That's your only light?"

I think Juancho friend zoned her almost immediately. I never got the sense that she was bitter about it; I think she really hit the nail on the head when she said the guy for her wouldn't have to look past all her woo woo spiritual beliefs to love her; he would her, in part, because of them. They were never my favorite couple but I liked that the need had a huge fight and just sort of seemed to enjoy the experience for what it was. I think they both knew very early on that they wouldn't be married after Decision Day.

I'm pretty sure it was the cruise line's private island. We have seen it before - sometimes there are passengers there and other times it seems to be a staff retreat of sorts. I was bored. I had pretty low expectations but still... yawn...

Does there have to be more to the story? Why can't it just be that he is a straight up asswipe?

Thank you! Fingers crossed!!!

Is the reunion usually filmed a year after the original season??? I don’t remember what I did last week…

My mom just had her aortic valve replaced (albeit, TAVR, not open heart). She was in the hospital, total, for 24 hours including the time for paperwork before the procedure. She is 86 years old.

Yikes! Rest up and get well!

It's a low bar... Ah. It was strange though because it looked to me like the center stone was really cloudy. I did like the design of the ring though I'd be scared to walk around with an actual diamond that size. Not that I live in a super-dangerous place but... Emem is a nurse practitioner and I believe she does own a Medspa sort of place where she does botox and filler, etc. I imagine in Chicago that is a pretty lucrative sort of place. Good on her. I think that is a big part of it but they also seem to have the same sense of humor and they both love the bar scene and partying. None of that is necessarily a foundation for a strong marriage, but I think they could have fun together for awhile. I think David is a player and he will tire once he has Madison in the bag. I can't believe it either, literally. I didn't see any evidence at all that Karla is envious of Emem's new man. In fact, she seemed to be not-so-impressed with him and that the only thing providing light at the end of his tunnel is a relationship with a woman with whom he has had only one date. Of the women, Michelle and Karla are single, Emem has rebound firefighter, Camille has Tom and Madison has David. You didn't mention the men but three of five of them are single - Juan, Allen and Ike. David has... Madison and Tom has Camille.

Completely agree. I'm thrilled she is feeling happiness but I wish she would give it time.

At a bare minimum, if she is looking forward to wearing a ring and planning a wedding, have a long engagement. Unfortunately, on AfterParty is really sounded like she is getting married again before the ink is dry on both sets of divorce papers. Obviously we don't know much about him (hell, Emem doesn't know much about him) but he said he is a firefighter (not necessarily high-paying, but decent benefits) and also has a real estate license. He may actually have a decent income and who knows what his former wife might do for a living. Divorce is expensive and kids are expensive but I don't get the sense this guy is a slacker. I wonder if Emem owns her home or rents. Either way, it's plush.

I saw that Janelle suggested that anyone who is so moved could make a donation to their local animal shelters in Garrison's memory. What a lovely tribute. May he Rest In Peace. To all those of you who have lost loved ones, particularly children, I hope that you find peace and comfort in memories of happier times together.