SnackyCakes14

No dads in her kids' lives, except the dad the older child is staying with while Avery is in Australia who didn't give permission for his daughter to be on the show (why she was blurred out in a picture), or the dad who came over to pick up the younger daughter before Avery left. It's pretty obvious her taking the kids away from their dads to live in Australia is not an option, and she is being very respectful and understanding of Sian's and Taj's feelings. I think she's one of the few participants who is concerned about the well being, not only of her own children, but of her fiancee's child, as well.

Katie's emotional intelligence and maturity seems pretty low for someone studying mental health. The way she stormed off during dinner, then needed to be consoled by Meka and Jessica, only to go back and be openly sour and jealous, make things uncomfortable for everyone, and storm off again in the hopes this time Derek would chase after her was so petty and immature. It reminded me of something that would play out at a college or high school party. When they were fighting it sounded like she said he's only acts like a dork and a loser around her. No wonder the poor boy doesn't try to joke or play with her joyless ass. For Katie to complain how she carries the relationship and he does nothing is so lacking in self awareness and ungrateful, considering he got her tickets to a band she likes, has seemed open to the process and been trying, and even added her to his insurance at work. That's really responsible, thoughtful, and thinking long-term, but she seemed surprised, kind of freaked out by it, and was still completely hung up on him "never being in love". I like how Meka and Jessica diplomatically and gently defended Derek instead of placating Katie. The scenes with Brandon and Taylor make me very uncomfortable. I don't like how she knows she does shady shit (posting that video, and whatever happened with the hotel room), but then doesn't own it or acts like everything is fine. It felt so fake when she cozied up in his lap, I can understand why he finds her behavior offputting. But then his reaction towards production was so over the line, confrontational, and disrespectful you can't be on his side at all either. They both suck. I found it confusing they didn't mention Michael's uncle passing until they'd all ready shown him talking to Meka. Even if production and Meka were skeptical, knowing he had told her that and she didn't react in a sympathetic way would have helped explain why he was so angry, shut down, and over it in the car.

Austin for the win! He is very sweet, committed, and you can tell he wants to make Jessica happy. They're boring because they're cute together and seem to genuinely like each other. Jessica is bossy, but I think it works because Austin is laid back and eager to please. As long as he speaks up when he does have a different opinion, and she tries to be respectful of those feelings they should be fine. Brat is the perfect way to describe Katie. I think Derek is kind of immature, but he seems open to the process and is trying. Whatever argument they had before dinner, it didn't sound like he was trying to shut the whole conversation down, but just wanted to table it so they could enjoy their anniversary. Michael talking about the dolphin trip was painful to watch. It seemed Michael and Meka had the most elaborate dinner, with the SUV limo and boat. I can understand Meka's frustration with Michael's lies, but I also feel bad for him he feels inadequate in his own skin and needs to put on this persona. Just be your best you, Michael! Taylor and Brandon both seem off and I don't think I'd want to be friends with either one of them. I do give props to Brandon for being honest and ending the charade instead of selling out for a paycheck. He genuinely seems done with the whole thing and any future appearances are contracted or producer-driven. Mindy was grace under fire, and I admire how she handled the situation with Zach and her friend. I'm guessing the "secret" is something really stupid like she told Lindsey he was a pretty boy, or made fun of his hair, and he was going to use it against her that she wasn't that attracted or trying either. But then when he stumbled over mentioning something her friend said, he realized he'd have to come clean about making an emotional connection with her friend, and that they were bashing her behind her back, to tell her what he was talking about. Ugh, and that friend is even worse than Zach. Engaging in whatever was going on whether it was gossip or connecting, with no mention to Mindy? Shady AF and knows she's in the wrong. She thinks he's a sociopath and is doing Mindy dirty, so told him to wait until after filming to contact her?! WTF?! I was trying to put myself in the position of the friend, and the only acceptable thing to do would have been to talk my friend up, and encourage him to talk to her and the expert about things, instead of me. They're both completely untrustworthy assholes and Mindy is better off without either one.

I know the experts aren't real experts, but some of these supposed matches are so obviously awful. I didn't like the way Brandon handled himself on the honeymoon, but I'm now finding Taylor, and her inability to let it go, equally annoying. The video she posted and trying to play it off as an oblivious joke is not a good luck. Like Brandon said, she was making a point to belittle and hurt him then tried to say it had nothing to do with him. Meka can be a lot, but at least she checked Taylor about that. Michael just seems shady and all over the place with what he says. The way Meka interrogates him over discrepancies understandably makes him shut down, but I'm sure it's also frustrating when his stories don't add up and isn't explaining anything. I'm not sure what Jessica's deal is. She seemed kind of "meh" about Austen and when she was talking about all the things he did for her it almost seemed like she was trying to convince herself she was into him. But then pushing him on how he'll be the one to say I love you, and she stops herself from saying it because he needs to say it first. Umm, ok.

Sorry, I never meant to imply it was weird he's never been in love. I meant I thought it was weird he was all in for Katie so quickly when she seems kind of basic. It seems like he would have met a girl similar to Katie by now in his life. Maybe it's just a matter of openness or knowing he's ready, but the weird part is how fast he's falling when he is someone who has never been in love.

I also think it's off how quickly Derek seems to be falling for Katie. I know from the previews they do eventually have issues, but it's weird his shtick is "never been in love" and then seems so into her so quickly. Katie is cute enough and seems nice, but for lack of a better word, she also seems kind of "basic". I'm curious how many girlfriends he's had. Maybe they really are that compatible? Whatever was moving around in the background in the sand when Mindy and Zach were talking were also seriously freaking me out. The fact he was talking gibberish didn't help my focus. They're both annoying in their own way, but at least Mindy seems like a kind person. Brandon seems really emotionally immature and petty. I understand feeling anxious or unsure how to approach something, but the way he was freezing her out was uncomfortable to watch. The passive aggressive comment about it to everyone else at the pool was also not a good look. I think Jessica and Austen are cute in their awkwardness. I don't know what to think of Meka and Michael. I have issues with both of their communication styles and they are obviously, painfully not a match. Neither of them seems to bring out the good in the other.

The situation between Michael and Meka was so frustrating, troubling, and hit close to home to watch. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt since we don't know what he said, or what he had meant by it. But the fact that he's not trying to clear it up or explain himself at all is a huge problem whether he said it or not. If he misspoke or Meka misunderstood, then clear it up. And for the people that thought she was going on too long or was too abrupt, Michael was being vague and not addressing it. She finally was like, yes or no, did you say that, out of frustration and lack of answers. One time a friend who was annoyed snarked a comment at me that really hurt my feelings. I told her I didn't think it was a fair comment, and asked her if that's what she really thought about me. She wouldn't answer that and was just giving vague justifications. I finally told her flat out she needed to be honest and tell me if that's how she felt about me or had just been lashing out in anger. She still responded with illogical word salad so I told her that was my answer. She's never contacted me again.

Anna and Mursel are both so emotionally immature and selfish. Like everyone including me keep coming back to, WTF did they think was going to happen with the kid situation in the long term? She expected him to tell his family about the kids and "choose" her, even though he adamantly told her they would object, and he would probably choose to go home. He expected her to keep her kids secret, eventually give up her kids, and move to Turkey with him, even though she said she wouldn't do that. Someone needed to be the adult and listen to what the other person was saying. Which leads to Mike and Natalie. I was extremely impressed with how he handled that whole situation. I thought it was weird she was acting like he was choosing to leave her, instead of it being his pre-arranged time to leave. It made my skin crawl the way she tried to turn things back around on him, like he was wrong to be hurt or confused. It was infuriating how she said he could have put the ring back on her finger. He deserves so much better than a manipulative, selfish, woman-child.

I agree with a lot of you that Iris's mom is the best and gave her great advice. I'm not sure how Iris turned out so neurotic and oblivious when it seems like her mom gently holds her accountable for her behavior and tries to show her someone else's perspective instead of enabling her selfish, narrow minded world view (looking at you Beth's dad!) I think Greg and Deonna are cute together. I like the way they joke and tease each other and it seems like Deonna plays the "straight" man to Greg's goofy side. I thought the conversation a few episodes back where she admitted she was sexually attracted to him, and he asked if they were having sex that night and had stopped listening after the sexually attracted part was really funny and shows they have fun together. I hope she continues to let her guard down and they are able to make it work. Amber just makes me sad. I don't care what kind of transient lifestyle you've been living, or how you normally do what you want when you want, there was no excuse for Matt to ignore Amber for over 24 hours when he knew she was upset. Between not inviting them to or even telling his family about the wedding and always being very vague about why they rarely speak, it seems like he avoids conflict to the point of also avoiding intimacy. Because he knew she was upset he put off coming home even longer, then was playing dumb to Amber and Dr. Pepper with all his vague excuses. This will only end in heartbreak for Amber, but hopefully she does get some real therapy. And then there's Jamie and Beth, who are both awful. I definitely think she's self-involved, spoiled and thinks she's quirky and fun instead of annoying, but I have been increasingly uncomfortable with the way Jamie talks to her. Instead of telling her how he feels he just lashes out and says really mean shit. The only really mean low blow I remember her making was the "Caucasian sex" thing. Not to make excuses for her, but she also only said that after apologizing for making him upset when she asked about his parent's divorce; and after she asked if he had less respect for her because she took a job with her dad, where he answered by smugly smiling and making a gesture conveying he did; and after she sadly said, "Dude, you can't say things like that" and he continued to say things like that. I don't like how he was only holding Dr. Pepper's advice about not leaving over Beth's head, while himself ignoring Dr. Pepper's advice about not throwing around the word divorce and to be kind while expressing themselves. We didn't see the fight start, but I really did not like and was not ok with him barging into the room when she was upset and asking to be left alone. It would have been uncomfortable even if he was barging in to explain himself or apologize, but he was barging in just to call her more names and berate her. For not acknowledging their wedding was about both of them, and focusing on herself in the pictures? Get out of here with that, shit. I would have also said, fine, go, I don't care, and then started packing my stuff in the morning.

When she first asked him what he said and he responded he didn't remember, I was so confused because I thought I had missed something. Like, how does he not remember a simple statement he just made. And then the way he just stared at her barely talking other than to say he doesn't want a divorce and he's making the best of it. Ugh! Kate herself said it best, any feelings she is having are based on his manipulations. No wonder AJ has his own business because he bristles at criticism and authority. It was so uncomfortable watching him aggressively snipe at Dr. Jessica. When she suggested he use words and take a minute to calm down when frustrated, he was so dismissive, and was basically, nah, she'll figure it out from my temper tantrum. I also really didn't like how he kept stepping in to answer every question. I really like Will a lot. It sucks he got stuck with an emasculating snob. When he talked about wanting to make a difference in kids' lives I might have swooned a little bit.

When Will was describing what he's in to, I was cringing at Jasmine's facial expressions and attitude toward him. So you want him to take the lead, but then mock him and look skeptical about what he finds attractive. Has she seriously never heard of guys liking the "sexy librarian" look? Luke continues to be the worst. When Kate asked if he had an example of when she drank too much, it was beyond frustrating to see him pause, turn red, and then squeak out a no. I don't know or care if he's gay because what he is, is a gaslighting, abusive asshole. A.J. needs to stop with the temper tantrums. As others have noted, Stephanie seemed into the game and wasn't in a hurry to make a decision or leave. And as for him making some comment about it being the first time in a month he chose something, or whatever, I would have sweetly said, "Well, if you're that upset about it, you can always go eat ALONE."

Ugh, Luke is just the worst. I can't stand people who constantly make passive aggressive comments about other people's actions. He's lucky that Keith just kind of laughed off the alcoholic comment because I would have responded, "What do you mean by that? Does it make you feel repulsed and dead inside to see me drinking a beer?" Or a more serious response would be, "You don't know me like that." Because, seriously, was that supposed to be a joke? Jokes are supposed to be funny or clever or silly. I'm not generally someone who condones violence, but I want to slap the fucking smirk off his face.

As a few people mentioned upthread, Matt is making Garrett from Season 1 look like Prince Charming. Garrett seemed like he could carry on a conversation, didn't want to go back to jail, got a job, and could pull off being charming if he wanted to. Matt seems really institutionalized with no desire to be a functioning part of society, and really rough around the edges. I did feel sorry for Caitlin, but it was frustrating how immature she is by not offering to help Matt's mom around the house, or seem to be actively looking for a job either. She obviously has abandonment issues and a complicated relationship with her mom, but chooses to keep chaos and drama in her life. I Even though I knew from the previews that Tracie had left with Clint's car and credit card, when he was telling the producer he didn't do anything wrong, a chill ran up my spine. For a second it felt like they were going to find her murdered in the bathroom. Even the story he told his mom seemed...off. You didn't get into a fight, but were so distraught you left without your phone, cigarettes, and car keys? And knowing she wants more crack you would leave your car keys and credit card there, then walk(?) far enough away you didn't see her leave? I agree he probably did do crack with her and things went sideways. Clint does seem slow in some respects, but the way he was telling her they had to have sex on their wedding night seemed calculated and creepy.

When Jasmine asked Will about typical gender roles, the smile instantly fell off her face when he asked if she knew how to cook. It's clear she believes in typical gender roles for men, but not herself. I liked that Will called her on it and even seemed skeptical about her unenthusiastic agreement to cook dinner every night. It's one thing to agree to step up financially if your spouse is going back to school, or as a couple to decide to have one parent stay home with small children, or even to use one spouse's income for vacations and splurges. Way too early in the relationship to all ready decide, or demand to be provided for, and way too complicated to just agree to 50/50. Luke, Luke, Luke. Kate may be boring and basic, but his condescension and constant comments about her choices are driving me insane. Commenting on when she takes a shower, commenting about the yogurt, commenting about her politely asking a question about the sloth, and then commenting on how much coffee she had that day and making some crack about she must not believe in moderation. Anyone who wants to be with me best not come for my coffee intake or there will be problems. Luke, I see you and your passive agressive, condescending comments.