gingerandcloves

I keep seeing so many hints being dropped about Mark's "other life" that I just don't know any more. The whole situation with his landlady was weird, and we never saw any resolution there. I want to know how he ended up with his roommate's cat. Then there's his married woman friend who was texting him all throughout the honeymoon, and even texted Lindsey and told her she should do x,y, and z for Mark. Plus we don't know the whole back story with his mom, and how he deals with her. And why is he "Mark the Shark"? He supposedly told the experts he had a big personality and wanted somebody to match that. Jasmina was awful during that conversation with Michael at the park. She does not hear how she sounds so scolding and critical of him. LOVE, love, love Keisha.

So there were some very sweet moments from this Afterparty. I liked seeing the scene of Steve and Noi telling each other "I love you." Noi said she expected Steve would be able to do the treasure hunt in 30 minutes but that it took him like 2 hours, LOL. And we have at least one other couple who's consummated their marriage now. Mark was pretty brave about trying the sushi and the sake. Lindsey can't seem to let the hazmat suit go. I want to know what else she's done for him. And he still eats his goldfish every night before bed, haha. I think there's a lot about Mark that isn't shown, just speculating. It was nice to see Keshia give Jasmina a bit of a hard time for the way she was speaking to Michael. She doesn't get what a ball-buster she is. Her "tone" is even worse than Michael's. But it was also nice to see Jasmina's emotional response to Michael's opening up about his brother. Jasmina was pissed at Olajuwon for making Katina cry. All the ladies are Team Katina.

I have a problem with Olajuwon's demands. His list equates to a housekeeper/cook/maid. Not a wife. Not someone who is his equal. He was very condescending to Katina. As if she hasn't made it to adulthood on her own and done a good job of it. Don't forget he also wanted someone who would go to strip clubs with him and invite him to a threesome. That's not exactly my idea of a "traditional" wife. He's a chauvinist pig.

Last I heard, Ryan was dating Mindy. Not sure why Bao was with Ryan's sister.

I don't know how Katina stayed so calm throughout all that ranting of Olajuwon's. I probably would've clawed his eyes out. Honestly, the nerve of him.

Katie from S10 is pregnant (I couldn't stand her, but yay, I guess). And Bao is officially divorced and posted a photo of her partying with Ryan's sister.

Katina's voice annoys me too. Lindsey's doesn't for some reason, I have no idea why. Hi, Alyssa! j/k 😁 His standards are ridiculous. Why all this gendered crap anyway? Katina is lovely to look at, she has a good job, and she is more than tolerant of his promiscuous past and ADHD motormouth, yet he has the nerve to criticize her "housewifely" suitability. Has he ever had a long-term relationship? I'm not a fan of sushi, it's one of the few foods I don't care for, although I would eat it if was served to me by a dinner host. Mark is a good sport to eat it to please Lindsey. Yeah, she needs to go all Rapunzel on him. He deserves it.

There is a rumor that Dr. Viviana will be replaced by another expert next season.

I'd be surprised if Noi is living at home, given that she said she had up and followed at least one guy that she was in a relationship with.

I saw that, and a lot of people were speculating that they're in a relationship. The way it's worded seems to lean that way. Anyway, I hope he's happy and I wish him luck.

I thought I read somewhere that Mark was a Beachbody sales rep, which if true, would fit it with his "inspirational" quotes. Now I believe he is employed at an actual gym as their sales manager.

Jasmina works in childhood education, I think as a preschool teacher. Noi works as a recruiter/headhunter I think. Lindsey is in nursing in some capacity, used to be hospice care. Alyssa rescues dogs and rides horses, dontcha know. Oh, and I think she is some type of social media manager. Other than Beth, I don't remember anyone else not having a job. Actually, I should say I don't remember any of the women not having a job. Who can forget Michael from D.C.? LOL.

So what do we think - did Mark have bedbugs in his apartment or was it actually roaches (per Lindsey's bathroom rant)?

Except that in this case, the experts knew about Noi's childhood, and her financial struggles growing up, and that security was going to be #1 for her; they also knew that Steve was more of a free-spirit ("vagabond" if you will), so I think in this case it was possible to predict that there would be a clash. We see that they like to cast opposites under the guise of "balancing each other out" which is a pretty poor strategy.

Yay for Jasmina and Michael getting along, they're still dull as dirt. Katina and Olajuwon are making progress but I don't find them that interesting either. Noi is getting on my last nerve. Good grief, she is immature. Is she going to run away every time they have a slight disagreement? Mark and Lindsey are chaotic. I think Lindsey missed the part where Pastor Cal said to give herself out in doses. Maybe Mark can move in with Chris. Alyssa can take a long walk off a short pier (in Texas if she prefers). She is delusional, and those crocodile tears are ridiculous. Why can none of these couples get along for more than a day at a time? I know they're still getting to know each other, but all these fights are too much. I'm not rooting for anyone at this point. I feel like I'm torturing myself sitting through these episodes.

Taking my thoughts to the episode thread.

All of the above.

Haha, agreed. I just think people will be saying that Steve shouldn't have said anything and just eaten them.

Noi cooks dinner for Steve for the first time. Steve comments that she overcooked the noodles. Noi takes Sushi and leaves the apartment. (Preview for tonight's episode). I don't like overcooked noodles either, just sayin'.

A couple of mini spoilers: the reunion was filmed last weekend and Alyssa actually showed (I'm surprised!) Apparently it was pretty wild. Also, Katina and Olajuwon were spotted together at LAX and are definitely still together (good for them). Jasmina was also there, sans wedding ring. The preview for this week's episode looks nasty - Lindsey and Katina get into it at the bowling alley, then Lindsey gets mad at Mark for not stepping up and defending her and starts hurling low blows at him. Mark looks over it, and like he would rather be anywhere else in the world.

I have a feeling that if she talked to all those friends and relatives of hers who have three children and asked them if that was what they planned on when they first got married, she might be surprised at the answers.

My theory is that they're allowed to have accounts still but they have to be private. So Noi can post but only her friends can see it (and, ergo, if Steve is one of her friends...). Then they can make their accounts public again once filming is done.

Yes, that was kind of strange, Alyssa and her mom expected a cowboy type at the altar. I guess Alyssa was really fixated on what her psychic told her. The mom seems so nice and normal, I keep wondering how she raised someone like Alyssa who is so entitled and narcissistic. Maybe she just never told her no?

Did he? I don't remember that. I'll have to rewatch.

So we hear from Mark that he and Lindsey did NOT have sex multiple times the day of the romantic dinner/argument. I had a feeling that Lindsey exaggerated that little bit of news. Katina says it WAS a mutual decision to not get physical. I'm not totally sure I believe her, but we'll see what happens in the future. I'm really glad Keshia showed the catamaran clip to Michael and got him to admit that Jasmina did not cut him off, and also admit that he should've told Jasmina about the roommates. However, I do agree with Michael that Jasmina is going too far with calling him aggressive. Is this supposedly like Chris being aggressive to Alyssa? We've never seen Michael be anywhere near what I'd call aggressive. And we know they do have hidden cameras in the apartments, so I feel like they would show it if it happened.