S07.E05: We Need To Talk

[blubld43]

5 minutes ago, sasha206 said:

I love how new mommy seems SOOOOO surprised that her Russian sperm donor isn't that involved with his new baby. Um, he hasn't been involved with his other kids and has convinced you it's because of those conniving ex wives!  And because you got pregnant with a stranger in his country and moving him to the US, you're now ensuring he has nothing to do with those other sweet children he left. He'll be another one that will be gone as soon as the green card comes in.  And he'll impregnate another American and will have nothing to do with the kid when the novelty wears off.

Hopefully he will learn that in the U.S.you can and will face consequences for non payment of child support.

He is such an ass, ignoring that baby like that. Poor little David, he is the one who will suffer his parents' stupidity.

[Jel]

8 minutes ago, Bryce Lynch said:

Where I live the plural of Lego is Legos.  I have never heard anyone use Lego as a plural.  

I never realized this was a topic of debate, but apparently it is:

https://painintheenglish.com/case/4639

Juliana doesn't come across as particularly childlike to me.  If anything, Michael seems more like a big child, chasing a young woman and buying lots of cars as toys.   

I didn't realize there was any controversy either. Not saying it's wrong,  just saying it sounds strange to me.  I don't know how they do in Denmark, maybe it's a uniquely Canadian thing to say Lego vs. Legos. Shrug. 

Please don't feel you need to "if anything" with me -- I'm right there with you about old Mike and his childish car purchases and young woman chasing. He creeps me out.

[Bryce Lynch]

12 minutes ago, sasha206 said:

I love how new mommy seems SOOOOO surprised that her Russian sperm donor isn't that involved with his new baby. Um, he hasn't been involved with his other kids and has convinced you it's because of those conniving ex wives!  And because you got pregnant with a stranger in his country and moving him to the US, you're now ensuring he has nothing to do with those other sweet children he left. He'll be another one that will be gone as soon as the green card comes in.  And he'll impregnate another American and will have nothing to do with the kid when the novelty wears off.

Sasha already started to use some of the same language about Emily that he used to trash his two ex-wives.   The poor guy keeps falling in love with these women who seem great, but then turn into unreasonable bitches, who don't understand him, shortly after he knocks them up.  

[LennieBriscoe]

So the way I see it is: The person most benefiting from this season is.......Porn Granny Stephanie! She could never buy all this p.r.! 

Sasha showed his true narcissist colors, with his thunder-faced "I don't DESERVE this!" No, it's Baby David who doesn't deserve this, or you, or his stupid mother.

Poor decent Blake. His Finicky Finn didn't want to converse after de-planing, didn't want to converse with his friends, doesn't like to converse at mealtimes...there's a motif here, Blake. 

Michael and ex-wife, take care of your son (remember, you don't want Juliana to); he is a wounded boy. "It's the little things."

Syngin, man, GTHOOT, STAT! What's her name is going to spend 1/3 of your visa time in Costa Rica to learn "herbalism"?! I can't stand her.

The beekeepers are "b" for "boring." In any language. Metamucil isn't even a good-looking Turk (I like me some swarthy).

[Jel]

17 minutes ago, RealReality said:

It is a user move, but I think their whole relationship is based on using each other.  

I also feel that had he not given her the impression that he was swimming in money she may not have bought the car.....but i think he had a vested interest in convincing her he had a lot of money and it bit him in the ass. 

Now could she have re-sold the car once she realized that it was a big hit for him financially?  I suppose.....but gosh, I can't find a place in my heart to be too mad when I hear that her impoverished family is able to make some income from the car. 

Michael apparently has at least three cars....which doesn't mean that he owes her family a car, but the disparity of it all seems so Stark. 

Of the two, I definitely prefer Juliana, but the car buying move was too much for me. I understand the unfairness, the desire to want to get something that would help her family, and the very stark contrast between Michael McMoneybags and his big boy Hot Wheels collection. It's just the car buying was a step beyond, for me.

I think it's also about the whole concept of the transactional relationship ( a term I just learned reading this forum). I'm not sure how I feel about it. On the surface, not crazy about it, tbh, but maybe this show and these forums will eventually change my mind. 

[Jel]

18 minutes ago, Bryce Lynch said:

Sasha already started to use some of the same language about Emily that he used to trash his two ex-wives.   The poor guy keeps falling in love with these women who seem great, but then turn into unreasonable bitches, who don't understand him, shortly after he knocks them up.  

When whasherface was wondering why he was working so many hours at the gym, I was thinking jeepers, does she think he's going to be able to find his next, non-complaining wife and mother, sitting at home on the sofa?

[LennieBriscoe]

Anny spoke in Spanish to the fitness trainer because she was flirting. She, like Jasmine and Sasha, is emotionally done with Source of Green Card. 

Mike and Natalie are like a Sit-Com come to life, in a gentle "Beverly Hillbillies" way. 

[SunnyBeBe]

1 hour ago, calpurnia99 said:

That house is very 2003. The market in that area is bad, so I'm sure he got a great deal on it. I'm sure it sat on market for a long time.  It needs a complete update. Those light color tile entry floors are a nightmare. We havent seen the kitchen but I'm guessing Corian and dark cherry cabinets. Lol, I'm such a snob! The property was beautiful, and it's Greenwich so it can't be cheap.

I agree, except I thought it looked even more dated than that.  If it was featured on House Hunters, the prospective buyers would say it was a complete gut job and I agree.  The wood floors were nice, but, still dated. Those wooden doorways and window frames? And the master bath?  Uggghhh... I know it sounds snooty, but, if Robert is what he claims, I can't imagine that he would move into that house without major renovations.  Maybe, that will come later.  

Juliana is so desperate for an escape from poverty, that she sees what she's doing as fine.  I can't imagine that kind of poverty, so, I won't cast judgment. It is sad though, because you know she must have a heavy heart about being with that guy.  Once she gets comfortable and settled in, she'll move on to something  much better.  Michael doesn't likely consider that. 

With most of these couples, I just can't imagine that there is this real love, regardless of what they say.  Most of the time, I feel like I'm being punked! lol 

[Mrs. Hanson]

1 hour ago, blubld43 said:

Natalie bugs the crap out of me with the little girl act, everything from Mike arriving with a stuffed animal for her, toting her through the airport riding on the suitcases, the girlish posturing, ugh. I appreciate that she's being direct about her wish for a child; at the same time it's similar to a kid wanting something right now, whether it's reasonable or not.

Yes you hit it on the head - she is a petulant child wanting a baby NOW, DAMMIT!

I bought a stick shift car in my early 20's - never drove one before and drove it off the lot.  Was not a big deal.

46 minutes ago, sasha206 said:

I love how new mommy seems SOOOOO surprised that her Russian sperm donor isn't that involved with his new baby. Um, he hasn't been involved with his other kids and has convinced you it's because of those conniving ex wives!

Emily and her voice bug me because she is trying very hard to do what can't be done:  legislate feelings and relationships.  You can't make him love the baby, you can't tell him how to take care of him.  Settle in for him doing the very minimum with that baby because you signed up for it.

[Gobi]

9 minutes ago, LennieBriscoe said:

Mike and Natalie are like a Sit-Com come to life, in a gentle "Beverly Hillbillies" way. 

I was thinking "Green Acres".

[RealReality]

38 minutes ago, blubld43 said:

Hopefully he will learn that in the U.S.you can and will face consequences for non payment of child support.

He is such an ass, ignoring that baby like that. Poor little David, he is the one who will suffer his parents' stupidity.

Sasha is not used to the concept of paternal responsibility so he will fight her tooth and nail on the subject of any support.  

I could see Sasha shacking up with a new woman with money so be does t have to work and pay child support ...or he will tried to get paid under the table..  or he will try to form an LLC or forward his checks to a trust....I don't know if these are ways to get out of child support but I don't think he will be down to pay a penny in support.  

Or, he will be one of those guys who petitions for full custody just so he can avoid paying support and then hands his child off to a babysitter.

Since Sasha isn't used to paying child support I'm sure the concept will seen remarkably unfair to him, so doing whatever he can to avoid it will only seem right. 

Emily can look forward to being characterized as his crazy ex wife very soon. 

[RealReality]

12 minutes ago, LennieBriscoe said:

Anny spoke in Spanish to the fitness trainer because she was flirting. She, like Jasmine and Sasha, is emotionally done with Source of Green Card. 

Mike and Natalie are like a Sit-Com come to life, in a gentle "Beverly Hillbillies" way. 

Yep!  I got the same vibe from anny.  Robert was all worried that she was telling their business in Spanish and I was like "dude be worried that she is trying to set up a date after Bryson is in bed and you're out driving a couple hours for Uber"

But I think that the boxing instructor has probably seen and dated better 

[Cini]

I think they are making a mountain out of a mole-hill with  "Juliana bought a car with Michael's credit card" 

My husband and I have bought our cars outright for many years and never ever have come across a dealer who will let you pay more than $5000 with credit card. The rest had to be paid by check. I certainly don't know how it is in Brazil, but I doubt a brazilian dealer lets you pay for a $50,000 with card when their credit card processing fees are probably around 3.5%. It's unlikely she bought  the car from a private person and was able to pay with card.  I think she bought a used car for a 5,000 max and now they make a big deal out of it.

BTW Michael: pretty much all of Europe knows how to drive a stick - even the women. I learned driving with a stick, just like everybody else I know.

[RealReality]

34 minutes ago, Jel said:

Of the two, I definitely prefer Juliana, but the car buying move was too much for me. I understand the unfairness, the desire to want to get something that would help her family, and the very stark contrast between Michael McMoneybags and his big boy Hot Wheels collection. It's just the car buying was a step beyond, for me.

I think it's also about the whole concept of the transactional relationship ( a term I just learned reading this forum). I'm not sure how I feel about it. On the surface, not crazy about it, tbh, but maybe this show and these forums will eventually change my mind. 

In fairness to you, there is a good chance I made up the term "transactional relationship" and kept using it because I think it works.  I'd hate for you to think it's a common term, when it might not be....but I like it!

I totally understand the discomfort with the nature of a relationship being built on mutual use.  I wasn't raised that way and it's something we aren't used to.  I'd be pretty uncomfortable with a man paying my way because I like my independence and I'd feel weird spending someone else's money to buy some of the nonsense I like to buy.  

I feel perfectly comfortable using my money to buy fancy soaps, but not anyone else's 

Edited December 2, 2019 by RealReality

[Mrs. Hanson]

8 minutes ago, Cini said:

I think they are making a mountain out of a mole-hill with  "Juliana bought a car with Michael's credit card" 

I agree as I would think a charge that large would be flagged for fraud - I am sure he was notified such a large purchase was being made.  That was a big red flag  - buying a car when you are leaving the country in a month?  Dude, her sister is not driving it as a cab - she sold it the minute Juliana left.

10 minutes ago, RealReality said:

But I think that the boxing instructor has probably seen and dated better 

Me too.  He was like, look I am here to box with you not listen to you drone on and on!

[Armchair Critic]

Maybe Juliana gave the car to her boyfriend? haha just throwing that out there.

[LennieBriscoe]

Money Mike's ex-wife is  Tiny Tim's ex Veronica,  blonde version.  

[Bryce Lynch]

34 minutes ago, Gobi said:

I was thinking "Green Acres".

Yes, "Green Acres" seems like the template.  Maybe they could call it "Timber!"  Uncle Beau would be an immediate breakout supporting character, of Kramer quality.

On the sitcom, when Mike refuses to impregnate Natalie, Uncle Beau would step in to do the job.   

[Bryce Lynch]

29 minutes ago, Armchair Critic said:

Maybe Juliana gave the car to her boyfriend? haha just throwing that out there.

That thought also crossed my mind.  I tend to believe her story, but it wouldn't totally shock me if she gave the car to a BF in Brazil.   

[Hangin Out]

On 11/30/2019 at 6:15 PM, bravofan27 said:

How does anyone keep track of when 90 Day Finance is on? Is it Sunday? I'm so confused. When did this air. What's happening? The schedule is terrible. 

The honey party favors were adorable. Mursel's alter of honeycomb was everything. They are like human versions of bees. Anna is sweet, she's just quiet and has a hard time verbalizing, but her face says everything. To be honest, I really had no idea what Anna was trying to say to Mursel at the honeycomb. 

Anny and Robert are, as Pao said it best on Pillow Talk, BOTH divas. It will be interesting to see how this all works out. It was nice how Robert took Anny to the gym but totally made it seem that it was to "blow off steam." No, Robert, you want girl to lose weight, nicely played on that one.

The sectional couch was awesome. But yeah, in 5-years it will be dated. Too expensive for something trendy for, IMO, anyone. He is being super nice to her. She bought a car for her time in Brazil, that now her sister is using to make money? She's definitely playing the little girl thing to her fullest advantage. I'm sure she can get a different rich guy, and he knows it. He's torn.

Yes, confusing.  New episodes are on every Sunday night, 8 pm eastern time.  They repeat the episode all week long too.  The confusing part for me is they keep bringing on new and old people and mix them in sometimes.  Now, next week, Angela is coming back from last season.  This show goes back n forth.

[Frozendiva]

5 hours ago, OrchidThief said:

Hmm. I’ve only owned stick shift cars for the last 43 years and rarely have run across anyone else who can drive one. How on earth is being able to drive a stick “childish,” now?

I think Michael was talking about his own personal stick.

[Bryce Lynch]

37 minutes ago, Mrs. Hanson said:

I agree as I would think a charge that large would be flagged for fraud - I am sure he was notified such a large purchase was being made.  That was a big red flag  - buying a car when you are leaving the country in a month?  Dude, her sister is not driving it as a cab - she sold it the minute Juliana left.

Me too.  He was like, look I am here to box with you not listen to you drone on and on!

The boxing lesson seemed very staged.  It came across like the instructor was expecting to be doing a half-assed marriage counseling session.   

[RoxiP]

15 minutes ago, Bryce Lynch said:

That thought also crossed my mind.  I tend to believe her story, but it wouldn't totally shock me if she gave the car to a BF in Brazil.   

I have always thought Juliana bought the car intending to leave it with her family in Brazil.  She knew she was leaving and the source of her family's income (whatever money Juliana can make coupled with buying stuff for them on her sugar daddy's credit card) was going to dry up, so by making a big purchase of something that could be a source of income for them she was just helping them out.  (I also don't think it was a huge fancy car, just something with four wheels that runs would lift an impoverished family up above their neighbors I would suspect - bonus points if it had a/c!)  

[Frozendiva]

Michael, as a man of money, would buy the house and spend the next 6 months renovating it. New floors, cabinets, redo the bathroom, etc.

My duplex is 2003/04. Open concept. The only thing that may be dated now are the oak kitchen cabinets. Laminate floors instead of new vinyl plank.

[Armchair Critic]

Mursel might be a bit off but I also think he is purposely playing dumb when there is any conflict. His laughing at inappropriate times would get on my last nerve. The youngest son may be more naive but I don't think the other two sons are going to be so forgiving. It's wrong that Mursel isn't trying harder with the boys and Anna just accepts it like Mursel is the last man left on earth to date.

[PinkFlamingo]

As baby David was aging, Sasha could not even be bothered to even appear to show any interest in his child even as a fake display for the limited time the cameras were around. His behavior toward them bordered on contempt, he was acting like he was being held at gunpoint to have to walk with her and the baby, or even deal with the baby at all. Emily thinks he can watch the baby in the US? I would not want to leave a baby alone with someone like that for more than five minutes. 

Will Emily believe the working 20 hours a day as a trainer excuse once this scum bag gets to the US?  The only thing he’s doing all those extra hours is lifting... as in “lifting” a lot of women...

[kacesq]

Well, I have spent several hours poring over indeed, monster and LinkedIn - surprisingly. there are very few openings for witch doctors in Connecticut...

Tania strikes me as one of those people who is never going to have a steady job or take on tremendous amounts of personal responsibility. She's always going to be moving on to the next thing - "oh I wanted to study herbalism but found out you really need a foundational core in plant biology so I'm going to the Amazon to do that for five months...that didn't work out so now I'll work somewhere for a few weeks...oh, there's a chance to go backpacking in Australia? Sign me up!"  Which is all fine and good, if you can afford it and aren't putting anyone out - but you just brought the alleged love of your life to America and are now abandoning him to the shed that isn't nearly as chi-chi as Cheryl's she-shed.  

I wish Michael would tell us how much money the car cost - I mean, he gave her a credit card, if she charged a $2000 purse would he care?  Like other posters have mentioned, the chances of putting a five-figure car purchase on a credit card without even a phone call from the credit card company to the account holder seems...slim.  I also don't like Michael's ex and I wish we didn't see his kids.  I don't think being on a reality show as low-rent as this one is going to be good for them in the long run and the fact that "I'm a great parent" ex-wife ok'd this makes me side-eye her. 

By the looks of the preview for next week, Sasha doesn't really look like he wants to go the US.  Especially now that he realizes he'll likely be in an apartment all day with a baby.  I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't take decent care of the kid on purpose so that Emily asks a family member or friend to help out and then Sasha can go on his ipad and look for Emily's replacement.

[RealReality]

12 minutes ago, Armchair Critic said:

Mursel might be a bit off but I also think he is purposely playing dumb when there is any conflict. His laughing at inappropriate times would get on my last nerve. The youngest son may be more naive but I don't think the other two sons are going to be so forgiving. It's wrong that Mursel isn't trying harder with the boys and Anna just accepts it like Mursel is the last man left on earth to date.

I agree 100%

Its annoying to me that somehow the boys are to blame when they tried to welcome him by asking about pizza and inviting him to play video games and mursel has made no similar effort to get to know the boys besides creepy hugs that they were not comfortable with. 

Has he made any effort to get to know them, to try some of their interests, to help at all with the dishes or the chores?  I haven't seen him do anything besides complain, act like a dancing weirdo and make a honeycomb that he demanded be viewed immediately. 

Mursel can play the smiling village idiot for Anna, but I'm not fooled. 

I also do not understand why, out of a world full of men, mursel is the one she had to have.  Because of the bees?  That makes up for everything else wrong with this relationship?

[Bryce Lynch]

28 minutes ago, Frozendiva said:

I think Michael was talking about his own personal stick.

While it is possible he intended a double entendre, I took it differently.  He loves cars, so a woman who can drive a stick, is "cool" to him.  It is kind of like a beautiful woman who loves football. bowling, guns or whatever "guy things" the man is into.   

[DaphneCat]

3 hours ago, calpurnia99 said:

That house is very 2003. The market in that area is bad, so I'm sure he got a great deal on it. I'm sure it sat on market for a long time.  It needs a complete update. Those light color tile entry floors are a nightmare. We havent seen the kitchen but I'm guessing Corian and dark cherry cabinets. Lol, I'm such a snob! The property was beautiful, and it's Greenwich so it can't be cheap.

10 hours ago, Frozendiva said:

Ford GT, and the Mustang. I can see the older Porsche and the black Mustang, but where he gets the money for the GT is beyond me. That is one expensive car. A lot of cash to insure and you really wouldn't drive it anywhere public for fear of it being carjacked, or scratched, or otherwise vandalized.  Seems like the two are just playing house for as long as it lasts. I wouldn't be moving in to a new home wearing Daisy Dukes type shorts - pants/jeans to avoid the dirt, and dust from the boxes, the scratches from moving the furniture.

This shows that Mike is all about appearance.  From the outside, the house looks like a typical, big, expensive house.  It doesn't matter what the inside looks like because no one else sees it.  He only takes the GT out for special drives - only when there is a possibility people will see him in it - it's not like he'll ever actually drive it somewhere, park it, and get out.  That is not the purpose of this car.

And as far a Julianna wearing the shorts - again she is for looks so of course she should wear something  cute.  There is no way she is going to be doing more than pointing.  She will never lift a box or move furniture.

The house, the cars, the wife - all just trappings to keep up appearances.  I believe he will actually treat her well but I think he's making the same mistake a lot of older men make when they hook up with a woman who is significantly younger than them - they either believe she will never grow up - hence the relationship will never change and he will always be the big man in charge, or he can "direct" or "mold" her as she grows up - turning her into exactly what he wants.  He'll probably be quite shocked to discover she has ideas of her own that don't involve him at all.

[Armchair Critic]

 I thought Michael said when he was having that ugly necklace made for her that Juliana spent $15,000 on the car. Then again I do the live chat so I sometimes miss stuff so I could be wrong.

[Gobi]

53 minutes ago, Bryce Lynch said:

That thought also crossed my mind.  I tend to believe her story, but it wouldn't totally shock me if she gave the car to a BF in Brazil.   

Or sold it for a down payment on a yacht.

[magemaud]

29 minutes ago, Bryce Lynch said:

The boxing lesson seemed very staged.  It came across like the instructor was expecting to be doing a half-assed marriage counseling session.   

Absolutely, totally staged, just like the interactions we have seen over the years with hair stylists, barbers, manicurists, store employees, bartenders, photographers, as well as the "professional" listeners like attorneys, physicians, counselors and clergy. 

[DaphneCat]

5 minutes ago, magemaud said:

Absolutely, totally staged, just like the interactions we have seen over the years with hair stylists, barbers, manicurists, store employees, bartenders, photographers, as well as the "professional" listeners like attorneys, physicians, counselors and clergy. 

Especially since there is no way Anny was going to work out hard enough to actually break a sweat.  Neither one of them looked like they were capable of throwing a decent punch.

[blubld43]

33 minutes ago, PinkFlamingo said:

As baby David was aging, Sasha could not even be bothered to even appear to show any interest in his child even as a fake display for the limited time the cameras were around. His behavior toward them bordered on contempt, he was acting like he was being held at gunpoint to have to walk with her and the baby, or even deal with the baby at all. Emily thinks he can watch the baby in the US? I would not want to leave a baby alone with someone like that for more than five minutes. 

Will Emily believe the working 20 hours a day as a trainer excuse once this scum bag gets to the US?  The only thing he’s doing all those extra hours is lifting... as in “lifting” a lot of women...

Could not agree more. When she kept telling him he couldn't just leave David in his bouncer all day I was horrified, this is an infant she has to beg his father to interact with him already? No way I'd leave my baby, or anybody's baby with him.

[Bryce Lynch]

4 minutes ago, blubld43 said:

Could not agree more. When she kept telling him he couldn't just leave David in his bouncer all day I was horrified, this is an infant she has to beg his father to interact with him already? No way I'd leave my baby, or anybody's baby with him.

Sasha has the vibe of a rotten "Mommy's boyfriend" who resents his GF's child from a prior relationship.  But, Dah-veed is HIS son.  

[Frozendiva]

The dealership requested a certified cheque when I bought my car.

[RealReality]

44 minutes ago, Bryce Lynch said:

While it is possible he intended a double entendre, I took it differently.  He loves cars, so a woman who can drive a stick, is "cool" to him.  It is kind of like a beautiful woman who loves football. bowling, guns or whatever "guy things" the man is into.   

I agree.  Some guys think a woman who can drive a stick shift is like some rare unicorn, which I have never understood, because I think traditionally "feminine" tasks like baking or scrapbooking are much more challenging than driving stick. 

[blubld43]

5 minutes ago, RealReality said:

I agree.  Some guys think a woman who can drive a stick shift is like some rare unicorn, which I have never understood, because I think traditionally "feminine" tasks like baking or scrapbooking are much more challenging than driving stick. 

In the sixties/seventies it wasn't uncommon at all to drive a stick in the U.S., most people did. And NO power steering, you had to have strength to drive!

Edited December 2, 2019 by blubld43

[magemaud]

I think Mursel is a slow-witted rube whose only interest or knowledge is in beekeeping. He was probably flattered by Anna's attention on the website and decided that she would make a willing partner BUT he expected her to move to Turkey without her boys. Suddenly he finds himself in America being filmed for a television show about foreigners marrying Americans and staying here, so now he's in way over his head. He had to sign some kind of documents, but even translated into Turkish, the legalese was probably beyond his understanding. He never wanted to move out of his local comfort zone and has no interest in having a relationship with Anna's boys or her friends because it's all temporary. I predict he'll make a beeline back to Turkey at the first opportunity. 

Edited December 2, 2019 by magemaud
grammar

[Pepper Mostly]

35 minutes ago, DaphneCat said:

This shows that Mike is all about appearance.  From the outside, the house looks like a typical, big, expensive house.  It doesn't matter what the inside looks like because no one else sees it.  He only takes the GT out for special drives - only when there is a possibility people will see him in it - it's not like he'll ever actually drive it somewhere, park it, and get out.  That is not the purpose of this car.

And as far a Julianna wearing the shorts - again she is for looks so of course she should wear something  cute.  There is no way she is going to be doing more than pointing.  She will never lift a box or move furniture.

The house, the cars, the wife - all just trappings to keep up appearances.  I believe he will actually treat her well but I think he's making the same mistake a lot of older men make when they hook up with a woman who is significantly younger than them - they either believe she will never grow up - hence the relationship will never change and he will always be the big man in charge, or he can "direct" or "mold" her as she grows up - turning her into exactly what he wants.  He'll probably be quite shocked to discover she has ideas of her own that don't involve him at all.

I think we can all take it as read that Michael is nowhere near as rich as he wants to appear. He's a faker and a con. I hope that Juliana wises up and escapes. He reminds me of those stories you read in the news, about husbands who murder their families and go on the run, because they can't keep up the charade any more, the tax man is closing in, and the bill collectors are at the door.

And yes, I too think that Juliana is not 22. 19 maybe. MAYBE. And she plays up the childlike attitude because its what he wants. She may be young but she knows what side her bread is buttered on. I do not say that with any kind of judgment. She saw her way out of Brazil and yacht parties with creepy wizened old men, and she grabbed it. I hope she dumps this loser after a suitable interval and lives a happy life.

27 minutes ago, magemaud said:

Absolutely, totally staged, just like the interactions we have seen over the years with hair stylists, barbers, manicurists, store employees, bartenders, photographers, as well as the "professional" listeners like attorneys, physicians, counselors and clergy. 

Miguel is my favorite secondary character so far. I hope he was well paid for his cameo role. He made more sense than anyone else in this sideshow.

My favorite overlooked moment was Syngin's trepidation over meeting Tania's apparently wacky, wild, raucous Latin family! Cut to a living room, populated with the usual crew of boring, self conscious, tongue tied, perfectly normal people.
"Wow, my family! They're a lot to take all at once!" Girl, what? Take a seat.

I sure missed live chat! Watching the DVR'ed episode and reading the live chat thread was not the same!

[Kellyee]

Quote

I think it's also about the whole concept of the transactional relationship ( a term I just learned reading this forum). I'm not sure how I feel about it. On the surface, not crazy about it, tbh, but maybe this show and these forums will eventually change my mind. 

Juliana is a Sugar Baby, and he is smart enough to know he was buying her, and that she wouldn't be with him if he wasn't rich. So now he has to pay for her. She will bail when the green card comes, because life in Greenwich with the ex-wife as a buddy is going to be really boring long-term.

[Gobi]

5 minutes ago, magemaud said:

I think Mursel is a slow-witted rube whose only interest or knowledge is in beekeeping. He was probably flattered by Anna's attention on the website and decided that she would make a willing partner BUT he expected her to move to Turkey without her boys. Suddenly he finds himself in America being filmed for a television show about foreigners marrying Americans and staying here, so now he's in way over his head. He had to sign some kind of documents, but even translated into Turkish, the legalese was probably beyond his understanding. He never wanted to move out of his local comfort zone and has no interest in having a relationship with Anna's boys or her friends because it's all temporary. I predict he'll make a beeline back to Turkey at the first opportunity. 

He probably thinks he got caught in a sting.

[Jel]

2 hours ago, Cini said:

I think they are making a mountain out of a mole-hill with  "Juliana bought a car with Michael's credit card" 

My husband and I have bought our cars outright for many years and never ever have come across a dealer who will let you pay more than $5000 with credit card. The rest had to be paid by check. I certainly don't know how it is in Brazil, but I doubt a brazilian dealer lets you pay for a $50,000 with card when their credit card processing fees are probably around 3.5%. It's unlikely she bought  the car from a private person and was able to pay with card.  I think she bought a used car for a 5,000 max and now they make a big deal out of it.

BTW Michael: pretty much all of Europe knows how to drive a stick - even the women. I learned driving with a stick, just like everybody else I know.

We've had a similar experience with car buying and credit cards here in Canada, Cini. No dealership we've ever dealt with (and we also always buy cars outright) has ever agreed to put the entire amount on a credit card. But if we'd been willing to pay an extra 3.5% to cover the CC fees, maybe they would?  I have a friend from Brazil, next time I see him I'll ask him if he knows, and report back.

[Neurochick]

Jasmin looks like a bargain basement Iggy Azalea, which itself is an oxymoron.

[RealReality]

19 minutes ago, Pepper Mostly said:

I think we can all take it as read that Michael is nowhere near as rich as he wants to appear. He's a faker and a con. I hope that Juliana wises up and escapes. He reminds me of those stories you read in the news, about husbands who murder their families and go on the run, because they can't keep up the charade any more, the tax man is closing in, and the bill collectors are at the door.

And yes, I too think that Juliana is not 22. 19 maybe. MAYBE. And she plays up the childlike attitude because its what he wants. She may be young but she knows what side her bread is buttered on. I do not say that with any kind of judgment. She saw her way out of Brazil and yacht parties with creepy wizened old men, and she grabbed it. I hope she dumps this loser after a suitable interval and lives a happy life.

Miguel is my favorite secondary character so far. I hope he was well paid for his cameo role. He made more sense than anyone else in this sideshow.

My favorite overlooked moment was Syngin's trepidation over meeting Tania's apparently wacky, wild, raucous Latin family! Cut to a living room, populated with the usual crew of boring, self conscious, tongue tied, perfectly normal people.
"Wow, my family! They're a lot to take all at once!" Girl, what? Take a seat.

I sure missed live chat! Watching the DVR'ed episode and reading the live chat thread was not the same!

Tania is so overwhelmingly annoying that I forget sometimes that syngin is also annoying as he is always on 10. 

"I am just a simple boy from the bush!  And here I am, a white man around a bunch of Latinos!  What a rare bird I am!  How novel!  HI TANIAS FAMILY, IM ON,ON,ON!!!!! LOOK AT ME EVERYONE!!!!!"

[BallisticNikki]

12 hours ago, SylviaCA said:

He is a "music producer" (hahahahahahaha) with the most annoying nervous laughter and she has the emotional range of a potato. Doomed.

OMG, their story is literally unwatchable to me. For those exact reasons.

23 hours ago, SabineElisabeth said:

Mike, on a preview clip at the end, telling Natalie's friend that he doesn't believe in religion, but more in an alternate civilization, like... aliens.  And while TLC's previews are often misleading, I swear to you that yes, whatever the context turns out to be, those words did actually come out of his mouth as dinner conversation.

Yeah, that was problematic to me. I mean some ppl are just casual/cultural Christians and really don't care anything about their relationship w/ Christ. But Natalie said she does, that her faith is huge to her. So why is she marrying an atheist? And then she wants to have kids w/ him? How is he going to support the kids' religious education. This is just nuts.

4 hours ago, calpurnia99 said:

That house is very 2003. 

Well unless it's some kind of reproduction, that style s 1978-1982 all day. (My FAVORITE! I bought one just like it yrs ago.)

[Pepper Mostly]

If possible, I think Syngin is even more annoying than Tania. Seriously, they deserve each other, they're both hitting 10 on the Annoying Scale.

[BallisticNikki]

4 hours ago, blubld43 said:

Natalie bugs the crap out of me with the little girl act, everything from Mike arriving with a stuffed animal for her, toting her through the airport riding on the suitcases, the girlish posturing, ugh. I appreciate that she's being direct about her wish for a child; at the same time it's similar to a kid wanting something right now, whether it's reasonable or not.

Right. He said he did not want to have kids until they were marrried and she was living in the US. And then she whispers, "please?"🙄

He said what the fuck he said! OMG

[RealReality]

11 minutes ago, Jel said:

We've had a similar experience with car buying and credit cards here in Canada, Cini. No dealership we've ever dealt with (and we also always buy cars outright) has ever agreed to put the entire amount on a credit card. But if we'd been willing to pay an extra 3.5% to cover the CC fees, maybe they would?  I have a friend from Brazil, next time I see him I'll ask him if he knows, and report back.

My dad buys his cars outright, but he loves, loves, LOVES credit card points and has a pretty healthy credit limit.  He has always tried to buy vehicles with his credit card and thus far no one has allowed it.  Which is too bad, because he always mourns for those credit card points that never were.