Season 3 Discussion

[cooksdelight]

I'm now positive that Elise doesn't live in that guest house. She didn't invite Nikki in, and the door looked filthy, like it's a building that's not been used except for storage of Mark's boat motor parts.

[RCharter]

I'm now positive that Elise doesn't live in that guest house. She didn't invite Nikki in, and the door looked filthy, like it's a building that's not been used except for storage of Mark's boat motor parts.

....and ex wives

[AussieBabe]

Fernando's mother would make me lose my Christianity and be the Queen of Petty. I'd show her what snark and being nasty really was. She'd get schooled. You can stick up for yourself and be respectful. She was horrible. She was prejudice and highly offencive. I can only imagine what she'd say if he brought home a black woman. No woman will ever be good enough for double D's and that was jealousy last night. I do wonder if she treated the first wife like that, and if she did, lady thank your lucky stars like the ex-Mrs. Specimen.

And why would Specimen take Nikki to the same place he frequented with his ex-wife? Why not drive to D.C. or even NYC? Afraid she'll meet some people her age and break away from you and your weirdness? One thing is glaringly obvious, she was craving interaction and someone to talk to. At 19, I didn't have a whole squad of friends, but I did have trusted confidantes and best friends who helped me become who I am today. I can't imagine being in a place with a cold fiance and no one to talk to. If they get married, it won't last. I don't think they'd make it through premarital counselling. Mark's lack of communication, addiction to his past, and their basic incompatibilities spell recipe for disaster. I do hope she decides to go to university and see more than the fugly interior of the Specimens house. As awkward as it was with Elise, I'm glad she took her out and didn't go sit at that struggle table by the water. It's a scary day when a 19 and 21 year old have more maturity than an almost 60 year old man.

Edited November 23, 2015 by AussieBabe

[bichonblitz]

Alexandra's mom making faces at the food Josh's parents made and scraping it all onto her husbands plate..I thought that was really rude. Josh's parents were really trying to make them feel comfortable and she could have been more gracious about it. 

 

Melanie- Just go to the courthouse a la Carrie Bradshaw and have a nice small party afterwards. Jesus, this is not your first go round. I'm sure her sister's don't want to go to her wedding anyway. 

 

Carolina and Fernandino were having a fun conversation in the car on the way to his house about telling his mom she was here for the green card and all his money. They know she is rediculous and they were laughing about it. Fernandino's house was giving me anxiety issues with all the chachtski's and clutter in there. 

 

Nikki-yea, Mark is clueless but she knew that before leaving her home. She also knew he was 59. I don't feel sorry for her at all. Go home, girl, and stop making yourself miserable. He's not gonna change.  

 

Noon needs to stop pressing Kyle about his parents. There is a reason he doesn't see them, he needs to just come clean with it. 

 

Loren- grow up little girl. 

Edited November 23, 2015 by bichonblitz

[Nancybeth]

I now have the same annoyance with Melanie that I had with Danielle last season (and a lot of the couples, frankly)...there is NO REQUIREMENT to have a big wedding.  All you have to do is get legally married!  If you can't afford a wedding right now, don't have one.  You can renew your vows later if you want to wear a pretty dress.  Maybe TLC forces them to have weddings?

 

Does Josh work?  Or go to school?  Or do...anything, other than wake up at 6 a.m. to read the scriptures?

 

Elise's hair has now cast all her good judgment into question.

Yessss!  When she came on the screen I thought, "Wow, it's worse now than it was before!"  Although it was nice to see her trying with Nikki, and the two of them having a little girls' day out.  That's probably the most fun Nikki has had since she landed! 

 

Maybe this will the season that one of the fiances flees back to his or her home country before the 90 days are up!

[Honley Lass]

 

 

Nikki-yea, Mark is clueless but she knew that before leaving her home. She also knew he was 59. I don't feel sorry for her at all. Go home, girl, and stop making yourself miserable. He's not gonna change.  

 

 

 

To be fair, how could Nikki have known the extent of Mark's cluelessness before she left for the US?  If I understand correctly it was a whirlwind "romance", as it were, and I'm sure Mark fed her a bunch of BS. 

[bichonblitz]

To be fair, how could Nikki have known the extent of Mark's cluelessness before she left for the US?  If I understand correctly it was a whirlwind "romance", as it were, and I'm sure Mark fed her a bunch of BS. 

The fact that she was 19 and a 59 yr. old was interested in her should have been enough of a red flag for her. 

[Cherrio]

....and ex wives

and matching polka dot shirts.

          Was it me not paying attention (reading a book at the same time)  when Mark and Nikki were driving to the beach, when she asked him to stop , he kept right on telling his dumb story, restarting each time she told him to stop?    He has the maturity of a 2 year old.    

            Mark,  you are the Hyman Roth of eligible men. No one wants you !

                        

            I can't get past Fernando's ears.     

 

Oh and I loved it when Nikki asked " are we there yet?"

Edited November 23, 2015 by Cherrio

[gunderda]

Fernando's mom, I can't even.  Carolina showed a lot of restraint with all the shit she was saying about Colombians.  I can't imagine anyone could tolerate that for long, though.  Maybe Fernando is used to this behavior and doesn't realize how offensive an outsider would find it, but he had plenty of opportunities to stand up for Carolina and took none of them that we saw.  

 

He knows EXACTLY how his mom comes across - it was obvious during their conversation while they were setting up the banner and the balloons.  She said "she will probably think im' crazy and not like me"  He said "yea she will probably think you're crazy"   And when Fernando was bringing Carolina home you could tell by their convo that they have had talks about his mom's personality as well.  So I'm sure she was as prepared as she could be.

 

As far as Josh goes, it's because he's such a BOY. Like, a child. And this is coming from a female one year older than him. He seems like such a sweet kid, but that's just it. He's a kid, and he probably never had to really disagree with Mommy and Daddy before. He reminds me so much of Danny from last season. I like both Josh and Aleksandra so much, but I don't think either of them are ready to be married, especially him.

 

 

The car trip to pick up Aleksandra's parents was the first time we've seen Josh loosen up a bit.  When he asked how to say something to her parents he rambled it off quick and asked if it was correct and goes "boom! no practice needed!"  which is something a kid his age would probably say that is a bit more mainstream.  It was nice to see!

 

I hate that they're pushing the parent issue with Kyle... that is not something you should have to deal with on TV.  Haven't seen your mom for over 10 years?  Well too bad we're going to make you do it AND in front of a camera.  Ugh.....

[Pepper Mostly]

I agree. The poor guy is just rigid with embarrassment and its clearly something that he does not want to talk about on camera. That he wants to respect their privacy by not airing their dirty laundry on TV speaks well of him. I wish production would step off.

[Primetimer]

The couples continue to settle in, with mixed results. Who fared the best and worst this week?

Read the story

[truelovekiss]

When Mark told Nikki she needed to smile more (paraphrasing, can't remember exactly how he put it) I wish she had hauled off and belted him across the mouth!  Where do men get off thinking they can tell women to smile, and expect them to acquiesce?

Especially coming from Mark, who Nikki says is always so serious.  All Mark really wants is a beautiful little fool who will make everyone see what a catch he is.  I don't think he realized how smart and feisty she is when he found her on recreatingfailedrelationships .com

 

Elise's hair has now cast all her good judgment into question.

I am not a fan of that grey with some violet tones in their look, and judging by her roots, she's been letting it go for a couple of months.  It did let me picture her with her natural color, which I'm sure was beautiful.  Girl, do yourself a favor and dye it back.  

 

Every time Mark says, my ex-wife and/or four kids in diapers, I'm taking a shot of something. I'm turning Mark's scenes into a drinking game. Safe to say I'll be faded off the ground by the time the show ends on Sunday nights. 

Melanie irks me for some reason. "The bank account is empty." Nobody told your simple minded arse to travel to Jamaica all those times. You knew you'd have to support him for months and fund a wedding. If money is tight, elope and have a bigger ceremony later like on your anniversary. Money management should've been a goal instead of travelling that much. Ugh.

I think the only way to get any enjoyment out of viewing the specimen is to be inebriated, so good call on that one.  ;)

 

I really don't have much faith in Mel's ability to adult.  She kind of reminds me of the girls from Teen Mom, in that most of them seem to be mentally/emotionally stuck at the age when they had their kids, which for her would have been like 22-23.  I'm also a 23 year old female, and things like prioritizing vacations and weddings and hot guys over things like having good credit and a savings account seem like things people my age would do.  Obviously not all women in their younger 20s are like this, in fact I think most are not.  But she certainly doesn't behave like a woman in her 30s with a son to think about.  Bringing a relative stranger around him, leaving him for extended periods to go on vacations to Jamaica, and spending every last dime on her booooooyfried all reek of Jenelle Evans.

 

Elise is handling the new mom thing really really well. She is so mature it's unbelievable. 

 

 

Fernando didn't say anything because he probably has the same thoughts and bigotry as his mom and wanted Caroline to catch some heat. Because he is taking advantage of the opp to marry a young woman and he is apparently good at pleasing women.  I actually kind of think Caroline is a good mate for him. She is very intelligent and quick and so it seems is he.

Elise's patience really does seem amazing.  I am genuinely curious about what the brothers are like.

 

Barf at the idea of Fernando being pleasing to women.  Not even talking about his appearance, he's just such an arrogant douche that I wouldn't want anything to do with him, ever.

Fernando's mother is jealous because she thinks she's being replaced, hence the unnecessary attitude. Reminds me of why I really cannot and will not date a mama's boy. I will not have a mother-in-law who treats me like an enemy. Life is too short.

I 100% agree with this assessment, and I am right there with you.  Whether she and Fernando Sr. own the house, or if it really does belong to Fernandito, it doesn't matter to her.  If it belongs to her baby, it belongs to her.  Because her baby belongs to her.  If Carolina has children with Fernando, good luck to her raising them the way she wants to.  Everything she does, and every rule she makes will be undermined by that monster in law.  I said before, not only is she a massive bitch to Carolina, she's really hurting Fernando in the long run.  If he doesn't tell her to back the fuck off, he'll never have a healthy, functioning adult relationship because no self respecting woman would put up with that shit.  But I doubt his mother cares if he ever finds someone, as long as he's there for her.

[truelovekiss]

I was ambivalent about Nikki until last night.  When she reached out to Elise, it hit me that she (Nikki) is starved for interaction with young women her own age, and she must feel so trapped right now - not to mention lonely.  She's halfway around the world away from her family and friends and she has no one to have deep-down talks with. Unless I've missed it, we don't even see her texting or Skyping with anyone back home.  Imagine your 19 year old self in a similar situation!  Poor kid.

I totally agree with this.  How sad is it that the closest thing she has to a friend her own age is her stepdaughter?

 

Nah I think Fernando's mom looks and sounds like Everybody loves Raymond's mom, Spanish edition. Just mean. I swear I was convinced she was going to claim she didn't understand Carolina's Spanish 'because she's firm Colombia' or some crap.

I totally see it.  I wasn't an avid watcher, so correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think even Marie was that mean?  Mostly just intrusive and pushy, but not out and out nasty.

 

 

Does Josh work?  Or go to school?  Or do...anything, other than wake up at 6 a.m. to read the scriptures?

I think he referenced it being summer time, and everyone was home from school at the very beginning of the season.  So maybe he and Aleksandra timed it so that they would be married during summer vacation, and then they could both go back to school in the fall?  Or maybe I'm just delirious with wishful thinking.

[cooksdelight]

Josh is in dental school, which I don't think is a big secret anymore. It was mentioned in his thread, I think.

[truelovekiss]

Josh is in dental school, which I don't think is a big secret anymore. It was mentioned in his thread, I think.

Thank you, I must have missed that! I haven't checked the individual threads lately :) That's really impressive, but that also means he'll be in school for another 4ish years, right? So they might be depending on his parents for awhile for help. Hopefully they hold off on having a baby for a few years.

[Granny58]

"recreatingfailedrelationships .com"

 

HILARIOUS.

[Nancybeth]

Oh yeah, I missed the thing about Josh being in dental school too.  Weird that they haven't brought it up on camera.  I think we know what almost everyone else does for a living. 

 

I was kind of falling asleep by the end of the show last night and completely forgot about Fernando's mom talking about Colombians and their love of the white powder!  She's a treat, that one.  But then again, so is her son.

Edited November 23, 2015 by Nancybeth

[AdorkableWitch]

I wonder if Josh being in dental school didn't come up because it is summer? Maybe it will come up after the wedding when they have to move.

[ChristmasJones]

Melanie has made an error that many women make. She overlooked the financial differential between them while in the lust phase, and she did most of the work to make the relationship happen (in this case, paid for all her flights to go see him- so she invested time/effort/money)..... but now that they're living together, she expects him to suddenly pull his weight financially and she assumes he is willing to put as much effort (time/money) into their relationship as she does.  The problem is that she ignored the fact that he hasn't been doing either of these things so far..... and like most humans, isn't likely to dramatically change his behavior/beliefs/values overnight.

[cooksdelight]

Devar can't work yet, none of them can until after they get their green card, and there's still a waiting period. Melanie knows this. She's looking to add something dramatic to her storyline, for whatever reason. (See the K-1 thread for the specifics).

[islandgal140]

I don't understand why some of the Americans are so passive with their family members. Why don't they stand up for their fiances? Josh never intervenes on Aleksandra's behalf. Fernando's mom is insulting her at the dinner table and Fernando just sits there and never says anything. Melanie's sisters run all over her. It's so annoying.

 

 

 

Well in Fernando's defense, when they started eating and his mom said that Carolina would be fat in about a month, Fernando was quick to say that she wouldn't. In fact, I think he denied that wouldn't happen 2 or three times. So it appears that manatee mctitty is okay with his mother straight out saying all Colombians are crazy drug traffickers who she doesn't talk to or like and that his fiancee should have been given a full cavity search at the airport because all Colombians are drug mules but don't dare say she will gain weight. Not on Fernando's watch. So No fat Chicks for Fernando! Oh the humanity. LOL!

 

I never understood the whole lets feed people from another country exactly what we hear they eat at home mentality. Seriously, if I went to Japan and for my first meal they cooked me a hamburger or took me to McDonald's or KFC I'd be like what the what?!!? I got that the host wants to make a person comfortable but at the same time I just don't get why one would think that way. I ain't here for this I can get this at home. That being said, the face Svetlana (I love that name) pulled as she shoveled it onto her husband's plate was golden but I agree rude.

 

Did Kyle say his mom had issues she was battling? Of all the couples, those two seemed the healthiest and most likely to make it.

 

From the sublime to the ridiculous - Nikki and Mark. I got one word for you Nikki - RUN.

 

Run silent.

 

Run deep.

 

Run hard.

 

But the operative word here is RUN!

 

I wonder what past relationship he used as battering ram against wife #1. I would say that the Specimen has the emotional intelligence of a toddler but I don't want to insult toddlers. 

[CourtneyCourt]

Quote of the season.

"Are you marrying your best friend?"

Pause..."I'm marrying a weird guy."

[wovenloaf]

I wonder what past relationship he used as battering ram against wife #1. 

Maybe the "beautiful woman from Hawaii" that he rode a wave (or whatever) with?

 

Wtf was that story? And he started with something like "You remember the story I've told you...about the beautiful woman from Hawaii..." And Nikki immediately rolled her eyes. So I think she must get regaled with that one pretty often too, in between the "My ex-wife used to [insert whatever Nikki is doing at the moment, however mundane] also."

[truelovekiss]

Maybe the "beautiful woman from Hawaii" that he rode a wave (or whatever) with?

Wtf was that story? And he started with something like "You remember the story I've told you...about the beautiful woman from Hawaii..." And Nikki immediately rolled her eyes. So I think she must get regaled with that one pretty often too, in between the "My ex-wife used to [insert whatever Nikki is doing at the moment, however mundane] also."

Does anyone else think the hot babe from Hawaii story was either a) made up by Mark, to deviate from the usual ex wife stories and reiterate what a masculine stud he is or b) a failed attempt to get a wife, either before the ex or between the ex and Nikki?

[CofCinci]

If Mark is watching --- and we all know he does -- I wonder how he received Nikki's "I'm marrying a weird guy," line.

[Lesia]

Ugh, I'm just trying to picture Mel and her 3 friends sunning it up in Jamaica and Mel goes all gooly eyed over DeVal, "I think I'm in love..." and then all of them are losing their minds over him. Silly women.

What must it be like when you are in a new country, isolated but for your intended spouse, no friends, no activities, no job, nothing to do but wait out the 90 days... that surely can't make for a healthy start to a relationship.

[biakbiak]

The thing is they don't need to wait 90 days they could have gone straight from the airport to the courthouse. It's only this show that makes them wait.

[RCharter]

What must it be like when you are in a new country, isolated but for your intended spouse, no friends, no activities, no job, nothing to do but wait out the 90 days... that surely can't make for a healthy start to a relationship.

I think that is an interesting point, because I feel like there are certain fiances who take advantage of the fact that their fiance is in a strange country and away from friends and family to undermine them and make them more compliant.  Maybe they don't do it on purpose, but I certainly think its a bonus for them.

 

I feel like this is the case with Fernando and Loren.  I'm sensitive to it after the whole Indle King situation.

[Raja]

Ugh, I'm just trying to picture Mel and her 3 friends sunning it up in Jamaica and Mel goes all gooly eyed over DeVal, "I think I'm in love..." and then all of them are losing their minds over him. Silly women.

What must it be like when you are in a new country, isolated but for your intended spouse, no friends, no activities, no job, nothing to do but wait out the 90 days... that surely can't make for a healthy start to a relationship.

Normally it will be start of integrated into the American's life meeting friends and family, the community of neighbors etc. Only is the show's case you have to have releases from all those other people for them to be shown. So far we have seen the extended family living arrangements but in Mark's case only one of his children taking part 

[Broken Ox]

Maybe the "beautiful woman from Hawaii" that he rode a wave (or whatever) with?

 

Wtf was that story? And he started with something like "You remember the story I've told you...about the beautiful woman from Hawaii..." [snip]

 

Did I mis-hear, or did he specify that it was a white woman?

[biakbiak]

Did I mis-hear, or did he specify that it was a white woman?

No he said that she looked like Nicki.

[KariLois]

STFU, Mark. Never speak again. Also, it appears Mark is a fan of Sun In. He probably has his ex-wife's bottle. Waste not, want not!

[ChristmasJones]

I know that - but I still believe there is an imbalance in the relationship- and the discussion about sending money home brought it to light.

[Broken Ox]

No he said that she looked like Nicki.

Thank you. Because that seemed so very random and yet -- Mark, so I wasn't positive.

[grumpypanda]

Is it possible that Fernando's mom is joking and her sarcasm isn't coming across on television? I can't believe that someone would be that rude to her future daughter-in-law.

Why exactly is Nikki marrying Mark anyway? Is her life that bad at home that she's willing to spend the next twenty years of her life with an asshole old enough to be her grandfather? I just can't figure out what she could possibly see in Mark and how marrying him is better than living in the Philippines. Even if she just wants a green card surly she can do better than him.

I know it's been said already but it's ridiculous that Mel is spending so much money on a wedding when she's broke. It's particularly stupid when she has a young child to support. I just don't get all the fuss about a big wedding when it's your second marriage and you already have a child. To quote Miranda Hobbs, “I have a child, the jig is up."

[locomoco]

Is it possible that Fernando's mom is joking and her sarcasm isn't coming across on television? I can't believe that someone would be that rude to her future daughter-in-law.

As some have explained, it seems that Fernando is a mama's boy, and her mother probably feels that she's being replaced by Carolina... This is a case where the mother definitely feels like she's losing her son, and not gaining a daughter-in-law.

[Straycat80]

Mark and Nikki driving to the beach was like watching a dad driving with a petulant teenage daughter. Why oh why would this young girl want to marry this older man? Surely a green card is not worth it.

I guess there's not enough drama in the Kyle and Noon relationship so they are bring forced to interact with his estranged mother. That's not right TLC.

Poor Carolina! I can't imagine how hard it is to come to a foreign country and not speak English and have Ferdie's harridan of a mother treat her like crap. That woman really has no filter. If I was Carolina I'd pretend to snort some kind of white powdery stuff (like powdered sugar) and go to an animal shelter and adopt a dozen cats.

[LaChavalina]

I now have the same annoyance with Melanie that I had with Danielle last season (and a lot of the couples, frankly)...there is NO REQUIREMENT to have a big wedding.  All you have to do is get legally married!  If you can't afford a wedding right now, don't have one.  You can renew your vows later if you want to wear a pretty dress.  Maybe TLC forces them to have weddings?

 

Of course they do. They have to fill ten episodes somehow.

 

Fernando's mom is just mean. I wonder if she realizes that it's been 20+ years since Pablo Escobar died. And what's happened in Cuba since then? Oh, it's still communist? How about that.

[gardendiva]

Is it just me or did it look like Mark had a bruise under his right eye?

[PityFree]

Is it just me or did it look like Mark had a bruise under his right eye?

I noticed that, too! In fact the whole side of his face look discolored. It looked like he had taken a fall or maybe been in an accident.

[gardendiva]

I don't have a very clear picture about traditional Mormon food, but I suspect it involves a lot of mayonnaise, mini marshmallows and Jell-o. Why in the world did these people think they could pull off another country's cuisine? And why didn't they ask Aleksandra for input or help?

[truelovekiss]

I noticed that, too! In fact the whole side of his face look discolored. It looked like he had taken a fall or maybe been in an accident.

Or mentioned his ex wife one time too many...

[Aw my lahgs]

Is it just me or did it look like Mark had a bruise under his right eye?

Perhaps a run in with the track lights while doing funny stuff on the zebra sheets.

[truelovekiss]

Poor Carolina! I can't imagine how hard it is to come to a foreign country and not speak English and have Ferdie's harridan of a mother treat her like crap. That woman really has no filter. If I was Carolina I'd pretend to snort some kind of white powdery stuff (like powdered sugar) and go to an animal shelter and adopt a dozen cats.

As much as it sucks to be Nikki, at least she has Elise to hang out with when she's mad at Mark. Even Josh's family seems to try for Aleksandra. All Carolina has is Fernando, and if he's at work, she's stuck in the house with that banshee.

[biakbiak]

I forgot to mention that Josh' s dad's more "laid back" demeanor and laugh freaked me out!

Edited November 24, 2015 by biakbiak

[TonyasBlueEyeshado]

Dog must have had lunchtime... Quote of the episode!! I got the impression that Anicia can be overbearing & abrasive, but that she was mostly joking here...

Also, Mark's hair during dinner. Wtf was that? I haven't seen a comb-over so desperate to escape from the wearer's head since 10th grade biology.

[BethBud]

I don't have a very clear picture about traditional Mormon food, but I suspect it involves a lot of mayonnaise, mini marshmallows and Jell-o. Why in the world did these people think they could pull off another country's cuisine? And why didn't they ask Aleksandra for input or help?

 

I thought that was really sweet. I'm from another country too and I so appreciate it when people try to do something nice for me and cook something from my homeland for me. They might not get it right but it's the heart behind it. Maybe they did ask for Aleksandra's help?

[still hoping]

Well call me crazy but I am always "still hoping" for a love story and I do think we have one - Kyle and Noon!

I think the producers tried to stir drama....but they seem to truly be in love! Crazy proposal, new apt, the Buddha temple ...maybe his family has problems...not his fault I think it is wonderful they found each other

Loren should learn from Kyle...she needs drool bib when she is around poor Alexie - if a guy acted like that about his fiance it would be a scandal but I guess we are supposed to find her funny? Yuck...even creepy Mark does not drooll over his sullen "songbird" like that LOL

~~~~~~Re Latin culture in Florida.....I'm not but have long observed and learned that just cause they speak Spanish does not mean people (especially women I think)from different countries automatically get along ....

I have been variously told that "our music/dance/food is better"...."she is stuck up cause she is from such and such",,,,"they don't speak correct Spanish"...and so forth

Not to mention Argentina has a large Italian-Argentine population, who are extremely proud of that and proud of their food

[gardendiva]

I thought that was really sweet. I'm from another country too and I so appreciate it when people try to do something nice for me and cook something from my homeland for me. They might not get it right but it's the heart behind it. Maybe they did ask for Aleksandra's help?

I got the feeling that Aleksandra looked like she was cringing during that part, which made me think she had nothing to do with the meal planning. I agree that the thought behind it was sweet. It just seemed so unappetizing, which made me wonder whether they asked Aleksandra for help.

[guilfoyleatpp]

Fernandito's mother is a less pleasant looking version of my mother in law.

My husband does an infinitely better job of shutting her down than old Fernandito does.

You could tell, before Carolina got there, that his mama was taking notes. Hates flowers, check. Loves cats, check. She's probably going to fill the house with cut flowers and pretend that she didn't recall the conversation where she learned they're not a beloved item.

It could escalate like "The War of the Roses" between those two.