‘Married at First Sight’: 5 Key Moments From ‘Is Love on the Table?’ (RECAP)
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[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Married at First Sight, Season 14, Episode 9, “Is Love on the Table?”]
Married at First Sight continues its Season 14 journey in Boston as the four remaining matches carry on with their unions in “Is Love on the Table?”
Since Chris and Alyssa bowed out following their divorce decision, the spotlight is on the final eight participants who are tackling the challenges that come with marriage. Below, we’re breaking down all of the key moments from the installment, ranging from special dates to moments of openness and vulnerability, so beware of spoilers.
Special Dates
(Credit: Lifetime)
As part of keeping connections or building on them, the experts advised the couples to plan special dates for each other and Noi was first up on the list. She surprised Steve with a scavenger hunt in a nearby park where he eventually found her at a swing set. Meanwhile, Michael surprised Jasmina with a picnic and treats for her dog, which definitely earned him brownie points. Things took a more serious turn when the couple talked about communication, putter a damper on the mood.
Tensions
(Credit: Lifetime)
After their bowling alley fight last week, the tension between Mark and Lindsey is at an all-time high as they barely chat over dinner. When the elephant in the room is acknowledged, he wonders why she’s become so completely negative and she claims it has to do with him. She argues that she gave all of herself over and didn’t receive any affirmation or appreciation, and so she doesn’t feel he deserves it. Meanwhile, he’s also disappointed with the tone of their relationship right now, making them wonder, can it work?
As for Katina and Olajuwon, it is revealed that the pair got into a big fight when cameras weren’t around, but their apartment footage caught the conflict on video which supposedly revolved around her not contributing enough. He complained that if he’s cleaning she should be lifting the weight elsewhere like cooking more. While they seem to talk things through, it’s unclear if the couple sees things eye-to-eye when it comes to spousal duties.
Exercises From the Experts
(Credit: Lifetime)
The couples were sent some questions from the experts to help break down barriers between the newlyweds. Steve and Noi discuss loves before their marriage and while she says she’s been in love once before, he reveals he’s been in five serious relationships but only thinks he’s been in love once. This detail concerns her a bit because Noi wonders if Steve can fall in love with her. Katina and Olajuwon talk about the things that could make them fall in love with each other, for her it’s loyalty and for him, he thinks vulnerability is important. This leads Olajuwon to ask why Katina hasn’t really cried in front of him and he’s heartbroken to learn that she’s trained herself to keep from crying even if she’s sad.
Michael brings up his brother’s death to Jasmina, noting it’s the anniversary and when he claims this is him being vulnerable, she doesn’t seem fully convinced. Lindsey and Mark have a little breakthrough when they are honest about past loves and while she finds it concerning that he’s willing to move backward in order to find love, she’s more of a “keep moving forward” gal. But their shared honesty seems to spark something in the pair who were on bad terms before.
Girls and Guys Day Out
(Credit: Lifetime)
The girls gather at a nail salon to discuss their marriages, while the men do the same while practicing their archery. Mark reveals to the men that his marriage is stronger than he thought, but admits there are some issues with Lindsey. Katina notes that there have been some ups and downs with Olajuwon, and he counters to the men that she’s not putting in equal effort. Noi and Steve each bring up their previous spat over her dinner prep and both say vulnerability helped them come back from a bad place in their relationship.
More Dates
(Credit: Lifetime)
As the special dates continued, Mark went out of his comfort zone to take Lindsey out for sushi and she pushed him to be more adventurous with his food choices, appreciating his effort. He even makes it clear that he appreciates her even if he doesn’t say it all the time. Jasmina creates a home gym with special stations for Michael including one about sharing. She pushes him to open up about his brother and other grief in his life, and Michael finally lets his walls down, shedding a few tears in the process, hinting at a breakthrough for him and Jasmina.
Lindsey brings Mark to some batting cages since he loves baseball, and he acknowledges that she pays attention to what he says. Steve brings Noi to a beach for a picnic where he professes his love for her, making for a sweet full-circle moment. And ending the evening on a negative note is Olajuwon and Katina, who go on a cooking class date. There, he gets a little over-excited with his words, and tells Katina that he needs to see “where you are as a woman.” The comment brings tears to her eyes as she reveals she needs a break. Have Olajuwon’s words put his marriage to a potential end or will they come back from this? Tune in next week to find out.
Married at First Sight, Season 14, Wednesdays, 8/7c, Lifetime
