‘Married at First Sight’: 5 Key Moments From ‘Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace’ (RECAP)
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Married at First Sight, Season 12, Episode 16, “Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace.”]
Married at First Sight‘s Season 12 couples are just days away from the all-encompassing Decision Day, and some surprising twists are leading them in unexpected directions during the latest installment, “Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace.”
Following their couples retreat, the pairs are reflecting on their journeys so far and trying to reconcile if this is the beginning of forever or not. Below, we’re breaking down all of the drama unfolding in the episode, so beware of major spoilers ahead.
After the Retreat
(Credit: Lifetime)
Following their trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina, the couples return to Atlanta where Haley confronts Jacob about his early exit from the weekend. He explains that his dogs drew him away from the event, offering Haley some comfort in knowing it wasn’t because of his feelings towards her. She still thinks it’s weird though that he’d leave without alerting anyone to his departure.
Meanwhile, Virginia and Erik muse about their time in South Carolina and she believes their turnaround time between fights and making up is getting better, but does that matter at this point? Clara reveals to Ryan that she’s falling into a routine with him and is happy to enjoy their last moments before entering Decision Day together.
As for Briana and Vincent, their blissful state is slightly ruined when too much honesty comes pouring out of both of them. When she says he has problems with being disorganized, Vincent lashes back and says he was turned off during the wedding when people referred to her as bossy. Yikes.
Friends Weigh In
(Credit: Lifetime)
In order to help the couples gain perspective on their relationships, they meet up with friends and close family members either in-person or virtually to chat. First up is Bryan, who admits that marriage isn’t what he anticipated but that Clara ticks his boxes, although he does wish she’d reevaluate her goals. As for Bri, she talks about Vincent’s comments from the night before with her mother who tells her she shouldn’t change her bossy qualities for a man.
Clara tells her friend that her marriage is a 10/10, but admits she wishes he’d commit in some way or say “I love you.” Haley paints a more positive picture when it comes to Jacob as she tells her friend about improvement in their bond during the retreat, but that she’s still concerned about their rollercoaster pattern and differing senses of humor. Erik sings Virginia’s praises to his friend and reveals he’s in this marriage for the long haul but that there’s definite work to be done.
Vincent brings up similar issues that Bri mentions to her mom with his friend, saying he was offended when she called him disorganized. Virginia’s guy friend Aaron and one of her girlfriends join her for a chat as she reveals communication is her biggest hurdle with Erik. She’s most anxious about moving in together and how that will impact her animals.
Quality Time
(Credit: Lifetime)
Ryan and Clara sit down to take a personality test as a “fun” exercise but it’s clear he’s trying to determine whether they’re a good match. When she likens the test to star signs, he says they’re not the same. As Clara goes through the questions, it becomes clearer and clearer how unmotivated she is by life in comparison to him, and panic mode is setting in for the planner.
Date Night
(Credit: Lifetime)
Before the couples separate ahead of Decision Day, they spend a final date night together, with Ryan and Clara playing a bowling-football hybrid game. He takes out his frustrations in the game, but she’s just doing her best to dodge any stray footballs. When they sit down to chat, he says their experience is unique, no matter what happens on Decision Day, and it doesn’t come across as a very promising statement.
Vincent and Briana meet for dinner and compliment each other at the table before addressing the elephant in the room. They both apologize for their comments, but Bri says she can’t change herself just to make him happy and hopes that he can accept her. Jacob and Haley meet up for dinner and agree that they’re both nervous ahead of Decision Day but that they’re feeling more positive about their connection, even smiling over the newfound closeness. Could the pair be heading down a more promising path?
Erik tries to assure Virginia that he’s all in on their marriage, promising that they’ll find a new place to live once he can figure out what to do with his apartment. When she asks if he believes in soulmates, Erik says yes, which causes some tension when Virginia says she believes in fate but not soulmates.
The Last Hurrah Before Decision Day
(Credit: Lifetime)
As the couples turn in for the night, they enjoy each other’s company, but as Clara mentions looking forward to forever with Ryan, his stressed face suggests he might have different feelings about their future. Briana and Vincent settle in for the night, but before going to sleep she asks about a surprise he has for her. Unfortunately, it’s a bad prank as he cuts the end of one of her braids. She gets upset, telling Vincent she wanted to take her hair out of the braids but not right now, making for an awkward moment.
The next morning, as the men pack up to spend the next night away from their brides ahead of Decision Day, Vincent is strange, probably because of the prank that went wrong, but he only makes matters worse when he departs by saying, “Nice knowing you.” It seems like they and the other couples have a lot to weigh before making their choices. Tune in to see where their hearts lead them in next week’s episode.
Married at First Sight, Season 12, Wednesdays, 8/7c, Lifetime
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G
I think the drunk Virginia does not want to be married. She wants to continue to live single and sleep on other men's couches. She wants to live alone. She needs to go back to her old life until she gets a handle on the alcohol and party life. Get rid of her she is trouble.
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G
I agree. Virginia is not mature enough yet for MAFS bec she is still living a college coed life. Still drinks, gets wasted, cant make it home, crashes on friends couch, may or may not make it to work tomorrow. Eric is in a career job, needs rest to be able to perform his job- in the MILITARY, mind you. He does not have time to hang out every Th, Fri and Sat drinking with Virginia and her friends, even if they are Just friends. She doesn't want to live with him in his place, wants to have marriage defined as whatever we want (code for its ok for me to get drunk and crash on male friends couch), wants him to take allergy medicine all the time so the cats can sleep in the room on her chest while he is too groggy to fly the plane the next day, Eric needs to move on. He needs a wife in the same stage of life as him. Virginia is not in the same stage of life as Eric. He is goal, family and career oriented. She is friends, drinking and party oriented. THIS WILL NEVER WORK.
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R
Okay I just have to say this, but why in God's creation do all of these girls, (except for Haley - maybe) wear BAD false eyelashes?? It's literally distracting. Poor Clara's eyelashes should get their own show.
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O
Marriage is about change. Bri and her mother saying she doesn't need to change or won't change for anyone Makes me think she's got alot of growing up to do. I think Vincent means he doesn't want a ball buster. Some one who only considers her feelings and not his too.
15
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C
I don’t think any of the couples will stay married. They all were matched wrong.
15 1
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R
I'd bet money Jake and Haley had sex the night before he departed for Decision Day. There were a lot of strange, sly smiles from both in the kitchen that morning and comments about being up late and it being a good time. Maybe they decided they might as well have a romp since they'd already done it once before and both are likely facing another dry spell.
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G
I think that's the problem. They had sex once on the wedding night and it was not good for Haley and she backed off. Then, when he began calling her a LIAR she was turned off. His laid back passive aggressive attitude, poor taste in clothes, poor sense of humor are all too much for her to overcome. Thys may depart as friends, but likely, nothing more. No connection there, like they both said
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B
I think Vincent has a mean streak, Bri wants to have a companion to do things that she can afford or just take a darn ride on the beach- what's so scary about that Vince; Erik want to be married so bad, he's accepting any behaviors, like drinking; Ryan need to take down the caution tape and Clare can just stop trying so hard; I like Jacob because he's not fake, but Mrs. Pick-a-part Haley will never get married - listen to her friends, they know her well!
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O
It’s not that Vincent doesn’t want someone to be honest with him. It’s Briana’s delivery!!!!! She is not his Boss!! She is his wife! If she doesn’t get this she will miss the chance of a lifetime as they clearly love each other. He is not a slow learner. Sometimes her comments are completely unnecessary as with the wine incident. Other times she needs acknowledge their imperfections and decide how to build on them OR soften the blow instead of making it seem like a derogatory comment. If she wants to be boss instead of having a respectful happy marriage then she needs to let him go!!!
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R
I agree 100%. Vincent's a sensitive guy, and it's a rare trait in a man who's also driven, a trait Brianna should appreciate. Hopefully, she'll learn that not every observation has to be articulated and things go over a lot smoother when you take the time to consider your words, your tone, and your facial expression.
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R
I just want to add, those girls are pretty just as they are. They don’t need the lashes.
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B
Briana, don't change for Vincent. A man who doesn't want a woman who will be straight with him is not worth it.
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R
He doesn't want a woman who's not straight with him, he wants a woman whose delivery is softer and who gives thought to her words rather than blurting them out or saying them matter-of-factly with a stone faced expression like Brianna. That's not too much to ask.
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G
Briana doesnt have to change. She just needs to tone it down and be a bit more mindful in her directness. Vincent is sensitive, a bit too much at times, yes. He wants honesty without the judgement and aggressiveness, not brutal beat you over the head directness.
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O
I agree. Vincent is probably a bit insecure around Bri. She is a well-educated, upper-middle class sort of person who is very modern, very go ahead. That's just the world today. Vincent has some good qualities but I believe he feels that he can't keep up with her.
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G
I had high hopes for Vincent and Bri staying together, but after last night, I think they need a little more time in the oven! It's too bad these couples don't have the time they need to grow together in certain areas.
5
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G
I think they have plenty of time to grow. Decision day means you have enough meat on the bone in your relationship that you want to continue it outside of the show. Continue to get to know each other. Maybe they don't even have to move in together right away but can continue dating and incorporationg into each others lives. They continue date night, intimacy and most importantly therapy. Give themselves a timeline: if marriage is working after one year we move in together, continue therapy so they have the tools necessary to get through this unusual situation. Therapy will help them better communicate so even if the marriage does not ultimately work, they will be better able to communicate their needs or why they must go their separate ways. If they went into this for the right reasons then 8 weeks is not enough to end the journey off the bat unless you have had absolutely none of the same chemistry, attraction, goals or direction.
I would love to see briana and vincent continue their journey, along with Ryan and Claire. Paige should not listen to ANYTHIG Chris has to say. He is playing games and is not in the right place for any relationship right now. He needs to focus on and work on himself.
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P
- I think that that the only couple who might stay together forever is Claire and Ryan- She is needing alot more but he is a decent person- it will happen between them- as For Virginia and Erik - she has issues actually both do - so they might at decision day but lots need to happen for this match to continue for the future. Haley doesn't need to be married and Vincent has issues- hoping he will change they are a nice looking couple.
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