Married At First Sight Season 16 Episode 8 Recap: “Poised for Battle”

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Wednesday’s episode of Married At First Sight  was full of drama. We are still early into the season, but things are quickly going downhill for many of these newlyweds. Typically, most people are still on a high from the honeymoon and enjoying getting to know their spouse at this point. But this season has been very different. Many of the couples are already discovering that they don’t really like each other. I don’t understand why some of these people decide to get married at first sight on national television. If you are not going to remain open-minded and truly immerse yourself into the process, this is no more than an extended tinder date.

Visits to their spouse’s homes reveal many several surprises. Two couples experience cold feet about moving in together. Meanwhile another couple’s marriage starts to heat up. And Pastor Calvin Roberson pays a visit to ask some tough questions. Let’s get straight into the recap!

Christopher & Nicole

Chris’ apartment was exactly what I expected. It was a nice and tidy home with his dogs. Nicole arranges a play date with all three dogs to see how they interact with one another. Since her dog currently isn’t living in the apartment, she wants to make sure they are all able to get along. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it was pretty anticlimactic. Maybe I am still scarred from last season’s dog attack. The dogs pretty much ignored each other and enjoyed their day out. At least Chris and Nicole don’t have to worry about them being aggressive.

Chris confronts Nicole about her thoughts about their living arrangements after the experiment. Both of their leases are up around the same time, but they would have to give 60 days’ notice if they don’t intend to renew. Nicole is shocked when Chris suggests they each renew for another 9 months and just have sleep overs. It’s obvious; she does not like that idea. She does not want to go from living like a married couple to feeling like they are dating. Sigh!

This is tough! It’s pretty early to commit to giving up your apartment and living with someone after just two weeks of knowing them. But I can also understand that she doesn’t want to be married living in separate households. Is it possible that one of them can sublease their apartment, if they decide to stay together? That way they can live in their spouse’s home until they find a place together. Pastor Calvin questions their plan when he learns of their intentions. Nicole also has doubts, but she decided it was easier to agree rather than rock the boat.

Clint & Gina

Clint tours Gina’s apartment and it is very nice. Her home is clean, cozy and well-decorated.  While there, she expresses her concerns about their progression in their marriage. She isn’t comfortable moving in together with where they are romantically. Clint believes that they should still move in together and see what happens in the future. I agree! What was the point of marrying someone at first sight if you are going to give up after a week? At least if you finish the experiment, no one can say you didn’t give things a real chance.

Does Gina not realize that this experiment is only eight weeks? Her not wanting to move in with Clint is a big deal because this is an expedited program. When Pastor Calvin comes to speak to them he doesn’t waste any time. Gina continues to try and prove she is a victim and an athlete, but Clint isn’t going to go down alone. He calmly explains his side and even agrees to never make comments about a women’s body again. But he isn’t going to allow Gina to make it seem like she is completely innocent. When Pastor Calvin questions Gina’s decision to stay home she becomes emotional. It’s obvious that she can’t get past Clint’s comment about his usual type.

Airris & Jasmine

Airris visits Jasmine at her home to look around and meet her puppies. When he holds the smallest one, he instantly falls for the pooch. I think Airris would welcome one dog, but I don’t believe by any means he will live with multiple pets. Later, Pastor Calvin comes to visit to get the scoop on how the relationship is going so far. Airris claims he is stressed because his wife likes him so much and he doesn’t feel the same. He has had many sleepless nights because his wife actually likes him. Insert side eye!

Pastor Calvin asks them both to state the good things they each like about one another and build off of those things. I have to admit, Jasmine is really taking all of this in stride. She has remained open despite her husband’s admission. I don’t know that I could be that mature. It has to be hard to be constantly told that you are only seen as a friend when you want to have a real marriage.

Related: Married At First Sight Season 16 Episode 6 Recap: “You Dropped a Bomb on Me”

Shaquille & Kirsten

Shaq and Kirsten’s homes differ in so many ways. Where he has a lot of items and memories, she is a self-proclaimed minimalist. I would have thought she just moved in, until she showed her closet. Later, when Pastor Calvin visits he begins to pull the truth out of this couple. I told you guys from the very beginning these two had no romantic chemistry. Kirsten instantly confirms it when asked about their connection. She isn’t attracted to him. I think she likes him as a person, but she doesn’t view him as a partner. Shaq takes the comments in stride, per usual. But he and Pastor Calvin are really trying to make things work. I don’t care what anyone says; I don’t see this going much further. Kirsten may not have fully given up yet, but I believe she is just biding her time.

Mackinley & Domynique

Mackinley is still upset about Domynique’s comments about his living space in his friend’s basement. When he goes to look at her apartment, tension is definitely in the air. He doesn’t even take the opportunity to look around. Instantly she is annoyed because this is the type of negative attitude she has mentioned to him on the honeymoon. Things go from bad to worse when Mackinley continues his passive aggressive tirade. There are so many things that he is upset about that he has held in until now. Although he doesn’t have his dogs in Nashville they are extremely big part of his life. He feels like Domynique’s attitude towards his pets is very dismissive. I have to admit; she doesn’t express herself well either and comes off as selfish at times. Sigh! Let’s be real, this is not going to work. I don’t know where they can go from here because neither seems to truly like the other.

Once Domynique and Mackinley arrive at the apartment they continue to argue. But he is not backing down. At this point he feels like his wife doesn’t like him and nothing he does is good enough. Instead of talking through the issues and reaching common ground, she only wants to ignore the problem. When Pastor Calvin comes to speak with them, he is shocked that they aren’t able to compromise. But instead of taking his advice, Domynique continues to shut down. But we will have to wait until next week to see how this pans out. By the look of things, it doesn’t look good though.

TELL US – SHOULD GINA MOVE IN WITH CLINT? DOES CHRIS WANT TO RENEW HIS LEASE BECAUSE HE DOESN’T THINK HIS MARRIAGE WILL WORK OUT?  IS THERE HOPE FOR MACKINLEY AND DOMYNIQUE’S MARRIAGE?

[Photo Credit: Lifetime]           

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