We’ve been waiting to see how friends and family deal with meeting the spouses after the wedding. These have been my burning questions! Has Cortney met Jason’s mom? Will Vaughn go to brunch with Monet & friends? Will Doug’s mom accept Jamie? This episode did not disappoint. I laughed, I gasped, and yes, for Doug & Jamie, I cried. When I found out Jamie & Cortney were in LA doing press, I tried to figure out how to stalk them and just give them hugs. Believe it or not, I think this episode showed the true character of all of our couples. It was the most open, raw and vulnerable I’ve seen them and we understand why they each have walls up. This recap is where That’s Normal discusses Professional Wrestling, Burlesque, Trailer Parks and Brunch all in one post!
Also, did you know our girls come here? See look! I’m a little giddy!
Monet & Vaughn
We pick up where we left off last week. Vaughn gets home from a few days away and Monet says the girls are coming over. We find out a few interesting details that Vaughn drove from Baltimore to get home (ugh long drive) but that he could have come home earlier but didn’t because he didn’t want to be around Monet? This couple is the subject of most of the editing. Monet & I went into great detail over twitter yesterday. They aren’t always fighting and they aren’t always talking about or having sex.
This episode is indeed a turning point. Even though Vaughn leaves for girls night, this man is indeed in this. This couple is more than meets the eye. They are passionate people who like fireworks. Working through everything, including fireworks, is how couples grow.
Jason & Cortney
We get to see a bit of Jason & Cortney’s “alter-egos” in this episode.
Jason visits Aster Ritz at the burlesque club and Cortney goes to a KROSS wrestling match.
It is interesting that they both have this performance aspect of their personalities. It is something that defines who each other is and they both thought they’d never meet someone who could get that part of them. Cortney must not have ever seen this type of wrestling well, because:
Doug & Jamie
Doug & Jamie’s support is going to come from their families. They have invited Doug’s parents over for dinner.
Jamie does the shopping from Doug’s GIANT grocery list! I also love how she has Doug in her phone!
While the editing makes it look like Doug’s mom is questioning Jamie, I’m sure it was just a normal conversation and Doug’s mom curious about why Jamie would do this. Jamie’s answer is the reason I would consider doing this, the experts help? Absolutely! I’m dying that Lady just made herself at home on Mom’s lap! and I did tear up when she said she felt warmly towards her. It looks Jamie’s most important thing was a partner/husband with a loving, stable family. I think Doug and his family are just what Jamie needs!
Dr. Pepper Schwartz
Dr. Pepper, sociologist, comes to visit each of the couples and see how they are integrating each other into their lives.
For Vaughn & Monet, she seemed a little surprised that it still looked a little like Monet’s apartment with Vaughn visiting. But, his bed has been brought into the apartment and he has a closet. Do you think it’s better to move into a partner’s existing space or should you find a new one together?
Women are very social people, I know this. We like to talk. I think Monet has a point that her friends will help Vaughn give him a better picture of who she is. Vaughn wants to build things together the two of them first and have that foundation strong before bringing others into it. I can see both sides. What do you think?
Dr. Pepper gives them homework. A chef is going to come help teach Monet how to cook and Vaughn should go to brunch.
Interestingly, when Dr. Pepper visits Jason & Cortney, we discover a few key points that were part of my burning questions. Cortney hasn’t met Jason’s mom yet, she doesn’t even know her name? Cortney’s family was not happy she made this decision and haven’t even skyped with them.
Dr. Pepper mentions that she has some concerns. I can understand that Jason is trying to protect his mom, but I worry she may never meet Cortney. I hope she does but I think that bit of vulnerability would help their relationship. I can see it’s causing something in Cortney, the girl didn’t think she had tear ducts to cry! Cortney’s family want to meet face to face. Getting them from North Carolina to NYC is hard, I get that.
Jason has said it before that just because they have the “husband & wife” label doesn’t mean they have to do what husbands and wives do. Sadly, to me that raises a flag. I worry that it means he we won’t see Cortney meet Jason’s mom because that is the really vulnerable thing to do. And Jason might not be ready to or able to go there. After Jason’s mom, it’s just him. There is no mention of any other family, no brothers, no father. Maybe the bond of fire fighters/emts will be enough to win Cortney’s family over.
Professional Chef
I love to cook. I love cook books and experimenting in the kitchen. It sure looks like Monet & Vaughn have fun cooking. According to Dr. Pepper, it’s the only other experience that involves all five senses and we know Monet & Vaughn have the first one down!
The company that they’ve found to come in and help Monet and Vaughn not starve is called Appetite for Seduction. Their type of cooking calls for blindfolds! Monet & Vaughn pull together a spinach strawberry salad and broiled salmon. There is no HONEY in this recipe, yet we find out Vaughn has some ideas! It looks like Vaughn is being more attentive and I think they have made the turn.
Going Home
There has been some mean twittertrolls that seem to think Jamie isn’t really in this for the right reasons. As I watched her going home, I can’t imagine how scared and how raw her emotions must have been. There are certain things you cannot fake. Jamie’s background isn’t a human interest story, it isn’t what defines her. It affects her choices and has formed who she has become.
Dr. Pepper did visit Doug & Jamie in their home and gave them the homework to see where Jamie came from. To visit her family. To find out that when she was younger, dealing with paternity tests has got to be a huge weight to carry. I was truly in tears as I watched Doug be so supportive and hearing Jamie share some of how she grew up. It’s hard not to be embarrassed about your past when there are such stereotypes that accompany people who grew up in poverty.
The trip to meet Jamie’s siblings takes them north of NYC about four hours. The sisters seem to really like him and the niece and nephew are all about Uncle Doug.
Uncle Doug or Uncle Gorgeous?
As Dr. Pepper said, “The fact that Jamie’s family saw something in Doug is going to be great for her in the long run.” Maybe I’m reading too much into this but maybe having Doug around I hope will be a great positive role model for all of Jamie’s siblings. Maybe I’m romanticizing and hoping that Doug’s parents have a big party where they all get together and have that family support.
I’ve been back to one of the places I grew up as a kid and was surprised as all the emotions and memories that I hadn’t thought about in years came flooding back. I can’t imagine with the pain and fear Jamie had to deal with growing up and what those emotions as an adult going back felt like. While this may be an emotional setback for Doug & Jamie, all I saw was the love and support of someone who might be able to understand fully but will be by her side as she works through her demons.
Three more weeks until we find out if our couples stay married. What we do know, is they still see each other! They’ve all been challenged for the #ALSicebucketchallenge! Video below!
CHECK OUT ALL OUR MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT RECAPS HERE
Married at First Sight is on the FYI Channel, Tuesdays at 9 ET/ 10 PT
Screen Caps by Emily
