Married at first sight experts - wish I had had this !

[Neapolitanicecream]

Just watched MAFS Australia, binged the episodes, got hooked thought it would be a bit mindless but I’ve ended being really impressed with the relationship experts on the way they been able to pull up bad behaviour and get the couples to discuss things reasonably. I wish I had some help during the really difficult times and maybe not had the shouting matches LOL

I think YABU, they might call out some seriously awful behaviour but what do they do to help people get away from it? Coco was stuck for another week with Sam because of the rules when she wanted to leave (he was constantly undermining and criticising her). The key thing in advising against abusive relationships is empowering people to leave. The programme does the opposite.

Have you watched more than one season?

I have only watched one. My mum has watched another.

We compared notes. It was interesting how similar the issues that arose were. I am very cynical about these programmes anyway, but my mum wasn't. She's a bit wiser now, I think.

OP I get where you're coming from. While it's obviously designed for entertainment, I have taken away some real nuggets of good advice from how they've coached some of the couples.

Yes, I've watched a few (and always get hopelessly over invested!). I think the priority is still producing good TV which really compromises the advice given. Some of it is fine, say for the couples who are struggling a bit to get on, but aren't treating each other badly. However there are too many where the intensity of the situation plus real incompatibilities causes behaviour that appears quite damaging and the best advice would be 'run, it's only been a month or two'.

I do like the experts but feel like they should do more...
This may be an unpopular opinion (as on Instagram everyone is sticking up for Bryce) but it looks to me like he has been massively gaslighting Melissa??

Isn’t this what your local vicar used to do (perhaps still does?) ahead of marrying a couple, insist on some sessions of pre-marital counselling to reflect on how you communicate with each other and the important things to remember when you inevitably have disagreements? Perhaps it should be mandatory ahead of all marriages!

Bryce is a total control freak and I agree massively gaslighting Melissa. She is a shell of herself and her mum and sister are right to be worried.

But Bec has Been awful too not letting it drop and no one has pulled up at all!?

Errr whut. I recommend watching Clem Ford's breakdowns of MAFS and a big reconsider.

I'm obsessed with this.

What season are you on?

I've just Ed finished season 8 and googled the "where are they now" couples and I was shocked at what I found!

I'm behind - currently on episode 30-something of season 6. I agree that they do pull the couples up on some bad behavior, but they also let an awful lo slide.

From S6 - they watched Jessika and Dan have their 'private' moments together, at the dinner parties, and even discussed it amongst themselves, then made ou they were surprised when Jessika said she liked Dan at the commitment ceremony genuinely felt sorry for Mick that this was allowed to go on for weeks, and he clearly was unhappy/wanted to leave.

I do appreciate though that the experts are probably limited to what hey can do/say, thanks to the producers/their contracts.

Those 'experts' have zero professional integrity. The 'psychologist' should be struck off.

Bec is by far the worst! She's actively put down Jake the whole time for things that really don't matter.

She's bullying Bryce. I don't think he's as bad as they all make out. Is he hurtful at times? Definitely. But Bec just won't let it go, regardless of both him and Melissa asking her to. She's just vile. She lacks respect for everyone and clearly thinks she's amazing. Which from what I've seen she's far from it.

Loving the series!

I really dislike Bec but she is 100% correct when it comes to Bryce. He’s an abuser and it’s awful to watch poor Melissa becoming a shadow of herself the longer she stays with him.

Melissa was shy and reserved from day1. I find it a bit strange people think she's a shadow of herself.... She's been like that all along!

I think a bit of insight and self-reflection could have maybe saved a couple of marriages that I’m aware of. It so sad when people don’t know how to truly communicate and need help

They have no morals, they match people who are really awful/explosive or who are obviously never going to work in a million years.....because it will make good entertainment at the dinner parties. They talk absolute guff and them to do all sorts of weird stuff that often makes one of the couple feel really uncomfortable. It's a really, really awful show but I do binge watch it every now and then.

I think the ‘experts’ are useless. They hardly ever match successful couples. Their advice is trite and obvious and delivered in such a patronising and superior way.

Having said that, if they were any use, the show would be far less entertaining. Everyone loves it for what a car crash it is, me included!

Dear OP ARE YOU MAD?

The 'experts' entire job is to construct and shit stir trouble for ratings. The matches are designed for ratings, not compatibility. The show simply exploits the vulnerable and desperate for fame.

You're impressed by the ethical vacuums who manufactured these toxic and dysfunctional 'relationships' in the first place?

They deliberately put people in abusive situations and then not only prevent them from escaping it but encourage them to blame themselves for it. It's irresponsible and dangerous.

They hardly ever match successful couples.

Well, they aren't trying to, are they?

Bec is a vain bully, Bryce is a control freak with no insight in to his behaviours, Melissa is unfortunately pathetic and the young one with the long dark hair (can't remember her name) has the mentality of a 14 yr old and is very odd. Apart from that I love it 🤣

Bec was totally shit stirring which has caused all the other issues since. When Mel finally said her piece on Fridays episode she shut up. She cant talk anyway she is a female version of Bryce to poor Jake! It's like pot calling kettle black. The others should have then not taken sides and it would not have escalated like it did!

How is Melissa a shadow of herself? She was pretty assertive last week at the dinner party. No spoilers also but the events after the show will change your mind on that

I do think some couples are deliberately poorly matched to ensure they get some drama. Eg the country guy and the career woman from this series (sorry can't remember their names). Jess and Mick from last series - bizarre coupling. As was Ines and Bronson, Suzi and Billy etc

I really fancy John 🙈

In a minority here, but I thought Mike was great.

PS: Channel 4 doesn't have Season 7 on there for some weird reason but there is a season 7 and all the episodes are online