NARRATOR: Five weeks ago...
NIC: My guts are churning. Oh, I feel sick.
..20 courageous singles took the plunge...
No frickin' way.
I have arrived.
Hey. Hi.
..meeting and marrying a complete stranger.
MICHAEL: She's a beautiful person, she's gorgeous.
I think I've struck gold.
They spent time getting to know their new partners...
HEIDI: I'm definitely falling for this guy.
My feelings are growing every single day.
..forming deep bonds.
I love you.
I am so happy and I'm the luckiest woman in the world.
And in a world first...
JOHN: We would be raising the stakes like never before.
..the science behind the experiment was put to the ultimate test...
TAMARA: This is it.
I'm getting married.
Hi. How you going?
..as two new couples entered midway...
BILLY: I'm stoked. I can't believe it.
..surprising everyone...
CAM: What is this?
..when they joined the dinner party.
He is a hunk.
And as Jess scoped out the talent...
JOHN: Dan is on the radar for Jess.
..a secret recording scandal...
You have your husband recording you.
Let me explain and let me finish this, as well.
..drove a wedge into Mel and Dino's marriage.
You're just creepy and you're recording me.
Tonight...
We're officially at the halfway mark of this experiment.
..a drama-charged commitment ceremony...
You got something you want to say to Dan and Tamara?
with emotions ramping up for better...
Like, I'm so in love with this man.
..and for worse.
I didn't realise how petrified I was of being in love.
Not every marriage will survive.
Billy's very awkward and makes me very uncomfortable.
..with one relationship so broken...
MELISSA: You are acting like
I slept with your best friend and killed your dog.
..even our experts are shocked.
I'm gonna jump in here, 'cause it's doing my head in.
(BELL TOLLS)
(LIVELY ORCHESTRAL MUSIC)
It's the morning of the fourth commitment ceremony,
and our latest newlyweds are just arriving at their new home.
BILLY: I'll play smooth operator again.
SUSIE: No, that makes it even worse. Just be you.
And for Susie and Billy, it's been a clunky start to their marriage.
Susie does like to have a crack at me
about things that she doesn't like in me.
She just says it how it is.
I don't feel like you have big enough balls at all.
Don't...don't say that I don't have balls.
Be normal.
Be normal?
Yes.
You then go into assault for half an hour
and then you apologise, and we go again until the next one.
Billy is definitely a lovely gentleman,
but Billy's made it very clear
that the reason he's awkward around me is because he likes me.
I just find it hard to deal with.
It's pretty nice.
I've been looking forward to moving in with Susie more than anything.
It's a fresh day, it's a fresh start.
Oh, this must be it, then. Twenty.
I'm looking forward for, like, our experience from here on out.
Oh! Ah!
TAMARA: I almost fell over.
DAN: Looks like there was someone there but they've been scrubbed off.
Garbage.
That's definitely not us there.
That's you.
Dan and Tamara - this is us.
Also moving in today are new couple Tam and Dan.
Oh, this is cute!
Wow, it's flash, isn't it?
Look at the view from up here.
I'm liking the set-up in here, eh?
Like, the rug and stuff? Mm.
Yeah. Good feng shui.
After the honeymoon, Dan and I were getting along great,
but, after the dinner party last night, I just got really bad vibes.
(PENSIVE PIANO MUSIC)
Was she flirting with you?
Be honest.
I think maybe she was flirting with me a bit, yeah.
Yeah, I think so.
Jess was actually
rubbing her leg up and down me leg under the table for a bit, so, yeah.
I was just enjoying having a chat with someone.
At the same time, I was doing it
a little bit just to see Tam's reaction, to be honest.
Every time I looked up, she was sitting right next to you.
Literally.
I was, like, having a conversation here, and, in the corner of my eye,
I could just see her sitting next to you.
I think that she has the wrong intentions.
And I reckon she's on the prowl.
And then she was following you around.
I just don't like her.
I'm very territorial. It's good.
Seeing Tam a bit jealous, you could say, from last night
was a bit of a turn on.
Yeah, I liked it, not gonna lie.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC WITH CLOCK TICKING)
JESS: I feel frickin' terrible.
I'm gonna die. Really? What happened last night?
I woke up feeling quite remorseful of the way that I acted last night.
Oh, (BLEEP).
I have developed some sort of feeling towards you.
I don't even think we should be having this conversation.
Like, yeah, I just don't think it's appropriate.
I probably shouldn't have really said anything to Nic,
but Mick's attention wasn't on me at all, either,
and then I was getting attention from Dan.
He's a very good-looking guy.
DAN: What's that? Dress.
I'm gonna be sick.
At the end of the day, I'm a young woman who wants attention,
and, you know, Mick,
he's just pushed me away this whole entire week.
Meanwhile, Nic is still coming to terms
with being one of the main targets of Jess's attentions last night.
NIC: I was in shock
that Jess is just willing to throw herself out there.
Like, regardless of if Cyrell and I have been in a good situation
or bad, whatever, you just... I still...I'm still married to her.
NIC: Poor Mick.
I don't even know if he knows
that she's gettin' around, doing these things.
MICK: Yeah, I am genuinely interested in Jess
but I don't think she is.
Jess and I haven't really had a proper conversation
in a few days now.
All I want is to spend time with her.
If, you know, Jess doesn't think I'm good enough, so be it.
We're halfway through the experiment for seven out of our nine couples.
You are my Prince Charming.
The slipper fits.
And whilst some couples are revelling in the experience...
No shaving, shirt out and sneakers. OK, thanks.
It's a good thing I trust you.
..others are dealing with big issues.
MARTHA: Um, they're my blueberries.
I'm not prepared to share them with you.
I'll replace all blueberries that I've borrowed.
I feel like you've got a punnet in there.
You reckon? Yeah.
Your ones, the shit ones that you buy,
and then you want to have my nice ones.
Better, honey?
Everyone can relax now.
Michael and I are going round in circles
arguing about, like, dumb, small things.
I don't know why you would get those ones.
I think, 100%, we need to bring it up with the experts.
Another couple in need of the experts' advice tonight
are Mel and Dino.
MELISSA: Dino and I are currently in separate apartments.
The trust was gone.
I didn't feel comfortable in my own home.
Earlier this week,
their relationship received a devastating blow.
He invaded my privacy
and was recording me with my sister on the phone.
You are not seeing what you did! You recorded...
You have violated my trust, my respect!
How dare you try and make this about...?
I...you are unbelievable!
What you did was sneaky, calculating.
I have no trust for you.
Like, how... I feel sick.
I'm so hurt by his actions.
He cannot even see what he has done wrong.
What I did wrong
was to record that conversation between Mel and her sister.
I wanted to play it back for us
and actually learn how words can actually upset someone, too,
so that was my intention, but it was a bad idea.
I woke up and I'm like,
"No, I can't do this, I don't want to go down that path."
Let's just take each other's word for what we actually feel.
Even though Dino and I are so different people,
I absolutely thought I could trust him.
I'm looking forward to going into this commitment ceremony,
where the experts can actually control the conversation,
and, hopefully, we get, like, a positive outcome
out of everything, really.
(FAST-PACED MUSIC)
CAM: Mwah. I'll see you later on. Make the right decision.
With the commitment ceremony drawing closer,
the couples separate to consider the huge decision ahead.
NIC: Yeah, it's been a rough week this week.
Cyrell and Nic had an explosive start to their week.
Don't ever sit there and say you've got my back.
You've never had my back.
NIC: I'm not leaving.
I've never once considered leaving when we've had these issues.
But a visit from John led to a breakthrough.
So, you're, kind of, setting it up to fail, in a sense,
to keep yourself safe.
Yeah.
Because you're constantly worried that he's gonna walk.
(CYRELL SNIFFS)
How are you? I'm good.
Look at your house, man.
It's so nice. How are you?
You know, I just can't keep doing
the fighting and then the happiness, then the fighting, then the hap...
It's just...it's not healthy, just for her and me.
I didn't know, coming into the dinner party,
how you guys were gonna be,
and I think, actually, in the scheme of things,
I think you seemed quite good with each other last night.
You just know, we're not at...
We weren't like we were last week, you know?
I know there's still something there and I know he's still hurt.
She handled last night
with Martha and Jess about the rumours in a mature way,
so, you know, seeing things like that is really good,
it's really positive.
Cyrell and I have had some really amazing times.
We've had a lot of fun.
You know, she's a really good person.
But, like I said, we've sorta had similar sorta chats before
where she said she's gonna keep...
you know, she's gonna work on this and try and...
So, it's...yeah. It's hard for me to believe it.
It's hard because, now that I know I am trying,
and, you know,
and giving it my best, I don't know if it's enough for him to see that.
NIC: I came into this experiment looking for love,
you know, looking for someone to spend the rest of my life with,
and, you know, at this stage,
I...I'm just unsure about if Cyrell's the right person for me.
And it's hard because there's a lot of love there.
We've had a lot of good times.
You want the opportunity to make things better.
But, Jules, what if he rejects me?
And the fact...
Do you know what, hon? You've gotta be prepared for that.
I'm torn between what my head's telling me
and my heart's telling me.
My head's telling me to be smart and just walk away now
before you get hurt.
And then my heart's turning around, saying,
"Give it a chance, you stupid girl."
There is that fear.
Like, I really, like, in my heart,
I'm just like, "Cyrell, it's too late.
"You can't fix it now."
I can't help if I've only realised things so last minute.
(BELL TOLLS)
With the fourth commitment ceremony only hours away,
our couples are well into their deliberations.
MARK: We're actually going really well. We had a good week.
In saying that, it's starting to get to the pointy end.
It's last four weeks that I'm sort of reflecting on, and, you know,
and that's what's, sort of, making this really unbearable.
DAN: So, how's the whole relationship going so far?
It's dysfunctional and it's functional at the same time,
if that makes sense.
Whilst the boys continue their discussions,
back in the apartments, the girls are getting to the heart of matters.
So, how did you find the dinner party last night?
Look, everybody was lovely and very welcoming.
OK.
I mean, I didn't really like
how I would look up and see Jess sitting next to Dan all the time.
I said, "He's not a snack, he's a meal."
Ooh, I like that.
TAMARA: My first reaction was, "She's always by his side. Why?"
You do you, darl, I'll do me and we'll do us.
So, was that happening a lot? Yeah.
OK. She can do anything she wants, it's what they do.
Exactly.
So, if he responds to it, or does something, then that's the issue.
I mean, I don't want to be the bitch,
and be like, "Girl, stay away from my man," because, like,
let's face it, we're still trying to work out where we are.
Yeah.
You should be able to have a nice, you know, comfortable time
getting to know your husband.
Exactly. You know what I mean?
Without having to watch someone trying to be a bit sneaky.
But just remember she can do everything, she can do everything,
and, you know, women can do that all the time,
but, as long as you have a man that you trust,
that's all you really need.
Yeah.
DAN: At the moment, Tam's not really
giving me a lot, the way she's feeling.
Yeah.
I'm sorta like at the stage now
where we're just moving into a bit of a friendzone
and it's, yeah, I don't want it to go that way.
Yeah, man. I'm struggling.
Oh, you don't want to do, like...
'Cause I've been put in the friendzone completely at the moment,
to the point where it's hardly even the friendzone anymore.
Like, it's...we don't even talk.
Far out.
I'm just not her type of man.
Like, do you know what you're gonna do?
Before yesterday, I did.
I was, like, fairly set.
But, at the moment, so, I'm still kind of reeling from last night,
so I'm just not real impressed with Billy at all at the moment.
Like, I need a man,
I feel like I'm with a child, like, a lot of the time.
Up until this point, I've been all for fighting for me and Billy.
He was given to me for a reason.
But, at the moment, I just...I don't know.
Can we talk about Dan for two seconds?
Oh, go on, spill, start. Dan!
Do you think he was good-looking? I thought he was hot as.
So, if you think Dan's, like, smokin', are you attracted to Mick?
'Cause they look very different.
Yeah.
What's the go there?
Oh, look.
I mean, look, at the start, I wasn't attracted to Mick.
But now, because I do know him, I am attracted to him,
but not that, like, white-hot, like, come here, like, attractiveness
that I would probably have with Dan.
MARK: Look, I'm a big fan of yours,
and I was watching you last night at the dinner party
and I could see that there was...
it was clearly not the same as what it has been.
There was a distinct gap.
Not a crack, there was the Grand Canyon between.
Yeah.
I don't know where I'm sittin' with her, what's doin'.
We... Oh, just...
I still feel a bit upset
about how you portrayed me on the couch the other night.
How did I portray you? The sex predator.
You're not, you're not a sexual predator.
You're just a guy that likes his wife.
And then, last night,
yeah, Jess was basically tellin' everyone how hot Dan was, as well.
MICHAEL: I think Jess is just thinking about herself.
First it was Nic, "Nic's really hot."
Next minute, she's going after Dan.
I mean, if you don't want to be here with Mick, your husband, just leave.
You can have a conversation with people,
fine, like, get to know them,
but, looking at her body language, like, it just looked flirtatious.
Yes, I just, sort of, let it go
and didn't bother acknowledging the behaviour,
but, yeah,
all reports led to bloody, yeah, Antarctica, so, no good.
Jess and I have had our differences,
but hearing my wife wink with other men doesn't make you feel too good.
Startin' to, yeah, have an effect on me,
and, well, it has had an effect on me, so...yeah.
Trying to get back to her happy place,
Mel is finally ready to open up to her friend, Ning.
Obviously, getting to know Dino
has been really hard
because he's...yeah, he's a very, kind of, closed book.
He doesn't speak much or express much,
so, I guess that, I feel like, if I leave now, I'm gonna leave
with so many questions because I don't even know who I've been with.
This week is the absolute hardest for me to make this decision
because I thought this was it for me, this was the one,
but I feel that Dino and I
have not been able to find that common ground.
On one hand, he has legitimately broken my trust
and I don't even know how, you know, or if we can get past that.
But then, on the other hand, do I move past that
so we can get to know each other better and I can find out who he is?
I don't want you to have any regrets,
so I really need you to really think about it.
I know. I'm like...yeah.
And I would not want to be in your shoes.
Mm.
I just don't know how you can move away from that.
It's so hard.
Because I think that, no matter which one,
like, I feel like I'm gonna have regrets either way.
Our couples have come to their final decisions.
Now it's time to face the truth in front of our team of experts.
JOHN: Welcome, ladies. Come and grab a seat.
Hello. Hello.
Make yourself comfy.
HEIDI: Hello.
How you going? Good.
BILLY: Definitely not looking forward to the commitment ceremony.
Dreading going over the things that are wrong with our relationship.
I don't like rejection
and the one thing I always tend to do is that I run away from things
before I get in too deep.
So, I try to push people away
and I may have just succeeded with my husband.
Welcome, everyone, to another commitment ceremony,
and we're officially at the halfway mark of this experiment.
And one of the key components of this experiment
is that we constantly challenge you as a couple.
Last night, we threw another curveball at you.
We introduced two new couples into the experiment,
Billy and Susie, Dan and Tamara.
In all relationships, new people will come in and out of your lives
and this will test the very bond that you have with your partner.
Now, for the two new couples, Dan and Tamara, Billy and Susie,
from this point forward,
you're now a part of the group and you will experience everything
that the other couples will have to face
throughout the next part of this experiment.
You still have every chance to fall in love
and to get the 'happily ever after',
but you're gonna have to get up to speed fast.
And with that, we're gonna get the first couple up.
Dan and Tamara.
TAMARA: Going into the commitment ceremony,
it's always gonna be a bit nerve-racking
because he could say one thing to me and then be thinking something else,
but I think I know him a little bit, and I think, you know,
for him to quit on something so soon wouldn't be who he is.
Now, I know you're just, sort of, starting off,
but how have things been going along?
Yeah, things have been going good.
This time last week I was single and now I'm married.
Yes. So...
It's been quick.
How was that wedding day? How was the reception, generally?
What did you...? What did you think about it all?
I had a great time at our wedding.
Everything was beautiful,
and Dan was so easy to get along with straight away.
We, sort of, just...
I don't know, he made me feel super comfortable.
Yeah, we bonded well, we bonded well straight away.
And what about the honeymoon?
Yeah, honeymoon was very romantic, yeah.
It was very intense. Yeah...
Was it?
What was so intense? Just so much romance, it was crazy.
And we got intimate pretty quick, as well,
so, yeah, if that's what you're asking, yeah.
JOHN: There you go.
Sorry, I just jumped the gun then, didn't I?
Straight through.
So, how compatible are you sexually?
I think we're compatible.
Yeah, it's a tricky situation.
So, what do you mean by that, Dan?
Tam's great.
Like, her personality is second to none.
But, at the moment,
I'm worried that she'll become a bit more of a friend than my wife.
That's where I'm at, yeah.
So, the emotional connection wasn't there?
Yeah, that's what I'm chasing, a bit more of an emotional connection.
Tamara?
I feel like he's got his walls up when it comes to that more,
I don't know, the more substance in the relationship,
and so that makes me put my walls up,
and, with my relationships,
I, sort of, want to feel that passion and that connection
and I don't want it to just be sex, and I think, maybe,
because we jumped the gun a little bit too early,
that's what it was.
Right.
I've got a son, as well, you know,
so there's a lot for me to think about in regards to relationships.
And so is that what's prevented you
from actively dating in the last few years?
Definitely, yeah, definitely.
I still haven't introduced him to a girl yet.
OK.
So, I'm just waitin' for the right one
and that's why I've come here, and hopin' that you guys can...
Yep, it's a big deal. Yeah, huge, definitely.
Alright.
Let's get to the decision to see whether you want to stay or leave.
First up, we're gonna go with Tamara.
Obviously, I want to learn more.
Mm.
So, I decided to stay.
Good.
What about you, Dan? What have we got, stay or leave?
I'm making this decision solely on the way I'm feeling at the moment,
and, obviously, I miss my young fella at home, as well,
and I want to, one day, introduce him to a girl of my dreams.
I'm hoping that Tam's the one, so I've decided to stay.
TAMARA: That was cute. JOHN: Nice.
OK.
Well, look, you know,
what you've told us tonight, I think you've gotta really start
deep diving and getting to know each other,
and that's your takeaway this week. TAMARA: Yep.
And keep in mind, if you want your relationship to progress,
you've got to be having hard-hitting conversations,
intimate conversations outside of the commitment ceremony.
But, for now, you can go back to the group.
Thank you. Good luck.
Yeah, it was good to get in front of the experts,
hearing their opinions, getting a bit of an insight
onto where we're at with our relationship.
I've come out of there tonight feeling a lot stronger.
I think we're going alright. I think we're going great.
Coming up...
I am so sorry.
..true feelings are exposed...
You got something you want to say to Dan and Tamara?
..as one of our couples...
Have you been recording me more times?
Alright, guys. Just let me jump in now.
..pushes John too far.
I can't just sit here anymore and hear the way you talk.
It's doing my head in.
(BELL TOLLS)
Alright, let's get our next couple up.
Ning and Mark.
MARK: I'm always a bit cautious going into these nights because,
obviously, in the second commitment ceremony, Ning decided to leave.
But we have had a couple of good weeks in a row.
Alright, you two, well, tell us about how the week was for you both.
This week was actually really good.
So, we upped it this week.
You stepped it up. Yeah.
I think romance is probably a bit new to both of us.
I think, for me, giving it is quite new, and for Ning to accept it.
Ning, what did he do that was romantic?
So, we went flower shopping,
and he picked, like, really beautiful native, you know, flowers.
So, I felt really special
because Mark was saying how unique these flowers are and I'm unique.
So, that was just really beautiful.
We didn't want to go too far over the top, we didn't want to go
too clichBe, so I think we just, yeah, got it spot on this week.
Well, it sounds like there's a real connection building here, guys.
You know, there's so many different things that I'm attracted to,
like, you know, his smile, when he laughs.
He's so independent
and he's picking up all my little slangs and my little terminologies.
Sounds like he's getting under your skin.
I think he'd like to get deeper in my skin, but, hey.
Hello. WOMAN: Ew!
Cold showers, cold showers for you.
Well, this is great.
I mean, we're watching you over the weeks basically transform
and it's great for the other couples to see that, as well.
But now we've gotta find out whether you're gonna stay or leave.
We're gonna kick it off with you, Mark.
What do you want to do?
At the end of the day, I'm having an absolute ball with her
and I'm gonna stay 'cause I reckon that we're going well.
What is that?
That's a road and it's a long road but we're on it.
You're on the right track.
Good stuff, OK.
Ning, what about you, stay or leave?
So, I'm just happy
that he's, you know, hanging in there for this and for this
instead of that, so I'm going to say 'stay'.
Alright.
WOMAN: Aw!
NING: We've had such, like, two amazing weeks,
and, you know,
this is the most relaxed we've ever been in front of each other,
and, yeah, I just think that we're pretty strong this week.
Yeah, I think we're in a pretty good spot right now.
OK, let's get our next couple up.
Cyrell and Nic.
CYRELL: I don't know what's going on in Nic's mind,
as we haven't spent the last few nights together.
Grab a seat, you two.
And a part of me is thinking that Nic's already set his mind to leave,
and that everything I had done at the dinner party
was just not enough.
Now, it's been a massive week for you two, hasn't it,
and...to the point where I even came in and caught up with you both.
So, there's a lot for us to unpack tonight
to find out how you're travelling along.
Why don't we start with you, Cyrell?
How have you found the week and where are you at with things?
So, Nic and I had a really bad week.
Um... Um...
We did try to work things out and deal with the dinner party,
but, I guess, he would even say it's still rocky.
Let's go back during the week.
Can you give us a little overview of what happened
and how it's impacted the both of you?
So, earlier on in the week, um...
Nic and I...well, I was told by Nic of...
Could you just get Nic to talk?
I can't talk right now.
Nic, you talk.
Youse happy with that, yeah?
Yeah, so, at the start of the week,
I heard that I was touching up Jess under the table at the dinner party.
And how did you hear that?
I crossed paths with Martha in the hotel.
You know, it was news to me, it was a shock.
We went and seen Martha and just said,
you know, "What was your side of the story?"
So, Cyrell was a bit... very worked up.
Let's be honest, I wasn't just a bit, I was very upset.
Yeah.
I turned into a monster that I've hidden for several years.
I was very, very angry and...
to the extent that...I will just say it, I attacked Martha.
I was aggressive towards her, I was aggressive to her partner
and then I was very aggressive to my husband.
I've been alone
because, obviously, after that, Nic didn't want to be with me.
And I have had time to think about everything, you know,
and I am sorry to Martha and her husband,
and especially to my husband, for how I reacted.
(POIGNANT PIANO MUSIC)
My husband, I know in my heart, is considering to leave me.
I am so sorry.
I'm sorry.
(POIGNANT ORCHESTRAL MUSIC)
I didn't just hurt him, I've been hurting myself.
I didn't realise how petrified I was of being in love.
I really did not think it was to that extent.
Well, that's...that's huge progress.
You know, I saw you this week
and confronted you about how you're expressing your anger
and we agreed you can't continue doing that, it's not appropriate,
and you have taken that, accepted responsibility
and people are hearing that tonight
and that's very brave and courageous of you.
Nic, how does it feel when you hear Cyrell take responsibility
and be really raw and open like this?
Yeah.
A bit lost for words, to be honest.
Yeah, it's amazing for her
to, you know, own it, I guess, and it's...that's massive.
How's the time apart that you've had this week impacted on you both?
It's been hit and miss for me, to be honest.
I don't...
I'm just very mixed about how I'm feeling about it.
You know, my usual instinct, when something like this happens,
or a big fight, I just sorta go, "See ya, I don't need this."
Walls go up and, I'm not gonna lie,
that's happened a lot this week, and, you know, all week,
I've been thinking, like, weighing out, you know?
It's not just this week that's been exhausting.
You know, we've had a big five, six weeks, like, up and down.
Yeah, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster.
Nic, prior to the events of this week, it's fair to say that you guys
were, sort of, turning the corner and going in a positive direction.
Yeah, look, you know, last week, the dinner party, ceremony,
everything was... I thought that was it.
I thought, "Yes, we're back in a good place."
You know, this is it, we've finally turned it around,
and then it sort of happened again, you know?
Drama's happened and bags were packed and...yeah, we separated.
OK, guys.
Well, it's been a massive week for the both of you.
What we need to do now is find out whether you want to stay or leave,
and, tonight, we're gonna go with you first, Nic.
What have you decided?
Um, yeah, look, we've had some really good times.
We've had some amazing times, you know?
I've got a lot of good things to say about Cyrell.
I've tried to be patient, tried to hold out,
but I feel like I've just been pushed a bit too far.
Yeah. I decided to leave.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(BELL TOLLS)
I've tried to be patient, tried to hold out,
but I feel like I've just been pushed a bit too far.
Yeah. I decided to leave.
(SOMBRE MUSIC)
And what about you, Cyrell?
Your decision, stay or leave?
I knew Nic was always going to leave and I don't blame him.
This time apart has definitely taught me a few things
that I would like to work on myself and things I'd like to change.
And things that I want... not only for Nic
but what I would like for myself.
So, this is why I chose a big 'stay'.
Ah.
Yes, because I'd like to have a chance of finding myself again
and also, you know, maybe fix what's happening here, too.
Now, in this experiment, as you know,
if one person decides to stay and the other one wants to leave,
then you stay for another week
to see if you can turn around the relationship.
Nic, what's your response?
Have you got it in you to give her another chance?
It's a bit hard to ask that when I had 'leave', you know,
so, you know, yeah, I'm just gonna have to take it on.
What I want you to know, Nic,
is what you've heard from Cyrell tonight,
frankly, we don't hear that often, and that's a person saying,
"I'm responsible, I've made massive mistakes, I want to do it right."
That's a big change in Cyrell
and something that I think you can really grow from here as a couple.
But it's gonna be over to you
whether you give her a chance or not.
Yeah.
And Cyrell?
I just need everyone to know
that the old me would've sat here and been like, you know,
"If he's gonna say 'leave', I'll write 'leave'."
I wouldn't even bother fighting for it, I would run away.
So, I'm gonna fight for you, Nic.
OK, so, this week's massive for the both of you.
Consider relationship number one dead.
You got seven days to create relationship number two.
It's gotta be different and you two have to be talking differently
and opening up to each other in a way you haven't done before.
We've already seen couples turn it around.
It's now over to you.
Nic, do your best to have an open mind
'cause you're gonna see a different Cyrell this week.
And, Cyrell, when you're scared, push through.
Alright, well done tonight, you guys.
Go back to the group and good luck this week.
MEL: Good luck, guys.
JOHN: Make it count, Cyrell. Make it count.
I'm so proud of you. You were making me cry from there.
I'm just so proud of you. That was so big of you.
NIC: She really opened up and I do really appreciate that,
and it takes a lot for her to do something like that,
so could be good for us.
You know? I guess I should give it a chance.
Next couple up.
Cam and Jules.
WOMAN: Ah.
Come on, Cam.
Hello, team.
Come and sit down. How are we?
We're doing pretty well.
We're pretty excited to hear about your week.
Excellent. How did it all go?
We went plant shopping.
You shopped for plants?
We shopped for plants. We did.
Yes.
And what it did, I think, prove to us
was that Jules and I can go anywhere and just make the most of it.
And make it fun. And make it fun and enjoyable.
That's a lovely thing to say.
And have a really good time. Yeah, it was fun.
We've had a really great week.
Like, I've had moments of, like,
just blissfully in my, like... "I'm so in love.
"Like, I'm so in love with this man."
And I just... I'm really, really happy.
So, it was a very domestic week
doing, kind of, the regular, everyday things,
but it brought you closer.
We, sort of, just wanted to really bring it back to everyday life.
Basics. Basics, yeah.
Now it's time for the decision.
We want to know whether you want to stay or leave.
Let's go with you first, Jules.
Yeah, it's a no-brainer, so...
Mm-mm.
And what about you, Cam?
There is, again, four crosses of staying.
Aw.
Well done, guys.
For us, on the couch with the experts was rewarding
because we have... we have something pretty special,
and we're, sort of, letting each other accept that.
Good job. Well done.
We both know we've got something here that has got longevity.
Time to get our next couple up.
Dino and Melissa.
MELISSA: This week has been the hardest for Dino and I as a couple.
We're not bringing the best out in each other.
We're actually bringing out the worst.
Well, greetings, you two. Hello.
Before we start, I would just like to put my hand up and apologise.
I feel there's something I did this week that was out of character,
and I recorded a conversation that Mel was having
between her and her sister.
It was a bad idea to start with and, you know, I'm sorry.
What motivated you to record Mel on the phone?
When I heard this conversation, I, sort of, thought, like
"OK, I could record it,"
and then, you know, play it back for us
to actually just show Mel what was actually said,
which was words that were quite hurtful to me,
and, you know, it wasn't easy to, sort of, take,
especially with how far we've actually come into this experiment.
What did you hear, Dino?
So, the first thing I heard was my vows are a joke.
My vows are... they're not understood.
The second thing was questioning that,
OK, we don't have a sense of banter,
you know, healthy banter, which I agree, we don't,
but to come around and say, like, "If I was matched to any other man
"in this experiment, I probably would've had a better marriage."
That was hurtful and I'm not gonna go into the other details.
Oh, no, no, please do.
I would love to hear this recording, by the way,
which I still have never heard, and you keep changing what I said,
but keep...please tell them, what else?
But it's wrong. It's bad manners. I'm sorry, Dino.
You are acting like I slept with your best friend
and killed your dog.
I literally was telling my sister what has happened
in our relationship from when we got married to now.
It was nothing you hadn't heard before.
And the thing is, when I found out about this,
he did not take ownership for it or responsibility for it.
He came to the dinner party
and he had this crowd around him of people and he is sitting there,
saying, "Melissa said this about me and Melissa said this about me."
Please, get that recording out
because I am so sick of you playing the victim.
You were invading my privacy again,
telling everyone a private conversation.
God knows...
Have you been recording me more times? I feel sick. What was that?
I want to say a fact, that you've...
I'm trying to be patient as much as I can,
but the way you treat me and speak down to me...
Alright, guys, let me jump in now
'cause we could leave for two hours, come back,
you'd still be doing this.
So, ultimately, what's happened here with you guys
is that there's been a massive breach of trust,
which is incredibly difficult to come back from.
DINO: Mm.
We're halfway through the experiment,
you are where you're at now,
so why don't we find out whether you want to stay or leave.
Let's go with you first, Mel.
Yeah, look, I...yeah, I...yeah.
The trust is gone,
and, if you don't have trust in a relationship,
you don't have anything, and that's key to me,
so, yeah, that's why I chose to leave.
OK.
And what about you, Dino?
Sure, so...
(MUSIC CLIMAXES)
(BELL TOLLS)
The trust is gone, and, if you don't have trust in a relationship,
you don't have anything, so, yeah, that's why I chose to leave.
OK.
And what about you, Dino?
Sure, so, before we started this experiment,
you know, I thought opposites may attract,
and I may give it a shot
and actually see where we go with this whole marriage,
but the way we think is so different.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)
So, I decided to leave.
(POIGNANT PIANO MUSIC)
Some couples, you know, they fall in love,
and they get that 'happily ever after',
and, unfortunately, for you, it didn't work out.
But, hopefully, you've learnt some things about yourselves individually
and also how you are in relationships,
so that you can take it from here into the real world
and get that match that you really both deserve.
So, all the best.
Do you mind if I just read something really quick?
(JOVIAL MUSIC)
I've just prepared a little poem that I want to read out to Mel.
Dear Mel, when doors open and you walk into a room,
I see people's faces light up in smiles of excitement and joy.
Your sense of humour is second to none,
and you've given the way of laughing a whole new style and definition.
Trust me, there is no competition. Mm.
When you meet the next man, before he slams you...
(LAUGHTER)
..I hope he'll treat you the way you want to be treated,
because you are a woman that will never be defeated.
(JOVIAL MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you, guys.
You can go back to the group now.
MEL: Thanks, guys. TRISHA: Thank you.
I pictured, you know, me and Melissa being in this, sort of, cage.
We've, sort of, flown away from this cage now,
but in two separate directions, but the future is always bright.
You know, I'll give Dino this.
I think Dino's poem was really quite funny and that was impressive.
You know, I actually thought, you know, it was...it was really nice.
Alright, let's get our next couple up.
Heidi and Mike.
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
HEIDI: Mike and I have had many ups and downs,
but the thing is we're still here
and we're still working with each other,
and, because of that,
I feel like we've just gone to another level now.
Now, we were pretty tough with you last week.
How did this week go for you?
It was a really good week, a really good week.
It's so funny because, throughout this whole experiment,
whenever anyone asked me, "How's it going?"
I'm like, it is so hard,
this is the hardest thing I've ever done, and they're like...
Then, one day, I just thought I can either keep going
and keep thinking this can end,
or I can change and I can change my whole life.
Well done.
And I thought, if I don't change my whole life,
I'm just gonna get out of here the same person.
You've broken the cycle.
Oh, yeah. Yeah, and you know what?
I feel like... I feel like a different person.
Yeah.
I feel like I'd only ever had glimpses of Heidi, the real Heidi,
and now I've kinda got the whole picture.
I'm not having to walk on egg shells.
I'm not having to have the kid gloves when I speak to her.
Things aren't aggravating her like they were...
So, you can be more authentic with her?
Oh, it's...we've got a better flow.
And, Heidi, what do you see different in him this week?
He's just so much happier, so much happier.
We are so delighted about this
because we really gave you some hardcore feedback.
Yeah, it was hardcore.
It was, 'cause that's one of the reasons why we're here.
I know, and, do you know what, I needed it,
otherwise I wouldn't...change, do you know what I mean? I know.
But, nonetheless, stay or leave? Let's go with you first, Mike.
Yeah, it took some work to get where we are.
We put in a ton of work, both of us. You did.
And, you know, there's no way we'd be walking away from this
after all that effort, so it's a stay from me.
Brilliant. Oh, and a little love heart.
Yep.
He's getting all romantic.
What about you, Heidi?
What have you got for us?
I just want to say, I am so grateful for you.
Like, I am so grateful.
Like, I could've been paired with anyone in the whole world
and I'm just... I'm really glad it was you.
I'm so glad. Thank you.
And I'm gonna stay.
Love it.
I mean, you know, you're in sync.
You know, it's all going in the right direction.
So, well done.
Thanks, guys. Thank you.
I'm really happy with how the commitment ceremony went this week.
I just feel like newlyweds for real.
If we're feeling like this in a week,
well, there'd be no reason why we couldn't feel like this in a year.
Coming up -
which of these couples pushes John to breaking point?
I can't just sit here anymore and hear the way you talk.
It's doing my head in.
And the moment of truth.
Have you got something you want to say to Dan and Tamara?
For Jess.
(BELL TOLLS)
Alright, let's bring our next couple up.
Michael and Martha.
(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC)
MICHAEL: Martha and I have had one of those up-and-down weeks.
Hi, guys. MEL: Hello.
Hello, you two.
We've had a couple of tiffs about little things.
I'm not exactly sure where Martha's at,
and I've been getting the cold shoulder.
What happened with you guys?
So, I planned, like, a big romantic gesture
where we were gonna have a pamper session.
Got all her favourite, like, little chocolates, little sweets
and sparkling wine,
which was all going really well
but then, yeah, there's, like, zero affection back now.
What can I do for you to shake this,
or is it just something you need to do?
You always want to do the things that I want to do.
I'm sick of doing the things that I want to do.
So, you want him to take the lead more?
Yes. I need him to take the lead. There you go.
She wants me to be more assertive.
Fair enough, I get that,
but, in the next sentence, she tells me she always gets her way,
and my example of that is we went out,
spent a nice day, had a drink, watched the sunset.
I said, "I've booked dinner at Restaurant X."
She said, "Nuh, we're not going to Restaurant X,
we're going to Restaurant Y."
I think what he's saying is, that, if you want him to step up,
and be an equal and take the lead,
you gotta step back and let him do that.
This isn't a bad thing for you guys
because you've been travelling along in a relatively smooth way.
Now you've hit a couple of bumps in the road,
and it's how you're gonna talk about it
and deal with it and adjust to it that's so important.
You're not back at square one here.
No.
This is just a growth experience.
We need to know what you're gonna do, though, stay or leave.
I'm just gonna be more open about how I feel about different things
and I'll be staying.
I think he's a great guy.
He brings out the best in me and he cools, like, my hot head.
(LAUGHTER)
Good luck. Go back to the group.
Probably the most uncomfortable we've been
sitting next to each other, to be honest,
but it was good to get everything out there from both sides
and hopefully we can both take it on board and build from it.
Time to get our next couple up, Susie and Billy.
BILLY: Yeah, I'm kind of petrified
about being on the couch tonight with Susie.
Hello, how you going?
Our relationship needs all the help from the experts that we can get.
Welcome to the experiment.
Absolutely, lovely to meet you guys.
How's it been going?
Ah, it's definitely a rocky first start, that's an understatement.
I've always wanted to get married and be a husband,
and my picture-perfect image in my head
of what, like, marriage should be...
I thought she was absolutely stunning,
but her dad came up to me and told me that she wasn't into me,
wasn't her type, so, after that, I kind of went sook mode, you know?
So, yeah, I was disappointed.
Susie, what do you say to that?
Definitely unfortunate that my father told Billy
that he's not my cup of tea, but I couldn't help that.
No, I'm never blaming you for that. Let me talk, darling.
That's...that, you know, is out of my control,
but, at least, absolutely, I told you.
Like, would you have rather me denied it
and been like, "Oh, you're gorgeous," and just gone with it.
And then you did, you went into sulk mode and that carried on
all the way home until you brought it up the next day.
It was just really, really hurtful.
Well, you should've used your big boy words and spoken to me.
(MICK MOUTHS)
I tried to cover it up. You know, at first, I'm like...
You try to cover everything up, darling.
All you do is try to cover up things.
I'm a big girl and I can handle stuff.
Billy, what has Susie said to you that has been hurtful?
She's told me that I'm...she goes for bigger guys, I'm too small.
What else?
That I have no balls.
I'm strange.
And I'm just...I'm not a man. "Like, man up."
Definitely sensitive. I'm in touch with my feelings.
I know when somebody's going out of their way to hurt me.
Well, that's a load of crap
'cause I don't go out of my way to hurt you at all.
Susie, did you say these things to Billy?
Yes, I said all those things to Billy
and I tried to explain what I meant.
I felt like he wasn't manly enough for me.
I felt like he wasn't coming across manly enough
as to what I'm used to and what I like,
and he got really upset about it and I just stood my ground,
but, unfortunately, I don't have that connection with Billy where
I do just want to throw myself at him and be psycho in love with him.
And so I'm just wondering, is this normal for you?
Is this the way you...? No, I wouldn't say so.
I think Billy brings this out in me.
So... So, I am very assertive
and full on and I'll speak my mind,
but I'm not having a good time with Billy at the moment at all
and I think that's coming across.
So, why do you think that is? Billy stares.
Billy's very awkward and makes me very uncomfortable.
The silly, odd things that come out of his mouth freak me out.
It's a lot. He is a lot to take in.
I was just a sweetheart to you, far out.
You were too much of a sweetheart and I told you that.
I bought you chocolates. I make you coffee.
I ask to do everything for you every day.
I tell you how gorgeous that you look.
I'm trying so hard.
Is it true that Billy tells you
that you're beautiful and you're gorgeous?
Yes.
How does it feel when he says that?
At first, it was lovely, but then it was every...
For the first couple of days, it was every five seconds
and it was far too much.
It's weird, Billy. Then I stopped and I backed off.
It's too much.
You told me and I stopped and I backed off.
I'm just trying to be a nice person.
(STIRRING ORCHESTRAL MUSIC)
Susie, do you like him?
At times, he can be very funny and intriguing,
but, at last night's dinner party,
you got upset and had your little spaz.
Susie, I'm gonna jump in here
'cause I can't just sit here anymore and hear the way you talk.
It's doing my head in.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)
(BELL TOLLS)
Susie, I'm gonna jump in here
'cause I can't just sit here anymore and hear the way you talk.
It's doing my head in.
It is toxic, OK?
How are you contributing, Susie,
to this relationship breakdown right now?
I don't really know.
I just feel like I can't really...
I think, because I can't...
That's a problem.
No, I know that I'm not where I should be by any means
but I don't know how to get there.
It's a problem that you don't know
how you're contributing to this issue.
I'm contributing by being myself
and Billy and I don't like each other, it would appear.
No.
I think that is what it is. I don't know what else...
Let me give you some feedback.
Do you think that you're better than Billy?
No, definitely not.
Because you talk as though
you do see yourself as being better than him.
No, I definitely don't see myself as better than him.
Here's what it sounds like.
"You're not a man.
"You've got no balls.
"Use your big boy voice."
That is contempt, that you're from a level above, talking down to him,
and, when you do that, it destroys the bond in the relationship.
Do you understand that?
Cruel putdowns, eye rolling, that's contempt and that's what you do.
What about what he's been like to me? You think it's all great?
What I'm saying is what I'm seeing in front of me,
what I'm hearing in front of me needs to be called out.
Alright, let's go to the decision.
You guys have got to decide whether you want to stay or leave.
Let's go with you first, Billy.
I've been so 50/50 about this decision all day,
and there's still that fire burning for me there
to make something work.
I'm just gonna go with my heart and I'm staying.
OK.
Alright, over to you, Susie.
The advice was predominantly all to me and everything that I need to do.
Um...
Billy, I don't think, they touched on at all.
For once in my life, I'm lost for words,
but, at the minute, I'm gonna stay.
OK. Why did you decide to stay?
I can't leave after a week,
otherwise I've legitimately wasted my time and Billy's completely.
Yeah.
Right now, you're at real crisis point.
That doesn't mean you can't turn it around,
but the reason why we're really direct and hard with our feedback
is because it has to change.
Good luck for this week. Thanks, guys.
I definitely found the advice tonight hard to take, 100%.
I felt that there was a lot more to Billy
that could've been discussed or we could've touched on.
I regret writing 'stay'.
OK, well, let's get our last couple up on the couch, Mick and Jess.
My attention wasn't on Mick last night at the dinner party at all.
We were in a really bad place.
Hi, guys. Hey, you two.
MICK: How you goin'?
But it would be hurtful for Mick to say 'leave'
based on things like that.
How are you?
We're doing well. We want to know how you guys are doing.
Mick and I have had a big week this week.
Mick's upset with a few comments
that were made on the couch last week
when we were talking about intimacy,
and Mick now seems to think that a lot of people in the group
seem to think he's a sexual predator.
I, sort of, struggled this week
with, yeah, the comments she made last week,
and, you know, heaven forbid,
you bloody find your missus attractive, you know?
So...you know?
So, yeah, it's, sort of, been a really, bloody, hard week,
so I've really struggled to get over that,
and, so, this week, I've basically completely shut off.
We haven't spoken at all,
and I was just trying to see how she reacted to the situation,
and, yeah, bloody, nothing'.
May as well just get blood out of a stone, so,
which is, you know, as everyone knows, impossible.
So, you tested her? Yep, yep, and nothing'.
One day, one day.
The rest of it, I've been miserable.
So, what did you think about these rumours
that were circulating this week?
The rumours were all rubbish,
let's just get that out of the way to start with,
but there's always one common denominator.
Jess.
Like, for someone who hates drama,
she's always front and centre at every contest.
(WOUND-UP MUSIC)
All the time.
Every single bloody...
How do you think that makes me feel? How do you think that makes me feel?
I don't like the fact that I'm always the centre of the drama.
How do you think it affects me?
Like, even last night...
You got something you want to say to Dan and Tamara?
(BELL TOLLS)
There's always one common denominator.
Jess.
Like, even last night...
You got something you want to say to Dan and Tamara?
You were saying last night how attractive Dan is.
Dan is a very attractive man.
How do you think that makes me feel?
I haven't looked at any other woman any other way, you know, like...
I'm not lookin' anywhere else.
Bloody married to this bloody thing here, not anyone else.
I feel like we were in a good place a couple of weeks ago,
and then it's just gone downhill rate of knots,
you know, bobsled team, that sort of jazz.
And, yeah, bloody, I'm just about at the finish line.
What do you say to this, Jess?
The comments that Mick, sort of, throws out
at these commitment ceremonies are always a first to me.
I ask him how he feels about the rumours.
"Fine, darl."
I ask him how he's feeling, you know, with us.
"Fine, darl."
And then I sit down on the couch in front of our peers,
and I basically just get ripped into.
I don't know how to help our relationship or help it grow
if you don't talk to me.
You shut me out.
This week, I have, yes.
Every other week, as well,
the communication, as well, it's just...it's hard.
You're tellin' me.
You know, it's been a rollercoaster, hasn't it?
I mean, your five weeks here, you've had some real highs,
where you've been going in the right direction,
and then, you know, you've really, sort of, disconnected
to the point where, this week, you've stepped right away.
So, what we want to find out is,
you know, whether you've decided to stay or leave.
Mick?
Yeah, look, at the start, when I first met Jess,
and we were gettin' along,
I was thinkin', you know, this girl's amazing.
How am I gonna...? You know, I don't deserve this.
But now I'm the complete other end. I deserve better.
So, I've got 'leave'.
OK.
Jess, what about you?
Look, I went through our diary cams tonight,
and I looked at the video we made on our first night of our wedding,
and I could see the smiles and I could see the happiness,
and I can see how good we were.
And I know that relationships are not easy.
There's gonna be rough patches,
and, Mick and I, we've had a really good time together.
I knew that that's just something that we have to try and work on,
so I chose 'stay'.
Mick, how do you want to handle this week going forward then?
Just show me that she cares. What would that look like?
Just make an effort to do something with me.
Like, not just once off and go,
"Oh, I've done it, I'm good for five days."
'Cause the other day,
we went for a walk across the bloody...stupid bridge,
and that was the first time in four bloody weeks we've been in Sydney
that she's made it across the bridge and seen the Opera House.
Oh! Heaven to Betsy, unbelievable.
So, you want to see a lot more of that.
Absolutely.
And it's fun because, as you're out there, guess what you're doin'?
Conversing, you're talkin'.
Deep conversations. Happy days.
Like...
Jess, he's told you what he needs and it's not a huge amount.
No, it's not.
What do you think?
I mean, if it's gonna make him happy
and it's going to help our relationship,
of course I'll put 110% effort into it.
I mean...
But why did it take for me to write 'leave' for you to bloody do that?
I mean, I think he's worth it, so...
So, you got a week to turn it around.
Good luck and we'll see you next time.
Thank you.
I know that I haven't put in much effort this week with Mick,
so, I'll try and get back to that place where I am comfortable
and Mick can see that, you know, I am interested in him.
Well, that was another eventful commitment ceremony.
So, sadly, tonight,
we lose one couple, Dino and Mel, and, of course, we wish you well
with what's to come in terms of your own relationships.
But, for the rest of the couples here,
the next phase of this experiment is to go to the groom's hometown.
Grooms, this is your opportunity to really let your partners in,
to see your world, and also to introduce them
up close and personal with some of your nearest and dearest.
Bringing Cyrell home to my family, I'm relying on her
to mean what she said and not carry on around my family.
Now I've just heard that I've gotta meet his family,
to be honest, I don't do families well.
But I said I'm gonna give this 110%.
If I was to run away now, it's not really trying, is it?
Alright, guys, good luck this week.
Keep an open mind, be curious and commit to it.
And, for now, I want you all
to take the time to say goodbye to Melissa and Dino.
All the best.
MELISSA: I absolutely, 100%, did not think
that this is how I'd be leaving the experiment.
CAM: Mwah.
But Dino has broken my relationship drought and in a good way.
Now I just can't wait to go out there,
find the man and be in a relationship.
Like, yas, so what's the time?
I'm gonna go find him right now. Yeah, oh, mm.
Tomorrow night...
Wow.
It's the grooms' homestays...
No, I don't think she'll last. Bloody city folk.
..where our brides get to see if they fit into their husband's lives.
Everything is magic.
And Susie gets more than an eyeful.
(SUSIE SQUEALS)
Holy moly, he really is nude.
Cyrell seeks family forgiveness.
I haven't been the best wife to your son.
As a mother, you want the best for your child.
And will a day at the beach...
Like, that's just misleading, darling.
..see Billy get dumped?
I thought it was gonna be a good day.
It's not normal.
You know this has come about because you lied to me?
And you don't want to get into it 'cause you're wrong, not me.
I don't like being treated like shit.
(BELL TOLLS)
Captioned by Ai-Media ai-media.tv