MAFS; S11, EP 5

Miles & Karen:

Miles and Karen were hanging out at the resort, shopping for sunglasses and getting more comfortable with each other. When they met up with the other couples, they announced that they are now calling each other “MY stranger” instead of just strangers (which they thought was cute, but it’s kind of really annoying). They should just call each other “Balki” and “Larry” so they can be “Perfect Strangers”. 

The couple had a romantic dinner together where they discussed their pasts. Miles confessed to being a serial monogamist, which was slightly concerning to Karen. She feels like she doesn’t want to be just another serious relationship on his long list. Karen has only had 2 serious relationships herself (one in which the guy had a kid with someone else DURING the relationship, oops). In an attempt to be fun and playful, Miles repeatedly called Karen a cougar, which seemed to be getting under her skin. He didn’t realize that the age difference was a slight issue for her and he basically kept bringing it up. 

They went on a double date with Woody and Amani on a speedboat, where they seemed to be bonding more and having fun. It seemed like all of the couples were really benchmarking themselves against Woody and Amani, and Karen expressed that they were taking things much slower. At the end of the night, Miles suggested that he and Karen sleep outside on the hammocks, which she agreed to. It was probably just a ploy to get her to come closer, but it worked nonetheless. I had really high hopes for them in the beginning, and now they are kind of uninteresting (I guess Woody/Amani and Bennett/Amelia are giving them a run for their money in the interesting department). Hopefully they start to warm up to each other more soon.

Woody & Amani:

Team Woodmani is so far so good as they wake up for their first full day of honeymooning. It seems like they are very open with each, with great communication. Amani expressed her interest in consummating their marriage, though she felt like the time had to be right. Instead of a full consummation, she invited Woody to shower with her and it is unclear what the terms and agreements were to that arrangement. (Were bathing suits required?? Was there a loofah involved? Singing?? You know there was dancing…..)

They met up with Bennett and Amelia to go swimming where unfortunately Woody lost his ring. He seemed genuinely upset, but thought Amani handled it very calmly. During the couple meet up, it was clear that Team Woodmani were making the most headway in their relationship out of all of the couples. They took the lead, almost interviewing the other couples to get their take on how things were going so far. Amani’s reaction to Christina and Henry was probably the best part. She saw right through their b.s. “Oh we’re just taking things slow, and trying to find what’s comfortable for us”, looking right at the camera and saying “MMMhmm”. Exactly, Amani. Exactly.

Later at dinner together, Amani expressed to Woody some reservations she had about being completely vulnerable. She is slightly concerned with it being too much too soon and then fizzling out and not working. Woody seemed understanding, and hopefully he really is as invested as he seems. 

The couple took their second shower together of the day, before kicking out the camera crew. From the previews it looks like the shower might have been extra steamy…. 

Olivia & Brett:

The morning of the honeymoon seemed to be going well at first. They were talking about their previous dating lives, which were vastly different. Olivia claims to have been single for 3 ½ years, not wanting to waste time dating, while Brett dated everyone in New Orleans. He even admitted to going on a second date 2 days before finding out he was matched (maybe not first day of honeymoon conversation, Brett. Stick to your dad jokes). This naturally seems to send up a warning sign to Olivia, who is now concerned that her husband of 24 hours will be thinking “what if” about his successful 2nd date lady friend.

Next up, Olivia and Brett had a little beach day, where Brett took off his shirt to make sure everyone got a glimpse of the gun show. They hung out and discussed their childhoods and upbringings, which sounded somewhat similar. During their meetup with the other couples, they mentioned how they both agreed not to divulge any details about consummation, though it’s probably safe to say It doesn’t seem like much is happening in that department.. It definitely seems like they are casual and warming up, but not much of a love connection. They also discussed their past relationships, where Brett revealed he was cheated on by a former fiance.Olivia was shocked by this newsflash that Brett had been engaged, but figured he had a life before her…she just wants to get it all out in the open now. 

They decided to let off a little steam by completing a random obstacle course. Olivia held her own most of the way, while Brett cut open his calluses on the monkey bars. It was kind of shocking how unphased Olivia was by Brett’s injury, especially being that she’s a nurse, but she just kept talking like nothing happened. 

After the medic healed Brett’s gross wounded hands (not sure why we needed a close up), they decided to lay low for the evening. Next week’s previews show trouble in paradise, and I’m here for it! I wonder if Brett gets caught hitting on the hotel staff…..

Amelia & Bennett:

These two are having a blast being in their natural goofball state in their new swanky surroundings. They both expressed their happiness about being matched, and it seems like they are two peas in one giant pajama-dress pod. They had a fun day double dating with Woodmani before all of the couples met up. All of the other couples seemed to love Bennette and Amelia together, and couldn’t believe how similar they seemed. Amelia was dressed like every girl in my middle school yearbook, really working that 90’s jr high fashion. 

Back at the hotel room, the couple laid in bed and discussed their childhoods. Bennett revealed that his mother had battled with cancer when he was young, and how it had a big impact on his life. He genuinely seems to be a sweet and caring person, underneath all of the greasy hair and wireframes. 

Lastly for this episode, they had B & A head over to a life sized Chess game set. The two exchanged rooks and pawns and what not, as they simultaneously chit chatted about their previous relationships. Bennett admitted to the cameras that he has a bit of a crush on Amelia, which was adorable. It’ll be interesting to see if they end up snuggling together inside of his pajama dress on the honeymoon. 

Christina & Henry:

Henry admitted to having fun on the first night of the honeymoon, which for Henry could mean he took a shower, or tied his shoes. Christina seems like she’s trying hard, though I still feel that she’s just uptight as a person. 

She is determined to get Henry out of his comfort zone (which shouldn’t be hard because everything seems to make him uncomfortable). He’s not sure if he can swim, float, kayak, stand, snorkel, bird watch….ya know, anything with risk involved.

Christina planned a day of exploring, where they walked around a place with a trampoline. Henry admitted jumping 2 feet off of the ground on that trampoline was the craziest thing he’s ever done (I suppose the first was marrying a stranger). Next they went to a “sludgery” which is essentially floating down a mud river. Henry was so stiff and awkward, refusing to get his hair wet and again claiming not to know how to float or swim. Although Christina is a bit uppity, she seems to really be trying with him. I can see why he has a bunch of female friends; he’s like this asexual loveable non-threatening project of a guy. I’m not exactly team Christina by any means, but I bet at this point she was wondering which expert she pissed off to be stuck with this daredevil husband…