MAFS; Season 12, Episode 5

Ryan & Clara:
Ryan and Clara seemed to still be getting along well and learning more about each other’s habits. Ryan is clearly set in his ways and pretty systematic, while Clara is more of a free spirited chatterbox. This episode, the couple set out for a day date to hang out with some dolphins that are indigenous to the Las Vegas area. It seemed like a fun and memorable activity, which thankfully didn’t turn into any kind of animal attack show. After the dolphins, they sat alongside the aquarium and had the whole “kids” talk. Clara disclosed that she plans to be a supportive parent that values hard work. Ryan said that he would like to raise his kids in church, which Clara was still on the fence about, with her “freedom of choice” parenting style to the kids she doesn’t have yet. It seems like their styles and approaches would be drastically different.

Later on, Ryan and Clara sat down for their first real date overlooking the Las Vegas strip. Clara confessed that she’s a messy person to live with which of course countered Ryan’s neat and tidy tendencies. Fascinating. Nothing new and exciting here, as they have now become extras on the Chris and Paige show.

Virginia & Erik:
Virginia is putting on her face and fixing up her hair for her pool date with Erik. Over a little breakfast, they discussed their instant connection as well as their thoughts on the other couples’ connections. They acknowledged that Chris and Paige were noticeably having a rough beginning (well, duh) though the others seemed to be progressing. 

Next we saw them head down to their very own poolside cabana where Virginia immediately requested they do Las Vegas themed shots. Erik, who hopefully used SPF 3000, explained that he plans to put Virginia first, even amidst his busy schedule as a pilot. As their pool chat continued, Erik’s jealous side seemed to come out when he explained that he didn’t believe in platonic friendships of the opposite sex. Virginia didn’t care for this new jealous side of her husband, but seems like she handled the conversation well. And…shots.
Later that night, the two set out for a romantic dinner in front of the Bellagio overlooking the water fountains. It was pretty oddly timed that every sentence Erik spoke, a giant water fountain shot off in the distance behind him, making everything he said sound 10xs more epic. 

They discussed Erik’s traveling pilot schedule and how things would work once they were back in Atlanta and living normal life. The schedule will probably take awhile for Virginia to get used to, but Erik claims to only have to do this until he’s 65 years old (… so like, 5 more years). Virginia worries about the future and having to handle having children with a husband who’s away 15 days out of the month, but Erik seems to be willing to make it up to her, even though he has a take it or leave it attitude when it comes to his work lifestyle.  

Chris & Paige:
While eating breakfast in their suite, Chris squirmed and acted super uncomfortable. Paige finally confronted him on why he was acting so strange and he tried to change the subject, only telling her that he found out some “devastating news” that morning, and he’s trying to deal with it. Paige insisted that they talk about whatever it is, since it would be affecting their marriage, but Chris was evasive and closed off. On the sidelines, it seemed as though production was in on the “news”, telling Paige that Chris needed to tell her personally. 
After Paige pressed him for the intel, he finally decided to come clean, but did so by dragging her by the arm into the bathroom, running the shower and faucet and asked that she shut off her mic. While we may never see the actual delivery of the news, we did see a lone Chris exit the bathroom moments later, leaving Paige in the bathroom to “have a moment”. 
Paige emerged, clearly upset, and headed to Briana’s room to hash out the details. She explained Chris’s previous engagement to Briana, but elaborated with the new news that the ex fiancé found out she’s pregnant. Paige claimed to be numb, clearly having trouble processing the timeline of Chris’s relationship prior to coming on the show. 
At the same time, Chris went to confide in Vincent about his recent findings. He did try to make it seem like he was very concerned about Paige and her feelings, but admitted that he wouldn’t want to work on things if the situation were reversed.  

Somehow, later that evening, Paige and Chris had their turn at a romantic dinner, despite all of their issues (a girl’s gotta eat!). Chris revealed a few more details about the situation, such as the fact that his ex is about 6 weeks along, and he had to tell her that he was just married at first sight. He did apologize to Paige, realizing that she has had the roughest first week of marriage that she clearly didn’t deserve. Paige seemed to have had her head screwed on straight at first, as she explained that the pregnancy thing could possibly be something she could be willing to work through with him, had they not have had such a rocky first night/morning only but one day ago. Chris claimed to be willing to put Paige first, before his ex and unborn child, as he believes that a husband should treat their wife like a queen (which clearly he’s been doing in every way). He seemed to have softened, explaining that he does find Paige to be beautiful (though didn’t initially feel chemistry), as well as complimenting her intelligence and sweet demeanor. Paige admitted that she was in a previous relationship with someone who had children, and she was always coming in 2nd place. She appreciated Chris’s dinnertime monologue, and seemed as though she was willing to see where things go, due to the fact that she made vows in front of God and tv cameras. 
Chris seemed to have very slightly momentarily redeemed himself, as he remembered Paige’s middle name, and gave her a wilting rose from the table arrangement…. Until he mentioned that he wanted to give her babies. (Wasn’t sure if he was referring to the one on the way, or making more..) The experts did a great job, they really are perfect together.

Briana & Vincent:
Vincent was relieved to hear that his grandmother was doing better and he was able to stay for the honeymoon. Having been through something so serious this early on seemed to bring the couple closer. During their romantic beach side dinner, they discussed the fact that they felt comfortable enough to consummate their relationship, coining themselves a “match made in heaven”. Going strong, day 4.

Haley & Jake:
Haley and Jake sat down to lunch, with Jake making eye contact as he ate raw onions, completely killing any dreams of a make out session. They discussed their friends’ reactions to the wedding and each other, which all seemed positive (probably because Haley didn’t divulge that his friends thought Jake smelled like egg farts). Their lunch conversation consisted of workout routines and 80s movies, which was not predictable at all. 
Later in the evening, Haley and Jake went to their romantic dinner next to the shark tank, donning some light up “80s” themed glasses that look like something Jake scored at a Bar Mitzvah. They kept to the whole awkward theme with their dinner conversation. Haley revealed that her first (and most likely based on her timeline) last serious relationship was when she was 15. Surprisingly they actually did seem to be liking each other, probably having bonded over watching the Goonies and other “vintage” movies that came out when Jake was a teenager and Haley wasn’t born yet.

Towards the end of the night, the couples all came together to meet up and discuss their progress. Vincent and Briana made everyone nauseous when they boldly stated that the other was “perfect”, while Jacob and Haley seemed comfortable together, explaining that their families and friends seemed to mesh well at the wedding. Clara and Ryan talked about their similarities (well, Clara talked), and then the conversation turned to Chris and Paige. Paige began by saying that she is guided by her faith during these current challenges the couple seems to be facing. She gave Christ the floor so he could share the big news with the group. The other couples were very supportive of Paige, which made Chris feel left out and caused him to run off camera and have a tantrum. Noticeably missing were Erik and Virginia, who’s legacy of being late continues. Chris sat on a nearby couch, away from the group, crying, causing Paige to feel the need to go check on him. Paige encouraged her husband not to compare their relationship to the other couples, though Chris confessed to the camera that he felt it was unfair that the other couples “got what they asked for, physically”, undoing any slight progress and brownie points that he might have earned earlier in the evening. 

Virginia and Erik finally showed up, totally drunk, which actually worked for this type of night. Erik gushed over how physically attracted the couple have been to each other, even going as far as to make out mid sentence. Virginia came out and asked which couples had done the deed, calling Vinny and Briana out right away. Erik asked Chris what his deal was, being that he had been sitting silently on the couch during the whole conversation. Chris had to rehash his big news, with a drunk Virginia’s first question being “are you sure it’s yours?!” They offered words of advice, commenting that they were hoping to be a good support system, though Chris just wanted to change the subject. Virginia, being three sheets to the wind, laughed, while telling Paige they had “9 months to work things out”, while all of the other couples looked awkwardly in various directions, trying not to make eye contact. The previews for next week looked like more drunken bursts of wisdom are to come, and of course more drama from the series’ new best husband ever.