I happened to find myself watching a marathon of Married At First Sight this weekend. I saw commercials for this show and really had zero desire to watch it. Didn’t this show already happen 15 years ago? Well, when it ended up being background to my day, I started watching it and I really haven’t seen more uncomfortable television since Hoarders. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why these people agreed to marry complete strangers. I cannot remotely relate to wanting to do this, so it is difficult to understand, at least for me.
If you haven’t watched it yet, the basic premise is two strangers agree to marry and live with each other based on four “experts” picking out their spouse. A psychologist, sexologist, sociologist and spiritualist are the experts doing the interviewing and matching. Once the matching occurs, the couple marries immediately and actually meets at the wedding. Craziness!
The level of fear of these people on their wedding day is soooo uncomfortable. And the whole time I am thinking, why are you doing this? No one is putting a gun to your head. I am sure they had a choice to not actually go through with it and there were some awkward pauses during the ceremonies.
*Spoiler Alert *
All couples did get married even though one bride repeatedly said she wasn’t attracted to the groom at all. Holy awkward!
After the ceremonies, there was a reception with the families getting to know each other and mixing. One bride’s immediate family didn’t attend. It wasn’t clear to me if it was in protest or scheduling, but I can assure you my family probably would have locked me in my hotel room!
The series continues with the couples moving in together and apparently living together for a couple months (or at least that’s what the previews appear to show). It looks like there is understandably some adjustment periods. I don’t know how you would integrate your life with a stranger. How would you decide where to live? Share money? Ugh, mind boggling!
Will I watch this train wreck again? Probably on DVR. I am a tiny bit invested to see how it works living with a complete stranger. I do think at least one of the couples did in fact seem like a good match (Courtney and Kevin). I would have loved to know more behind the reasoning the individuals used to decide this was a good option. I may have missed an episode where that is included, because I didn’t really start paying attention until mid-way through the marathon. I have to say it would scream raging issues to me that a person thinks marrying a complete stranger on television is a good idea. Overall the individuals seem likeable and somewhat normal, but of course, just like in dating, it all seems honky dory the first time you meet someone! I guess we will see just how likeable they are as the series continues.
What about you? Did you watch? Would you marry a total stranger?
