As “Married At First Sight” is nearing an end, what better time to shake things up? The experts took things to the next level with a brand-new “risky and controversial” phase: the Partner Swap.
Participants had to spend three days with someone else to gain a fresh perspective within the confines of the experiment. As you can imagine, things didn’t exactly go smoothly for all couples. I mean, who would’ve thought?
This was especially true for one couple in particular, Alyssa and Duncan. The pair were already on rocky terms after an emotional commitment ceremony. Alyssa explained that she does have high expectations but that she doesn’t know how to date as a single mother and so needs reassurance and check-ins to feel safe in the relationship.
After the partner swap, Alyssa and Duncan finally reunited, but their time apart only seemed to make things worse. Alyssa was feeling flat and unsettled, while Duncan felt re-energised and even organised some romantic gifts. We’re talking about an intimate pic of the groom and a private Italian cooking class. If you won’t take it, Alyssa, we will! But instead, the bride wanted to talk about how much of a priority her child is to her, something they hadn’t really discussed before.
“We haven’t really spoken about that you think it’s a concern that my child will be my first priority. I know you try and understand that dynamic but you’ll never fully understand,” Alyssa said.
Duncan reassured her that he understands her situation and that her child will always be her first priority. But Alyssa couldn’t agree, saying that having a child is something you won’t understand until you experience it yourself.
“It’s not a concern. Your child would be your first priority, that’s a no brainer. I don’t even know why that question would ever be asked,” Duncan replied. “I think everyone wants a partner that will say to them ‘I’m going to try and help you understand this as much as possible’.”
It’s something Alyssa couldn’t agree on, adding, “Having a child to somebody, you won’t understand that until you do it yourself. Full stop.”
Their conversation didn’t go as planned and Alyssa said that she needed some time to process things. She packed up her bags and left the apartment, leaving Duncan feeling lost and rejected. He told cameras that he was trying to be positive and give reassurance but he felt like there were a lot of sentences from Alyssa about why their relationship won’t work.
When a producer asked if he felt rejected, Duncan broke down in tears, saying, “I feel more rejected in this relationship than any relationship I’ve ever been in.”
It’s clear that Feedback Week has shaken things up for this couple, and we’re interested to see how things play out as the show nears an end.
“Married At First Sight” airs Sunday at 7.00pm and Monday — Wednesday at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
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