'Married At First Sight': Couples struggle to convince their families that marrying complete strangers is a good call
'Married at First Sight' has returned with its 10th season on Lifetime and this time the experts — sociology professor Dr. Pepper Schwartz, psychotherapist Dr. Viviana Coles and pastor Calvin Roberson — have matched 5 couples: Katie and Derek, Jessica and Austin, Taylor and Brandon, Mindy and Zach, Meka and Michael. All of them would walk down the aisle.
The first segment of the maiden episode focused on each of these individuals sharing their big news with family and friends. What makes a wedding day special is the love and blessings of the people you love, who are there to cheer and hoot for you as you make your vows for a lifetime. However, when you're marrying a complete stranger, it's difficult to have everyone on board and make them understand that getting hitched to a complete stranger in less than 2 weeks' time of letting the family know is not necessarily a bad decision.
Except Meka, everyone had difficulty explaining to their family and friends why they were ready for an arranged marriage, especially one in which they have no idea as to what the future holds. There's no face or any other information that can be put next to this mystery man/woman, which makes decisions harder.
Mindy, who has been matched with Zach, is shown to have a tough time convincing her parents. Even as her older sister Taj was able to make peace with her decision and even said she would support her no matter what, Mindy's spirits were broken after her parents backed out of her big day.
Katie, matched with Derek, is looking for love because her ex made promises and chickened out only to return with a bunch of new promises. He even has been asking her not to go through with the process, discouraging her from marrying a stranger just so that they could get together because he is ready now.
Jessica, engaged with Austin, also had a hard time trying to get her family to understand. Her brother-in-law flat-out rejected her plan, calling it a "bad idea." On the other hand, Austin is doing it for his mother and the fact that he wants to have a family. Even though his mother is skeptic, the family eventually raises toasts to celebrate the big news.
Michael faced an emotional meltdown that came from his sister because he was the first one in the family to get married. Even though she couldn't embrace the thought process of getting married to a mystery woman, she assured him he'll have all the support he needs.
Catch all-new episodes of 'MAFS' on Lifetime at 8/7c, every Wednesday.