honeymoons tested our couples' bonds. Lacey just told me it's over. After a lot of thought, I am prepared to end the marriage now. A cocktail party brought them all together for the first time. Have you had a row? We have. And their true colours... If you're going to yell at me and raise your voice,... I'm not yelling at you. I'm just` ...I'm going to walk out of this conversation. ...were exposed. I'm just not into him. Like, he's not my type. I feel that way with my one as well. I just don't believe that we're right for each other. Tonight ` the cocktail party continues. Yeah, have you ever been viciously attacked by hornets? I imagine it's kind of what that's like. Secrets are revealed. While some reach breaking point. They're there to really escalate it. Why are you here? Honestly, these last couple of days have just been a nightmare. And at the first couple's therapy,... Lacey hates me. That's uncalled for. He's not the kind of guy I would go for. ...plans are laid bare. But does ... know that you're leaving tomorrow? Um... (BELL DONGS, HEARTBEAT THUMPS) Bringing you Married at First Sight NZ. At the cocktail party, the couples are meeting for the first time since their weddings, and sparks have already begun to fly. You lied to me and to all of my friends and family. I never lied to anyone. Your friends told all of my friends and family the reason why you are on this show. (CHUCKLES) And I know you think it's a joke` No, no, I don't think it's a joke. It's just not real. I don't think it's a joke. I wanted to be honest with you the entire time, and that's not why I got into this at all, and it never was. The reason tat I got into this was because I really wanted to meet someone. I'm really impressed with Luke's capacity to self-reflect and own his behaviour. He's made a repair attempt, and that has been met with hostility, and it will just be really interesting to see where they go from here. My family think you're a joke, and my family are so disappointed. I guess that makes me look like a dick. I think everyone coming into this is scared, and everyone coming in is putting their heart on the line. But I don't think Luke is, and I don't think he has. I don't want to be a ... comedian. The cocktail party has probably been up there with one of the worst experiences I've had for quite some time. I tried to talk to Lacey, and she definitely wasn't happy at all with me. That's been extremely difficult ` trying to tell her that, um, I'm a genuine person. I'll be back. But she doesn't believe me and what I say, and, yeah, (EXHALES) it's a nightmare. You know, that was his chance to kind of come and be honest and open, and he laughed at everything, and he raised his voice at me, and I said, 'Do not talk to me like that, because I will walk away.' I think Lacey is having a really, really hard time. She's so genuine and so lovely, and she really, really wanted this. I felt so sad for her. I haven't spoken to Luke, so, I don't know, there could be two sides. I have no idea. But Lacey is here for the right reasons. So, yeah, it's kind of upsetting that she has to, sort of, carry that. The thing is if you both come to this genuine and then it doesn't work out and you split, at least you're both genuine. But, you've come into this genuine with someone who doesn't... Doesn't even care. ...care. He thinks it's a joke, and it's my life. I feel like he still thinks that hiding behind a joke is a good idea and he still thinks that I'll see the funny side and it'll be great. I feel like, emotionally, he wasn't ready for this. I feel like, emotionally, he didn't understand what it meant to get married and put yourself on the line and put yourself publically out there. If you can't have a serious conversation with me in a relaxed environment, then... how are you meant to... what are you building a relationship on, right? Thank you. So, it will be interesting to see how Lacey reacts post-conversation, but most importantly, who she connects with. I mean, I had to share whoever's daiquiri that was. I just finished it Luke is a slow burner, and the pace at which he's been able to open up to Lacey has disappointed her, and she's shut down. She's not even really acknowledging Luke, and you can see that he's finding that quite distressing. Here, here, have my cocktail. Well, why don't we share it? No, no, no. No, you have that. Aw, Dom. I've had one. You have that. You have that. You have that. The behaviours that we're seeing at the moment, they are done for an audience, the audience being Luke, and it's very much unwittingly being performed through Dom, especially in that embrace. But it's very much done with the intention of Luke really getting the full effect. I so want you and Luke to work out. I really, really, really, really, really, really... (SNIGGERS) With every minute and with every repair attempt, the chances of these guys actually reconnecting and having a long-standing, meaningful relationship certainly diminishes. No, neither. I really wanted to get in touch with everybody. So, the cocktail party does pose potential risk in that the couples begin to get distracted from their relationship and get lost in the group dynamic and perhaps the challenges that are going on with some other relationships. Because he's used to, like, smaller, petite woman. I just hope that that doesn't impact on their own. And then they pulled her through, and I was just, like, when I saw her, like, 'Oh my gosh.' Hello! Done quite well. I'm punching, I'm punching. So, yeah, your first impression was...? I'm punching. Yeah. You know, Vicky and I have had our ups and downs, but we seem to iron things out quite well, and this is exactly what we needed ` just a breather. It's, like, we connect on an emotional level quite high, but on a physical level yet, just not yet. Just a slow burn? Slow burn. Like, he's super lovely. Like, super, super lovely. Your partner? He's cute. Don't you reckon? I'm not` Like, I'm not attracted to him at all, like, do you know what I mean? I mean, he's handsome, OK, I'll give him that. Your husband? My husband, yeah. Swap? Swap? Shall we? Swap. Just swap. I'm still not super attracted to him yet, and I do hope that that will come, but I'm glad that we're not at each other's throats. You all good, bro? Oh, I'm sweet. I'm just, like,... yeah, just... I don't know what the ... is going on, actually. Yeah, she just thinks I'm disingenuous, and she's pissed off that... pissed off about a lot of things and... It's like f... hell, like... I'm just trying. I'm just trying to be a good dude and... Nah, not... Shit, OK, I feel f... horrible. Cool. You know? It sucks. It's so frustrating. Like, I've thought so many times about just running away. Like, just getting out of here, because it's just... What do you do? Like, you're banging your head against a brick wall, and it's extremely frustrating, and I don't know what to do. Oh, yeah, it's just frustrating. It's like, well, does anything that I say matter? Like,... nah. Hearsay matters. Information from third-party... whispers matters. Luke and Lacey, I don't think they're doing that well. I'm not the sort of guy to ask too many questions. Yeah, have you ever been viciously attacked by hornets? Nah. Neither have I, but I imagine it's kind of like what that's like. Yeah. It's not fun. I just want her to trust me, because I haven't lied to her. I've never lied to her at all. I haven't exactly opened up to her, which sucks. Like, I've wanted to do that. But then at the same time, she hasn't done that with me. So it's not just a one-way street. It's tough, bro. I'm not sure what the situation is there. I really wish the best for Luke. It's hard man, I don't know what to say, eh. I'm no counsellor, eh. Man, I'd love to help you out, eh, but I've got to be honest. Nah, man, you can't help me out. I'm in this bloody hole. 'I'm being honest with you!' I just have no idea what to do. I can't do anything. I've cried. Not on the wedding night. (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) TONY: The cocktail party poses potential challenges. She thought I was running away. Well, why would you not be happy? I know, right. I do worry that they will get lost in the challenges and the highlights that they'll see and hear with other relationships and get distracted from the wants and needs of their own relationships. Yeah, if you stood there and you took it on the chin, then, you know, you've come out better off, you know? But it's just all that other shit. It's, like, well, that's not me. That's not my words. You've probably just got to chew it up, let it flow over your head and maybe Tony can help you out, because I can't, man. I don't know what I'm doing. Luke and Lacey, they both say different things about each other, and I'm not a counsellor, and it's not my job to get involved. ANDREW: You could be a tradie, bro. (LAUGHS) What do you do, though? What is your job? (SIGHS) I didn't sign up for that, eh. Were you saying the right things? I don't know. I have no idea. You would've been saying the right things. How are you going, though? Are you enjoying it? Yeah, nah, I'm enjoying the cocktail party. Having some beers, and, yeah, my wife's great. She's been giving me cheese and crackers. So, ha! Yeah, I'm enjoying it. I'm loving it! Yeah, it's fun. TONY: What we're seeing again is the beautiful relationship that continues to strengthen and continues to blossom between Brett and Angel. What it does is it really highlights the disconnect elsewhere. What are you doing Saturday night? We haven't got... Rugby's on Sunday. Aaron, we'll let you know. Yeah, sweet. We'll get back to you. Yeah, I'll just give you a text. When socializing as a couple, obviously, you don't have to be together all the time and you interact with other people, you interact with other couples and so on. But, what we are seeing here is a complete divergent approach to the evening and as things are becoming more and more tense and possibly a bit more toxic, they are coming closer and closer together and trying to keep out of the drama. TONY: Most of Brett's energy is simply being spent and invested in the right place, which is the relationship between Angel and himself, and it's really interesting, because, actually, they are the only couple that aren't invested in other people's relationships. They're lost in their bubble. What a fantastic place to be lost. Let me have a taste. Thank you. Ooh. Bubbles? Bubbles for the girls? LACEY: Oh my gosh. They are so cute. I know! And then, um, Angel and Brett. So cute! And they are all, like, aw. It sucks that they are so adorable together, right? I know. MUFFLED: Who? (LAUGHS) What did you say? MUFFLED: Who. This is a unique situation, you know. They're all part of an experiment, and this is the first time they've got to catch up together and they'll be really interested to compare themselves with the other couples to see where they sit in relation to them. Like, I love him as a person. We get along so well, and we can just` we can have fun together, but the romantic side is just not there. One of the really important ways in which we make sense of our own experience is by that social comparison. They are certainly gaging where they stand amongst the other couples, but also, as we see with Aaron, where they stand within their own relationship, and it's interesting to see how it plays out in the bigger picture. Hey, how are ya? Hey! Good. How are you going? Uh, yeah, good. How are you? Yeah, not too bad. I want to find out where everyone else is at. Yeah, look, I mean, we've really been struggling as well. But at the beginning we really, really hit it off, and we had so much chemistry and spark, and so we've got that to go from. It's our first proper social event ` Haydn and I ` and it's going really well, actually. I was really surprised. It could have gone one way or the other, and I'm just really enjoying myself. AARON: Ben and I, it's not been smooth sailing. Yeah, tell me. The biggest thing for us at this point is as friends we get along great. Yup. Great. We can chat for hours without an issue. There's no awkward silent parts or anything. Romantically, a completely different story. Probably, like, the next night or maybe the night after that, we were, like, in bed, and it was, like, you know those times when you are lying there beside someone and you're, like, 'I want to bring this up, 'but I also don't want to upset you.' I lay there for 20 minutes thinking, 'Oh, do I do this?' And I did. I was like, 'You know what, Ben? I just need to do this.' Aaron is really embracing this opportunity. For the first time, he's being heard, but not surprisingly because he's got a lot to say. He's been quite submissive, quite passive in this whole process and relationship. So he needs this. I compromise and compromise and compromise and compromise and try to make him happy. But do you talk to him about it? And I don't get anything in return. Can you talk to him about that? Yeah, but, I don't know, I` Does he listen, should I say? You can talk as much as you like but whether he listens... I've struggled with it, because it's that point where, like,... I want to bring stuff up to be like, 'This is an issue that needs to be dealt with,' but at the same time it's like, 'Well, God, we've known each other for four days.' PANI: Finally, he is letting it out. This is just his opportunity to really just offload. He, sort of, can't hold it any more, and he's really willing to give it a go and trust in the process. Whereas Ben doesn't seem to want to do the same thing and he's here for the six weeks, but is he really committed to the relationship and is he really committed to making this relationship work? I really just want to go talk to Ben for a minute. Yeah, you go do that. Is that OK? Yeah, yeah, you go do that. Yeah, it's all about compromise. It's hard, it's tough, it's going to be a lot of hard work, and I really want to stick it out and hope it works. Well, just tell me how it's been going, brother. This whole marriage thing? Well, you know, I understand it's been a little bit difficult. Yeah, shit, yeah. Why? I'm not, like, into the person I was matched with. Like, we're not compatible. We're different people, completely different people. I didn't come here to do anything half-arsed. So, like, I'm here to, like,... ANGEL: I love that. ...do it the best I can do it. We're not matched for each other at all. He's not the guy I would go` He's not the type of person I'd go for. Yeah, but the whole point of this experiment is to realise that you don't` Do you want one of these? ...that you might be attracted to what you don't` ANGEL: So yum! Aaron, his commitment levels are so there, and, like, I feel real sorry for him. It's just really unfortunate that that's not working out. Well, no, I mean, I'm still getting to know her myself too. OK. PANI: So, what we are seeing with these two is that they are not directly communicating about the issues they're having, but it's very much playing out right now in the way that they're interacting with each other. This is Aaron really making a conscious and active effort to connect and actually have his needs met, and his needs that he's always made quite explicit, which is touch. It's that physical connection. I don't know, I came into this knowing it wasn't going to be smooth sailing from the start. It was going to be hard work, and it was going to be... at the minimum, and, like... You know, I don't know, I think I'm a glass-half-full kind of person. Yeah. So, the body language is really saying it all, isn't it? That's quite disappointing, you know. He's quite dismissive of Aaron, and it's almost like he just wants Aaron to go away, and I'm quite sad to see this, and I, um, can see that Ben is much more invested and interested in talking to other people at the table rather than paying attention to his husband. It certainly contrasts to the story that is being delivered to all the other members of the group. Mm, by Ben. By Ben. I wasn't going to` I didn't walk into this and be like, 'Aaron's not for me. See you later.' Yeah, yeah. That was never gonna happen. Yeah. Good. I always knew that going into it. You were like, 'Aaron's not for me. I'm going to stick it out.' Are you the same age? I think the girls really only have what I've told them to kind of go off. I would say they're probably perceiving that we, on the outside, look pretty good. Do you want another drink, babe? Yeah, can I get another one of those? Intimacy is a two-way street, and if you're, sort of, pursuing someone and they're not really giving anything back, you naturally do back off a bit, and that's just something that Aaron is just not doing. I do wonder where to from here, and going forward, how is this going to be repaired? How is this going to be explored further? Perhaps that is something that will come up in the discussions that we have with them tomorrow. I really like your haircut. Thank you. (LAUGHS) I love you guys! I heard Aaron, like, whinging. We've spent, what, the last couple of days together, and he hasn't actually come to me and said, 'This is what I don't like about you.' It's been a hard week. This is new. Come on! This is new! Yeah, whatever! Yeah, I think Aaron is putting on a front. Yeah, for sure. Like, that's not the Aaron that I see. (BELL DINGS, HEARTBEAT THUMPS) (TENSE MUSIC) How are you feeling? Um,... I'm OK. Yeah? We should go have a chat. Yeah. Mm. Let's go over here. I just really feel for them. I've been talking to them both, and they both really like each other, and I want all of us to succeed in this, because I know what investment we are making. I just had a conversation with Luke and Oh, yes? Oh, yes? And he... raised his voice at me. Oh dear. And I said to him` I was like, 'I won't be spoken to like that.' I'm sorry. No, it's fine. I just said, 'I'm not having this conversation like this.' I'm, like, I get it. I get that you laugh because you're insecure or you're not happy. I came here because I wanted to find love, not someone to joke and laugh and take the piss out of me. I just feel it's like a bump in the road. After they get over that bump... Because they really like each other. I just really want them to try and overcome that. I really hope they do. I really mean that, because I want all of us to succeed. I've had a good talk to him tonight, and I kind of thought that things might be on the cusp of changing, but, for whatever reason, he can't do it. I just feel so sad for you, Lacey. You deserve more. Thank you. I really think they could make it work ` really. I really mean that. And it just seems a shame that because they've come to this bottleneck` They really like each other, you know? And it just seems a shame that... It seems really sad. Sorry. (SNIFFLES) Claire's a lucky lady. Thank you. No, she definitely is, right? Thank you. I'm not just saying that. Dom's a huge empath. You know, he scored very highly on the compassion scale, and what we are seeing here is that playing out. He is really taking on the other couples' issues and feeling it and perhaps to the detriment and the neglect of his own relationship and Claire. Have you been crying again? He's been a sweetheart. Hey, listen, I'm not surprised in the slightest, because I knew this would be an emotional place. Aw, sweetie. You'll be fine. It'll be fine. Hey, hey. They're big people. TONY: He's overextending emotionally, and he's over-extending and investing so heavily in the relationship between Lacey and Luke that he hasn't even noticed that he really hasn't spent any time with Claire through the evening. Yeah, you do. I don't need to harden up. Harden up, soft cock. Babe, I don't really want to harden up, to be honest with you. Don't ya? No, I don't. I do. Are you going all right? Huh? Are you going all right? No, he's upset for you. PANI: She hasn't taken to it. She's been, I think, a little bit embarrassed by Dom's overextension, by his display of emotional porousness, and she just kind of wants him to hold himself together a bit more and, you know, I think perhaps, give her a little bit more attention during the evening. (OVERLAPPING CONVERSATIONS) LACEY: We know each other. HAYDN: Well, kind of. BEL: So how do you guys know each other? I met her sister. Is it your twin sister? It is my identical twin sister. I was like, 'It's not you.' I'm pretty sure you guys were meant to go on a date. Yeah, and we didn't. I didn't, no. No, I did not. I think the word 'fangirl' got thrown around a little bit. But, I mean, it doesn't matter right, because it's nothing to do with us. So who cares? That's very nice. No, it's sweet. OK, awesome. I'll get you a glass. Thank you. Oh, perfect. That was quite, um` I was kind of like, popcorn. I did hear some things from the girls tonight that they've known Haydn in previous lives. I kind of let that conversation flow and just take it on but just trying not to think of that, because we've all got a past. No! No, no. No, no, no, no, no. That would be hilarious. Let's play that out. Go! Imagine that. Just pretend you have. We'll just play with it. Well, me and Bel were at our own places last night, so... Yeah, but was that your own choice or...? Yeah. Yeah, yeah. We've just been, you know, sharing hugs, and, you know, like, we've been there emotionally for each other, which is the level that we want to be at, because, you know, I'm not in it for just having a... I've been really impressed with Andrew. He continues to show an incredible maturity, an emotional awareness of what's going on around him, and especially what's going on for some of the individuals and their relationships. Do you guys communicate well? Yes and no. Like, yeah... Haydn is such a nice guy. He has the most purest heart. It is actually really reassuring to see that they're working on it. It's really admirable. We do communicate well, but then we don't. Um... Yeah, so your issue is you're not really good at talking to her by the sounds of it, eh? Yeah. Bel is really direct, and I'm really direct, and, um, Bel is really decisive, which is something I'm not used to. Yeah, like, Bel is so caring. Like, she is really caring. Yeah. I think all these girls are pretty caring, mate. It's just about opening up. It's the opening up that's the problem. Yeah. PANI: He's been a really good listening ear for a lot of the guys tonight, and he's also offered support and some advice even, and it's been really, really lovely to see. So, um, where are you going to go from here? Oh, I have no idea. I've just... I've just had so much shit piled on me, eh. I'm still trying to find some positives, but, nah, I'm not getting any. It's OK, Dom has done enough crying for both of you. I don't know how he can be that emotionally attached to you. He's only met you once. He hasn't even met Lacey and he's crying. Dom really has overextended himself emotionally. He's really got himself invested and involved, and you can see from Claire's reaction there that she's not OK with that. I think maybe you should take some of his emotion away... Yeah. ...Somehow, I don't know. The thing is, like I said to him, you can't change it. Nah, nah. What's going to be is going to be. Yeah, exactly. Just, urgh, I'm feeling like shit. I know you guys are going through a bit of shit. Oh, watch, he's going to cry in a minute. You know what you want, I'm assuming? I do. I do know what I want. You know how you want to be, I'm assuming? Yeah, I know who I am. I know what I want. But, like, I try to explain, and she's just, like, so super 100% defensive and won't listen to me. Everything is just on the back foot. Just defensive about every single thing. And I'm just trying to explain myself. I'm not making up excuses. I'm just trying to explain. I feel a massive connection with all of these people for doing what they're doing. It was just` Oh, I just felt like I was getting attacked. It was awful. VOICE BREAKING: I really think that if they just have a good talk together for half an hour, they can break the barriers down. I'm an improver; I like to improve things. I want to try and improve things between you and Lacey. I want to try and improve myself all the time. I want to try and improve my children all the time. I'm an improver. Mm. But, at the end of the day, you can only go so far. Dom's my man, and he's got my back. It's good to have some support. Get at it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get at it. Get at it. Get at it. No, I'm not giving up, because I can't. I've just got to keep trying. I'll give it a go again. When do I do it, though? No time like the present. Ah, ... it. OK. I'll give it a go. Excuse me, sorry. Um, can we have another talk at some stage, please? Entirely up to you. Of course. OK. Do you want to do it now? Not right now, no. OK, just up to you, whenever. Of course. Cool. PANI: She's punishing him. She's been hurt, and she's felt rejected, and then she's shut down, and through these actions, she's just really punishing him, and she's trying to make him work really hard to try and get any sort of attention or affection out of her. No, I will not be played. Like, this is a joke. It's certainly done with an audience in mind again, and I think what we are seeing here is unfortunately people getting lost in the group dynamic, and, unfortunately, what that's leaving, is the relationships are becoming the entertainment, and that's not at all what we'd be hoping to see. (SIGHS) Are you good, mate? My ring is still not on my ring finger. What do you want? A drink? Water. And I don't think that's going to change. You're watching the instant Steve conceived that with a wholesale power price, no dodgy estimates and an easy weekly bill, he'd never find a big hairy surprise in his letter box again. That's enough, Steve. At the cocktail party, Luke is hoping to resolve his problems with Lacey. Excuse me, sorry. Um, can we have another talk at some stage, please? Not right now, no. OK, just up to you. Whenever. Of course. Cool. (LAUGHS) My ring is still not on my ring finger. What do you want? A drink? Water. And I don't think that's going to change. No, I will not be played. Like, this is a joke. Do you want one of us to talk to him? Go for it. Do you want me to? Do it. Yeah, you get to talk to me. You get to talk to me. Oh, come on! Luke, do you want to have a chat with us? Um, sure, yeah. Yeah. Oh, all three of us. Nice. Yeah, let's just` Shall we sit over here and see what's up? What we're seeing is some key individuals coming together, and especially post his repair attempt and the experience that Luke has had, it will be interesting to see are they coming in to de-escalate or are they coming in to escalate? So, how was your wedding and your honeymoon? Yeah, how was that? Yeah, it was great. Like, the wedding was full on. What's going on with you guys now? What's the deal? A whole bunch of not very good stuff. Can I ask, why are you here? Why am I here? I mean, it's kind of like` Do you actually want to be, like, in a loving, committed relationship? Yeah, absolutely. That's why I am here. Just so you know, we're not here to interrogate. Oh, OK, no, no, no. From her side of it, like, she's heard these things from these people and that's probably what she sees, like, cos it's come from, like, her family or whatever, and, of course, her family, she trusts the most out of anybody in the world. Lacey has basically been like, 'Luke is not in for the right reasons. He doesn't even, like, look at me. 'He doesn't kiss me. Like, nothing.' And he's basically told her that as well. Not a fan. Yeah, nah, I'm all good, man. Do you know what, like, I do wish you good luck, and I think that, like, if you make the effort, it will be worth it. Like, I know that she's a bit of a hard shell, but I think, like, if you're genuine,... Yeah. ...then she'll see it. Yeah. Just make sure you're genuine. As long as she's hot. Is she hot? I never want to hurt anyone at all. Like, it doesn't matter who they are, I don't want to hurt anyone and especially her, because I really, really like her. So to see her like that is... it's pretty hard. I've just got to keep trying. Are you having a good time? Yeah, I am. Good. This is like` It's really nice, actually. Yeah. Yeah, it's been nice tonight. TONY: It's fantastic to see Bel and Haydn together this evening. A united front. They've overcome their challenges, and now they're here to just enjoy their evening ahead. For Bel and Haydn to see and hear some of the struggles that the other couples have gone through, it actually normalises the challenges that they've gone through and that it is OK and it is normal. I miss sleeping with you. I know. Me too. Do you? Yeah. Yeah? It just seemed weird, last night, a little bit. Yeah, I know. Yeah, kind of. Hearing about other people's challenges as well, it's kind of making me feel really lucky for what we've got. Yeah. I'm optimistic that we'll go good tomorrow and hopefully we'll move in together tomorrow night. Yeah, yeah, or whenever that's happening. Yeah, yeah. Nah, it's cool. Yeah, 100%. Bel's sick tonight. I mean, it doesn't even show. She looks gorgeous. She's actually got tonsillitis. She should really be in bed, but she's making the effort, you know, and she's not just coming here for herself; she's coming here for us as a couple. So, it's just been awesome to be here with her and not doing it alone tonight. We can have a cuddle soon. Yeah. Yeah, I think it will be good. Baby steps still, Haydn and I, but I think this is a really good step in the right direction. Aren't they? (EXHALES) Yep. I'm sorry you don't feel well. It's all good. I'm just gutted, cos I really wanted to be a little bit more enthusiastic, but` Hey, listen, you've been really supportive. I've seen how you've been with them. You've been very supportive. Mm. Been really supportive. You know? Let's go. Do you want to go? I'm going home to bed. OK. Claire and I have had an absolutely fantastic journey thus far. I think the world of Claire, and we're having the best time. Me and the Pretty Committee, we are gonna go out for a drink. We're going out for a drink. We're leaving our hubbies at home. I think the boys are going to go for a drink too. OK, yeah. Like, go with the boys? Is that like an invite? Is that`? No, like, the boys are going out on a little thing. We need to, like, have a girls' thing. Oh, right, OK. Eh? I'm just confused. Is it, like, a separate thing? Separate thing. Separate thing. Hens, stags. Aaron is really trying to invite Ben into some sort of discussion or at least some sort of action that really just gives him something to work with, or work from, which is just ` 'Are we together?' Because, actually, Ben has invested heavily in other people's relationships and the drama and not at all in Aaron. Yeah, we will, we will but I just want to go out and` Yeah, that's fine. OK, let's go. OK, hey? Where the ... is my wallet? Can I have a proper kiss? Yes! The guy outside has got your wallet. All right, let's go. I just want my wallet. I get frustrated. Just relax. It's fine. Well, it's certainly been an interesting and eventful evening. We've seen quite a bit of disconnection throughout this whole evening, and I wonder if and how they will regroup as a couple and detach themselves from the drama that is the group dynamic. I hope that they're investing more in themselves and their relationship rather than others. Give it to me, baby. Come on! I'm not giving you anything tonight, honey. I'm not feeling well. It's the morning after the cocktail party. Last night was an opportunity for the couples to size each other up and gauge how their own relationships are progressing. It was a big night, and Claire is waking up with more than just a hangover. Well, I went to the cocktail party last night. I was so excited to see everybody and then I started feeling really sick and had really really bad stomach pains. Just... Oh, I'm feeling like shit. It's all good. I'm just gutted cos I really wanted to be a little bit more enthusiastic. I just went to the doctors, and now I'm in hospital on a drip, and I'm waiting to get a scan done. I don't know what's happening yet, until the doctors come back and let me know. Hello, babe. How are you? Are you feeling better at all? OH PHONE: No. Oh, I'm sorry, babe. I'm really sorry. Claire, at the moment, poor Claire. It's been so wonderful thus far and lots of fun. Yeah, we'll just hope that she's going to, um, feel better very soon. Appendix or gallstone? Right, OK. Is there anything I can get you or do for you at all? ON PHONE: No. Well, then listen, I'm thinking of you, Claire, and I just hope you're comfy. Here's to you, Claire. I hope you feel much better soon babe. It was a cool night last night, regardless. I think I had` I had heaps of fun. Yeah, I had really fun night, and there was a shitload of drama that went down, but none of it really involved us. No, none of it involved us. I'm quite happy with how mine and Andrew's relationship is going at the moment, like, especially after seeing how everyone else's is. I think that we're in a good spot. I think it was kind of good, like, having time apart for us as well. Yeah, well, that was what the whole thing was, eh? We were always, like, that was going to the case. Yeah. Give you girl time, give me my boy time, and that's cool. Yeah. You know? He's been pretty amazing, really. Like, he's always doing things for me and always` and I felt like I haven't been grateful enough, so I just made a point to put a bit more effort into it, because at the moment, I feel like he's doing a lot of things for me, and I'm not really doing as much for him. But, I recognize that, and I'm going to, hopefully, make a bit more of an effort. Are you looking forward to therapy tonight? I've never been to therapy with my partner before, so I don't really know what to expect. Like, I feel like we're fine. Yeah. I'm not nervous about tonight. I think we're good, so I'm not nervous. And there's nothing that we really need to talk to, that I can think of ` unless something comes up in between now and then. But I'm excited to see what they say I wouldn't say anything mean about you. Promise? Promise. I'm going to ask them to let me listen to it. (BOTH LAUGH) You know, in the relationship, you don't see from the outside point of view, from the outside perspective, so yeah, I'd be interested to see what it looks like from an outside perspective. We're good. Yeah, we're good. We're good. It's been a bumpy road for Bel and Haydn, and last night was a step in the right direction. But with everyone heading out for drinks after the cocktail party, there were even more revelations. Yeah, the cocktail party went really well. We were pretty affectionate, and I was smiling and laughing, and we left together, and yeah, then things just went weird again. After the cocktail party ended, the girls said we're going to go for a drink, and then I found out he has been messaging one of the other wives and agreeing that they should have been matched, not us, and I just felt so betrayed by that. I 100% think that Ben and Vicky, in particular, are trying to stir some kind of problem with our relationship. You know, I matched with Vicky on that dating app a while ago and had a small conversation with her, and she added me on Instagram the other day and messaged me and said, 'Don't tell anyone about this,' and she said she wouldn't, and then apparently, she's gone out last night and told Bel all this kind of stuff, making it look like I've been trying to crack into her, which I haven't. I still care, but every time she does this and pulls the rope from me, it's just harder and harder to keep wanting to get back to that point where we were at, cos last night felt really nice, and now it's just me sitting here by myself again. So, it's like, 'Hm.' I was willing to try and work on our communication together and go forward, and I was so optimistic and happy, but Haydn has betrayed me, and I can't do it any more. Last night's cocktail party was a massive setback for Luke. Spending the past few days alone has been hard, and after his failed attempts to rekindle his relationship with Lacey, he's had a lot of time to think. Oi. Oi. Nah? Come here. You don't like me either, do you? I guess no one really likes me. Emotionally, I'm tired. I'm quite tired. Yeah, it's quite tricky when your wife hates you and doesn't want to talk to you. It's something I'm very new with. Like, I've known her for about a week now and so it's just been, um, up and, well, mainly down the last couple of days. It's been very difficult. I've never actually had someone look at me and I can just see that they hate me. I'm just trying to communicate and be honest, be as honest as I can, and I'm trying to be, but I haven't heard from her. Yeah, I've tried to be in contact with her, but nah, she- Yeah, I don't know. (GROANS) Across town, Lacey is also reflecting on what happened last night. I got an interesting email from Luke this morning, which pretty much said that there are a bunch of things that I would like to tell you, but I can't tell you, and they can't be explained. And he says` He's like, 'I 100% agree with you. I haven't communicated with you. 'I haven't made an effort. I haven't put myself out there.' Last night was the perfect opportunity for him to, and he didn't. Not the kind of girl that is going to wait around time after time for him to work out if he wants to be there and if he wants to be married or not. I feel like this whole experiment for him was a joke. I feel like he wasn't ready to get married, and to him, getting married was such a small part of it, and I don't understand how you could take this journey and think that that was a small part of it. I don't understand how you could take this journey and not even try to get to know the person that you've been paired up with, that's meant to be, scientifically, your best match. In that way, we are completely different. We have couples therapy this afternoon, and I am happy to kind of talk through how I'm feeling and kind of where I've got to on this journey. But it's pretty much the end for us. One couple on a different path are Brett and Angel, and last night only cemented their bond. Last night meeting all the couples, it was quite overwhelming, actually, for me and Brett. I think just because we are in such a good place, we almost felt a bit guilty. They might be able to see eye-to-eye on a few more things after this session. Yeah. And if not, they can always` I'm excited for them as well. You know, like, that's great that they'll all go tonight. Well, hopefully they all turn up. Yeah. Yeah. You don't know, do ya? No. I'll 100% support the other couples. We are there for them, but you know, I am in this for Brett. Like, it's called Married at First Sight, not Married at First Sight ` With Other Couples. (LAUGHS) Aw, more dogs. Man, I love the park! I'm not a fan of these dogs. I'm not a fan of any of them. No, they're beautiful. No. Aw, he's so cool. He's number one, and that's how it should be, and that's why we are doing well. What's your balance like? Really shitty. Me and Angel have heaps of fun. Um, yeah. I've still got sore cheeks even now, from the whole experience. First one down buys lunch. Keep your core tight, shoulders back, focus on something that's not moving. Probably not me. I feel quite weird going to a therapy, because I just don't know what we're going there for. (LAUGHS) Nah, I don't really think there's anything that I can really talk to the experts about at this point. The good thing about me and Brett is anything that comes up, we'll discuss it openly. If he does something I don't like, we just talk about it, and that's why we're going so well at the moment. We just make things work, and that's why it's so great. I'm looking forward to seeing Tony and Pani just to say, you know, 'Thank you,' like I've told you that 100 times. But things aren't going quite so smoothly for Ben and Aaron. I feel shit. The night seemed to be going really well, and everyone was getting along, but here I am, it's 10 past 10 in the morning, and I have no idea where Ben is. He didn't come home last night. His phone is here. I've got no idea. If he wants his own space, that's fine, but tell me that. I feel like I've gone out of my way for everything, and I feel like I've got nothing in return. I'm at the point now where I'm just going to say what I feel, and I don't think he's going to take that well. It's probably going to end in an argument, you know. I don't like arguing with people. So, yeah, I don't know. I came into this knowing it was going to be hard, and I don't know if I expected it to be this hard, but honestly, these last couple of days have just been a nightmare. Um, you know, I keep getting this vibe from him that he wants me to, you know, slow things down. It's like, well, we're at a standstill, how much slower can I go than standing still? I'm in it for me and him to make it work. Right now, I don't feel like that's what he wants. TONY: The therapy sessions are a fantastic opportunity for all of the couples to both listen and to be heard. So the biggest challenge in these therapy sessions for the couples is going to be truly to be honest to themselves, to their partner, but also to me so I can help them. ANGEL: Hello. What I'm most excited about seeing and hearing is how they work together to overcome challenges and just figure out the best way forward. How are you both? We're good. We're above good. Yeah, we're all good. Yeah, you're looking great. BOTH: Yeah. yeah, we're just, um... we're pretty overwhelmed by the whole thing, really. Yeah. Um, yeah, we just... Yeah, we want to thank you guys so much. Yeah, we couldn't be happier, eh? Yeah, we actually couldn't. That's really exciting. That's fantastic. You can't take the smiles off your faces, can you? No, you're making me smile. We've had, um... I've got a sore face. Do you have any medication for that? (LAUGHS) Nah, we've had a great time, eh? It's been good. Mm. So, can you start off by telling us about a few of the highlights so far? (LAUGHS) Yeah, the highlights ` yeah, there have been too many probably to talk about. But, um, there's been heaps. Like, if you guys had another, like, 24 hours, we could probably tell you about our highlights. (LAUGHS) Oh dear, well, we definitely don't have that. So, we know a lot about the similarities, and this is the space that it's OK to talk about differences, because it's those elements of difference that we've explored before that actually contribute to our growth, our mutual growth. Have you picked up on any? Um, yeah, so I guess at the beginning the one thing we had was, the way I explain it is, I came in too hot. Like, I had done maybe a couple too many nice things, and Angel wasn't really used to that, so I had to just kind of calm it back and keep my compliments to myself. So how was that for you? So what was behind the compliments? What was behind that gushing? Um, I guess it's just my upbringing and, um, yeah, no, I guess the one reason why we get on so well is because we're both real honest, we're just kind of straight shooters and, yeah, I was probably too honest with the compliments and stuff, and, um, yeah, you know, marriage is forever, so we can probably, you know... Angel was probably thinking it could go a bit slower, eh? Mm, I was. And I was quite probably going a bit fast. So, can you tell us a little bit more about the connection? Maybe, Brett, can you tell us, what does that look like? Um, well, yeah, I guess, I talked with you before I came on this show and you were kind of really hoping that when she got out of the car, you know, there would be, like, a connection there. Yeah. And, yeah, I was just, um` I was blown away, which kind of made me quite almost a bit more nervous. But, yeah, I was just stoked with what came out of the car on the wedding day, and, um, yeah, really grateful to you two as well for um pairing me up with Angel. It's just been, um` Yeah, it's been really, um... Aww. Obviously, I was going to say how do you feel about that, but the tears, what's behind the tears? When Brett speaks about me, it's just so overwhelming because he says it with so much care. Oh, everyone deserves someone like that, and I remember, like, wishing for this when I was younger, and you never think it's possible. I didn't know what kind of person I imagined being with, but now I can. (LAUGHS) So, going forward, what does it look like? We are going to celebrate tonight. It's our one-week anniversary. Yay. Congratulations. Yeah (LAUGHS) Cheers, guys. And, like, no... Yeah, but it feels like it's been longer. But, yeah, nah, we're just going to take it one day at a time and... yeah. I always say we are riding the rainbow because that's what it's felt like. Yeah. It's been really... It's literally been just, like, so amazing. Keep doing what you're doing, and I just want to give you a piece of advice. If you're feeling like that ride on that rainbow is kind of slowing down and maybe the realities of life are kicking in, be aware that that's a normal process in a relationship. There is a honeymoon phase, and then there's the real life. So just be aware of that and keep talking to us and talking to each other, and we look forward to seeing you next time. Great job, guys. Great job. To be honest, I couldn't care less about what reasons we've matched for, like, and if it's this or it's that, I don't care. I've got an awesome wife and, you know, I'm not too worried about the reasons for why we're matched. We are just matched. It's great. So, yeah, I'm not going to overthink it. So, just talking to the experts in there just made me realize how special Brett is already in my life. I am just gutted for the rest of New Zealand that, like, I've got him now. (LAUGHS) Hi. AARON: We've both admitted to each other that we're not what we asked for. So I'm wondering why we've been put together because all it's done so far is cause issues between us. How are you guys going? Good. Good, yeah. Yeah? Yeah. So, the last seven days ` so, can you talk us through from the very start and those first couple of days and those initial highs, initial lows, whatever it looks and sounds like for you guys. Aaron, do you want to start it off? Sure. Um, it was pretty rough. Yeah? Yup. Um, look, the wedding day was pretty stressful, and the wedding night ended in a few tears. Um, but that's fine. I think we just kind of... I think it was just the whole, the experience, the stress of everything. Yeah, from there, look, it's been` it's been hard. It's been hard work. What have been the challenges for you? Probably just questioning why we were put together to begin with. I'm obviously not what Ben had asked for, and Ben isn't exactly what I had asked for. Like, Aaron is a really great guy. Um, he's not usually, like, the kind of guy I would go for. Generally, my exes are kind of... meatheads. How did that type work out for you? Um, not so much. And that's the whole point of this experiment ` is that we want to pair you up with someone that you might need, not necessarily who you think you want. He can give you what you've been missing in the previous relationships. It's just been a crazy week. Like, I've been really out of my comfort zone. I had to go camping. I think now that I'm back, I'm in my comfort zone, I'm feeling more, like, open to it. Last night ` what would be your reflections on last night? Um,... I think, like,... I think I do pretty well, like, socially, amongst that group. We were both pretty social butterflies last night. I think we were out talking to everyone, which meant that we didn't spend a lot of time together. Um... I think, like` But I was fine with that. Look, so, we were watching the whole of last night, yeah. So what you're telling us is not really gelling with what we were watching. Really? Um... (BELL DINGS, HEARTBEAT THUMPS) Last night ` what would be your reflections on last night? Um, I think I do pretty well, like, socially, amongst that group. We were both pretty social butterflies last night. I think we were out talking to everyone, which meant that we didn't spend a lot of time together. Look, so, we were watching the whole of last night, yeah. So, what you are telling us is not really gelling with what we were watching. Really? Um... It was that evening, but also when you said you were OK with it, you dismiss how you're feeling. This isn't a reflection of Ben. You feel how you feel. Yeah, yeah. And it's OK, and own it. I don't know, we didn't really spend a lot of time together at the cocktail party. Yeah, I don't know, I felt there were times where I, kind of, like, come up and try to sort of sit with you and talk to you and that would be... I don't know, it was kind of like, urgh, trying to come into the circle, and that was a bit difficult. But, I guess, my biggest concern at this point is that the physical attractiveness side of things from Ben's side is going to halt things. Um, you know, I know that that's been an issue. You know, there is no denying it, and it's something that I can't change or adjust, so it, you know, it's always going to be in the back of my mind of ` is this going to be a barrier to go any further? For me, that's probably just a really big reassurance thing in a relationship, I guess. Yeah, so probably that would be one big one. And, Ben, you're a runner, aren't you? Would you say that you've started this race? I've been open to it. I wouldn't say that I've initially, like, necessarily started it yet. But it's the difference that brings growth. Mm. But there are those areas of connection that will keep you together or can support a relationship, whatever that looks like, but there's those areas of difference. It's how you guys navigate those over the next few weeks and how we support you to navigate those. Are you open to that? Yeah, absolutely. 100%. Yeah, like, I want to make it work. So, it's you know, we've got to put in the hard yards and, yeah, figure it out. It's just, yeah, trying to compromise and figure out, yeah, what I need to do and what you need to do and, yeah. Mm. Be open to learning and just enjoy the experience and get everything you can out of it and know that we are here in support along the way. OK? There's stuff we need to work on, and I just hope that Ben's on board to do some compromising. I'm still not 100% sure on the experts, only because they've matched me with Aaron. I just don't personally believe that we're right for each other. Yeah, I am still not convinced. Hopefully I get a chance to talk. Yeah, I want it to work. I think Lacey is amazing. I've just got to try and patch it up somehow. How are you guys? Good to see you. Good. Yeah, give us a hug. Yeah, yeah, bring it in. Like, make you feel at home. I don't think there's a chance for this relationship to probably work. To find out that someone possibly was here not for the same reasons, it's kind of a telling sign, and it's a little bit too late to be unsure. You look gorgeous. Oh, so do you. Hey. Hi. Can I get a hug or...? Um, no. OK, sweet. So, this space, here and now, is a safe space. It's got to be honest, and it's got to be open for this to work. Perhaps, Luke, would you feel ok with starting and just telling us your experience of what's gone on? Yeah, I don't know, well, Lacey hates me, so that's quite, um... That's kind of unfair and uncalled for. Well, I feel like you kind of do, and that's just how I feel about it and I've wanted to try and talk and be open and be honest and, uh, I haven't really had a good chance to do that. Yeah, I feel like, um, she doesn't trust me and, yeah, things have popped up that were out of my hands, but I can see how it's hurt Lacey, and, um, you know, I never wanted that to happen at all. Can you tell us what those things were and how they unfolded? How did the, sort of, story unfold, and how did it get to where it is now? Yeah, well, it was more like stuff, um, with how I was trying to deal with pre-wedding preparation and all that sort of stuff. I'd talked to people, and I vented, and I said things which, yeah, if definitely taken out of context, it can sound, you know, pretty bad. Lacey feels that I didn't come in to this with honest, good intentions, which definitely wasn't the case, because there's no way I want to hurt someone else. Like, I mean, It's not just my feelings; it's someone else's. And, you know, I'm always absolutely respectful of that. So, what were you looking for coming into this, Luke? Um, well, ultimately, I'm looking for someone, you know, who I can just totally gel with and have an awesome relationship. You know, I really wanted to meet my match, my partner. And, Lacey? Um, so for me the experience has been amazing. It's been awesome. And I've come into it knowing very securely who I am and what I'm looking for. I put myself in a position where I could be vulnerable and I could be honest and I could have, you know, hard discussions and kind of try get to know someone, and I really didn't get that from you, and even at the party last night, you made no effort to kind of fix that. You wanted to explain yourself, but... it's more than just explaining yourself, right? We had a honeymoon where we spent a fair amount of time together and for you to not even ask questions about me, you have no idea who I am as a person, and it's almost like you didn't care. I didn't hug you today because I've never hugged you. Now, as a couple that we matched, you were the two that were the most different in traits and characteristics. Some of the reasons you were matched ` similar family values, opposite in terms of traits. The trick will be for Luke to communicate himself and to keep up with Lacey and Lacey not getting impatient with Luke. Yeah, didn't happen. But I wonder how much you gave it a chance. So, last night you turned up with a clear want and need and hope, and then all of those weird and wonderful ways of the evening didn't allow for that and you are open to have that opportunity, to have it now. I guess, yeah, I'm sorry if I hurt you in any way. There's no way that's my intention. I never want to do that. And, yeah, one thing that I was a little bit gutted about was that I never actually opened up to you. There was moments where I felt like I was getting really close, but like I told you, you know, I've got my guard up and I use humour as like a kind of a defence sort of thing. Yep. And it does frustrate me when I overuse that, and it's not that I'm not going to open up; I just need to get comfortable with someone, and it does happen. OK, I hear you, but in seven days, I didn't see it. Have you communicated your plans? Does Luke know that you're leaving tomorrow? Bringing you Married at First Sight NZ. Tomorrow night ` our couples move in together. Oh! Sweet! Nice. Oh my gosh. I think it's really going to show how we work as a couple. But with outside influences so close by,... There's a lot of fake people here. HAYDN ON PHONE: I just feel like if she's messaging me stuff, then that's not genuine. ...will it bring them closer together... In one week, we've accomplished more than probably what a couple's accomplished in two years. ...or tear them apart? He didn't have my back at all. I'm almost ready to throw in the towel. ANDREW: I don't even know what to do. Like, what more can I do? Honestly, what more can I do? (BELL DINGS, HEARTBEAT THUMPS) Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air.