Warning: Spoilers ahead from the “Married at First Sight” Season 5 finale
Sparks flew in the “Married at First Sight” season premiere Thursday night — and not just between the newlyweds.
For the fifth season of the reality-TV social experiment (now airing on Lifetime after four seasons on FYI), in which three singles each marry a stranger, the location has moved to Chicago. After weeding through 40,000 applicants, experts Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Rachel DeAlto and Pastor Calvin Roberson made their matches: Anthony D’Amico and Ashley Petta, Sheila Downs and Nate Duhon, and Danielle DeGroot and Cody Knapek.
The season got off to a positive start: All three couples kissed on the lips after meeting at the altar and exchanging vows — a sign that they’re at least physically attracted to each other.
But the most intense heat came from Sheila and Nate’s fathers — both of whom have larger-than-life personalities, and clearly aren’t afraid to speak their mind.
While the bride and groom were busy getting to know each other at their sweetheart table during the reception, their parents exchanged some words of their own. Tensions were already high because Nate’s mother, who raised him on her own, doesn’t approve of his marrying a stranger. When Sheila’s overprotective father, Charles, tells the groom’s dad, “I like Nate, I just don’t trust him,” Nate Sr. takes it as a personal affront to his fatherhood skills and the fact that he and Nate’s mom never married.
He decides to get his revenge during the speeches, when he says to Sheila, “Daughter, your daddy been talking s - - t about me all night.” He proceeds to infer that Charles, a deacon, took money from his church, and refers to him as a “gray-haired ass” and drops several expletives while jaws drop around the reception room.
Luckily for the newlyweds, Nate Sr.’s jabs turn out to be a reality TV red herring.
“I’m just playing. He and I [have] been clowning all day,” he says with a laugh. “I like him because he really knows how to be Christian and make you feel real bad. This is about the groom and the bride this evening. I clown and have fun a lot, but the bottom line is, I want the best for my boy.”
His new daughter-in-law seems to take the joking in stride, saying later that “even if he isn’t on his best behavior, I think sometimes you have to look at their overall intent.”
As for the couples themselves, through the weddings at least, it’s been smooth sailing. Sheila, a 30-year-old facilities director, seems to have gotten over her initial hesitation over the fact that her car-rental-manager husband Nate is only 25. “I’m ready for the life and I’m ready for the work and he seems like he is, too, and that gives me a lot of hope and optimism about our future together,” she says. Though there’s one surprise waiting for her — the fact that Nate’s 17-year-old brother lives with him (and soon, with her, too).
Anthony, a 33-year-old marketing executive, and Ashley, a 30-year-old bar manager, are the oldest couple, and both are ready to start a family soon. Ashley is quickly charmed by Anthony’s smile — “his teeth are f - - king perfect” — and he’s already feeling the romance with his blond beauty. “The experts figured it out very well,” he says.
Danielle, a 30-year-old dietitian, and Cody, a 26-year-old gym owner, bonded quickly over their shared interests and laid-back attitudes. “It’s a possibility that I could fall in love with my wife and have something that lasts forever,” he says.
Next week: The honeymoons.
Sparks flew in the “Married at First Sight” season premiere Thursday night — and not just between the newlyweds.
For the fifth season of the reality-TV social experiment (now airing on Lifetime after four seasons on FYI), in which three singles each marry a stranger, the location has moved to Chicago. After weeding through 40,000 applicants, experts Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Rachel DeAlto and Pastor Calvin Roberson made their matches: Anthony D’Amico and Ashley Petta, Sheila Downs and Nate Duhon, and Danielle DeGroot and Cody Knapek.
The season got off to a positive start: All three couples kissed on the lips after meeting at the altar and exchanging vows — a sign that they’re at least physically attracted to each other.
But the most intense heat came from Sheila and Nate’s fathers — both of whom have larger-than-life personalities, and clearly aren’t afraid to speak their mind.
While the bride and groom were busy getting to know each other at their sweetheart table during the reception, their parents exchanged some words of their own. Tensions were already high because Nate’s mother, who raised him on her own, doesn’t approve of his marrying a stranger. When Sheila’s overprotective father, Charles, tells the groom’s dad, “I like Nate, I just don’t trust him,” Nate Sr. takes it as a personal affront to his fatherhood skills and the fact that he and Nate’s mom never married.
He decides to get his revenge during the speeches, when he says to Sheila, “Daughter, your daddy been talking s - - t about me all night.” He proceeds to infer that Charles, a deacon, took money from his church, and refers to him as a “gray-haired ass” and drops several expletives while jaws drop around the reception room.
Luckily for the newlyweds, Nate Sr.’s jabs turn out to be a reality TV red herring.
“I’m just playing. He and I [have] been clowning all day,” he says with a laugh. “I like him because he really knows how to be Christian and make you feel real bad. This is about the groom and the bride this evening. I clown and have fun a lot, but the bottom line is, I want the best for my boy.”
His new daughter-in-law seems to take the joking in stride, saying later that “even if he isn’t on his best behavior, I think sometimes you have to look at their overall intent.”
As for the couples themselves, through the weddings at least, it’s been smooth sailing. Sheila, a 30-year-old facilities director, seems to have gotten over her initial hesitation over the fact that her car-rental-manager husband Nate is only 25. “I’m ready for the life and I’m ready for the work and he seems like he is, too, and that gives me a lot of hope and optimism about our future together,” she says. Though there’s one surprise waiting for her — the fact that Nate’s 17-year-old brother lives with him (and soon, with her, too).
Anthony, a 33-year-old marketing executive, and Ashley, a 30-year-old bar manager, are the oldest couple, and both are ready to start a family soon. Ashley is quickly charmed by Anthony’s smile — “his teeth are f - - king perfect” — and he’s already feeling the romance with his blond beauty. “The experts figured it out very well,” he says.
Danielle, a 30-year-old dietitian, and Cody, a 26-year-old gym owner, bonded quickly over their shared interests and laid-back attitudes. “It’s a possibility that I could fall in love with my wife and have something that lasts forever,” he says.
Next week: The honeymoons.
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