Original subtitles

LUCINDA: Look at this gorgeous creature.

NARRATOR: Five weeks ago...

SARA: I'm in awe. He is perfect.

..singles from across the country

took the ultimate romantic leap of faith.

ANDREA: Experts have rocked it.

ELLIE: I feel like this could be it.

Like, I don't know how that could be.

And following the last commitment ceremony...

ELLIE: I don't even know where he is.

..Ben disappeared for 24 hours... (RINGING TONE)

..only to return with a list of things he didn't like about his wife.

He didn't like that I applied make-up,

he didn't like that I was sensitive or emotional.

TRISTAN: Moddy!

Whoa!

A catch-up with family and friends

led to major breakthroughs for some of our couples.

Focus on the good things.

(IMITATES COMPLAINING) You know, it's boring.

You need to not get your tits in a tangle and pull your finger out.

I do like your advice.

It could be a one-night stand, but just try it.

(LAUGHS)

Well, he should!

But for Jack...

"Put a muzzle on it..." I mean, it's not the 1950s.

..he was left feeling the pressure from Tori's best friend Leah.

He apologised. Hope it was genuine but I highly doubt that.

And a fiery dinner party...

You've always been a grandstander... (BANGS TABLE) since day one!

OTHERS: Oooh!

..led to a brutal public break-up.

I do believe we're better off friends.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

What? He's just broken up with her in front of the whole table.

Tonight at the commitment ceremony...

Sorry. (CRIES)

..it's a side to Sara...

Sometimes it is a lot for some people, so...

..we've never seen before.

On a scale of one to ten, ten being you are absolutely in love...

9.5. (OTHERS EXCLAIM)

..as romantic connections deepen for some...

All I have to do is give it my best

and she's 100% worth trying and changing for.

RIDGE: She does it for me in every single way

and I can see a future with her outside of this.

..for others, the spark is fading.

Are you physically attracted to Michael?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

And...

In what world when I say to you

"Do everything you can to win her back"

would you think it's a good idea to give her a list of the things

you hate about her?

..Ben faces intense pressure from the experts.

I've sat here hearing this same old script come out of your mouth.

Possibly it's an unconscious thing what...

Stop it!

But it's Jack's confession...

JOHN: Is this a case where Tori is into you

a lot more than you're into Tori?

Um...

..that will leave everyone speechless.

JOHN: We've never heard you talk like this on the couch.

If you want to go, like, go now.

(BRIGHT MUSIC PLAYS)

TIM: Oh...

(TIM AND SARA LAUGH)

It's the morning of the fourth commitment ceremony.

RIDGE: How was the gym, darling? JADE: Good.

Good sesh? Yeah.

Good sesh after a big night? Yeah, I know.

I needed it this morning.

JAYDEN: Eden's bowl of tuna and rice

is stuck together like rock because it hasn't been rinsed out.

EDEN: Your pan still has egg on it from yesterday...

It's fine. ..so don't you be coming at me.

Michael and Stephen are just beginning to get into the groove

of domestic duties.

MICHAEL: You know, I used to be a barista back in the day.

Wonder if I still got it.

What a week that we have actually had.

So we've moved in, we've had confessions, which...

Wow.

STEPHEN: "I've experienced a man

"who was supposed to love his family unconditionally up and leave."

(SAD MUSIC PLAYS)

(CRIES)

"For so many years, I have watched my family

"put themselves in vulnerable positions

"only to be disappointed and let down,

"so, slowly, over time, it became heaps easier..."

(CRIES) "to just shut off."

My dad cheated on my mum when we were kids.

I didn't realise that you really had that much weight on you.

Mmm.

My part, as a partner... to carry that with you.

I just want to give you a big hug right now.

Yeah. Bring it in.

Mmm.

MICHAEL: We really got a lot out of Stephen there

and to see that wall come down was actually really rewarding.

We kind of match today. (LAUGHS)

It feels great to be into our apartment

and you just feel at home and at ease.

I'm really enjoying his company, so it's promising.

What do you reckon this is for?

I don't know, decorations.

That was in the latrine... Decorations.

(LAUGHS) Gonna lock you down.

We're in our new house.

I feel like I've been getting to know him

for us to become comfortable with each other.

Look, we've got little pencils and a notepad.

I can write down every time you annoy me.

STEPHEN: All I've been doing this week

is every day check in with myself

and just trying to figure out my feelings.

Which bird do you want to be?

I have no idea.

But so far, living with Michael, I'm struggling.

How are you visualising?

At the moment, I'm not feeling comfortable at all.

More plants, then I think we'll be good.

Yep. Definitely.

STEPHEN: I think Michael's a lot more feminine

than what I'm typically attracted to.

A vase. We can get more flowers to put in there.

So that's, I think, really, really growing that seed of doubt.

Now, go make me some food.

(LAUGHS) I'm just kidding.

That's a joke, sorry. That's light humour, see?

(LAUGHS AWKWARDLY)

Even playing along with those jokes feels unorganic and forced.

Yeah. Yeah.

Shall we fist-bump?

I mean, I might knock you over.

I'm, like, 15 kilos heavier than you.

STEPHEN: It's awkward as shit.

After last night's intense dinner party...

JAYDEN: We're talking about last night, anyway.

..Jayden is still reeling from the fight between him and Timothy.

Deep down in your heart, Tim, you don't see a future with Lucinda

but you keep saying stay, you're giving her hope

and we don't know why.

This relationship is the same as it was on the first day.

We're six weeks in. You know what, that's your opinion!

You're 27! You've got nothing to say to me!

At 27, my relationship is near-perfect, so maybe...

WOMAN: No! Call me in three years!

Call me in three years!

EDEN: I just feel like Timothy was just big deflecting.

He was clutching at straws.

All he could bring up was digs at your personality.

Every time he did, everyone else shut him down.

He doesn't like the fact that maybe my relationship is going very well

and his isn't.

He doesn't want to take advice from me.

That's understandable, but at the end of the day,

all I wanted from him was an answer

as to whether or not he sees a romantic future with Lucinda.

I like Lucinda. She's a great girl, you know.

I don't think she deserves to be led on.

Tim's comment about how he thinks

that we're not gonna last outside the experiment,

he's, like, "Give it three years,"

like, "(BLEEP), I'd love three years, man.

"It's three years longer than you..."

(LAUGHS) ..you know what I mean?

While the dinner party has created rifts,

Lucinda's show of support for her husband Timothy

has united the couple.

Do you want a cuppa? Yeah, I do, actually.

OK. Great.

Wow. What a... What a night.

I do feel we've shifted energy somewhat.

Less combative and more, you know, a team, in unity. (LAUGHS)

I will give you props. I really appreciated last night.

You actually were really awesome.

Aw.

You were rock-solid.

Yeah, you were really, really good.

I would just like to say and I mean this with all my heart...

WOMAN: Yeah. ..Tim is an awesome person.

Yeah, we've heard it. We've heard it.

One minute. I haven't finished.

It's a bit of a rally up

and I was feeling quite defensive of Tim, to be honest.

I want us to be, you know, having each other's back

and on the same team.

Of course we are.

This is my focus, to make it work,

to explore a possibility with this gorgeous man

that I've been matched with.

I've got nothing but praise for you.

I felt very defensive of you, actually.

Yep.

But I say this from a place just 'cause I care about you -

I just think you could leave the personal comments out.

I very much appreciate Lucinda at the moment.

You know, my biggest thing has been loyalty and trust.

And, look, I'm not exactly easy.

I could see that I'd hurt her by my comments

and I need to just hit the reset button.

I am here to change some of those things, because she's a solid girl.

I'm willing to give it a go.

Yeah.

It's just everyone loves me, that's the problem.

Everyone just wants to talk to me. (LAUGHS)

The countdown is on to tonight's fourth commitment ceremony...

where couples will decide if they stay or leave.

The couples are busy getting ready.

You look gorgeous, by the way.

You look good too. I know.

Some are feeling positive.

Some are not.

And for Jack, he's been anxious going into the commitment ceremony

after meeting Tori's friend Leah,

who made it clear how committed Tori has become

to her relationship with Jack.

I don't know, you definitely seem...

I don't even know what the right adjective is.

Like, softer.

I don't know how to explain that

but, like, you just seem so, like, relaxed.

We're just, like, in a really... It's like a sweet spot, for sure.

I feel like I'm the only person that, like, knows the real Tori...

Yeah.

..and I feel like you're getting a glimpse of it,

which obviously means she trusts you.

Mmm.

I think meeting Leah opened my eyes a little bit,

realising that Tori's well invested in the relationship emotionally.

That put a bit of pressure on me.

It could be a long night.

Yeah. It could be. Or it could be really short.

We're over halfway now.

I have been thinking hard and deep

about where we're gonna go each week leading forward.

I don't know, eh? Just, like, expect the unexpected.

You never know how these things are gonna turn out.

I'm starting to feel a sense of responsibility

for, you know, making sure the relationship works.

I definitely feel like the seat will get hot

when we're chatting with the experts

but I don't feel like there'll be too many people...

About what?

I don't know, but I'm ready for a hot seat.

JACK: I'll admit, I'm getting nervous in our relationship.

I'm confident I know what you're gonna say...

You're confident you know what I'm gonna stay...

Yep. "What I'm gonna stay..."

(BOTH LAUGH) See?

She's showed me pictures of her future,

her house and what she wants,

so if I turned around and wasn't that guy for her,

oh, she'd be pissed

and, yeah, probably wish she didn't come on the experiment,

to be honest.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

JOHN: Greetings, gentlemen. Come and grab a seat.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Hello, ladies.

ALESSANDRA: Hi. MEL: Hi, ladies.

Welcome. Welcome.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

MEL: Well, welcome, everyone, to your fourth commitment ceremony.

Now, it's been a big week.

Those original couples, you've met the family and friends

and for our new couples,

you've had a crash course in everything about this experiment

so you have so much to share with us tonight

and we cannot wait to catch up with each and every one of you.

Let's get our first couple on the couch tonight.

Ellie and Ben.

JACK: Hey! Good luck, guys.

(APPLAUSE) (TENSE MUSIC)

MEL: Hi, guys. ELLIE: Hello.

MEL: Well, as you know,

we watch the dinner parties very closely

and it's very clear that things have fallen apart with you guys.

Ellie, what's happened?

Well, last week on the couch, I wrote 'leave'...

Mmm.

..and effectively John said Ben has seven days

to try and turn it around, 'cause Ben wrote 'stay'.

Yeah. He did.

The day after, Ben actually ran away from Skye Suites.

We couldn't find him.

A few days after that, we decided to have a chat about our relationship,

which lasted two and a half hours

and what I got out of that was a list of stuff

that he didn't like about me.

He didn't like the fact that I was wearing make-up,

he said that I was too emotional and too sensitive.

He doesn't like that I'm from the Gold Coast.

There was poor communication and bad conversation.

Wow.

I'm just getting confused, mixed messages, you know,

the gift-giving and writing songs.

I've been trying to explain to the group how I'm feeling

but they probably don't get it

because what Ben's telling them is all kindness and positivity...

Mmm.

..but you're not seeing what I've been experiencing.

SARA: We see it. Thank you.

I'm not trying to run him into the ground...

No.

..but I am speaking my truth

and I absolutely need to call this out.

EDEN: Yeah, you go, girlfriend.

I feel like I've been going crazy.

That feeling that you're describing of "Am I going crazy?"

is the very definition of being gaslit.

That's what's going on here. Oh.

You're not going crazy and what you're feeling is completely valid...

particularly the confusion... Yep.

..and the questioning yourself.

JOHN: Ben, what I really want to know

is how do you feel towards Ellie?

JONATHAN: Here we go.

I think she's terrific.

I've never stopped thinking that.

Every time. I just...

I don't know what to believe anymore.

I know. And that's what I mean.

Well, then, Ben, you've got to explain that to us.

OK. Um...

(TENSE MUSIC)

The connection, I guess, hasn't been as strong as I hoped.

SARA: Ben, you gave her a gift two days ago

trying to ask to be, like, in the relationship again

and then at the dinner table, you told all of us

that you see her as a friend.

Come on, mate. Make up your mind. Do you like her or do you not?

Yeah, so you see how confused I've been.

Not (BLEEP) confusing. Yeah.

Like, it was an amazing first few weeks.

I was so happy. I remember saying that.

Like, I was feeling happy...

JOHN: Ben, are you listening to yourself?

(SIGHS) Come on.

I'm doing my best, John.

We looked high and low for an ideal match for you.

We got you one and you dropped the ball.

I guess so. Um...

Possibly it's an unconscious thing

or if it's not, it wouldn't be deliberate...

Ben, I don't want to hear "I guess I might have done this,"

"Subconsciously maybe it was that."

Stop it!

You need to start owning your behaviour.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Let me ask you this.

In what world, when I say to you

"Do everything you can to win her back and increase her trust"

would you think it's a good idea

to give her a list of the things you hate about her?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Ben, let me ask you this.

In what world, when I say to you

"Do everything you can to win her back and increase her trust"

would you think it's a good idea

to give her a list of the things you hate about her?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

That was a journal of thoughts I had compiled for a while and it was...

Why did you even show that to her?

(SIGHS)

"I like you, but here's the things that I really hate."

I know that you are an incredible woman.

I still believe that. Always have.

I've never lost sight of that

but it seems no matter which...what we do...

it's just...

I don't know what to do. No. No. No.

Ben, I'm not letting you get away with that.

No, you've got to own it.

What do you think your behaviour's done to Ellie

over the last five weeks?

How you think it makes her feel on the inside?

Oh... Uh...

I'll answer.

It destroys my self-esteem.

I slept with you, you know what I mean,

and you told me you felt so... like, so good about me,

so it makes me feel so shit about myself.

Ben, you're sitting there deadpan... MEL: Mmm.

..with no emotion.

I don't know if you're happy, sad, embarrassed,

excited to get out of here, want to stay.

It's like there's this flat facade that you put up.

Your partner has just told you

how belittled she feels about all of this.

Is this generally the way in which you receive information like this?

I'm lost for words.

I don't know what to say.

What about showing some emotion towards Ellie

and how bad you feel, mate?

That wouldn't be a bad thing.

You've ruined the experience for me

because I came here genuinely, like...

Everyone knows that I just... I want to start a family

and I want a husband to do that with

and, you know, I've been robbed of that experience.

I can understand.

No, I don't think you do.

You say a lot of words, Ben,

but you don't actually know the meaning of them.

I don't think you understand.

I've sat here for weeks on end hearing this same old script

come out of your mouth.

You have not been committed to this experiment.

You have not tried to give yourself over to the process.

What you've done is sidestepped hard questions,

had conversations behind closed doors

and tried to present a fake self.

What we do know for a fact is the way you've treated her

has absolutely picked apart her self-esteem.

And I don't like seeing that toxic pattern go on

week after week.

How can I... Frankly, I'm done.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Let's get to the decision.

Ellie, what have you got? Stay or leave?

I'm going to take my new voice

and walk out of here with confidence and I'm leaving.

(APPLAUSE)

Alright, Ben, what have you got?

Leave.

Now, Ben...

what you've done during your time here is played a game with us

and particularly you've played with Ellie's feelings.

I hope what you can say

is "I've been given some home truths

"and I'm going to do something different now."

And I hope that you do

'cause this is a one-off opportunity for you and you need to learn.

And finally, we, as the experts, want to thank you, Ellie,

because you came in with an open heart...

Mm-hn.

..you were looking for love... Yeah.

..and you've got a great deal going for you.

Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

Yep. Alright. Well done.

Thank you. Thanks for that. You won't be single for long.

(LAUGHS) Thanks.

Off you go, guys.

I don't have any regrets about coming onto the experiment.

I've walked away with this newfound confidence, I've got my voice back.

I didn't get the husband that I came for, but that's OK.

Apparently my DMs will be blowing up, according to a few people.

(LAUGHS)

NARRATOR: Coming up...

I want a future with someone. I hope it's gonna be with Jade.

..love is in the air. TRISTAN: There we go.

On a scale of one to ten and ten being you are absolutely in love...

9.5. (OTHERS EXCLAIM)

..before...

"Where's the intimacy, man? Like, you're not trying."

And I said that to Andy.

..Richard drops an almighty bombshell.

I've been in a relationship for five weeks

with somebody who has no feelings for me...

And...

Is Tori into you a lot more than you are into Tori?

Um...

..Jack feels the pressure.

I do have concerns that I'm gonna let you down.

Next up on the couch...

Jayden and Eden.

(APPLAUSE)

(MICHAEL LAUGHS) Yeah.

Eden, tell us about this week for you guys.

It's been nice.

But we are having a little bit of a debate

about the family meet-up, though.

OK.

So, Mitch was there as well, who's Jayden's brother...

Yes. I'm sure you all know Mitch.

JOHN: I remember Mitch. (LAUGHTER)

And Mitch said to me, on a scale of one to ten,

one being you can't stand him

and ten being you are absolutely in love,

whereabouts are you on the scale?

And I said "I'm a seven."

What did you say?

Well, I said 9.5.

(OTHERS EXCLAIM)

Eden, do you think that you will be able to get to a 9.5?

I do. I have a lot of hope and a lot of...

Sweet. Yeah.

There are things that I think that we still need to grow and build

in order for me to get to where Jayden says he already is.

There's quantity of time.

Like, we're together a lot of the time

but not often is it just quality time.

When we are there with each other and talking,

that's when it grows for me.

JOHN: Jayden, what she's saying to you

is that she misses you and needs you more.

Aw. So sweet. Aw.

(LAUGHS) Mmm.

I do actually say that, every time he walks out.

Yeah. I say "I miss you."

(LAUGHS) Yeah, that's true.

Alright, so let's go to the decision, you guys.

I wrote obviously 'stay'.

It's pretty... (APPLAUSE)

Big heart. Yeah.

Eden?

So, I wrote 'stay' as well with four hearts.

With four hearts. Oh, yeah. (APPLAUSE)

Have a great week, you guys.

Thank you so much. MEL: Well done, guys.

JOHN: Let's get our next couple up.

Tristan and Cass.

(APPLAUSE)

Last week, at the end of your couch session, Cass,

you wrote 'stay'

and Tristan, you wrote 'leave'.

I did.

You guys had to really think about

what you were gonna do and then change it up.

Tristan's last words on this couch was, like, "I'll make it up to you"

and he certainly did.

Had a really lovely meet-the-parents with Tristan's mother and my father.

And I said it was a green flag. Like, he really impressed me.

He was confident, he was honest, he was kind.

My dad and Tristan were laughing non-stop.

I was, like, "Dad, who did you come to see here?

"Like, me or Tristan?" (LAUGHTER)

He tried so hard to make it up to me and he did.

All I can do is give it my best

and she's 100% worth trying and changing for.

Alright. Let's go to the decision.

We're gonna go with you first, Tristan.

I thought there was gonna be a bit more of a build-up

but I'm terrible at hiding secrets,

so at the end of the day, I did write 'stay'.

MEL: Oh, and a big smile.

Lovely. LUCINDA: Whoo-ooh!

Cass, what are you gonna do - stay or leave?

Leave? No...

Let's build this connection further, so I wrote 'stay'.

TRISTAN AND MEL: Aw!

OK. We'll start it with another kiss.

Come on.

There we go.

MEL: Well done, both of you.

(APPLAUSE)

Let's get our next couple up, Jade and Ridge.

(APPLAUSE)

RIDGE: G'day, g'day.

Now, you did the crash course this week

to catch up with the rest of the group here.

How did that go?

The confessions letter, like, caught me off guard.

Why did the letter catch you off guard?

I don't know, I guess, like, it's just hard for me to open up

and, like, I know I'm just, like, in my own head

'cause I feel like I have opened up before and I've just been let down

and, yeah.

Is that where this all comes from,

the fact that guys have betrayed you in the past

and you can't be sure of yourself now?

In the past, I've always competed with other girls

and I've always lost, so then, like, it makes me, like, doubt myself.

Ridge, what do you make of this?

You know, when you hear her, you know, let the walls down,

let you in, what do you think?

Obviously I appreciate that she's letting her walls down with me.

Obviously it's not easy for her to do that

given what she's been through.

I know she's had a really, really rough time

in terms of her previous partners.

But I want a future with someone. Hopefully it's gonna be with Jade.

She does it for me in every single way.

I admire how grounded and strong she is.

She's such a good mum, she's such a good friend.

She's actually a good person

and I can see a future with her outside of this.

Jade, what do you think about it?

It makes me happy. (LAUGHS)

Ridge's response to my letter

is honestly what made me think, like, he's actually being genuine.

He got really heartfelt, which was, like, really nice to see.

LUCINDA: Chemistry's felt, you two. It's palpable, your energy together.

Thanks.

Alright. With that being said, let's go to the decision.

Easy. Stay.

Easy. Stay. Good. (APPLAUSE)

And what about you, Jade? Stay.

Great stuff. MEL: Yeah.

(APPLAUSE) Great stuff.

And with that, you can go back to the group.

(APPLAUSE)

ALESSANDRA: The next couple up on the couch, Andrea and Richard.

(APPLAUSE)

RICHARD: Here we go.

WOMAN: She's bowing. (LAUGHTER)

MEL: Hello.

Hello, hello.

RICHARD: Hi.

Last week, the two of you seemed quite different

from what we had experienced earlier in the experiment.

How are you doing this week?

We had the worst week.

We ended up having a fight - our first fight.

What precipitated the fight?

After the last commitment ceremony, after dinner,

I went into the other room and was on the phone to my family

and I shut the door.

I was probably about an hour in that room.

The next morning, Rich was not happy with me.

He explained that he was offended

that I went into the room and shut the door,

so we butted heads.

The fight was that I felt Andy wasn't trying.

Because she closed the door?

No, no, no, because there was...

There was no shift since the last time we sat on the couch.

We started off very physical

and then there was a pull-back on it.

Intimacy fell off. "When is it gonna come back?"

And this has been going on for weeks.

I mean, this is not just something that I felt like that.

You know, I'm, like, "Where's the intimacy, man.

"Like, you're not trying." And I said that to Andy.

That really upset her because she said, "Damn, I AM trying."

But it's telling the story of our relationship.

(TENSE MUSIC)

There seems to be a need that you have

for Andrea to actively be validating your love language

so that then you can understand that she is into you.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

The insecurity comes from

that I've been in a relationship for five weeks

with somebody who has no feelings for me and I have feelings for her.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Richard, there seems to be a need that you have

for Andrea to actively be validating your love language

so that then you can understand that she is into you.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

The insecurity comes from

that I've been in a relationship for five weeks

with somebody who has no feelings for me and I have feelings for her.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

You know, and of course there's an insecurity about that.

There's a whole lot of insecurities that come with that.

I'm processing the part

where you're stating that Andrea has NO feelings for you.

That... I'm actually quite shocked. No. No...

That hasn't been my impression.

I don't think that's been what Andrea has expressed.

No.

So, is that how you feel? Is that your interpretation?

No, no, that was something that WAS actually expressed by Andy

to me last week.

"I don't have the feelings for you."

That's what she said.

I meant I'm not feeling the intimacy.

Yeah, no, I know that. Not like I'm not feeling us...

Oh, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. No, no, I get that. Yeah. I get that.

So, your interpretation of her saying "I'm not feeling it"

is "I have got no feelings for you"?

In that moment...

I just want to clarify the words because those were very strong,

important, potent words

and you've just expressed them out loud to all of us.

Of course, Andrea is hearing that

and that is something that she takes with her

and is also going to play in her whole process.

Yeah.

Andrea, how are you feeling towards Richard?

Now? Yes.

I'm...

Because I'm seeing a completely different person,

completely different version of you

than we saw at the beginning of the experiment in terms of...

Mmm. ..the way you relate to Richard.

You were giddy, you were excited.

There was a sense of hope and just 'illusionment'...

Yeah. I'm not that anymore.

I feel different now because my bubble has been burst a few times

and I just feel a bit flatter.

The photo challenge, not being the one he liked the most

and the recent one with me trying, trying

and not being seen and still fighting and not resolving it

and going, "How can you not see?"

But I'm still here and I still like him, so...

What do you need from Richard?

Validation.

And acknowledgement.

Mmm.

What do you say to that, Richard?

100%.

I've always been confident

that this relationship has the potential to go long-term.

I'm in or I'm not in.

I'm not a half kind of on the fence guy, yeah? I'm in.

Let's go to the decision, you guys.

Let's start with Richard.

So, my decision is... is 'stay', of course.

I'm still loving it. Yeah, yeah.

Very big, bold statement. Big, bold statement.

We like it. Smiley face and a kiss.

My frame of possibility for us is still there...

Mm-hm.

..and I wanted to... (BLOWS, COUGHS)

(LAUGHTER) Don't choke on that flame.

(COUGHS) ..burn brighter...

So sexy, my husband.

(LAUGHTER)

I'm an old guy, man. You know, shit.

CASS: You take his breath away, Andy. (LAUGHS)

Andrea, let's go to your decision.

As Rihanna said... (SINGS) # Want you to stay... #

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

MEL: Oh, fabulous.

I'll say this to you guys.

Focus on the progression, focus on your intent

and that confidence that you both have

that this relation... can go for the long haul

and really be what you're looking for.

Have a great week. Thank you very much.

MEL: Well done, guys. (APPLAUSE)

ANDREA: When my bubbles get burst, it's devastating

but I think we're both in a really good place

of, yeah, some realisations

and understand each other's communication style

and that helps, moving forward.

Let's get our next couple up on the couch.

Lucinda and Timothy.

(APPLAUSE)

Hello! How are we?

Well, this is a very different couple to the one we're quite used to.

Isn't it? COUPLE: Yeah.

And you were a real team last night. We were.

Mmm.

Tim, I've gotta be honest with you. Yeah.

It's quite clear for us... Yeah.

..observing you within this group dynamic,

particularly at the dinner parties,

that there's a number of people here who have an issue with you...

(LAUGHS)

..and the relationship that the two of you have.

Mmm.

Why do you think that is?

I don't know, you know.

It's an opinion.

They tell it like it is, I tell it like it is

and it doesn't line up sometimes.

And in regards to a relationship,

it does take me a little bit to warm up...

Mm-hm. ..to genuine relationship.

So, the slow-burn thing.

But, you know, the whole slow-burning thing is getting old.

(SIGHS)

Like, when does the progress start?

Because for us, it doesn't seem like anything has started since day one.

I know, because you're 27, so you don't know the progress.

That's what I'm saying.

We're supposed to know the progress. That's why we're all here.

Stop with the personal digs. You don't know what's going on.

We don't, 'cause you don't tell us anything. We need to know.

You know, Jayden, we've actually let go of some really big armour

in the last couple of days, genuinely.

We are actually willing

and we've got a lot of respect and regard for each other.

We're doing it at a pace that Tim's comfortable with

and I'm up for the journey.

I'm really happy.

Yeah. I'm feeling good.

SARA: We're happy if you're happy.

Cool.

But we've clearly had a shift from friends and family

and it did go well.

Tell us, what's changed?

There was a huge shift with family and friends visit...

Mm-hm.

..particularly my dad, who came with his magic pouch and...

It sounds like it.

..sprinkled it all over Tim... (LAUGHS)

..and gave him a good nudge.

Tim just came back with a whole different energy field.

You have certain people that can really handle you...

Mmm.

..and I've never actually had a father say,

"Just have a one-night stand with my daughter.

"See where it goes." (LAUGHTER)

You just can't be pissed off around that guy.

Even the moment he told you, "If you yell at my daughter again"

he's got people in Melbourne that he knows that can break your leg?

(LAUGHTER) Go, Dad.

He was just a classic.

He really stuck it to me for the first ten minutes...

OK.

Yeah, he came with a lot of hard-hitting questions.

Mmm.

Definitely respect where he's coming from

and I definitely listened to his advice.

When you and I met at the start of the experiment

and we had that chat... Yeah.

..one of the key things that came up was about your walls, wasn't it,

and, you know... Totally.

..knowing that you're coming into this process

and gonna have some battles with some of those walls.

Yeah.

Do you think some of them are starting to come down now?

(EXHALES) I think that they sort of...

They come and they go.

Yeah, just little things that she does actually breaks it down.

And, look, Lucinda's an incredible girl.

She's sweet, she's kind.

She's never got a bad word to say about anybody

and she's just really thoughtful.

So, you know, there isn't...

There's nothing not to like about Lucinda.

And for yourself, it's worth noting that quite often

the process of bringing down the walls is not linear, you know.

Mmm.

You know, it's not just they're all down in one week...

Right. ..and then you're fixed. Yeah.

There can be a bit of up and down and up and down

but I think as long as you guys are talking about this stuff,

you know, it sounds like you really are starting to open up...

Yeah. ..to Lucinda.

For sure. Keep doing that.

Well, why don't we go to the decision?

Gosh, we all know mine.

Alright. Good, Lucinda.

It is a humbled 'stay' because, you know, it's one week at a time.

(APPLAUSE)

And Timothy?

I've seen a different side of Lucinda in the last two days,

you know.

She's definitely got my respect, 100%.

So...

Yeah, I put an exclamation.

Brilliant. (APPLAUSE)

Yay.

Well, respect is a very good start.

Yep.

JOHN: Alright. Back to the group.

You can do this. You can do this, guys.

(APPLAUSE)

(EXHALES, LAUGHS)

NARRATOR: Still to come...

No, no, no, no, no. Hang on. Hang on.

Don't come with that.

..emotions run high when Tori and Jack get on the couch.

I didn't realise how it would make you feel.

I'm just trying to be open and honest.

If you want to go, like, go now.

Before Lauren makes a brutal confession.

I've gotta be completely honest.

Next up, we have...

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Michael and Stephen.

(APPLAUSE)

MICHAEL: Hello, hello. MEL: Hello, boys.

STEPHEN: How are you? Welcome.

Thank you.

You've had a crash course this week. COUPLE: Yeah.

It was a great step for us in the right direction.

How are your feelings developing?

Like, I can see them getting stronger, for sure.

We're enjoying each other's company.

I think we're great.

I'm madly attracted to him.

What about you, Stephen?

On paper, it is perfect.

One of the challenges we did was the qualities

and I think it was pretty much word for word.

But are you attracted to him?

Um...

I'm...

Definitely can see that he's a great-looking guy.

Thank you. I'm...

But are you physically attracted to Michael?

Um...

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Not yet.

No.

Are you noticing it building?

The physical side of things, probably not so much still.

I think that typically Michael's a little bit more feminine

than what I am drawn to.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

How does this sit for you, Michael,

hearing that the physical attraction is not there yet?

I mean...

I mean, it feels shit.

It is hard to hear that I'm not desirable right away.

I definitely want it to be there, for sure.

But I thought we were making progress.

Like, I've given it my all

but I feel like I've been kind of actually misled now.

Stephen, are you confident that the attraction will build with Michael?

Uh...

I can't confidently say.

I've never been in this position and I can't...

I can't confidently answer that.

Mmm. OK.

I'm just gonna kind of reassess it and not give it that deadline.

Michael, are you willing to wait?

For this guy, yes. I am.

Are you hopeful that that physical attraction is going to get there?

I do have hope, yeah. I am definitely hopeful for it.

Alright. Let's go to the decision. We'll start with Michael.

Yeah, we're definitely still growing, so I wrote 'stay'.

(APPLAUSE)

Stephen?

I'm just gonna see if it does progress naturally.

I am hopeful.

So I wrote 'stay'.

(APPLAUSE) Yay.

Good stuff.

I think it's important for you to acknowledge, Stephen,

that Michael really is giving you what you need at this point.

Yeah, I feel like I hold all of the chips at the moment.

Right, so there's real compromise here.

You know, it really is important, Stephen,

that you don't get too comfortable and sit back and go,

"Well, I'm getting everything I need right now, so I'm just gonna cruise."

Yep. Otherwise you'll just be mates.

Yeah, 100%.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thanks, guys. Yeah.

Thank you, guys. Thanks, guys.

Have a great week. Thank you so much.

JOHN: Good luck, guys.

Just kind of upsetting

when he was asked if he had any sexual attraction towards me

and he just blankly said no.

It did hit at my heart a little bit.

Like, it makes me question and self-doubt myself.

You're stuck with me for one more week.

Mmm. (LAUGHS)

We can get that spark going.

If he doesn't want to be forward with me,

then it's gonna leave me a little bit heartbroken

because I did come here for love and I stick to that.

Our next couple up on the couch, Lauren and Jonathan.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

LAUREN: Hello. Hi!

Well, last time we saw you on the couch,

things were a bit tricky between you.

That's a nice way of saying it, yep.

Last week was horrible.

Johnno and I continued to argue about the 'muzzle' comment

but Johnno continued to apologise

and we decided that we're going to put it in the past.

I'm going to accept the apology at face value and leave it there.

So, you accepted the apology,

essentially drew that line in the sand...

Mm-hm. ..said "We're moving on from here."

Yes.

Where are you at now?

(TENSE MUSIC)

Um...

Yeah, so, now, I've gotta be completely honest...

because it's what we expect from everyone else.

I have, um...

like, pretty much...

zero romantic feelings at this point.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC) Um...

OK.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Where are you at now?

LAUREN: Um...

Yeah, so, now, I've gotta be completely honest...

I have, um...

like, pretty much...

zero romantic feelings at this point.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

OK.

This is a very hard thing to say

but, like, obviously, on paper, Johnno is perfect.

Everything I've asked for, you've given to me.

But I think I am struggling with, like,

that spark with our personalities.

I feel like we are missing a bit of that, like, banter,

a bit of that back-and-forth.

Yeah. I have kind of felt like it's just your wall up, though.

Like, and I know you're saying all the romance is gone

but, yeah, I do think you're amazing.

I see you with everyone else and you literally light up the room.

Like, you're the funniest person I've ever met.

But I just don't get to see much of that one on one.

You know, it's just astonishing that it's come this far

and you two are telling me you don't really talk.

And it's just... It's not good enough.

I know. I know.

This is making me curious about...

Have you guys really connected on that deeper level?

No. No.

Well, any wonder the banter's not there.

You know, banter isn't just automatic.

Yeah.

That comes when you're in rapport with each other... Yeah.

..and you've connected and share stories about your lives,

ask each other questions, get curious about each other.

Yeah. Yeah. Definitely.

This is what you need to do together. Yeah.

And it is hard... Yeah.

..particularly if this is something new for you.

It might be uncomfortable

but I think you can see and certainly you've observed

with a lot of the other conversations we've had tonight

that you've gotta get uncomfortable.

Oh, yeah. Yep.

You've gotta get beyond that little comfort zone.

Yeah.

Because you guys both have so much to offer.

Is that something you're able to do?

I'm willing to do that.

I definitely am.

What about you, Johnno?

I'm 100%. I'd love to try that.

I love spending time with Lauren, so, yeah.

Mmm.

Well, I think we should go to the decision.

OK.

What have you got for us, Johnno?

Yeah, the last three days have actually been nicer and I see hope.

Like, yeah. So I wrote 'stay'.

(APPLAUSE) Good stuff.

And you, Lauren?

Well, I'm willing to give this a proper shot

and so I've written stay.

Good. Good work. (LAUGHS)

(APPLAUSE) Pleased to hear it.

Well, it's time for those deep conversations, guys.

Yep. Yeah.

OK.

Thanks, guys. Thanks.

(APPLAUSE)

ALESSANDRA: Next up on the couch, Sara and Tim.

(APPLAUSE)

Hello, hello. Hello.

Hey.

How are you guys doing?

Do you want to go? Sure. Pretty good.

Yeah, pretty good. We've had another really good week.

Um... Yeah.

(LAUGHTER)

It would be great if you could go into more detail, Tim.

Here we go.

We're in the best place that we've been, I feel like.

Definitely the best place we've been in the whole experiment.

What are your main concerns at this moment?

I think my main concern is that I might be too much for Tim.

I am a big personality

and I've always wanted someone that's gonna match my energy

in that sense

and, yeah, I think it's hard

because Tim has shown me a confident side to him

but he's not necessarily as big as a personality as I am.

I wonder, Sara, for you,

is it you feeling that you might be too much for Tim

or is Tim perhaps not enough for you?

I think in the past I have always felt like I am too much for people.

Like, I have had, like, I guess, instances in the past

where, like, I have been too big of a personality for people, so...

Complete transformation in your face. It made you emotional. Why is that?

(PENSIVE MUSIC)

Sorry. (CRIES)

Because I know that I have things to work on, for sure I do.

But, like, I am who I am.

I'm always gonna be opinionated.

I might be one of the loudest in the room

and sometimes that is a lot for some people, so...

How does that make you feel, Tim, to hear Sara saying this?

I don't want her to feel like she's too much for me.

That's my type. (LAUGHS)

So it's like an opposites-attract situation, you know.

Like, a Yin-Yang sort of vibe.

I think Sara's shown me pretty much every day, like,

that my voice matters and my opinion matters,

you know, and that she's listening to me, so...yeah.

JOHN: Let's get to the decision. Stay or leave?

We're gonna go with you first, Tim.

Best week. Stay. OK.

(APPLAUSE)

And what about you, Sara?

I...

Yeah, I've had a really good week with Tim

and I'm really positive about the way things are going,

so I wrote 'stay'.

Good. Stay.

(APPLAUSE)

OK, guys. You know what you've gotta do.

Roll the sleeves up and get it done this week.

Thank you. Away you go.

(APPLAUSE)

Our last couple on the couch tonight, Tori and Jack.

(APPLAUSE) Alright.

Wow. MEL: That's eager.

Sprinted up.

'Cause he wanted to sit where I usually sit.

(LAUGHS, EXHALES) It's real childish.

I don't like this side.

(LAUGHS) Just try it.

Big week for you two last week. Mmm.

Probably the longest week in the experiment, I feel.

A lot of chat, a lot of discussion.

I think we came out of it pretty good.

So, going into last night's dinner party, how did you feel about things?

I just wanted to really, like, just coast along last night.

Mmm. Just continue laying low.

What I saw was the two of you getting fired up.

And, Tori, I haven't seen you that fired up before.

Out of this experiment, it takes a lot to get me to a point of anger

that I was at last night.

But Timothy obviously does a pretty good job

at getting me to a certain point

and I really did blow up.

Oh, yeah, we saw it. Mm-hm.

And I think everything is so intense in here

that it took a minute time

to get me to a level where I was, like, feral.

What was that trigger?

Timothy was sitting at the end of the table

with this smug look on his face.

It's the only one I've got.

And I don't like smug.

What so difficult about someone being smug?

Smug is sneaky and sneaky's disingenuous

and I don't like disingenuous people.

He'd said a few things to Jayden that I didn't like,

so I was just in a state of, like, "Nup, you're done, mate."

Can I just ask you,

what did he say about Jayden that really got under your skin?

He said to Jayden that "you are nothing".

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Questioning his character a little bit.

Yeah.

For me, the comment was low

and it hit a nerve with me and I didn't like it.

That comment there is just as destructive

as the comment Jack made last week.

But when he made that comment... No, no, no, no, no.

No, no, hang on. Hang on, hang on. Don't come with that.

JOHN: Can I just ask you,

what did he say about Jayden that really got under your skin?

He said to Jayden that "you are nothing".

That comment there is just as destructive

as the comment Jack made last week.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

OTHERS: No.

No, no, no, no, no. No, no, hang on. Hang on.

Hang on.

No, no, don't come with that.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

LUCINDA: So disappointing.

I've gotta have you up on that, Tori.

I've got a problem with that.

How was the comment about not having anything or being a nothing

the same as the 'muzzle your woman' comment?

TORI: No, no, it's just as destructive.

That's hurtful. To me, that's hurtful.

That would hurt me. That would cut me deep.

Why did the comment about him being a nothing

get you more fired up and feral, in your words,

compared to what was said by Jack regarding the muzzle?

I was angry at that comment. I was disappointed in Jack.

And I think anger and disappointment are two very different things.

When you look at the reaction of the group when they hear that,

I mean, there are women in this group that are, like, rolling their eyes.

And they're not doing that just for fun.

Where are you at with everything right now, Jack?

Oh, give me a better question. Jesus.

Do you want another question?

Just shoot me straighter.

Alright, well, I'm gonna go there 'cause you've asked me.

How serious is this relationship for you with Tori?

Um...

(TENSE MUSIC)

I was gonna chat about patterns today

and if I had any questions or concerns

about me and Tori moving forward.

The pattern that I have had is, like, disappointing,

like, previous partners, you know, and...

What does that mean?

I'm getting this soft side from Tori...

Mmm.

..that was relevant to a conversation with her friend, Leah,

that visited... (CLEARS THROAT)

and that opened my eyes a little bit.

Leah had made comment that it is the first time she's seen me be me.

It's just, like, really kind of highlighted to me

that I'm so exposed right now.

No-one gets this side of me

and I feel like I'm probably only gonna do it once

and if it gets damaged or questioned

or...mmm, anything like that, I'll probably close myself off.

Right.

What you're saying is the gravity of this

is that now that you're exposed and out there,

if he doesn't reciprocate this...

I'll just close up.

..if he doesn't come back to you... Yeah.

..you'll close up for good?

We've never heard you talk like this on the couch before.

MEL: Mmm.

So, Jack, how does that sit with you?

Um...

I don't know.

I'm getting, like, nervous in our relationship.

It's getting, like, really serious

and I can see Tori's opening up to me...

letting her guard down a lot.

I'm feel like we're starting to develop serious feelings.

And I do have concerns that I'm gonna let you down.

I'm 34 and single, so, you know, I've let people down before.

You're married. You're married.

I feel like her affection is probably surpassing mine.

Well, let me put you on the spot, then.

Is this a case where Tori is into you

a lot more than you're into Tori?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Um...

Is this a case where Tori is into you a lot more than you're into Tori?

Um...

(TENSE MUSIC)

Maybe... Maybe a little bit.

(WHISPERS) Tori doesn't like that.

Now it's started putting this pressure on me.

So, rather than feel excited and happy...

Mmm.

..and hopeful, you're actually saying you feel very nervous.

And you've even said to her, "I'm scared I'm gonna let you down."

Yeah.

Frankly, that worries me.

Because when people say things to their partners like that...

they're almost creating a blueprint - I AM gonna disappoint you.

'Cause you're pre-empting that this is gonna fail

and that's what I think we're worried about.

We've never heard you talk that way before.

Yeah. Well, what if Tori left me?

LAUREN: She's not leaving you.

She's not telling you that. She's telling you the opposite.

I think you know I'm not going anywhere.

Do you think I'm going anywhere?

(LAUGHS) Well, I didn't.

But now that you've made that comment,

I'm, like, if you want to go, like, go now.

You've planted the seed of doubt. LAUREN: Yeah. Totally.

That's a problem.

I didn't realise how it would make you feel.

But, like, I'm just trying to be open and honest.

This is the first time we've actually really heard the two of you open up.

And, Jack, you're prepared to admit

that you think Tori may be more into you than you're into her.

That's a very big thing to say.

There's a lot at stake for her.

Yeah.

And you need to know I have very serious feelings towards you.

That's why I'm nervous.

And I have a lot at stake as well.

And I wouldn't waste your time... Mmm.

..as I don't want you to waste my time.

Mmm. Yeah, and I'm on the same page.

Yeah, definitely don't waste my time...

Yeah.

..'cause that would really (BLEEP) me off.

Keep that in mind.

We're going to the decision. Stay or leave?

And we're gonna go with you first, Tori.

My decision is to stay.

(APPLAUSE)

And for you, Jack? What have you got for us?

(TENSE MUSIC) Stay or leave?

I will stay.

(APPLAUSE)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Well, we've seen the real side to you two.

And there's a lot more at stake.

This is serious, so you've gotta take it that way.

We look forward to seeing you next time.

But for now, you can go back to the group.

(APPLAUSE)

TORI: What? Like, what?

What the hell?

I just felt blindsided by Jack.

I have given up my livelihood to be here

and so, there is a lot weighing on this

and whether it was Jack or whether it was someone else,

I want to make sure that it was worth my time.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

That is the god-honest truth.

NARRATOR: Tomorrow night...

There was a sexual spark for me that I've not felt with you.

I feel so guilty.

..an unexpected cheating allegation rocks the experiment.

MICHAEL: After that, I honestly don't know if I care to salvage it.

(EDEN LAUGHS) JAYDEN: Couples' retreat! Let's go!

Our newlyweds head off on a couples' retreat...

(SINGS THEATRICALLY)

(WOMAN LAUGHS)

..and this year it's a brand-new romantic setting...

JONATHAN: It's the closest we've been in weeks.

RIDGE: Gotcha. (JADE LAUGHS)

TIMOTHY: I actually can't do this. (CRIES)

..that will lead to an unforgettable...

(CRYING)

..and extraordinary breakthrough.

LUCINDA: I've never seen that side of Tim.

So many walls came down then.

(GASPS) You're joking. LAUREN: Oh, my god.

Did he do that? Sara and Lauren...

It's completely inappropriate.

SARA: Oh, my god. I'm, like, stressed right now.

..learn brand-new information about Jack.

That is shocking to me. He's crossed the line.

Will they speak up...

I'm kind of, like, dying inside

because obviously Sara and I have some information

that we want to share with her.

..and break the news to Tori?

What's your limit? Like, what would be your dealbreaker?

That's a great question.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Captioned by AI-Media ai-media.tv