Original subtitles

NARRATOR: Previously...

JOHN: I've sat here

hearing this same old script come out of your mouth.

NARRATOR: When expert John called out Ben's bad behaviour...

I'm going to take my new voice.

I'm leaving. (APPLAUSE)

..Ellie left her marriage and the experiment with her head held high.

ELLIE: I'm really excited for what's to come.

Apparently my DMs will be blowing up,

according to a few people.

JOHN: Is Tori into you a lot more than you're into Tori?

Um...

LUCINDA: You've planted the seed of doubt.

But it was Jack's surprising revelation...

The pattern that I have had is, like,

disappointing previous partners.

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

Boom.

..that left everyone confused.

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

If you wanna go, like, go now.

RIDGE: She does it for me in every single way

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

And despite some couples making massive progress...

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

9.5. Ooh!

Are you physically attracted to Michael?

..Stephen made a brutal confession.

No.

(HARSH MUSIC)

Tonight...

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.

JAYDEN: Couples retreat, let's go!

Our newlyweds head off on a couples retreat.

Ta-da-ta-da-da.

(LAUGHTER)

..two, three.

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

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

Gotcha. (LAUGHS)

TIMOTHY: I actually can't do this.

..that will lead to an unforgettable...

(TIMOTHY SOBS)

..and extraordinary breakthrough.

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

So many walls came down then.

(GASPS) You're joking.

Did he do that?

Sara and Lauren...

It's completely inappropriate.

Oh, my god! I'm lacking trust 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?

It's a great question.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

(BRIGHT MUSIC)

NARRATOR: It's the morning after an intense Commitment Ceremony.

JONATHAN: This looks lovely.

Yes, Ms Sunshine. Ahh!

And despite the sun shining outside

it's a frosty start to the day for Tori and Jack...

JACK: Wife.

(CHUCKLES) Good morning.

..with Tori still processing Jack's brutally honest revelation.

I feel like her affection's probably surpassing mine.

I feel like we're past half way,

starting to develop serious feelings,

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

What does that mean?

NARRATOR: And Jack's comments have got everyone talking.

Feel like it came across like he is prepping her for breakup.

LAUREN: A hundred percent. That's exactly what it was.

Yep.

LUCINDA: I've got some red flags around his intentions.

I went to the red flags store

and they're out of red flags 'cause he's got 'em all.

(LAUGHTER)

CASSANDRA: I think Jack is not interested in Tori.

TRISTAN: At all? That's my feeling.

Do I think he's gonna and up with her?

No, I do not.

SARA: Rough for Tori. TIM: Yeah.

Up until now been it's been, "We're perfect,"

and "We're into each other so much," but...

Yeah.

..turns out Tori's more into Jack than Jack is into Tori.

Look, Jack hasn't really, like,

done a lot of things that made me think he's a good person.

He's made very, like, derogatory comments.

He's gotten angry and lashed out.

He talks about Tori to the boys.

And from the beginning has had, like, issues.

NARRATOR: Sara isn't the only one feeling dubious

about Jack's actions.

I am the most exposed I have ever been in 28 years of living.

Yeah.

And no intimate partner has had this version of me.

And I want this version of me

to be, like, feel so safe and so protected.

So, I was obviously taken aback

by you feeling like I liked you more than you liked me.

Oh, my god!

I just got railed.

I feel like every time I sit on that seat I just...

The seat is that (BLEEP) hot I gotta get off. Like...

But you said that.

You did say, "Yeah, I feel like Tori has more feelings."

I did.

After the three experts had it out with me. 100% I did.

Like, I was thrown on the couch.

But I feel like we align intimately at the moment, feelings-wise.

Like, I've really serious feelings for you.

(CHUCKLES)

I could have more feelings for you in a week's time.

Yay.

I think we're equal.

Jack and I spoke about this a few days ago and I asked him,

"Do you think we like each other the same level?"

And he was like, "100% yes, It is 50-50."

But that couch is like the ultimate pressure cooker.

I know that couch, like,

it's so easy to miss articulate yourself there,

and I've done it.

And I feel like last night,

that was a big miss articulation 'cause I was like, dude.

Yeah.

I have no doubt

and I have never had a doubt with how Jack feels about me.

And so, the only takeaway from last night is...

Jack needs to work on articulation.

I clearly need to do some work.

I need to watch my mouth and... Yes.

I've obviously got poor choice of words.

Yes.

But I don't feel any differently towards you.

No, of course not.

Something's gotta rock this ship

for me to question how I feel about you.

For sure. And I feel the same.

But I also think it's, like,

this has been a really healthy conversation.

Lucky wife. Lucky wife.

Lucky wife.

NARRATOR: Across the hall, Sara and Tim are also reflecting

over their time at the Commitment Ceremony.

TIM: How do you reckon our couch session went last night?

(EMOTIONALLY) Like, I am who I am.

I'm always going to be opinionated.

And sometimes it is a lot for some people so...

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

(INDISTINCT SPEECH)

JOHN: So, something is going to have to change

in terms of your communication.

You've got to really

start vocalising what you think and how you feel.

Like, even though we're doing really good,

yeah, there's always things that we can both work on.

The main message I sort of got from it

was I feel like I need to step up to more of an assertive role.

Yeah.

I would love for that to be, like, a more regular thing.

Because when it does happen I come to you more with affection,

which is what you need for, like, reassurance.

I wanna step up. You know, impress her.

But, yeah, I just feel like sometimes I'm a bit slow to the mark

and she's, like, a few levels above me

in the emotional processing department, that's for sure.

NARRATOR: Having passed the halfway point,

it's time for our couples

to enter the next crucial phase of the experiment

as they take part in the annual couples retreat.

(SINGS) # Goin' on holiday. I like to go on holiday. #

The relationship retreat is an exciting

and important phase of the experiment.

It's a chance for our couples to spend quality time together

as a group.

It provides insight into how couples navigate outside influence

and opinions.

Because in this new social setting there is nowhere to hide.

NARRATOR: And this year we're taking them

to the warm and idyllic location of Byron Bay.

We're off to Byron.

Byron!

(WITH POSH ACCENT) Byron.

Sunshine, beach.

Ooh. Crystals, hippies, and Hemsworths. Yes!

I always avoided Byron because I just thought it was full of, like,

crystals and shower dodgers but...

(LAUGHS)

(SQUEALS)

I've never been to Byron and I'm so excited

'cause I always felt quite povo that I'd never been to Byron.

Everyone's like...

(POSH ACCENT) "Have you been to Byron?"

I'm like, "No."

(SLURPS)

I cannot believe our retreat is in Byron Bay.

This is where I live.

It's gonna be so much fun.

Tim's a little bit resistant.

Do you think I should bring this?

I guess. Yeah.

He'd rather have an anal probing, apparently.

Retreat. You ready? Yeah, I'm excited.

Drama, there's gonna be gossip,

there's probably gonna be a few storm outs and arguments,

blow ups here and there.

Sit back and enjoy the show.

Hey. Oh, my god!

TRISTAN: Rock on. (CASSANDRA CHUCKLES)

Here we come. Bye, Skye. See you, Skye. See you, partner.

Retreat. Couples retreat, let's go! (LAUGHS)

After you. Thank you.

Go for it, babe. Tick.

NARRATOR: While the others head off for fun in the sun,

there's been a dramatic turn of events for Michael and Stephen.

Stephen had to get his hair done

ready for a publicity shoot for the experiment,

and during the appointment,

Michael witnessed something devastating, involving his husband.

Today was meant to be a fun day.

We had a publicity shoot

and Stephen was getting his hair done.

And I could see my husband...

flirting with the hairdresser.

And on the ride home I could see him sitting back texting, smiling.

And I was like, "Oh, who are you talking to?"

And he was talking to the hairdresser.

He told me that he felt a spark with this hairdresser

that he's never felt with me.

Like, I've sacrificed so much to be here.

Yeah, I'm beside myself.

I'm hurt from this, I'm pissed off about this.

Like, my trust is betrayed.

We're both in this for monogamy

but yet you've let a spark bring down an entire house.

NARRATOR: After the incident,

Michael needed some space from Stephen

and now he's finally returning home to confront his husband.

The relationship between Michael and I

is obviously incredibly fractured.

I feel shit.

But feeling that instant attraction to someone, it was like a clarity.

Like, that's what's missing.

No matter how many exercises you're given,

if it's not there, I don't know how to get it there.

Hi.

(SOMBRE MUSIC)

NARRATOR: Earlier today, while preparing for a publicity shoot

for the experiment,

Michael and Stephen were having their hair done,

which was when Stephen was caught flirting with the hairdresser.

On the way home, Michael's world was rocked further

when he discovered the two had also been texting.

Now, after taking some time apart,

Michael has finally returned home to confront his husband.

STEPHEN: Hi.

What's going on?

(MIRTHLESS CHUCKLE) You tell me.

Well... (DRAMATIC MUSIC)

I don't know.

Go on.

Talk.

Michael, I value you so much.

Over these last 2.5 weeks

I've opened up to you more than I've opened up to anyone,

including my family.

Like, I've told you shit that I've not told anyone.

And I view you so highly.

(LOUD SIGH)

Do you understand the dis respect and significance of,

like, everything?

Can I explain why this all unfolded on my side?

I honestly don't know if I want to hear your side

'cause I'm pissed.

Like, that's so frustrating. (STEPHEN SIGHS)

I'm not doing any of this to hurt you.

I got really confused

because I had had a 30 second conversation with someone

and I felt it was so much easier to get flirty with them

than I did with you after knowing you for 2.5 weeks.

Obviously. (SCOFFS)

And it's just you, just again, bam, shutting the door again.

Absolutely we had a spark there and it was playful

and it was a little bit flirty.

150%.

And I know that that's a shit thing to hear

which is why I feel so guilty.

It's a horrible position to be put in to make someone feel like that.

The fact that it came so easily with a stranger I've never even met,

it was just like a lightbulb moment.

I was like, we are fighting a losing battle.

MICHAEL: I feel lied to, feel disrespected.

I'm confused, I'm upset, I'm hurt, I'm angry.

Like, all my emotions are just in the blender right now.

You can only be rejected so many times

before eventually you're just sick of it.

NARRATOR: For Michael, his path to finding a husband was a rocky road.

Your match... Simon.

..decided to send us an email

saying he no longer wanted to be a part of the experiment.

I feel like somebody just ripped my heart out of my chest.

NARRATOR: But three weeks later,

Michael was finally married to new match Stephen...

CELEBRANT: You may now kiss.

(CHEERING)

..and on their wedding night, Michael quickly opened up.

Um...

I have been previously matched in this experiment before.

Instantly I felt sick.

I just felt like am I just his fill-in?

Stephen tried to lower his walls during the crash course week tasks.

I've experienced a man

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

The reason why I'm guarded is

my dad cheated on my mum when we were kids.

(SNIFFS)

NARRATOR: But, despite his attempt to open up to Michael,

Stephen made a brutal confession on the couch.

Are you physically attracted to Michael?

Um...

No.

And ever since that revelation,

Michael has struggled to break through Stephen's walls.

Michael, the guy today, I don't have any desire to pursue anything there.

But, yes, there was a sexual spark for me and I've not felt with you.

My god, I just really...

I'm still upset that you haven't even apologised.

But I can't.

I can't apologise for having a spark.

Like, that was just...

Do you hear the significant weight on that?

The spark is what ruined it for me as well.

I realised what this is missing and yeah...

The spark? Yeah.

And that (BLEEP) sucks.

I wish I could flip a switch. I wish I could be like that.

I'm not even asking you to flip a switch.

I'm just asking you to try to grow something with me.

I would be lying to you and everyone

if I said that I could go forward in this

to build a sexual relationship.

I fully understand that that's a crushing thing to hear.

I don't understand.

A spark. That sounds so insignificant.

How is that insignificant? Michael, you have voiced...

Because you had a 30 second spark that could literally be nothing,

whereas you're literally trying to build something

and grow something me.

And every time I feel like we get a good foundation...

We could build the best friendship ever

but that's all I can give to this.

(HARSH MUSIC)

Listen, listen, listen.

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

OK?

I'll leave that with you. I'm not...

I don't want to go like this, Michael.

Then what?

I wanna sit down as adults and talk about this

and not have you walk away.

Right now do you want a friendship

or do you want to be people that hate each other?

And you've just thrown the ring here and you've walked away.

It seems like you chose the latter for us.

I did not choose anything. I am still...

I'm sitting here right now trying to talk through this with you.

I'm the one that's been sitting around all day

waiting to have this conversation with you.

You're the one that's blowing this up.

You are doing the theatrics that make my walls go up.

What was that? What is this?

Do you wanna just... Do you not want to work any of this out?

You basically just told me that it's never gonna happen.

You've got a spark from somebody you met for 30 seconds.

What am I fighting for? What am I fighting for?

(GRUNTS)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

NARRATOR: Coming up, our husbands and wives

head north to Byron Bay for the annual couples retreat.

GIRL: One, two, three!

This is the sweatiest exchange.

Oi!

Friendships will be put to the test...

LAUREN: I feel like I can't ask you questions about you and Jack.

TORI: Why?

Because I feel like you might get upset about it.

I feel nervous to bring things up to you.

Really? I do.

I feel like you don't want me to ask you questions.

And emotions will reach boiling point.

I actually can't do this.

(SOBS)

(TIMOTHY SOBS)

NARRATOR: This year, the coastal paradise Byron Bay,

located on the far north coast of New South Wales,

will be playing host to the Married At First Sight

annual couples retreat.

GIRL: Come on!

You can do it!

The relationship retreat

is an exciting and important phase of the experiment.

It is a chance for our couples

to leave their normal day-to-day lives...

LUCINDA: Oh, you guys!

And get a fresh perspective on their marriage in a different setting.

(EXCITED LAUGHTER)

For this year's couples retreat...

Yes!

..we've decided to freshen it up with a brand-new location.

JAYDEN: We're here, we made it.

Byron Bay. Couples retreat.

Here we go, eh?

JACK: We'll take it. (LAUGHS)

CASSANDRA: Andi! Hi, neighbour!

We got one.

LAUREN: Oh, this is beautiful. Ta-da-da-da-ta.

How come you're all puffed up?

I had to drag this...

Are you OK?

LAUREN: Guys, this is fricking gorgeous.

The house is absolutely stunning.

Like, this place is legit.

Like, I wanna find out who owns it.

Like, flood in their DMs.

I don't know what I'm gonna say.

It's gonna be like, "Hey, I was in your house last night."

Oh, that is creepy!

ALESSANDRA: They'll be living together under the same roof,

which can really turn a mirror on a couple's relationship.

TORI: Good job, doll.

Getting away and spending time in a new environment

can really help breathe life into a relationship that's in a rut.

Ahh, this is amazing. Mmm.

This is lovely. This is good, hey?

This is what affection feels like. (LAUGHTER)

It can also bring stronger couples even closer together.

JADE: That's such a good room.

RIDGE: Look at how much space you've got here.

Man, happy with this room. Love the room.

Yeah, me and the old girl gotta break in the bed.

It'd be rude not to.

I'm as toey as a Roman sandal for it. Let's go!

LAUREN: Have we got a bathroom?

I love this joint. This is just like soul ground.

Yes!

I feel I'd like to make sort of a unified experience...

Yay.

..where we can create a bit of a cauldron and pop some intention in.

Maybe fun, connectivity, a bit of adventure.

Like, lots of laughs. Let's be silly.

Let, you know, release our shit.

Oh, my god! It's perfect. Whoo!

JONATHAN: Do you wanna lay in the sun?

LAUREN: Yeah, let's do it.

It's giving rich housewife vibes.

Just minus the rich part. (LAUGHS)

One pillow.

NARRATOR: And, as everyone settles into the retreat lifestyle...

Two pillows.

I can't believe you fit that in. (CHUCKLES)

..across the hall, it's a very different vibe.

Despite what's happened in the last 24 hours,

at Stephen's request,

Michael has unexpectedly agreed to attend this year's retreat.

Stephen is hoping the retreat can

help them find an amicable path back.

I'm not feeling confident about the retreat.

Coming in, Stephen and I, we weren't really on talking terms.

I'm confused, I'm hurt, I'm angry, I'm upset,

and my head right now is split in two places.

I wanna leave but do I potentially try to make this work

for one more week and see how it goes

and give him another chance?

My mind is just scrambled.

Oh, Lord!

I'm kind of like anxious about these next couple of days.

Michael and I are at a bit of a crossroad.

But look, I'm really hopeful that the new environment

can mend what's been fractured.

I'm super keen to just give this everything, these next few days,

and really focus on building a connection, building that trust,

building that friendship,

and yeah, going from there.

NARRATOR: The retreat is the first time the entire group

have seen each other since last week's Commitment Ceremony

so tonight our couples have decided to get together

for some welcome drinks.

(EXCITED GASPS) LAUREN: Look at this!

This is so nice!

Ooh! This is romantic.

LUCINDA: Look at this. What a treat.

TRISTAN: Ready for tonight, let's have some fun.

It's gonna be a great night.

Hopefully it's not the definition of a dinner party on steroids.

You know?

GIRL: What can possibly go wrong?

It's so good hanging out with everyone.

Get to see everyone, you know, the drinks, the boys,

the group settings, the parties, that kind of stuff.

Cheers, Jono. Cheers, Eden.

(GLASSES CLINK)

Shall we take one of these cheese platters over?

What do you reckon?

The wind and elements, and earthing, and a bit of the old cheese platter.

It's impossible to know what's possible.

TRISTAN: How good's this.

Anything could happen tonight.

LAUREN: The boys are getting in the pool!

GIRL: Who? The ones with amazing rigs.

Hey, you can't spell Ridge R-I-G.

(LAUGHTER) You disgust me.

Yeah! You disgust me.

GIRL: Get naked!

(SQUEALS)

Oh, my god! (LAUGHTER)

Eugh! SARA: Oh, are you OK?

That hurt! (LAUGHS)

(BLEEP) That nearly knocked me the (BLEEP) out!

NARRATOR: Although the first night drinks are off to a smashing start,

Timothy is still concerned about Jack and his true intentions

with Tori, following his confession at last night's Commitment Ceremony.

TIMOTHY: I don't wanna shit Tori's parade but I smell a rat.

Yeah.

Do you smell a rat? Yeah.

If we're holding hands and we're kissing and everything,

and I say to you, "I don't want to disappoint you,"

it's almost like you're laying the ground work...

Yeah. ..for a dumping.

Yeah.

I feel like we're, you know, past halfway,

starting to develop serious feelings,

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

I actually respect Tori.

I actually... I have so much respect for her.

I actually like Tori.

She's a great chick.

She's all in. She's all in.

She is (BLEEP) all in. I know. I know.

I don't believe Jack. That's the issue.

I know but I don't know what to say to her.

There's Lauren. She's coming.

Lauren, come here. Come here.

LAUREN: Oh, are you talking about what I think you're talking about?

Sit down.

I miss Tim a bit. Where's the chaos?

(CHUCKLES)

OK, so... Tori's a great chick.

Yeah, we love our girl.

So I don't want her standing under a tree for her final vows

and him reading something out going, "You know what..."

Oh. Oh, no.

You know?

"It's been a great ride for the past 2.5 months

"but unfortunately it's not for us."

Oh, my god! If that happens, I'll die.

That is the (BLEEP) shits.

Like, if he was really into Tori,

why on week one would Jack show me pictures of his ex

and how hot she is?

(GASPS) You're joking.

Oh, my god! Did he do that?

Yeah. On a phone.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

That is shocking to me.

He's crossed the line.

I don't believe that Jack is here for genuine reasons.

Like, he is screaming '(BLEEP) Boy'...

100%. No.

..from every direction.

I have, like, zero respect for the guy.

I also some information about Jack.

This is...

I didn't want to bring this up

because when these two situations happened,

it could have been an accident.

Tim and I were going to the spa and we were walking past.

He said hello to Tim

and then as I was walking away he kind of tapped by butt

but I'm like, was that purposely?

But, the second thing was Jack was

apologising to Lauren at the dinner party about that whole big fight.

And when he apologised to me, he kissed me on my neck.

Jack kissed you on the neck?

That is 100% a dog act.

You've got to get pretty close to somebody to kiss her on the neck

or grab 'em on the arse.

(LAUGHTER)

This man is married to my friend.

The disrespect to my friend is unacceptable.

Oh, my god! I'm, like, just (BLEEP) stressed right now.

LAUREN: Yeah. I just think he's a snake.

He's Jack the snake.

I saw the snake wrangler here today

trying to look for, like, the snakes on the boundary line,

and I was like... (GRUNTS)

I'm pretty sure he's in that room to the front and to the left.

He's got a tight man bun,

way too much tan,

and a shirt that shows a little too much nipple.

I don't really give two shits about Jack,

at the end of the day.

What I care about is my friend.

I don't want her left at the end of this looking stupid

and feeling stupid and heartbroken.

This is very clear that we all don't want our friend to be hurt.

MICHAEL: Yeah. TORI: Let's talk about it.

So, this is the game plan. Yeah, tell me what the game plan is.

Leave this tonight. Tomorrow the three of us, we're going to...

How do I say this?

Because I just don't want her

to feel like we're coming for her relationship

she feels so happy about.

I (BLEEP) love Tori so much. I know.

If that hurts her in that way I'd be devastated.

She's coming, she's coming, she's coming, she's coming.

She's coming here.

We all were just trying to, like, open Tori's eyes.

But I really don't want to talk about this tonight.

I'd rather do it when Jack's not around,

otherwise he's gonna deny it,

she's gonna shut it down,

and we're not going to get anywhere.

So, I feel like tomorrow we need to try to pull Tori aside,

tell her what we know, because trying to shake her

and be like, you need to see what we see because we want you

to make the decision to leave before he leaves you.

And breaks her heart.

NARRATOR: The retreat's first night drinks

have certainly loosened tongues,

with some privately mentioned allegations about Jack

at the forefront of Lauren's, Timothy's, and Sara's minds.

OK? It's not the right time.

Let's just let things play out a little bit.

Having decided to park that situation for tonight...

Alright, let's go back. OK, let's go.

Holy shit, there's a storm brewing.

..the group are now ready to find out what's

been happening with the allegations about Stephen and his hairdresser.

Hey, Jack, give me that, huh.

Michael and Stephen, what's going on?

Yeah. We had a... Um...

It was a pretty rough weekend for the two of us.

Yes, it was.

So, basically, we went to the hairdresser.

Stephen was getting his hair done

and there was flirting happening with the hairdresser.

Only to find out later on the way home

that they had been flirting via message.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

It felt like it was a massive emotional cheat there to me.

You have this sexual awakening with another person

that all of a sudden you didn't want anything to do with me after that.

Because I was starting to think about how come it was so easy for me

to get flirty with someone I've known for 30 seconds,

and we've together for three weeks and I've been trying to force it

and my instinct is to shut off.

And, like, I feel so guilty about that.

He's physically repulsed by me.

I'm not physically repulsed by you. That's the way you act.

Oh, Michael...

I feel like, if all of us just went off a physical spark,

none of us would be in happy relationships,

because that is such a fleeting moment of lust.

Yes, exactly!

But his point is he's tried for three weeks to really...

No he has not. SARA: Hold on. Hold on.

No he has not. Michael, I'm just talking...

No, because you haven't been behind our closed doors.

Hold on. I'm... He has not tried for three weeks.

Can you just relax for a second? No, I'm not going to relax!

I'm annoyed right now.

You worry about your own relationship.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(RAISED VOICES)

Are you serious, Michael? I'm serious.

Because you're hurt and I get that. I'm serious.

But stop lashing out at people.

No, because you're not making no sense to me 'cause you're jelo.

Why are you being like this to me?

You shut up right now. You're getting on my nerves.

I was kind of looking at Tim, like, babe, say something.

Like, try chime in.

Just do something.

Do anything other than sitting, sipping, taking it all in.

MICHAEL: Just because every time I sit at dinner parties and things,

Sara, you always have the first thing to say.

You are rejected and I get that

but you don't have to lash out at everyone.

MICHAEL: It doesn't matter. I don't really care.

I obviously know that Michael was feeling rejected and hurt,

and I don't want to be a cause of hurt.

Like, I feel so much guilt about that.

So, like, my main priority is smoothing things over with Michael

and try and make amends.

Do you want to have a champagne?

The issue that's been happening with Tim and I from the beginning

is that I need Tim to step up

and support me and say, "Don't come for my wife."

There's nothing sexier than a guy

who just, like, shuts down somebody else,

coming for them and being like,

"Don't you dare speak to her like that."

I've been with men who are like that and I (BLEEP) love it.

I think at this point Tim and I need to have the conversation

of whether or not he can step up.

And if he can't then yeah, I guess I'm out.

NARRATOR: As night one of the retreat draws to a close,

Sara's frustration with Tim's lack of action

spills over into the bedroom.

SARA: It's not that hard to have your partner's back.

It's not that hard to be like, "Hey, don't speak to my wife like that."

Like, I need you to step up.

Yeah. What do you think?

I've been really trying to like, step up to her standards

and raise the bar and, you know

like, be the person that she wants me to be.

There's that fine line of raising your standards

or just, like, never really quite being enough.

It just feels like... Uh-huh.

Let's just talk about this tomorrow. I'm tired.

(LIGHT SWITCH CLICKS OFF)

NARRATOR: It's the first morning in Byron Bay...

Let's do it, eh? Alright, let's do it.

This is gonna be a good day today. I've got a feeling.

Let's go.

Wakey, wakey! Hands off snaky.

(THUMP) Ow!

And after a dramatic first night at the retreat,

Lucinda has decided to bring Zen back to the group...

LUCINDA: Let's take our fingers.

ANDI: Oh, I love this. LUCINDA: So good. Ahh!

..with an early morning yoga session.

As wide as we can and journey over to the other foot.

Ahh!

It's amazing what we can do on the earth.

We try just reconnecting and, you know, letting go

and having a bit of fun.

Ear to the ground.

It's so nice having this gorgeous bunch of people together

in this, oh, divine old house.

Just hold it and really stretch it into your bum.

NARRATOR: And, after working up an appetite,

many are hoping to ease into day two of the retreat with some soul food.

STEPHEN: Oh, it's all going on in here.

It's all going on. It's all happening.

Salt, salt, salt.

Today is a new day. The sun's out.

Yesterday's in the past, today's gonna be a great day.

LUCINDA: Bon appetit, gorgeous people.

JACK: Thanks, guys, this looks unreal.

CASSANDRA: Enjoy.

Made with love, guys, made with love.

This is what I love.

I love just having a relaxed time, good energy,

water, sun, water, sun, food.

Like, all of that sort of stuff.

So, this calmness I really enjoy.

Too blessed to be stressed.

Yay. Thank you, everybody. Thanks, guys.

NARRATOR: While most of the couples are starting the day

feeling refreshed, it's a different story for Tim and wife Sara.

TIM: Feeling a bit flat, eh, just after last night.

Definitely got differing expectations in a relationship,

you know, like...

Just kind of like start to change the nature of who you are.

We haven't spoken to each other this morning at all so...

Bit of a position.

This morning was a little bit off.

I didn't get much sleep last night.

Probably got three or four hours' sleep so that was pretty rough.

And, yeah, Sara and I didn't really speak at all in the morning.

I'm just not living up to those expectations or, like,

not meeting those needs of hers.

I'm definitely not really a super confrontational person.

I don't know, it's like, the mix between growing as a person

and being better and, like, changing who you are.

So, yeah, it's a tricky sort of situation to navigate.

So, we need to have a chat.

Sara.

SARA: This next conversation that Tim and I have,

it's gonna be how can we work on this.

Because I can't keep having

the same conversations over and over again.

How are you doing?

I'm a bit flat. Yeah? Same.

I feel like to me it would be so easy

to just, like, have him support me and speak up,

and that would allow me to just, like, take a backseat.

It's like I feel like in my brain it's as easy as that

but it's obvious that,

like, in his it's not like that, it's a different way.

It's not about being the loudest or yelling

or having the biggest opinion.

It's about in those moments saying things for me

and supporting me.

You have someone who is yelling in my face.

Like, I don't understand how that's asking for too much

just for you to defend me in that moment.

(EXHALES)

I want to let you know that I do want to be there for you

and I want to defend you.

I want you to see that I'm on your team, you know?

That I've got your back. You have it in you.

It's not that you don't. You just choose not to.

I never want to be in a situation like that

where I don't feel like my partner has my back.

I understand, you know, and I'm sorry

that I didn't straight come to your defence.

It hasn't been, like, perfect at all

but we laugh, we have really good sexual chemistry.

Like, we obviously like spending time together,

we're comfortable around each another.

There's a lot of good things

and I want to hold on to, like, the good things,

but I also want to make sure that,

like, we figure out how to move past this and understand each other.

NARRATOR: Coming up...

LAUREN: There's a few snakes around here.

We need to tell Tori what's been happening.

SARA: I feel (BLEEP) sick about this.

LAUREN: I feel sick about it too but I think it needs to be done.

Will Sara and Lauren spill the beans?

NARRATOR: It's day two of the couples retreat...

Gotcha.

..and after a tense start to their Byron Bay trip...

this afternoon our husbands and wives

are hoping to calm things down with a bit of R&R.

I feel like we need a day of just, like, chill vibes.

By the pool.

(LAUGHTER)

And, like, light, happy chat.

Why don't you sit in Ridge's lap?

He's got a little spot there for you.

Right in the middle here.

You might lose me in the pink but.

(LAUGHS)

Maybe a bit of, like, rest and recovery.

You're choking me. (LAUGHS)

While some relationships are heating up in Byron,

others are using the retreat to help mend their relationship.

And Stephen is doing the best he can

to smooth things over with Michael after his extramarital flirtation.

MICHAEL: That was karma.

Instant karma.

I think that there's a bit of tension.

Michael and I are at a bit of a crossroad.

Our last proper chat I pretty much told him I was done.

Um...

But then, I do have a tendency to kind of flee

when I feel like it's not instantly right.

So, definitely know that

I could be putting a little bit more work into that.

We've got so much care and compassion for each other

and so, like, when you see that someone that you care about

is hurt, you just drop it all

and all you want to do is make sure they're OK.

Right now I feel like shit.

I feel responsible for this not working.

I feel guilty about that.

I feel like everyone knows how much of a great guy you are,

and trust me, I see it.

But like, I'm just frustrated at myself.

The way I spoke about it was all very definite.

When you use language like that obviously it hurts you to hear that

but it also, like, it shuts off all possibilities.

MICHAEL: I feel like yeah, when you use that language

and close off so many things,

it just makes me wanna not put in an effort.

It makes me want to walk away as well.

I get that. I totally get that.

But I have like I said, seen glimpses of a great guy,

and I hold onto that.

I just want you to show up, I guess, for a little bit.

And I am, just, like, a day at a time.

Like today I've had a really good day and, like, we're talking,

conversing, and tomorrow we'll see what that brings.

It was great seeing Stephen check-in.

I noticed he's making a little effort, which is nice.

His famous words are "Take it a day at a time," and right now

I'm just trying to live that advice and just see where it goes.

NARRATOR: Michael and Stephen aren't the only ones

feeling the positive effects of the retreat on their relationship.

This is the sweatiest exchange. (LAUGHS)

I feel like a retreat has been good.

It's been fun. This is wet.

Yeah, I'll continue to treat Tori with respect

and, you know, work on us.

Make her laugh and make feel safe.

LAUREN: Oh!

LAUREN: There's a few snakes around here.

NARRATOR: Sara and Lauren are sitting on some

scandalous information about Jack,

and Tori is not in the loop yet.

SARA: The stuff that happened was, like, inappropriate and suspicious.

Totally.

LAUREN: It turns out I was right about Jack.

He's been inappropriate with Sara.

Kiss on the neck, the tap on the bum.

SARA: I don't wanna do it. I don't wanna do it.

LAUREN: I don't want to do it either.

Shh, he's right there.

We need to tell Tori what's been happening.

I feel (BLEEP) sick about this.

I feel sick about it too but I think it needs to be done.

But she is so defensive of him.

Yeah, it is a bit scary.

(BLEEP)

TORI: I wanna get in on it.

LAUREN: I don't want to upset her

but just worried about her.

So, I wanna get, like, a bit more of a gauge on where Tori is at.

I feel like I can't ask you questions about you and Jack.

Why?

Because I feel like you might get upset about it.

I feel nervous to bring things up to you.

Really? I do.

I feel like you don't want me to ask you questions.

People are interested in your and Jack's relationship

because we're thinking how you said, "We're so good, we're so good,

"we're so good,"

but obviously thinking things have come up along the way with Jack.

Can I ask you a question? Absolutely.

How do you feel about what happened at the Commitment Ceremony?

Do you feel like he was setting you up to be, like,

I'm gonna bail at the end of this?

That's what it looked like.

It was an eye-opening couch session

and it did provoke a very big conversation.

I feel like I am a very good judge of character

and I feel like people think I'm this, like, little poor,

like, poor Tori.

Like, she's being played. No, that's not even it.

We're think you're gonna stand by him no matter what.

But I have a limit.

Yeah, I'm not there yet. I'm not, like...

I'm very in tune with what's going on and I'm...

Yeah, I'm not a silly girl.

We know that. You have to believe that.

And that's why it comes across as,

because you're obviously very intelligent,

everyone knows that,

it comes across when you, like, sit there with him and you're like,

"No, we're all good no matter what."

Even the first week, you know, when the whole story came out,

you were like, "No, we're good no matter what."

There was no, like, even little sliver of, like,

"Oh, yeah, I didn't like that."

I think it's just that you really like him and love is blind.

You know?

You can kind of oversee things that our major red flags.

TORI: There's no denying I'm annoyed at Jack,

I'm very frustrated at Jack.

And he knows he's got a lot of work to do.

He knows he needs to make it up to me.

But Lauren and Sara aren't really, like, a fan of Jack

and so I don't need to yet again air dirty laundry.

So, unless you've got something new to say to me,

new, fun, and exciting,

I am not gonna talk anymore.

I'm going on vocal strike.

It seemed very like I'm going to stand by him no, no matter what,

and that's where my concern came up.

What if something legitimate happened?

LAUREN: It wasn't the right time to tell her

because she's too defensive about it.

Like, Jack's right there.

So, we will try again tonight when Jack's out with the boys.

We literally have one chance to pull this off

otherwise it'll get shut down and that'll be the end of it.

We need to make sure we execute it properly,

and I feel like all hell's gonna break loose, honestly.

NARRATOR: Coming up,

Will Lauren and Sara finally dish the dirt on Jack?

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

That's a great question.

SARA: Lauren and I locked eyes straight away

and we were like, we've got to tell her.

NARRATOR: Byron Bay is the new home for this year's couples retreat...

GIRL: One, two, three.

(LAUGHTER)

(LAUGHTER)

In the middle. I'm directing. Right here in the middle.

..and while some are soaking up the sun...

Just dreamy, eh? Wow!

MICHAEL: Three, two, one.

..others are playing a 'get to know you' card game.

CASSANDRA: "What is the funniest experience you've had on a date?"

ANDI: I have one. I was on a date with a boy, my first date.

I stood on the front of my dress as I stood up...

Oh, no. (LAUGHTER)

The whole dress went down to here.

"Is there are fashion trend you wish you hadn't followed?"

Ooh. TIMOTHY: I had a perm.

(LAUGHTER)

A perm and a mullet.

Timothy! (LAUGHTER)

A perm and mullet at the same time.

LAUREN: I do personally find Tim really spunky.

Tim and I are in the best possible place,

celebrating each other in this new couples retreat space.

But I just think that when he clicks in and decides to open up,

I think a beautiful love could blossom between us.

Jayden, "What is your biggest fear?"

Aw! Jayden!

Losing your parents?

What's the next card?

LUCINDA: You know, I could see the family question,

it put Tim into a spell of sort of feeling his loss.

I adore Tim and for who he is, for what he's been through,

the stories and the scars that he carries, he's actually phenomenal.

NARRATOR: After a harmless card game

left Timothy feeling the grief of losing his family,

Lucinda has decided to sit her husband down

in the hope that he might finally open up to her emotionally.

How are you? Been better.

It's been a funky day, I think.

It has. Yep.

Yeah, I really wanna be there for Tim.

Just gotta be so careful not to push him

'cause then all the walls come up.

And I understand that but, you know,

we're married so I just wanna lean in and touch and be and go deep.

I actually was feeling so actually good and...

Same.

..it just seemed to turn to shit so quick

when we were playing that game this afternoon.

I felt you so much.

You know? You've had to work through a lot of shit stuff.

Yeah.

TIMOTHY: My dad passed away about six weeks ago.

And Mum died 17 years ago.

My brother died in the same year.

So I've got no family left.

I'm definitely guarded,

hence my new tattoo that I got just a couple of weeks ago.

The Tin Man.

You tell everyone you don't have a heart.

I don't really let too many people in.

Closing myself off, it's the way I protect myself.

MEL: Because what would it mean for you

if you admitted that you have a heart?

It means I can be hurt.

LUCINDA: I get why you are who you are.

I'm defensive, you know. You have to be.

Yeah. It's losing the family and um...

Yeah. And the biggest thing I lost was myself.

Yeah.

(LUCINDA SNIFFS)

(EMOTIONALLY) I actually can't do this.

(SOBS)

(SAD MUSIC)

(TIMOTHY BREATHES DEEPLY)

(TIMOTHY SOBS)

(TIMOTHY CONTINUES TO SOB)

(HEART-BREAKING MUSIC)

It's like everyone has an anchor, you know.

It's generally, you know, it's generally your family.

And I just, you know, I...

I guess just being around everybody and just hearing everybody,

and it just brings it all to light.

And losing yourself is, you know...

you just don't know who you are anymore.

I just, you know, I um...

I seem like a mouthpiece sometimes

and I, you know, I try and make a joke at pretty much everything

'cause it's the way that I deal with things.

I dunno, I'm in sort of uncharted territory for me.

It just cut so deep. (SNIFFS)

I feel lost.

I know that Lucinda doesn't think I'm weak because I show emotion.

Lucinda's... She's a rock, there's no question.

Lucinda's a rock.

Mmm. Mmm.

I've never seen that side of Tim.

Just feel like so many walls came down then.

It was a real turnaround.

I feel deeply, deeply honoured that Tim

feels safe enough to open

and share his deepest vulnerabilities with me.

And I just wanna be in devotion to that.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

NARRATOR: Byron Bay is the new setting

for this year's couples retreat and,

having spent last night in a mixed group setting...

JAYDEN: Ooh! (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)

Work It, girl. (LAUGHS)

..tonight our husbands and wives

will be separated for a boys and girls night.

That is a beautiful dress, gorgeous. Thank you.

Have you got a jacket? You've got your big jacket?

I'll get it.

Our social event separating our brides and grooms

is an integral part of this retreat.

There's so much to do right now.

JACK: Looking fine.

Studies show that spending time away from your spouse

and catching up with other people

can have a positive impact on your relationship.

Do you have hairspray?

I gave it to Eden.

TORI: I'm so excited about tonight.

Jack and I are in a much better place.

I feel like the retreat, we needed this.

I know I'm gonna have a really great time.

Don't comment on how burnt I am.

You look good. Oh, thank you.

It's gonna be interesting to see what's going on.

(JONATHAN CHUCKLES)

LAUREN: Me and Sara had a conversation with today about

how we feel like we can't really talk to her about her relationship.

But unfortunately, Sara and I have more information about Jack

and that we want to share with her

and, it's, like, really uncomfortable.

It's not the kind of thing that you ever wanna have to tell a friend.

I think tonight's gonna be interesting.

Yep.

I love Tori but Jack definitely crossed a line

and I would much rather have someone be honest with me about something

than beat around the bush.

And as her friend, I feel like she should know

inappropriate things have happened.

Yeah, it's gonna be a big night.

(TORI AND JACK KISS) Thank you.

JACK: Good job.

Have fun with the girls. Yep.

I'm sure it'll be a hoot. (JONATHAN CHUCKLES)

NARRATOR: This evening, the boys night is

being held at a local Byron Bay distillery...

RIDGE: Boys night!

Let's go, boys. Let's bring it.

(ROARS LIKE AN APE)

..while the girls are staying back at the house for the night.

CASSANDRA: Oh, yay!

That's so cute.

Oh, (INDISTINCT SPEECH) barrels. Yes.

Tonight's boys night.

Let's go. Come on.

Look, I like half of them.

I think he other half are dickheads.

Ooh, look at this.

RIDGE: Oi, boys, I think it goes without saying,

one shot for every time you've dogged your missus so...

(LAUGHTER) I've got a lot of shots.

(LAUGHS)

So, imagine going out with a bunch of dickheads.

Saddle up, here we go.

Dudes. Here we go.

(LAUGHS)

Boys. Let's go.

Cheers, guys. Cheers, guys.

Enjoy the girls night.

Tim had a real turnaround tonight.

There's been a huge breakthrough there.

I feel so happy in my heart.

Guys, you're not going to believe what just happened.

TORI: What? What do you mean?

You won't. Blow our minds.

Well, miracles happen. oh!

Yeah. OK.

Cass had some cards earlier,

and we went around and asked some questions and we all answered them.

It was those two questions about what's your biggest fear

and what's your biggest loss.

And I just clocked the moment and felt for Tim.

Oh!

And anyway, we were just sitting on the couch and, you know,

we spoke about that

and, yeah, I just started to tear up because I could feel his loss.

And then he did. Oh!

Wow.

I just lost it.

I don't, I don't cry.

And I just, yeah...

Did you cry? Yep.

Really? Yeah.

And we reunited and he gave me the most heartfelt, beautiful hug.

Aw!

It was such a gorgeous... He came to you.

He came to me. He came to you.

And with the biggest...

It was just, we breathed into each other.

Oh, my god! A melting hug.

And I got, I nuzzled right in there.

It's the best thing in the entire god damn world.

Literally. Literally.

It was so beautiful.

And... GIRL: I'm getting teary. Gosh.

Who would have thought Timothy would make me teary.

(LAUGHTER)

I'm looking forward to catching up with her later.

Yay!

There you go.

Oh, wait, you're looking forward to catching up with her later.

I'm looking forward to catching up. Yeah.

What's gonna happen later?

Didn't see that coming.

I know. I didn't.

TIM: That's good to hear, man. Yeah.

That's really good to hear. Yeah.

She was a sweetheart. Yep.

She is. She really is. Yep.

Mr Slow Burner himself.

Mr Slow Burn, yep.

Mate. Mountains got melted today.

They think global warning is fake?

It's real and it's in Timothy's heart.

You know?

He's, like, the definition of a slow burn,

you know, but I think the candle's now reached its wick to pure flame.

What do you reckon the chicks are all talking about?

Andi, how are you and Big Dick going?

(LAUGHTER)

He's such a sweetheart.

He has the kindest heart and yeah, he's...

Like, I really like him.

Mmm. I love girls night.

Yeah, we love girls night.

Girls night was so needed for you. Yeah. Big time.

OK, who's next? Tori.

What?

Yeah, Tori, how are you going? I'm great.

Jack and I are good. Jack and I are in a good place.

I feel like I'm constantly, like, justifying that.

Our couch session at the last Commitment Ceremony was quite raw

and quite, like, exposing,

but it was a really good,

it was a great chat

and it led to a really, you know, good and honest

and open conversation, transparent conversation with Jack and I.

We're in a good place. We're in a good spot.

(BLEEP)

Jack definitely crossed a line.

I have to say something to her.

I'm actually just, like, a little bit...

I'm shitting my pants.

(EXHALES)

(GIRLS CHATTER INDISTINCTLY)

OK, who's next? Tori.

ANDI: Yeah, Tori, how are you going?

I'm great.

Jack and I are good. Jack and I are in a good place.

I feel like I'm, like, constantly, like, justifying that.

I have to say something to her.

Jack definitely crossed a line on,

with like, two inappropriate occasions with me.

This is a conversation that needs to be had

and it needs to be unpacked.

LAUREN: Do you feel like you guys are companions or, like,

more relationship-y?

TORI: I feel like it's more relationship-y.

Yeah, OK.

This is probably the first healthy dynamic that I do feel, like,

trust and comfort and safety.

TIMOTHY: Is Tori your physical type?

She's enough for me, 100%.

JONATHAN: Do you see her being the mother of your kids?

All I can say is I'm open to having children

with someone I fall in love with.

We have a situation where Tori is very invested,

and when I asked her, "Is Jack the father of your children?"

And "100%. I'll have his kids tomorrow."

When Jack was asked the same question, it was...

I'm not buying it.

Well, what do you do? Somebody you fell in love with.

But are you in love with Tori?

JACK: Um...

Nobody gives a shit about Jack, I don't think.

Couldn't care less whether he's here or not.

But nobody wants to see Tori get hurt.

TORI: I'm very lucky to be with someone in this experiment

that I can go to and that does have my back,

because this experiment is a lot.

Sitting here listening to Tori

talk about how great the relationship is

I'm kind of like dying inside

because obviously Sara and I have some information that

we wanna share with her

and, it's, like, hard to sit here and listen to that.

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

Like, the ultimate dealbreaker? Yeah.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

That's a great question.

It's a good question.

SARA: Lauren and I kind of locked eyes straight away

and we were like, we've gotta tell her.

Alright.

I need to have a chat with Tori and Sara, if you guys don't mind.

Sorry guys. We'll be back.

LAUREN: It's important to let Tori know

because she needs to know all the facts

then she can make her decision on

what she wants to do with her relationship, based on the truth.

ANDI: Anyone know what this is about?

No.

Sit wherever you want to sit. I'll sit there.

TORI: Um... On an aeroplane.

NARRATOR: Tomorrow night, Eden...

I've received this information that I didn't want.

..has...

I'm feeling so uncomfortable and so anxious...

..a secret.

I don't know what to do.

Information so damaging...

It can affect a lot of people in here.

..it will derail the entire experiment.

Captioned by AI-Media ai-media.tv