Original subtitles

RICHARD: How are you? ANDREA: Good.

This is a pretty crazy first date. (LAUGHTER)

NARRATOR: When 24 singles took the biggest leap of faith...

JADE: He is very nice to look at.

..some found an instant connection at the end of the aisle.

LUCINDA: I think it's going to be an EXTRAORDINARY adventure.

But when Stephen was caught flirting with a hairdresser...

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

..Michael was left feeling blindsided.

MICHAEL: I'm upset, I'm hurt, angry.

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

The annual couples' retreat...

JADE: This is gonna be an opportunity for us

to get closer together.

..saw Lucinda and Timothy reach new emotional heights.

LUCINDA: I feel like Tim and I are really in a beautiful place.

TRISTAN: I hate pools. I hate taking my shirt off.

You've rocked up being, like, "Oh, look at all the whales here."

JACK: It's a joke!

Jack was at the centre of yet another storm

when he compared Tristan to a whale.

I can't support that, Jack. I cannot support that.

But it was at the dinner party...

Tell Tim what you did last weekend, otherwise we will do it.

..where Sara was exposed...

I have never, ever cheated on a partner!

You just cheated on me! This was on the weekend!

..after it was revealed that she had been catching up with her ex

behind Tim's back.

How many of you at the table have cheated on a partner?

Raise your hand!

Tonight...

For the first time, I'm sitting here, thinking,

"Oh, maybe these two could actually have something more

"than a friendship."

..romantic breakthroughs will be celebrated...

There's some kind of possible future for us.

Progress.

..as our couples reach exciting new milestones.

JADE: I introduced Ridge to my daughter.

It makes me really happy seeing the way he is with her.

I was, like, "Oh, I'm falling in love with you."

But not everyone will be feeling the love...

You look a little bit uncomfortable.

Um...

I've thought about this so much.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Expert John holds Jack to account.

"They looked like whales,"

coming from a personal trainer who should know better.

Has Tori finally reached her limit?

Do you trust Jack?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

And then...

This is a pattern that I have to call out.

..the experts apply the pressure...

Why were you meeting up with your ex?

..as they ask Sara...

What kind of a relationship do you have with your ex?

..the hard questions.

I thought you mentioned that you did hook up with them

a month before coming onto the experiment.

Do you still have feelings for your ex?

Um...

(BRIGHT MUSIC)

Following a massive week on the experiment,

where our couples gained important perspective at the retreat,

the fifth commitment ceremony is almost here

and some of our couples are stronger than ever.

How are you feeling? I feel great.

I'm the same. Just another day, I guess.

Just another day.

Ridge and I are good.

I feel like we're going into the commitment ceremony strong.

I feel like the retreat made us closer

and I introduced Ridge to my daughter.

Everything was perfect.

They got along well, which was really important to me,

so I feel a lot more comfortable now.

Aren't you lucky I'm such a blessing?

Oh... (LAUGHS)

Yep. (LAUGHS)

Real lucky right now.

JADE: Going into tonight,

I feel like we're connected on a deeper level.

I feel good about it and I feel like we are good.

Down the corridor, Lucinda and Timothy are also on a high,

basking in the afterglow of Timothy's emotional breakthrough

at the retreat.

You are the epitome of the slow burn.

You weren't lying. (LAUGHS)

But we're making lovely progress.

It may take us into 2026. (LAUGHS) But I'm holding in there.

(LAUGHS)

After an emotional few days,

Timothy finally trusted Lucinda enough to lower his guard

and reveal his true vulnerabilities.

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

It was a real turnaround

and I just want to, like, just be in devotion to that.

(LAUGHS)

It's been a really beautiful journey with Tim

since the retreat, actually.

There's been some very lovely openings

and some walls that have come down.

I feel, like, more of a softness and a receptivity to me.

There is a little bit of flirting.

There's something in the air.

I do feel a deep respect and regard

and a reciprocal, like, love, like a soul love with Tim.

What are they gonna talk to us about?

Well, I don't know but I know what I'm gonna tell them

and that is just, like, how brave I think you are

and how awesome it's been to feel your vulnerability

and some walls come crumbling down, you know.

I had an emotional moment, which I don't do

and Lucinda was very thoughtful and caring, yeah.

She didn't sort of cut and run.

She genuinely was worried about me.

Lucinda was very good about it.

Yeah.

You know, I loved watching everybody just really see you and accept you

and just being, you know, the Tim that I see,

which is just a bloody great bloke.

Yeah.

(LAUGHS) Well, thank you, but, yeah.

TIMOTHY: Overall, I'm a bit nervous to unpack some stuff

but we had a good time at the retreat.

Everything's been good.

But to much of the group, Byron Bay already feels worlds away...

overshadowed by last night's wild dinner party

and the revelation that Sara has been visiting an ex-boyfriend.

ANDREA: You missed a cracker.

RICHARD: I missed the dinner party.

It sounds like a blessing in disguise.

Like, I did feel really bad for Tim.

LAUREN: Yeah, so did I. I did feel bad for Tim.

Not... Not good.

Emotional cheating, physical cheating, it's all the same to me.

Go back to your ex. Yeah.

When I asked her, I was, like,

"Wait, you just said that you were dog sitting

"but then you told Eden it was a lie,"

she was, like, "Well, it wasn't, actually."

It was, like, "Why did you tell us that you were?"

Maybe something happened, maybe it didn't

but even if it didn't, like, they're still texting and planning...

There's still the lying, though. Yeah.

There's, like, lying...

If it was innocent, why would she lie about it?

Sara and Tim spent the night apart...

and in his solitude,

Tim has been reeling from last night's bombshell revelation.

TIM: I'm just feeling drained.

The trust has been broken and I was growing feelings for her, you know.

And then this news kind of came out of nowhere

and, you know, exploded in my face, really.

It's crushing. It's devastating to me to hear that.

Got my heart broken again

and I'm just trying to process everything, you know.

It feels like it's been a struggle of a relationship

this whole way through

and there was a lot of red flags from the very beginning.

I just feel like I know what it's like to not be over an ex, you know.

TIM: I feel like I should've just trusted my gut early on.

Like, I feel like a fool. She played me for a fool.

"You must reveal your latest correspondence

"on the device you use most, your phone."

I'm happy to share everything.

I haven't given you a reason not to trust me, so what's the point?

So you feel strongly about not doing it?

Yeah, I do.

The concern of mine would be if you were talking to other guys.

I'm not.

I felt like she had something to hide.

JOHN: Did you have anything to hide? No.

No.

TIM: It's all just lies.

She made me doubt myself.

I've gone along with her crap.

I knew you were gonna cancel our date for the third week in a row.

Don't take things so personally.

So, what's the genuine reason that you cancelled on him three times?

I went out with my girlfriends on Saturday

and I wasn't feeling great on Sunday.

I was hung over.

TIM: Now that I'm looking at it,

this whole time has just been smoke and mirrors,

you know, a waste of time.

I've been led on.

We will tell him if you don't tell him, Sara.

Well, I ran into my ex.

It was a planned, pre-meditated date?

Yes.

You didn't tell him that you were going to dinner with him.

No, I didn't...

Whatever it was, you didn't tell Tim...

(DRAMATIC MUSIC) (JAYDEN AND SARA ARGUE INDISTINCTLY)

How many of you at this (BLEEP) table have cheated on a partner?

WOMAN: Never. MAN: I haven't.

Never. Raise your (BLEEP) hand!

(TENSE MUSIC)

EDEN: Are you good, Tim?

TIM: No.

(DISCONNECTS MICROPHONE)

TIM: I feel like I tried so hard to meet her needs and expectations

but now it's pretty obvious, like,

she definitely doesn't care about me.

She didn't even apologise to me. She didn't even check up on me.

She didn't even text me last night to see if I was OK.

She didn't care how I felt about this.

She's just worried about how she's gonna look.

NARRATOR: Also at a loss after last night's dinner party,

Tori has once again been confronted by Jack's behaviour

after Jack referred to Tristan as a whale on the retreat,

the latest in a long line of indiscretions.

Whoever I've offended, 100%, I do apologise.

It isn't who I am. But it's every week!

I have made mistakes. It's a mistake and I've apologised.

We've got to move on.

Tori, what will it take for you to say to him, like, "It's enough"?

I'm probably, like...like, halfway.

MEL: Halfway! ALESSANDRA: Halfway!

NARRATOR: And while last night Tori only had 50% tolerance for Jack,

the reality of her husband's actions have begun to sink in.

You know, I did sit there and I did have Jack's back at the dinner party

but I kind of like reflected on the night

and I really am not OK with the comment that Jack made

around the pool to Tristan.

Like, it was so disrespectful.

And I think, realising that, I don't really like what's happened at all.

You're pissed at me.

Um...

I just feel like...

I think when I really think about these things

and I kind of reflect back, like,

it's just been one thing after the other.

I don't want you to be pissed with me.

Obviously last night was shit and...

Like, trust is a big thing, though. You get that, right?

Trust is huge. It's, like, in the top three of my values.

Like, trust and respect...

If you do not have trust, you have nothing.

So, I get it.

But it's who I am.

I make mistakes.

Do you make mistakes? Bet you do. That's real life.

TORI: I know he says he's sorry

but at this point they are words and I need, like, hard-core actions.

I need him to show me that the things that he's saying,

he actually means

because right now, it does have me questioning my trust for him.

NARRATOR: Despite being called a whale on the retreat,

Tristan is feeling positive going into tonight's commitment ceremony,

having made a surprising declaration to Cassandra.

TRISTAN: The 'whale' thing sucked, you know.

But Cass was amazing throughout the whole thing.

She made me feel better about myself and feel a lot more closer to her,

so this morning, um...

I told her I was falling in love.

This is the girl that has stood by me, has been patient,

has waited for me.

You know, I've never said "I love you" to anyone,

which is obviously a very, very big step, but I'm feeling great.

Commitment ceremony five. Five.

Five. We've done five... Wow.

..which is good.

Five more times on that couch. Jesus.

(LAUGHS) How do you feel? How are you feeling?

I'm feeling great. Yeah?

You know, like, I'm feeling really good.

We had a great day yesterday, we've had a great day today.

I reckon... I think this is the most, I guess,

feeling like we're a team... Yeah.

..if that makes sense. Yeah.

It's going really well.

Like, it's just we're at that point, you know.

When it comes to tonight's commitment ceremony,

I'm not nervous about it.

I'm just happy to be around her, to be honest.

As we always do, honey, we go in together as a team

and then we leave together as a team.

Yep.

Yeah, so, Tristan has confessed

that he has feelings of love for me.

Anyway, speaking of the time... Yes.

..I've gotta go and wipe the couch...

Yeah. ..as I always, always say.

Otherwise we can sit and talk for ages here.

As I always say, write your truth.

I feel like we are a team.

Yeah. Um... So...

When Tristan told me that he loves me...

Enjoy. Bye, Tris.

You look beautiful. The 'yujzh'. Thank you.

..um...

You're very handsome yourself. Thank you.

Bye.

..Tristan doesn't know this

but I do not love him.

And if I don't love him, then I should write 'leave'.

It's a huge decision

'cause when you're writing the word 'leave',

it's like a clear message that you're giving up

but I have to do what's best for my heart.

I had strong feelings for Tristan earlier on.

I tried so hard

and I've been so patient and I've waited and waited.

And I never, ever want to hurt Tristan.

I always want to make him happy

but I feel very strongly that I know for certain

that I do not love this man

and I always come back to the same answer.

NARRATOR: As our couples complete the final touches

before tonight's commitment ceremony...

there is an unexpected knock on Tim's door.

Hi.

Can I come in?

When Sara entered the experiment,

she did so struggling to exit the toxic hold

of her previous relationship,

having gone back and forth for six years.

SARA: When I was with my ex,

he ended up cheating on me multiple times with multiple women...

but I just kept going back to him for, like, four or five years.

Even though it was toxic and childish and manipulative,

he had an emotional pull over me and I couldn't help myself.

It was one of the reasons I wanted to do this experiment

'cause I wanted to get out of those...

yeah, those toxic patterns with my ex.

I want to be better.

I want to do everything that I can to show Tim that.

I just want you to know that I know that what I did was wrong

and I'm taking full ownership for it.

I am.

(SIGHS)

I don't really know what to say, to be honest.

You know, for you to do something like this,

like, you want to wear a cute dress for your ex, like, come on.

I didn't wear a cute dress.

That's not even the point. Like... No.

It's part of the point, is, like, you asking Eden for a cute dress

'cause you're gonna see your ex tonight.

I asked her for a shirt. Like, that's...

I asked her for a shirt. I didn't say a cute dress.

She's trying to apologise and then she's bringing up excuses,

instead of being, like, "Look, I'm sorry it was the wrong thing."

To me, it just seems like she's upset she got caught.

She's just deflecting.

I was pretty disappointed the way that you acted last night.

You obviously didn't care about how I felt.

You didn't care about my feelings.

You just left. You didn't check up on me.

Look, that's not the point. Like, I don't...

Like, I am not getting into the details, Tim.

Today's not about, like, what happened last night.

I don't want to defend myself.

That's why I'm saying... Then don't. Just admit it.

Stop saying, "Oh, that's not the point."

I did... "That's not the point."

I am admitting it, Tim! Alright.

Well, stop saying that those all things aren't the point.

You just want to have your result that you want.

OK. I can't do this.

Because I feel like I'm trying to. I'm saying I'm owning it.

I'm saying that I'm sorry and... Apologies...

If you want to apologise to someone, don't defend yourself.

Just apologise and take it. I need to go.

Yeah, exactly. And you're doing it again. You're running away.

Tim, stop yelling at me. It's cowardly behaviour.

Stop yelling at me. I'm not yelling at you.

I'm telling you your cowardly behaviour...

I'm done. ..because you're just running away.

You don't want to own it.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

ALESSANDRA: Hello. JOHN: Greetings, gents.

MEL: Evening.

Hello. Hi.

Come grab a seat. Settle in.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC) Evening, ladies.

Hello, ladies.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Well, welcome, everybody, to the fifth commitment ceremony.

We are well and truly getting into the heart of the experiment now

and last night at the dinner party, it was explosive, to say the least.

Now, we'll get into all of that and more

but also, you're coming off the back of a couples' retreat,

where you got to spend time with different couples.

You got to see yourself in a new setting.

And tonight we're going to hear

how your relationships have been put to the test

and what the future is going to hold.

So, let's get our first couple up on the couch...

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

MEL: Lucinda and Timothy.

Whoo! Mama and Papa!

(APPLAUSE) Whoo!

Hello. LUCINDA: Hello.

Hello, you two. TIMOTHY: How we going?

How are you? Welcome.

How you doing?

Well, you're looking very cute and fun together tonight.

Aw, thank you. Thank you.

Tell us about the retreat.

You start. No, you always start.

No, you first. Go on. You start.

It was tough. It was... Yeah, it was tough for me.

What was tough about it?

(EXHALES) I hate saying this.

I sort of...

I sort of had a bit of a breakdown, like, just a...just a bit of a...

A breakthrough. A breakthrough. Yeah.

I call it a breakdown. Yeah.

What happened?

It was just...

We were playing a card game

and there was a couple of questions in there

that sort of triggered something inside me.

What did it trigger inside you?

(EXHALES)

Just incredible, like, sadness. Yeah. Yeah.

And what was the sadness about?

Um...

Family. Yeah, family. Yep.

I felt like I was the most lonely person there.

'Cause I've got no family left.

So I left and it took me a while to sort of compose myself

and come back to the retreat,

but Lucinda was really good.

How did it feel knowing that she was there by your side?

(EXHALES)

It was... It was really nice because, um...

(EXHALES)

Um...

I really appreciated that she was really there for me.

She had my back.

It's everything,

because I haven't had that feeling in a really long time.

Yeah.

This is a big deal for you.

Yeah.

Lucinda, what was it like for you being by his side during all of this?

Yeah, I'm just so proud of Tim.

Yeah.

It's just been amazing to watch some of the walls come down, I suppose.

They didn't tell you about the big hug.

They had a melted hug. CASSANDRA: Melting hug.

Oh, they did the melted hug. Finally!

LUCINDA: It was one of my favourite hugs of my life.

ALESSANDRA: Really? TIM: Yeah.

We kind of came to this crescendo

and vulnerability to me is the bravest thing, you know,

so I've just felt, like, a more softness

and a more opening in just Tim's energy and presence.

It's really lovely, the kindness that's just in the field.

There's a lot of respect, regard, no defences.

We're just sort of flowing very easily together, aren't we, Tim?

We actually just get on like a house on fire.

It's... We do... We do get along really, really well.

It's just the laughs, isn't it? Yeah.

We just actually live to crack each other up...

Yeah. ..at this point.

JOHN: You know,

I think the first time I've seen the two of you

with a chance of it actually going romantic is right now...

because you come in angry, with the pointy finger,

yelling and bellowing at everybody,

but that's just you being scared.

And this couples' retreat,

actually, you got vulnerable, you opened up,

you let Lucinda get close to you... Yep.

She's a patient woman, Lucinda. Very patient. Yep.

And for the first time, I'm sitting here thinking,

"Oh, maybe these two..." (LAUGHS)

.."could actually have something more than a friendship."

MEL: Let's get to the decision. Lucinda first.

So, Tim, yes, I've enjoyed you so much the last week!

(VOICE CRACKS) It's so precious!

And I have said 'stay'.

(APPLAUSE)

And I've got some more brick walls exploding and...

Aw!

..and a request for, you know, just a hug a day.

Yeah.

Um, yeah, since the retreat, we haven't had one hiccup.

Mmm. It's been...

Yeah, it's been good. So I wrote 'stay'.

Wonderful. WOMAN: Yeah!

(APPLAUSE) Wonderful.

And, Tim, definition of courage.

Yes. Thanks.

JOHN: But we're gonna need you to be even more courageous.

Yeah. Mmm.

You're gonna need to give her minimum one hug a day.

Alright.

Now, that's what she said. She wants it.

She certainly deserves it.

And that is a very practical way to get this going.

You can go back to the group. Well done.

MEL: Well done, you guys. (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(BOTH LAUGH) JAYDEN: He deserves it.

TIMOTHY: Tonight was tough,

but with Lucinda next to me, I do feel stronger.

NARRATOR: Coming up, Tristan is hit with Cassandra's true feelings...

So, I decided to put it all on the line and I was, like,

"Oh, I'm falling in love with you."

ALESSANDRA: I have to say, Cassandra, you look a little bit uncomfortable.

Um...

TORI: Oh...

NARRATOR: And Sara goes head-to-head with the experts.

What kind of a relationship do you have with your ex?

It's a friendship.

Friends don't get naked.

You did that a month before the experiment started.

What was your question?

Can we have our next couple tonight?

(PENSIVE MUSIC)

Eden and Jayden.

MAN: Whoo! Jayden!

(PENSIVE MUSIC)

Hello, you two. EDEN: Hello.

JAYDEN: Team. How are you guys?

We're very well, but we're more interested in how you guys are doing.

To be honest, we've had a very rough week.

(TENSE MUSIC)

It sounds like it.

Yeah, it's probably been the hardest week for me

in the experiment so far.

What made it so difficult for you, Eden?

Obviously the whole 'messages from Sara' situation.

Sara sent me a message and asked for an outfit to borrow.

She wanted something to wear.

I asked her where she was going.

I sat with Jayden. He saw my phone.

And she said, "I'm going to see my ex-boyfriend."

What we learnt was that Jayden and my morals and principles

align exactly...

however, the way we would go about things was quite different.

Jayden wanted Tim to know immediately after it happened.

I didn't want to stop him

from doing what he would want to do in this situation

but then I also just felt so uncomfortable doing it.

I felt like if I didn't bring it out, I would lose Jayden.

I get a little bit of anxiety as it is

and it just snowballed it to be worse and worse.

Like, I kind of thought anyone should know, like, straight away.

I've been in that position so many times before and I know how I felt.

I didn't want Tim to feel that.

So, the longer you wait, the worse it's gonna get.

I just felt like in any... whatever I decided to do,

I was never gonna win out of it.

It was a lose/lose situation in every possible way.

I honestly truly thought that everyone in the room

would be, like, "You're so untrustworthy for doing this."

TIM: I really appreciate you guys coming to me with the information.

Yeah. Yeah, of course.

It was hard for you to step out, Eden.

But it was just bringing... Yeah.

..doing the right thing, so I appreciate both of you for doing it.

Thanks, Tim.

So, what did that angst do for the two of you in terms of conflict?

What happened there for you?

We... We were... We were fighting a lot.

And my anxiety was as worse as it's been in a long, long, long time.

ALESSANDRA: Coming out of it on the other side,

having chosen to be upfront and clear to Tim,

what does this do to the relationship now?

Where do you guys stand now?

I personally feel like we're stronger than ever now.

I think that there's a lot of trust built.

We know our morals are the same...

and I know that even though maybe he didn't help in the moment,

Jayden really, really, really wants to help

and I don't think I've ever had someone that wants to help that...

so it was very nice.

Wow.

You ain't ever been with the big dog, eh?

(LAUGHS) But you are now.

(LAUGHS)

We're gonna hear your decisions, guys.

Alright. This is not a hard one.

Let's just go. Come on. Very easy one.

Yeah, let's go. We're ready.

Let's start with you, Jayden... We already know what it's gonna be.

Oh, there it is. Did you do five hearts?

Oh, and all the love! One, two, three, four, five.

Five hearts. OK. (APPLAUSE)

And I've got 'stay' as well, also with five hearts.

Oh! Matching five hearts. Five hearts.

A quick one.

Well done, guys.

Yes. Thank you. Well done.

(APPLAUSE)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

ALESSANDRA: Next up on the couch...

Tristan and Cassandra.

(PENSIVE MUSIC)

(LAUGHS) Come on, honey.

Don't leave Cass behind, Tristan.

(LAUGHS)

Oh, come on, honey. We're over here.

MEL: Very eager.

You're so enthusiastic about reaching the couch, Tristan.

How have you guys been?

TRISTAN: Big week.

The retreat, it was, like, really tough for me mentally.

But I feel like we're doing really well.

Like, we actually had a massive breakthrough.

OK.

Yeah. So, for a while, I've been, like...

I've got weird special feelings, right?

This is the first time I've ever had them with a girl,

because all I need is someone to kind of accept me who I am

and that's what she's done the whole time.

So I decided to put it all on the line.

I was really nervous. I was shitting balls, actually.

And I was, like, "Oh, I'm falling in love with you."

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

That's what I feel like it is.

And then I was really scared 'cause she was gonna run away and then...

And then she didn't run away, which is awesome.

So, did you say "I'm falling in love with you"

because you feel like you are falling in love... Yes.

..or because you want to express how much you REALLY like her?

No, 'cause I'm falling in love.

You ARE falling in love?

Yeah, it's the first time I've said "I'm falling in love."

I was so nervous. I was scared.

But it, like, great first, you know. Like, fantastic first.

(TENSE MUSIC)

So, I don't regret it at all...

because she's a special one and you guys did well,

so thank you for that.

(PENSIVE MUSIC)

I have to say, Cassandra, you look a little bit uncomfortable.

(PENSIVE MUSIC)

Tristan, you ARE falling in love.

Yeah, it's the first time I said "I'm falling in love..."

because she's a special one and you guys did well.

I have to say, Cassandra, you look a little bit uncomfortable.

Um...

Yeah. Um...

He... He's... I... I didn't want...

I really wish that I felt the same way back.

That's probably why I feel uncomfortable.

Um...

OK.

(TENSE MUSIC)

Um...but it's not there.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Do you see that as a possibility in this relationship,

for you to grow that kind of feelings at this point?

Do you see it or not?

Um...

Right now, I...I'm not sure.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

I've thought about it a lot.

But the relationships that I've been in,

when there's love there, you just want to be around that person.

You want to message them, you want to call them,

you want to talk to them, you want to be in their space,

you want to eat with them and I was, like, we, like...

We don't... We rarely kiss and it's hard and I just...

I don't underst... Like, it can be very confusing.

So you're not convinced of the type of love he's expressing?

It's...

Yeah, I feel like his version of love is different to...

mine, maybe.

OK.

Alright.

Let's go to the decision. Tristan.

Well, you can't say you're falling in love with someone

and not actually say 'stay', so I have said 'stay'.

(APPLAUSE)

I, um... Do I do my turn now?

Please, Cass.

OK. Um...

What do I want to say?

I'm so... I'm just frozen.

Um...

I've thought about this so much...

and I...

I feel like you've just...

you have pushed me away quite a bit,

like, emotionally, mentally and physically.

Um...

And I've...I've tried

and I just don't have the same feelings for you.

TORI: Oh...

Maybe I think we are better as friends and I put 'leave'.

Leave.

Mmm.

RIDGE: Oooh.

(LUCINDA SIGHS)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(CASSANDRA SIGHS)

It's alright, honey.

We'll have a great seven days, you know,

see what can happen in seven days and then, um...we'll go from there.

You guys were great. Um...

JOHN: Hold on, Tristan. Hold on. Hold on.

(SIGHS) Yep.

I see Cassandra slipping through your fingers.

And we know she's great, but you're gonna lose her.

But there's no... I'm also just, like...

I... I do try. Like, every... Every...

I know you try. And I just don't know...

At this point, I just don't know how I can do any more.

Like, I'm leaning in... I'm trying to lean in and do this.

I'm trying to kind of...

And that's what you guys have got to figure out.

You've had us for six weeks, seven weeks telling you exactly what to do.

Now it's on you guys to pull it together or get out.

Copy that.

For now, you can go back to the group.

Thanks for having us. Thanks, guys. Thank you.

(APPLAUSE) LUCINDA: Love you, guys.

JACK: Well done, guys.

TRISTAN: I feel a bit blindsided.

That's the first time I've ever said I love someone

and she wrote 'leave'.

(SAD MUSIC)

Oh, Jesus.

TRISTAN: I thought we were making progress.

I guess I was off. I guess I was on the wrong page.

I'll still give it 110% for the week because I don't want to lose her

but I'm just a bit more confused than ever, to be honest.

MEL: Our next couple up on the couch...

(TENSE MUSIC)

..is Andrea and Richard.

(CHEERS) TIMOTHY: Grandpa and Aunty.

RICHARD: Right. Grandpa. Yes. (LAUGHS)

They clap. I have to.

MEL: Hello. Hello.

Hello.

Richie, you were unwell on the retreat, I understand.

I was unwell on the retreat... OK.

..and I've been unwell for a week.

You know, it's the old 'in sickness and in health', you know,

that kind of part of the marriage vow.

Right. Getting it all.

That's the bit that we've been challenged with and facing.

You've been putting it to the test? Yeah.

I actually really like sick Richie. (LAUGHS) And why is that?

He was just quieter and cute.

(LUCINDA LAUGHS)

And... (LAUGHS) I got to, like, look after him...

I mean, he's cute all the time.

He is cute all the time

but he was just this, like, this little baby cute

and I could, like, nurture a little bit and it was kind of nice.

Not quite sure how that lands for you, Richie.

Yeah, no, it doesn't look good. (LAUGHS)

Yeah, well, it's interesting because there's...

I mean, I take that. Great.

You know, very nice, but, you know, when I'm sick, I'm half myself...

Mm-hm. ..you know.

I'm not my boisterous, energetic, usual self,

so if that's what Andy prefers, then what does that mean?

I didn't say I prefer. I just said I like you...

OK. OK. OK. ..like that.

OK. Yeah.

And whilst I take the joke about... Yeah.

"..I like him better when he's sick..."

Yes. That's a joke.

..but perhaps the message there is Andy's more nurturing, softer side

is able to come out when you are perhaps a little bit less Richie.

And that's fine, yeah?

Our relationship, though, as I see it,

like, we're far into the experiment now.

We haven't kissed for over six weeks.

Like, we haven't had an intimate kiss for over six weeks.

So, is all of this getting in the way of that?

I don't know. That connection hasn't been made to me.

I'm not really sure what's going on.

Andy, from your position, was it that moment on the couch

when Richie was very open about your sex life,

was that the turning point for you?

That was pretty horrible for me, yeah.

But I have tried to get past that

and we've had a few other little things

that sort of make me pull back.

So, yeah, I haven't felt like that.

Can you put your finger on why?

Yeah.

I don't know why either. The mood, the tone, the...

the...not the softness and that sort of thing.

Are you hearing that, Richie?

(LAUGHS) Well, I mean, I've sat on this couch

and I've been told by Andy a number of times how nice a person I am

and how supportive I've been for her and how patient and how...

I mean, you've used all those words. Isn't that soft and kind and nice?

And then it's been turned on me

and now suddenly I'm this bombastic guy and...

OK.

Guys, I've gotta say,

there's a real disconnect between the two of you

and I don't think you're listening to each other at the moment.

You know, this seems like a really pivotal point for the two of you.

We've seen the energy between the two of you.

We know that you like each other.

You can't continue in this way.

We're gonna go to the decision.

I'm choosing to stay. It's stay.

Good. (APPLAUSE)

Well, also, in the same way, obviously I chose stay as well...

Yeah. That's a big stay.

..because we're not going... A big, strong stay.

(APPLAUSE)

Alright, you two.

Well, this is about coming back together

and giving each other that feedback

about what's working and what's not working,

really listening to each other and noticing how that dynamic changes.

Hopefully, there might be some more kissing this week.

Let's hope.

Thank you, guys. Alright. Thank you.

JOHN: Good luck, guys. Alright.

Thank you. (APPLAUSE)

RICHARD: I'm a bit frustrated by that, to be honest.

I don't really know where I stand with Andy.

But all I want to do is get our relationship back to where it was.

NARRATOR: Still to come...

Jack, I'm at a point now where I'm almost lost for words.

..a fed-up expert John holds Jack to account.

It's not good enough coming from a personal trainer,

who should know better.

And Sara tries to make amends.

I'm gonna do everything in my power to make Tim my priority.

I don't care what you guys think.

There's still a lot to unpack.

Sorry, can I just finish what I was saying?

I was just getting to a point.

Alright, next up on the couch...

Jonathan and Lauren.

(APPLAUSE)

Hey, guys. LAUREN: Hey.

JONATHAN: Hey, guys.

So, how was the couples' retreat for you both?

I'd say the last days of the retreat were really good for us.

We sat by the pool and had some of the best, longest chats we've had.

We just sat there and we literally just, like, laughed the whole time.

Like, we started talking, like...

there's some kind of possible future for us,

which we've never really done.

Yeah.

In the last few days, we've sort of been holding hands

and actually sitting close to each other when we do...

Yeah. ..sort I think, like...

WOMAN: Aw! (LAUGHS)

I love it. Progress.

Always happy with progress.

Let's go to the decision.

Lauren. OK.

I wrote 'stay' with an exclamation mark.

Oh, wow. Enthusiastic 'stay'. I like it.

I like it.

Jonathan.

I had the best three days,

so I think it's going well and I'd like to stay.

(APPLAUSE) (LAUGHTER)

Thanks, guys.

Thank you so much.

JOHN: Jade and Ridge.

(APPLAUSE)

Well, let's get straight into it. Couples' retreat.

I feel like the couples' retreat was great.

We had the best time. (LAUGHS) Literally the best time.

Like, I don't look at anyone the way I look at Jade.

I've always said, the next girl who comes along

who has everything I want in a partner,

I'm gonna give everything that I have and that's Jade.

I mean, these are big feelings... Mmm. Definitely.

..Ridge. Big feelings. I'm, like, an 8.2.

She's only 6.5 and she thinks she likes me more.

Can you believe that?

(LAUGHTER)

Ridge and I are definitely in a good place.

And I introduced Ridge to my daughter.

We went to the zoo.

Obviously, I was flattered

that she even wanted me to go and meet her daughter

but I was always ready for it.

It made me really happy seeing the way he is with her.

Well, it's just wonderful to hear.

Let's go to the decision.

Stay or leave? Let's go with you first, Ridge.

Stay. Good.

(APPLAUSE)

Jade, what have you got? Stay or leave?

I have 'stay'.

(APPLAUSE)

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

MEL: Thanks, guys. ALESSANDRA: Have a good week.

(APPLAUSE)

Let's get our next couple up.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Michael and Stephen.

(APPLAUSE) JACK: Go, boys.

MICHAEL: Hey, hey. MEL: Hello.

ALESSANDRA: Hi. Hi.

JOHN: Well, you two, last time we saw you on the couch,

it was clear that, Stephen, you were gonna step up

and we are very keen to know how it all went.

Um...

Yeah, that kind of went downhill quickly. (LAUGHS)

We had a publicity shoot

and there was a little spark that Stephen had with the hairdresser.

Oh.

And on the way home, I was, like, "Was there any feelings there?

"Was there any attraction?" I was told no.

Only to fast-forward a few hours later

to find out that there was a spark there

and that he will never see anything here,

so it was basically, like, a hard no.

What made you decide "I'm gonna tell him about this spark, come clean"?

For me, when I felt that spark, it was like a light bulb moment.

I was, like, that's what's missing.

And, yeah, I felt like it was just a lie for me

to go on another minute without voicing that.

I was blown away because I'm trying to grow something deeper

than just a spark

but you didn't give me a chance to build anything deeper

because you got distracted in a heartbeat.

I think that I have always been honest.

I have never felt a spark

and I don't want to lead you on

and there have been many times where we are getting along really well

and that misleads you.

Michael, what's it been like for you on the receiving end of it

throughout this experiment?

Look, it really crushed me.

Like, I've come into this with an open heart, open mind,

wanting to give it my all.

I'm absolutely defeated, I'm deflated and I'm exhausted now.

We've gotta go to the decision.

Stephen, let's go with you first.

Stay or leave - what do you reckon?

Yeah, look, I...

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

I think, you know, it's time to call...call it.

Michael, stay or leave?

I don't feel like you ever tried.

I don't feel like you ever showed up here to try.

I feel like you got here immediately,

was, like, "I don't like you, I'm ready to go."

You kept your foot at the exit the entire time.

I've always been a fighter and I've given everything my all...

but sometimes you have to keep your head held high, so...

LAUREN: No! LUCINDA: Mmm.

..yeah, I've decided it's time to go.

Michael, I know how much you wanted this...

so we are absolutely devastated that it hasn't worked out.

But in saying that, even the way you've handled this situation tonight

has just shown everybody your integrity.

We've loved having you as part of the experiment.

We wish you all the very best.

You can go back to the group. Thank you guys so much.

Honestly, thank you so much. (APPLAUSE)

I came into this wanting to give it my all and I did.

I've felt extreme highs, I've felt extreme lows

but I'm grateful for the experiment.

It feels good to go back home knowing I'm a stronger person.

ALESSANDRA: Our next couple up on the couch...

(TENSE MUSIC)

Tori and Jack.

JACK: (BLEEP)! (APPLAUSE)

MEL: Hello. Hello.

Hey, guys.

I had a chance to observe you guys last night and a lot was going on.

I'd like to hear from you, how do you sum it all up,

the couples' retreat and everything that's gone down?

Yeah, look, it's been a tough one. (CLEARS THROAT)

We've, um... definitely had our issues.

We were hoping couples' retreat

would be a good time and a jolly time

but I've come under fire again.

Um...

Yeah, Tori's pretty pissed with me.

JOHN: It shows. Yeah.

I just feel like it's just been one thing after the other with Jack.

Last night at the dinner party,

the whole thing regarding the 'whale' comment,

it was just really off-putting

and I think Jack said sorry quite a bit

but I'm at a point where I need, like, firm action.

ALESSANDRA: It's interesting because what we saw at the dinner party

was a very united front again.

I feel like last night we were very united

and then, when we got home,

I did have a moment of, like, "Hold up."

I don't condone this behaviour. Like, I don't stand for any of this.

Yeah, exactly.

JOHN: Jack, I'm at a point now where I'm almost lost for words.

'Cause let's just reflect.

We've got you coming into this experiment

in a cloud of suspicion

that you've got an ex-girlfriend on the outside.

You then use a 'muzzle' comment during the dinner party.

You then mention - and it's hard for me to say -

that if there's a partner swap,

they're going to go to have sex with your partner.

And when you think I might be done, I'm not.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

We've got you coming into this experiment in a cloud of suspicion

that you've got an ex-girlfriend on the outside.

You then use a 'muzzle' comment during a dinner party.

I don't want to go on but I will go on.

You then mention that if there's a partner swap,

they're gonna get to have sex with your partner.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

And when you think I might be done, I'm not...

because there's other things here.

You top it off with a comment when you're at a pool

that they looked like whales.

And this, frankly, is coming from a personal trainer

who should know better.

It's not good enough.

What I do see tonight that's different

is that Tori has cottoned on to you.

Your body language says "We're in deep trouble"

and I'm at a point now where I'm almost lost for words.

I've gotta clean my act up.

And I can only, moving forward from here...

I know you're distant from me.

Last night was shit

and I want to make it up to you and everyone else as well.

No more shady comments, no more shitty acts

and I want to get through this and focus on us

and show you what I think the real me is.

ALESSANDRA: Tori, do you trust Jack?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Do you trust me?

That... That element of trust is, like, in question, yeah.

OK.

I think that's basically my biggest concern.

Pay attention to what you're seeing.

People will show you who they are

and they can be very intelligent and know better, but it's how they act.

You're seeing behaviours.

So, let's find out your decision this week, starting with you, Jack.

I'm staying.

(TENSE MUSIC)

Tori?

Um...

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Like I said before, I don't need to hear any more.

I need to see.

And in order to see that, I need to stay.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Tori, I insist,

you just have to observe people.

They will show you.

Pay attention to what you're seeing.

Sure.

Have a good week.

Thank you. Thank you. (CLEARS THROAT)

(APPLAUSE)

TORI: It's going to be a pivotal week

because the trust has been shaken.

"Like, I know you're sorry. You've said it. That's great.

"Love that for you." Now I need to see it.

Let's get our next couple up.

Sara and Tim.

(APPLAUSE)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Well, let's get straight into it, shall we?

That dinner party...

Uh, Sara, what happened?

Basically, yeah, we came in pretty good from the retreat.

Very good.

Yeah, probably the best we've ever been.

And then Jayden and Eden pulled us aside and said,

"Is there something you want to tell Tim

"about what you did on the weekend?"

I told Tim that I met up with my ex-boyfriend, um...

Yeah, that was... that was what happened.

(TENSE MUSIC)

So, help me understand this. Why were you meeting up with your ex?

There was no specific reason behind it. Um...

What kind of relationship do you have with your ex?

It's a friendship.

So, how long have you been not going out with him for?

Six years.

But throughout those six years, you've been seeing him on and off?

Yes.

So you've kind of been going out with him

but not in a classic stereotypical way.

For the first four years after, yes.

After that, no.

We didn't hook up after that.

I thought you mentioned that you did hook up with him

a month before coming onto the experiment.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Yes. Yes, I did.

So it hasn't been two years?

Um... Just to clarify.

Yes. Yes, correct. OK.

We didn't hook up after that.

I thought you mentioned that you did hook up with him

a month before coming onto the experiment.

Yes. Yes, I did.

So it hasn't been two years?

Um... Just to clarify.

Yes. Yes, correct. OK.

Sara, a very important point.

Friends don't get naked and have sex.

You did that a month before the experiment started.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

What was your question?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Eden, what were the texts that made you feel suspicious?

Well, she said "I'm going to see my ex" and then she wrote "Shh."

She was asking for a dress. She said she wanted to look good.

Sara, if you're just friends, why would you want to borrow a dress

to meet your ex?

JAYDEN: 'Cause he's not just a friend.

Um...

I actually wanted him to know that I was doing well.

TIM: And that's the confusing part,

is, like, you know, if you wanted to show that you're doing good,

you would've been proud to bring me there.

So, the question has to be asked,

do you still have feelings for your ex?

No, and I told Tim that.

Because your behaviour says otherwise.

I mean, you guys can keep saying that, but I know how I feel.

So, if he's just a friend, why didn't you tell Tim about it?

Did you think you'd get away with it?

Yep.

If Eden didn't say anything, there's no way you would've said anything.

Yeah. No chance.

Mm-hm. This is my time on the couch.

This isn't a dinner party, thank you.

Sara, I'm looking at your body language right now

and you seem very reserved, guarded, almost like, um...

you don't want to be answering these questions.

Well, personally,

I don't understand why everyone is having an opinion right now.

You're just sorry that you got caught,

not actually sorry for what you did.

Sorry, guys, my turn. Thanks.

Tim, what impact did it have on you? Take us there.

Um... Yeah, it was devastating.

We went through some turmoil at the retreat

and we came back out in a really good place

and to hear that, I was...I was really hurt.

But to me, it's been a bigger-picture sort of thing.

The whole experiment,

I just haven't felt like Sara's wanted to be here with me.

I don't think she really likes me.

She doesn't even, like, value me as a person in her life.

Do you think anything physically happened between Sara and her ex?

I'm not too sure.

Like, initially, I thought, for sure, definitely, she did.

But, you know, the problem is I'll never actually know.

I've danced this dance before

and I'm very patient and I'm forgiving

but, like, I've done it before and I just get hurt.

You know, this just... just pushed me further down

and killed my self-esteem.

One of the big issues that we saw as experts at the dinner party, Sara,

was that you didn't relate to Tim.

You didn't talk to him.

You didn't really get his point of view

or a sense of where he was coming from.

I actually... I tried to pull Tim aside once

and he didn't want to come speak to me.

Sara, this is a pattern that I have to call out.

You deceived and betrayed Tim.

You're the one storming out and not saying sorry.

There is a problem with that.

I didn't know what to do. I honestly didn't know what to do.

What about say sorry?

Yeah, absolutely.

Why didn't you?

I don't know.

You just left me. You just...

I heard this news, you were just defending yourself

and you just left me.

Yeah, I get it. Everyone wanted answers.

The group wanted to hold you accountable,

but you left and then you didn't even follow up with me.

You didn't even text me to see, "Are you OK?"

You know, and so, for me, like, what do you think that shows me?

It's just kind of drilling in the fact that I feel like...

Like, what are we even here for, you know what I mean? Like...

I want to be with someone who wants to be with me.

One of the things that you have complained about

throughout this experiment

is that the communication doesn't work.

You say that Tim needs to step up.

And what I saw last night at the dinner party

gave me the answer to why he doesn't step up,

because your fight style is combative and it's aggressive...

and Tim is too scared to mention anything

and when an issue does come up, Sara, we saw what happened.

There's not an apology, there's not a sense of remorse or accountability.

If that doesn't change,

it's gonna make it very hard for someone to date you.

I see that.

I don't know if you do. I do.

Yep.

Yeah, I think what we're seeing now is not how you're always like.

Behind closed doors, I feel like you're a lot more on Tim

and I think if you were like that more often...

Can I just say something on that? Um...

I get it,

because for a lot of this experiment,

I saw a lot of things that I felt I didn't want

but obviously there's a lot that I need to work on as well.

Um...

I'm worrying about Tim and I right now and about how I feel about Tim,

but I'm gonna deal with it with Tim.

Yeah, I feel like there's still a lot to unpack about, like, this...

Sorry, can I just finish what I was saying?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Yeah, well...

I was just getting to a point and now I don't know where I was at.

Um... What was I saying?

Um...

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

I'm worrying about Tim and I right now and about how I feel about Tim,

but I'm gonna deal with it with Tim.

Yeah, I feel like there's still a lot to unpack about, like, this...

Sorry, can I just finish what I was saying?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

I was just getting to a point and now I don't know where I was at.

Um... What was I saying?

Um...

So, yes, I know what it looks like to everybody.

I get that and I know you guys aren't gonna believe me.

I'm gonna do everything in my power to make Tim my priority.

I don't care what you guys think. I just want to focus on him.

STEPHEN: Can I make a quick observation

with what I just saw you do?

So, you just gave this big spiel to us all about how your priority's Tim

and you are gonna put him first,

but when he tried to speak, you shut him down.

Thank you, Stephen.

When?

Just... Just now.

Just then? Just now.

MICHAEL: Yeah, you did. Yeah.

Oh, when he started talking... Yeah.

But I was speaking. I know.

But I think what the experts have just said

is that you're so worried about being in the right

and getting your point across

that when your partner, who's your priority that you've just said,

tried to speak, you shut him down so you could get your point across.

JADE: Your first initial reaction should've been, like,

"I'm so sorry."

Like, at this point, if you stay... I think...

..it feels like you're staying for yourself,

because if you respected and cared for him,

you wouldn't drag him along for the ride.

RIDGE: 100%. WOMAN: Yeah.

Thank you, everybody.

Alright.

Well, this has been raw and emotional,

but it was always gonna be.

Now we've gotta find out your decision.

Stay or leave? You first, Tim.

TIM: I mean, I feel like an idiot

and I feel like I'm being taken for a ride

and I feel like, you know, I want to be respected and loved and liked.

And I deserve to have my self-esteem pulled up in a relationship,

as opposed to pushed down.

So there's a lot of things that are left unsaid

but anyway, obviously the trust has been broken

and, yeah, I have to leave.

Sara, over to you. Stay or leave? What have you got?

Well, I frankly don't care what everybody else says.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

I know what I want to do.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

So I'm staying.

(SAD MUSIC PLAYS)

OK.

As you know, if someone says 'stay' and the other person says 'leave',

then they have a week to turn it around.

A betrayal has occurred.

You, Sara, have to win him back.

That is your mindset, that is your attitude, that is your priority.

Turn to him and tell him what you're gonna do and how you're gonna do it

to repair what you smashed apart.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(EXHALES) You've put me on the spot.

Um...

Tim...

I hope you can give me the chance

to show you that I really want to be here.

OK.

(TENSE MUSIC)

(TENSE MUSIC)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(SOFTLY) Yeah.

You've only got one week to turn it around and I believe you can.

But you've got to walk a very different walk.

We'll see you next time.

You can go back to the group. Good luck.

(APPLAUSE)

SARA: Right now, I feel disappointed.

I feel guilt.

But I don't care what the group thinks of me.

I don't care if they like me or not because I'm here for Tim.

NARRATOR: Tomorrow night...

Here we go.

No way!

..it's feedback week...

This week is all about feedback

from those within the bubble of the experiment.

LUCINDA: (LAUGHS) It's gonna be explosive.

..where over two big nights,

our couples will devise tasks for each other...

"Write five questions to ask Sara and Tim."

..and give advice on each other's marriages.

The task has to be... Share...

Sleep in the same bed. ..sleep together. Yes!

LUCINDA: Come on, big fella. (TIM EXHALES)

"Can you not figure out what size pants you wear?"

"Do you realise you look purple?"

And Lauren is ready to come face-to-face with Jack.

I'm gonna push his buttons until he pops.

If he goes low in his questions for us, I'll go lower.

What she's done is disgusting behaviour. It's wrong.

There's more to the story than meets the eye

and I'm gonna get to the bottom of it.

But Jayden and Eden's hard-hitting questions...

I need you to back off.

No, I'm not backing off.

..push Sara to breaking point.

If Tim did that to you, would you be able to trust him again?

"Are the messages to your ex still on your phone

"and if they are, can Tim see them

"and if they aren't, why aren't they?

"Have you sent a message to your ex in the last two or three weeks?"

Leave me alone! Stop!

Captioned by AI-Media ai-media.tv