The ‘Mean Girls’ face-off with the experts.
We’ve had a few days to recover from that genuinely horrific dinner party, and now we arrive at our second Commitment Ceremony. Spirits are low.
Nerves are shot. No one seems sure what happened or why.
The morning after, the cast attempt to process it.
“Unhinged,” is how Julia describes it. David goes one further: “It was like a pack of wolves let loose on a village.”
Alissa is visibly shattered. “I’m not going into the war zone again,” she tells producers through floods of tears.
“I put on a front, and I handled it, but I’m not doing it again.” And even though we don’t hear them try to persuade her otherwise, we know they did.
Meanwhile, Stella and Filip remain cool, collected and unshaken. “I don’t give power to people who antagonise me in any way, shape or form,” says Stella. “If I lower myself to your standard, I lost.” And I’m very serious: slap that straight on a tote bag and send her on a schools tour.
Brook, for her part, does not appear remotely chastened. “I don’t regret having a voice and speaking my opinion,” she says, as if her conduct was anything but unspeakably vile.
We’re also revisiting the whole “Danny said Gia is more his type” thing. And I have to say: mountain, meet molehill. Gia insists she did nothing wrong by yelling in their faces.
Danny feels betrayed by Bec, of all people, which pushes her over the edge and into an emotional vortex. “I haven’t felt this low in years,” she says, almost hyperventilating. And can I just confirm that we’re still discussing a second-hand comment about hypothetical dating preferences?
Onwards, to the most uncomfortable commitment ceremony we’ve seen in a minute.
First up: Alissa and David.
They’re unified and composed, though clearly wounded. “Last night was disgusting and disrespectful,” Alissa says. “I feel gutted.” She doesn’t rant. She doesn’t perform. She simply states that she’s embarrassed to share space with half the room – which feels both measured and devastating.
Brook shakes her head as though this is unreasonable.
Bec, however, offers a full and unequivocal apology. She admits she was wrong, and acknowledges her behaviour was unacceptable. “It will never happen again,” she says, proving that self-interrogation and accountability really aren’t that hard.
Next: Mel and Luke, who are radiating positivity – maybe a touch too brightly?
Mel’s supercharged happiness has the energy of a straight-A student who just received her first C and is determined to prove she’s absolutely fine about it. She’s “pink,” she’s glowing, she’s optimistic. Is it entirely authentic? Hard to say. But it’s certainly preferable to Luke’s previous gloom.
They’re moving back in together, and I wish them well.
Silver Steve and Rebecca are up next, and the experts do not hold back. Steve is called out for deflecting, reframing and shutting down any narrative that conflicts with his self-image – and I’m actually quite stunned by his almost athletic ability to apply a positive spin to circumstances that are clearly not positive. I’m still not convinced it was ever his responsibility to manufacture desire where there was none – but he is undeniably gifted at obstruction. Given the stalemate, they both choose to leave. Fine by me!
Grayson and Julia? They’re unexpectedly cuddly after a post-dinner-party pash, initiated by Julia, which is progress.
Same goes for Rachel and Sweet Steve, who are back on steady ground despite his tendency toward self-flagellation. “I stuffed up,” he says of Intimacy Week. “I’m a dope.” I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s certainly endearing. The experts give them the seal of approval – which makes me happy because, in my opinion, these two fragile baby birds must be protected at all costs.
Next on the couch, Gia and Scott.
Gia follows Bec’s lead and makes a full apology from the couch.
“Yesterday, my behaviour was really not okay,” she declared. “Especially I want to focus on Alissa and David, though, I came at you and I went crazy and I want you to know that I am genuinely sorry.”
“Your behaviour,” says Principal John, “was ugly. It was mean. This is something you need to take on board.” When asked where it might’ve come from, Gia blames conflict with Scott. According to him, she got pissed and verbally abused him – what a shocker, hey?
The discussion then leads to Gia admitting to self-sabotage and aggression as a defence mechanism. It’s honest. It’s relatable. However, one moment of clarity does not a Mean Girl unmake, and insight is not absolution. So, we’ll see what she does with it.
Then we arrive at Bec and Danny.
Bec dissolves into tears before she can speak. What began as a throwaway comment has metastasised into something volcanic. Danny is disappointed she didn’t go full Bonnie to his Clyde and instinctively defend him – which subtly but unmistakably, shifts the burden back onto her.
Bec apologises for breaking Danny’s trust. Gallantly, he forgives her.
And I feel unwell. Because whether or not he said the comment is almost beside the point. (Though, for the record, I suspect he did.) Neither is it the implied preference that troubles me – most men’s “type” is simply whoever fits a very narrow and very obvious template.
What’s really unsettling is the gentle suggestion that Bec’s reaction is the true problem. And the speed with which she believes it.
Of course, Gia is not willing to take this conversation lying down — telling Danny he should “not gaslight” Bec over the alleged conversation. She goes so far as to swear on her daughter’s life, telling Danny repeatedly not to lie.
When asked — if it was true — could she move past it, Bec adamantly said no. But then added she wasn’t going to believe Gia. They choose to stay, and I’m concerned.
Thankfully, Stella and Filip rescue the atmosphere yet again. They’re strong, united, affectionate, well-adjusted, peaceful, fair and very easy on the eye. Maybe I was wrong all this time and these two are the real AI robots, sent forth to model functional adulthood?
Doesn’t matter – I love them unconditionally. Stella for President.
Last on the couch are Brook and Chris. Brook issues her own apology: “I took it too far, there’s no excuse and I’m sorry.”
It lands like a doggy bag full of poo and literally no one is impressed.
Chris then takes full responsibility for the failure of their relationship, nodding while Brook critiques his audition tape, his emotional maturity and his inability to apologise.
It’s a brazen and wildly effective display of inversion.
Fortunately, Vice-Principal Mel intervenes. Brook instantly leaps to her own defence, but Mel won’t budge.
“In all my years working on MAFS,” she says, “I have never experienced a woman be so vicious toward other women. It was relentless.” And that’s the moment.
But as quickly as Mel’s admonishment begins, it’s over.
When we were promised accountability, Brook stands up. Walks out. And does not come back. Which, in the end, says more than any apology could.
And then suddenly the episode is just… over.
Join me next time when we’ll meet two new couples. And if you thought Chris and Brook were exhausting, brace yourselves because you ain’t seen nothing yet. BYO coping mechanisms – I’ll see you then.
Source: https://www.mamamia.com.au/married-at-first-sight-recap-episode-13/