On the Tuesday night (Feb. 2) episode of FYI's hit reality TV series "Married at First Sight," the three couples hit the one-month mark in the social experiment and their arranged marriages. They each hosted Fourth of July parties in order to meet each other's friends to get more insight into their spouses' personalities, but the atmosphere caused problems for two of the couples.
Tres Russell & Vanessa Nelson
Nelson was excited to host a Fourth of July party at her and Russell's home and saw it as an opportunity to introduce themselves as a couple to their friends for the first time since they met at the altar. Nelson was a little weary when Russell invited his female friend from college, because she doesn't think men and women can be just friends. When Russell's friend arrived, Vanessa extended her hand for a handshake, and their conversation was forced and awkward. But when another friend mentioned that Russell and Nelson looked like they were in love, Russell jokingly denied it, which upset Nelson. The next morning, she confronted Russell about his perceived rude comment and packed up her things and left. After she had some time to herself, Nelson returned and Russell explained that he's still adjusting to his new role as a husband. "You leaving thing did upset me," Russell told his wife. "My mom's left me twice, I've been left in past always, and I always assumed when I get married, my wife the one person who not gonna leave." Vanessa admitted that she felt bad for hurting her husband and apologized.
Neil Bowlus & Samantha Role
Because they still aren't living under the same roof, Role and Bowlus agreed to host a Fourth of July barbecue at a nearby park and invited all of their friends. It was the first time Role saw her husband in a social setting with his friends, and she realized that his quiet demeanor is just part of his personality. Bowlus asked Role's friend for advice on how to approach Role during disagreements, and Role got more insight into Bowlus' personality from his friend, but she admitted that she's still trying to "crack" her husband by trying to get to know him. They were able to sit down and discuss their living situation calmly and came up with a house-hunting plan, and they even shared a hug afterwards. "I think Neil is very good, caring person," Role told the cameras. "He's in it to win it, he's in it for the long haul."
David Norton & Ashley Doherty
Although Doherty expressed in a previous episode that she doesn't feel comfortable in group settings, she pushed herself out of her comfort zone to host a Fourth of July party for Norton and their friends at their home - she even baked a cake and mixed up a signature cocktail. But none of her friends showed up, and since Norton was in charge of grilling the food, Doherty said she felt alone for most of the party and confronted her husband about it later that night, and he apologized for making her feel that way. Shortly after the barbecue, the couple celebrated its one-month anniversary, and Norton brought flowers and a cupcake for his wife and told her that even though they fight, he still remains committed to their marriage. "Thank you like, that's really nice. I wish I could kind of take in this moment more, but I have something to talk to you about," Doherty told her husband. "I got message last night you had asked girl out for drinks this past weekend." Their conversation is to be continued in the next episode.
