The Married At First Sight couples retreat is historically recognized as an opportunity to put pressure on the brides and grooms to see who cracks. As the getaway is typically less than two weeks from Decision Day, it’s an opportunity for couples that have a connection to enjoy one another and equally offers couples struggling three uncomfortable days to become even more infuriated with the process. The audience gets a glimpse into the uninhibited dysfunction of couples forced to address their incompatibility issues in front of an audience of the other four couples married that season. MAFS’ fans hedge their bets via social media on which couples who will go all the way vs the ones who have gone past the point of no return

connections would find separate bedrooms and attempt to politely avoid each other for the weekend. Early in the series, experts would be available for counsel with the newlyweds throughout the six to eight weeks from the altar to decision day. As Chicago marks the 18th season,Pastor Cal,Dr. PepperandDr. Piainteracted less and less with the cast until their visits were nearly non-existent. With three couples in extreme crisis, the experts have abandoned the cast completely. During the weekend getaway, the Chicago cast made history with one of the biggest scandals in the MAFS franchise’ history, leaving one groom emotionally broken and another bride’s self-esteem shattered. A wife and husband are so unhappy in their marriages that they resort to sneaking around behind their spouses’ backs. Fans were shocked and empathized with the jilted spouses, but the true villains in the MAFS Chicago scandal are the experts’ incompetence in detonating toxic situations before they cause unnecessary emotional trauma to the cast.

The Experts Ignored the Red Flags With Ikechi And Emem’s Marriage

The weekend started with Ikechi showing up late for the first dinner of the getaway, attempting to humiliate his wife Emem with divorce papers. Ikechi and Emem’s last scene together prior to him showing up demanding to end the marriage, was a sit down with Dr Pia. The psychologist and sex therapist encouraged the troubled couple to try one last time to communicate with one another although Ikechi was clear about his unhappiness with the marriage. When asked if he wanted to give up on the marriage, his response was passive-aggressive, but it was crystal clear he was done with the marriage dating back to the honeymoon.

When the couple returned to “real-life” in Chicago, Ikechi was clearly uncomfortable with Emem’s success, joking that seeing the opulence of her home made him feel depressed. The couple’s next visit with Pastor Cal was emotionally-charged, as Emem complained that Ikechi referred to her as aggressive and an “asshole.” Pastor Cal questioned Ikechi about his anger towards his wife but didn’t press the issue. Instead of realizing the gravity of Emem being left in an emotionally abusive situation, Pastor Cal glossed over the dangerous red flags and left the meeting with no resolution.