Married At First Sight - Season 2 - Episode Discussion - *Sleuthing - Spoilers*

CynicalSofty wrote:Because we have these "experts" front and center, it's easy to forget that they are actually just a part of the cast. As much as I LOATHE them right now, I have to admit, I really don't know how big a part they're really allowed to play.

It's not like the 4 of them met at some conference, got to chatting over drinks, and then *BAM* the idea for a show was born.
Rather they were either sought out by season 1's casting directors (interesting to note that the credited head of casting was different for season 2) -- OR, more likely, they actually AUDITIONED, themselves. Like - "got a call from THEIR agent/grabbed their own stapled headshot and resume/hauled azz to a nondescript building where they sat in a lobby 'red leather yellow leather'ing, surrounded by all the other 'experts' who they eventually beat out for the ROLE" - auditioned.

I've been a fan of Dr. Pepper, but it's pretty clear from IMDB that both she and Logan have been trying to get their TV careers off the ground for YEARS. As have Greg and Dr. Cilona (read his ridiculously inflated bio without laughing: I dare you ), they've just been less successful at it until now.

(Un?)Realistically, they probably have about as much to do with casting the couple as you or I do. Which sucks - because with season 1, it really SEEMED like they were in charge.

But MAYBE season 1 was just a happy fluke.
Casting could've easily matched Doug and Jamie because 'she's a princess type' who WOULD be HORRIFIED that he's not 'Prince Charming' (at first sight). I.e. He normally hides most of his moles/whatever with a really cute stubble - gonna guess some field producer told him there was a technical reason he had to shave it off for the day.
So what if casting didn't realize that Doug really was JUST THAT GREAT a person.
Then (and I"ll give the "experts" this) maybe these "experts" do have some actual knowledge and can be of actual help ONCE they're let into the process.
And maybe Doug is just extremely kind/patient, Jamie actually deep down DOES want help, and the "experts" - once allowed in - were able to give her the guidance she needed.

Plus - I've always thought Jamie was helped along by the fact that Doug gained a massive (massive for a new cable show, I know, but still) fan base like IMMEDIATELY. Less than 4 months from their wedding, and the whole world (at least the world she's paying attention to) is raving about what a great/hot/funny guy she has. That alone would've made her more infatuated with him.

I guess I'm thinking that Maybe they DIDN'T ruin season 2 by taking it in a different direction (rushed/scripted/etc.) because MAYBE season 1 was run/produced the exact same way!

MAYBE they never thought Doug/Jamie would be a good match - and were actually hoping for a dramatic explosion (a la the DeNino's). They just didn't count on him being that great/her being that malleable/etc... but they are, and they worked!, even though they weren't supposed to.

All in all, I'm taking the responsibility for this madness off the "experts" (or should I just say "cast"), and placing it squarely on the shoulder's of the (nameless, faceless - how nice for them) PRODUCERS. And I'm thinking they were probably planning to make trainwreck tv from day one.

BusyLizzie wrote:I've worked with too many abused victims, so I think I'm extra sensitive about how an alleged victim is treated, and described. Seen too much up close. I too think Jessica is a girl from 'the hood' for a lack of a better term...and her reactions to him cheating by smashing the watch wasn't good, but then again, I've known some pretty wealthy individuals that smashing a watch would have been the least of what they would have done.  Not making it right, just saying that when cheating is involved, emotions get the better of people.  I think the card was found in the apartment they shared. It wasn't really clear.

aglaea wrote:Can anyone shed light on why Kevin Frazier would have asked Ryan and Jessica to hug at the end of the 6 month special, if the show was aware that Ryan had threatened Jess's life??? In most of the articles I read they state that Ryan's threats were actually heard on microphone at the 6 Month Special? If so, asking her to accept physical contact from him is horrifying and should have been stopped.

aglaea wrote:Can anyone shed light on why Kevin Frazier would have asked Ryan and Jessica to hug at the end of the 6 month special, if the show was aware that Ryan had threatened Jess's life??? In most of the articles I read they state that Ryan's threats were actually heard on microphone at the 6 Month Special? If so, asking her to accept physical contact from him is horrifying and should have been stopped.