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00:00:00 Today marks the end of the experiment.
00:00:03 And the time for final vows has finally come...
00:00:08 ...for our five remaining couples.
00:00:11 Melinda and Leighton.
00:00:15 Lindle and Cameron.
00:00:17 Yeah!
00:00:18 Yeah!
00:00:19 Evelyn and Rupert.
00:00:20 Alyssa and Duncan.
00:00:22 It's the end of the experiment.
00:00:25 And Tani and Oli.
00:00:27 Can't believe it's over. Our time in this apartment has come to an end.
00:00:32 Alright.
00:00:33 They'll now separate and spend time weighing up if they'll continue as a couple in the outside world...
00:00:39 ...and reveal their decision when they meet again at final vows.
00:00:44 Big decisions to make. Big decisions. Yeah.
00:00:49 Our couples must now go back to their respective homes to reflect on their time in the experiment...
00:00:54 ...before they make the life-changing decision.
00:00:58 Whether to remain as a couple or go their separate ways.
00:01:02 The biggest day of the year.
00:01:05 For Alyssa and Duncan, the reality of having to separate soon is starting to set in as they begin to pack.
00:01:18 I think I'm getting emotional right now packing because it's the last day of living here.
00:01:24 I'm not going to be able to see him or speak to him for a few days.
00:01:28 And not knowing where his head is at or where his heart is at...
00:01:33 ...it's terrifying.
00:01:45 Being with Alyssa while we pack up and seeing how upset she is, it's heartbreaking.
00:01:50 We just had another tough 24 hours, myself and Alyssa.
00:01:55 Describe how you feel about me.
00:01:58 I feel warmth. I feel close.
00:02:14 I love how you make me feel when it's good.
00:02:17 When it's good? Yeah.
00:02:19 Which is why? Well obviously I... 56% of the time.
00:02:22 Even just then, I'm just describing some things about how I like about you and you just cut me down.
00:02:36 But waking up with Alyssa this morning, there is warmth and there's affection.
00:02:51 Good times.
00:02:53 I'm feeling optimistic. There's lots of great things about my relationship with Alyssa.
00:03:03 Heading into final vows. This is the biggest decision that I've got to make in a really long time.
00:03:10 I've got a lot to think about.
00:03:13 Oh, trial and the spanner and the works.
00:03:24 But before going their separate ways, the experts have one last surprise for Alyssa and Duncan.
00:03:32 Asking them to look back at their wedding day.
00:03:36 Oh my god, wedding video.
00:03:40 Hi everyone.
00:03:59 Hi.
00:04:01 I'm crying already.
00:04:05 Hi. Hi.
00:04:07 Hi Alyssa. I'm Duncan.
00:04:09 Duncan, nice to meet you. Nice to meet you too.
00:04:11 Let's get married.
00:04:13 You have great teeth.
00:04:15 Thank you.
00:04:16 I'm crying already.
00:04:18 Do you need a tissue? Yeah, do you have one?
00:04:27 You make me cry more. Thank you.
00:04:29 So take me today as your new team mate, your biggest supporter and partner.
00:04:39 Let's trust each other.
00:04:41 Put everything into this.
00:04:43 And we may just have the fairy tale that we've both been looking for.
00:04:47 Our forever person.
00:04:49 I need a tissue.
00:04:54 I love, love, love to love.
00:04:56 And I have a lot to give.
00:04:58 I'm so ready to take this leap with you.
00:05:00 I'm all in.
00:05:02 Family and friends, I invite you to give a very warm welcome to our newlyweds, Alyssa and Duncan.
00:05:20 (CHEERING)
00:05:22 Holy shit.
00:05:31 I feel like that's like five years ago.
00:05:34 Holy feels.
00:05:36 Looking back at the wedding day reminds me of all the good times.
00:05:39 And there's been so many.
00:05:41 And that makes me weigh up what's the right thing to do for me, for Alyssa and for the relationship.
00:05:49 How much are you going to miss me?
00:05:51 A lot.
00:05:53 I've got a few days to think about a really big decision and there's a bit of soul searching to do.
00:06:11 As Alyssa and Duncan return to their respective homes and prepare for their final vows in a week's time,
00:06:19 another couple feeling emotional this morning is Melinda and Leighton, but for very different reasons.
00:06:27 After last night's dinner party showed them that they are still not on the same page.
00:06:34 I'm just feeling pretty hurt and humiliated.
00:06:39 (SIREN WAILS)
00:06:41 Before last night, we were really good, whereas right now we're in this terrible place.
00:06:48 The distance between Melinda and Leighton is so great,
00:06:52 they spent the final night in the experiment in separate apartments.
00:06:58 But, like, to spend the last night separate...
00:07:05 And then now leaving on these terms, very bad.
00:07:09 Not good for us.
00:07:11 I do love Leighton, but I guess because I have things that aren't 100%, it's just not good enough for Leighton.
00:07:26 It doesn't add up. The words don't match the feelings, apparently.
00:07:30 (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
00:07:32 He's so analytical that he, you know, will never let his emotion come before his thoughts.
00:07:46 Are you falling in love with me?
00:07:50 Already there.
00:07:54 If you can't speak to someone, are you really?
00:07:59 I knew you were gonna do this.
00:08:01 The dinner party didn't go the way that I think either Mel and I would have liked it to go.
00:08:09 I'm feeling confused. I'm feeling upset, feeling disappointed.
00:08:13 It's not a great feeling, knowing that, you know, we've got final hours coming up.
00:08:18 But before they head home, the experts are hoping that by reliving their wedding day,
00:08:25 they're reminded of the journey they've been through together and gain much-needed perspective ahead of their final vows.
00:08:33 (TICKING)
00:08:37 He's so nervous. He's so nervous.
00:08:47 First impressions, he may be punching just a little.
00:08:54 I would swipe left.
00:08:56 I'm a nine and a half.
00:08:59 On a bad day.
00:09:02 Friends and family, we gather here today to witness and celebrate the marriage of Melinda and Leighton.
00:09:10 Today, our couples have decided to write their own vows.
00:09:13 Someone who's passionate, dedicated.
00:09:16 I want to reassure you I'm here for the right reasons.
00:09:18 Please know that I'll do everything I can to make sure Melinda gets through this experiment safely.
00:09:24 I'm just questioning if I judged him too soon, potentially.
00:09:32 One day I ran out to the garden and I couldn't believe my eyes when I had realised I'd grown my very own money tree.
00:09:38 With coins sprouting all over the branches.
00:09:44 Spoiler alert, it's amazing what you can do with some sticks and a strong adhesive.
00:09:49 (LAUGHTER)
00:09:52 (MUSIC)
00:09:54 Does it start with a dance like this?
00:10:04 No, I don't even know how to dance.
00:10:06 Just follow me. I'm following you, OK.
00:10:08 I'll give you a little spin. OK.
00:10:11 Now?
00:10:12 (CHEERING)
00:10:14 Good.
00:10:15 (MUSIC)
00:10:18 (MUSIC)
00:10:20 You know, watching that, all the things in the beginning that, like, made me not like him, not be attracted to him,
00:10:38 I like all the things I liked.
00:10:40 Just how weird he is.
00:10:44 (LAUGHS)
00:10:47 Like, the thoughts going through my mind, it's kind of a tug of war right now.
00:10:53 (SOBS)
00:10:57 (GENTLE MUSIC)
00:11:03 I feel like I'm gonna need a few days.
00:11:13 (GENTLE MUSIC)
00:11:15 Yep.
00:11:23 Hmm.
00:11:26 There's plenty of good memories.
00:11:31 But it also does, you know, show you how far we came.
00:11:40 (SIGHS)
00:11:42 The dinner party, that's not us.
00:11:47 And that shouldn't be the way our story ends.
00:11:51 I just don't know what to do.
00:11:53 (GENTLE MUSIC)
00:12:05 With the impending final vows weighing heavily on their minds,
00:12:10 our couples have headed back to their respective homes.
00:12:14 They'll each spend the week apart,
00:12:16 contemplating whether to continue their relationship outside of the experiment or leave for good.
00:12:23 Alone in Sydney, Layton is in turmoil
00:12:30 as he continues to analyse the events of the final dinner party.
00:12:35 I don't know what to do.
00:12:37 The last few days has been this real struggle
00:12:39 between trying to think between my head and my heart,
00:12:41 just reflecting on the relationship and what we do moving forward.
00:12:46 At the final dinner party, the way in which Mel sort of said that she was in love with me,
00:12:50 it's like, well, I don't know if I'm in that place.
00:12:53 I'm here because I want someone that I can build a life and a family with.
00:12:57 For me to say that I'm falling in love with someone, I want to really mean it.
00:13:01 As a high-powered CEO,
00:13:03 Layton came into the experiment driven, determined and unemotional,
00:13:09 which soon caused problems in his marriage to Melinda.
00:13:13 The problem for me is that I'm an analytical thinker and a logical thinker,
00:13:16 and Mel's quite emotional.
00:13:17 There's going to be situations that will come up
00:13:18 when I really will disagree with something that Mel might say.
00:13:20 Layton, Layton, you're taking me back to the boardroom.
00:13:23 You're getting into a lot of analysis here,
00:13:27 and there's not a lot of emotions coming out from you.
00:13:31 You've got to go to a vulnerable place.
00:13:34 Fellow CEO Melinda entered the experiment as headstrong as her future husband,
00:13:42 but quickly followed the expert's advice and let herself be vulnerable
00:13:47 and allowed the couple to overcome their initial awkwardness and connect.
00:13:52 So Layton and I are actually bonding.
00:13:55 Fragrancey candles.
00:13:56 Fragrance stunt, we've got fragrance stunts.
00:13:58 Do you reckon these?
00:13:59 They'll go in that room, do you reckon?
00:14:00 Yeah, for sure.
00:14:01 We're looking good.
00:14:02 We are on.
00:14:03 We're getting a little closer, like there's little touchy-feely things.
00:14:07 Okay, and then give me the other one.
00:14:09 Now go, float me.
00:14:10 Babe, I don't think this is going to end well.
00:14:12 What is this called, babe?
00:14:14 This is called relationship struggles.
00:14:19 [Laughter]
00:14:21 Something just switched.
00:14:24 The attraction just came, you know, and like it came a lot.
00:14:29 [Laughter]
00:14:32 Okay.
00:14:33 But Layton's continued inability to get in touch with his own emotions
00:14:38 became the roadblock in their relationship.
00:14:41 Do you think you did the task well?
00:14:43 Do you think you did the task well?
00:14:47 How is staring for five minutes into each other's eyes going to build intimacy?
00:14:53 Do you know what I mean?
00:14:55 When the relationship comes priority to you
00:14:58 and I become something that you're interested in, you let me know, okay?
00:15:02 You let me know.
00:15:03 Yeah, I will put that on you because this is a sum up.
00:15:05 That's exactly how it is.
00:15:06 That's not how it is.
00:15:07 It is.
00:15:08 That's not how it is.
00:15:09 Incapable of examining his relationship,
00:15:12 Layton was not willing to participate in feedback week.
00:15:16 I don't feel comfortable moving into a different apartment with someone else's wife.
00:15:20 And you're sitting here with Harrison, the person you said is your most hated person.
00:15:23 Yeah.
00:15:24 And you're not supporting me, your partner.
00:15:26 Oh, f*** sake.
00:15:27 You guys just cannot agree on anything.
00:15:29 I don't feel comfortable, guys.
00:15:30 I don't feel comfortable doing that.
00:15:31 And now I feel like I'm being put on the spot.
00:15:34 It's something I'm not comfortable with.
00:15:36 And I feel like I'm being challenged on it.
00:15:37 You're impossible.
00:15:38 You're actually acting like a Harrison right now.
00:15:41 And at the final dinner party, Layton's analytical reaction to Melinda's deeper feelings for him rocked their relationship.
00:15:49 Okay.
00:15:50 Are you falling in love with me?
00:15:53 Already though.
00:15:58 Oh, damn.
00:16:01 That's big.
00:16:03 Yeah, but it's like...
00:16:05 If you can't speak to someone, are you really?
00:16:11 I knew you were going to do this.
00:16:13 Far out.
00:16:14 Is that not a relevant question?
00:16:16 If you think that we can't communicate, how can you be in love with me?
00:16:26 It just doesn't make sense.
00:16:28 You know, I don't think about it as just a feeling.
00:16:30 Someone feels that way.
00:16:31 I'm just thinking about it logically.
00:16:33 I think about all those things as sort of data imports.
00:16:37 And I'm like, well, this doesn't add up.
00:16:40 To help her brother with his decision, Layton's sister Erin is cutting straight to the chase.
00:16:49 Can you see yourself falling in love with Mel?
00:16:52 The experts asked us some questions.
00:16:59 We had a question box.
00:17:00 The question that Mel had was, are you falling in love with me?
00:17:03 And Mel said, I'm already there, babe.
00:17:06 So we had a bit of an argument about that because that's the first time I've ever heard it.
00:17:10 It did come a little bit out of left field.
00:17:12 Communication is a big issue for him.
00:17:15 He finds it hard to articulate how he actually feels.
00:17:19 Layton needs to work on himself for the two of them to work on the outside.
00:17:24 I just hope that the relationship is not too far gone.
00:17:29 It sounds like Mel's feeling abandoned or neglected.
00:17:35 But you haven't validated her feelings.
00:17:37 At the dinner party, I hate how Mel would have felt in that moment.
00:17:52 Absolutely hate it.
00:17:53 Definitely going back, I wouldn't have reacted the way I did.
00:17:59 All I was focused on is to hear her say that she was in love with me.
00:18:04 It's such a big thing for me.
00:18:06 That's a real shame the way it ended.
00:18:08 Well, I feel like our story shouldn't end like that, you know.
00:18:10 Well, that's telling, isn't it?
00:18:12 I certainly in the last couple of days, not being with Mel, I've definitely missed her.
00:18:17 Being vulnerable and expressing my feelings is so unnatural to me.
00:18:22 And this is what prevented me moving forward with relationships in the past.
00:18:28 Making a commitment with the fear that you could get hurt is, that's really scary.
00:18:34 If somebody can fall in love so easily, then they can fall out of love so easily.
00:18:39 I've seen that happen in my life.
00:18:41 I've seen my parents, my mum and dad, who are now no longer together.
00:18:46 [Sighs]
00:18:48 Look, um...
00:19:03 Yeah.
00:19:13 [Clears throat]
00:19:15 So I take it seriously. I take making a relationship work seriously.
00:19:21 [Groans]
00:19:24 [Sighs]
00:19:25 With the final vows just days away, Melinda has returned home to Brisbane.
00:19:51 I'm just feeling like a bunch of things right now.
00:19:54 I'm like hurt, I'm angry.
00:19:57 I feel like let down.
00:20:00 But, Leighton's got a lot of really good things about him.
00:20:05 He walks in the room and lights up the room.
00:20:09 He is super caring.
00:20:10 And I don't think I've ever met someone that's like such a close match to me.
00:20:18 So for me, final vows is a big question on my mind.
00:20:22 Melinda and Leighton did the work to build a strong connection.
00:20:29 But Leighton not wanting to participate in the partner swap caused problems for the couple late in the experiment.
00:20:36 You're actually acting like a Harrison right now.
00:20:39 The only one making it toxic Leighton right now is you.
00:20:42 I'm out.
00:20:47 If you're out, you're out of the relationship altogether.
00:20:49 If you're packing your bags and you're about to walk out and not even talk to me,
00:20:52 don't come and give me a hug when you won't even talk to me.
00:20:56 No.
00:20:58 No, no, no. Mel?
00:20:59 No, stop this. You just come to give me a hug and you won't give me a minute to talk.
00:21:02 Just give me a sec.
00:21:03 One minute to talk. You can't even do that.
00:21:05 You can't even do that.
00:21:06 The tension between Melinda and Leighton didn't ease when they reunited.
00:21:14 I've been scared all the three days trying to like worry about how I can do this.
00:21:20 Because I'm so upset and angry.
00:21:23 I felt attacked on the date by you and by Harrison.
00:21:26 How am I attacking you when I've come in to hug you and talk to you and say let me support you?
00:21:30 No, no, no. Mel, I'm sorry Mel.
00:21:31 The fact that you're saying that I left you when I felt attacked by you.
00:21:34 It's all about you.
00:21:35 In that moment I needed you.
00:21:37 Leighton's struggle between his logical mind and his emotions came to a head at the final dinner party
00:21:45 when he questioned Melinda's declaration of love.
00:21:48 How are you falling in love with me if we can't communicate?
00:21:52 This is a robot sitting next to me guys. I'm not asking him anything.
00:21:56 No, it's not. Come on.
00:21:58 There are multiple moments throughout every day when I think to myself this is someone I can fall in love with.
00:22:05 Am I there now? No.
00:22:07 Usually when we fight we end up stronger.
00:22:16 But this time it's definitely different.
00:22:20 So I want a few days to just like see if it's even worth fighting for.
00:22:32 Ahead of her decision, Melinda is catching up with her mum Lorraine.
00:22:37 Cheers.
00:22:40 Cheers.
00:22:41 What are we cheering to?
00:22:42 Cheersing to making it this far.
00:22:45 Yes.
00:22:46 In the experience.
00:22:47 Congratulations.
00:22:48 So where do you feel like you're at?
00:22:50 I don't really know to be honest.
00:22:54 We have had really good times, you know.
00:22:57 But then we got to the final dinner party and I had...
00:23:02 What, da?
00:23:08 It's okay.
00:23:10 Oh, babe.
00:23:13 So what happened at the dinner party?
00:23:17 We had this question box and it had like all these questions in there for, you know, to ask hard questions.
00:23:24 And then there was a question and it said, "Are you falling in love with me?"
00:23:30 And I said, "I'm already there."
00:23:37 And then he didn't like that.
00:23:39 So he screwed up his face and pretty much called me a liar.
00:23:49 If you're trying to tell him how you're feeling and he's taking a personal attack to that, he's not listening.
00:23:55 Yeah, I know.
00:23:56 So he's not hearing you other than what he wants to hear.
00:23:59 Yeah, I know.
00:24:00 Yeah.
00:24:01 I think the issue is he has completely disconnected his body to his mind.
00:24:09 He's almost emotionally blocked, like he's, you know...
00:24:14 If he's like forever going to fight these emotions and things, it's going to be a lonely road ahead.
00:24:20 Well, it sounds like you need to work through what's just happened here and come and talk about it.
00:24:27 We tried, Mum. He just doesn't understand.
00:24:30 If it's of any relevance or if it's causing somebody else a lot of hurt, then you need to settle it.
00:24:36 If he calls to walk away and feel upset and hurt and angry and not healthy for anybody either,
00:24:42 you do need closure. You can't just walk away and go, 'See you later.'
00:24:47 It should still be talked about, but the last night seems to have been really hard on Melinda.
00:24:52 So I'm not sure that that's what's going to happen.
00:24:56 It's just ended the way that it has, so you've got to make a decision of what you... feels in your heart, what's in your heart.
00:25:06 (GENTLE MUSIC)
00:25:08 It's OK.
00:25:18 It shows that you care. Having these emotions and crying, it shows that you actually do care about the relationship.
00:25:26 Of course I would love for them to work.
00:25:29 But I don't want her to be in a relationship that makes her unhappy.
00:25:35 (KISSES)
00:25:37 I love you. Does Mum love you too?
00:25:41 I'm questioning if it's ever going to work.
00:25:45 I feel like we both want a relationship to work together, but I think we're both intelligent enough to know that it may not ever work.
00:25:57 And I don't know what to say to Aidan at final vows.
00:26:04 I want to stand strong and choose me and to not be hurt anymore going forward.
00:26:11 If the final dinner party didn't happen, I would still kind of see her forever with Leighton.
00:26:17 But it's just taken a full... turn.
00:26:22 Coming up, Alyssa and Duncan weigh up whether their love is worth fighting for.
00:26:33 Beyond this experiment, my future with Alyssa could be full of love and laughter, could be full of passion.
00:26:39 Like that real, true love story.
00:26:42 I need to do what's best for me and just do what's right for my heart.
00:26:46 And it's decision time for Melinda and Leighton.
00:26:49 In my mind, there is 100% no turning back.
00:26:52 I will never, ever let anyone hurt me again.
00:26:57 It's the day of the final vows for Melinda and Leighton.
00:27:01 And after an intense few days back home, Leighton has the clarity that has eluded him for so long.
00:27:09 I really needed the last few days back home to just get my head around it.
00:27:14 I was just so excited to be back home.
00:27:16 I was just so excited to be back home.
00:27:18 I was just so excited to be back home.
00:27:20 I was just so excited to be back home.
00:27:22 I really needed the last few days back home to process all those thoughts and feelings.
00:27:28 Talking to Erin made me realise that I'm not the easiest person in a relationship.
00:27:34 And there's things I've got to work on.
00:27:36 My whole life I've been trained to live in my head.
00:27:41 But this experiment has taught me I need to trust my heart.
00:27:46 It's upsetting for me because I've worked so hard to be vulnerable.
00:27:52 And I still feel me as a robot.
00:27:56 Never want to be in that position.
00:28:02 Feeling what I felt the night that dinner party ever began.
00:28:09 Let's do it.
00:28:15 Let's do it.
00:28:16 I'm not proud of the way I acted.
00:28:22 I know that I've hurt Mel.
00:28:24 And so I wish I'd have acted a different way and apologised.
00:28:28 But I just hope that it's not too late to tell her how I feel.
00:28:33 Mel is one of a kind.
00:28:37 I love that Mel's passionate. I love that I can be myself around Mel.
00:28:41 So my heart is telling me that Mel could be my soulmate.
00:28:44 And by not taking this outside of the experiment, I risk losing that.
00:28:48 I have been extremely hurt.
00:28:53 I deserve better than this.
00:28:56 I am worth more than this.
00:28:59 I've just got to remember that I came into this experiment for a reason.
00:29:09 I'm not going to do that again.
00:29:11 My Nan has these love letters from Pop that are handwritten.
00:29:15 When he was off in the army, he would write to her from the trenches.
00:29:21 "Did I ever tell you that I loved you, Mrs Willis?"
00:29:25 As that is all that runs through my mind nowadays.
00:29:29 What my Nan and Pop had shows me that you can have that eternal love and true love.
00:29:37 Forever.
00:29:39 And that's what I want.
00:29:41 So I would never, ever let anyone hurt me again.
00:29:46 I don't want to hurt Mel ever again.
00:29:55 All I want is to show her that I'm here to change.
00:29:58 In my mind, there is 100% no turning back.
00:30:04 My mind is made up.
00:30:07 I've made the right decision.
00:30:10 Hello.
00:30:18 How are you?
00:30:19 Good, how are you?
00:30:20 Good to see you.
00:30:22 I'm nervous.
00:30:25 This is where it started.
00:30:33 Yeah.
00:30:35 You look beautiful.
00:30:36 Thanks.
00:30:37 I smile when I'm nervous.
00:30:41 Mel, I came here with genuine intentions to find love.
00:31:04 I wanted to find the person that I can build a family with and have my happily ever after.
00:31:10 After a slow start, our relationship quickly turned to fireworks,
00:31:14 sparked by a passion and a very rare connection that most people will never get a chance to experience.
00:31:21 But somewhere along the way, the journey became difficult.
00:31:29 We got so caught up in our feelings, our flaws and the external noise within the experiment
00:31:35 and I don't feel like we ever had a chance to fully recover.
00:31:38 At times our relationship has been stressful, overwhelming and difficult
00:31:49 and for my part in that, I want to apologise.
00:31:52 I realised there were times when I failed you.
00:31:59 (SIGHS)
00:32:01 (BLEEP)
00:32:13 There were moments when you needed me and I wasn't there to support you.
00:32:19 There were moments when you didn't feel secure and I wasn't able to make you feel safe.
00:32:25 (SIGHS)
00:32:27 (EXHALES)
00:32:34 (EXHALES)
00:32:41 Hey, Mel. It's OK.
00:32:46 And there were moments when you felt alone and I didn't do enough
00:32:51 to make you feel like I was standing there by your side.
00:32:54 (SIGHS)
00:32:56 At times I let my pride, my ego...
00:33:00 (CLEARS THROAT)
00:33:02 ..and my own insecurities get the better of me.
00:33:08 And so I'm sorry for all those times I let you down.
00:33:14 (EXHALES)
00:33:20 (GENTLE MUSIC)
00:33:22 People think a soulmate is your perfect fit and that's what I thought I wanted.
00:33:30 But maybe a true soulmate is a mirror.
00:33:32 It's a person who shows you everything that's holding you back.
00:33:37 (SIGHS)
00:33:42 The person who brings you to your own attention so that you can make a change.
00:33:46 My biggest fear is that despite so many similarities,
00:33:49 our differences will always bring out the worst in each other...
00:33:53 ..when love should bring out the best.
00:33:56 The last week for me has been a constant battle between my head and my heart.
00:34:01 Our relationship is hard and us being together is a risk.
00:34:06 So I'm ready to take that risk with you today.
00:34:14 It's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.
00:34:18 And I am falling in love with Simba.
00:34:21 (GENTLE MUSIC)
00:34:43 (GASPS)
00:34:44 (GENTLE MUSIC)
00:35:11 Clayton.
00:35:13 I remember meeting you for the first time on our wedding day like it was yesterday.
00:35:19 I'd been manifesting my perfect match for quite some time before that day.
00:35:25 I was quick to judge that you were not him,
00:35:28 'cause I didn't feel an initial spark or attraction to you.
00:35:32 Little did I know that you would soon become someone so special to me.
00:35:38 Our time together in the experiment was filled with big highs,
00:35:41 big lows and sharp twists and turns at every corner.
00:35:45 I came in here hoping for a soul mate, a best friend and a team-mate.
00:35:51 There were times you had my back,
00:35:53 but there were also times you were on the opposite team.
00:35:58 At the final dinner party, I confessed how I felt about you,
00:36:02 but instead of reassuring me, that night you made me feel alone.
00:36:08 Humiliated and attacked by my own partner.
00:36:12 At a time when I was my most vulnerable.
00:36:18 I'm not sure if we can find a way to bring out the best in each other.
00:36:27 And I worry at times we bring out the worst.
00:36:32 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
00:36:34 And although it upsets and frustrates me,
00:36:46 it doesn't change the feelings I have for you and who you are at the core.
00:36:53 Look at this.
00:37:00 But let me tell you now all the things I love about you.
00:37:04 I love your ability to light up any room you walk into
00:37:09 and the time you always have for others.
00:37:13 Most of all, I love how you make me feel loved
00:37:19 without needing to actually love me at all.
00:37:22 (SOMBRE MUSIC)
00:37:26 (SNIFFLES)
00:37:28 After everything we have been through together,
00:37:35 this decision has not come easy for me.
00:37:38 But the bond and connection we share is real,
00:37:42 and I think we owe it to ourselves to take a risk on us and getting it right.
00:37:47 You are my match.
00:37:49 And I don't think that's just inside the experiment.
00:37:53 I'm not ready to throw in the towel on what could be happily ever after.
00:37:58 Leighton, in case you're still confused with how I feel about you,
00:38:03 let me make it clear.
00:38:05 I love you, and I want us to be together.
00:38:09 (SOMBRE MUSIC)
00:38:11 (SIGHS)
00:38:17 (SIGHS)
00:38:21 (SNIFFLES)
00:38:23 I am happy I married a stranger.
00:38:36 Although it doesn't feel like a stranger,
00:38:38 cos I still feel like we're very similar.
00:38:40 I think Mel feels like I'm a boy version of Mel,
00:38:42 and Mel feels like a boy version of me.
00:38:45 I've got you something.
00:38:47 What you're trying to say is you're happy you married your soul mate.
00:38:51 Yes, I'm happy I married my soul mate.
00:38:54 I didn't want to let Mel get away.
00:38:56 I'm falling in love with Mel.
00:38:58 What is our future? What are our plans?
00:39:01 Two little boys, an Italian greyhound,
00:39:05 a house on the beach,
00:39:07 and Leighton, you know, cooking up a storm
00:39:10 and telling me how I'm just his perfect person.
00:39:14 With beautiful eyelashes.
00:39:16 (LAUGHS)
00:39:18 Perfect.
00:39:20 (KISSES)
00:39:24 (GROANS)
00:39:26 I missed you. I missed you too.
00:39:29 Coming up...
00:39:35 Heading into final vows, this decision is massive.
00:39:39 Will Alyssa and Duncan's fairy tale become their reality?
00:39:43 If he wants it as much as I do, we can definitely make it work.
00:39:49 The connection, the passion that me and Alyssa have,
00:39:53 a lot of people have searched for that for a long time.
00:39:56 The decision heading into final vows
00:39:58 is easily one of the toughest decisions I've got to make in my whole life.
00:40:10 With final vows fast approaching,
00:40:13 Duncan has returned to Sydney's northern beaches
00:40:16 to reflect on his time in the experiment.
00:40:20 The decision heading into final vows
00:40:23 is easily one of the toughest decisions I've got to make in my whole life.
00:40:28 I know that Alyssa has some reservations,
00:40:31 and I definitely do as well.
00:40:33 Beyond this experiment, my future with Alyssa
00:40:37 could be full of love and laughter, could be full of passion.
00:40:41 Like that real, true love story.
00:40:44 My feelings for Alyssa are still there,
00:40:48 but I'm also questioning whether we are the right person for each other.
00:40:53 It was a fairy tale start for Alyssa and Duncan on their wedding day.
00:40:59 (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
00:41:01 Hi! Hi. Hi, Alyssa.
00:41:03 And their connection continued to flourish.
00:41:07 I've got a bit of a glow to you.
00:41:09 (CHUCKLES)
00:41:12 So then what's your feeling about Alyssa having a child?
00:41:17 I don't think we know what the answers are,
00:41:20 but at the same time, you know, I'm 36,
00:41:23 all my mates have got kids.
00:41:26 It's just a normal part of my circle of friends and my environment,
00:41:31 so it's not as worrying for me.
00:41:34 But despite their strong foundation, Alyssa's self-doubt crept in.
00:41:40 Since we've been here, you've literally just been with the boys.
00:41:45 Give me attention.
00:41:48 Can I argue? No.
00:41:51 Duncan's attempts at reassuring Alyssa and the experts' advice fell on deaf ears.
00:41:59 Can I just say to you, you have this incredible man sitting next to you right now
00:42:04 and this amazing opportunity for a relationship
00:42:08 with one of the most emotionally intelligent guys in the room right now.
00:42:13 And my fear here for you, Alyssa, is that you're not seeing the potential here.
00:42:19 How does it make you feel, like, the fact that you probably will be second priority?
00:42:26 Oh, that part's fine, actually. Fine? Yeah.
00:42:30 It'll be, like, every other weekend and maybe, like, a Wednesday here or there.
00:42:34 But, like, your job's really hectic during the week,
00:42:37 where I feel like the weekends are probably the only time
00:42:39 that we will actually be able to spend time together,
00:42:42 and that will only be every other weekend.
00:42:44 Do you think the last three, four weeks was a good relationship?
00:42:48 Do you? No.
00:42:51 If you think that that was, like, a normal or OK relationship, that scares me.
00:42:57 Now I see it, Duncan.
00:43:00 In light of the turbulent events of the experiment,
00:43:08 Alyssa is riddled with doubt and confusion, heading into her final vows decision.
00:43:14 I didn't ever think that this decision was gonna be a difficult one.
00:43:20 I still have a question in my head if Duncan is really ready to truly settle down
00:43:26 and, like, potentially being a role model and, like, a future father for my child.
00:43:31 I don't feel like Duncan's given me the reassurance I need for a long-term relationship.
00:43:36 I feel like, if anything, he's put more doubts and concerns into my head for a long-term relationship.
00:43:45 With the enormity of her upcoming decision beginning to hit home,
00:43:49 Alyssa is meeting up with her mum, Debbie.
00:43:52 Hey! Hi, Mama.
00:43:56 How are you, baby girl? Ooh!
00:43:59 My mum is always the one I gravitate towards if I have a really big decision,
00:44:04 cos she has a really good understanding of how I am as a person,
00:44:08 how I am in a relationship, what I need in a relationship.
00:44:11 Far out, Ma.
00:44:14 I just feel like our communication has just been, like, at combat.
00:44:18 Like, I feel like any time I bring up anything or, like, I try to explain to him
00:44:23 how, like, I feel he, like, takes it as a personal attack,
00:44:26 it's like I don't even feel like I can even have a conversation with him anymore
00:44:31 without it going like this.
00:44:33 Like, he's so logical that when I explain how I feel from, like, my heart,
00:44:38 he takes one word and runs with it.
00:44:41 And that's what's so frustrating, is that the Duncan in the beginning
00:44:45 has completely changed to the Duncan he is now.
00:44:47 So how am I supposed to understand who he is and who he's going to be?
00:44:52 And how did that shift? Yeah.
00:44:55 So what now, then? What do I do?
00:44:58 You know I like Duncan. I've liked him from the very beginning.
00:45:03 But I don't really know who he is now.
00:45:07 I think Duncan has this very unrealistic view
00:45:13 of what a relationship should be like and how perfect it should be.
00:45:17 And it's a real concern for me heading into my final vows.
00:45:21 I need to do what's best for me and just do what's right for my heart.
00:45:26 Duncan is meeting with his sister
00:45:33 to get an outside perspective on his relationship with Alyssa.
00:45:38 So, how are we feeling, look at all?
00:45:42 It's tough.
00:45:47 I'm not used to the level of conflict that I've had with Alyssa.
00:45:53 And the energy it takes. It seems really full-on for me.
00:45:58 I don't think I've actually said it like that.
00:46:00 And now that I'm saying it, that's sort of like sinking in.
00:46:04 There's been times on this experiment
00:46:08 where I've felt more rejected than I have in any other relationship.
00:46:12 So you're treading on eggshells a little bit?
00:46:16 Yeah. Like, I've really thought about, A,
00:46:22 what words to use in front of Alyssa so I don't trigger her.
00:46:28 And really made sure that my behaviour
00:46:32 wouldn't give Alyssa any reason to doubt me or to feel insecure.
00:46:38 That is a growing concern.
00:46:41 Yeah, for sure.
00:46:43 I'm starting to second-guess my own judgement,
00:46:49 my way of looking at the world.
00:46:52 There's all the good times, the great times that we've had.
00:46:55 Cheers.
00:46:57 With Alyssa, I felt warmth, felt at home, felt at ease.
00:47:02 I feel good.
00:47:03 Yeah?
00:47:04 Yes.
00:47:05 Felt like fireworks.
00:47:09 (CHEERING)
00:47:11 What's going through your head?
00:47:15 I feel good about the journey we're going on
00:47:18 in terms of, like, the speed that we're going at.
00:47:21 Mm. Yeah.
00:47:22 Same.
00:47:24 (LAUGHS)
00:47:26 (LAUGHS)
00:47:28 (LAUGHS)
00:47:34 You know, the passion's there.
00:47:37 It's just we're trying to hold onto something that's not working.
00:47:41 Wow.
00:47:42 I don't know.
00:47:44 Alyssa's actions have kept Duncan from truly being able
00:47:48 to express how he feels,
00:47:50 which is causing him to kind of retract.
00:47:53 I think that really concerns Duncan,
00:47:56 and that really concerns me too.
00:47:58 You're making a lifelong commitment.
00:48:01 Yeah.
00:48:02 You've got to do what's right for you.
00:48:04 Duncan came into this experiment to find love,
00:48:07 and I feel that Alyssa and Duncan have a fantastic connection.
00:48:11 Can you see yourself growing old?
00:48:13 I guess that's how you have to look at it too.
00:48:16 Are the highs worth the lows?
00:48:19 I feel like you have...
00:48:20 There's only so much energy you have each day,
00:48:23 and if most of that is based around arguments,
00:48:26 I mean, what's the point?
00:48:28 I think I've probably put up with some things
00:48:33 that I wouldn't do in the real world,
00:48:36 but that was my way of trying to be understanding
00:48:40 of the hard situation that we're in in this experiment
00:48:44 and give more leeway to the relationship.
00:48:48 Heading into final vows, I still feel really conflicted.
00:48:53 For Alyssa and Duncan,
00:49:09 it's time for them to confirm their feelings
00:49:12 at their final vows
00:49:14 and with it, make a decision that could change their lives forever.
00:49:19 I've been through so much, you know, in my life
00:49:25 from at a very young age.
00:49:27 When I was 16, my life changed forever
00:49:31 when my dad came out as gay.
00:49:33 It was an absolute shock to my whole family,
00:49:36 especially being in the Mormon religion.
00:49:41 When my first marriage ended,
00:49:44 I lost sight of who I was and where I was going.
00:49:48 And I didn't want that for my child.
00:49:53 This experiment came into my life at the perfect time.
00:49:57 It's exactly what I needed.
00:50:02 But over the last few weeks, things got really tough.
00:50:09 The Duncan in the very beginning,
00:50:11 that was a completely different Duncan.
00:50:13 How good is this?
00:50:16 I want the real Duncan back
00:50:18 because when times are good with Duncan,
00:50:21 I feel on top of the world.
00:50:23 I feel respected and loved and seen and heard.
00:50:27 Is it love? I said, I'm definitely in like.
00:50:31 It's become my best friend.
00:50:37 And so throwing that all away would be, you know,
00:50:40 cheating ourselves out of something that could be really great.
00:50:43 I know that Duncan isn't going to change overnight,
00:50:47 but I want to help him grow as a person and as a partner.
00:50:51 First half of the experiment was amazing.
00:50:57 So much affection and warmth and was giddy.
00:51:01 What felt like the start of something really special with Alyssa.
00:51:06 Towards the end of the experiment, it's been really tough.
00:51:10 But the connection, the passion that me and Alyssa have,
00:51:17 that definitely weighs on my mind.
00:51:20 A lot of people searched for that for a long time.
00:51:24 I feel confident that Duncan's the one for me.
00:51:28 But I need to teach him a bit of emotion.
00:51:33 It's a lot of work and it's not going to be easy.
00:51:37 If he wants it as much as I want it,
00:51:41 I'm going to have to teach him a bit of emotion.
00:51:44 I'm going to have to teach him a bit of emotion.
00:51:48 I'm going to have to teach him a bit of emotion.
00:51:51 If he wants it as much as I do, we can definitely make it work.
00:51:57 Hi.
00:52:11 How are you?
00:52:12 Good, how are you?
00:52:19 Yeah, and you?
00:52:20 You look nice.
00:52:21 Thank you, you look beautiful.
00:52:23 I was not nervous until right now.
00:52:28 OK, I think I go first.
00:52:32 You do.
00:52:33 A bit long, sorry.
00:52:34 That's all right.
00:52:35 Duncan, it feels like a lifetime ago I saw you for the first time,
00:52:42 walking down that aisle in such a beautiful setting.
00:52:46 My heart was pounding but instantly settled
00:52:49 when you turned around with your big cheesy grin.
00:52:52 I felt instantly connected to you.
00:52:54 We've had so many good times over the last couple of months.
00:52:58 The spark we had from the beginning just kept growing and growing.
00:53:01 You were my biggest support from day one.
00:53:04 There were times where you let me be completely raw and vulnerable
00:53:11 and you listened.
00:53:12 I felt so heard and I felt so seen by you,
00:53:15 something I've never had before.
00:53:17 When it's just the two of us, it's easy and magic.
00:53:23 You can make me feel like I'm on top of the world.
00:53:26 But the last few weeks have been increasingly difficult.
00:53:32 I sometimes feel our love for each other has turned into a combat.
00:53:42 And I'm really worried that your logical brain will continue to clash
00:53:45 with my emotional heart.
00:53:47 But I'm not ready to give up hope on us.
00:53:51 I want to fight for our relationship because I know it's worth it.
00:53:58 Our connection from that first moment really means something
00:54:02 and I can't imagine my life without you.
00:54:05 Duncan, I want to help you.
00:54:12 Dig deep into that big heart of yours
00:54:16 and feel what my soul is feeling for you.
00:54:22 [♪♪♪]
00:54:25 [♪♪♪]
00:54:36 Duncan, I want to help you.
00:54:46 Dig deep into that big heart of yours
00:54:51 and feel what my soul is feeling for you.
00:54:54 [♪♪♪]
00:54:58 There are so many pieces to our puzzle that we haven't found yet,
00:55:04 but I want to find them together with you.
00:55:07 [♪♪♪]
00:55:11 Thank you for your words.
00:55:16 [♪♪♪]
00:55:21 [♪♪♪]
00:55:24 Your turn.
00:55:27 Oh, that was rough for me.
00:55:30 [♪♪♪]
00:55:35 Alyssa, I came into this experiment to find the love of my life.
00:55:45 I hoped, I dreamed of finding my forever person,
00:55:50 the beginning of a great love story.
00:55:53 From the very beginning, I love how you interacted with me.
00:55:56 Your caring nature and empathy is seen by everyone
00:56:00 and I love that you wear your heart on your sleeve.
00:56:03 However, mixed with all the good times were also some really low lows.
00:56:14 From the start, I was told of who I can and can't talk to on this experiment.
00:56:18 I also didn't feel like I got the benefit of the doubt from you,
00:56:22 even though I hadn't broken your trust.
00:56:25 I struggled with being shut out for days on end and not being able to communicate.
00:56:31 I thought the couple's retreat was a turning point in our relationship.
00:56:36 But through all of this, there was never a time in the experiment
00:56:42 where I gave up or I said I was done.
00:56:45 I leaned in and I've given my all.
00:56:49 Full of hope, trying to stay positive, trying to stretch,
00:56:56 trying to focus on the good, even when we were struggling.
00:57:00 But week to week, it felt harder to continue to grow the connection that started so well.
00:57:09 I know what love is, I know what a great relationship is
00:57:12 and I think that we both deserve that.
00:57:14 But our views on what a healthy relationship looks like seems to be apart.
00:57:20 I felt emotionally rejected more times than I can remember.
00:57:35 Maybe it's our personalities, maybe it's our differing mindsets,
00:57:40 but either way, the gap seems too big to bridge.
00:57:46 I don't want to hurt you and I don't want to continue getting hurt.
00:58:03 So I have to say goodbye.
00:58:05 I was not expecting that.
00:58:17 [Music]
00:58:21 [Music]
00:58:25 [Music]
00:58:28 [Music]
00:58:34 [Music]
00:58:41 [Music]
00:58:49 [Music]
00:58:52 Don't want to do this right?
00:59:00 No.
00:59:02 [Music]
00:59:14 [Music]
00:59:17 [Music]
00:59:26 [Music]
00:59:36 [Music]
00:59:39 Walking away absolutely devastated.
00:59:45 I feel sick, I feel betrayed.
00:59:49 Just, yeah, I don't, I just, I don't know who that person is.
00:59:58 I don't know who that is.
01:00:00 [Music]
01:00:04 [Music]
01:00:07 I feel like Duncan is looking for a princess to kind of, you know, take care of,
01:00:13 but I'm not a princess, I'm a queen.
01:00:15 [Music]
01:00:19 [Music]
01:00:23 [Music]
01:00:27 [Music]
01:00:32 [Music]
01:00:35 To make this decision today was one of the hardest in my life.
01:00:44 I've hurt someone that I really care about.
01:00:46 Yeah, I think I just want to be around my family.
01:00:50 [Music]
01:00:54 [Music]
01:00:59 [Music]
01:01:02 [Music]
01:01:06 [Music]
01:01:10 [Music]
01:01:14 I tried so bloody hard, and I second-guessed myself.
01:01:22 It's not that Alyssa's not a great person.
01:01:27 It's just that we're just not great together.
01:01:29 [Music]
01:01:33 [Music]
01:01:37 Oh my God.
01:01:39 [Music]
01:01:43 [MUSIC PLAYING]