8 Ways The Married At First Sight Experts Can Redeem Themselves Before Season 17 Is Over

The Married at First Sight experts have come under fire for their poor matching and questionable guidance on season 17, but there is still time for them to redeem themselves this season. Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Pastor Calvin “Cal” Roberson, and Dr. Pia Holec were responsible for matching the Denver hopefuls and giving them advice and therapy sessions throughout the experience. In a negative Married at First Sight first, participant Michael Shiakallis’ first bride ditched him and the altar. In another first, the experts paired him with someone else, and they began their experimental journey halfway through the season.

Aside from the expert’s mismatching with Michael, two couples have called it quits. Orion Martzloff asked for a divorce from Lauren Goodger after the experts couldn’t sway him to continue in the process. Cameron Frazer and Clare Kerr had obvious fundamental differences on religion and raising children, a clear sign that experts weren’t paying attention while matching. In recent years of Married at First Sight, the experts have gotten it wrong a lot, leading to even heavier skepticism this season. However, there are moves the experts could make to make this season more successful and to give them some credibility back.

8. Michael & Chloe’s Success Would Reflect Well On Experts

Michael and Chloe vibed during their wedding (via Lifetime) and have been navigating their life as newlywed strangers. However, Michael’s eccentric style is new to minimalist Chloe, and she has been having a hard time adjusting to not being on her own anymore. The experts can endeavor to redeem themselves this season by ensuring that Michael and Chloe succeed. They need to keep a close eye on the pair’s issues and help them overcome any wayward feelings.

7. The Experts Should Take Accountability For Mismatching Couples

While Dr. Pepper, Pastor Cal, and Dr. Pia were “sad” for Michael that things didn’t work out with his first bride, they did not take responsibility. Instead, they stood on precedent and remarked that nothing like the runaway bride had ever happened in Married at First Sight history. It’s important for the experts to take accountability and acknowledge the part they played in mismatching Michael. Furthermore, if they were to recognize their shortcomings, they could become better matchmakers and counselors.

6. Dr. Pia Needs To Break Through To Brennan

Dr. Pia has been failing to get through to Brennan (via Lifetime.) They’ve had several uncomfortable and tense interactions, where Dr. Pia has tried to get Brennan to see the error in his attitude and behavior. The nonsuccess Dr. Pia has been having with Brennan has led to tension between Emily and Brennan and arguably has made their marriage worse. If Dr. Pia can find a way to communicate with Brennan better and get him to be a better partner to Emily, then she can be redeemed in her effectiveness as a therapist.

5. The Experts Need To Repair Cameron & Clare’s Marriage

The Married at First Sight season 17 experts have also failed Cameron and Clare. They allowed the couple’s relationship to break down to the point of no return, and they mismatched them in the first place. At this point in the season, the experts have backed off of helping Cameron and Clare because of the heart issues Cameron has been dealing with. However, once Cameron is feeling better, it would be pertinent for the experts to try and bridge the gaps that exist between Cameron and Clare, so they could potentially come back together.

4. The Experts Need To Help Lauren & Orion Coming Back Together

Lauren and Orion are another Married at First Sight season 17 couple the experts have failed. Dr. Pia and Pastor Cal could not coach them well enough through their struggles for them to try and stick the process out. The experts did not come to their aid fast enough when they were in dire straits with their communication and continued misunderstandings. The expert panel does have a chance at redemption since Orion wants to “build a bridge” back to Lauren. The experts should jump at the chance of bringing Lauren and Orion back together through effective therapy and targeted advice and exercises.

3. The Experts Should Shift Becca’s Focus Away From Sex With Austin

Married at First Sight’s Becca Haley has been relentlessly trying to have sex with her new husband, Austin Hurd, who has been reluctant to get intimate (via E! News.) Becca has put a ton of weight on their physical connection and has been devastated by them not consummating. The experts need to reel Becca back from being hyper-focused on sex with Austin and help remind her of all the ways they are compatible outside of physical intimacy. If Becca keeps on the path she’s on, which is making her and Austin have issues, then she risks pushing Austin away completely, and the experts should see that and act on it.

2. The Experts Should Facilitate A Group Discussion Among Couples

Instead of meeting with the couples one-on-one, the experts should facilitate a group therapy session, so everyone can potentially learn from each other under a professional setting umbrella. The couples already ask each other questions and try to dig deep when they are together on their own, but having a trained professional there to guide the conversation so everyone could learn and benefit could do wonders for each of the couples and their growth. The shared experience and bonding that could come out of a group therapy session could change things in a positive way among the couples, and the experts could take credit for that.

1. The Experts Should Encourage Emily To Keep Trying With Brennan

Emily has been at the end of her rope and patience with Brennan, who has not given her a reason why he has lost attraction for her. Emily has been negatively impacted by the experts’ therapy sessions and advice up to this point in Married at First Sight season 17, which reflects poorly on the experts’ ability to help Brennan and Emily’s marriage. However, the experts could redeem themselves by encouraging Emily to keep trying with Brennan despite his defiance. They should remind Emily to stick with the process because the experiment isn’t over yet, and anything could happen.