As the curtains close on Season 17 of Married at First Sight, viewers heave a collective sigh of relief, bidding a not-so-fond farewell to the Denver cast after enduring what many dubbed the “Worst. Season. Ever.”
From its premiere in October 2023 to its conclusion on April 17, 2024, fans were subjected to six torturous months of watching Emily Balch, Becca Haley, Lauren Good, and Clare Kerr navigate their tumultuous marriages with Brennan Shoykhet, Austin Reed, Orion Martzloff, and Cameron Frazer.
The season got off to a rocky start when Lauren and Orion became the first couple to call it quits mere days after saying “I do.” This foreshadowed the tumultuous journey ahead for the remaining couples.
Despite fleeting hopes kindled by Chloe and Michael’s union later in the season, the revelation of deceptive plotlines at the reunion shattered any semblance of authenticity. While they escaped the web of deceit, theirs was not a love story with a happy ending, further adding to viewers’ disillusionment.
MAFS fans wasted no time airing their grievances on social media, expressing relief that the Denver debacle was finally over. Comments ranged from labeling it the “Worst. Season. Ever” to outright bidding “good riddance” to the entire cast.
But amidst the disappointment, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Season 18 promises a fresh start in Chicago, the hometown of MAFS expert Dr. Pia Holec. With memories of past successes like Ashley Petta and Anthony D’Amico’s enduring marriage, fans are cautiously optimistic that Chicago may signal a return to the franchise’s former glory.
As we eagerly await the premiere of Season 18, we can only hope that it will wash away the bitter taste of Denver’s failures, restoring faith in the institution of marriage and renewing our belief in the magic of love found at first sight.
