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Narrator: Welcome to Married at First Sight! The show where our team of relationship experts match-up couples who agree to get married at first sight! Participants have consented to partake in our extreme experiment in order to hopefully find the love of their lives. To date, our experts have created 26 successful marriages over the course of 9 romantic and dramatic seasons. This season, we had the most applicants ever! Well over 5,000 people in the Washington, DC area applied. It took some doing, but we whittled it down to 100 applicants. It's now up to our experts to narrow it down further to eight lucky individuals -- or four perfect matches. To find our four possible couples, our experts will interview applicants on their beliefs on love, sex, marriage, family and values. All that good stuff that makes a marriage work! Before we can introduce the contestants, first you must meet our panel of experts!
Montage of nervous applicants heading to a conference room where they all cheer as the experts appear on stage to wave at them and introduce themselves.
A small, elderly man with wispy white hair speaks first; his voice is full of good humor: “Hello, my name is Yoda. I am a certified Unitarian chaplain and I have *many* decades of experience with marriage counseling. Next to finances, religion is one of the biggest sources of stress in a marriage. I help couples navigate those difficult waters.”
A stately, bald man speaks next, hands folded in front of him. He appears to be rather stern: “Good Afternoon, my name is Mace. I am a licensed sexologist with a practice in Washington. We all know sex is crucial to a good marriage, and I help our couples find their sexual compatability.”
A bubbly, young woman with thick glasses bounces on the balls of her feet as she speaks: “Hello! My name is Bant! I’m so excited for our newest season, and I can’t wait to meet the applicants. I’m a psychologist based out of New York when we aren’t filming! I help our couples connect on an emotional and mental level. Therapy can be beneficial to everyone! Especially when you’re taking part in a stressful reality tv experience, while also trying to build a strong marriage.”
Finally, a composed woman wearing a hijab speaks: “Greetings, my name is Dr. Luminara. I’m a professor of sociology at UC Berkeley. As an expert in human behaviour I am here to help our participants understand themselves and their motivations in order to help them succeed.”
The crowd cheers even louder. The screen changes into a montage of the experts interviewing participants one on one.
Mace : “Where is the most exciting place you’ve ever had sex?”
Quinlan, 28, Financial Advisor: “ My boyfriend at the time and I did it under blankets next to the Lincoln Memorial.”
Adam, 36, Accountant: "I'm not much of a risk taker. I've got a bad back, y'know? The most adventurous I've been was that I once did it on the couch instead of in the bed!”
Hondo, 33, club promoter: "My little winterberry and I were at a discount halloween store and we did it in costume in the dressing room! It was great fun!”
Yoda : “Do you have religious beliefs? Could you have a partner of a different faith?”
Bill, 29, Lawyer: “I am a strict Catholic and I could ONLY marry another Catholic. It is very important to me.”
Barriss, 32, EMT: “I’m a Muslim, but I’m not particularly devout. As long as my partner had similar morals -- like believing in honesty, and doing good to those around them -- I could be happy with them."
Molly, 33, Hospitality Specialist: “I’m a practicing Buddhist, but I’m open to my partner being of a different faith.”
Bant : “What characteristics are you looking for in a spouse?”
Adam, 36, Accountant: “I want someone to take care of me. I’m tired of being alone and want someone who will pamper me.”
Shaak, 33, HR Specialist: “I need someone who will be kind and who has a big heart. I’m a dedicated foster mother and any partner would have to be open to loving all of my potential children.”
Obi-Wan, 30, Professor of Communications: “I’ve always wanted a big family, I would love it if I had a partner with one. Most of all, I want a dependable and loving partner.”
Pam, 24, Executive Assistant: “I want someone who is just a total smoke show who is okay with being in the public eye. Someone who I can stare at for hours, and bring to parties to show off. I have a large following on Instagram, and they would have to be compatible with my brand."
Luminara : “What made you apply to this show?”
Jango, 35, Firefighter: “I work a lot and as a firefighter my odd hours make it hard to meet people. I’m ready to settle down and think about a family, but it's not like I have time to go to bars, and online dating seems so impersonal. I’m hoping you can find me a nice man so I can get to the good parts of a relationship without the stress of dating.”
Bill, 29, Lawyer: “It is so romantic, the idea of being star crossed lovers destined to meet via your expert intervention. I hope to meet my soulmate!"
Ahsoka, 29, Aerospace Engineer: “I don’t always make a great first impression, and my last relationship ended when my girlfriend didn’t want to get serious. I thought this would be a fun way to reduce the impact of my first impression - if we’re already married then they’re required to stick around long enough to get to know me better!”
Obi-Wan, 30, Professor of Communication: “My last relationship ended a few years ago when she didn’t want to get married. I haven’t ever been able to figure out online dating and thought this sounded like an interesting opportunity. Plus, I’m a professor of communications and thought this would be a novel form of communication.”
Mace : “Do you think you can be open sexually to an unknown spouse?”
Hondo, 33, Club Promoter: “Oh for sure my friend! I am a very sexual person and I’m always happy to meet a new partner.”
Mace : “Does that mean you’d have trouble being monogamous?”
Hondo, 33, Club Promoter: “I’d prefer an open relationship, but I’m willing to negotiate with my spouse. Consent is important, you know.”
Bant : “How would your friends describe you?”
Plo, 36, Kindergarten Teacher: “As being kind and open. There are frequent jokes about how I want to adopt everyone I meet who needs a father figure. I just can’t look at someone without a family and not want to help them find one, with me or someone else.”
Pam, 24, Executive Assistant “My friends would describe me as determined and focused on my goals. I know what I want and how to get it. That’s how I became the number one food instagrammer in the DC area!”
The montage ends.
Narrator: After the individual interviews, our experts narrowed it down to twenty potential participants, and did home visits to get a better idea of their living spaces and personalities
A new montage starts showing the experts visiting different apartments and houses. Some are a disaster, and some look barely lived in. All the participants seem to take the experts' exploration in good humor, but some of them are definitely embarrassed at what they find and comment on.
Yoda arrives at Obi-Wan’s apartment. It is sparsely decorated, with what few items there are displayed in what looks to be very specific and prominent locations.
Yoda: “Your house is so tidy, you didn’t clean just for me did you? Quite an odd assortment of keepsakes and art too.”
Yoda bustles around the room, picking up and inspecting the knick-knacks. Obi-Wan follows behind him and adjusts all of them so they are once again displayed the way he prefers.
Obi-Wan appears nervous and has his hands hidden in his sleeves: “Oh yes, I find a clean house helps me think clearly. About the odds and ends, well, I travelled a bit in my youth working with Engineers without Borders. With my background in communications and due to being rather multilingual, I worked as a cultural liaison, a translator, and as an educator. Many of the things you see here were given to me as gifts by my students and by community members there. I still occasionally volunteer with the program if there is an emergency.”
Yoda opens the fridge door wide and the camera zooms in showing how empty it is except for a bottle of white wine, a can of olives and some fancy hot sauce. Yoda raises his eyebrows and looks at Obi-Wan without saying a word.
Obi-Wan looks sheepish: “Ah... Well. Hmm, cooking is not what anyone would call my strength. I usually eat at the university cafeteria back on campus, or I get takeout on the weekend.”
Yoda humms. Then he opens all the kitchen cabinets and finds them to be almost empty. Next he moves to the bedroom, where there is a pair of jeans halfway ironed on the ironing board. Obi-Wan blushes, the red spreading down his neck and hiding his freckles from view.
Yoda looks gleeful to see he irons his jeans: “I guess you didn’t clean before I arrived!”
The scene changes to show Mace at Ahsoka’s apartment. They are currently looking through her living room. He opens a drawer in her tv console and then pauses with a surprised hum. He raises an eyebrow and huffs amusedly as he turns fully to face Ahsoka and the camera. As he turns, viewers can now see he is delicately holding out a pair of hot pink, lacey panties .
Mace raises one eyebrow and jokes: “Ah, I see you have an active sex life.”
Ahsoka nods seriously, without a hint of embarrassment, and clearly misunderstanding: "Yep! I ran out of room in my bedroom, and the lingerie had to live somewhere. Normally my collection is a little bit bigger than what you see - a girl's gotta treat herself! But it is laundry day soon so I'm almost out.”
Yoda visits Hondo’s house and finds a surprisingly well decorated bachelor pad. However, Hondo clearly does not clean up after himself often. There are dishes stacked in the sink and towels on the floor in the bathroom. Hondo proudly shows off the rave lights that he had custom installed in his living room. They have a brief, impromptu dance party.
The scene changes to show Luminara at Plo’s house. They are sharing a cup of tea in his kitchen. The fridge and cabinet doors are completely covered in artwork from his students; in many places the drawings are hung several pieces deep.
Luminara studies the artwork: “Oh these are so lovely, did your students make them?”
Plo looks excited to have a chance to speak about his students: “They sure did! One of the best parts of being a kindergarten teacher is all the art you accumulate. I love seeing how the kids grow and change over their year with me. Their grasp of color becomes much more clear, as do the subjects of their pictures. The only downside is their love of glitter, it does make a bit of a mess.”
The camera zooms in on some of the pictures, they are adorable, lots of rainbows and puppies are depicted. One drawing in particular shows Plo surrounded by many different students. The camera then adjusts its focus and it is easy to see Plo’s counters are covered in a light dusting of glitter.
Bant arrives at Jango’s house. He still lives at home with his dad and siblings. The house is well worn and clearly has housed many teenage boys; the Fetts have obviously lived there for many years.
Bant looks around at the many family photos that hang on the walls: “Oh, this is lovely! Do you have any reservations about moving away from home?”
Jango: “I’ve lived away from home before. After college, my dad needed help with my youngest brothers so I moved back. I’m at the firehouse at least half the time anyway, so I haven’t felt the need to get my own place again. When I have a husband, I’ll be happy to live with them." Jango turns to the camera and smirks, inviting viewers in on the joke. "Less competition for the shower too.”
Bant inspects his room with a curious eye. There are lots of trophies up high on shelves on the far side of the room, and the room itself is a bit messy with piles of blankets and pillows all mussed up on the bed. “This looks cozy! What are these awards for?”
Jango seems embarrassed and starts rubbing the back of his head: “There is a yearly competition and exhibit of skills for DC firefighters that is hosted by our union. My firehouse - Engine Company 66 - has won the past few years in the team events. The team and individual challenges mimic our needs in the field - teamwork, efficiency, putting out fires at close range, forcible entry, carrying people out of buildings… stuff like that. Most of these trophies are from the individual event that I’m best at: the Stair Climb with High Rise Pack . You have to be both speedy and strong, carrying a 42lb firehose up six flights of stairs in full gear to the top of a five-story tall building without it touching the ground. I have also placed well in the Victim Rescue event where you need to carry or drag a 175lb mannikin backwards for 100ft as quickly as possible”.
Bant is clearly charmed: “That sounds very fun! So any future partner should like muscles then?”
Jango blushes, it isn’t overly obvious, but the very tips of his ears turn a bright pink: “Ah yes, I’d hope they find me attractive.”
The camera zooms in on his impressive biceps for a moment. They move to the kitchen, it is organized chaos with appliances and food taking up most of the counter space.
Bant: “Do you cook a lot?”
Jango: “Yeah, it is my main source of relaxation after a rough shift. I freeze a lot of meals for the family to thaw when I’m working, and I bake when I have time. Here, try some of the banana bread I made this morning.”
Bant takes a bite of the bread and her entire face scrunches up in joy: “This is delicious!”
Montage ends, and the view switches to the experts sitting in fancy chairs around a large table with pictures of all the finalists. They all study the pictures, with serious looks on their faces as they soundlessly compare notes.
Narrator: After the final home examinations, it is now time for our experts to decide on who to match as couples. They take into account the answers on their questionnaires, individual interviews, and home visits. The experts then match-up compatible couples to hopefully build a strong marriage.
Bant: “This is always my favorite part! Let's get started, does anyone have a couple they’re passionate about?”
Yoda: “I really liked Obi-Wan and Jango, I think they could make a very strong connection. Both are ready to get serious, and Obi-Wan wants a big family and a partner who loves their family. Jango has four brothers whom he is obviously committed to considering he moved back home to help raise them.”
Mace: “I agree. I also think they could have very great sexual chemistry. They’re both physical people, tactile, and should match nicely.”
Luminara: “My one concern is that Obi-Wan seemed a bit rigid, he was very particular about his living space. Remember how he kept adjusting the things you moved Yoda? Jango might have trouble adapting to his housekeeping standards.”
Bant: “Oh! But Jango could help mellow him out! Bring just the right amount of relaxation to enhance Obi-Wan’s life. Plus, Obi-Wan clearly needs someone to bake him delicious treats.”
Yoda: “Being married to a firefighter can be difficult, the hours and the danger of the job can stress even the strongest of marriages. However, Obi-Wan’s experience in Engineers Without Borders -- another demanding job with long hours and the possibility of danger -- can help him empathize with Jango. Jango needs a partner who can be flexible with his time, and Obi-Wan might be particular with his home, but he is flexible where it counts. Also, they’d be so cute together!”
Luminara: “Those are good points, they certainly have a lot of potential.”
Bant: “Perfect, they’ll be our first couple!”
There is a longer discussion about the rest of the couples, but eventually the experts have reached a consensus.
Bant: “So, we’ve all agreed then? Our four couples will be: Obi-Wan and Jango, Plo and Shaak, Barriss and Ahsoka, and Hondo and Quinlan?”
Mace: “Yes that sounds right to me.”
Luminara: “I think those are all promising couples.”
Yoda: “Good! I am so excited to tell them that they are all engaged now. The promise of a new marriage, the blank slate waiting to be filled -- this is truly one of the best parts of the process.”
The setting shifts to show the experts approaching the chosen participants one on one to tell them they are now engaged.
The first scene shows Mace sitting at a picnic table outside the fire station, Jango is sitting with him in a short sleeved shirt and suspenders. He also has his helmet on with the visor open.
Mace: “How are you today?”
Jango: “I’m good, it's been a quiet shift so far.”
Mace: “Nice. Have you been engaged before?”
Jango looks at him suspiciously: “No?”
Mace breaks into a huge smile: “Well you are now! And the wedding is in two weeks!!”
Mace picks up a bottle of champagne and shakes it before spraying it at Jango. Jango looks shocked, but happy. A bunch of other firefighters rush onto screen and start loudly celebrating.
The next scene shows Bant and Shaak walking on a pedestrian trail along the Potomac River, the trail is quiet as they walk under a large willow tree.
Bant: “This is a lovely walk, I always enjoy getting to explore the cities we shoot in.”
Shaak: “Yes, this is one of my favorite parts of the city. I love how it feels so peaceful, away from the bustle of tourists and downtown.”
Bant: “You’ll have to bring your new husband back here after the wedding!”
Shaak gasps and covers her mouth. She looks happy and a little overwhelmed.
Shaak: “I’ve got so much to do before the wedding…”
The scene changes to show Luminara at a rec league kickball game. Quinlan jogs over without his shirt, sweaty but smiling. Luminara tells him he is engaged and Quinlan celebrates with a series of cartwheels and back handsprings across the field. Upsetting the game, but the players good naturedly ignore his antics.
The scene shifts to Yoda and Obi-Wan. They are in Obi-Wan’s apartment, with Obi-Wan’s younger brother, sitting in his living room. Everyone has a steaming cup of tea.
Yoda: “Obi-Wan, we found your perfect match!”
Anakin makes an incoherent shriek of glee.
Obi-Wan looks shocked: “Oh dear, are you sure?”
Yoda: “Pff, we are experts. You will be very happy with him.”
Obi-Wan: “Well alright then, I trust your experience. Anakin will you be my best man?”
Anakin’s manic glee quickly turns into tears of joy. Yoda sips his tea and looks smug with the situation.
The scene shifts to Luminara and Barriss, they are gathered at a restaurant, sitting at a table on the sidewalk. They have fancy coffees in front of them. Luminara has already told Barriss that she has been matched.
Luminara smiles softly: “Your life is about to change drastically; you’ll be getting married in just 14 days.”
Barriss nods looking a bit overwhelmed, but with a huge grin: “Yes, I suppose I have a lot of packing to do. I can’t wait to meet my spouse!”
The rest of the participants are informed of their impending weddings, most are joyful, some shocked, but they all realize they have a lot to do in the next two weeks before they can meet their spouse.
Narrator: Now that our participants have been chosen, they will spend the next two weeks preparing for their weddings. They need to invite their families, rent tuxes or buy wedding dresses, and ask their wedding parties to stand up with them. All while wondering who their spouse could possibly be. Next week we will see their preparations and we’ll also get to follow along on their bachelor and bachelorette parties! Before they know it, each couple will be joined in a legally binding marriage. They have agreed to a big commitment, and hopefully by the end of the season they will decide to stay married. Thanks for watching, we’ll be back soon.