Married at first sight the 18th season is the best of the franchise, which means positivity to save the franchise and ensure the future of the show. Married at first sight Season 17 ended in late April 2024, and the divorces, lackluster drama, and weak cast damaged the show's credibility and viewer reception. Not only did all five couples end their marriages in divorce, but there was also a first runaway bride and the first naive group. While these elements created intense and wild situations, what was presented in Season 17 was not what viewers wanted.
Married at first sight'The premise is that the show's experts match couples who are compatible on deep levels, which aims to help them grow in love and understanding. However, as season 17 demonstrated, the show didn't show MAFS high success rates. Season 17 was also preceded by several seasons of low success rates, and the franchise overall has a success rate of just 18.75%. Of the 64 couples, 12 are still together. This puts a lot of pressure MAFS the success of the 18th season, but there is every indication that it will not disappoint viewers.
MAFS Season 18 Is Standing Out
It's already engaging
Married at first sight Season 18 premiered in mid-October 2024, and several episodes have already been released. Viewers originally met the cast through the “Matchmaking Special,” which saw experts Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Dr. Pia Holec and Pastor Cal Roberson go through their list of potential contestants and select the matches. Furthermore, as couples get to know each other through weddings (via @mafslifetime) and subsequent time together during the honeymoon, fans got a basic impression of the 10 cast members.
What draws attention in the 18th season is the maturity of the cast, which is an older group than was presented in past seasons. Each participant has deep reasons for wanting to get married, and they are highlighting their emotional intelligence to be able to understand their partners and the longevity of the marriage. Ikechi Ojoré has been writing letters to his future wife for years, proving that marriage is absolute for him. Thomas, even though he ended a long relationship that involved cheating, is ready to be vulnerable and has done the work on himself in therapy.
The cast members seem very hopeful about the outcome of their marriages, which is inherently engaging for viewers. Season 18 will have a cheating scandal during the season, and although it is a negative arc, talks about the nature of real life and the pitfalls that can happen in relationships. Married at first sight it's about a unique process that plays out differently for everyone, and the cheating scandal is a wild situation coming up in the season that will give fans an unexpected storyline.
MAFS Season 18 Scandals Made Things Interesting
The couple exchange is approaching
Outside of the cheating scandal, there will also be the first couple exchange. It's unclear who the couple will be swapping between, but regardless of who, the narrative is completely compelling. Even if the show doesn't end with all of the original couples together, if something positive comes out of the exchange, that could be in the show's best interest. Having cheating scandals and nature switching are stories that viewers will want to watch, just to find out how it all goes down. What is more, The scandals are making Season 18 more interesting than if fans watched couples in upbeat situations.
MAFS Season 17's Failures Helped Season 18
MAFS fans are excited for a new cast
The traps of Lifeof Married at first sight Season 17 really helped with viewer anticipation and engagement with Season 18.
Since all of the season 17 couples failed, viewers would be happy if at least one season 18 couple worked out.
What's more, the drama and tension between season 17's cast members over trying to deceive the group had entertainment value, and it looks like season 18 will follow that up with a different kind of animosity through the scandals. While the drama between the cast isn't ideal for the contestants themselves, it makes for a good reality show.
Since season 17 was the longest season in Married at first sight story six months in, fans are ready to build bonds with an all-new cast with unique journeys. The hiatus between seasons 17 and 18 also lasted six months, so fans are ready to put aside any doubts they had with season 17 and look forward to season 18 meeting your expectations. There was also an attraction issue between several of the Season 17 couples, and all of the Season 18 couples are attracted to their spouses, which is a win in itself.
MAFS Season 18 Is Saving the Franchise
The show goes in an interesting direction
It was clear from the last few failed seasons of Married at first sight what the franchise is heading in a new direction. This new direction relies on participant drama, expert involvement, and a layer of dramatic presentation focused on the interpersonal situations between the couples and individual cast members.
While this new matrix is different from previous seasons, which focused more on the couples' own journeys and less on the friction or friendships between the cast, it proved to be more fun.
Married at first sight It has all the characteristics of being a high-value season. Between the wild nature of the issues the two scandals will create and the charismatic nature of the cast is something viewers will want to root for, season 18 is poised to have a positive reception from viewers. With so much season left for viewers to get involved in and the potential for positive outcomes still in play, Season 18 has the potential to keep viewers enjoying the show. Because of the lackluster last few seasons, the critical perception of season 18 is saving the franchise.
Married at first sight airs Tuesdays at 8pm EST on Lifetime.
Source: @mafslifetime/Instagram, Life/YouTube