'Married at First Sight' recap: Greg Okotie and Matt Gwynne drop bombshells on wives, Elizabeth and Jamie say "I love you"

Married at First Sight featured Gregory Okotie and Matthew Gwynne dropping bombshells on their wives and Jamie Thompson and Elizabeth Bice saying, "I love you," to each other after only a few days of marriage during Wednesday night's episode on Lifetime.


Season 9 of Married at First Sight, which was filmed in Charlotte, NC, stars Elizabeth, a 30-year-old accounting executive for her dad's company from South Carolina who was raised in Mooresville, NC, and Jamie, a 35-year-old technical consultant from Columbia, SC, as well as Greg, a 32-year-old math learning center owner from Fort Washington, MD, and Deonna McNeill, a 30-year-old operations manager currently living in the Charlotte area.

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The season also stars Matt, a 32-year-old professional basketball player from Raleigh, NC, and Amber Bowles, a 27-year-old eighth grade English teacher currently living in the Charlotte area, as well as Iris Caldwell, a 27-year-old who works for a nonprofit from Raleigh, NC, and Keith Manley, a 27-year-old high school basketball coach from Greensboro, NC.

Married at First Sight, Day 5

The Married at First Sight broadcast began on Day 5 of marriage, with the couples still enjoying their honeymoons in Antigua.


In just three days, the couples would return to their real lives in Charlotte, and according to Pastor Cal, that's when the real work would begin.

Elizabeth revealed that morning she and Jamie had sex for the first time the previous night and it was awesome. Jamie also seemed to agree their first sexual encounter was great.

"And he said he loved me last night! Record break -- what?! Yes, he said he loved me last night!" Elizabeth said in a confessional.

Jamie said having sex with Elizabeth changed everything because they had emotional, mental and physical intimacy all covered now.

"It feels like everything is there and I'm in love with her. I love her because of the connection that we have and I love her for who she is," Jamie told the cameras, adding that Elizabeth was the girl he had been looking for.


And Elizabeth was apparently feeling the same way, as she noted her relationship was "love at first sight."

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Meanwhile, Deonna was glad Greg was holding back on the compliments. He didn't understand why that made her happy, but he was happy to oblige.

The couple then learned they shared strong religious beliefs. They didn't attend the same church, but Deonna was glad to hear how involved Greg was with his church and how devoted he is to God. Deonna said that's exactly what she had asked the Married at First Sight experts for.

The pair discussed how they could come to agree on going to the same church so they could celebrate their faith together and have that in common.


As for Iris and Keith, Keith gushed about how his wife seeming caring, compassionate and fun. The couple went sailing together, and Keith admitted his romance felt like a dream he could wake up from any moment.

Iris had asked the experts for someone patient and understanding, and she thought Keith was all of that and more. She believed they were "heading down the right path" as a married couple and looking forward to their romance growing.

Amber then told the cameras she liked Matt "a lot" but didn't completely trust him yet. Amber, however, said she could definitely envision herself falling for Matt in time.

And Matt said it was "surreal" and "overwhelming" to be married and on his honeymoon with his wife.

Matt was still trying to wrap his head around the fact Amber wasn't just his girlfriend and their relationship would require a higher level of commitment and responsibilities.


But he was tired of lonely nights traveling as a former pro basketball player.

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As the pair was shown going snorkeling together in the ocean, Matt told the cameras he was trying to open his heart to Amber and not be guarded.

"It's only been a few days, but I know where her mind is at and I know the kind of person she is and the heart she has," Matt said.

"I think she has a really kind soul and is a positive person, and that's what I want in my life. I think she has the ability to bring out the best in me, and that's what I'm looking for."

The women go shopping

The girls then went shopping together, and Iris really appreciated having them as a support system given they were going through the exact same experience.

Amber asked the girls whether anyone had gotten into a fight yet with her husband, but Elizabeth didn't want to share her story about that whole lunch-date misunderstanding with Jamie.

Elizabeth didn't feel the need to get anyone else involved or hear their perspective on things. She wanted to keep the fight a private matter.

Iris then advised Deonna to take all of the compliments Greg had for her because they'd probably dwindle down with time, but Deonna told the cameras Iris liked being the center of attention and they're just two different people.

Deonna also shared she was very comfortable with Greg, who was moving at her pace.

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The men go mini-golfing

Meanwhile, the guys went mini-golfing together and Jamie noted his co-stars were starting to feel like real friends to him.

When Matt was asked whether he saw himself staying in Charlotte after traveling the world for basketball, he admitted he may have to leave to go play ball again.

"But I'm definitely leaning more towards life after basketball right now, so we'll see what happens," Matt said.

Keith found it "odd" and "a tad bit selfish" Matt seemed willing to accept a new contract after just marrying a stranger. Keith didn't think his relationship with Iris would work out if one of them had to be gone for half a year.

The guys agreed they had been open and real with their spouses, but Jamie accused Matt of being "the opposite of honest" since he hadn't told Amber yet he might be leaving the country to continue playing basketball.

Jamie later surprised Elizabeth with a pizza and beer for lunch, and she thought he was so cute. Elizabeth loved how Jamie was considerate and seemed to be such a good human.


Elizabeth then told Jamie that she'd like him to keep their previous fight between them, and he understood his wife didn't want to be judged by the other couples.

Elizabeth wanted her co-stars to have a good perception of them and their relationship.

Jamie acknowledged there would be more challenging times ahead, but as long as they communicated well, they could probably get through anything together.

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Everyone goes on a boat ride

That night, the four couples took a catamaran together, but Elizabeth was not looking forward to it. Not only does she falter in high heat, but she also apparently hates being stuck on a boat in the ocean.

It worried Jamie that Elizabeth was "going into diva mode." He didn't even want to go, knowing the catamaran was such a big deal for Elizabeth and she was basically dreading it.


"I've lost interest. It's just super negative and sucking the energy out of the room," Jamie vented to the cameras, before telling Elizabeth she'd survive and he had faith in her.

Deonna and Greg wore their matching teal swimsuits for the catamaran, and Deonna thought they'd look cute together.

Before setting sail, Deonna asked Greg to be honest with her in the moment if she's doing something he doesn't like -- or else the moment would lose impact.

Deonna would apparently have a problem if Greg brought up an issue from hours or days ago.

Greg agreed that would be a good approach to their relationship, resolving any conflict they might have immediately.

Once all the couples got on the catamaran, Elizabeth couldn't predict how she was going to act. She told the cameras there was a good chance she may flip out or be dramatic.


Once the waters got choppy, both Elizabeth and Amber struggled with seasickness. Amber tried to convince herself it was mind over matter so she wouldn't throw up, and she just hoped her husband wouldn't view her as a baby.

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The couples visit a private beach

The group then landed on a private beach and each couple took off to do their own thing.

Greg thought Deonna looked "really, really good" in her bathing suit, and so he admitted to the cameras she had turned him on. Greg therefore tried to hide the lower half of his body in the ocean -- for a good reason -- and he laughed about it.

Iris and Keith went roaming down a hiking trail and stumbled across some wild animals. Iris quickly learned her husband was very playful and liked to tease and scare her.

Meanwhile, Amber found herself opening up to Matt quickly, but it scared her because she had been in some "pretty bad relationships." She just hoped Matt could give her as much vulnerability in return.


And Jamie and Elizabeth sprawled out in a hammock. Jamie said it was the best feeling in the world and nothing else seemed to matter at that point.

"It just feels right. I don't long for anything else," Jamie noted.

Elizabeth was also glad Jamie was able to ground her when she's having a "diva fit."

Suddenly, Keith dropped and lost his wedding ring in the sand, and Iris was freaking out. Iris started yelling, but Keith just needed her to relax in that moment.

"I am not in the right mind frame. I have a little attitude because this man just lost his ring!" Iris said in a confessional.

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Everyone helped Keith look for about 20 minutes, and then he finally found it and Iris was happy. Keith told the cameras they'd laugh about the mishap in the future.

The couples return to the resort

On the way back, the water was even choppier. Deonna enjoyed the wild boat ride, but it clearly made mostly everyone else feel sick.

Jamie called Elizabeth "dramatic," but then she snapped at him and said, "F-ck you." Elizabeth said Jamie didn't understand the severity of how she was feeling.

As Elizabeth had her head in Jamie's lap with her hands over her face, Jamie continued to crack jokes, which didn't amuse her. For example, Jamie asked if he could annul their marriage if she ended up dying.

"It didn't make me feel good at all, and so I just shut down and was like, 'F-ck this!'" Elizabeth vented.

Elizabeth therefore told Jamie not to touch her once they docked and she stormed off the boat. But Jamie didn't appreciate how she had just spoken to him.

Married at First Sight, Day 6

On Day 6 of marriage, Elizabeth woke up so happy because she didn't need to go on a boat or play volleyball. Jamie gave her a big hug as she was drinking her morning coffee, so they apparently made up.

Elizabeth even admitted she had acted like a "b-tch" and needed to control her emotions better. She apologized to Jamie for snapping at him because she didn't like it when people could tell she's suffering.

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Jamie was continuing to learn about Elizabeth and apologized for not caring more when she felt sick. They were communicating well, and Jamie had high hopes for his marriage going forward.

The couples later enjoyed the final night of their honeymoons, and it was time to reveal any necessary information before returning to their normal lives in Charlotte. Pastor Cal said any "unexpected surprises could be damaging" at this point.

Matt tells Amber he may go overseas again

Matt planned a romantic dinner for Amber so they could both get dressed up and end their honeymoon on a high note. Amber looked forward to seeing how their lives would intertwine in Charlotte, and Matt just hoped she wouldn't get aggravated with him or sick of him.


The couple agreed they wouldn't get tired of each other.

But then Matt dropped the bomb on Amber about his future career plans. Matt explained to the cameras that if he couldn't get his mobile detailing company up and running, he may have to explore other options for the sake of his financial income -- one of them being another basketball contract overseas for potentially seven to ten months.

Matt feared how Amber would react to the possibility, and he had every right to be worried because Amber said in a confessional it would be "most likely be a dealbreaker" if he decided to sign another contract.

"It would be really hard. I just don't see how a marriage can work if we've only known each other for like two months and then you have to leave for 10 months," Amber told Matt.

Amber wanted to build a strong foundation with Matt, and if he left her so soon, that wouldn't be possible. Amber said the conversation was tough because she had abandonment issues stemming from when her mother had left.

Amber then flat out confessed she wouldn't want him to leave and it would be a hard trial to overcome. Amber wanted to grow with her husband, not grow apart over time zones and thousands of miles.


"I could easily support us while you get [your business going]. By myself, I'm making like $80 [thousand]," Amber shared. "That's plenty enough for a family."

Amber would rather support their family and take on that burden than see Matt leave.

Matt acknowledged there were still other options and they'd be alright.

Greg tells Deonna a secret about his past

Greg and Deonna were then shown enjoying a romantic dinner on the beach. Greg revealed he owns his own home and built it several years prior. His home apparently has four bedrooms.

Although Deonna owns her own townhouse, she said she'd be willing to sell it because it was causing her a lot of headaches. Deonna was clearly open to moving, and that seemed to please Greg.

Deonna told Greg that she had never lived with a significant other before but anticipated they'd be fine. Greg then dropped a bombshell that he had lived with a girl before who just so happened to be his ex-fiancee.


Deonna was surprised to hear Greg had been engaged before, and so she asked him to share more details.

Greg worried about how Deonna was going to take it, but he explained they had been together for about four years and it was "a very toxic relationship."

Greg admitted he had caused the toxic environment because he "had a lot of insecurities," resulting in trust and controlling issues. Greg, however, sought a therapist to help him work through those issues.

Deonna tried to convince herself not to "go off the deep end," that Greg's past was just his past and she hadn't even been in a relationship for over 10 years.

"But it still hurt me," Deonna said.

Greg elaborated that after his engagement didn't work out, he was single for two years. Greg said he had to grow a lot.


He then sweetly told Deonna, "Obviously I was going to marry the wrong person because God had you in mind. I had to go through all of that in order to be with you... Everything happens for a reason."

Deonna thanked Greg for sharing, and she said the night was very nice. They had connected over some deep conversation, and so Deonna noted it had increased their level of intimacy.

Amber breaks down in tears

That night, Amber and Matt were very quiet in their hotel room. Matt apparently told Amber she had "humiliated him" when talk of financial matters came up at dinner. Matt thought Amber had been accusing him of being "broke."

"I was just trying to let him know that I'm a wife who is going to support him, and when he married me, he married a partner," Amber said in a confessional.

Matt told the cameras he wasn't exactly sure what he had said wrong, but he could tell from Amber's body language she was upset and acting differently.

Matt asked Amber to talk to him, and then she started to cry. She said she had misinterpreted the conversation and never tried to portray him as something he's not.


Amber insisted she was just trying to do what would be best for them as a couple, and then Matt apologized for taking a tone with her. Matt said he wasn't angry and appreciated Amber's support.

"But it's not like I'm going to ask my newlywed wife to support me when I'm doing this. Like, I'm good," Matt explained to her. "I wasn't ever asking for that from you."

"I didn't think you were," Amber confirmed.

"I know you can do it by yourself and you don't need me, but I want to help you. Because when you married me, you married someone who wants to give support in any way possible."

Matt didn't want to leave Charlotte either, acknowledging long-distance had ruined some of his past relationships. He was thrilled Amber believed in him as a man and a spouse.

Matt told Amber that he appreciated her standing up and speaking her mind, and Amber felt better after having expressed herself. In fact, Amber felt the situation had brought them closer together.


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Meanwhile, Keith knew living with Iris was going to be a big adjustment because he had lived alone for two or three years. Iris had also never lived with a man before.

Jamie also envisioned his future with Elizabeth being bright, and she told the cameras in turn, "I'm in love with Jamie. He has stolen my heart."

All of the couples were looking forward to moving in with their spouses, but it was clear there were "a lot of scary unknowns," according to Amber.

"It's worth taking the risk because the destination could be beautiful," Amber noted.

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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski