MAFS 2025 Episode 36 Recap: Paul makes a desperate plea to Carina and one bride walks out of the final Dinner Party in tears
It's the morning of the final Dinner Party.
Isn't that wild? It feels like just yesterday we were watching the weddings, seeing Rhi realise she knew her groom and Rhi dropping Jacqui during their first dance.
Good times.
But weeks later, we are here – with Rhi falling in love with that same groom and Jacqui finally letting go of that whole drop thing. We think.
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But as everyone does a little reminiscing on the experiment's wild ride, Paul can't really think much further back than... two days ago. When he royally screwed things up.
His "stupid decision" to go on a "stupid date" with another match during this week's Final Task has ruined his relationship and he knows it.
He lies on the bed with his head in his hands (and sockettes on his feet), pondering his mess.
Jacqui would be impressed by this shoes-off-the-bed etiquette. Nine
Paul misses Carina, who is now living in their old apartment alone.
She feels disrespected and embarrassed, and doesn't think there is any coming back from this.
EXCLUSIVE: Paul reveals how he'd react if Carina went on a date during the Final Task
There is obviously a lot to unpack for some at the group's final gathering. But Rhi and Jeff are just happy to be here, again. As the strongest couple, again. Having nailed the experiment's latest task, again.
Speaking of overachievers:
Look who's back together, again! Nine
Jacqui is sobbing. She's sad about the journey coming to an end, and unfortunately Ryan's attempts to console her are impossible to hear over the sound of her blowing her nose.
But I'm sure he said something truly profound.
Despite taking the number of her other match during their date and keeping that detail from Ryan, she insists they have the most successful marriage out of everyone.
Insert one of Jeff's signature surprise faces here!
MAFS EP 35 RECAP: One bride's flirty secret is caught on camera - and her husband has no idea
As Carina and Paul get ready – separately – word about Paul's decision has made its way around the group and they are chomping at the bit to find out what on earth he was thinking.
Cocktail Hour
The night's festivities kick off with Jamie calling Rhi and Jeff "a good piece of toast with butter".
Translation: there is no way they did the task.
As they get stuck into the gossip, Adrian and a fuming Awhina arrive – having just had a tiff on the other side of the door.
It takes all of five seconds for it to spiral into a full argument in front of their friends, as they're on completely different pages about where things went wrong.
The mood is soon lightened as Jacqui and Ryan arrive arm-in-arm and positively beaming.
"Oh my God, you guys never fail to entertain me!" an excited Jamie greets them.
Took the words right out of my mouth!
I ask this every week at this point, but: how on earth did we get here? Nine
Beth and Teejay walk in together, but she quickly confirms to the women that they're still in a terrible place.
Jamie wishes Beth kicked him to the curb and walked in solo – but she'll have to wait for the last remaining bride to arrive for that particular boss babe moment tonight.
Right on cue, Carina arrives looking like a goddamn Oscar trophy.
She catches everyone up, revealing Paul has text her three times but made no phone call.
My thoughts exactly. Nine
Meanwhile, in the car, Paul complains that he didn't hear from her after dropping off a coffee and pastry at her door earlier.
Oh boy. I don't think tonight is going to go well for him!
Carina has no game plan, but it doesn't look like she needs one. The group all have her back, and he realises it as soon as he enters to a very frosty room.
"Are you dressed for a funeral?" Awhina asks. "I think you're dressed for your own."
He attempts to pull Carina aside and she looks at him like she cannot believe his audacity, nerve, cheek AND gall.
Guessing it's a 'no'. Nine
Finally, it's dinner time. I hope you like Paul bourguignon!
Dinner Party
The excitement and comradery of the final Dinner Party is lovely, for about 30 seconds.
But then the spooky music starts and we all know what that means: it's go time.
"We want to know what's going on," Teejay calls out, as Carina gives Paul the floor to explain himself first.
Just as he did when he first told Carina, he blames his curiosity and a "donkey brain" moment.
The group can't believe that Paul didn't think about Carina before making his decision, and Paul finds the barrage of criticism frustrating.
"I kind of felt like we were only focusing on the bad, on all the things I did wrong. And it just feels like all the good things I've done have been almost forgotten," he says.
Doesn't sound like anyone's points are really sinking in, does it?
Things are going c'est terrible for Paul! Nine
Although Paul claims he was truly happy with Carina before the date, no one believes him. Least of all, Carina.
"I can't really look at you the same way," she tells him.
She says he's disrespected her, himself and her family, who welcomed him with open arms just a week earlier at Homestays – and if he does this within the experiment, how can she trust him outside of it?
"I just thought maybe Carina was going to be a little more receptive. She is still quite upset, she is still in that funny, weird headspace," he says to the camera.
Mmmm yes and why might that be?
Rhi explains that if Jeff did that to her, she'd never get over it. She hopes Carina doesn't forgive Paul, as do Beth and Teejay.
EXCLUSIVE: Teejay reveals what Paul told the group about his date with another woman
As he continues to grovel and grovel some more, Carina snaps.
HERE WE GO. Nine
Apologising is not enough.
"You're not even giving me any form of validation. You could've picked up the phone and you chose not to... you might feel like I want space but no, I want you to try really, really hard to win me over and make me feel like you only want me," she demands.
Having fun? Nine
Paul says she didn't reply to his messages so he didn't bother to keep trying.
But that isn't a deep enough hole, so he metaphorically takes control of an industrial size digger and just. keeps. going:
"Because I was being fully... ghosted." he continues
UHHHHHH WHAT. Nine
A VERY POOR CHOICE OF WORDS CONSIDERING HE ORIGINALLY GHOSTED HER FOR REAL.
That one word leaves Carina fuming. She has no idea if her trust can be rebuilt and doesn't believe his apologies.
"Try harder. I'm a catch. Anyone would die to be with me," she says.
As Carina and Paul's relationship crumbles before their eyes, Jamie observes that Jacqui and Ryan are currently one of the strongest couples at the table.
"That's a tough day in the office right there," Jamie reacts.
As Jacqui explains how the Final Task brought them back together, she has huge news: she now considers Ryan a potential life partner.
She wants to stop looking at second match Rory's vast field and tend only to Ryan's overgrown lawn – or whatever it is that her grass analogy means, I admittedly got lost along the way.
EXCLUSIVE: Awhina reacts to Adrian's 'flirty' Final Task date with Maxine who he dubbed 'Awhina 2.0'
View gallery
Every MAFS 2025 Dinner Party in pictures
Awhina is – get this – jealous of Jacqui and Ryan right now.
Unlike them, the Final Task has really left her questioning her future with Adrian.
As Adrian shares his concerns about doing long distance, Awhina accuses him of switching up his feelings in front of the group.
Then, she has a demand:
"Let's not hide behind this challenge, Adrian. Let's not hide behind long distance. I am not the right person. Say it."
SAY IT. Nine
"Right now it's uncertainty," he replies, as she says she would "absolutely f--king not" move to Sydney.
So, is there even any point going to Final Vows?
Awhina thinks it's been a complete waste of 12 weeks.
"Well, go," he tells her, shocking the entire table.
She doesn't have to be told twice, storming out of the room.
"I would've loved just a little reassurance from my partner, for him to step up to the plate just one time," she sobs.
:( Nine
She clearly has a big decision to make ahead of Final Vows – but she's not the only one!
All six remaining pairs will make a life-changing decision NEXT WEEK.
Who will continue outside of the experiment? Who will part ways? What stunning metaphors will Ryan come up with?
It all goes down across two huge nights, next Sunday and Monday.
Clear your schedules, prepare your snacks – we'll see you then.
Married At First Sight airs Sunday at 7pm and Monday at 7:30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Stream every episode of Married At First Sight for free on 9Now
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