The Ultimatum Season 3: Who’s Still Together and Who Gets Engaged?
Within just a few weeks, The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On Season 3 cast experience a lifetime of drama.
This season, six new couples are choosing to tempt fate by splitting up temporarily and entering into trial marriages after one person in the relationship issues an ultimatum. But is the grass really greener on the other side of the breakup? For most, it’s too soon to tell, as the newly formed couples move in together and test their fledgling relationships — while their exes do the same just a few doors down.
But for some, the Ultimatum experiment gets way too real. Two couples choose to abruptly end their trial marriages after only a few days, leaving the remaining trial partners reeling. And when the original couples reunite for the changeover, even more drama ensues. So who’s already shared some secret smooches, and what happened when they were found out? Which couples are careening toward a breakup?
Keep on reading to find out — and make sure to check back all season long to see who gets married … or moves on for good.
Zaina and J.R.
After swiping right on a dating app, Zaina and J.R. connected on almost every level — from their Thai food delivery order to their preferences in the bedroom. But after almost three years together, Zaina feels that something is missing. That’s why she’s issuing an ultimatum to push J.R. to step into a new chapter as husband and wife — and hopefully parents to their future children.
J.R., however, is carrying baggage and major trust issues from his first marriage, which ended in infidelity and divorce. After temporarily splitting, Zaina finds herself attracted to Scotty, who possesses all the qualities she believes J.R. lacks. “It’s so sexy when a guy really knows what he wants,” she says. J.R., meanwhile, is torn between Aria — someone he’d typically go for in the real world — and Sandy, who wins him over due to their undeniable chemistry. “You have so much fire and passion in your eyes,” he tells Sandy. “That just ignites something in me.”
Zaina's choice to enter into a trial marriage with Scotty proves to be a promising one. He encourages her to lean into vulnerability, while also instilling confidence in her about her ability to be a wife and mother one day. But after a drama-filled boy’s night, Zaina and Scotty clash over a rumor about J.R. entering the experiment for a hall pass. When the exchange gets heated, Zaina sees a different side of Scotty after he assumes she’s to blame. The two try not to let the argument define their relationship, but ultimately end their trial marriage in a rocky place. Meanwhile, J.R.’s attraction to Sandy continues to flourish during their trial marriage. But it goes far deeper than a physical spark — although they do share a few kisses along the way. While Nick’s shadow still looms too large for J.R.’s liking, he and Sandy try to make the most out of the remaining time together. “I think you’d make a great wife,” he tells her on their last night, later adding that he can “absolutely see myself married to someone like Sandy.”
After a dramatic changeover ceremony, Zaina is left reeling over the revelation that J.R. and Sandy kissed multiple times during their trial marriage. While J.R. is apologetic about how she found out, he denies that anything else went down between the pair. Despite the initial shock, Zaina chooses not to hold onto any resentment as they enter the new phase of the experiment — and possibly inch closer to walking down the aisle. But J.R. still isn’t sure he’s ready for commitment, leaving her in the dark about his final decision. “We just have to figure out if we’re ready to take that next step, and do life together … or not” she tells him.
Sandy and Nick
Artist Nick wants to settle down with Sandy after turning their nightly booty calls into long-term love. But their 10-year age gap has recently caused the couple serious strife. “My version of fun and her version of fun is a little different at this point. She’s still Coachella-ing,” he says. Nick is ready to trade in their city life for the suburbs and start a family, but settling down doesn’t sit right with Sandy — and their frequent arguments aren’t exactly helping convince her.
From their very first date, sparks fly between Sandy and J.R., catching the attention of Nick, who’s immediately threatened by their fiery banter. As the two get to know each other better, it becomes clear that their genuine connection is the strongest of the group, putting them on a potential collision course. Nick, meanwhile, develops a connection of his own with Vanessa, who is able to soothe his worries about the experiment. The two bond over feeling like outsiders and self-described weirdos in the group, allowing for a non-judgmental connection to flourish between them.
During their first night together, Nick expresses to Vanessa why he feels like their dynamic is so special. “You genuinely see me,” he says. But when he gets word that Sandy and J.R. are the first new couple to share a kiss, he just can’t recover. And not long after, Vanessa effectively ends their trial marriage by leaving the experiment and Nick alone. In a moment of desperation, Nick attempts to disrupt Sandy and J.R.’s relationship by showing up at their apartment, which results in a heated conversation between the three of them. Despite the drama, Sandy and J.R. attempt to focus on their relationship, which takes on a new shape after he receives approval from her family. With a stronger foundation in place, the two begin to possibly consider life together beyond the experiment.
But with Nick’s constant intrusion into their relationship, the couple can’t fully detach from their past lives. During the final days of their trial marriage, Sandy breaks down over what she feels is her ex’s increasingly erratic communication. “I have to take care of all of these people and I’m not really taking care of myself. I have to manage shit with Nick … but I don’t want to upset you,” she tells J.R.. Still, Sandy and J.R. commit to staying present during their remaining days together and end their trial marriage with mutual respect and admiration for each other.
While Nick is relieved to be reunited with Sandy, the two struggle to get on the same page due to lingering resentment, as the physical intimacy Sandy and J.R. shared is still a source of tension. While Sandy believes Nick is being “possessive and controlling,” he’s still stuck in a place of pain. Nick ultimately apologizes for his behavior and pledges to fight for their future, but backslides when he hears more details about the intimate moments. With the Ultimatum Day approaching, both try to forgive each other and move forward.
Mariah and Caleb
Mariah might be the youngest person to enter the experiment, but she’s clear about what she wants out of life with or without Caleb. That’s why she issues an ultimatum, because after two years of dating, they’re not any closer to her goals of getting married and starting a family. Caleb, meanwhile, wants her to slow down and enjoy her youth, concerned that her expedited timeline could lead to resentment (or even a midlife crisis) later down the road.
Caleb develops a connection with Aria, who appreciates his calm demeanor. Plus, a vulnerable conversation about the insecurities each of them faces demonstrates their clear compatibility. Aria’s independent spirit and impressive career drive makes his decision to choose her as his trial wife an easy one. Dating around initially proves to be difficult for Mariah, who breaks down in tears when she sees Caleb connect with other women. Micah is the only one who’s able to settle her spirit — and get her to open up about her challenging experience being raised by a single mother. Ultimately, Mariah chooses Micah as her trial husband, believing that they both “have a lot to learn from each other.”
But Mariah doesn’t get the chance to tap into that potential. Three days into their trial marriage, Micah ghosts Mariah and moves out of their apartment. Without a partner, Mariah faces the reality that she will continue on alone — albeit with some support from Nick. While Caleb is sympathetic to Mariah’s dilemma, he moves forward with his relationship with Aria. As they continue to let down their walls and connect on an emotional level, their initially platonic feelings begin to evolve. And when they break through and initiate physical touch, even deeper feelings begin to form between them. Meeting Aria’s brother only brings the couple closer. Caleb makes a strong impression on her loved ones, who can’t help but compare him to Scotty. During their final moments together, Caleb expresses how Aria has changed him for the better. “I’ve gotten more comfortable with the idea of having a wife and having children [because of you]” he tells her.
After spending so much time by herself, Mariah gives Caleb the third degree about his dynamic with Aria once they finally reunite, wondering if the connection was “more than friendship.” Caleb, however, assures her that “patience and understanding” were the only things he shared with Aria, but Mariah isn’t totally satisfied. The two try to get back on track and work on their communication. Caleb “feels judged” by Mariah’s reactions, while she doesn’t feel seen. Ultimately, the couple are able to hear each other’s concerns and tap into the immense gratitude they feel about the love they share. “There’s something [about] the way you make me feel in our relationship that I’ve never felt before,” he tells her on the final night. “It is hard to think that this could end everything.”
Aria and Scotty
After three years of dating, Aria and Scotty are at a crossroads in their relationship. Due to their busy careers, they’ve never lived together, which makes spending quality time together difficult. But Scotty is committed to their future as husband and wife, making him one of two men to give an ultimatum this season. Aria, meanwhile, is hesitant to sign up for a lifetime commitment, as she says she didn’t grow up with an example of what a healthy marriage looks like.
Both manage to forge stronger-than-anticipated connections during the dating phase. Scotty is drawn to Zaina, who shares the same priorities as a fellow marriage-minded dater in the experiment. In his eyes, Zaina “epitomizes the term wife material,” leading him to choose her as his trial wife. While Aria is initially triggered by seeing her ex hold hands with Zaina, she’s caught between a physical attraction to J.R. and an emotional attraction to Caleb. Ultimately, Caleb pulls ahead due to their similar upbringings and the way he makes her feel “really secure” when they’re together.
While Aria and Caleb’s trial marriage begins as a platonic exercise in self-discovery, their vulnerable conversations lead to feelings neither anticipated. Meanwhile, being in a relationship with Zaina reveals just how deeply Scotty has been craving a true partnership. But as the weeks go on, the latter couple’s communication styles start to clash due to Scotty’s sensitivity to rejection.
The fallout from boy’s night brings tensions to a boiling point. When Scotty confronts Zaina over possibly communicating with her ex, J.R., his anger gets the best of him. While he apologizes, the argument rears its head during the final night together, leaving their once rock-solid connection in shambles. After a successful meeting with her family, who clearly aren’t too keen on Scotty, Aria and Caleb end their trial marriage with overwhelming gratitude for one another. Aria is blown away by how close she feels to Caleb. “I’ve felt understood and seen … and it’s allowed me to trust myself,” she tells him. “You are such a good man.”
Both Scotty and Aria attempt to bring the lessons from their respective trial marriages into their relationship. Scotty loves how much quality time he spent with Zaina, while Aria appreciates the sense of calm and humor Caleb brought to their connection. Hearing Aria praise Caleb, however, inspires some jealousy in Scotty, making him question if Aria is in fact the right person for him. The two attempt to validate each other’s feelings, but can’t fully align on disagreements about her lack of physical touch and his emotional callousness. With Ultimatum Day around the corner, Scotty and Aria push past their issues and validate each other’s individual growth. But neither are able to say for certain if an engagement is in their future.
Vanessa and Dave
Marriage has been a taboo topic between Vanessa and Dave, who’ve been dating for almost three years. While Vanessa is ready to walk down the aisle, Dave isn’t exactly in a rush, prompting her to issue an ultimatum. Without a concrete timeline, she’s left feeling insecure about herself — and their future together as a couple. “I don’t know why he can’t just commit to me in a marriage going forward,” Vanessa says. “Is there something about me that is not making you want to dive right in? I deserve someone who is 100% certain.”
Enter Nick, who gives Vanessa the clarity she’s been searching for. The two bond over everything from fine art to flatulence — yes, you read that correctly — unafraid to be their full authentic selves with another. Their instant connection and obvious chemistry sends Dave into an emotional spiral. While he expresses an early interest in Mariah, she makes it crystal clear that he doesn’t have a chance. But Dave’s sense of humor does manage to make an impression on Chanel, who’s charmed by his sweet disposition. Ultimately, Vanessa chooses to move forward in the experiment with Nick, while Dave and Mariah enter into a trial marriage together.
Nick and Vanessa’s effortless connection only deepens once they move in together. Letting their walls slowly come down, the two share that they both feel fully accepted by each other. “[You make] me feel seen and understood as a person,” Vanessa tells him. “If we were married, I would feel like I could share anything with you.” Meanwhile, comfort isn’t a problem between Dave and Chanel, but the new couple have trouble fully settling into their new life together. Each are fretting over their exes potentially moving on without them, and they can’t fully focus on their budding relationship.
When Chanel leaves their apartment during their first night as a new couple, it’s clear that something just isn’t working between her and Dave. In a shocking twist, both Vanessa and Dave’s trial marriages come to an abrupt end, when the couple “secretly meet off camera” with Micah and Chanel. With zero warning or explanation, all four choose to pack up their things and leave the experiment, throwing the rest of the remaining couples into chaos.
Chanel and Micah
Micah refers to Chanel as his wife — even though there’s still not a ring on her finger. “I don’t want to just be a girlfriend with a wife title,” she says. Being in relationship limbo after two and a half years together pushes Chanel to issue an ultimatum. Micah feels there’s no version of his future that doesn’t include Chanel in it, as the two have stood by each other through thick, thin, and their UberEats delivering days. But he’s worried about the couple’s timeline — and potentially derailing her new marketing career.
While Micah is reluctant to dive too deep into the experiment, Mariah catches his eye. And after they open up about their different upbringings, the two develop a friendship and a closeness that takes them by surprise. “One thing that I really enjoyed is that Mariah is not afraid to challenge me,” Micah says about their connection. Chanel, meanwhile, eases into a natural dynamic with Dave. Both use humor to cut through the discomfort of watching their original partners fall for someone else — and in the process discover that they’d make a good fit for each other. “It would make me happy to be with someone who’s fun, easygoing, easy to talk to, is willing to show me my blind spots,” says Chanel. Turns out, “go with the flow” Dave is just what she’s looking for, and they choose each other as trial spouses.
During their first night together, the uneasiness of their new living situation (and somewhat clashing morning habits) get the best of Micah and Mariah. “Tonight is awkward,” he says. “With Chanel, it’s never awkward. She’s the person that I can’t wait to see every day.” Chanel doesn’t fare much better with Dave. Needing to process all that’s gone down so far, and the drama still to come, Chanel abruptly leaves the apartment during their first night together. She returns the next morning and apologizes for abandoning Dave during a pivotal moment in their own relationship. But their reunion is short-lived when Chanel, Micah, Dave, and Vanessa all decide to leave the experiment early so they can reunite with their original partners.
Watch The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On Season 3 on Netflix and check back for more updates on each couple as the experiment goes on.
No comments:
Post a Comment