'90 Day: Happily Ever After?': dramatic departures, religious battles, and history lessons

Tensions are high for most of the couples this week, from unwanted to surprises to theological issues.

BRANDON AND JULIA

Julia’s parents have finally arrived from Russia! But things are awkward because Julia is constantly on edge about the trip being perfect, and her parents are a little hard to please, noting right off the bat the coupl was late to see them at the hotel.

The next day, they all take a bus tour of Washington D.C., where her parents put Brandon on the spot about American history and try to have him answer in Russia (he hasn’t learned much in the six years he and Julia have been together).

Later, they arrive at the house which has been decked out in red, white, and blue decorations. Julia is immediately on edge because there’s only suspect in this case: Brandon’s parents. Sure enough, they’re waiting inside to surprise them, and Julia is angry. This was a(nother) major line crossing moment.

GINO AND JASMINE

Natalie is still losing it after Jasmine called her all sorts of names at the party and is ready to just go home, even as Gino weakly tries to apologize. Gino feels like they shouldn’t have to leave the party, Matt and Jasmine should, after all it’s his family. His nephew does try to convince at least Gino to come back inside, but he’s trying to stand by Natalie.

Inside, Gino’s cousin-in-law Michelle jokes with Jasmine about her dramatic entrance and she does apologize, but they just laugh it off. Michelle informs Jasmine that Natalie didn’t know a lot of the situation, saying Gino lied to Natalie, and Natalie called him out after she realized she was there under false-ish pretenses. Jasmine feels bad now and realizes the real problem is and will always be Gino, so why bother trying to make things work.

Dana, sweet Dana, just want to play pool (reminder: this is his birthday party!). In their interview, Dana and Michelle admit they’re frustrated by the drama but lay the blame at Gino’s feet.

Matt, Jasmine’s roommate/boyfriend, Matt, of course doesn’t like Gino, and decides he’ll go outside and talk to Gino and Natalie, who is waiting for the world’s slowest Uber. This is apparently the first time Gino has ever met Matt in person and they both get macho, calling each other names and insulting each other’s manhood and arguing over who is doing Jasmine dirty.

He also takes a dig at Natalie, asking if she knows what she got herself into, and Natalie rightfully is shocked because no, she barely knows Gino and has never met Matt before! Finally her Uber arrives and she can be free of this insanity.

TIGERLILY AND ADNAN

Tigerlily goes shopping with her step-mom, Brenda, who tells her she and Tigerlily’s dad are still concerned about Adnan pushing her to convert to Islam. Brenda shares in her one on one interview that Tigerlily recently got out of a controlling 10-year marriage and barely started dating again before she got in an online relationship with Adnan and married him. She also worries that if something goes wrong, Tigerlily will be responsible not only for three kids, but Adnan’s immigration status.

For her part, Tigerlily is hearing Brenda, but doesn’t seem to really be listening, an issue that will pop up later with Adnan. The couple are talking a day before her scheduled c-section, and Adnan says they’ve done everything she wanted for the pregnancy, but not much of what he wanted, specifically her converting. Adnan is worried that if he’s somehow not alive the baby won’t continued to be raised as a Muslim. Tigerlily is offended that he thinks she won’t be a good wife and mother if she’s not Muslim, and he insists he is saving her. Part of his beliefs, as he’s presenting it, is that he is the head of the family and needs to protect them and their soils.

Tigerlily isn’t really listening and fussing over her nails, which annoys Adnan further. She does focus and asks him if she converted, what she would have to change? Because when they first met and married, he said he didn’t want a wife to wear a hijab. He shrugs off the question and says now that he’s “older” (he’s 23) he’s being tested and has changed his mind. Adnan pushes further saying she’s not a true believer as a Christian and doesn’t take her own religion seriously enough, which offends her and she leaves the room as he mutters she’s a “demon.”

ELIZABETH AND ANDREI

Remember that $75,000 Elizabeth and Andrei’s friends talked about Andre losing last week? Yeah, that is coming back to bite Andrei in the butt big time.

They, along with Elizabeth’s dad, go check out the investment property he bought and outside it looks ok. Inside, it looks like a bomb went off, there’s literal rubble everywhere, and Elizabeth is completely shocked. They’ve had this place two years, why and how does it still look like that? Andrei tries to explain that due to the war between Ukraine and Russia, the Russian construction company he was working with stopped replying and essentially disappeared with the investment. Elizabeth is furious, less about the money and more about the lying.

She’s so furious that the next time we see her in the episode, she is packing up her and the kids’ suitcases and flying straight home with her dad. Andrei seems surprised by this, and wants to know who he’s supposed to explain it to his family. She snaps that he can tell them about the lost money.

Elizabeth feels like there’s no way she can even consider living in Moldova if he’ll do this kind of lying to her. Andrei tries to remain positive, saying they just need a break to cool off, but he is the one sitting alone in an apartment without his family at the end of the day.

DARCEY AND GEORGI

Georgi hasn’t seen his family in 13 years, so the first member he and Darcey meet is his sister, Nikolina, and her husband and kids. The reunion is sweet and emotional, and to win “cool uncle” points with his niece and nephew, they all meet up at a Mediveal Times park where they do archery and sword fighting and other fun stuff. It’s a really nice day out for the family, and we see the softer side of Georgi.

Darcey gets a moment using Google translate to ask Nikolina how Georgi has spoken about her, and it’s positive. In her solo interview, Nikolina does say she wonders if the age difference will have an impact later, especially when it comes to Georgi possibly regretting not having kids (he is 37 and Darcey is 50). As they’re leaving, Georgi and Nikolina talk and he admits he’s nervous about what their parents will think of him. Nikolina says the only concern is over his feelings about having kids.

Back at their hotel, Darcey wants to go out on the town, thinking they have a few days before they meet Georgi’s parents. Turns out, they’re meeting them tomorrow! Communication is an ongoing issue for these two, something they both admit but have different perspectives on: Darcey feels Georgi never opens up enough, Georgi is used to bottling up his emotions and when he does try to talk, he thinks Darcey talks over him.

They argue back and forth over this and finally come to a bit of peace, but tensions are still simmering.