MAFS 2026 Episode 34: The final test was a trap – and half of them still walked straight into it

Producers set the stage, but some of these people practically sprinted into their own downfall

If you ever wanted proof that this experiment is less about love and more about psychological warfare with a side of wine, Episode 34 delivered it in spades.

The so-called “Final Test” wasn’t a test. It was a carefully engineered ambush. And yet, despite the neon warning signs, some participants still managed to humiliate themselves with Olympic-level enthusiasm.

Just when they thought the experiment couldn’t get any more manipulative, the experts rolled out the so-called “Final Test”. It was a not-so-subtle setup designed to push every relationship to breaking point. It was framed as a chance to meet a “back-up match”. But it was less about clarity and more about temptation, ego and who could keep it together under pressure. Spoiler: some saw the trap… and others practically dove headfirst into it.

Let’s break down who clocked the trap and who happily volunteered wholeheartedly and willingly.

Alissa & David: “I want to hear you”… unless I don’t like what you say

This relationship is the human embodiment of “communication is key” followed straight away by “no, not like that”.

Alissa sits there earnestly declaring,:

“I want to know you, I want to hear you, I want to know your thoughts,”

Which, on the surface sounds great. Until you remember David literally just admitted he’s been suppressing his thoughts because of how she reacts. That’s not a communication issue, that’s behavioural conditioning.

Psychologically, David has learned that honesty equals conflict, so he avoids it. Alissa, meanwhile, frames herself as open while actively shutting down the very vulnerability she claims to want. It’s emotional whiplash.

And then comes the Final Test. And David, to his credit immediately clocks the setup and bolts to the bathroom with Scott. He said:

“We stayed true, we left”

This is both unintentionally hilarious and deeply telling. The man has realised that sometimes the healthiest choice is literally removing yourself from the room.

Meanwhile, Alissa is in her element, thriving. She finds Conor, a “yapper” and she’s chatting about star signs, tattoos and asking him:

“Are you gonna drop your pants?”

Alissa told Conor that she’s not fully in her relationship with David:

“I am seventy percent… not a hundred”

That’s not something you should be telling a stranger. And she chastised David for not telling her his issues but here she is doing the same thing. Hypocrisy much?

She was also self aware enough to realise that David would be “mortified” having to do this test. That he wouldn’t be comfortable with another woman.

So let’s recap: David can’t speak without consequences, but a stranger gets full access to her personality. Brutal.

Scott & Gia: The relationship didn’t fail – it was slowly strangled

If relationships die from a thousand cuts, this one was hacked to pieces on national television.

Scott starts the episode confused, asking where Gia is and what’s going on. It’s essentially his permanent state at this point. Meanwhile, Gia is off to the pub, holding hands and having a wine-fuelled vent session with Bec. In this drinking session, they calling their husbands “subpar”, “weak” and “not that hot”. Wow. That’s so harsh and awful. And embarrassing. For them both.

Then comes the lie.

When Scott asks about what Gia was doing at the pub with Bec, she tells Scott:

“We didn’t even talk about you guys”

And that’s despite that being literally the entire conversation between Gia and Bec. She also lies about being alone when he can hear Bec in the background. It’s not even sophisticated deception. It’s lazy, reflexive dishonesty.

This is where the psychological pattern becomes undeniable. Gia doesn’t lie to protect feelings. She lies to maintain control of the narrative. Reality is whatever she says it is in that moment.

Then the Final Test arrives. Gia doesn’t just take the bait – she devours it. It was clear she was very physically attracted to her alternative match, James. He was sitting very close to her, almost touching her. And she allowed it.

With James, she’s immediately transactional:

• How much do you earn?
• Will you pay for everything?
• Are you OK with me being a trophy wife?

Romance? No. This is a job interview with a benefits package.

And then the line from Gia to James that will end her relationship with Scott:

“I’m done in a week”

That’s not confusion. That’s intent. Clearly the alcohol lubricated her willingness to be honest about who she is.

James asked Gia:

“Are you attracted to me?”

Gia’s response?

“If I went out in the real world, yes, I would date you”

When James offers his number, Gia doesn’t shut it down. She entertains it. And Bec, acting as chaotic cupid, volunteers to hold onto it “until she needs it later on”.

This wasn’t a test. This was a soft launch of her next relationship.

Meanwhile, Scott is hiding in a bathroom like a man who has finally realised he’s been arguing with a brick wall that occasionally insults him.

Bec & Danny: Petty, performative, and painfully mismatched

Bec is the human equivalent of saying sorry and then immediately doing the exact same thing again.

After feeling slightly bad for mocking Danny earlier, she’s back at it within hours. Bec was saying Danny was “Temu Connor McGregor” and openly discussing their lack of intimacy with a total stranger. Her alternative match.

She admits she wants someone who actually desires her, which is fair. But the delivery is less “vulnerable honesty” and more “public execution”. It shows a lack of emotional maturity and low emotional intelligence. The alcohol loosens her lips. Bec probably shouldn’t drink at all.

Danny, meanwhile, is having the time of his life.

While the other grooms are fleeing the scene, Danny plants himself at the table like he’s been deployed to war, declaring:

“I’ve never seen such cowards in all my life”

Sir. You’re flirting over lunch. With women who aren’t really that interested in you.

His need to frame basic social interaction as heroic masculinity is almost impressive. He genuinely believes staying at the table is some kind of moral victory, when in reality, it’s just participating.

Psychologically, Danny thrives in environments where he can perform. The Final Test gave him exactly that: an audience, a narrative and a chance to feel superior.

Meanwhile, Bec is actively undermining the relationship and outsourcing emotional intimacy to strangers.

These two aren’t on different pages. They’re in completely different books.

Gia & Bec: Toxic duo or chaos incubator?

Together, they are unstoppable. Separately, they’re still a problem, but combined, they become a feedback loop of bad decisions.

This entire episode proved one thing. Put two people together who lack accountability and they will validate each other into oblivion.

Bec encourages Gia. Gia validates Bec. And somewhere in the middle, reality is completely abandoned.

The phone number exchange wasn’t a slip-up. It was facilitated. Planned. Supported.

And when the footage airs (because of course it will), they’ll both act shocked that actions have consequences.

The grooms: The great bathroom rebellion

Scott, David and eventually Filip understood the assignment. Not the one producers gave them, but the real one: protect your relationship or at least your dignity.

Their decision to walk out wasn’t cowardice; it was awareness.

They recognised the setup:

• Attractive alternatives
• Alcohol
• Cameras
• No opt-out

This wasn’t about testing love. It was about manufacturing betrayal.

So they left.

And in doing so, they exposed the entire premise of the task. Because if you refuse to play, there is no drama.

Danny, of course, stayed, because Danny always stays where the spotlight is on him.

The brides: Frothing, flirting, and forgetting the assignment

While the grooms were staging a quiet protest, most of the brides were, as described, absolutely “frothing”.

Stella remains the only emotionally stable person in the room, calmly acknowledging that attractive people exist while trusting her relationship.

Rachel, bless her, is spiralling internally while still being loyal externally. She was praising Steven non-stop but clearly terrified of the situation.

And then there’s the rest.

This is where intention matters. Some were uncomfortable but participated. Others leaned in.

Hard.

Gia treated it like a casting call.
Bec treated it like a therapy session.
Alissa treated it like a personality upgrade opportunity.

And all of them seemed to forget one crucial detail: this is being filmed.

The real villain: Production (but also… not really)

Yes, this was a “complete stitch-up”. The cast were misled, ambushed and given no choice.

But here’s the thing: a trap only works if someone steps into it.

Some participants saw it and walked away. Others saw it and thought, “perfect, I’ve been waiting for this”.

That’s the difference.

Production created the conditions.
But the behaviour? That was all them.

Final verdict: Who passed the test? Almost literally no one (but some failed spectacularly)

This wasn’t a test of love – it was a test of impulse control, self-awareness, and basic respect.

• Scott and David passed by refusing to engage
• Filip passed by being polite, respectful and then leaving
• Stella passed by staying grounded
• Rachel passed it nervously

Everyone else?

Absolute chaos.

Gia didn’t just fail – she rewrote the criteria mid-test.
Bec treated it like open mic night for grievances.
Danny turned it into a solo performance.

And the worst part?

They still have to watch it all back.

If the bathroom felt like a safe space before, Scott’s about to wish he never left it.