90 Day Fiance Season 8 continues with Episode 7.
On this episode, Brandon and Julia get to finally enjoy some time alone.
Unfortunately, their naked funtimes are short-lived, as Brandon’s parents began to make even more outrageous demands.
Amira is finally out of detention … but she’s not reuniting with Andrew any time soon.
Yara is alone in New Orleans, and has a tense get-together with Jovi’s family.
She also may have a surprise that neither she nor Jovi expected or feel ready for.
Rebecca is terrified that Zied will get cold feet and want to go back home … and she may be right.
Hazel has learned Tarik’s secret, and the two of them unknowingly brace for the COVID-19 pandemic to hit.
Finally, Natalie ransacks the house searching for the engagement ring.
But her behavior when Mike gets home turns cruel, and it’s clear that they’re not ready to move forward.
Brandon Gibbs and Julia Trubkina
Brandon’s parents have tasked Julia with farm chores, monoplized almost all of Brandon’s time when he’s not working his full time job, mandated that the two of these grown adults who are engaged sleep in separate bedrooms, and pushed them to change their wedding date. Now, they’re actually doing something non-awful for once by leaving.
They’ll be gone overnight
Brandon and Julia can barely contain their excitement at having a little peace instead of the constant passive aggressive hostility and Betty’s pathological need for control.
FINALLY
“This is what I want with Brandon every day,” Julia says in her voiceover as the two of them actually get to enjoy each other’s company for a few hours, like a normal couple.
Party time!
Julia surprises Brandon by flashing him, and the two are so excited to enjoy this time to themselves.
Brandon joins the fun!
The two race to the hot tub while Brandon strips and jumps right in, to Julia’s amazement and delight.
Get used to it …
Brandon tells Julia that this is all a “preview” of what their married life will be like. But … is it? Because Brandon’s parents don’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon.
The next day, it’s back to reality
That means Betty dragging Brandon and Gibbs for the ultimate “your friend’s parents lecturing your friend while you’re over at his house” vibes. She’s annoyed the the hot tub cover isn’t smooth. She also insists that the water is cloudy, accuses the two of them of wearing clothes into the hot tub (they did not; we have video evidence), and refuses to believe Brandon’s denials.
Can we discuss the contradiction?
Julia very fairly expresses confusion — so the hot tub doesn’t allow clothes, ever, but Brandon and Julia must sleep in separate rooms? She’s unclear on what Betty ultimately wants. The truth, of course, is that Betty just wants control.
Brandon nods along with Mother Dearest
Julia talks to him and to the camera about how he’s not assertive at all with his mom — he just agrees to whatever she says so that it can be over.
Meanwhile …
Betty and Ron start griping to the camera that Brandon — who gets up at 4 in the morning every day to do hours of farm labor, then works for 8 to 9 hours at his real job, then returns home to do more labor on the farm — seems to be slacking off now that Julia is here. These people are truly detestable.
Brandon makes time for Julia
Early in the mornings, he will bring Julia her favorite tea.
It’s so cute
They don’t get real time together like a normal couple, but he makes sweet little gestures towards his fiancee, who has given up her entire life to move to be with him.
Meanwhile, outside
Betty and Ron express their hopes that Brandon and Julia will grow to “love” laboring on a farm in the middle of nowhere. It’s important to remember that people with control issues often believe that their way is THE right way, and would be right for everyone if they had any sense.
Betty says the quiet part out loud
Some 90 Day Fiance fans have speculated that maybe Betty is being obnoxious on purpose to drive Brandon away, to shove him out of the nest, so to speak. That is not the case — she says plainly to the camera that she wants it to be that they’ve “gained a daughter” rather than “lost a son.” In other words? Betty wants Brandon close at hand to labor under her direction for years to come.
Lecture time!
An irate Betty and Ron confront Brandon and Julia about Brandon’s alleged “slacking off” at farmwork.
As for Julia …
Remember the early morning chores that they have already assigned Julia to do? Betty is hoping that Julia will do even more. It has become clear that, in Betty’s mind, Julia is an indentured servant.
Julia tries to explain SO delicately
She’s not great at getting up in the mornings — like a normal young person in her 20s, she has more energy in the afternoon and evening instead of in those miserable pre-noon hours. Ron and Betty explain that the animals expect to be fed at dawn. (Then feed them yourselves)
Julia is horrifed
She points out that she is already being a very good sport about feeding animals on the farm, something that she never volunteered to do.
She didn’t come here for this!
She came here to marry Brandon because they fell in love.
Instead, they see her as an extra pair of hands
She is on a K-1 visa, not a work visa. If she’d come here to work on a farm, she’d have a work visa.
Brandon shifts the blame … to Julia?
More than two decades of living under the roof of people with serious control issues means that Brandon is eager to appease his parents at every turn. Unfortunately, this means throwing Julia under the bus. He shares that he has been bringing Julia tea, and that this is what is slowing him down when it comes to his 4 AM farm chores. Ron forbids him from bringing her tea anymore.
Inside …
Brandon tries to urge Julia to just be patient and miserable for another few months. He keeps acting as if being married will change things, but there are no indications that his parents will melt into puddles of goo on his wedding day. The problems that they’re having right then and there are likely to continue. Does he know something that the rest of us do not?
The next day …
Betty takes Julia around to show her different things that she wants done. Julia tells the camera that she knows exactly what’s going on — Betty is making sure that Julia knows who’s the boss.
Brandon assures his dad
As they do something with hay, Brandon assures Ron that Julia is willing to continue giving this nightmare a try.
A threat …
Ron thinks of it as a promise, a light at the end of the tunnel, when he tells Brandon that this whole farm will one day be his. Brandon has never wanted this — this is his parents’ dream, not his. His dream is Julia.
Andrew Kenton and Amira Lollysa
In Puerto Vallarta, Andrew dines alone at a largely abandoned resort while hoping to hear from Amira soon. She has been in detention in Mexico City for three days.
Amira is free!
She is, however, in Amsterdam. She updates Andrew on her status, but briefly.
It’s still hard for her to talk about it
Amira’s phone was taken aways almost immediately. She is still processing the traumatic ordeal.
In Amsterdam
Amira pauses before speaking but ends up crying anyway — it’s not easy to discuss something horrible happening. She answer’s a producer’s questions (via speakerphone).
Why was she detained?
Amira does not know, as she was never told. She was put into a prison-like room. It was a large shared space.
She regrets allowing herself to be pressured
She once again notes how Andrew pressured her to come to Mexico for his unwise scheme. In many ways, the edit of Andrew seems to be unfair, but pressuring Amira as she describes … that’s not good, and that’s not production’s invention.
Amira is still haunted by her time in detention
She very correctly notes that even her brief stay in detention was eye-opening, and no one in the world deserves to be treated like that. It’s true!
Right now she wants to “move on”
We think that she means process what she went through before trying anything new, rather than break up with Andrew, but Amira worries that he won’t understand her need to wait.
Jovi Dufren and Yara Zaya
Yara reminds viewers that Jovi is out of town for work, so she is alone in New Orleans.
She did talk to him, however
When she brought up his friend Sara’s account of him having been a party boy, he assured her that this part of him was all in the past.
Yara meets up with Gwen
Yara goes to chat with Jovi’s mother, Gwen, and with his aunt, whom she has not previously met.
She’s a little nervous
But Yara has a very positive attitude about it, correctly noting that if they don’t like her, this will be their problem, not hers
YES
“Everyone should like me, love me” is such a good like. She’s cracking a smile as she says it but she’s had a number of good lines that are nothing short of inspirational this season, and this is one of them.
Again, Gwen wants a reception
She insists that it’s “Cajun tradition,” as if the whole entire world doesn’t have celebrations following weddings. Meanwhile, Yara wants a small Vegas wedding with Jovi because it would be unfair or downright cruel to have a wedding with only one party’s family there.
Yara also opens up about her past
She describes having become briefly engaged just once before Jovi. She says that she received a ring but it never got far enough to involve family. Four months after breaking it off, she met Jovi.
Later …
Yara admits that she feels sad feeling alone in New Orleans. She can’t just go see friends or family, Jovi is out of town, and Yara is an outgoing gal. She is even starting to feel depressed.
She was exercising regularly, but
Yara had to stop working out because she is suddenly feeling sick. Now, if a lightbulb clicked for you at that line, you’re not alone. When Yara described her symptoms to a friend back in Ukraine, her friend suggested that she get a pregnancy test.
Could she be pregnant?
Jovi isn’t in town, Yara is feeling a lot of uncertainty, and she has some pregnancy-related trauma from her miscarriage and the aftermath back in Europe. This is not what she wants right now. Next week, she’ll find out if she’s pregnant.
Rebecca Parrott and Zied Hakimi
Rebecca shows Zied her spacious but largely empty apartment, explaining that she will have to rent a truck and move her furniture in there. Zied simply says that things are “amazing” and that it’s not an issue.
He’s tired
Like everyone else who just finished an intercontinental flight, Zied is ready to rest. It didn’t help that he got grilled so much at dinner.
About that …
Rebecca still does not have a real bed set up, as her furniture is in storage.
Rebecca is nervous
After everything, she is afraid that Zied will get cold feet. (Also, her hairstyle changes during her camera time, so clearly she provided commentary in multiple takes on multiple days)
The next morning …
The two of them wake up and share a kiss on camera, which is very sweet to see.
But Rebecca has to go to work
She would love to spend Zied’s first day in America with him, but she just paid for the K-1 visa, she’s the one paying for the apartment, and it will be months before Zied can work. She has to put her responsibilities first. (And remember, 90 Day Fiance pays its stars very poorly)
Zied tries to make breakfast
He is home alone but seems to find his way around the kitchen well enough. We’ve seen worse — like Natalie’s near run-in with bleach while doing laundry.
He video chats his mom
He explains that Rebecca is at work. His mother seems unimpressed with his living situation for the moment. Whatever we viewers may think of her questions and comments, it is clear that Zied really misses her.
When Rebecca gets home …
The two exchange gifts. He then asks if it will be feasible to visit his family in the autumn, but Rebecca reminds him that with his visa, it will be more like a year. She is afraid that if he’s homesick already, her plans for the future could fall apart.
Tarik Myers and Hazel Cagalitan
In what must have been very early March of 2020, Tarik and Hazel are the only two diners wearing masks on Virginia Beach.
Hazel explains
In many Asian countries, it is normal to wear a mask during flu season or when one is sick to avoid spreading a disease, but she knows that it is considered “weird” in the US. At this point in March, people were still being discouraged from wearing masks … in what turned out to be a deliberate lie to give hospitals time to stock up on PPE. It still wasn’t enough time, unfortunately, and may have cost lives.
Hazel is enjoying the view
Just weeks before most of the country goes into lockdown, Hazel does not mind the sight of beautiful women in bikinis at the beach.
She has never come out to her family
Hazel says that she was always afraid to be herself at home in the Philippines, and only ever dated men because of her parents.
They are very religious
A person being very religious doesn’t always mean that they are biphobic or homophobic — there are lots of religions and lots of beliefs within individual faiths — but in this case, Hazel has real fears of rejection.
She worries that they’ll stop loving her
That is a horrible fear that is not limited to Hazel, her family, or her country of origin. Bigotry can reach far and wide.
Fortunately, Tarik is supportive
He is encouraging of Hazel’s desire to be herself and live openly, and he is also encouraging of her quest to find a girlfriend.
They tried that once, with Minty
However, Minty was Tarik’s ex — so not only did they already have a bond without Hazel, but they could both speak Thai in front of Hazel, which left her feeling left out. She tells Tarik that she did look at his phone and saw that he had reached out to Minty. However, it doesn’t look like her response to Tarik’s big secret was as bad as he imagined it would be.
Tarik would have every right to be unhappy
Some couples allow each other to go through their phones, but it’s normally a huge invasion of privacy. Tarik says that he’s not mad that she did it, just unhappy that she felt the need to. Tarik is a good dude.
There’s one little relationship hitch
Because Ari sleeps in Tarik’s bed, she sometimes seems to get a little jealous when Hazel and Tarik kiss — immediately glomping him with a hug. It also has led to a lack of privacy.
She needs her own room
Ari actually has a bedroom, but Tarik has used it for storage in some areas and it’s mostly just a play room. Ari is growing up, Hazel gave up her entire life to live with Tarik, and every child deserves their own bedroom and needs to learn to sleep alone eventually. So with that in mind, they resolve to set it up nicely for Ari when she is next at her mom’s. This is a genuinely good thing for everyone involved … but Ari might not like it.
Mike Youngquist and Natalie Mordovtseva
Natalie has been living in Mike’s remote home in rural Washington for one month. She and the cat seem to have bonded, at least.
If you could summarize her relationship with Mike …
Natalie is increasingly desperate to know the location of the engagement ring that Mike gave to her in Ukraine … the one that she returned to him (we’re putting that delicately) at the end of that trip.
She ransacks the house
Okay, she just searches every cabinet and everything for it. Eventually, she finds a safe, concludes that the ring must be in there, and let’s it rest. This girl is going stir-crazy.
Mike is home!
He arrives home and gives Natalie a kiss. It’s a cute, tender moment … the last one in this episode.
Dinner time
Mike’s initial ideas are immediately shot down by Natalie, who is seriously pushing Mike to adopt her diet.
Wait, now pasta is out, too?
See, for her, it’s not just about forbidding Mike from eating once-living animals (except for seafood, which is apparently okay by her even though industrial fishing is far more devastating to the environment than eating livestock), it’s about controlling Mike and making him lose weight.
How about shrimp and rice?
Mike suggest stir fry, but Natalie wants to steam everything — “I don’t want you to fry it.” Mike’s attempt to explain what stir fry is does not seem to work.
Natalie just doesn’t see the problem
She lists the ways in which she is trying to micromanage his life as if they were virtues, a clear sign that the two of them are not on the same page at all.
Natalie gets mean
“Okay, you will never lose weight” would be a cruel thing for a high school bully to say to someone. It’s not something that a partner should say to another.
It’s getting to Mike
He dodges a kiss from Natalie, he tells the camera that it feels like Natalie’s trying to fight him in a “battle.” He doesn’t understand why she’s being like this.
Natalie tries to guess where the ring is
When he tells her that it isn’t in the safe, she declares that he must have sold it. He doesn’t actually confirm that, but it may be the case, as Natalie seemed at the time like she did not want it. This clearly sets off Natalie.
She goes from belittling him about food to … this?
Natalie tries to point out that they have a lack of respect for each other. Right now, Mike has said very little, so it’s not clear how this is true for him.
She brings up IQ and calls him low class
Not for the first time, Natalie tries to insult Mike by saying that he is low class. She mentions her IQ, which she recalls being 110. Okay, first of all, IQs cannot be directly compared, because of the nature of the test — it’s complicated but I remember that much from AP Psych. Second of all, as Stephen Hawking said, bragging about your IQ is for losers. Third of all, 110 is the upper side of average (90-110 is average, with 100 being dead center). Finally, it truly doesn’t matter, as Mike said that he’s never taken one.
Has he been to a museum, “even once?”
Yes — he’s been to the Louvre, actually. Natalie says that this didn’t count, because he went with her, and then calls him low class again.
The grande finale
Mike then comes over to tell her that part of their dinner is ready, and she recoils at his hand on her back, telling him that he’s drunk and she doesn’t want him near her. This was agonizing to watch.