90 Day Fiance: The Other Way Season 3, Episode 11 showed complicated reunions, tests of faith, and one couple’s destiny laid out.
Jenny is so worried about the visit from the astrologer, but she has a pleasant surprise awaiting her.
Sumit’s reaction isn’t exactly what she’d hoped for, though.
Ariela flies to Kenya to meet up with Biniyam and patch things up … but it’s not even clear if he’s going to be there.
Corey has been going above and beyond to win Evelin back, and now he’s ready to pop the question … again.
Kenneth’s daughter and grandson visit while Armando gets some very good news.
Steven and Alina have a deadline looming, and Steven’s dragging his feet … because he seemingly doesn’t trust Alina.
Okay, wow. There’s a lot to unpack there.
But even the happiest couples have more issues to iron out.
Jenny Slatten and Sumit Singh
The episode begins with Jenny being advised to act like a ’50s Stepford Wife when the astrologer is coming to visit to make the best impression on him and on Sumit’s parents.
That’s right, the astrologer
Like Sumit, his parents seem totally beholden to what they believe is written in the stars, with Anil claiming to have experienced misfortune when not heeding this advice.
Jenny does her best
She lays out a miniature banquet on a large tray when the astrologer arrives for a visit.
Sahna lays out her list of grievances
In her mind, there are many things that are specifically duties for a woman and for a wife, and she feels that Jenny has no idea how to fulfill this role.
And what about it?
The astrologer quickly tells Sahna that she doesn’t need to teach Jenny anything.
She should attend to her own husband
Sumit and Jenny are together, and will form their own relationship balance — they don’t have to be a copy of Sahna and Anil’s marriage.
The interference must stop
He also warns that continued meddling could make Sumit more resentful and tear the family apart.
Jenny will learn in her own way
To Jenny, the astrologer acknowledges that Sahna and Anil are living by old traditions but will hopefully come around.
Sahna fires back
But Jenny wants to marry Sumit, and given how Sahna feels and those in her immediate circle have felt, she expects the astrologer to nod along with her outrage.
How is that her business?
More politely than we might, the astrologer reminds Sahna that she is already in a marriage and gets to make her own choices in that relationship. Sumit and Jenny can do the same in their relationship.
That clearly hits home
Being told that she is in the wrong, and considering how much anger and energy she has devoted towards spoiling her son’s happiness for no good reason, clearly take its toll on Sahna, who slowly tears up and begins to cry.
Sahna surrenders
She tells the camera that she feels that she cannot do anything if Sumit and Jenny are fated to be together.
Later, she wants to talk to Jenny
Without Sumit, Sahna and Anil sit down with Jenny for a very surprising conversation.
Actual compliments?
Instead of smiling while insulting Jenny to her face, Sahna is paying her genuine compliments now.
“I can change for my son”
While it’s unclear what kept Sahna from realizing that her son’s happiness should be a priority before now, she says that she is coming around.
There is one caveat
While Sahna will no longer try to prevent Jenny and Sumit from marrying, she can’t give her blessing, either. Jenny says that she understands and appreciates the goodwill regardless.
Sumit is overjoyed
This is what he wanted all along — to remain with Jenny but to also have the love and support of his parents.
Later …
Sumit and Jenny celebrate Holi together. This is their third time being able to do so.
Sumit wants to set a date … sort of
He wants to plan when to sit down with the astrologer and find out the best date for their wedding. This is one of those “you live by the sword, you die by the sword” moments for Jenny, but in this case, it’s “you get approval from the star magic man, you set your wedding date by the star magic man.” A little lower stakes.
Sumit isn’t rushing
Even though they do not have forever to get married (Jenny’s visa could run out any time) and they have been in a relationship for so many years, Sumit doesn’t want to “rush.”
Sumit didn’t think this far ahead
Apparently, because he never imagined his parents approving, Sumit didn’t really think about this part. Is Sumit just looking for new excuses to delay marrying Jenny? It’s starting to look that way more and more.
Ariela Weinberg and Biniyam Shibre
Ariela and her mother, Janice, are packing for her trip to Kenya. There, free of toxic influences from Biniyam’s circle of friends (and side pieces), she hopes that they can patch things up … or work things out in a way that’s best for baby Avi. Of course, right now, Biniyam isn’t even picking up the phone. Not a great sign.
Ariela won’t be alone
Her mother, Janice, will be with her and Avi as they head to Kenya to talk things out with Biniyam. Janice wants what’s best for everyone involved, but she has also seen a different side to Biniyam in recent weeks that she didn’t know about (because Ariela didn’t tell her, apparently).
It’s a hard goodbye
Ariela’s family loves her, misses her, and hopes that she and her family will return to live nearby. Seeing her for a couple of months for Avi’s surgery is not enough time.
In Kenya …
Ariela arrives and is unsure if she’s ready to see Biniyam. After his behavior in recent months, she is crying in the van before even seeing him because she is heartbroken.
Biniyam also arrives
Hours away from the rental (Ariela got a 3-month rental because that was the shortest lease that she could find), Biniyam is fuming over Ariela making decisions without him and her accusations that he cheated. But, to his credit, he did come to Kenya to work on the relationship — possibly the most effort and willingness to compromise that he’s shown since before Ariela gave birth.
It’s time!
Ariela and Janice and baby Avi hear Biniyam arrive, and Ariela has to emotionally brace herself.
It’s an emotional reunion
Biniyam has a lot of fears and emotions related to losing his family, since he has experienced that before.
But it’s also very sweet
Biniyam is so happy to see Avi (and Avi is happy to see him) and they play adorably. It’s truly wholesome to watch.
Well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of his own actions …
Biniyam is surprised that Ariela is not more warm with him. It seems that, on some level, he hoped that Ariela’s anger was all talk and would melt away when she saw him again. To be fair, Ariela has let a lot of things go in the past, and he may have simply thought that this would happen again.
Ariela and Biniyam have a lot to talk about
Ariela explains to the camera that, because Biniyam often claims that their partial language barrier prevents her from understanding him, she has hired a local translator to make their communication crystal clear. They meet up with her and sit outside to chat.
Biniyam objects
Despite being the one who has brought up translation issues in the past, he says that Ariela has only hired this woman for drama. While many things on 90 Day Fiance only happen for the drama, in this case, a translator might actually reduce drama by being a third person in the conversation. Many people modify their words under those circumstances.
Ariela calls out Biniyam on his partying and cheating
Even if everyone who contacted Ariela about him spending time with some “special” ladies was lying (which would include one of Biniyam’s own sisters, Wish), the other behaviors are not in question or okay.
This conversation goes nowhere
“No, you’re wrong,” Biniyam fires back, which … does not help anything.
Ariela is heartbroken
If he can’t even admit what he has done and recognize his wrongdoings, then how can they move forward? She tears up as she tells him that she feels sorry for him. She clearly fears that they will never get back together because he will never make an effort to be a good partner.
Corey Rathgeber and Evelin Villegas
Corey is planning something big for Evelin — though they are already married, he wants to ask her to marry him “again” now that they have patched things up.
Quite the statement
Corey is clearly not messing around now that Evelin has given him a second chance
We’re treated to a montage of effort
Corey has given Evelin flowers, cooked her breakfast, and more
He has been wooing her as if they’d only just met
Evelin jokes that he’ll need to keep this up forever.
He re-proposes
They were planning their wedding anyway earlier this season, then all of that took a back seat when the drama about Jenny from Peru came out. Can they get back on track?
That’s a yes!
Evelin affirms that she wouldn’t have given Corey another chance like this if he hadn’t taken full accountability and responsibility for his actions.
Kenneth Niedermeier and Armando Rubio
After dressing up sweet dog Truffles, Kenneth and Armando are preparing for a visit from Kenneth’s daughter, Madison, and his grandson, Cooper.
It has been a year and a half
Kenneth has really missed Cooper and he knows that talking over video chat is just not the same. Cooper is a little nervous about seeing his grandfather again. A year and a half is an eternity at that age, which really drives it home for Kenneth how much he has missed by not being there.
It’s all very sweet
Kenneth’s family know Armando of course but it’s good for them to all spend time together. Plus, there’s a very important first-time meeting.
Cooper and Hannah meet
It’s funny because, with kids at that age, just a couple of years’ difference is so monumental. To Hannah, it’s like she’s babysitting a child, but they get along super well and it’s adorable to watch them play together.
Kenneth gets honest with Madison
Though Armando’s family has been more accepting, he admits that he can feel the reservation in them, the wish that Armando were with a woman.
He is also painfully homesick
Kenneth has always been with his family, and after more than two decades of being surrounded by his four kids, he of course misses having them around.
They also discuss wedding plans
Meanwhile, Cooper is just too precious for words.
Armando gets some very good news
On the phone, he learns that his father will be attending his wedding after all. It’s sad to think that this was ever in question, but better late than never.
Kenneth is happy too
This is about Armando’s happiness, which definitely includes the love and support from his family. Kenneth can’t fix Armando’s family dynamic, but he can celebrate the wins with his husband-to-be.
Steven Johnston and Alina
Alina and Steven have enjoyed bonding with the cats of Turkey. While the idea of an “outdoor cat” is frankly unnerving to many of us concerned about animal welfare, Turkey is famous for its colonies of tame-ish street cats, and Alina and Steven have met and even named many of the cats. It’s very cute.
The party never stops
Okay, are we having a little fun at the expense of what Steven considers to be a good time? Yes. Is it funny to see two young people play a card game on camera with no stakes involved? Also yes.
Alina notes that the clock is ticking
They only have a few weeks left — about one month — to get married and for Steven to apply for his visa in Russia as Alina’s husband.
Steven is dragging his heels
He feels that they still have time. See, right now, she can’t be baptized as a Mormon before the wedding because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so that has to wait until after the wedding. But Steven fears that Alina will suddenly back out of a baptism after they’re married and in Russia.
WTF?
Alina very fairly notes that, if anyone is untrustworthy, it’s not her — and she already promised him that she will convert and be baptized in his faith. What gives?
Why so paranoid?
Steven explains that others have been warning him that Alina might change her mind, so he should be on the look out for that. (Side note … if you have to pressure or extract promises from someone about something like this, or if them having different beliefs would be a dealbreaker and also seems likely, then maybe don’t marry them)
Steven explains
He says that he couldn’t be with someone who won’t “support” him “in the church,” which is an interesting way of phrasing that. Many spouses support their partners in their faiths without sharing that faith. Steven’s desire to push Alina to formally convert could certainly backfire.