“Waiting For Super Passionate Love Phase:” Signs Married At First Sight’s Thomas McDonald & Camille Parsons Shouldn’t Stay Married

After Married at First Sight season 18’s Thomas McDonald spilled his true feelings about the status of his love for his wife, Camille Parsons, it’s clear they shouldn’t stay married. Camille, 32, and Thomas, 42, have one of the biggest age gaps in Married at First Sight history, but they didn’t let that deter them. In fact, they were the only couple in MAFS season 18 to say yes come decision day. Only one other couple, Karla Juarez and Juan Franco, made it to decision day, where they mutually decided to divorce.

Season 18 also had the biggest scandal of the show to date, with a cheating situation and an unprecedented couples swap. Madison Myers, who was married to Allen Slovick, carried on an illicit affair with Michelle Tomblin’s husband, David Trimble. The pair decided to officially ditch their spouses in the interest of pursuing one another, only when their deceit got called out. Moreover, Emem Obot had an ugly marriage to Ikechi Ojoré, but she ended up engaged to another man a week after asking for a divorce. Even though Camille and Thomas stayed married, it’s clear they won’t last.

Camille & Thomas Opted To Stay Married

Camille almost got cold feet before she met Thomas at the altar, as the huge life decision was weighing on her. Despite her hesitations, Camille and Thomas said yes to marrying each other at the altar, and began the eight-week-long experiment. During the honeymoon, Camille hurt Thomas’ feelings when she reiterated the fact that she was attracted to more “urban” black men, insinuating that Thomas was not that. Thomas opened up about struggling with his cultural identity growing up, as he was adopted. The misunderstanding was cleared up, and they went into the living together portion of the show.

However, along the same honeymoon issue lines, Camille chastised Thomas for not having the “swag factor” she was looking for. Camille didn’t want to accept Thomas for who he was, and made changes to his style to help the attraction, and Thomas obliged for his wife. Regarding their sex life, Camille and Thomas were the only pair to consummate their marriage, but Thomas had a complaint. While he was open about his giving nature, he said Camille didn’t return the favor, which was a red flag as Thomas was under fulfilled.

Even through their issues, Camille and Thomas formed a solid friendship, and Camille remarked that she was thankful she got to see Thomas’ goofy side he didn’t show outwardly. On decision day, they both happily decided to stay married (via @mafsfan), although Camille commented that she wanted Thomas to take the lead more. Within their relationship, though, they both exhibited red flags and Thomas gave a clear indication that they weren’t where they should be a year into marriage during the “Where Are They Now?” episode.

Camille & Thomas Both Have Red Flags

On his wedding day, Thomas admitted to Camille’s party that he had cheated on his girlfriend in the past. Thomas was in a nine-year relationship that ended as the result of his cheating. Thomas did say he went to therapy and sought out the root of his actions, and that he did the work to be ready to be a husband. However, Camille was concerned that Thomas carried on such a long relationship only for his bad behavior to end it.

On Camille’s side of things, she has shown that she is hypercritical and unrelenting. Camille made it seem like Thomas wasn’t good enough as he was, and her constant comments about his lack of a swag factor were unsettling.

A Year Later, Thomas Isn’t Passionately In Love With Camille

After the reunion, Married at First Sight season 18 had a “Where Are They Now?” episode to catch up with where the cast were at not long after the reunion. The timeframe was a year after decision day. Camille and Thomas visited Thomas’s twin brother, Tim, and his wife’s house, where Tim pulled Thomas outside for a one-on-one check-in. When speaking about where he was at in his marriage and emotions towards Camille, Thomas gave interesting insight.

“We get along really well. We don’t have arguments or disagreements or anything like that. I’m still waiting for us to get into that super like passionate like love phase.”

Thomas’ hot take means that while he and Camille get along well in their domestic life, something is missing. He expanded.

“When I say passion, I mean at a place where you can’t live without the other person or it’s like without a question you know you love the person. Want to get outside the general love and get to the really strong romantic feelings.”

Thomas should be feeling that deep committed love to Camille a year into marriage. If they haven’t had it by now, it’s likely to never come given the amount of time they’ve spent learning about each other. It’s unclear whether Camille shared the same sentiment, but Thomas’ revelation is a clear sign that he and Camille are not there yet, and may never get there.

Thomas & Camille’s Spark Will Burn Out

The lack of passionate love between Camille and Thomas is concerning. It’s a sign that the spark they once had will burn out, since Thomas isn’t getting to a place where Camille is irreplaceable. Married at First Sight may have worked for Camille and Thomas in the short term, but they should be farther along by now. While they have spoken about having children and buying a house together, without that “can’t live without each other” love, their relationship holds less value. They both still seem committed to the marriage for now, but that could change as their spark fades.