MAFS’ Steven Under Fire for Crushing Rachel’s Intimacy Week Hopes
The journey of Married At First Sight couple Steven Danyluk and Rachel Gilmore has been a rocky one from the outset. From their initial meeting, it was clear that Steven’s reserved nature and a sense of humour that didn’t quite land with his new bride were creating an immediate hurdle. Despite the potential for a strong connection, their relationship has struggled to gain traction, with Monday night’s episode marking a particularly low point.
During the show’s “Intimacy Challenge,” where the women were tasked with orchestrating their husband’s ultimate fantasy night, Rachel opted for a heartfelt and innocent approach. Eschewing anything overtly risqué, she prepared a series of signs, reminiscent of the romantic gestures in the film Love Actually, asking Steven for a kiss and to “make me feel something.” It was a tender and wholesome display, intended to foster a deeper emotional and physical connection.
However, Steven’s response turned the intimate moment into a deeply uncomfortable one. His candid admission that he wasn’t sure a kiss would elicit any feeling from Rachel left her devastated and in tears. When pressed for clarification, Steven revealed that he felt their relationship was more akin to that of roommates or close friends, rather than a romantic partnership. “Unfortunately, I haven’t felt that romantic connection as yet,” he stated.
Rachel, understandably hurt, felt his words were a “slap in the face” and accused him of holding back. Believing Steven was afraid to voice the harsh truth – that he simply wasn’t attracted to her – she directly asked, “Are you physically attracted to me?” Steven’s evasive answer, stating there was “more to it than a yes or no answer” and citing a lack of “spark,” further compounded Rachel’s distress.
Completely deflated, Rachel announced she needed space and left the apartment in tears, seeking solace from a producer. After regaining her composure, she returned, only to pack her belongings and depart, leaving Steven standing awkwardly in the apartment.
Fan Fury Erupts Over Steven’s “Brutal Honesty”
The fallout from Steven’s blunt honesty was swift and intense, with viewers taking to social media to voice their opinions. While a segment of the audience acknowledged Steven’s candour, many others condemned his approach as unnecessarily cruel and lacking in empathy.
“F***ing Steven has hid this well under his nice, shy guy act,” one frustrated viewer commented, echoing the sentiment of many who felt he had concealed his true feelings. Another fan lamented, “He should’ve said all this earlier.” The prevailing opinion among this group was that Steven had not made a genuine effort in the relationship. “Dude didn’t even try, like why go on the show if you not gonna try,” a user posted.
Conversely, Rachel received widespread praise for her dignified handling of the deeply upsetting rejection. Her emotional maturity and vulnerability were highlighted by many. “Tell you what though, she handled that with so much grace and emotional maturity,” a fan observed. “Honestly, I applaud her emotional vulnerability and how she’s been able to express that authentically (from what I’ve seen so far) without constricting herself but without being aggressive and unhinged and insulting about it.” The consensus was clear: Rachel deserved a far better partner. “She deserves sooo much better,” another viewer declared.
