The reunion of Netflix's The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On Season 3 aired on December 18, 2024, offering fans a dramatic closure to the season marked by emotional revelations and conflicts among the cast members. The finale featured four couples, two of whom—Scotty and Aria, as well as Caleb and Mariah—made the momentous decision to get engaged, highlighting the differing outcomes of their relationships. Meanwhile, Nick and Sandy, along with J.R. and Zaina, chose to exit the experiment single.
The reunion commenced with the arrival of the cast, including singles Zaina, J.R., Sandy, and Nick, alongside couples Mariah and Caleb, and Scotty and Aria. Hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey set the stage by stating, "This season, six ultimatums were left—two unanswered, two led to heartbreak, and two ended with engagements. They all came seeking answers." This introduction perfectly encapsulated the emotional tension brewing among the couples.
The first engaged couple to address the audience was Mariah and Caleb, who confirmed their continued engagement. They shared stories of recent trips along the West Coast, discussing their wedding plans, particularly their hopes for a destination wedding set for the summer of 2026. Mariah opened up about their preparations, stating, "We're hoping it to be a destination wedding, summer of 2026." This contrasted starkly with the revelations surrounding Scotty and Aria, which unfolded later on.
During the reunion, Aria disclosed her breakup with Scotty, admitting, "And I just feel like our biggest issue continued to go on. It's just the way we have conflict." When asked about her engagement decision, Aria noted, "A day later," following her admission of having realized it was not meant to be. Scotty echoed much of Aria’s sentiment, indicating their relationship faced challenges, compounded by personal struggles, including Aria losing her grandmother and enduring a miscarriage.
Another notable interaction during the reunion involved J.R. and Zaina, where host Nick labeled J.R. as the 'fitness king' and Zaina the 'toxic positivity queen.' J.R. revealed Zaina expressed interest in reconciling. Zaina articulated her confusion about their status, prompting her to ask, "What are we doing? Are we single? Are we together?" J.R. admitted needing time to process the aftermath of the show.
The reunion also featured never-before-seen clips from the dating week, which showcased intimate moments from J.R.’s trial marriages. Upon viewing these clips, Zaina reflected, "Y'all, when I say The Ultimatum saved me from making the worst decision of my life, I am so grateful for this show." This statement underscored the transformative experiences many participants underwent throughout the season.
An unexpected turn occurred when hosts Nick and Vanessa welcomed guests Vanessa and Dave, who had left the show mid-way through the season. Vanessa shared her discomfort during her trial marriage with Nick, stating, "I tried to comfort you and be a listener... you weren't very receptive of what I was giving, even though I asked you first." Dave characterized his experience as "enlightening," encapsulating the often turbulent dynamics explored on the show.
Sandy and Nick’s segment added another layer of complexity. Nick reflected on their ultimatum discussions, sharing how Sandy had refused to stay with him post-experiment. Sandy expressed her exhaustion with her relationship, stating, "I'm really exhausted with my relationship with Nick," which led to Nick disclosing he was dating someone else.
Conversely, J.R. mentioned he was grappling with personal issues and pursuing therapy, affirming the importance of healing after such intense experiences. The episode concluded with Zaina, who joyfully reported her dating life and disclosed her decision to freeze her eggs on her 33rd birthday.
Fans can now stream The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On Season 3 Reunion alongside all episodes on Netflix. The reunion not only encapsulated the emotional highs and lows experienced throughout the season but also left viewers reflecting on love, relationships, and personal growth.
