Mike Berk and Ximena Morales finally met face to face on episode 4 of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, only to make TLC viewers cringe during all of their scenes. Mike hasn't been in a relationship for 20 years and now dreams of becoming a step-father to Ximena’s two young kids. The biggest issue in Mike and Ximena’s relationship is their communication or the lack of it, owing to Ximena knowing no English and Mike barely being able to go beyond “si.” However, Mike being called a tomato by Ximena’s extended family, their first date, and the cursed translator device 90 Day Fiancé viewers are so familiar with are just some of the many awkward moments of Mike and Ximena’s controversial relationship.
New Yorker Mike’s last substantial relationship was in high school and lasted for a year. He's basically remained single for 34 years having had no luck with local ladies until he changed his location and met Ximena in Colombia who made his “dreams come true.” Mike pinched himself when Ximena swiped right, and the couple has talked for a year since. Now, not only is Mike paying for Ximena’s expenses, but she also seems to still be in love with her ex-boyfriend who’s in jail. As expected, Mike and Ximena’s meeting in Pereira was an uncomfortable affair, but why are TLC viewers are calling them the cringiest couple of the season?
“Oof, I’ve been on dates as awkward as Mike’s and Ximena’s. And those have been without a language barrier. Visceral cringe,” tweeted viewer RBrooke21. Meanwhile, Twitter user mzemendoza commented, “Gosh, watching Mike use the translating tool makes me cringe,” which gave viewers flashbacks to the device used by Jihoon Lee and Deavan Clegg on their 90 Day Fiancé season. While Mike can't be blamed for his phone app not working or his service being bad, audiences are judging him for not trying to learn words other than “hello” and “I love you" even to Ximena’s boys Juan David and Harold Steven.
Mike certainly did not understand anything that Ximena’s folks said about her, which is scary and made the scene unwatchable to many. Plus, the chemistry between Mike and Ximena barely exists, probably because he’s not the type of bad boy she usually dates and due to her seeing the relationship as a purely transactional one. With Mike looking forward to having some “sexy time” with Ximena only for her kids to begin crying, viewers suspect she used it as an excuse to avoid sleeping with the American man.
The sinking feeling that 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days viewers had about Mike and Ximena’s relationship from the moment he appeared on episode 2 is refusing to go away. Everything that Ximena is doing so far is out of her wanting a better future for her kids, and Mike already showing them affection hints at him happily proposing at the end of two weeks and getting the family he’s always wanted. A major clue about Mike and Ximena still being together has also been revealed. This proves that amidst the cringe and the awkwardness, Mike and Ximena did manage to find happiness.
90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EST on TLC.
Source: RBrooke21/Twitter, mzemendoza/Twitter