The couples on Married at First Sight season 13 have endured a trying journey since saying "I do," but Zack Freeman and Michaela Clark's experience on the show has been especially harrowing. Unlike any of the other season 13 couples, the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic affected Zack and Michaela's marriage. The two have had a hard time recovering. From spending the first week of the marriage apart to dealing with trust issues, Zack and Michaela's MAFS marriage problems might not be solvable.
Zack and Michaela's marriage started off on the right foot. Both Married at First Sight stars were eager to get married and start a family before they met one another. Michaela is 30 years old and has dreams of enjoying a close family unit, like the one she had while growing up in Houston, Texas. Zack was also in a hurry to have his own family. Although he is only 27, Zack is behind in his life plans, as he hoped to be married by age 25. Zack intended to get married at that age so he could have kids while he was still young. Zack and Michaela have both put pressure on themselves to get married as soon as possible, making them the perfect applicants for Married at First Sight season 13.
Unfortunately, MAFS' Zack and Michaela might not be perfect for each other. The first sign that Zack and Michaela weren't meant to be together was noticeable as Zack got his positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Only four days into their marriage, Michaela told her Married at First Sight season 13 co-star, Rachel Gordillo, that Zack was infected with the virus. The newlyweds agreed that Zack would stay at the honeymoon resort in Florida to quarantine and Michaela would return to Texas. Michaela and Zack had to part during a crucial moment in their marriage. Although they were just married, the Texans were still strangers and needed to get to know each other on their honeymoon. While it was wise for Zack and Michaela to quarantine, the distance between them made it harder for them to build a lasting bond.
When they reunited, the Married at First Sight season 13 couple was overjoyed, but their issues weren't resolved with a negative COVID=19 test. Soon after Zack and Michaela were finally able to live together, their belated honeymoon was interrupted. When Michaela woke up to find that Zack wasn't lying beside her, she got angry. Michaela and Zack went to Pastor Cal Roberson to work out their disagreement. Although fans are critical of the relationship expert's matchmaking abilities, Cal was able to help Michaela understand that she still has trust issues from her father leaving her when she was young. The couple was able to work through the incident, but their swift descent into an argument after a week of quarantining indicates that Michaela and Zack might not ever be able to find their footing.
While Michaela and Zack have the ambition to make their marriage work, they aren't at the right point in their lives to last beyond MAFS season 13's Decision Day. From Zack's COVID-19 diagnosis hours after their wedding day to Michaela's unresolved childhood trauma, the pair might not be able to overcome the slew of obstacles holding them back from enjoying a happy marriage. Hopefully, Zack and Michaela can turn the ship around and prove Married at First Sight fans wrong.