Neil and samantha married at first sight

Viewers of the “Married at First Sight” season finale, Part 2, on Tuesday may have been feeling a sense of déjà vu when another couple — this time Neil Bowlus and Sam Role — revealed different decisions about the fate of their marriage to the reality show’s experts.

Sam, as she had stated before, wanted to stay married, but Neil ultimately asked for a divorce, sending his wife abruptly running out of the room in tears — and leaving Tres Russell and Vanessa Nelson the only Season 3 couple to choose to remain married at the end of the show.

(Last week Ashley Doherty told hubby David Norton she wanted to divorce despite his commitment.)

Now, six months after the finale was filmed, Neil and Sam talk to The Post about what they were feeling during the dramatic decision, why their marriage ultimately failed, and whether they were actually able to remain friends.

(This article was condensed and edited from two separate interviews.)

What was the main sticking point that made you think the marriage just wouldn’t work?

Neil: There was not one main sticking point for me; it was a cumulative experience that influenced my decision. During Decision Day, I explained to the experts as follows: Sam and I had fundamentally different experiences — her attraction grew over time whereas mine waned.

How much did those first weeks of Sam’s poor behavior play into your decision?

Neil: When Sam began to be affectionate, I was excited that there was progress in our relationship, but internally I could not reciprocate those emotions and passionate feelings. The last week and a half was an extremely difficult time because I had to determine what was holding me back. During the last week, I had a conversation with Dr. Pepper and, with her assistance, it brought to light that the first four weeks did create an impression. During Decision Day, Dr. Cilona asked me a poignant question: Did I forgive Sam? . . . I did not have any resentment toward Sam, and I wanted to continue to be friends, [but] that’s all I could give.

Why did you want to stay married, Sam?

Sam: It seemed as if things had only been on the upside for the last couple of weeks, but I actually started to really like Neil the weekend my father and him went to the shooting range. I went into this experiment knowing that it was going to be a bumpy ride, considering we were both strangers. I never wanted to get a divorce from Neil . . . [He] also gave me no inclination that he wasn’t committed to staying married at the end of the six weeks. He said he had forgiven me for the way that I treated him and that he was so happy with how I was changing and growing with the process and the homework that the experts had given me. I really began to see myself growing old with him and looked forward to living together and creating a home once the cameras were gone.

Did you two talk at all about your decisions before meeting with the experts?

Neil: I could not give Sam an answer because I did not have one. With the recent and drastic changes the last week, I was confused and needed to process everything. I thought nonstop about everything, from the honeymoon to our last-minute trip to Savannah. We did talk about Decision Day; I knew Sam’s stance and she was aware of my indecision.

Sam: I told him I wanted to continue to try and see where things would go naturally and without the documentation. Neil spoke with my father the morning of Decision Day and my father told him that it would be worth giving it a try under normal circumstances. We also discussed how we would celebrate together after Decision Day. In my heart I had a hunch that maybe he would ask for a divorce, but a few things took place that made me think I could be wrong.

When Neil told you he wanted a divorce, what emotions were you immediately feeling?

Sam: I felt my heart drop to my stomach and I was crushed. Granted, I think I deserved to feel that way since I was so mean to him the first couple weeks. I just felt betrayed and completely broken. In my gut, I knew he was going to ask for a divorce, which is why you see me saying on camera that my biggest fear was he would ask for a divorce and that I would deserve it.

Do you still feel that way?

Sam: I will always feel like I deserved it.

What were you feeling, Neil, after she ran out of the room crying?

Neil: I felt terrible for causing her pain . . . I wanted to comfort her, yet I knew she was hurt and I didn’t think my consoling her would be the best course of action. Thankfully, the experts were there to console her and I took a sliver of comfort in that. Overall, I still felt like crap. My confidence in the decision did not waver in that moment; I still felt it was the right thing to do for my happiness.

What did you do or whom did you talk to that night to get to that place of acceptance by the next day?

Sam: I was proud of him for being honest about how he felt and standing up for what he thought would have been best for him. I couldn’t be mad at him for that . . . It was breaking my heart sitting there talking to him, but he had been so stoic and patient with me when I was hurting him that I felt that he deserved the same respect and understanding. Crying or being upset wasn’t going to change the result. I had a great conversation with Dr. Joseph and Dr. Pepper after Neil made his decision that helped me feel slightly better. I also spoke with my dad and he helped to put things into perspective.

What have your interactions been like since the breakup?

Neil: After the breakup we did not speak for a couple months. After such an emotional six weeks and climactic Decision Day, I knew we would both need some time and space. When we did reopen lines of communication, it was slow, but eventually we got to a point where we could enjoy each other’s company as friends . . . We have been supportive of each other. If you don’t believe guys and girls can just be friends, I give you Team Sneil.

Sam: We still talk regularly and hang out often. He is one of the best men I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, and I am so lucky to have married him. He will always be the man that I compare any other man that I get into a relationship with. He has been a big supporter of me throughout this process and during the show’s air.

How would you describe your feelings toward each other today?

Neil: Proud. I am still flabbergasted at how much Sam has changed through this entire process. Looking back to where we were on the honeymoon and where we are now shows that people can change. As difficult as things may have gotten, she put in the effort and has come out shining on the other end. I am thankful to have her as a friend, and, regardless of what she may say, she deserves a lot of credit.

Sam: My feelings for Neil are the same today as they were the day he asked for a divorce: I care about him deeply and always will. If anything has changed, it’s that I care about him even more.

How will this experience change your behavior in your next relationship, and what you look for in a potential mate?

Neil: I thought I had a good grasp on communication coming into this, but that was not the case. One of my biggest take-aways is that people have different styles of communicating, and the trick is to understand those styles in order to communicate effectively . . . I’ve also learned that stepping outside your comfort zone, as scary as it may be, is far more rewarding than avoiding or shying away from something.

Sam: I’ll never be so hurtful with my words again, I’ll never take things for granted, and I will always keep the advice and information that Neil and the experts gave me in my mind . . . I have already changed and evolved so much and have promised Neil, the experts and myself never to fall back into being the rude and crude person I was at the beginning of this experiment.

Do you want to get married again?

Neil: I do (pun intended). This experience has given me more tools to be a better husband, and I look forward to the day I can put them to use.

Sam: I will get married again. Now I know why my past relationships didn’t last. Thank goodness for this life-changing experiment, because I think that if I hadn’t listened and recognized the errors in my ways, I would’ve ended up alone for the rest of my life.

Did Sam and Neil consummate their marriage?

What happened to Samantha from Married At First Sight?

Is Samantha from MAFS in a relationship?

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