Warning! The following contains spoilers for the 90 Day Fiancé episode "On Borrowed Time." Stream the episode with an HBO Max subscription and read at your own risk!
90 Day Fiancé featured a scene addressing ongoing immigration struggles in the United States, after skating around the issue for quite a while. Unfortunately, the latest episode to hit the 2026 TV schedule wasn't all that I wanted, as it was pushed aside for Catie Norboe to tell Joshua Atkins about her request for an open marriage.
Viewers may remember Catie spent a big chunk of the previous episode telling the friends at her bachelorette party that she found sex with Joshua boring, and she would likely need the marriage to be open so she doesn't lose the "thrill of the chase" in hooking up with other people. I had my doubts he'd be on board with it to begin with, but her timing was the absolute worst as the UK-born fiancé shared his very real fears of detainment and deportation.
Catie Ignoring Joshua's Immigration Fears Related To Immigration To Ask Her Open-Relationship Question Was A Painful Watch
Joshua ultimately confessed to drinking heavily while Catie was out with friends, having watched unpleasant news updates related to immigration in the United States. He talked about the fear of how, even if he had a green card, he could end up in a detention facility for any amount of time while details would get sorted out.
The scene cut to Catie, who gave a quick acknowledgement of his feelings but used his opening up to transition to her request for an open marriage. Joshua was taken aback, to the point he more or less ignored that she skated right by his fears about detainment. The wedding is weeks away, and she's dropping a bomb that she needs the marriage to be open?
I was proud of him in this scene, as unlike at the party, Joshua stood up for himself. He flat-out told Catie that if an open marriage was required for this wedding, then there was no wedding and he was going back to the UK. He wanted to be monogamous, and if Catie didn't want that, then they needed to end things.
Will Catie Putting Her Own Desires Ahead Of Joshua Become A Bigger Problem?
As Joshua and Catie prepare for marriage, I can't help but point out there's a consistent need for Catie to prioritize anything she needs ahead of Joshua. When she does relent, she acts as though he's the bad guy, like when she said she followed "his" rules at the bachelorette party.
Catie's hard line for marriage was raising any future children in the Lutheran faith, despite Joshua being agnostic. Ironically enough, I also have to point out that the faith also widely endorses and expects monogamy, nor does it smile upon excessive alcohol consumption.
All this to say, Catie makes a lot of rules for Joshua, but often doesn't think she needs to be held to the same standard. I can't help but think this will be a future issue in their relationship, especially with spoilers already heavily suggesting that they are married.
I do hope they've found a way through those issues, and maybe some of those conversations were a show for 90 Day Fiancé's cameras. Otherwise, I have serious questions about their compatibility as a couple, and whether it'd be a great idea to get married given the differences in what they want in life.
90 Day Fiancé airs on TLC on Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET. The clock is winding down on when we'll see these couples tie the knot, and I can't wait to see how the tell-all specials go.
