At times, we have seen Natalie Mordovtseva behave erratically in relationships.
Long before she was oscillating between emotions with Josh, she did the same with Mike Youngquist.
Her ex had his own issues. Together, they were a toxic couple.
Now, on 90 Day: The Single Life Season 3, Natalie has returned to “Scream” (Sequim), Washington to visit Mike.
What she has to tell him is nothing short of shocking. But then, of course, she has to contend with Mommy Dearest.
Reunited at last?
Natalie shows up at Mike’s home in rural Sequim, Washington. As we saw on the previous episode, she arrives with flowers ready for potting. She and her ex share an embrace. Ostensibly, she is there to pick up her belongings.
Mike has kept her things so that she can retrieve them
One of the many differences between the two of them was Natalie’s devout Christian beliefs. When she lived there, she placed crosses all over the house. But Natalie also has things like clothes and other items that she didn’t take with her when she wanted a “break” but should really not be leaving in Mike’s home.
Mike reveals that his mom, Trish, has moved in
Natalie emphatically does not want to see or speak to Trish. She feels that her MIL was a true adversary, and it is difficult to disagree. That said, we could not help but notice that (unlike past seasons) production did not bother to blur the hate symbol displayed on Michael’s shelves. The Confederate flag is not only recognizable as a racist emblem in the US, but also abroad. In European nations where displaying Nazi imagery is illegal, some fascists fly the Confederate flag as a substitute. Some fans speculate that this racist candle may be Uncle Beau’s, but it is unclear why Michael would continue to display it. Gross.
Natalie’s rat is still there, of course
She marvels at how big her beloved pet has grown during her absence. While Mike’s dog does not seem overly interested in Natalie after her absence, her rat seems to still remember her.
“I was a legendary woman for Michael”
Natalie notes how so much is coming back to her now that she is in Sequim. Among other things, Michael seemed to appreciate her as a once in a lifetime partner. She says that he will never meet anyone like her, and he knows it. Natalie admits to the camera that she does not get this feeling from Josh. Interesting.
Mike is deep in his feelings
He has a lot of pain over Natalie. Not just that he loved her, but that she broke his heart more than once. They sit, just feet from where they exchanged wedding vows, after a lot of time has passed. At first, it seems like Natalie isn’t feeling the same emotional weight. Then, she opens up to him.
Natalie never wanted a divorce from Mike, she tells him
Her confession is confusing, given her behavior in the past. But she says that, despite everything, Mike’s stated plans to divorce her broke her heart. Even so, she feels relieved and grateful that he was able to be supportive, especially when he sent money to her mother to help her flee Ukraine.
Natalie apologizes for her “mental breakdown”
Mike tells her what he went through. First, she wanted a break. Then, she had moved to Florida, and began dating. He felt devastated and went through a heartbroken emotional journey.
“I could move back”
Mike does not sound eager to rekindle his marriage to Natalie. “You wanted to follow your dreams, and you did. It just cost us.” So yes, Natalie has real regrets. But it sounds like it’s too late for her new feelings to change anything.
Wait, what about Josh?
If Mike takes her back, Natalie will break things off with Josh. But even when Natalie spoke to the cameras, which may have been before visiting Mike but likely after, she knew that this would be unlikely.
Mike expresses his shock
This was, he admits, their best direct conversation ever. So much better than during their engagement and marriage, when they both seemed unwilling to truly hear the other’s wants and needs. But it is still too late.
Natalie has come for more than just bibles and clothes
She needs all of her documentation — things that she did not take with her when she moved out. These are important to have regardless, but Natalie needs them to apply for refugee status. The invasion of Ukraine has left he country ravaged by war. Neighborhoods are full of mines and mass graves. Even when Russia is ousted, returning would not be easy. Natalie intends to apply ASAP.
“Fee-fi-fo-fum”
Mike quotes Jack And The Beanstalk as the only warning before Trish pokes her head into the room. She and Natalie exchange awkward, ominous greetings of “hi.” And then the episode ends. Only time will tell how their mutual dislike plays out.