hosted by Nick & Vanessa Lachey, participants come into the experiment in their existing relationship but quickly split up and choose a partner for a weeks-long trial marriage that will bring them serious clarity.

While one party in each couple issues the ultimatum, which typically revolves around whether or not the couple will commit and/or marry, they both participate in new relationships during the trial marriage phase of the social experiment. Some of the new couples within trial marriages click, others clash, and some even find themselves confused about whether or not they want to go back to their original partner. Throughout the run of The Ultimatum, the trial marriages have run the gamut from fun to frustrating, and many have pushed the original relationships into entirely new places, whether positive or negative.

With several different iterations of The Ultimatum, including the wildly successful The Ultimatum: South Africa, the series has seen several of its participants change their relationships for the better after the experiment. The Ultimatum: Marry Or Move On season 1 couple Madlyn Ballatori and Colby Kissinger have welcomed two children since their time on the show, while season 2’s Riah Nelson and Trey Brunson are currently expecting. While some couples have gone on to stay together, others have chosen to separate with clarity and love after the show’s serious experiment. The Ultimatum is one of Netflix’s ultimate reality TV offerings.

As The Ultimatum: Marry Or Move On season 3 approaches, six new couples are getting the chance to take on the challenge of discovering if their partner is who they want to be with long-term. The participants who issue the ultimatums are usually looking to get married, or at least for clarity on whether their partner is going to commit to them, after the experiment. While the other half of the pairs are usually struggling to decide whether to settle down, the trial marriages can be eerily clarifying for both. The Ultimatum season 3’s cast is ready for a change.

Zaina & J.R.

Zaina Gave The Ultimatum

Zaina met her boyfriend J.R. on a dating app nearly three years ago, and the pair have managed to synchronize their lives in nearly every way since. At 32, Zaina is looking to settle down and hoped that J.R., who’s 33, would be seeking out the same. Though both seem to love and respect one another, J.R. isn’t entirely sure if he’s ready to commit to marriage with his long-term girlfriend. Sharing his past relationships has left him skeptical, J.R. will be putting his reservations to the test during The Ultimatum season 3’s trial marriage experiment.

Sandy & Nick

Nick Gave The Ultimatum

Although the pair have been together for two and a half years, Sandy isn’t sure if she’s ready for a long-term commitment with her boyfriend Nick. At 38 years old, Nick is ready to settle into a lasting relationship with Sandy, but she’s got some reservations about settling down before she’s ready. Sandy, who’s nearly 10 years younger than her partner at 27, thinks she needs more time to be young, wild, and free before she moves into the next chapter of her life. Their time on The Ultimatum season 3 should lead to clarity for both Nick and Sandy.

Mariah & Caleb

Mariah Gave The Ultimatum

Although Mariah is only 24 years old, she’s certain that she’s ready for marriage with her boyfriend Caleb. The couple have been together for some time, but with both of them in their 20s, Caleb feels it might be right to wait for them to get a bit older and more settled before marriage is put on the table. Mariah, who feels that they’re not rushing into anything too serious in their relationship, may be ready for marriage, but her time on The Ultimatum without Caleb could be eye-opening enough that she could find herself open to changing her mind.

Aria & Scotty

Scotty Gave The Ultimatum

Although Scotty is ready for his girlfriend Aria to commit after three years together, she’s not certain that it’s the right time for them to pursue marriage. Scotty, who’s 30 years old, is hopeful that Aria will choose him in the way he feels he’s chosen her, but Aria has some other things she wants to figure out before they settle into a marriage. At 25, Aria is concerned about sacrifices she’d have to make, including ones within her career, to be Scotty’s wife. The Ultimatum season 3 may push Scotty to understand Aria’s points or change her mind entirely.

Chanel & Micah

Chanel Gave The Ultimatum

After two and a half years together, Chanel feels that she and her boyfriend Micah should be on the same page when it comes to marriage, but things aren’t quite so simple. While the pair have struggled in their relationship in the past, Chanel is hopeful that The Ultimatum will make them stronger, leading them into a commitment and marriage. 28 year old Micah isn’t sure that it’s the right time for him to settle down with 27 year old Chanel, but The Ultimatum could change their minds after they participate in the trial marriages and then come back together.

Vanessa & Dave

Vanessa Gave The Ultimatum

At 30 years old, Vanessa is hopeful that her time on The Ultimatum with her boyfriend Dave will push them into the next phase of their relationship. Dave, who’s 34 years old, appears to be hesitant to move forward with Vanessa because he wants to be certain about his decision, but Vanessa may not be interested in waiting for her partner to choose. With her choice to give The Ultimatum a try in effect, the pair should know their fate by the end of the experiment and will either find themselves happily committed, or moving on from a serious heartbreak.

The Ultimatum season 3 premieres Wednesday, December 4 and drops new episodes weekly until December 18.

Source: Netflix/Instagram