Watch The X Effect

The MTV show The X Effect puts a new spin on the typical cliche dating shows that audiences have become accustomed to over the past decade or so. The show is not intended to match people up, but rather the purpose behind it is to test a pair of existing relationships.

The show begins with two couples, generally straight couples consisting of a guy and a girl, but the show has done episodes using relationships of same sex couples. The couples show up at a hotel or resort, expecting to spend a weekend together as a couple. However, once they arrive it is revealed that instead of spending time with their current significant other during the weekend they will instead be spending the weekend with their ex, who has also arrived at the same resort under the same false pretense. The exes are given their own hotel room, usually a deluxe suite with a hot tub and several other amenities.

Meanwhile, the significant others of their exes are sequestered inside another room of the same resort, although they are generally not allowed to leave their hotel room and they usually aren't familiar with one another and have no past relationship with one another. The current significant others are given the opportunity to spy on their partners and monitor what they do with their ex. For example, there is a red light in the sequestered room that lights up at all moments that the exes are making physical contact with one another. Also, while the exes are inside their suite, their movement is monitored so that their current partners no whether they are in close proximity to one another or avoiding one another.

When all is said and done, the two exes must decide separately if they wish to get back together with their ex or if they would rather stay with their current partner. At the same time, their current partner also has the option to accept or reject their partner should they choose to stay with them. Of course, the exes don't know that their current partner has been monitoring them all weekend, so if they have done something to betray their partner they must own up to it, whether their partner takes them back or not. The show The X Effect puts an intriguing twist on relationships, while also captivating audiences with the temptation that can occur with one's ex.