*Spoilers ahead for Season two of Love is Blind*
I love reality television and I have loved watching it since I was young. Watching all of TLC’s television series was a staple in my household. Oftentimes, I wait for an entire season to be released so I can binge watch it in one night. However, reality series have gotten harder to watch, and I think that may be a product of seeing through the drama and recognizing that real people are behind the screen. Season one of Love is Blind had its fair share of bad moments, however, it was easier to suspend belief since it was a new concept for a reality show, we were at the beginning of the pandemic and Netflix originals are often well produced. However, season two of Love is Blind was painful to watch, to say the least, but I think it was because I felt bad for the people in the show.
Danielle and Nick
First, editing makes all the difference when it comes to creating a narrative. In this season, we saw Danielle and Nick have their fair share of arguments, most often predicated on the issues that Danielle had been very insecure her entire life. She recognizes that she has to work on those insecurities. Their argument in the hotel in Mexico painted her to be a stalking controlling fiancé, while Nick was the compassionate patient partner. Essentially, the editing used Danielle’s insecurities against her.
Mallory and Salvador (Sal)
I really liked this couple from beginning to end, even though they didn’t work out. Mallory’s interaction with Jarrette in Mexico about rejecting his proposal was made to be far more dramatic than needed. Of course, their partners Sal and Iyanna had every right to be concerned, however, nothing between Mallory and Jarrette extended past talking at the bar. It’s also important to remember that the producers feed alcohol to these people; naturally, everyone is going to be more on edge and emotional.
Iyanna and Jarrette
In my opinion, this couple had the most chemistry. We saw them be fun and playful. and their differences were not issues that are fundamental to the strength of their relationships like *ahem* Shaina and Kyle. No notes!
Deepti and Shake
I lied when I said that we must give all of these people the benefit of the doubt. Shake showed the biggest red flags before the couple even saw each other in person. Asking Deepti if she thinks he could lift her when talking in the pods….I’m sorry, what? Not to mention, he repeatedly mentions to the camera and the guys that he’s not sexually attracted to her but thought he’d stick around anyways…NO. Deepti deserves better, and she absolutely knew it.
Natalie and Shayne
Oh man, where do we begin here. Besides the fact that Shayne always looked like he was on some type of illegal substance, this couple seemed to be headed in the wrong direction after the Mexico trip. I gave them the benefit of the doubt because getting back to their jobs, friends and family, all while cameras are filming is a stressful situation. Natalie being very well-spoken framed their relationship as the classic ‘opposites attract’ however as their wedding day approached, I believe the audience could tell that they were not getting married. Finding out later that they got into a fight the night before and Shayne told Natalie that he hated her is not the way to start a marriage. Imagine being Natalie and hearing that from your fiancé.
Finally, Shaina and Kyle
Watching their short-lived engagement from the outside made it easy to judge,however, I understand the mindset both went into the engagement with. Kyle believed their religious differences, him being Atheist and Shaina being Christian wasn’t too big of a difference to overcome…love conquers all, right? Well, no, but I understand his hopeless optimism. Shaina, despite her attempt to break up Shayne and Natalie, was frustrated with herself for not following her heart and intuition. I believe she kept Kyle around for so long because maybe if she got her family’s approval her feelings would change (or maybe she had a contract with that requirement). I’m not condoning how she treated Kyle, Shayne and Natalie but it felt like she wanted so badly to fall in love. It is probably for the best that she didn’t.
This social experiment doesn’t have the best odds; however, I don’t watch reality shows on those criteria. I think seeing the humanity in this season made the show more captivating, despite how painful it was at times. If Netflix renews it for a third season, I will absolutely be watching it.