By Adam Hartzer ’23
Layout Editor
For those that have enjoyed ABC’s The Bachelor, Netflix has recently created their own reality dating series, Love Is Blind, which premiered on February 13 and is hosted by husband and wife Nick and Vanessa Lachey. What differentiates this show from others is the way in which the contestants meet; instead of falling in love with someone based on their looks, singles connect with each other solely based on emotional relationships.
Without ever seeing their dates, individuals are isolated in “pods” and talk through a wall to communicate with their dates. In these private rooms, couples can talk through the wall to share stories, ask questions, and attempt to connect with their partner. As people go through the pods and get to know others, relationships build and connections begin to form. At the end of the dating portion of the show, proposals occur where the couples are then finally able to meet each other. From there, all engaged couples embark on a trip to Mexico and learn to build their relationship. Up until this point, participants did not have their phones or any communication with their family or friends. Now, they will have to share with their family, friends, and the world the news that they are now engaged to a person that they said “yes” to before even meeting them face-to-face. Many complications and obstacles arise that challenge their relationship and put their love to the test as contestants return home to Atlanta, where the show is primarily filmed. In the end, couples decide whether their love is real: they can either choose to say “I do” and walk away with their new spouse or they can say “I don’t” and walk away from their fiancé forever.
The show’s premise is unique in that it explores whether love is truly blind. Being isolated in a pod and getting to know someone for what they have to say and value helps eliminate many of the distractions associated with appearance or first impressions. Participants on the show agreed that the relationships they created would not have been created on their own in the world, as they would not have necessarily been open to dating another person of a different age, race, or background.
On February 28, the day after the finale aired, Love Is Blind became the #1 trending series on Netflix, according to Vox. As a result, Netflix created an eleventh bonus reunion episode with the cast to debrief and discuss how the series went.
Love Is Blind was renewed for both a second and third season by Netflix, due to the series’ popularity among streamers. Season 2 is set to take place in Chicago, with casting applications currently open. At this time, it is unknown when the production and release of the second season will begin.
