OK, let me get this out of the way right now. I know thatPerfect Matchis technically theLove Is Blindequivalent ofBachelor in Paradise, but it’s intentionally different, yet incredibly similar. ButPerfect Matchunites the all-stars of the Netflix Reality Universe, proudly known as the NRU, together to mix and mingle.We’re going to focus here on just the Pod Squad.With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s discuss.
So much of theLove is Blindexperience is watching the fascinating dating experiment to test the theory of whether love is truly blind. But really, the drama, the juicy bits, seem to come after the show. Not even just thepod portion, butafter the reunion. With so muchdrama happening in the real world, perhaps the participants who don’t find love should be flown out to a tropical locale, or maybe even a ski chalet, for their own island hook-up fest. With so manypost-show partnerings, maybe it’s time to turn the cameras on and give fans the juicy bits with their favorite singles through a different lens. Just asBachelor in Paradiseis an all-stars-style extravaganza,this spin-offcould bring the best of the bestfrom the various seasons to see if any cross-season romances can blossom on screen.
Part of the draw forBachelor in Paradiseis that Bachelor Nation continues to watch their favorites from across the franchisesearch for love in a slightly different forum. It also serves as an off-season show filler, so fans are not without their fix of love and drama.Love is Blind, for better or worse, has grown over the years.The family is getting bigger. With each new season, two dozen or more new faces join the Pod Squad. The odds are certainly not in favor of marriage, but theLove Is Blindsingles are eager to find love with individuals they can"trauma bond" with.
For those unaware of howBachelor in Paradiseworks, alumni ofThe BachelorandThe Bachelorette, and nowThe Golden BachelorandThe Golden Bachelorettecontestants, are flown to paradise where they engage in gender-swapping rose ceremonies, where, after each ceremony, an unmatched contestant is eliminated, a new bombshell enters the villa.Sorry, wrong show.A new single arrives, hoping to win the heart of the remaining islanders. The main mission of the show is to leave the game together and engaged. It’s essentiallyLove Is Blind’s mission statement as well.Perfect Matchfocuses on establishing chemistry through challenges, and those who succeed at love can impact the game. For our dreamLove Is Blindspin-off,we want to see the former’s format because,as proven in the real world, it leads to more drama for the Pod Squad.By mixing those who have attempted to date post-pods with those who have unfortunately remained single, the action that unfoldscould result in another hit Netflix series. LikePerfect Match,having familiar faces is a perfect way into a new series. Now, just give that glory to the Pod Squad.
Love Is Blind’s 10 Most Emotional Episodes, Ranked
Grab a tissues!
Through a solelyLove Is Blindlens, it will allow viewers a chance to learn more about why pod dating may not have worked, and a more “natural” attempt atreality television datingis better suited for them. WhilePerfect Matchleans more toward competition-based fun,aBachelor in Paradise-style format allows for the hook-ups that the fans have been eager to see.BecauseLove Is Blindfocuses so heavily on the “happily ever after” based on the initial connection, there is very little room for the other antics. Interactions with the Pod Squad are usually limited to one group outing, where the edit only focuses on the pertinent narratives rather than allowing us to learn how the Pod Squad singleshave gotten on with one another.
‘Love Is Blind’ Has Produced Post-Pod Romances
Putting the spotlight solely on theLove Is Blindalumni allows the devoted fan base to focus primarily on those who didn’t hear wedding bells. Fans deserve extra time with the alumni! Why save all the juicy bits for the podcast tea spills? Get the cameras rolling and continue the narratives! So, let’s break down some of the rumored drama that the cameras never caught. Most recently, in Season 8, we learned thatMeg FinkandMason Horacek, who broke up in the pods,found love post-show. While they claimed they were just friends at the reunion, it appears it’s blossomed into something more.Joey LeveilleandSara Carton, both of whom made it out with a different partner in the pods,had allegedly hooked up in Minneapolis, and all viewers could do was hear about it through secondhand accounts.Imagine these stars dropped into paradise to explore love!Let us see how it manifests!
In Season 4, after his break-up withJackie Bonds,Marshall Glazerevealed that he took the opportunity to dateKacia Clark.They “tried,” but it didn’t quite work. Imagine if they had a chance to try it in paradise? Maybe it could have worked out in their favor. As it just so happened, Jackie Bonds began datingJosh Demaswhen she found herself single again. Then there wasPaul PedenwithWendi Kongfrom Season 4,Kyle AbramsandDeepti Vempatiof Season 2, and who can forget the infamous villains of Season 6,Jeramey LutinskiandSara Ann Bick, who hooked up andcaused major controversy during and post-filming. What’s clear is the pod dating format is not meant for everyone, but the individuals they share the experience with might be the right one. With so many other pairings in theLove Is BlindCinematic Universe,putting the singles in a new environment with the same objective may result in a potentially happy ending.
As much as we love the cross-pollution that has come out ofPerfect Match, theLove Is Blindalums don’t quite get their fair shake. Giving them their own dedicated spin-off focused on the temptation of love is more appealing. Yes,the tone will be in heavy contrast to the flagship program, but it can allow the drama that fans love coming out of the reunion to expand.Love Is Blindisn’t always about happily ever after. It is reality television after all.
Love Is Blindis available to stream on Netflix.
Love Is Blind
