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Minneapolis heats up as 32 singles try to find love on the eighth season of Love Is Blind.
I must admit, Season 7 was a bit dull so I was hoping this season would be juicier. Hey, it’s reality TV, not brain surgery. Y’all know that everyone lives for the smut and sensationalism.
Episode 1: “I have a Husband” –
It’s always a mixed bag because we (as the viewer) are getting to know the contestants while they are (also) engaging in their first series of blind dates in the pods. But firstly, I’m seeing a sea of fluorescent pink outfits with Taylor, 31, Registered Nurse; and with Virginia, 33, the healthcare recruiter (and yes, it’s psychologically intentional – they cannot see one another, but their fits affect their demeanour on the dates)… and we all know by now that if these contestants wanted to parlay their experiences and monetization on social media with their ’15 minutes of fame’, you know they gotta stand out… so this is also setting up the foundational entry point to do so.
Another person who stands out is Joey, 34, physician associate; with his self-proclaimed ‘golden retriever’ vibes and ‘loudly’ colourful shirts – and while he’s endearing right now, I feel like his persona could get a little annoying quite quickly. But we’ll see how he handles conflict in later episodes.
“Why are you here… what’s wrong with you?” – says David, 32, Medical Device Sales – right now, first impressions is that he is giving hardcore douchebag vibes. Like, what?? You’re leading with that line? It’s ironic because he has the introspection to say “I’ve been an ass in my previous dating life,” and still speaks like this to the women and thinks it’s okay to do so. Yeah, red flag much? But who knows, he could redeem himself later on… wait .. I spoke too soon. This is his line to Lauren, 30, Educational Sales, “oh so you’re no longer attractive…” when he finds out her age. David… EW.
Stray thoughts – to be greeted by that breakfast spread every morning would ruin me for life after returning to real-life.
Alex, 28, real estate broker; seems like an introspective sweetheart who is genuinely looking for love. The nerd in me loves the nerd in him so far. Madison, 27, artist; she’s been through a lot but I really admire her strength and grace. Her backstory so soon on the first ‘date’/interaction with Alex is also quite profound. She must like and feel safe with him to share so much of her personal traumas so immediately.
Madison also seems to be popular with Mason, 32, cinematographer; and they hit it off quite instantaneously- and bonding over the Packers and family values. First impressions: Mason also seems like a down-to-earth catch (so far).
Circling back to David, 32, Medical Sales; he is hitting it off with Molly, 29, Executive Assistant. Here, he seems to have a bit more of a sincere persona come out but the first impressions of him rub me the wrong way. We’ll see later on if he’s redeemable.
Stray thoughts: this group is low-key obsessed with exorcisms, devils, religion (or a lack thereof) and alien conspiracy theories… Minneapolis, is there something you’re not telling us??
Brittany, 34, Partnership executive; we love a Mac and cheese girl.
And of course, the click-bait title: “I have a husband” – spoiler alert – means that Molly, 29, Executive Assistant, was just calling dibs on David, revealing this information to Lauren, 30, Educational Sales (not knowing that she is the primary rival/love interest” … and cue suspenseful music.
Final thoughts: This a slightly slow and dull start to the season… no one (contestant-wise) stands-out quite yet, but who knows – things can change quite quickly in the next.
Episode 2: “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Can’t Lose” –
We’re in full-on pod date mode and here are some things that stood out to me:
The one where everyone’s a ‘foodie’: Taylor, 31, Registered Nurse on a date with Daniel 29, Sales Manager – key takeaway here is that Taylor has a Taco Bell tattoo. She’s a keeper. Then we have Sara, 28, Oncology Nurse; and Ben, 27, Account Executive on a pod date and they say the word ‘steak’ far too many times for me to count. Is trying each other’s steak just code for sex? No point in beating around the bush here.
Lauren, 30, Educational Sales; David, 32, Medical Device Sales; and Molly, 29, Executive Assistant – the love triangle status report per Lauren “she’s trying to date the person I want to marry… that f*cking sucks…” ’nuff said. And update – we learn that David cheated on his past girlfriend. Not exactly a shocking revelation presented.
Joey, 34, Physician Associate on a pod date with Monica, 27, Digital Marketing – we love an energy matching moment vis a vis a cheesy dance party.
Stray thoughts: You read it here first – Virginia with her ‘fit check’ during her pod date makes me believe that it’s only a matter of time before you can click on a ‘buy’ link to her outfit while streaming this show… I’m calling it. Madison did the same (doing a verbal fit-check) with her pod date with Mason (and not me wanting a baby blue slip dress now).
First engagement alert between human golden retriever – AKA Joey, 34, Physician Associate; and Monica, 27, Digital Marketing. Cute segue vis a vis the penguin/monogamy/ pebble giving analogy to him asking her to get engaged. Sappy, sweet, and I’m here for the wholesomeness.
Madison, 27, artist and Alex, 28, real estate broker; having their attachment-style discussion is a type of difficult conversation that more people should have. This level of introspection/self-awareness and desire for change is what fosters healthy relationships. Unfortunately, this hard conversation seems to have shifted his perspective on how he feels about Madison (in her being the strongest connection). Bummer.
To summarize Madison, 27, artist and Mason, 32, cinematographer’s pod date, I have two words: ‘anacylitical’. ‘infuriarated’. Love Is Blind – I adore you (like a not-so-secret-guilty-pleasure, but sometimes, you cause me to lose too many brain cells. Meanwhile, Meg, 30, Oncology Nurse; is clearly pining for Mason but not sure he’s reciprocating to the level she wants. Although, in my humble opinion, I feel he probably couldn’t keep up with her uppity-energy long term anyway. Cue dramatic music and the decision he now faces between these women.
Final thoughts: These contestants want to be emotionally and mentally evolved – and while some are self-aware, I’m not sure if they’re actively doing anything to facilitate this growth. Also the fact that energies are being drained and shifted all the time made me nerd out and think of Diablo (everyone in LIB is Mana-manic).
Episode 3: “Hunger Games of Love”
These over-the-top titles always take me out. LOL. I love how the producers are trying to spice up something that feels quite lukewarm thus far.
In any case, the first reveal just happened between Joey, 34, Physician Associate; and Monica, 27, Digital Marketing. Overall vibes in this interaction: goofball-y and earnest. It was syrupy-sweet to watch.
Alex, 28, Real Estate Broker has the privilege of meeting Madison’s (27, artist) ‘bearlien’ (bear+ alien). It’s quite curious to observe that Anxious and Avoidant attachment styles are attempting to be bridged via a plush toy.
Stray thoughts: Why are we focusing so much on Mason, Madison, Alex, and Meg in these past few episodes? There are 32 damn contestants present (the most ever in a season thus far) … can we share the spotlight with other prospective couples? Also, in terms of a (lack of) diversity – why is there so much focus on caucasians? Are there no other ethnicities and personalities we can be introduced to? At this point, it feels like I’m encountering deja-dull with same couples the producers are pushing onto me as a viewer.
As for the scene where the women are building a fort, on a skill level, I’d rate the structure a 6.5/10 especially since it’s giving more tent vibes than anything. Like where’s the foundation? The fortification. Yes, my fort-nerd-engineering sensibilities are getting triggered.
Shifting back to Virginia, 33, Healthcare Recruiter and her pod date with Devin, Youth Director/Coach, 28; all basketball love analogies are adorable and I’m legitimately surprised neither of them has referenced Love and Basketball movie in their dates yet. Unfortunately, he senses that she is withholding something so he’s hesitant to propose. Meanwhile, on Devin’s date with Brittany, 34, Executive Assistant; tonally – it is a lot lighter – so it’s interesting to see the compare and contrast in love dynamics. My money is still on him choosing Virginia.
Mason has fallen for Madison hard – but it seems like she’s pulling back and considering her other prospects because they’ve expressed words of affirmation/affection towards her.
In other news: “Something about them artsy boys…” – Meg. Never truer words spoken. For real. And spoiler alert, she was also the one to make a comparison about the LIB experience being akin to The Hunger Games. Girl, hardly. This is tame-town.
Final thoughts: NGL – the Bearlien plush is more interesting than many of these contestants. Also, the level of indecisiveness from the majority of these bachelor/bachelorettes is also quite exhausting to live vicariously through. It seems like most don’t know their core selves enough to know what they’re seeking in a partner and commit to it. A lot of them are hinging on low-key delulu ‘what if’ scenarios of happiness and that’s a dangerous path to venture down… but hey, the cynic in me says that at least it will make for more interesting reality TV.
