While I don’t consider myself a stickler for tradition, I must say that this program presents the most distorted view of matrimony that I have ever witnessed.
In case you’ve been out of the loop for the past few weeks, let me give you a rundown of Netflix’s latest show, Love Is Blind. The concept involves single individuals situated in separate “pods,” communicating with each other through walls without seeing each other. The goal is to find a partner and demonstrate that love transcends physical appearance. Does this sound ludicrous? Absolutely. Did it still attract a massive audience? Definitely.
Netflix has recently ventured into reality TV with shows like The Circle and Love Is Blind. Although I enjoyed watching Love Is Blind, I couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling that lingered throughout the 10-episode season. While I initially rolled my eyes at contestants claiming to be in love after a few conversations, the show’s progression towards proposals and bachelorette parties held entirely within pods left me feeling angry. It felt like the participants were treating marriage as a joke, which I found disappointing. Of course, it’s necessary to suspend disbelief while watching reality shows. However, the way Love Is Blind was structured was problematic. I expected the entire season to revolve around people dating in pods, but by episode 2, they were already engaged and going on pseudo-honeymoons. This made it difficult to believe that any of the couples had a real shot at making it work.
For the next eight episodes of the show, we were subjected to watching individuals who had just met their supposed partners giving each other ultimatums and expressing doubts about their commitment to marriage. It was frustrating to see them struggle with a decision that should have been obvious, especially Damian and Giannina. Other reality shows also follow this pattern, but what sets this show apart is the shortened timeline where they move in together after seven days, meet each other’s parents after nine days, and get married within four weeks, even if they knew beforehand that they would say no. It’s understandable to watch a 23-year-old fall in love after one date, but it’s absurd to witness a 32-year-old propose after spending less than an hour together.
I’m not here to lecture about the importance of marriage. Every day, many people get married who probably shouldn’t, and ultimately Love Is Blind is simply entertainment. However, there’s something about watching these couples proclaim themselves as soul mates and selecting wedding attire after only two weeks that diminishes the significance of those words. If getting married is as simple as that, it doesn’t seem like it’s worth striving for.
