Can Love Be Blind? A look at Netflix’s Newest Dating Show

Netflix is changing the dating game. An original reality dating show, named Love is Blind, is claimed to be a “new dating experiment.” The show forces singles to fall in love without ever seeing the other person. The men and women are looking for their future spouses in what they call “pods.” Here is where they are dating each other. By the end of it all, the singles hope to leave engaged without ever seeing their partner. The show follows the couples throughout their 30 day journey to eternal love… or not.

Love is Blind is a three part netflix series that releases weekly. For the sake of confusion and length, I am going to focus on the thoughts I’ve gathered in the first five episodes.

Overall, Love is Blind sounds like a great idea. Young singles leaving their Inhibitions outside the pods and opening their hearts with no judgements. But I don’t find this concept to be revolutionary or better yet a good example of a healthy relationship.

There are many issues with the overall premise of the show. Firstly, the contestants. The beginning of the pods dates, we see the singles dressed for the red carpet. Women are seen in beautiful long gowns and the men in suit and ties. The Cut, poses the question “if love is really blind, why not wear sweats?”

Also, lets talk about the fact that a dating show in 2020 shows no same sex couples. The only gay representation in the show is from contestant, Carlton. The Guardian states that Carlton indentifies as bisexual. On the show, he only claims to have had same-sex relationships in the past but is now ready settle down with a woman becuase they bring a “femmine energy” to a household.

Let’s not forget that the entire concept of the show sounds a little familiar. The New Yorker draws a comparison between Love is Blind and shows like 90 Day Fiance and Married at First Sight. I couldn’t help but to find these shows all too similar, and form what we’ve seen before so that most relationships in these types of situations do not work out. I Honestly believe that shows like Love is Blind sets an unrealistic and poor example of relationships to their viewers.

The season finally will be released on Netflix on February 27.

Shannon Twomey