Time for ‘Love Is Blind’ to Revamp Its Format for Better Engagement

I have yet to be convinced that the blind-date-to-marriage approach of Love Is Blind genuinely succeeds, and season 7 of Netflix’s popular reality dating series hasn’t altered my skepticism.

Although I generally steer clear of romance-centric reality television, the straightforward allure and chaotic nature of Love Is Blind piqued my interest. I admit, I’ve only watched the U.S. and U.K. adaptations, despite hearing favorable comments regarding its international versions, which may present a different narrative! Overall, what perpetuates my engagement with the series is its inherently flawed premise. After witnessing season 7, it seems like a transformation is necessary for its continued success.

Engagement comes easily, but marriage proves challenging

The concept behind Love Is Blind is straightforward: meet someone without visual contact for 10 days, develop feelings, get engaged, enjoy a delightful beachside vacation, return to reality, and ultimately decide on marriage. From a viewer’s perspective, this timeline is undeniably entertaining and fast-paced. However, for the contestants, this timeframe feels truncated.

The imminent wedding deadline, which undeniably enhances the drama, often sets these couples up for failure. While love might be blind, communication through a wall can still harbor deception. This season showcased instances of significant dishonesty from participants (Tyler, I’m looking squarely at you). It leaves almost no opportunity for either party to truly learn about the quirks of their potential partners. Why is there only a few short weeks allotted for them to decide to tie the knot? Season 7, more than its predecessors, highlights how this structure can foster untruths.

True, the compressed timeline does compel contestants to engage in critical discussions they might have postponed indefinitely, but by now, they understand the mechanics of the show. They recognize what actions fly under the radar and which do not, leading to a season filled with unexpected, intense drama that can catch viewers off guard.

Out of the blue, Stephen exchanges fetish-related content with a random participant. Tyler reveals he has children. Garrett acknowledges liking a message from an ex. Yet, the series provides scant context for these shocking moments, leaving audiences disoriented. I can only speculate about how the women might feel, and let’s be clear, the men aren’t the only ones with flaws—Hannah has her own serious issues to handle.

Participants are rushed into either accepting or overlooking their partner’s numerous flaws without adequate time to consider how these shortcomings will impact their future. The novelty of Netflix’s rapid wedding format has faded. I genuinely hope these individuals experience real love. The wedding episode for this season (predictably, there’s just one) is slated for release on Wednesday, October 23, and I cannot honestly foresee any of these couples reaching the altar or, even so, that they should. Will the anxiety of the aisle affect their decisions? I find myself unsure and slightly apprehensive about tuning in. Will Nick come to the realization that Hannah harbors resentment towards him? Will Marissa be able to see past Ramses’ self-proclaimed progressive persona before donning her wedding dress?

If Too Hot To Handle, another Netflix reality series, can adapt its formula in the sixth season—introducing participants to the true nature of the show and incorporating a mischievous twist with “Bad Lana”—then surely Love Is Blind can also innovate. Right now, the format seems unsustainable. A significant number of the contestants appear not to be in it for a serious commitment. Take Leo, for instance, and his tumultuous love triangle with Hannah and Brittany. Did he genuinely care, or was he simply in it for a trip to Mexico? With his financial means, he could have easily financed that getaway himself.

While Love Is Blind has birthed a few success stories, like Lauren and Cameron from season 1 or Tiffany and Brett from season 4—arguably the only couples who have shown that the show’s rapid format can yield a lasting and healthy relationship—there have been many breakups, engagements gone awry, dramatic exits, and divorces. The fallout is extensive to the point where it’s challenging to keep track of it all.

I’m not sure there’s a straightforward solution to this dilemma. It might be beneficial to extend the engagement period. Perhaps Love Is Blind should employ an approach similar to that of Too Hot To Handle, keeping contestants unaware of their show’s true nature. A revision in the casting process may also be necessary (too many questionable characters slip through). What if the show eliminated weddings entirely, shifting the focus to engagement instead? This would lend greater significance to the proposal, moving away from merely a means of revealing the person behind the wall.

At the very least, Netflix ought to offer these individuals some couples therapy. But perhaps it’s time for Love Is Blind to wrap up its run altogether.

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