Editor’s note: The below review contains spoilers for Love Is Blind Season 8.Love is in the pods! Another season of the world’s most fascinating dating experiment is back — this time, focusing on the singles from Minneapolis, Minnesota. WhileLove Is Blindis still the same formulaic dating game, Season 8 is a breath of fresh air, withthe singles that enter the pods bringing an energy that revitalizes the series.So far, we’ve only seen the dating pod portion of the game; there’s still much more to the journey toward the altar, and more time left to see some individuals' true colors, but for now, the authenticity of this group is reason enough to tune in.
Minnesota has its happy helping of Midwest stereotypes, with things like “you betcha” and hot dish making the state what it is. So, are these “You Betcha Pod Squad” singles the epitome of Minnesota? You betcha!There may be genuine kindness at the heart of this season, but don’t get it twisted. This is stillLove Is Blind, and true colors are exposed when the pressure cooker intensifies, leading to heartbreak not only for the singles but for us too.
At the start, it’s revealed thatLove Is BlindSeason 8 is the show’s biggest yet. This means there are just more individuals to choose from, but it also means that if you’ve analyzed the cast during the preseason, you might end up playing a game ofWhere’s Waldowith some faces, as they won’t be featured in the pods one time. Do individuals like “Adam,” “Amanda,” “Hugo,” and “Tom"even get a lower third mention in the living quarter’s sequences? Were they even there to begin with? Nevertheless,the individuals the season does focus on are quite fascinating— most of them, at least. One element that stands out is that a large majority of these singles work in the medical field. It’s not necessarily important to the narrative, just an interesting fact about how singles in their twenties and thirties have focused on their career and are now jumping into finding love. Perhaps this is why this group seems to have their heads on their shoulders, or at least more than in previous seasons. They’re truly ready for the next step in life.
What makes Season 8 work isthe real-world conversations that lead to exceptional moments in the pods. Part of theLove Is Blindexperiment revolves around discovering if the connection made in the pod can work outside. In the past, there have been crucial conversations that have led to make or break decisions, and Season 8 is no exception. In two instances, the discussion of LGBTQ+ acceptance is brought up — and in both instances, it produces different results. One provides clarity, while the other leads to the dissolution of a relationship.Brittany Dodsondiscloses toDevin Buckleythat she has had relationships with women, but despite that, she doesn’t believe she could see herself marrying a woman. While she doesn’t label herself with Devin, her disclosure of her past becomes a point of contention for the potential pair. Devin’s faith leads to discomfort about being with Brittany, while Brittany is uncomfortable that he’s hesitant to accept her for who she is. The two ultimately break things off in a respectful and honest way, agreeing that they could be friends outside of the experiment. It’s a prime example of how this game needs to be played.
By comparison,Sara Cartonreveals that social issues are a major part of her life. Having lived in a conservative household, her eyes have been opened to the world, and she’s become more involved in social issues after the Black Lives Matter protests. She tellsBen Mezzengathat it’s important to have a partner that is accepting of that. Despite him saying he’s “ignorant to that stuff,” he’s willing to learn and understand. He tells her that he’s on board, so she trusts him, and they get engaged! Both conversations are exceptionally engaging to watch, andthe highlight of this initial batch of episodes, but what’s even more important is how they’re handled. Brittany and Devin don’t let their prejudices influence their discussion toward something negative, while Ben and Sara’s interactions showcase how important the topic of social issues can be when considering a potential relationship.
‘Love Is Blind’ Season 8 Has Many Heroes and No True Villains
Surprisingly, the men ofLove Is BlindSeason 8 are pretty heroic, without a single bad guy in the mix, and the same goes for the women. With such a lovable cast, is it any wonder this season is a delightful viewing experience? There certainly is drama within the first six-episode arc, but it’s not for the sake of forcing reality television moments. Instead,Love Is BlindSeason 8 is fully leaning into the first part of its title. Each individual brings a unique perspective about what they’re looking for, and perhaps by happenstance, their perfect match is right on the other side of the wall. The moment thatDaniel Hastingsdiscloses that his sister was born blind and that he wants to be like her, it’s clear that he’ll leave the experiment with a proposal. His mission isn’t only to find love, but to understand what his sister experiences. It may be a little on the nose for the show, but it celebrates this experiment in a new way.
Throughout the history ofLove Is Blind, a handful of villains have run amuck in the pods.Shake Chatterjeeseemed like his only purpose was to cause dissension and chaos during Season 2, while Season 6’sJeramey Lutinskihad buyer’s remorse and became notorious for his antics post-pods, andMicah Lussierspent Season 4 gossiping with the girls. If you watchthe Season 8 trailer, you might believe that the villain moniker could be assigned toDavid Battenburgover his assertion that 30 is old — but this first batch of episodes reveals that this is just his sense of humor. While David is one of the harder individuals to root for above other men this season,there’s no doubt he’s among the heroes of the castwhen he drops his walls and allows his vulnerability to shine through.
‘Love Is Blind’ Season 8 Casting Choices Point to Another Hot Mess
It looks like romance might be lost in all the drama.
‘Love Is Blind’ Season 8 Spends Too Much Time in the Pods
Over six episodes, five engaged couples leave the pods, but there should have been more, as this season’s “It Couple” initially feels like it could beAlex BrownandMadison Errichiello. They are the couple to root for and a focal point in each episode. They make us believe that love may be blind in the pods, but it can be real! Yet,their time together ends in a decision that’s just as heartbreaking for the viewer as it is for this potential pairing. Becoming this engrossed in their happily ever after is a unique feeling; never has there been a couple we wanted to see succeed as badly as these two. Yet, when they acknowledge the red flag in the pod that would be their breaking point in reality, it is admirable, even if it hurts to see them leave the experiment alone.
There’s a universe in which there could have been a singular show focused on Alex and Madison, as well as the corresponding pair ofMeg FinkandMason Horacek. This quartet should have bumped the engagements up to seven, but alas, we can’t always get what we want. With these dates being so integral to the season, and possibly the most promising and exciting, it’s obvious why the pod sequence is broken up into six hour-plus episodes, butthe season’s biggest flaw so far is the expanded episode count.There are various love triangles, and the journey from start to finish is captivating, but each narrative has bits and pieces that could have been condensed.
At the end of the day, we watchLove Is Blindto see how this fascinating experiment that many of us would never participate in plays out. This time around, however, it’s truly about romance, makinga much-needed change that has bogged down previous installments.While the pod squad group meets are likely to introduce more drama, right now, Season 8 proves thatLove Is Blindis moving in a strong direction for the future of the series.
Love Is Blind
Love Is Blind finally gives us singles (and potential couples) to root for in Season 8!
Singles who want to be loved for who they are, rather than what they look like, have signed up for a less-conventional approach to modern dating.
