When Love Isn’t So Blind

I will admit, one of my guilty pleasures is watching a reality TV show that involves “falling in love sight unseen”. With the tenth season having new episodes out every Wednesday, me and many other reality TV show enthusiasts wait at the edge of our seats to see who will (or won’t) make it down the aisle. The preface of the show involves speaking to multiple suitors who you cannot see until one of them decides to pop the big question. Only after this engagement occurs will they be revealed to their fiance where they see if their emotional connection matches the physical. With this season taking place in Ohio, I’m sure that you can imagine that this creates a rather interesting cast of participants who prove that love is almost never blind.

Introducing this season's hottest bachelors we have: Alex, the thirty one year old crypto trader who cannot seem to keep his story straight on his past relationships, but don’t worry ladies, he’s also a Trump supporter! If that isn’t your cup of tea we have Devonta who is a thirty two year old mortgage loan officer who refuses to show his fiance any affection or words of affirmation after realizing his fiance is a woman of color - he must not own a mirror. But if that isn’t enough for you, then don’t worry I have saved the best for last! Chris is a 5 '7, thirty three year old, self proclaimed alpha male who claims that the physical connection with his fiance just isn’t there. Chris is used to being with a woman who looks like she works out everyday, despite being engaged to a hot doctor (he must be on the wrong show). Ladies, ladies, I am sure you’re eager to get your hands on these men.

But in all seriousness, what is wrong with the contestants of this season?

It has been noted online as many enjoyers of the show feel as if this season is some form of “right wing propaganda” with many contestants being conservative, having low racial self esteem (sorry Emma), eager to pop out kids, and direct followers of Trump. In all honesty this shouldn’t be much of a surprise considering this season is filmed in Ohio. However, what is surprising are the observations made on the dynamics between the men and women on the show.

When I watch reality TV, I like to think it’s through a critical social lens, and totally not because I’m obsessed. The show can be chalked up to brainless TV, but it could be a tool used to observe where we stand as a society. In this season, I would like to take note of one of the most outrageous men in Love is Blind history, Chris. If it wasn’t painful enough to witness this elf who looks like he lost his way to the north pole state that he couldn’t be with someone who didn’t do pilates everyday, he dug himself into an even bigger hole. A hole in which he not only made an absolute fool of himself, but doubled down on his actions towards his fiance. At one of the mixers after things ended with Chris and his ex fiance Jessica (who is a doctor), it is revealed that Chris is incredibly attracted to one of the other contestants, Bri. Bri had a fiance at the time, and not only does Chris shamelessly hit on her, but goes as far as telling her that he could be the dominant man she needs…yeah right.

Observing his actions made me realize two things: the first being that he is an idiot and the second being that he seems to go after women who project a certain aesthetic and value back onto him. By specifically mentioning that he goes after women who do pilates, there are a few unspoken things that almost go under the radar. Pilates promotes the image of a poised, non threatening, soft woman who men like Chris go after. In the manosphere, men are told to seek out women who invest in their appearance, reinforcing traditional beauty standards. Pilates girls were the epitome of “high value” women not just because of their slim bodies, but because they represent a set of rules that prioritizes a woman's softness. In Chris’s own words, he believes himself to be a sort of “alpha male”. It is clear that he wants to be the dominant one between him and a partner, but then again how dominant can you be when your fiance is a doctor who owns a home while you’re renting out an apartment?

With a show that values emotional connection, I find it odd how little screen time they give Christine and Vic who seem to be obsessed with one another. I understand having villains makes good TV, but where you have villains you also need someone to root for too. This will not be the first or last time we see a contestant like Chris on Love is Blind. In fact there are a few in this season who just aren’t as extreme in comparison. However, let this be a lesson to never trust a man whose clothing size could be found in a build a bear store.

Strike Out,

Melanie Torres

Miami

Melanie Torres is a writer going into her third issue with Strike Magazine Miami. She is currently studying English at Florida International University with a passion for everything whimsical. In true Gemini fashion, she is fascinated with the world around her and can be found outside photosynthesizing on a warm day. If you're interested in finding her to talk about all things film, you can reach her through Instagram @not.ur.m4nic.pixie

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