Love Is Blind Season-Premiere Recap: Group Therapy

Hello! A lot has happened since our last conversation. I’ve moved to a new state, started a new job, and traveled extensively for work – from the Sundance Film Festival to the Grammys. But even with all that travel, I’m happy to be back here recapping Love Is Blind for you. It’s hard to believe we’re already on season ten! Over the past five years, the show has changed and now feels less like a typical dating show and more like a suspenseful psychological thriller – I like to watch with someone else, and I often find myself genuinely scared by what I see… but I’m completely hooked.

Last season didn’t produce any marriages, so things are bound to improve! This time around, the cast from Ohio is a bit older, and many of them frequently talk about wanting children. Expect the usual dating-show drama – emotional oversharing during dates, awkward lighting, and a slow pace. There are also plenty of people who don’t get much screen time. A special mention goes to Elissa, who we mostly see when she accidentally puts nail glue in her eyes and needs medical attention!

Okay, so a ton of people got engaged – fourteen, to be exact! I put my coworkers on the spot and made them try to name them all, and honestly, it was a disaster. Most of them only got about six right. A few even made up names – I have no idea who Lisa and Lillianna are! – and one person, I swear, accidentally said my name. It just shows you how hard it is to keep track of seven couples, especially when you think about all the relationships we follow that don’t actually last. But enough teasing, let’s dive in and talk about them all!

Christine and Vic

I don’t usually gamble, but if I were to, I’d bet on Vic and Christine making it to the end of this show. Vic, a 33-year-old professor from Brooklyn, is as impressive as he looks, and he seems to really connect with Christine, a 30-year-old speech therapist. When Christine shared a difficult childhood memory about her father, Vic responded by sharing his own experience of forgiving his father, creating a strong connection. Another contestant observed they’ve both experienced similar issues, just in different ways. I think they’re great at truly listening to each other, and they both seem emotionally ready for a serious relationship. Plus, they share a faith, and on this show, couples who share religious beliefs often have a better chance of lasting.

Okay, so things move fast with Vic and Christine – we’re shown a quick montage of dates and then, boom, he’s proposing! Honestly, after seeing how they interact, especially Christine’s adorable commentary to the camera about how blessed she feels, I’m not questioning their connection at all. But things get really interesting when we find out they’re the only couple not heading to Mexico. I actually think that’s brilliant! Getting to see them connect naturally in Malibu, away from all the show’s drama, feels like exactly what they need. I’m officially rooting for these two – I’m calling them the Mali-boos, and I think they might just make it!

Amber and Jordan

Jordan, an account executive, initially thought having children would prevent him from finding a connection in the pods. So it’s surprising that he’s connecting with Amber, a nurse practitioner who has a 7-year-old daughter. What drew him to her is unclear. Beyond both being 33 and openly admitting they’re not great with finances, it’s hard to say what else they have in common.

We know Jordan really enjoys cooking, and he made a huge batch of chocolate chip cookies that Amber shared with the other women – that seemed to be when she decided she wanted to marry him. However, I wasn’t sure if she was as impressed with him during their reveal as he was with her. It’s possible she was just self-conscious about the cameras – I definitely noticed her posing beforehand! But my biggest concern is whether Jordan is prepared to be with someone who has a child. He seems like he’d be a good father figure, but if he wasn’t open to dating a mom just recently, I’m worried he hasn’t had enough time to fully adjust to the idea of becoming a stepdad.

Ashley and Alex

I’m finding it hard to take Ashley and Alex’s connection seriously, and it seems like the show’s editors feel the same way. While Ashley tries to talk about intimacy with Alex, the main thing I notice is that he’s still hung up on his past – specifically, soccer. He claims he’s moved on from defining himself by the sport, but he keeps mentioning that he almost went pro before an injury. I sympathize with him and think his old teammates should apologize for how they treated him, but the constant talk about sports is getting old.

The connection between Alex and Ashley becomes incredibly intense the moment they finally make eye contact – people even comment on how her eyes seem to change color with her mood! Their first kiss is so passionate that even the camera crew gives them space. The suggestive music playing in the background doesn’t exactly hide the chemistry. Things get even more interesting when Ashley reveals she’s reading a steamy fantasy romance novel called Fourth Wing. Knowing she enjoys that type of brooding hero, it’s easy to see why she might be drawn to Alex. However, just because her fiancé has read Letters to a Stoic (and mistakenly credits the wrong author, which is funny) doesn’t mean he’s a mysterious, intense guy who’d do anything for love. I suspect he’s the type who would prioritize his own ambitions over a relationship, and wouldn’t hesitate to discard a partner if it meant pursuing his goals.

Brittany and Devonta

I’m happy to hear that Devonta, a 32-year-old who strikingly resembles the alien from the movie Home, is in therapy – he’s clearly been through a lot. He grew up without a father figure, and when his father finally contacted him during a high school football game, it wasn’t a meaningful connection. His father passed away when Devonta was 18, and tragically, his grandfather died during filming as well. Despite all this, Devonta chooses to stay and build a relationship with Brittany, a 33-year-old nurse who is currently choosing to focus on herself, and expresses his strong desire to be a fully present and supportive parent to their future child.

Honestly, when adults use silly terms like “tingly-winglies” to describe attraction, it just makes me uncomfortable. And a lot of the dates we see feel really superficial – all small talk. It seems like they could be talking about anything, like line dancing, instead of having a real conversation. Plus, Brittany has the most awkward reaction after the reveal. She admitted Devonta was shorter and sweatier than she expected, and not her type. She even said we all age and gain weight eventually! While she did mention he had nice eyes and lips, she also stressed he wasn’t someone she’d normally date.

Tyler, Keya, Kevan

Perhaps if Kevan’s parents had spelled his name with an ‘i’, he wouldn’t have become such a passive person. Even after his complicated love life falls apart, I suspect he still won’t realize that his indecisiveness – his inability to choose and stick with a decision – is what caused all the stress he found himself in.

Tyler, a 32-year-old design director, is considering a big life change – leaving her job and relocating – for Kevan, who lives with and cares for his mother. She’s made sure Kevan would be supportive of a gay child, and they both appear eager to start a family. Kevan is also seeing Keya, a 30-year-old marketing director, who recently purchased a watch as a reminder to prioritize her own well-being, honoring her late father. She then gifts Kevan a watch, symbolizing that it’s alright for him to take the time he needs to process things and accept what is. Tyler observes, with noticeable emotion, as Keya proudly shows off the basketball Kevan gave her to colleagues.

Kevan tends to talk in a rambling way, like he’s just trying to fill space without really saying much, and it leaves people feeling uncertain about what he actually thinks. This frustrates Tyler to the point where she almost leaves, even tearfully calling Kevan a “good man” in the heat of the moment. She later asks for another chance at the date and apologizes for overwhelming Kevan with her feelings. When Tyler asks for a clear commitment, Kevan finally tells her she’s his girlfriend, which she’s excited about – until she overhears during a bathroom break that Keya still has feelings for Kevan.

Kevan just needed to tell Tyler he’d chosen her and would end things with Keya on their next date. However, he struggled to do so, and Tyler overreacted, saying she felt insecure and wouldn’t return the next day unless he made a big effort to reassure her. This was difficult given they were staying in separate hotels, but she followed through on her threat. What’s strange is that Kevan seemed genuinely surprised when she left him, and even admitted to a producer he couldn’t decide which woman he preferred. Tyler had made it clear she needed to feel like his top priority.

Kevan is concerned that Keya might think he only wants her as a backup plan. However, before he can even ask her to be with him, Keya tells him she isn’t falling in love with him and he isn’t ready for marriage. She confidently declares she’s choosing to prioritize herself. In the end, both Tyler and Keya decide to move on independently and respectfully, without any harsh feelings. It’s heartwarming that their final words echo each other, both expressing self-love.

Emma, Mike, Steven, Connor, Bri, Chris, Jessica

Emma, a 27-year-old retail worker, is cautious about sharing personal details. She’s adopted and has visible scars from childhood surgeries to remove a birthmark. She’s also unsure if she wants children, as she doesn’t know the medical history of her biological family, and is hesitant to discuss her Asian heritage.

Emma’s dating three men, and how they react to her personal life is really revealing. It’s no surprise that Steven, who comes across as overly sensitive and patronizing, is the most pushy and ignores her boundaries – thankfully, she breaks things off with him. Mike, after learning about her surgeries, shares his own premature birth story. While Emma says she appreciates his attempt to offer a different viewpoint about having children, it’s clear he’s actually trying to change her mind. Ultimately, Connor, who wants to be a dad but is also respectful, is the one who truly understands and validates Emma’s feelings and how she communicates.

Okay, so Emma’s definitely feeling Connor, and he’s admitting he’s way more into Bri – a 33-year-old who just gets him. Seriously, this woman loves Michigan, “Mr. Brightside,” and even broomball – a winning combo, right? What I appreciate is how honest Connor and Bri are about wanting to explore things with each other. Breezy had to break things off with Chris, a nice guy in software sales, but she realized he wasn’t bringing out the side of her she wanted. He even said dating her felt more like hanging out with one of the guys! Thank goodness for that, honestly, because the ship name ‘Chris Breezy’ was a disaster waiting to happen. But hey, it all worked out! Chris quickly fell for Jessica, a 38-year-old doctor who deserves someone supportive – especially after her last relationship struggled during the pandemic. It’s good to see everyone being honest about what they need.

Emma begins to treat Connor as an afterthought, leading her to develop a close connection with Mike, and she even shares deeply personal letters with him. There’s a clear attraction between them—Mike admits he’s excited to fall for someone of a different race for the first time—but they have different views on having children. Connor appears anxious when he meets Bri, whose outgoing personality helps balance things out. As for Jessica and Chris, their initial hug feels a bit awkward, reminding me of a teacher and student, though they clearly enjoy being together, and that’s what’s most important.

Just like that, we’re out of the pods!

Christine and Vic unexpectedly head to Malibu, but we don’t see much of them. Meanwhile, the other six couples spend time partying in Mexico. Most of them seem to think Amber and Jordan, or Jessica and Chris, are the most compatible pair – Amber even shaved Jordan’s back, and they playfully joke about his sleep apnea machine during intimacy. Although Jessica and Chris don’t get a lot of screen time, their relationship appears relatively smooth compared to the drama unfolding with some of the other couples.

At first, Devonta and Brittany’s issue appears to be that Brittany isn’t ready for intimacy. However, things change, and she becomes the one wanting to be closer, even suggesting sex to strengthen their bond. He dismisses her concerns, claiming he simply needs alone time and prefers quiet moments to himself.

Things get complicated when Alex tells Brittany she’s more his type than Ashley, hinting at a potential connection and suggesting everyone is open to exploring other options. He then lies to Ashley, claiming he wasn’t flirting and was simply being supportive of Brittany and Devonta’s relationship. When Ashley voices her worries about their future, he dismisses her concerns as unfounded. He even makes a strange comment about feeling too comfortable, rather than nervous, on a date. It’s upsetting to hear Ashley consistently agreeing to intimacy with him.

Bri and Connor are facing some difficulties. While Connor previously said he enjoys that Bri playfully irritates him, it feels strange that he allows the other men to mock her for being talkative. Even his attempt at a compliment – saying she lets him be himself – focuses on his own experience. Bri is also finding it hard to adjust from the intimate conversations they had in the pods to the more superficial interactions happening now, with people mainly interested in causing drama. Her conversation with Chris by the pool seems friendly, but she appears overly focused on potentially continuing their connection.

Connor finally tells Bri he’s bothered by how often she talks about her past relationship. He doesn’t understand needing so much closure, as he and Emma mostly just joke about both being less tidy than their former fiancés. Mike keeps mentioning Emma’s messiness – her toothpaste, unmade bed, and bags – which worries me because it seems like this could be as significant a problem as their disagreement about having children. I also can’t help but wonder how Mike would react if he found out Emma’s claim that she always loved him isn’t entirely sincere.

The preview hints at a lot of upcoming drama, with Chris surprisingly telling Bri that Connor isn’t assertive enough for her. We also see Connor breaking up with Bri, and Chris seemingly wondering what a relationship with his runner-up would be like. It seems Alex and Brittany might not be done with each other, and with this new development, could we be heading towards a breakup followed by a reconciliation?

Extra Engaged

I’m asking my colleagues at New York Magazine and Vulture each week to predict which couples are most likely to get married. I’ll be expanding this feature as the season goes on, but here are the first results of the poll:

🥇Christine and Vic (78 percent)

🥈Jessica and Chris (67 percent)

🥉Amber and Jordan (44 percent)

😬Emma and Mike (11 percent)

💀Ashley and Alex (0 percent)

💀Bri and Connor (0 percent)

💀Brittany and Devonta (0 percent)

So who in the bottom three do we think will break up first?

A Couple of Last Thoughts

I’ve noticed a lot more branded products on Love Is Blind lately – from the White Claw drinks to the snacks available. It makes me wonder if Netflix is accepting sponsorships from companies with ties to Warner Bros. Discovery. Beyond that, the show seems to be mentioning brand names more often than usual, which makes me question if participants are hoping to land deals with companies like ChatGPT or DoorDash. It feels a bit too promotional, honestly.

Mike mentioned being $23,000 in debt very casually. Could he share more details about that situation and how he managed to pay it off? Someone I know is curious.

I found the dates in Mexico amusing, but I would have been annoyed if everyone else was enjoying horseback riding while I was stuck with just a Frisbee.

I was so excited watching the season preview! It definitely showed Emma making it to the final altar, and honestly, the best part was hearing someone shout, “He was a bitch!” I’m already counting down the days until we find out who said it – it’s going to be amazing!

• Don’t forget, this season, the fun continues over in our Love Is Blind Club newsletter!

2026-02-11 16:58