Love Is Blind: UK Season-Finale Recap: ‘Don’t Hug Me’

As a seasoned observer of love stories unfolding on reality TV, I must say that this latest turn of events between Freddie and Cat has left me with a heart heavy as a lead pippin. Being privy to the emotional rollercoaster that is Love Is Blind: U.K., I’ve come to appreciate the unique flavor each contestant brings to the table, and the older participants certainly add a dash of spice to the mix.


For ladies, it’s now an ideal moment to orchestrate our own “disappearances”. This week on “Love Is Blind: UK“, couples tied the knot, and as expected, Freddie the Attractive Funeral Director opted out of marrying Catherine. Essentially, this presents a perfect opportunity for us to arrange a trip to England for a symbolic funeral, followed by an unexpected emergence from the coffin reminiscent of a My Chemical Romance music video scene. Can’t we manage this without actually visiting the morgue? Surely! Right?!

As a seasoned observer of reality television, I must confess that this week’s episodes have piqued my interest more than usual. The bachelor/ette parties, as they are referred to, bring back memories of my own days in England, where the British terms “stag party” and “hen do” hold a special place in the hearts (and livers) of many young adults.

The hot goss of the night is that Demi is feeling anxious about meeting Ollie’s parents for the first time at their wedding (woof!), and Tom and Freddie are both unsure if they can actually take a leap of faith and marry their beloveds in spite of their very different values. Cat’s friends, meanwhile, look actually distressed when she says she wants to marry Freddie — perhaps because the last time they saw Cat and Freddie, they were bickering over his suggestion that they get a prenup. (Where did we land on that, by the way? It’s a disservice to us all that producers did not follow up on that!)

As for the real weddings, they were just as disorderly as you might imagine. Unlike Freddie’s usual hesitance at the altar, one “no” came as quite a surprise.

Steven and Sabrina are the first to walk down the aisle, and let’s cut to the chase; they undeniably respond with “yes.” We don’t know where they plan to settle down yet, and we haven’t managed to find out exactly how many pairs of Speedos Steven has. However, I’m certain they’ll sort it out, and Sabrina will graciously put up with every single pair. If the newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Smith separate before the reunion, I fear I won’t be able to recover.

After Maria and Tom come next in line. Despite the charm of their smeared-lipstick face-to-face encounter that brought back fond memories, we all suspected they wouldn’t last as a couple, didn’t we? Their relationship presents an unusual challenge within the realm of Love Is Blind. They share exceptional chemistry and compatibility better than many other couples on screen or in reality, yet their core values clash. She endorses traditional gender roles, while he does not. She expects him to be her provider, whereas he initially criticized her for being a makeup artist. To make matters worse, the groom’s mother declined attending their wedding, which isn’t usually a positive sign.

However, let me pose a query: Do couples typically receive guidelines at the start of their weddings stating that if one says “no,” they must immediately depart from the altar without further words? It was quite surprising to witness Tom delivering a heartfelt speech to Maria about his affection for her and her beauty, only to express his timing isn’t suitable and exit the room without allowing her a chance to respond. No embrace, no gesture of comfort, nothing! Was this a creative choice or was Tom too timid to let Maria voice her thoughts? We’ll need to discuss this again during the reunion, but regardless, I wasn’t thrilled with how that transpired.

Demi and Ollie’s wedding came as a surprising turn of events, especially considering their earlier stories. It could leave some people speechless to see how things unfolded for them on their big day.

Since parting ways from their shared residence, these two have barely exchanged words, leaving Demi with a sense of disquiet that feels entirely justified. There’s a disconnect between her thoughts and emotions, and as they approach the altar, she first inquires about Ollie’s well-being before anything else. Her body trembles, and it doesn’t take long for us to understand why.

Initially in this reality show’s season, there was chatter among the cast members suggesting that Instagram-popular Ollie might not feel as drawn to athletic Demi as she did to him. However, at the wedding, he agreed, while she declined. Upon hearing Demi’s refusal, an astonished “Why?!” echoed through reality TV that I can’t help but admit gave me a sense of satisfaction. It wasn’t because Ollie deserved rejection, but rather because it became tiresome to hear people imply that Demi’s athletic build meant Ollie wouldn’t find her attractive.

Demi’s statement could have been her opening remark, but instead, she chose to express a few other points first. Clearly, she has affection for Ollie, yet she’s come to understand her own worth and where their relationship currently stands – it isn’t at the point they want it to be just yet. As they continue dating, they’re aiming for something more permanent. Essentially, it’s a “not quite ready for ‘I do,’ but getting there.” By the time we shift our focus to another couple, Ollie seems mostly relieved, though initially taken aback. I truly hope this relationship develops into something long-lasting because, contrary to some of their peers’ opinions, I believe they complement each other well.

Moving on to Jasmine and Bobby’s wedding! The producers certainly attempted to create a sense of suspense, but I saw right through it. I mean, Jasmine’s mom, Marisa, made some questionable comments about the couple’s compatibility – suggesting that she thinks Jasmine loves Bobby more than he loves her (unthinkable!) and implying that he might not be able to provide for her (impolite!). However, I couldn’t help but feel that their affection for each other is undeniable. They seem to genuinely support one another, communicate effectively, and even enjoy doing activities together like face masks. If Marisa could just stay out of their business, I have no doubt they will sail through their relationship smoothly.

While I find their union enchanting following the Great Sam Debacle, I must admit, I harbor doubts about their long-term sustainability. Yet, love knows no bounds, and they’ve chosen to tie the knot regardless. The joy of seeing them reunite is undeniable, but there remain several unanswered questions. Can Benaiah truly settle down for an extended period? Is their relationship built on something enduring, or is it a fleeting moment of happiness after over a decade of solitude? Was Nicole’s father genuinely preoccupied with “work projects” that prevented him from attending the wedding, or does he share my reservations about this commitment?

As someone who thoroughly enjoyed the series, I must confess that it was rather amusing to see Cat, who had been criticized for supposedly not being “bougie” enough, arrive at her on-screen wedding with a Louis Vuitton weekend bag. It seemed almost ironic, given Freddie’s concerns about her potentially playing a role and hiding her true self. However, it appeared that Cat was so eager to marry him that she chose to believe he would say “yes.” After all, who wouldn’t be smitten with someone as empathetic, charming, thoughtful (he even bought matching earrings for her engagement ring), and handsome as Freddie, who she described as “his body is carved by God”?

It’s evident that Freddie was quite anxious about the ceremony, expressing his feelings as “I’m familiar with funerals, but weddings might be a different story for me.” Later on, he reveals a more grounded side, possibly reminiscent of the Capricorn zodiac, and says something we all expected: “I adore you, Cat, but perhaps the timing isn’t ideal for us.” Given their recent disagreements, this decision seems to be the wisest one. I must say, I’m still taken aback by Cat’s reaction to Freddie touching her, saying “I’m not a dog”; until they understand each other’s love expressions, their relationship may face challenges.

In my own words, I’d express it as: Freddie openly communicates his intentions of moving forward in a lifelong journey with Cat, yet she seems displeased. As he attempts to embrace her before leaving, all she manages is a firm “No.” The situation becomes rather complex from then on: Freddie is seen shedding tears in a secluded spot, while Catherine appears to be seeking solitude (and the camera follows her around the property and into a private chamber). Freddie feels remorseful, and Cat feels rejected. Unlike Tom, however, Freddie not only tries to console Cat but also extends comfort to her family as well.

It appears that Freddie and Cat are trying to resolve their issues, though it’s clear this process will take some time. She seems hurt, while he remains cautious. When she assures him she’ll be okay – “I’ve endured hardships before” – there’s a hint of frustration in her tone. He appears unsure on how to console her; all he can do is express his love, gently touch her back, and exit the room. There’s a possibility that these two may reconcile, but if you’re browsing flights to England and stumble upon a good deal before August 26, 9 p.m. BST, it might be worth considering – especially if the ticket can be refunded afterwards.

Among all versions of the popular series “Love Is Blind” worldwide, I must admit that the British one, LIB: U.K., has been my favorite thus far. This season was particularly entertaining due to its engaging dialogue, and it seems that casting slightly older participants makes the show even more intriguing. While I enjoy watching young adults believing they’re ready for matrimony, observing thirty-somethings grappling with whether they’ve truly found “the one” is far more insightful. With an additional decade of dating experience, there’s even more emotional baggage to unpack — if anything, it adds to the drama rather than reducing it.

Pod Goss

I understand Tom’s discomfort with the traditional gender roles Maria envisions for their marriage, as a career-focused woman who values self-reliance, I find myself in agreement. However, his description of how he imagines raising children seemed rather brusque to me. He wants to raise his daughter to be independent and capable of contributing, which suggests that he doubts Maria is already doing this. Isn’t it difficult to express genuine love for someone when you question their ability to contribute?

Jasmine needs to establish clearer limits with her mother. At some stage, being too involved can become counterproductive – and I’d argue that if you’re hearing your mother speak negatively about your fiancé the day before your wedding, you’ve certainly crossed that line!

I’m really eager to find out where Steven and Sabrina decide to settle down, as their compatibility is undeniable yet their differing preferences about where to live might create a bit of tension. It’s wonderful to see her openness towards Belfast, but his strong inclination towards London for the initial years seems equally firm – a situation that could potentially stretch beyond the initial phase. Oh, the intrigue!

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2024-08-21 16:54