Love is Blind season 4 tests what it means to fall in love…again. Do looks, money, and other things matter when it comes to matters of the heart? Or can you fall in love with someone sight unseen? Again, we are watching a bunch of hopefuls navigate these questions in season 4 of the series. And since we can’t control selves (as evidenced by our season 3 breakdowns and our breakdown of season 4 episodes 1-5 and episodes 6-8), here is our breakdown of episodes 9-11 of season 4!
1. Right off the bat, why did Jackie pick Josh? Should she have given the ring back?
Lizzie: It’s hard to try to get into someone else’s mind — and even harder to try to speculate on what attracts one person to the other, but I think Josh was clearly more her type, and she picked against that on purpose. Perhaps she thought, my type hasn’t been working, let’s try something new, and then things didn’t work out with Marshall because we have a type for a reason. We like the things we like for a reason. It’s, of course, hard to see this play out on TV because it truly does feel like Marshall never had a shot, but I don’t really begrudge Jackie for picking what she wanted and what she felt made sense for her life.
There were just better ways to do it, for Marshall, for Josh and for herself, especially.
I think she should have given the ring back, if nothing else because, what is she gonna do with it? Not wear it. Pawn it? Sell it? I don’t even get keeping it, I’d be trying to give it back ASAP. Of course, we don’t have any idea how things work in this particular reality show — if Netflix paid for it, then I’m way less concerned about her keeping it. But if Marshall did? Then nah, she needs to give it back.
Lyra: I want to start this off by saying that I really enjoyed watching Jackie fall in love on Love is Blind season 4. I felt like she was reaching out for something different than what she was used to and that was more healthy. That all completely crashed and burned to ashes, especially in these last couple of episodes. Because as soon as they stepped into the real world, Jackie decided that it was easier for her to stay in a lane that she is comfortable with and to forget everything that she learned or felt in the pods. That’s why she picked Josh.
As for the ring, if Netflix paid for it like I think they do, Jackie was keeping the ring because of a multitude of reasons. Maybe she wants a salad or maybe she thinks it’s cute. It’s hers. But if the ring was bought by Marshall or was something from his family, now that is shady. And it makes me feel like she was looking to see if she could get a reaction from Marshall so he could “man up” like she wanted him too. But that’s not Marshall. He’s ready for commitment and she’s ready for games.
Ultimately, I wish that Marshall and Chelsea kind of matched up. Because they kind of seem to be in the same headspace and ready for commitment. Jackie and Kwame are not ready and the former doesn’t want to take the steps to truly find out if love is blind. But if she’s not ready, no one can force her. That is a journey she must take on her own. And I wish her, and especially Marshall, grace in the time of the internet doing its thing. Unless those alleged homophobic messages circling the internet from Jackie are real. Then I wish her no grace, but to spend more time educating herself.
2. Are Tiffany and Brett still your number one? Who is your negative OTP of the season?
Lizzie: They are the only couple that exists. They feel real in a way that only a few couples have ever felt on this show — Lauren and Cameron, Alexa and Brennon. I think they are going to get married, and I think they’re going to make it. But not just that, I think they will actually make each other better, too. And when I see a couple like them I think, well, maybe this show is good for something other than just bringing us drama straight to our tv screens. Not everyone makes it, but some do, and for some, the experience is truly life-changing.
Negative OTP of the season? Probably Micah and Paul. I mean, obviously Jackie and Marshall, but that already crashed and burn, so we will say Micah and Paul because I 100% believe she’s just in this to get famous. And she’s not even that great an actress.
Lyra: I have nothing negative to say about Tiffany and Brett. They are absolute perfection from start to finish. And I can’t stop thinking about how he comforted her when she was freaking out about the wedding. Because it’s hard enough to think about planning a wedding months ahead. I can’t imagine having only weeks. And instead of making her feel bad for having these emotions he stayed and he grounded her. That allowed Tiffany to feel what she was feeling and feel like those feelings are valid. And sometimes that’s all we need.
And I know I can talk about Brett introducing Tiffany to his family. But I want to talk about how Tiffany knew that Marshall was important to Brett and told him that Jackie wasn’t there for the wedding dress fitting. At least that’s how I read it. Because she wasn’t gossiping. Tiffany was sharing information with someone that she loved and showing him once again that she has his back and values what he deems important.
As for my NOTP? Well, they already ended. *looks over at Jackie and Marshall*
3. Are we shipping Bliss and Zack now? Because after the family meeting, there’s something real there.
Lizzie: HOW DID WE GET HERE? Because the answer is probably yes, and both family meetings helped. They clearly should have been the couple coming out of the pods, and Bliss’ mom talking to Zack legitimately had me tearing up. It was raw and real and it truly felt like he was giving it his all, he wanted the relationship to work. It never felt like that with Irina, and he should have realized that from their first convo. But if Bliss can forgive him, I guess I can.
Then the convo with the dad was also really illuminating, not because the dad was nice — he wasn’t, but because of the way they both handled his disapproval. We’ve seen other couples crumble in the face of parental disapproval, but Zack and Bliss just seemed ready to prove her dad wrong, together. I felt it was a very mature couple’s reaction, and it made me like them more.
Lyra: I cannot believe that I am saying this with my whole chest after everything that happened with Irina, but I kind of ship Bliss and Zack. The more time that I see them together the more I feel like they actually work and would take the steps to support each other. Seriously, they would be the ones to go to therapy to make sure that they didn’t miss anything that they should have when it comes to a relationship because of how different the pod life is, especially when it comes to their relationship. And I felt that switch turning in my brain when it came to shipping them when they were meeting with Bliss’s family.
Her dad was rude and was not listening to his daughter at all, making it very clear that he drove his other daughter away. And I love how Bliss stood up for herself and what she wanted. And Zack stayed and was unapologetically himself. And then there was the conversation with the mom. Zack didn’t have to go and out himself but he did and I think Bliss respected him even more because of that. Because people make mistakes and it’s how you own up to it that matters. Because of that, I think that they’re both going into this relationship with eyes open and that honesty is refreshing.
4. Will Kwame say yes to Chelsea? Why did Chelsea say yes?
Lizzie: Chelsea wants to be married, and I think the intensity of this experience just makes you think you have to go all in. It feels like she and Kwame are not in the same place or want the same things, but I wasn’t surprised to see her say yes. I’m a little torn on him, though. I’m not sure he wants this, or at least wants this right now, but if you’ve watched this show before, you know if you don’t say yes that’s probably the end of the relationship. So, I guess the real question is, does he want this enough to take that leap even if he might not be sure now, hoping at some point in the future, things will work out? There’s a lot more of a spotlight on you if you do get married, after all.
If there’s one couple I want to see at the reunion, it’s these two. Because I really don’t have any clear read of it it’s all fake or not.
Lyra: Chelsea said yes because she’s super intense and knows what she wants. And there’s nothing wrong with that. There never has been. But her and Kwame are not on the same page. She’s ready for marriage and commitment and he wants the complete opposite. In fact, I think commitment scares him. Because you can still live a fun and happy life while being married. The adventure doesn’t stop as soon as you walk down the aisle or sign those marriage papers. And this deep misunderstanding is the reason why he is going to say no to Chelsea.
There’s also the fact that he has been looking for excuses at every turn to say no. And that’s not to say that Chelsea is innocent. She’s way too intense for my liking and doesn’t listen as often as she thinks she does. Which is a problem. But all we need is for these two people to be open and honest about each other and what they’re looking for in a partner. Because right now, they are not it for each other.
5. Do you think the rumors of Barbara being a paid actor are true? If so, why would Kwame do this? (More context here.)
Lizzie: Maybe I’m just being naive, or hoping for the best against hope, but I cannot believe she’s a paid actor. I mean, Netflix would have realized, right? There are so many people involved in the filming of this, there’s no way something like that happens without someone realizing it, right? Right? Or hell, maybe Netflix did know and just turned a blind eye. If so, please give me THAT tea. Because Chelsea is going to find out.
Lyra: Personally, Barbara has been the best thing on Love is Blind so far. She was so warm, sweet, and personable. And I don’t think I can live in a world where someone like that is just an actor. If anything, I think the internet is doing what it does best and stirring the pot because their internet sleuthing hasn’t given them the results they want. But on the off chance that Barbara is an actor hired to act as Kwame’s sister, it’s really shady considering how sweet of a moment Barbara and Chelsea had on the wedding day.
Do I think Kwame is just looking for his 5 minutes of fame? Yes. There are videos online of him being on other dating shows, or more accurately wedding shows. And after watching him go through the struggles of whether he’s going to get married to Chelsea on this show, things just don’t add up. He doesn’t want commitment or to get married. He wants that clout. And I appreciate the hustle but I wish it wasn’t at the expense of hurting a potential life partner’s feelings.
In conclusion, Barbara deserves her own show where she finds love!
6. Who will end up married? Who won’t?
Lizzie: Tiffany and Brett for sure, and I think Zack and Bliss. I’m torn on the Zack and Bliss of it all because I’m still mad at Zack for picking the mean girl, I am. But he can spend the rest of his life making it up to Bliss, I guess. If that’s what she wants.
As for the others, I hope Kwame says no but I have a sneaking suspicion he’s going to say yes, even if it’s not for the right reasons. And look, the real happy ending of this show would be Paul saying no to Micah. THE REAL HAPPY ENDING.
Lyra: Tiffany and Brett will definitely get married. They are giving me Lauren and Cameron vibes from season 1 of Love is Blind and that is always a good thing. Plus there was that photo of Brett and Cameron hanging out on Instagram. So that’s a sign of good things to come. But as for Chelsea and Kwame, that’s not going to happen. He’s going to say no. And the same thing goes for Micah and Paul. She’s going to say no. As for Bliss and Zack, I have a feeling that they’re going to work out and I don’t know how I really feel about that at the end of the day.
