The PodSquad is Back! 'Love is Blind' Episodes 1-3: Review and Reactions

Cast of Love Is Blind Season 9 © Netflix

LOVE IS BLIND IS BACK BABY!

I have been obsessed with Love is Blind since the very first season. It's such a fascinating concept: talk to someone while you can't see their face, fall in love, get engaged, and then see your fiancée for the first time. This "experiment" has created countless reality TV moments that made my jaw drop: a dog drinking wine, a man faking tears with eyedrops, and multiple dramatic occurrences of being left at the altar.

The first few episodes are always the most formulaic, as you watch the development of the couples who will be the stars of the season. And unlike the last few seasons, the contestants this time around feel like actual people instead of wanna-be influencers (though there are still a few of those in the mix). This season truly feels like the show has gone back close to its season 1 roots, and I am grateful. It has been a long time since I have been this invested in some of the couples, and I am so glad I can actually sense the chemistry once again. Obviously, things are about to get worse for everyone, but I'm starting to think there will be multiple successful marriages at the end.

The show still has one of the best reality TV marriage success rates, so I'm sure that a few of these couples might have what it takes to truly go the distance. And with it, feeling like it's gone back to casting real people, I cannot wait to keep devouring the season.

Now, instead of writing recaps for the episodes, which is hard when there are so many storylines to follow, I have decided to give all my reactions to the episodes as they happen.

Episode 1:

• The season preview makes this look like it's going to be incredibly trashy, and I am READY

• Can somebody please replace the Lachey's already? I'm pretty sure they used this exact spiel in season 3

• The sob stories have started, but Madison's losing her vision has me hoping she actually finds love and they stay together forever. GIRL, I AM ROOTING FOR YOU SPECIFICALLY

• The pods are now open - let the drama begin!

• THERE IS A GUY NAMED ROHAN. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. THE BEACONS ARE LIT AND TRASHY REALITY TV CALLS FOR AID

• We have the regular montage of random get-to-know-each other questions that tell me nothing

• 7 minutes in, and someone is already crying. I think this is a new record

• "Always the makeup artist, never the bride." - Kacie feels like a red flag

• I appreciate that there are a lot more curvy girls this season

• Already sensing Patrick is going to be in a love triangle with Kacie and Anna - I think he and Anna would be cute, and they have so much in common

• Blake/Patrick/Anna might end up being the love triangle...or maybe it's a Blake/Patrick/Anna/Kacie love mess

• Sparkle Megan. Is. A. Red. Flag. And also, if she loves sparkles this much, she should be wearing more than just sparkly shoes. Just saying.

• Sexy Mike and Sparkle Megan sound like ChatGPT wrote their personalities

• Antonini is honestly the perfect ship name for Anton and Aline (Ali) - I'm fully expecting them to have a dramatic altar confrontation in the finale

• Everyone is shocked they're talking to people they never would have outside the show, like that wasn't the point of the show, always cracks me up

• Edmond, Naturo running down the hall is a vibe. I don't know if Kalybriah realizes exactly how nerdy "her man" is. But nerds deserve love too, so I'm into it.

• Edmond needs a hug, and he's being so vulnerable and the way that Kalybriah supports him is beautiful. I OFFICIALLY SHIP IT.

• Joe, you'd better be up to my girl Madison, who deserves the best. And her Flaming Hot Lime Cheetos

• The first "I love you" comes from Ali, and Antonini is already dreaming about each other. Adorable. And then he proposed immediately? I'm happy for them.

• Jordan is such a good dad. The way he talks about his son is so full of love. Sparkle Megan, however, is not going to be good for Luca. At least Jordan hates the nickname, too.

• Sparkle Megan is going to break Jordan's heart, I can sense it now.

• She'll probably choose Mike and break Blake's heart, too.

• SPARKLE MEGAN YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME CRY. I guess I don't completely think you're a red flag meme; this is actually really humanizing her. I actually think she'll choose Blake now.

• Ending with Antonini's first sight reveal. - but no reactions. We love an emotional cliffhanger.

Episode 2:

• Antonini is so "happy in love," crying. And there's a lot of kissing. Good for them.

• I'm pretty sure if she wasn't his type, he would have pulled a Shake, though. My gut is still saying they're gonna be drama llamas

• Joe clearly does not like cats (even though he says he is okay with them), and Madison's cats are going to be a problem.

• Madison is telling Joe about her eye issues. He is processing, but overall is accepting about it. For now. His face as he was processing has me CONCERNED.

• "Do you guys dabble in crypto?" - the men's quarters just gave me the ick

• Nick, the luxury watch seller who uses Johnny Bravo for pick up lines, also gave me the ick. He reminds me of that guy who used eyedrops to force himself to cry a few seasons ago.

• If Nick/Kait/Annie becomes a love triangle, I'm going to shout at both girls to do better

• Annie has a stronger connection with Brenden! PLOT TWIST. I hope Nick proposes to her, and she turns him down.

• Edmond is making out with the floor. Gross.

• Edmond and Kalybriah just keep bonding over the most serious of topics, and truly, I want them to get married and work out.

• Sparkle Megan, please end it with Jordan. Mike and Blake feel more her speed.

• I forgot that Blake and Anna were adorable, and I am once again rooting for them.

• I forgot Patrick existed. Oops. Sorry Patrick.

• Kacie basically forcing Patrick to reveal his ethnicity made me feel icky. Especially when he was so uncomfortable and had the racist "you're not attractive because you're Asian" trauma point. I'm glad he felt it was good and productive, and I'm hoping this was just edited terribly.

• Patrick/Anna/Blake honestly is a love triangle I can get behind.

• Patrick said he thinks Anna might be his person! AWWW

• "How am I catching feelings for a lava lamp wall?" - LOL MOOD

• Joe is definitely going to propose to Madison, and I'm sad they're showing us all these flashbacks that they didn't in the regular episode. They seem CUTE.

• MADISON SAID YES!!!

• UM DID ANNA GHOST PATRICK???? WHAT???????? GIRL, WHERE ARE YOU? Maybe she was in the bathroom? Maybe?

Episode 3:

• Poor Patrick is checking with the producers to see if it's sound issues.

• She really just ghosted him. Anna, what happened?

• Patrick is crying on the couch, and he needs a HUG.

• Anna left the show and didn't tell EITHER GUY? ANNA, I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU, GIRL! I truly feel terrible for both Patrick and Blake. They both seem like really good guys.

• Mike just said that Type 1 diabetes is curable and that Jordan shouldn't have let his kid get to the point that he has it. To Sparkle Megan. Whose Dad died from Type 1 diabetes complications. YIKES.

• I'm coming around to Sparkle Megan. Sorry for judging you so harshly, girlie pop.

• Jordan is in love with Sparkle Megan, and she's no longer thinking about friend-zoning him. Maybe I judged the two of them too harshly, and they'll work?

• SPARKLE MEGAN WAS JUST GHOSTED BY BLAKE????????????? Anna really set off a domino line of ghostings.

• Like Blake, I understand that you need more time than the experiment gives, that's valid, but AT LEAST SAY GOODBYE TO SPARKLE MEGAN.

• If there are more ghostings in this episode, I might lose it. The drama. The AUDACITY. Guess this is why they named it "Ghost Town."

• Okay, taking a break from the drama for Joe and Madison's first look. And Joe is having pod dissonance. He said he couldn't imagine not being attracted to her and THEN CALLED HER A "THAT" IN A CONFESSIONAL. He says there is attraction, but I think Mr. Discount Jacob Elordi is a liar.

• Annie annoys me. She feels like the kind of person who constantly starts fights for fun.

• Nick annoys me. So much. I am surprised he told Kait he loves her.

• Edmond and Kalybriah make me so happy. I'm so glad they spread out their relationship across the episodes to give us a LIGHT IN THE DRAMA.

• Kalybriah wrote him a poem, and it is the sweetest thing ever. I am going to be obsessed with them. I can sense it.

• EDMOND IS PROPOSING, AND HE'S SO DORKY AND ENDEARING. AND SHE SAID YES!!!

• I'm glad Patrick is giving Kacie a few more days, and I really hope he chooses himself instead of Kacie. He really seems to be trying to convince himself that he likes her.

• Not the "I look like Megan Fox" reference!! I forgot all about that until she brought it up!

• I thought Sparkle Megan was going to ghost Jordan for a second, and my heart was like NOT ANOTHER ONE. Not cool producers.

• The men theorizing that Anna and Blake somehow left together is WILD. But also did they? I have questions.

• Mike definitely is jealous of Jordan, and too macho to think he would ever have an emotion like jealousy. But he's clearly trying to start something between Sparkle Megan and Jordan. I'm pretty sure she's going to dump him over this (as she should).

• MY BABIES EDMOND AND KALYBRIAH ARE HAVING THEIR FIRST LOOK.

• "I know I'm not the cutest, but I got a good personality AND I'm in shape." Edmond, you're such a nerdy mood.

• AND THEY LEFT THE EPISODE WHEN THE DOORS OPENED?

Couples I'm Rooting For:

• Edmond and Kalybriah - they share many foundational things in common, which makes me think they could be successful as a couple. Plus, every time they talk to each other, they just both bring the JOY.

• Anton and Ali - The first in the pods to get engaged, and they just have a really adorable vibe. I still think they'll be full of drama, but will overcome it in the end. I'm just sad that they got engaged in episode 1, so there's no seeing them until everyone goes on the honeymoon.

• Sparkle Megan and Jordan - If someone told me that I would say this when I was watching episode one, I would have laughed in their face. However, they have grown on me, and they have a deeper connection than I think she realizes.

Couples I Want To Break Up:

• Patrick and Kacie - just no. I don't think they're going to vibe well because I got no chemistry in the pods. It feels like Patrick is just trying to convince himself that Kacie is his person because Anna left.

• Joe and Madison -Joe lost me the moment he called Madison a "that. " Madison deserves better.

• Sparkle Megan and Mike - Mike clearly hates and judges Jordan. And he judges Megan for being interested in him. His jealousy is also gross, and the less I have to see of Mike, the better.

• Annie and Nick - These two have no connection past talking dirty to each other. They've both pretty much admitted they're just using each other for the dirty conversation while they build their real connections with someone else.

• Kait and Nick - I just don't like Nick, and Kait deserves better.

• Annie and Brenden - I don't like Annie, and Brenden deserves better. Plus, they've barely had any screen time, so she keeps saying he's her number one and then shows her talking dirty with Nick again.

Now, Netflix did me dirty with releasing the first six episodes instead of their normal three or four. I still have a ton of LiB to watch, and I cannot wait to see who breaks it off. And the sooner it's Nick and anybody the better.