Top 10 Love Is Blind Moments That Give Us the Ick

The love triangle between Shayne, Natalie, and Shaina unfolds in the first episode of the second season. While many of Shayne’s comments are cringy, it seems like Natalie brings out a more genuine side of him. We feel pretty hopeful about their relationship until the very end of the episode, when the cocky pod dater calls his date by the wrong name. The mistake is an obvious misstep, but Shayne’s reaction after the fact makes the situation somehow worse. He immediately gets defensive and essentially blames the situation on Natalie. We’re surprised the two got engaged at all because his attitude in this moment gets an immediate “nope” from us.

One of the more explosive couples from the show’s earliest season is Damian and Giannina. Many of their fights are recorded, but this interaction is on another level. Positioned in two different rooms, the two express their conflicting opinions about their life in the bedroom. They get into the nitty gritty about things like who initiates intimacy in their relationship. For us, hearing about who’s better in bed just crosses a line. There is such a thing as TMI, even on a Netflix dating show. While neither of them feel butterflies in their stomach, we do feel nausea in ours.

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#8: Shake Compares Deepti to His Aunt
“Meet the Other Couples”

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Shake is a walking red flag, yet he somehow manages to bag the sweet and beautiful Deepti while in the pods. At first, it gives us hope that she can bring out the best in him. However, we lose faith when the veterinarian starts to compare his fiancée to an older female family member. Although he never directly says as much to Deepti, he does to Jarrett and Shayne. Not being attracted to a person is fine, but the way Shake strings Deepti along while undermining her attractiveness behind her back is beyond icky.

Although they connected in the pods, Bartise and Raven ultimately end up with different fiancés. So, when they meet face-to-face at an event with the other engaged couples, Bartise’s reaction to seeing Raven for the first time is uncalled for. He can’t help but express his attraction to her in a way that does not bode well for his relationship with Nancy. In a confessional setting with the camera, he has no filter in expressing his opinion. Later, in bed with his fiancée, he first undermines Raven’s relationship with SK, then explains why he and the trainer would make a better couple. Nancy isn’t pleased, and neither are we.

One of the biggest players from season one is Jessica. She’s the source of a lot of drama, mainly thanks to her pursuit of Matt Barnett despite his and her respective fiancés. She also spends much of the season with a drink in her hand, often indulging. With a solid career, a nice home, and an adorable pet dog, the then 34-year-old obviously had a lot going for her. However, her behavior under the influence is insanely cringe-worthy. Whether it's flirting with Barnett in front of his girl or sharing a sip of wine with her dog, we’re not a fan of her actions while intoxicated. We still can’t believe she responded to Amber’s threats by kissing her on the mouth.

We’re confused by Shayne. His confidence borders on arrogance which can get rather distasteful, but most of the time it's harmless. For instance, in the pods, he shows a weird amount of interest in what Shaina is wearing, but she doesn’t seem to mind. He can be sweet at times, like when he meets Natalie’s parents. However, everytime we start to come around to the reality star, he says something weird. Sometimes, he implies something sexual when it is very much not appropriate to do so. Other times, he just gives way too much info. Whether or not you like him, you have to admit: Shayne gives off the heebie-jeebies.

This pair’s topic of discussion is not what we would expect from a newly engaged couple. They spend their first evening together after the pods in the bath, a classic act of romance. However, the dreamy atmosphere goes right out the door when Nancy asks Bartise what he would do in a given toilet emergency. The question isn’t completely hypothetical, since Nancy reveals she’s been in that situation before. Although both are bathroom fixtures, we would think it preferable to keep talk of the ivory throne away from sexy bath time. Bartise and Nancy might be getting clean, but we feel dirty.

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#3: Matt Gets Aggressive
“Trouble in Paradise”

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A common trigger of the ick is dating red flags. Matt’s reaction to his fiancée having a conversation with another male cast member is as crimson a flag as they come. After getting engaged to different people and leaving the pods, Cole approaches Colleen and takes part in some light flirtation. The ballerina reacts politely, and the two end the conversation on okay terms. Colleen’s fiancé, Matt, however, is threatened by the interaction. He gets verbally aggressive with Colleen, and follows her after she expresses a need for space, threatening to end the relationship. While there’s an argument to be made for how she might have handled the interaction with Cole differently, Matt’s domineering words and demeanor are nowhere near warranted or appropriate. Do better, Matt!

Shake’s first impression on the show leaves a bad taste in our mouths. From the beginning of the experiment in the pods, he tries to not so subtly determine his dates’ body sizes. From asking about clothing to exercise habits, he uses many methods. He fails to demonstrate growth throughout the series, and justifies his poor behavior at the reunion. Together again with his cast mates, the veterinarian doubles down on his perspective, justifying his superficial taste in women. No one else is on his side, not even hosts Nick and Vanessa. Unfortunately, Shake never recovers from his bad vibe check.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Cameron Rapping, “Meet the Parents”
At Least Lauren’s Mom, Pamela, Seems Impressed

435 Days, “First Night Together”
It’s Okay to Keep Things to Yourself Sometimes…

Jessica Flirting with Barnett on His Birthday, “Moving in Together”
From the Public Setting to Barnett’s Lack of Interest, This Moment Is Pretty Embarrassing

Baby Talk, Various
Why Do These Contestants Always Talk About Procreating in Such Cringey Ways?

Raven Exercises While Bartise Opens Up About His Past, “Love Triangles and Love Triumphs”
We’re Pretty Sure This Doesn’t Count as “Active Listening”

Although we appreciate open and honest discussions about sexuality, this conversation makes us uncomfortable. While on a pod date with Nancy, Andrew describes his past intimate relationship with an older partner. He articulates his sexual experiences in a way that definitely qualifies as TMI, especially on a first date, not to mention on camera. Andrew says it's Nancy who needs a teacher, but truthfully, we think it's he who could benefit from a lesson in dating. His display during the show’s confessionals only affirms our opinions. After being rejected by Nancy, Andrew uses eye drops to appear like he’s crying over her. The cast member’s behavior is shady, and gives off all sorts of ick.