Love Is Blind Returns with a Record-Breaking Ohio Season
Netflix has unleashed a new season of its wildly popular reality television experiment, Love Is Blind. For its tenth installment, hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey venture to Ohio, featuring cast members from Columbus, Cincinnati, and other cities across the Buckeye State. The mission remains the same: guide couples from emotional connections formed in isolation pods to the ultimate commitment at the altar.
The streaming platform premiered six new episodes this week, introducing a historic seven engaged couples—the largest group in the show's history. The initial episodes focus intensely on the pod phase, where contestants discuss core values and future aspirations without seeing each other. By the midpoint of Episode 5, the couples embark on their post-engagement trips; six jet off to Cabo San Lucas, while one unique pair heads to Malibu, California.
A Deep Dive into the New Couples
Christine & Vic: Engaged in the premiere, Dr. Victor St. John and Christine Hamilton bonded over shared upbringings and faith. An interesting note: both have had misdemeanor marijuana possession charges expunged. Their interracial dynamic—Vic is Black, Christine is white—prompts later discussions about family. Notably, they were the sole couple sent to Malibu, a decision creator Chris Coelen attributed to budget constraints for sending all seven pairs to Mexico.
Amber & Jordan: Amber Morrison and Jordan Faeth developed an easy rapport. Jordan notably did not balk at Amber revealing she has a seven-year-old daughter, despite previously stating that would be a dealbreaker. Their shared "weirdness" appears to be a strong foundation.
Ashley & Alex: Ashley Carpenter and Alex Henderson's connection feels superficial. Alex immediately focused on physical appearance, a red flag for the experiment's premise. Their conversations heavily featured sex, and Alex's proposal, tied to the book The Alchemist, seemed calculated rather than genuine.
Jessica & Chris: Chris Fusco and Jessica Barrett received limited screen time during the pods. Jessica, previously married, emphasizes seeking a true partnership and mentions having "strong political values," a point likely to spark viewer speculation.
Bri & Connor: Brianna McNees and Connor Spies bonded over college ties and nicknames. However, tension emerged on their trip when Bri seemed overly interested in reconnecting with former pod matches, including Chris, sparking jealousy in Connor.
Brittany & Devonta: Brittany Wicker and Devonta Anderson present an odd couple dynamic—bubbly versus reserved. Devonta stayed despite his grandfather's death during filming, which impacted his emotional availability. He expressed surprise that Brittany is a woman of color, noting he's never dated one, while Brittany seemed initially taken aback by his appearance.
Emma & Mike: Emma Betsinger and Mike Gibney exhibited a comfortable, sincere connection. They engaged in serious discussions about marriage and family, with Emma openly sharing her fears as an adopted person about having children. Emma was notably intentional, also having connections with Connor and Steven.
The Notorious Love Triangle
The season features a particularly frustrating love triangle involving Kevan Jones, Keya Kellum, and Tyler Lanier. Kevan appeared fundamentally unsuited for the experiment, sending mixed signals and lacking conviction. He told Keya she could be a best friend but felt giddy hearing Tyler's voice. His reserved nature clashed with Tyler's assertiveness and mirrored Keya too closely for complementarity. Ultimately, Tyler wisely exited, and Keya bluntly told Kevan he was not ready for marriage, a critique he accepted with surprising maturity.
Predictions and Final Thoughts
While the season starts slowly, drama is promised. Early predictions suggest Vic and Christine, along with Mike and Emma, have the strongest chances of reaching the altar. Amber and Jordan face uncertainty, especially given Jordan's apparent frustration in previews. Ashley and Alex, Jessica and Chris, Bri and Connor, and Brittany and Devonta all show significant red flags and are unlikely to marry. The Kevan-Keya-Tyler triangle proved to be a narrative dead end, consuming screen time without meaningful payoff.
The first six episodes of Love Is Blind Season 10 are available for streaming on Netflix. The next batch of episodes is scheduled for release on February 18th, promising more twists, confrontations, and potentially, a few weddings.
