Netflix’s latest hit reality show Perfect Match dropped its last batch of episodes almost one month ago, so I figured now that everyone has had ample time to catch-up, it’s time for a discussion! In case your TikTok algorithm hasn’t put you onto this show, Perfect Match is a Bachelor-in-Paradise-esque reality dating show where stars from a host of other Netflix reality shows live in a tropical mansion oasis down in Panama, while pairing up with each other and completing various challenges. The show features cast members from Too Hot to Handle, The Circle, Love is Blind, The Mole, and more, including everyone’s favourite hot girl – Francesca Farago. Couples participate in compatibility challenges and the winning pair has the opportunity to bring two new singles into the house, causing a shake-up in existing partnerships and eventually, the elimination of two people. Yet again, Netflix has proven it can dominate the reality show genre with this one. So without further ado, this is where the spoiler-free section ends. Let’s dive in!
First up, I think it was pretty obvious that only about half the contestants on this show were actually there to find their so-called Perfect Match. The rest–Chase, Mitchell, Will, Izzy, Nick, and maybe even Francesca–were just there to cause drama and hook-up with a bunch of hot people. While this certainly made for drama, I think some people got royally screwed over. Ines’ plotline was by far the most tragic of the whole show. She was the most genuine human and tried dating and matching with the most men out of any girl in the house. Yet, the poor girl kept getting dumped, rejected, tossed to the side and just put in the worst positions. She was far more mature, composed and self-assured than the men in the house were prepared to handle, and I think she really just got the short end of the stick. As much as I love Dom and Georgia, I wish Dom and Ines had gotten the chance to see things out because there were just no other men who actually cared about Ines. Sincerely hoping she finds love outside of Panama.
Speaking of Dom and Georgia, I couldn’t help but be swept up by them! I first got acquainted with Dom from his competition show The Mole, which was a much more intense environment, so seeing his soft side come out was so nice. I really do think he was the most genuine guy on the show, and I am disappointed he got raked in by Francesca’s games. I also think it was really unfair how other players in the house kept sending him on dates when they won challenges to be strategic, given that they could see he was trying to nurture his already existing connections. Luckily though, he was given an out from Francesca, was able to move on and find a match who was just as big-hearted as he is. I loved Georgia on Too Hot to Handle, and I loved her compassion for the other girls in the house, especially Chloe.
This might be a controversial opinion but, I do not like Shayne and Chloe together at all. Mostly, I dislike Shayne, and I have since he was on Love is Blind. Natialie and Chloe could both do better. Shayne is immature, explosive, unable to work through issues with a partner, and just continues to give me the ick. The fact that he was ready to leave the house twice after arguments over things that could have been worked out through a conversation (like his claim that Chloe was celebrating him leaving the house, which he only felt was an issue after another player planted the seed in his head) just screamed a red flag. I do not see them lasting at all, I think Shayne and Chloe’s chemistry was very physical in the moment, but won’t last outside the house.
Another man who gave me the ick was Damian. While I don’t particularly like Francesca, despite her increasingly positive presence on TikTok, Damian just weirded me out. Maybe I’m just not a fan of sensual calf massages? As soon as he and Francesca matched I knew they wouldn’t last. I think the juxtaposition of Dom and Damian in Francesca’s match-journey was quite striking–Dom was emotional, got to know her favourite colours, movies, middle name whereas Damian latched on to her sexual energy and physical appearance. While Francesca wasn’t really giving much in either relationship and was more interested in the politics of the house or in Joey and Kariselle, her turning down Damian wasn’t surprising. Unfortunately, I do think Abbey was brought in as the token show of Netflix’s LGBTQ support, so I don’t really consider her a match for Francesca.
While I’m happy for Joey and Kariselle, I can’t help but sense that things are a little fishy with them. I can definitely see them married, but it feels like Kariselle has Joey wrapped around her pinky finger (blink twice if you need help Joey). The proposal felt a little fake, and I am getting the vibes Joey felt lightly coerced into that. That being said, their personalities and energies could not be more suited to each other. I also appreciate that Joey expressed his support with Kariselle’s bisexuality–even if it also felt a little performative.
One glaring issue is the absolutely unfair treatment of the people of colour on this show. Poor Anne-Sophie was a pawn in Chase’s games, Colony didn’t even get a proper shot at matching, and nor did Diamond! Not to mention Calvin and Zay’s early elimination, and lack of any continuous plot line whatsoever. While I don’t know if this was purposeful, Netflix really needs to do better in this regard.
Lastly, ending on a good note, I love Abbey and will definitely be adding TwentySomethings: Austin to my watchlist. She handled the conversation with Bartiste, where he essentially weaponized her insecurities, like a girl-boss and put her own self-worth above him. While I personally do not understand how anybody could be attracted to Bartiste (like seriously?) Abbey is mature for her age, knows her self-worth and will not accept anything less than what she is truly deserving of. Even in her interaction with Francesca, she was not afraid to set boundaries about what was comfortable for her, stick to them, and let go of the relationship when the other person was not able to work within those boundaries.
Overall, Perfect Match deserved the hype, and of course, the fact that it was hosted by Nick Lachey made it even better. I do hope that Netflix continues to produce seasons of this show, and soon, although it may be difficult to find good-looking and recognizable singles from its other reality shows in such a quick time frame. Regardless, all the best to Dom and Georgia, as the Season 1 winners!