All the drama reality TV watchers need
Beatriz Mac (she/her) // Contributor
Megan Barry (she/her) // Illustrator
Perfect Match is Netflix’s newest reality show where the most liked and hated contestants are picked from previous shows and sent to a secluded villa in Panama. Stars from eight different shows compete against each other to pair up with their “perfect match,” and the winners get the all-expenses vacation to anywhere in the world — and screen time. Couples are expected to be formed each week and then compete in “compatibility challenges.” At the end of each week, those left unpaired will leave the house, unless they are chosen to come back and be matched up with someone already in the house.
This description alone can give you an idea of how chaotic and drama-filled Perfect Match really is. Despite what the title suggests, this show is not about love — it is about the interconnected relationships of Netflix’s celebrities. The real goal of the series is to create as much drama as possible, and the cast is perfect for that. They bring on ex-partners, friends and enemies; and they all have big personalities. I have to admit, all the drama created an incredibly entertaining show.
We even get a hint of bi-representation, which would be good if not for Francesca making out with Kariselle while she was seeing Abbey and, on top of that, saying that Abbey was not ready to date women when Francesca was the one that couldn’t commit to anyone. Francesca’s comments and actions further reinforce very harmful bisexual stereotypes, but Abbey was a good contrasting force to have on the show.
As these 10 singles try their very best to keep their Netflix “celebrity status,” they are eager to instigate fights and force relationships. In fact, for what might be the first time ever in the history of reality shows, the contestants are relatively honest about their intentions in participating in the show. Many even full-on state “I am not ready for a relationship” (Mitchell), and “ I want to win” (Will). Although the honesty is refreshing, I also felt frustrated to see a dating show where contestants are not interested in participating.
I liked Mitchell in The Circle, and even had high hopes for him and Chloe as a couple. However, after seeing that he led Chloe into thinking he was ready to commit to her, only to leave her after she picked him over Shayne, I see that Chloe deserves better. Chole’s taste in men is questionable, to say the least, but her bubbly persona almost made me forget about Shayne and Mitchell’s terrible personalities.
Netflix’s producers poked and prodded at Shayne’s insecurities and anxieties throughout the show in order to make him spiral mentally — thus creating viral content and drama in the house. Although I disagree with Netflix’s approach, that doesn’t justify Shayne’s toxic behavior. I think we can all agree that Netflix needs to stop casting toxic men like Bartise, Shayne and Chace and give opportunities to new people. However, if I am being completely honest here, the moment when Chole and Mitchell jumped in the pool and splashed water on Shayne and Bartise was pretty iconic.
If you like messy reality television then Perfect Match is the show for you. Plus, I am counting the days until the reunion episode, where they can be even more honest and fill us in on the post-production drama. I am expecting full chaos.