Now it’s time to see if the connections – both physical and emotional – can make it in the real world. This is usually the messiest stage of the process and not always in the fun way that this show can be messy. Brace yourself, because this season really brought the messy energy we love and hate to see.
***Author’s Note: This part was written after the couple’s post-vacation time in Charlotte and before the wedding days of the remaining couples.
Amy & Johnny
These two were the smoothest of sailors this season. The bumps in the road didn’t prevent them from being one of only two couples to make it to the alter. And, truthfully, only one of the bumps was actually something remotely concerning.
I was very nervous about them meeting Amy’s dad. It feels like every season there is at least one family that has a loose cannon – by “loose cannon” I do mean a completely normal person who is logically skeptical of this very strange experience. This season it was Amy’s dad. She had expressed a few times that she was nervous about how he would react to all this and that without his approval she would not be able to continue. It seemed like the only thing that could get in between these two crazy kids. To my relief, the conversation went extremely well and resulted in an adorable scene. Granted, every scene with Amy is adorable to me, she is the sweetest!
We also got to see them meet Johnny’s sisters who were an absolute delight. Amy seems to fit right in with his family and my hopes are really getting up there for these two.
The only thing I see as an issue at this point lies in Johnny’s desire to stay chaste until they figure out this whole birth control situation. And like…why is it that every time they talk about it they seem to have still not done any research on it??? I know planning a wedding is a lot, but – in the words of AD – don’t you want to take the car for a test drive before you buy it? I am also flabbergasted that their only two options seem to be hormonal birth control for her or a vasectomy for him. Have either of you heard of condoms? THE MORNING AFTER PILL? THE PULL OUT METHOD??! Okay, not the pull out method, but come on! Condoms and Plan B are perfectly acceptable and relatively effective forms of contraception. Sure, they won’t be as efficient and soothing to the worrying mind of Johnny as the pill, but they are options. To dismiss them off the bat is looney to me.
Maybe Johnny is a little too practical. Thankfully, that doesn’t only show itself in his fear of having an accidental baby by knocking boots with his wife-to-be. The pair also talked about how they want to spend their near and far term future together and had financial discussions. The best part? They seem to be incredibly aligned. WE LOVE TO SEE IT!
I also want to give Johnny props for acknowledging his lack of education and understanding of birth control methods in their various forms. As a woman it was shocking to hear his ignorance, but also refreshing. He put in the work to educate himself, explore options, and not pressure Amy into doing anything to her body. We love a man who is secure enough in his masculinity to admit when he has a knowledge gap and make the effort to learn more.
Final Thoughts:
These two are unquestionably my favorite couple this season. They are so sweet and pure – the video of them chasing each other around their apartment made my heart flutter. I adore them as a pair, but Amy is carrying the weight here. This girl is so sweet and kind and unapologetically herself, I am a huge fan. The moment I truly feel for her was when Johnny hit her with the “You’re a crystal girl?!” and she shrugged it off with the ease only a girl with the crystals on her side could. I want to be her friend so bad!
Brittany & Kenneth
Looks like I was right in being worried about these two.
Brittany and Kenneth were the first of the engaged couples to break up this season. What seemed like an ironclad pairing initially devolved once they got back to Charlotte, and Kenneth’s phone was no help at all.
I mean come on – get off your damn phone dude! It was funny at first, but then it was just plan rude and like…kind of concerning. I give Brittany so much credit for not losing it at him when he checked his phone in the middle of a conversation. Oh and when he “can’t hear her” while he is on his phone?! People with selective hearing while they are on their phone drive me crazy, be better please.
It wasn’t all his phone though. In the end, Brittany didn’t feel the spark with him physically the way she did in the pods. Kenneth was smart to prevent her from saying they both didn’t have the crave for one another when she tried to label it as a problem they both had, but instead pointed out that he did have it. This led her to understand it was an absence of the zsa zsa zhu on her end.
It was a sad conversation to watch not just because I adored them as a couple and was rooting for them, but because Brittany’s feeling is so relatable. I, myself, am single right now, but there have been several guys who I would have loved to have seen as more than friends. Men who are funny, caring, and mature. Men who would have made me happy. But the feeling wasn’t there and you just can’t force that kind of stuff – or at least I can’t force it. So many people watching likely commiserated with Brittany’s sadness in watching this relationship end due to her lack of romantic feelings toward Kenneth. It is a difficult thing to not only admit to him, but to admit to herself. But these two – despite being 24 and 25 while filming – managed to have an incredibly mature break up full of ownership and introspection on both ends…
…until Kenneth, sitting across from a sobbing Brittany, quickly disengaged from the conversation by jumping on his phone. Come on man!
Final Thoughts:
I was very let down to see this couple fail, but wish them both the best. I also sincerely hope Kenneth reduces his screen time.
AD & Clay
Clay, Clay, Clay. This commitment-phobic man-child left me shaking my head at nearly every turn during this couple’s time in Charlotte. But the more I think about it, the more I shake my head at AD for not noticing what are to me very red flags. This girl is living and breathing the notion of “seeing what you want to see” and she deserves a whole lot better than that.
Things started off super strong for these two. Clay jumped in with some introspective talk acknowledging the effects of his parent’s marriage falling apart due to his father’s cheating. He was aware of the impact this had on the way he has been in the past and accurately dissected how he has grow since the pods. It was impressive to hear, but then he just kept going. And going. And going. This man can talk! And when he isn’t talking? Oh my god, do not get me started on his “active listening” face. If you didn’t notice the vigorous nodding or fast blinking whenever Clay was listening to someone else talk – not to mention to “mmhmm” of it all – then I am jealous, because it was all I could focus on. But all that aside, he showed some serious self-awareness that left me feeling positive.
Another positive: HIS HOUSE!! Clay’s house was so impressive my jaw nearly dropped straight down to the floor. It really shows just how much his “red flag” behavior is centralized around his ability to be in a committed relationship as the rest of his life seems extremely stable.
It didn’t take long for those flags to start popping up though. On both sides of this relationship.
For one, the pair had an intense conversation while at dinner with Clay’s mother and sister. It felt like something that could have been tabled until a later date or addressed at another time. Instead they aired their dirty laundry aloud about their clashing over each other’s schedules and it’s impact on their ability to spend time with each other. Clay, it seems, often doesn’t come home and chooses to stay elsewhere due to his busy schedule and ease of transportation. Huh? I don’t like the sound of that and neither did AD. Of course, when she addressed this, he got defensive and kept accusing her of not understanding. He didn’t try to explain it though, he just repeatedly told her she didn’t get it. So helpful, Clay!
AD was also very firm in her belief that she would not be willing to continue dating Clay if he said ‘no’ to her at the alter. Now this is another one of those Love Is Blind-isms. You see it nearly every season when someone in a couple says no, but wants to continue the relationship and their partner is completely out on it. This, however, is the only time that I can remember someone explicitly voicing this opinion prior to the weddings. AD deserves a lot of credit for knowing exactly what she wants and not being willing to accept anything less than that. I give her major kudos for that. But I am also confused by this philosophy for a variety of reasons. In the scenario she presents, Clay would be saying no to a marriage, but would still be open to a relationship. Her saying no to continuing to date would be because she wants marriage and wants someone who also wants that. But if you want marriage and want someone who wants that A) Clay isn’t saying he doesn’t want to marry you at some point and B) if you break up with him you just have to start over with someone else and eventually grow to the point of marriage being on the table. In theory, if she stays with Clay if he says no to marriage in this insane timeline won’t she be married sooner than she would if they broke up and she tries to find someone else? You already know you love this person, dating anyone is a risk that could not pan out the way you want to, and if he is open to it, why would you not stick with it?
I really don’t understand the logic, but I will let AD feel how she wants to feel.
Other than that, the pair had my favorite meetings with family of the show so far. The all-star definitely being Clay’s mom who dropped the iconic, “If someone is important, you make the time. Period!” line. Both their mothers were treats and gave me some serious hope about this couple.
Final Thoughts:
Despite the hope their mother’s gave me, I am so nervous about these two going into this wedding day. I believe they really care about each other, I just don’t know if it’s enough. Little issues like making time to spend with each other should come naturally, it will be a sacrifice but it should be one that you are willing to make. I don’t know if they have what it takes at this point. Even if they do get married, I don’t know if it will last.
Ugh, I just want AD to be happy!!!
Chelsea & Jimmy
Here they are, the hot mess couple of the season. Nearly every year there is a couple that makes me wonder time and time again why they are putting up with each other at all. It’s a wonder that they even make it out of the resort vacation together. Jackie & Marshall, Zanab & Cole, Danielle & Nick, and Jessica & Mark walked so that Chelsea & Jimmy could run. And I hated every second of it.
During the time spent with nearly every other couple, I found myself smiling and feeling all warm inside. Because yes, I am a realist who knows this show is ridiculous, but I am also a sucker. What can I say, I am a complex woman. With these two though, I found it hard not to be constantly cringing while they were on screen. I genuinely don’t know how Jimmy lasted as long as he did without throwing in the towel. I feel for Chelsea, but even she must watch this back and understand why he eventually cannot commit to marrying her. There were so many ridiculous moments between these two that it only makes sense to lump it all together in list form:
- Chelsea daintily picks a fight with Jimmy after a very successful visit from her friends. I was actually floored by how well it went, but knew it had to be too good to be true. When they left she immediately picked at him for “being in a mood,” not kissing her at all that day, and not telling her that he loves her enough. He is clearly alarmed by all her critiques considering how well things went with her friends and immediately starts to defend himself. She, of course isn’t hearing it. It all sounds a bit nonsensical to me until she brings up THE REAL REASON why she is upset: Jimmy saw a picture of Jessica and now Chelsea is a ball of insecurity thinking that he is attracted to/thinking about Jessica. She lets us know this by giving another masterclass in projecting when she tells Jimmy that “you started causing these problems and digging for shit the second you saw Jess’s picture!” Like nope, that’s you honey! Then he calls her clingy and she freaks out….are you as exhausted reading this as I am writing it? Because I need a nap.
- Jimmy introduces Chelsea to two of his female friends which, again, goes very well. I, for one, was anticipating Chelsea to be cold and assume that one of these girls was in love with Jimmy, but it went pretty smoothly. For like five minutes.
- Then we get one of the biggest, most ridiculous fights in the history of this show all because Chelsea had too much to drink and – stop me if you’ve heard this before – let her insecurities get the best of her. The gist of it is that he went out for his friend’s birthday, grabbed one drink and came home. Yes, that is it. The result is a complete meltdown from Chelsea where she goes from saying she couldn’t be with someone who goes out all the time to insinuating that he was hanging out with Jessica while he was out of a singular drink to revealing a secret of Jimmy’s on TV.
The way that I prayed this blowout fight was going to lead to a breakup! Jimmy actually stood up for himself during this fight and made valid points while Chelsea was a bumbling, insecure mess. It was so tough to watch. I was so optimistic that this ridiculously incompatible and toxic couple would break up, but alas. Jimmy has no backbone.
Or at least, he didn’t have a backbone until the night before their bachelor/bachelorette parties when he decided to tell her that he has already made up his mind about not being willing to go to the alter. Out of nowhere! Well, not really out of nowhere; again, these two are so not right for each other. But in Chelsea’s mind this was coming out of nowhere and she was understandably upset.
Here’s the thing: it is so completely normal to feel like you aren’t ready to make a lifelong commitment to someone after this incredibly strange, unique, and expedited process. It’s valid to have hesitations, especially when you have been fighting the way these two have. In my mind, that doesn’t mean they need to break up. But much like AD, Chelsea is done after hearing this. She projects again, “I’m walking on eggshells with you!” and tries to fight it before fleeing from the scene and, ultimately, the show.
Thank god it’s over!
Final Thoughts:
I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I think I was right all along: Chelsea should have chosen Trevor. They were actually pretty cute together at the big pool party where everyone got to meet and I think he would have showered her with the love she didn’t feel from Jimmy. Not to mention he wasn’t a part of a love triangle, so some of that innate insecurity would not exist. It’s a real shame they didn’t even get a chance.
Jimmy dodged a bullet, but certainly went through it to get there. Best of luck to you sir!
Though this couple’s storyline was exhausting and frustrating, it also made me very sad. Sad that Chelsea wasn’t able to own her insecurity and be forthcoming about it with her partner. I am an extremely insecure person, that is not something I am necessarily proud of, but it is a part of my reality. I don’t try to deny when those insecure voices creep into my head and sometimes sneak out of my mouth. Instead, I try to own them and learn from them. It took me a long time to get to this point and I am by no means perfect in maintaining my insecurities, but I try my best. There is nothing wrong with being insecure, I just wish so badly that Chelsea had been more accepting of herself and how she was feeling throughout this process. The ravings of a mad woman are only mad if she is not in touch with the pain and insecurity they are rooted in. She’s not crazy or delusional or anything else, she is just insecure and hurting. I only wish she had been able to be open about it with Jimmy, I really do think it would have made a difference.
Laura & Jeramy
This man! Sorry, I wrote that wrong: this child! What an infantile and immature way to get out of a relationship. An engagement no less! This guy proved himself to not only be gross, but to be selfish, slimy, and immature too. This nothing special piece of shit messes up a situation and lets someone else take him out of it instead of being a mature adult and being willing to look the woman he chose to engage in the eye and leave her.
It started with a DM from Sarah Ann. The balls on this woman! Immediately after returning from the DR, Jeramy gets this message saying that Sarah Ann is willing to connect with him and meet with him if he feels like he made a mistake. Jeramy responds by liking the DM, but not sending a text. I know there is discourse about this with people on the show and audience having opinions about what he should or shouldn’t have done with the DM, but the reality is this: by liking it he kept the channel of communication open. He should have shut it down or blocked her if he wasn’t willing to continue the conversation with her in this way. But he was and he left the door wide open. Laura was extremely naive to think otherwise.
How he moves after this is even shadier. He meets up with Sarah Ann, talks with her until nearly 5:00am and then drives her home. All while leaving his location on for Laura to see. You can see this in the dictionary under, forcing your partner’s hand to break-up with you without having to do the dirty work yourself. It’s a weak, pathetic move made by weak, pathetic man-child.
Laura is rightfully upset with him and reasonably asks for – or rather, demands – space from him. This turns out to be the end as the pair show up separately to the pool party where the couples and other pod members reunite. Things end on terrible terms between the two with Laura spewing an aggressive amount of hate toward both him and Sarah Ann. On the other side, Jeramy is manipulating the situation to look like he is the victim of Laura’s unwarranted wrath. What a gross guy, she really did dodge a bullet.
His consequence for all this? He gets to ride off into the sunset with Sarah Ann. Nasty. If I could say one thing to this couple, I would channel my inner Laura and tell them to go kick rocks with open toed shoes
Final Thoughts:
This was distressing, but not at all surprising in the end. Jeramy made a mistake in the pods and chose the wrong person. This happens a lot on the show, but you seldom see the person get out of it and actually give it a shot with the other person (though Bliss and Zack really set the tone in season 4). I would give him more credit if he hadn’t completely fumbled the situation in every way and ended up leaving Laura in the dust while he went off to be with Sarah Ann.
If Laura has one fan, it’s me and if Jeramy has one hater, it is also me.
More Love Is Blind, Season 6 Content:
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