Netflix’s Perfect Match provided another stunning addition to the streaming platform’s collection of top-notch reality series. However, most of the first season’s events looked jumbled together, lacking real direction. Although the series performed well, with the Perfect Match season 2 fans have devised some things they feel producers should change.
First, for those not up to speed, Netflix reached new heights by introducing their new dating reality TV series, Perfect Match back in February of 2023. The show brought together various stars from several of Netflix’s reality dating series in an ultimate quest for love. Dom Gabriel and Georgia Hassarati ended the thrilling season as show winners.
Following the success of season 1 of Perfect Match, the streaming platform recently announced the show’s renewal for another season. Unsurprisingly, fans received the news quite well. With most of the season 1 cast members now in serious relationships, the prospect of an all-new cast lineup excites fans.
With the casting for season 2 reportedly already underway, several names have been tipped by fans to make the final cut, such as Marshall Glaze from Love Is Blind season 4 and Raven Sutton from The Circle season 5. Additionally, fans have been generous enough to suggest four changes they would love to see in the upcoming season.
1) New Cast Members For Season 2
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Fans didn’t have to wait long before Netflix cleared the air about a potential season 2 of Perfect Match. The streaming giant caused a social media frenzy when it took to Instagram on April 18 to announce the renewal of the show for another season via the official Instagram account of The Circle. The Instagram post included an image that had hidden faces with question marks over them, and fans were then asked who they would like to see in the second season of the show. The caption read:
“ALERT! Perfect Match is coming back for Season 2! If you could pick someone from any season of The Circle to look for their match, who would it be?”
In Perfect Match season 1, the cast lineup consisted of stars from Too Hot To Handle, The Circle, The Ultimatum, Love Is Blind, The Mole, and Sexy Beasts. However, fans will like to see more new faces in the upcoming season of Perfect Match. As more Netflix shows premiered in the last few months, there will be many names to choose from.
Since filming for Perfect Match season 1 ended, there have been new seasons for Love Is Blind, Too Hot To Handle, and The Circle. While Netflix hasn’t confirmed any names yet, many have already been throwing some names from some of these shows. Hopefully, many of these faces will appear in the final cast lineup. Their addition will add fresh energy and new storylines to the show.
2) A Reunion Storyline
One of the things that fans found most disappointing about the show was that there was no end-of-season reunion. Unlike other Netflix series, Perfect Match they were not allowed to watch the contestants revisit some drama and issues that produced the most talking points.
In most other Netflix dating series, the reunion is the first time the contestants are reunited after filming ends. It helps the audience catch up on the couples still together and those who split after the show. However, the lack of a Perfect Match reunion disappointed many. They have since called for that to change ahead of the upcoming season 2 of the series. Fans discussed it on Reddit after a user, u/MonkSoft4418, started a thread with the tagline,
“I hope in the next season we get ‘reunions’.”
The OP lamented how the show ended abruptly without letting the audience know. Fans also disclosed going to great lengths to discover the fates of the show’s couples after the season ended. Most users who reacted to the thread echoed the OP’s sentiments. While some noted that Netflix posted a “Where Are They Now” video, it doesn’t compare to a reunion. They then urged the streaming platform to make amends ahead of the sequel.
3) More Time For Newcomers To Make Connections
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The coupling strategies are another aspect of the show that fans feel needs major tweaking. Perfect Match fans believe newcomers don’t receive enough time to make connections before the match-up mixers occur. At the show’s beginning, contestants are tasked to form bonds, and once they are paired up, they are put through a series of challenges to find out the couple with the most meaningful relationship.
In a twist, the “most compatible” couple pairs struggling contestants with newbies, adding excitement and potential love connections. However, fans feel the newbies need more time to make genuine connections in the villa. If the newbies receive more time, they will significantly impact the show. More recently, fans got talking on Reddit when a user, u/bananamelondy, started a thread about the show with the caption,
“How to make the show work better?”
The OP suggested that producers give the newbies at least 24 hours (instead of an hour) to mingle with everyone. This will allow them to form meaningful connections before the match-up mixers. Many users agreed with the OP’s point and highlighted how it felt so chaotic watching the newcomers having barely any opportunities to meet people before exiting the show. Fans argued that more time for newbies would stir things up, creating a win-win situation for everyone.
4) Make it a Competition, Not Romance
Another thing that fans apparently feel needs more than a little tweak is the show’s general structure. While the rich ensemble of stars on the series creates an interesting dynamic, many felt the show lacked direction. Most of the things required of the casts during the season lacked any real direction. Most felt that so much happened during the first season that it made the entire series look unnecessarily chaotic.
The combination of competition and romance doesn’t work well together. It was clear at times that the contestants were just as confused about their roles as the viewers. As the conversation progressed on the Reddit thread, fans shifted focus to the structure of the show, and many agreed that no one was buying the love storyline on the show.
They argued that most of the relationships seemed forced. So, it wasn’t surprising that the couples quickly fell apart once the show ended. Onlookers urged the producers to make the show more about the competition and challenges and ditch the romance narrative. One user, u/Laeez, wrote,
“I think it should be more focused on playing games and challenges together where you need to work as a pair to win. No one is buying these people give a shit about each other or are in love, so the focus on relationships/connections doesn’t work here.”
Although Netflix hasn’t announced a release date for the upcoming season 2 of Perfect Match, work has already begun on the show’s casting. Viewers hope producers tweak the show for a much-desired facelift before the new season.
