Alex Henderson went from “I really feel for this guy!” to “Who is this guy?!”
Love is Blind, Netflix’s hit show, dropped its first six episodes last week, and it’s once again at the top of the streaming charts.
The show has an undeniable hook. How much do looks matter in romance? Can a great mental connection overcome a lack of a physical one? The quick answer? No. Even people on the show admit this. However, it’s a compelling question, and yes, it makes good, sometimes great TV.
For the uninitiated, two dozen singles date without seeing one another. (They speak through a wall.) After about a week, maybe ten days at most, some get engaged and go on a trip to Cabo before living together for three weeks. At the show’s conclusion, the couples go to the altar and commit to forever – or walk away.
Cheesy reality show? Sure! What reality show isn’t? However, this reality show has some very real moments. It’s fascinating to hear what people say when they don’t know what the other person looks like.
Enter Alex Henderson.
As far as looks, most probably believe he won the genetic lottery. About a decade ago, Alex – under a different name – was an All-American soccer goalie at Wake Forest. His team went to the College Cup, and he was drafted 23rd by Minnesota United. However, his career was cut short by injury. Ever since, Alex seems to be on a self-discovery journey. Love is Blind is another pit stop.
At one point during the dating phase of the show, Alex expresses his displeasure with his former college teammates, whom he feels abandoned him on Draft Day. Instead of watching the proceedings with him, they went off to play – what else?- soccer. In short, Alex has a life-changing realization: My friends might not really be my friends. I empathized with the former Demon Deacons netminder.
However, when the newly-engaged couples depart for Cabo, my sympathies wane. First, without provocation, he disparages soccer all-worlders Tim Howard and David Beckham. Worse, much worse, he flirts with another female cast member, not his fiancée, and he shares with her that his fiancée is not his usual physical type. To add salt, later, he’s less than truthful when discussing this with his fiancée.
Alex has overcome so much, including a difficult relationship with his father, which is only mentioned in passing. And he brings a lot to the table, which he constantly reminds everyone of.
However, on the eve of Netflix releasing three more episodes, he’s going to have to stand on his head to rehab his now-tainted image.
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Jon Hart is the author of Unfortunately, I was available.
