‘Love on the Spectrum’ Is a Crash Course in How to Bounce Back from Rejection
Reality TV is getting more and more creative these days. Long gone are the days when contestants would simply live together and choose a mate.
Nowadays, there’s always some sort of interesting premise, like not being able to see your chosen partner (Love is Blind) or resisting sexual contact with attractive strangers for the chance to win a cash prize (Too Hot To Handle).
One more wholesome premise for a dating show is seen on Love on the Spectrum; in this Netflix series, people who are on the autism spectrum are filmed as they navigate the dating world and try to find love.
Audiences are loving this sweet show, and some fans say that they’ve learned some life lessons about relationships by watching the cast members.
What is ‘Love on the Spectrum’ about?
Netflix’s hit Australian reality series Love on the Spectrum premiered in 2020 on its streaming service, perfectly timed for bored days in quarantine. The show follows several individuals with autism as they date and enter into romantic relationships; for some of them, it’s their first time dating.
While people with disabilities are often painted monochromatically in the media; this show is a chance for those on the autism spectrum to be portrayed realistically, and for the rest of the world to realize that they fall in love just like the rest of us.
A writer for Time, who is on the autism spectrum, shared: “Love on the Spectrum is, by and large, seemingly well-meaning and intermittently charming.”
The series only has five episodes, but it’s already been renewed for a second season, which is already in production. This isn’t surprising, considering that the first season’s finale drew almost half a million viewers in Australia alone, according to Oprah Magazine.
Viewers say that ‘Love on the Spectrum’ has taught them a lesson
People who’ve watched the show seem to unanimously love it, and some even feel like watching the cast members has taught them a thing or two about the dating world.
On a recent Reddit thread, fans discussed what they love most about the show. “Just starting and I love this! It feels so pure and raw!”
One Redditor shared what they especially love about the show: “[I] love the way the characters handle rejection,” they shared. Someone else added to the comment: “And anxiety. It’s how I feel on the inside.”
They’re probably referring to the fact that even when dates don’t go well, the cast members seem to be willing to try again and again until they find true love. We could all certainly learn a thing or two from that kind of never-give-up attitude, whether we’re on the spectrum or not. The dating world is tough for anyone to navigate.
Fans want more ‘Love on the Spectrum’
The verdict is in: fans just love Love on the Spectrum and can’t wait for Season 2 to come out. Many people seem to have watched the first season in one sitting – not too difficult of a feat, considering the first season only has 5 episodes.
“I blew through it and now I crave more!” someone shared. Another fan added: “I just watched the first episode on a whim and it’s so wholesome. I can’t wait to watch more.”
Lucky for all of us, Season 2 is on its way. Here’s to hoping that future seasons have more episodes so that we can really binge this amazing show.
