Several months after its release, Netflix’s Indian Matchmaking continues to be a nightmare for people, mostly because of its obsolete take on arranged marriages in India, or just marriages in general. Her illogical justifications of why she does a certain thing, and how destiny, fate, heaven, celestial bodies etc., play a bigger role in the sacred union of two souls, were not doing much help.
Recently, the Australian reality series Love on the Spectrum — currently streaming on Netflix — pleasantly documented the romantic relationships of people who are on the autism spectrum, the show offers a healthier, funnier take on human emotions.
Five episodes long, it has at least three storylines per episode. Each person portrayed in the show is on the autism spectrum, which make it a laborious task for them to catch up on significant social and communication cues. Dating, therefore, is a newfound affair for almost all of them.
Thomas and Ruth are already head-over-heels in love. They have simple plans for the future, like buying their dream house. Ruth lovingly calls Thomas a fellow ‘aspie’ (person who has Asperger syndrome, also on the spectrum), and Thomas cannot take his eyes off of her. They are shown as engaged, with plans to settle down in the future.
Olivia, Kelvin, Andrew, Maddi and Mark are single. They have never been in love before; neither have they been on a date even. But, they do have a faint overview of what it feels like to be in love. As we progress, their lives unravel piece by piece.
With their own quirks, gifts and distinctive tastes, the participants bring many interesting emotions to the table, including their disappointment when a date has not quite been to their liking.