This article contains spoilers to the finale of “Love Is Blind” Season 8.

The “Love Is Blind” finale is here. Season 8 has widely been a disappointment to fans and critics, who cite the long, boring episodes and the lack of chemistry between some of the couples as reasons why this installment just hasn’t grabbed our attention.

On Friday’s episode, four couples finally made it to the altar, and we find out who says “I do.” On Sunday, Netflix is airing the show’s reunion, hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, so audiences can see updates on the relationships and — hopefully — find out juicy details about what we didn’t get to see unfold on screen.

HuffPost staff members watched the entire season and shared their thoughts about the couples — and where the Netflix series failed in its eighth installment.

Sara And Ben Finally Break It Off

TikTok kind of spoiled this outcome, but are we really surprised that Sara turned down Ben? As much as she talked about how great Ben was and how special he made her feel, it always felt like Sara was overcompensating for feelings that weren’t actually there. She wasn’t even interested in staying in a relationship with Ben when he suggested so at the altar. According to her, their values didn’t align the way she wanted, and that’s ultimately why she said no. I do still wonder if that TikTok situation with Ben’s ex played a part in this split, too, though. Nonetheless, this breakup was for the best. — Njera

It’s so important for women to trust their intuition, and I think this is a prime example of that. I love that she wasn’t cruel and that she didn’t cry. I also love that he didn’t flip out or anything either. I get why Sara wouldn’t want to be with Ben because some of his responses about topics she cared about gave passive and complicit. At the very least, he should have shown more curiosity, like she said. I don’t think they’ll work out if they did happen to get back together, especially given all the videos online about Ben. Sara may have dodged a bullet with all of that. — Taiyler

I gasped when Sara said she didn’t really want to keep dating him. I guess I don’t understand why she kept saying all these great things about him. Like, I never saw his greatness. He just seemed only half-interested in her and her interests. Sara saying that he didn’t show any curiosity in her was what solidified that they did not need to be in a relationship. Even when they were having a conversation in one of the episode’s last week, he was kinda just like, well, I’m too tired to talk now. It made for an uncomfortable viewing experience. Also! Sara mentioned, among politics and LGBTQ issues, that she was unclear of Ben’s stance on the vaccine? I need to know more about that. All vaccines? The COVID vaccine? Is he an anti-vaxxer? I need clarity! — Erin

I also wonder why Sara let this relationship go all the way to the altar despite so many red flags leading up to it? But a part of me feels like Sara wanted this to work out on a fundamentally superficial level. They looked good together on paper, and she knew it, which offers a couple a certain amount of social clout. Also by marrying him, she could check off that all important social marker of being considered “an actual adult” by getting married. But I’m glad she decided to embrace a less certain path and dump him. Hopefully she’ll learn from this experience and open herself up to finding a real life partner and not some thinly veiled MAGA doofus who has no real respect for her opinions. — Elyse

Monica And Joey Amicably Say ‘I Don’t’

I think Joey and Monica may be the first couple in “Love is Blind” history to get applauded for breaking up. I have to admit, I did not see this breakup coming, and I think that’s due to the show not showing much of the couple’s dynamic other than the pair being two little goofs together. I recall thinking when Joey initially proposed to Monica in the pods that there seemed to be a lack of emotion on his end, but I shook it off since their initial meeting seemed pretty cute. Monica expressed some hesitations while she was getting all glammed up for the wedding, but I think the real nail in the coffin for her was when Joey delivered his very weird vows that focused so much on their “journey” together, but lacked anything about his hopes for the future with her, or why he loved her. Monica looked extremely disappointed in his vows, and I don’t blame her for sobering up and calling the whole thing off.

Also, I’ve just got to mention the music used for their breakup was annoyingly on the nose as per usual. I think they played a cover of “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” and after Monica says in a confessional that she “would have liked a different outcome, but I want to be chosen” they cut to her sitting in her car alone looking sadly out the window with the lyrics, “Cause I can’t make you love me, if you don’t.” Jesus, LIB, stop with this. You don’t need to narrate every scene through the lyrics of a song. We’re not idiots. Like that song says, “don’t patronize, don’t patroniiiiiiiize.” — Elyse

I was pleasantly surprised by how well these two handled not getting married. This might be the most mature breakup we’ve ever witnessed on “Love Is Blind.” I’m glad they both acknowledged that it didn’t feel right to say “I do” if they weren’t 100% sure about taking that leap. I could see them dating after the show without the added pressure of a wedding or even just being friends because they seemed to have a pretty solid connection either way. — Njera

Yes, I agree. What an amicable set of “I Don’ts.” This may have been the most heartwarming of rejections I’ve seen on the show — they even walked down the aisle holding hands afterward (but, admittedly, it was a little awkward when they said goodbye). I don’t know if I actually expected Monica to say no, but Monica sounded concerned from the start of the day as Joey was just cruising along. I think this could have been different if each of them didn’t hold back. I could totally see them being a couple and working things out down the line without the added pressure of the experiment, and I hope that’s the case. — Taiyler

Virginia Finally Reveals Her Thoughts About Devin

Virginia, you ain’t wrong, queen! It felt like everyone — including her parents, her friends and Devin’s mom — had been in denial about where Virginia stood during their wedding day. She didn’t at all seem excited or happy like they all said. To me, her demeanor that day read as her being anxious and, ultimately, like she felt like she was going to regret getting married to him.

While I do feel for Devin (his tears definitely tugged on my heartstrings), I think the reaction from his family and friends was uncalled for. Someone specifically said “I just don’t understand these girls,” and I didn’t like the way Devin’s mom seemed to question Virginia when talking to Devin. It felt like Devin’s people acted like she had cussed him out and spit on him at the altar, but in my view, she was relatively gracious given the situation. Devin knew the risks of the experiment when he signed up for it. I’m sure that doesn’t take away the feeling of rejection, but he’s definitely not a victim. Virginia’s concerns were valid, and she wasn’t actively trying to hurt him.

I’m also very curious about the check that Virginia said Devin received as a wedding gift but didn’t mention to her. All in all, I doubt these two will reconcile in the real world based on his and his family’s reactions, but I guess we’ll hear more about all that at the reunion. — Taiyler

I low-key cheered when Virginia told Devin no. Finally, she voiced the concerns I’ve been waiting for her to speak on all season! Honestly, Virginia was very gentle in turning Devin down, but I wish she didn’t wait until the wedding day to say how she really felt. Both of them could’ve saved a LOT of time in this experiment had they had deeper conversations about their political beliefs and moral values in the pods or early on in their engagement. It seemed like Virginia already had her mind made up before the wedding even started because she looked more anxious than excited about it.

I do feel bad for Devin, but I think he should take this whole experience as a lesson. One of the concerns Virginia shared was the fact that Devin was very closed off when it came to having hard conversations, so maybe he’ll learn how to be more open-minded in future relationships. Or, at the very least, he’ll develop a firmer stance on issues like politics and abortion rights versus leaning on his conservative family’s beliefs.

I have a feeling we’ll hear about some more drama from these two (finally) once we catch up with them at the reunion. Maybe then we’ll hear how they really felt all season long instead of just smiling and agreeing on everything. — Njera

I was also so happy when Virginia said no. Her demeanor while getting ready and talking to her friends told me everything I needed to know about what she was going to say at the altar. She looked unsure and concerned. She could barely speak! Devin sobbing at the altar was sad, but hearing Virginia describe how their relationship was unfolding off screen revealed a lot. I can understand the impulse to protect her husband-to-be, but this experiment often reveals the not-so-good sides of people, and it wasn’t her responsibility to shield audiences from his views. Devin decided to go on a popular reality show, so he should accept the fact that they are going to explore all sides of his life. It’s wack that he didn’t want us to see that. Don’t sign up for the show if you aren’t willing to be open. Also, quite frankly, ain’t no way I woulda made it to the altar without having sex with my partner. Ain’t no way. — Erin

OK, has anyone else noticed the way Virginia insincerely says the phrase “thank you” in high-pressure situations? When she first met Devin and he was complimenting her on her appearance, she kept on nervously saying “thank you” in a tone that didn’t quite seem genuine. I chalked that up to nerves, but she did the same while getting ready for the wedding, saying “thank you” to compliments in a way that also felt performative. I feel like her weird “thank you” tone is somewhat of a tell for her, and she does this when she doesn’t exactly want to share what she’s actually thinking or feeling.

It was so nice to finally meet the real Virginia in her post-breakup confessional. She finally expressed how she really felt about the relationship and her valid concerns about Devin. I found it very interesting that she said Devin would often shut down any kind of conversation about politics when they were on camera, and implied that she felt she was walking on eggshells whenever the cameras were rolling.

My only qualm, which I think you guys would agree with, is that I wish we met the real Virginia earlier rather than having to watch her play the role of a docile and complacent woman with few opinions of her own, when that wasn’t the case at all. We should have known she wasn’t that meek simply by her insistence of a prenup, but I feel sad that we only got to know a very small slice of who she is. — Elyse

Taylor And Daniel Are In Love

I’m happy for Taylor and Daniel. They seem genuinely happy. I was bored to tears watching them, but hey, this experiment worked for them — despite that Instagram moment that I’m still unclear about that resolution. So kudos to them and their future Christmas cards. — Erin

This couple was our only “yes” of the season and I still don’t feel anything. I do wish them the best. I just found them boring to watch besides the Instagram moment that was very quickly settled somehow. —Taiyler

Every season, we get the surefire couple who doesn’t run into any major issues and ultimately says yes at the altar. That, of course, was Taylor and Daniel, and I’m not at all shocked. Happy that this was the one successful pairing, but I was bored out of my mind watching these two all season long. Not even the Instagram hiccup was enough to draw me in. — Njera

Yes, I get it. They were the sincere yet boring couple of the season. But isn’t being boring and not having huge, blow-out drama indicative of a potentially healthy and long-lasting relationship? If this show has taught us anything, it seems like watching real love unfold isn’t always that entertaining, despite what rom-coms try to sell us.

I did shed a few tears watching these two get married, because they both looked so happy and sincerely in love. I also thought it was cute when Daniel’s mom appeared moved and impressed by Taylor’s vows.

I have to admit, I was a bit surprised by how religious these two ended up being during their ceremony, which I guess was kind of dumb on my part, because the two have only expressed how much they love Christmas a thousand times. But hey, to each their own. I hope their religious views align more with Sara’s rather than Ben or Devin’s — that’s all I’m saying! — Elyse

Where This Season Really Failed

I would argue that they failed at casting this season. The audience should have been offered more intriguing characters and plotlines — whether that be by way of straight-up messiness or undeniable romance and warmth. I also have a problem with the limited diversity of this season, which obviously also limits viewer interest and investment in the couples. — Taiyler

Agreed, casting truly sucked this season. The lack of diversity was my biggest issue, but, overall, this cast just lacked people with interesting personalities. There wasn’t one standout couple that I felt particularly invested in, whether it be because of drama or a genuine love connection that sparked. We didn’t even have a good villain to spice things up. There was also a big emphasis on politics, which I actually appreciated since past seasons have ignored the topic entirely. However, a lot of those conversations between couples felt forced by production rather than a natural dialogue. We could tell by how many contestants (mainly the men) didn’t have a clear viewpoint to share.

This was the first season of “Love Is Blind” where I struggled to get through each and every episode because of how incredibly boring they were. Something has to give going forward. Next season has to have a better cast, less filler footage, more intrigue and way better storylines to follow because Season 8 wasn’t it. — Njera

The season was too long. Each of the episodes were too long, and we spent way too many episodes in the pods. I also thought there was only one couple who actually had chemistry throughout the season: Taylor and Daniel. Everyone else just seemed like they were just trying to coast through the rest of the season. Gimme some heat! I want passion, Netflix! — Erin

I was also struggling to get through these episodes! Usually, getting through the pods is a challenge for me, and it felt 10x harder given how many pod episodes there were this time around. I hoped for more after the pods, but they gave us next to nothing. —Taiyler

I agree with everything you guys have already said. There’s too many episodes in the pods, and each episode in the season felt bloated with nothingness. It’s just a bunch of words with nothing much behind them. I agree that the show could do a lot better with casting, but I think their bad reputation is starting to bite LIB’s procedures in the ass. Despite finding the premise of the show intriguing — and with the knowledge that modern dating culture is a fucking hellscape — I’d never go on this show with all the lawsuits aimed at production’s questionable behavior. I do recall seeing a TikTok in which a woman from Minneapolis seemed to break down why this cast was so bad. She basically said that production had tried to cast a more diverse group of interesting singles in Minneapolis, because they do exist, but many of these people turned it down because they didn’t really want to become D-List celebrities. She said something along the lines of people who live in Minneapolis live there because they want to live a normal life and value their privacy. So they ended up casting people who wanted some kind of clout. — Elyse