Watch or skip: Perfect Match season 2 still doesn't make sense, but we love it

Perfect Match season 2 is back on Netflix. The first six episodes of the season dropped on Friday, June 7, 2024. New episodes are dropping on June 14 before the finale airs on June 21. But, we know Netflix viewers are asking the age-old question: Should I actually watch Perfect Match season 2?

Perfect Match brings in dozens of the hottest singles from the Netflix Reality Universe (it's not actually called that), including stars of Love is Blind, Too Hot to Handle, The Circle, Dated & Related, and many more. Harry Jowsey is there. Jessica Vestal of Love is Blind. There are so many familiar faces! Nick Lachey, who also co-hosts Love is Blind with his wife, Vanessa, is the host of Perfect Match, and he leads (he doesn't!) on a twisted journey for one couple to find their "perfect match" and win the game.

Even though I like Perfect Match season 2, this show is not without flaws. It's a lesser product than Love Island, which is clearly the vibe the show is chasing. There's drama, but how the couples find their "match" at the end of each evening lacks drama and intrigue. In Love Island, the Islanders are summoned around the fire pit for each recoupling, and you know it's going to be drama.

My main issue is with the premise of Perfect Match. It's part The Challenge and part Love Island, which just makes for a convoluted reality format mess. To me, Netflix needs to pick a lane. Are we here for love? Are we here for the competition? It's neither, and that's the problem.

I wish that Netflix would lean harder into the love and romance aspect of the show and gear the format of the show to pair people together to actually find a partner. Or, I wish that Netflix would make this a much more competition-centric series like The Challenge or Survivor. Bring in some strategy and really blow this up!

I don't want to make it seem like I don't like Perfect Match. I do! But, it bugs me when, the whole time, it feels like a completely inorganic and uninventive jumble of chaos. And, I'll still keep watching.

Why you should watch Perfect Match season 2

If you're a fan of Love Island, The Challenge, and all of the Netflix reality TV shows, Perfect Match season 2 is a treat. Like I mentioned, it's not a perfect show, but there is enough drama, enough likable contestants and people to root for, and what else do we have to do, you know?

It seems like there are some genuine people on the show looking for love. There are others who are clearly taking their moment of fame and trying to capitalize. That's fun! It works. I just wish Netflix gave them a better mission or way to take advantage of the situation. Give them something to play for, Netflix!

There are some interesting wrinkles in Perfect Match. We have a version of Love Island's Casa Amor on the way. We have couples targeting other couples after winning compatibility challenges, but it's not enough. We need Survivor-level gameplay for this to be as fun as possible, if they want to go that route.

Overall, if you're a fan of Netflix's reality stars and drama, Perfect Match is the show for you right now. If not, well, let's talk about it!

Why you should skip Perfect Match season 2

Typically, it's a challenge to find reasons not to watch some of Netflix's biggest shows, but honestly, it's easy to point out why fans would not enjoy Perfect Match. If you're not watching Netflix's reality shows, you are not going to know anything about the cast. While that's not a problem and the show stands alone, you will not get maximum enjoyment out of Perfect Match without paying attention to at least a handful of the now many Netflix reality shows.

Several contestants on Perfect Match are just flat-out unappealing as characters in a highly dramatic series. Such shows need a certain level of charisma, and honestly, some of these contestants just lack that element that pulls people in. Like, Netflix needs to cast a little bit better with Perfect Match. Even introducing people who have yet to star in the Netflix Reality Universe would work better than bringing back some of the boring contestants from other reality shows.

I know I mentioned "what else are you going to watch" when talking about Perfect Match season 2. Honestly, there are other new things to watch on Netflix and beyond.

Don't sweat it if Perfect Match season 2 isn't the perfect match for season you.