Love on the Spectrum (U.S.) reaches new heights with its third season – further defining itself as the most wholesome must-watch out there. With a mix of returnees and newbies, viewers once again follow people with autism as they navigate dating. Fans that adore Love on the Spectrum for the unabashed charm of its cast will be swooning from start to finish this season. Every returning member not only comes with a lovable charisma, but also a beaming sense of confidence. Seriously, between seasons, everyone’s grown to be more assured of themselves when it comes to dating. So, it’s immensely uplifting to see this group let loose and make moves.
Tanner is every bit as fun as he was last season – with his infectious smile and good-hearted mindset fueling his every scene. James’ distinct brand of reactions are as endearing as ever, and any scene between him and his parents is pure gold. It’s also great to see more established couples like David and Abbey or Dani and Adan be outgoing and openly explore mature elements of their relationship. Even newcomers Madison and Pari exude this same type of confidence and charm, making them complimentary additions that fans will fall for fast.
However, if Love on the Spectrum Season 3 is anything, it’s where Connor takes a triumphant leap. When you compare where Connor started last season to where he is now, there’s an amazing, immediate sense of change. He’s incredibly willing to take big steps for himself, and it results in some of the most iconic moments of the entire series. His interactions with his family, mainly his mom, are full of delightfully quotable one-liners and a hilariously brutal sense of honesty. He comes with a big “main character” energy that puts him in the director’s chair of his own life. There’s nothing funnier than Connor turning to the camera to “cut” something or set up an outro for himself after a date. It’s great too how this newfound sense of confidence allows him, and others, to be more direct about their feelings. Connor is pure “dating goals,” and it’s what makes his story the most relatable, engaging and enjoyable this season.
Along with a booming confidence, this cast also showcases a vulnerability that makes the experience so much richer. Love on the Spectrum thrives on its ability to be authentic with its cast and their experiences with autism and dating. With this season, that persists to great lengths and creates incredibly compelling scenes. There’s a moment where James’ mom reacts to tough news after a speed dating event that’s so real and raw that it leaves you on the verge of tears. Dani and Adan deal with rough patches that reflect the genuine struggles in finding common ground in a relationship. Also, there’s a great moment where the series depicts sensory overload in a very real way. Early on, Madison goes on a date with someone who becomes overwhelmed by the loud noises around them and it’s captured in a thoughtful light. In any other dating/reality show, the awkwardness of it would simply be played for laughs and come off exploitative. Here though, the series actually delves into the issue in an effective, honest way that lets viewers deeply connect with what’s happening and come away with meaningful insight.
It’s where the series’ documentary approach really pays off, and there’s a determination for capturing these people in their truest form, without judgement, that opens you up to new perspectives – especially when it comes to Madison and Pari. Both of them feature quirks and interests that could easily get them pegged as “weird” in shallow first impressions. Yet, their voices and perspectives are allowed to flourish in ways that make you understand them better. Madison, in particular, leaves a large impact because she’s unafraid to express herself and immerse you into her perception. Season three is where the series becomes more than just a heartwarming dating show; it legitimately becomes a thought-provoking platform for autism. It’s full of diverse viewpoints that build these captivating storylines that are further elevated by the strong production behind it.
That’s right, even the crew behind the camera steps up their game in season three. The sharpness of the editing allows for an excellent flow between stories as well as tantalizing cliffhanger endings. The storytelling is on another level as the lack of predictability makes for a lot of on-edge excitement and satisfying surprises. More importantly, there are these arcs we see this cast go through that rival any scripted series out there. Whether it’s Connor expressing his evolving emotions after meeting someone that really resonates with him or Abbey and David starting a new chapter in their storybook love story, this season has narratives viewers will become obsessed with. It’s so incredible to see the growth everyone goes through and it builds towards a finale that bursts with emotion. It’s hard to remember a finale that leaves you in such an anxious, excited state like this one does. But soon enough, you find yourself cheering and crying at all the fulfilling love that blossoms and tender heartbreak that ensues.
Now, even with Love on the Spectrum Season 3 hitting almost all the right notes, there’s still some notable room for improvement. There definitely needs to be less “I saw you on the show” moments during dates because it taints the mood and makes certain interactions feel more like an undesired fan encounter. Connor’s first date is like that, and it creates a weird atmosphere. It would be nice to see a little more complexity in the depiction of the dates just because sometimes there’s too much agreeing and shared interests. When you think back to Connor’s speed dating event in season two, it was interesting because he didn’t always find the same likes and dislikes. It was more reflective of real dating and we don’t get that a lot this season. So, some of the dates go through too many of the same motions. Lastly, on a more personal note, let’s get more of autism expert Jennifer Cook on the series because she’s fantastic. Her scenes are always so eye-opening and create informative dialogue about dating that everyone can learn from.
Regardless though, Love on the Spectrum continues to be one the best shows currently streaming on Netflix, and in general. Its cast and crew grow in ways that’ll legitimately surprise fans and its depiction and dialogue of autism and dating make its impact vastly profound. Love on the Spectrum Season 3 sees the series evolve in necessary ways while still leaving viewers with a perma-smile and full heart that’s needed more than ever.
