The Nevermets Channel 4

[80smercedes]

Anyone else watching? I'm genuinely not sure what I think about what I've just watched 🤷🏻‍♀️ Would love to chew it over with others

I feel famous! 😂

When his application was turned down she was like: oh okay then.

I think she seems depressed too.

Well, having finished episode five this is what I think:

Leah and Chad. Nope. His interest is, frankly, revolting. I still think she just wants to be on TV. The whole taking a call from the other dude thing was so staged. For me, this is the least interesting ‘couple’ and I wouldn’t remotely think this is serious. Not that it should be at two months, but I don’t think they’re included on the show for any reason other than pure ick!

Matt and Maria: the most legitimate couple of the series so far IMO. They are clearly besotted. My biggest concerns are that she has some serious family issues (financially) which may cause issues down the line. And I think Matt is very naive and so he may struggle with some of the realities of commitment further along. However, there’s nothing actually wrong with being inexperienced and he seems to have a good heart. His trying to make things right by asking permission retrospectively was adorable. Both have pure intentions here I think, and I see them as the most genuine of the bunch, and the most likely to last if they can overcome the practical difficulties.

It was painfully obvious he's keen on her only for the UK citizenship potential. Keeping the plastic on the mattress maybe so he can return it to the shop after she goes. She seems to have been deluded then had a horrible reality check, including that awful meet up with his mates where they made crude jokes/comments. I'm sure she'd have wanted to leave there and then, but tricky when you're in a foreign country etc.

It's her culture, surely? Her family were making it clear that's what the whole idea was, also.

But where do her family see it going ?
He's 17 at college. Studying Alevels even assuming he passes them and goes to university, its going to the several years. To even get a job never mind a job that supports her

She's the earner and home-owner. The family don't seem bothered about that. I think it's just that in their culture they just want the girls married ASAP, as in 18th century England, where girls are 'old' and past it if they're over 23.

(Apologies if I have misinterpreted Indian culture).

He could do a degree in India.

Ditto. My hairdresser who had known me and been cutting my hair since I was 10 years old turned up at my place of work on my 18th birthday with red roses and a Teddy declaring his love for me. He was 35.

Beyond fucking creepy.

Yeah not keen on the older American guy, seemed a bit pervy stroking her leg and creepy to me, taking her round everywhere to show her off rather than sightseeing etc. I like Matt and Maria, they seem pretty genuine. The thing that gets me with most of these couples is they haven't bothered to learn any of the language, culture etc. Matt's been speaking to Maria for 8 years surely he could have gone online or found a class to learn a bit of her language?? The young lad that went to India, he was clueless about the food, language, customs. You'd think they'd be interested in where their partner lives, their lifestyle, how much it would help if they learnt some of the language, even a few phrases!

Did anyone else have to avert their eyes when Matt asked Maria for a kiss when he got off the coach? Arrrgh he practically had her whole head in his mouth!

Yes, bless him. He had never had a girlfriend. I can't believe they did a close up and an ariel shot. There must have been a few takes. It reminded me of 14 year old boys at discos in the 80s.

If he's not autistic I'd be amazed. It's like a cringey version of Love on the Spectrum with none of the safeguards in place. I find this show pretty hard to watch. It doesn't feel like entertainment. I have to steel myself to watch it.

It is an awkward watch, that's for sure.

All of these people have reasons for doing this, I guess. Some more altruistic than others. Similarly, some people's expectations simply aren't realistic. I feel like Leah just wants to have fun and explore her options. Chad just wants a pretty young thing to say fuck you to his ex wife, likely. They met on the 'Seeking' app apparently. That's usually renowned for picking up rich sugar daddies. Hmm.

There's loneliness at the heart of a lot of these people's stories, and I guess that's usually the main reason for online LDR's. Obviously the whole format of these shows is the fact that they are potential car crash viewing.

Jgoy gave me the absolute creeps. No wonder his visa was turned down. Wasn't it his 3rd time of applying from various other potential victims online romances.

Less said about Dubai guy the better. There's a million of his kind online. Flakey and Fakey I used to call them.

I don't see Autism in Matt. He's had some anxiety and confidence issues for sure. He doesn't actually come across as terribly awkward, though. He seems to have a (new found) confidence which he's keen to build on. I'm not saying he isn't on the spectrum, but I'm not picking up on the many nuanced mannerisms like I usually do (I'm an Autistic person of 53 years with ND family members)

For me, I'd have said that Jay came across as more ND. His beige food issues and inability to try 'non safe foods' are very typical of Autism.

Totally agree that some of these people could have been learning a bit more about the language and cultures of their 'partners' during these years of online romance. That's the element that always surprises me most with these scenarios. I find it very lazy and a little bit selfish, actually.

If it was filmed in 2021, I wonder why it's taken so long to be broadcast?

Completely disagree re Matt. I think he very much has mannerisms that are often seen/associated with autism.

Well, yes, but if it's so important to them and their culture, I'm sure there are men older than schoolboys that would fit the bill.

What mannerisms? I'm genuinely interested as Autistic behaviour is probably one of my biggest fascination as an Autistic woman.

I don't see any stimming or repetitive behaviour. I watch Autistic people like Christine McGuinness and I see she's nervous, twists her hands, steps back and forwards and can't quite make eye contact. Smiles, but the smile is a 'practiced' one. I recognise all those things. She also has major food issues. Matt is wolfing down everything he's given. I just don't recognise any Autistic behaviours. Maybe I find it harder to spot in men.

Anyway is it Tuesday that we can watch Eposode 6?

Fridays, I think the new episodes come out. :)

For what it’s worth, I don’t think he’s autistic either.

I'm autistic myself. It's not at all usual to be 38 and choosing to still live at home with parents. He talked about being very socially anxious and struggling to socialise, which is what he put not having had a girlfriend before down to. He hadn't even dated or kissed anyone. That's pretty unusual. His brother(s?) couldn't understand why he wasn't independent like them.

Yes, these are the kind of things I meant too.

His flat monotone voice, he's extremely socially awkward.
He seems very vulnerable, and has never left home or had a girlfriend or travelled more than 20 miles alone or ever cooked a meal.
Then, the complete intensity of the Maria relationship. And the very black/white way of viewing the relationship.
There was no indication that he had considered that it might not be plain sailing or might not work out. He had bought an engagement ring without having ever met her. He was then snogging her within minutes, and having sex that night.
Announcing they'd got engaged at her sister's leaving party.
He's so absolutely completely different to both his brothers and both parents. Yes, I'm well aware we can be very different from family, but there are usually some similarities in mannerisms/humour/confidence etc.
Re the fact he eats lots of food - I know as many autistic people who love trying new foods as I do those who only eat a few foods.

But yeah, it's the overall awkwardness and the lack of his behaviours seeming "natural".

I'm rooting for them big time 🙌🏼

Leah and Chad in the hotel is one of the most cringeworthy things
I have ever watched on TV!

Omg. Anyone watching Episode 6- criiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinge re: Chad arriving at Leah's house 😂😂😂

Wow. I'm speechless at some of it!!

At least she got an IKEA trip out of it

The Jay / Verna update was interesting. All 5 seconds of it at the end!