After two compact episodes like hay bales (or cowboy bales?), Love is in the meadow brought together all the elements of kit of a season fertile in a) twists and turns, b) future children and c) mare scent.
Case IH tractor commercials, country music enthusiasts, Lake William Manor, girls who love to “unplug” engines, dates in an orchard/vineyard, acoustic guitar at the Virgin River, hats eccentrics, plaid blankets and singles who dream of large families before the age of 30, this 12e season at Noovo promises to be more plentiful than the last, probably the least tasty since the emergence of this reality show on Quebec soil.
Notably because of a problematic suitor who, after filming, was quickly deleted from almost all the episodes. A nightmare for the production and for the farmer (Anne-Sophie, from Neuville) who gave in for this tormentor-stalker struggling with mental health problems.
The hasty reassembly of the 11e season, very apparently, even delayed the broadcast of Love is in the meadow two weeks. In short, a harvest to forget.
Now, replacing Katherine Levac, Marie-Soleil Dion takes the reins of this flagship show with refreshing energy and aplomb. We feel invested, curious, natural and spontaneous. You’d swear she’s been running this reality show from the first seed. End of dubious agro-love allusions. Or not, we’ll see.
Among the five pivotal bachelors of 2024, Benjamin, 28, is the one who turned heads as quickly as the possessed little girl in The exorcist. The new farmer from Bromont, who loves baseball, hunting and fishing, hopes to find his ray of sunshine, which appeared to him in the form of Amélie, 28 years old, an approved assessor from Granby presented as an “approved evacuator”. And what does an approved evacuator do in life? No idea. One thing is certain: it could be useful on a farm when it comes time to spread manure.
Ah yes, this Benjamin is not looking for a girl. He is looking for his wife, the last, with whom he will settle on his land.
It’s always surprising to hear candidates from Love is in the meadow talk about long-term commitment, loyalty, family values and authenticity, in more than adequate French. It changes us from the Franglais of The island of love and D’OD jabbered by tanned people who want to “switch” from dude or girl as soon as they “catch” “feels”.
Unusual fact in this 12e edition: farmer Sabrina, 24, from Coaticook, met a man and four women during her “speed dating”. On the other hand, it was quite obvious that Sabrina, a black belt in karate and a tattoo designer, had more of a crush on the warehouse worker Mélanie than the entrepreneur Jean-François.
As with Alex and David in 2021, we almost felt the electricity circulating between Sabrina and Mélanie, 24, who released a catchy romantic-practical line at the very end of her date: “I can make your coffee and leave your tank. » Isn’t that the ultimate dream in a relationship?
The oldest of this edition, Théo, 51, never goes out without his hat when he explores his Estrie estate where there are streams, 10 kilometers of trails and even two lakes. Unsurprisingly, Théo recruited the bubbly Annie, whose favorite smell is that of a man who has spent his day with horses. It’s what we call a wild and animal fragrance, in Sephora lingo.
The motor tripper, Marc-Étienne, 25, had a strong crush on Kim, manager of a pet store, while the shyest of the quintet, Charlie, 28, from Neuville, acted as in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? before confirming your choice. He called a friend, Anne-Sophie, his neighbor and also a participant in Love is in the meadow in 2023, to decide between Alexis (radio host) and Thomas (optician). His vision cleared and it was Thomas who he finally made eyes with.
I prefer this refined formula of Love is in the meadow, where the host no longer sorts letters with the contestants’ family and friends. It was often long and repetitive.
By far, we prefer to see the participants nursing a microbrewery beer in a renovated barn while asking ourselves: is line dancing a passion for you?
I levitate
With Kim Nolin in Indefensible
This formidable lawyer, played by Julie Trépanier, is rebellious, slobbering and hyper determined… like her colleague Léo MacDonald (Sébastien Delorme). We love his enthusiasm and his outspokenness. Former intern at the Lapointe-MacDonald firm exiled to Sherbrooke, Kim Nolin will return to the blue and brown fold to recover the workload abandoned by the depressive Marie-Anne Desjardins, who is taking a one-month “break” in a rehabilitation center. health in Costa Rica. Talk to me about a whirlwind turnaround.
I avoid it
The Albi the giant advert in Indefensible
They become ratourers, our favorite sponsors. They no longer just provide cars in episodes or advertise them in advertising blocks. In Indefensible, the Albi dealer the giant now infiltrates between the last scene of the second block and the sign indicating the title of the daily newspaper. Result: impossible to skip dear Albi, who enters our living rooms without knocking on the door. It’s both brilliant (for them) and sacred (for us).