Though each season of Love is Blind is somewhat predictable, with various pod tropes continued each time, viewers continue to tune in to see who will find love, who will get their heart broken, and who will be labeled a villain (or worse). Season four was no exception, with plenty of drama, pearl-clutching moments, and a few twists before the would-be couples got to the altar (or not, in some cases).

It turns out that season four might have had more twists than anyone saw coming, at least in terms of how the participants were portrayed. After the reunion, more people were cheering for Zack Goytowski than had cared for him during the show—even after he ‘chose wrong’ and broke his now-wife’s heart.

Zack Goytowski Was Painted In A Bad Light On Love Is Blind

Anyone who watched Love is Blind‘s season four likely noticed how Zach Goytowski was portrayed. Like every other cast member—and every other season—Netflix’s production team clearly took liberties with its editing process.

On the show, Zack took the long road to finally marrying his match, Bliss Poureetezadi, and he was heavily razzed for it. Not only was he dragged for changing his mind after originally proposing to Irina Solomonova, who then iced him out, but the other cast members often joked about Zack and made fun of, essentially, his personality.

Irina notably said Zack gave her “the ick,” and even texted Bliss at one point to tell her former enemy that she had ‘dodged a bullet.’

Micah, who was friends with Irina in the pod portion of the show but later questioned Solomonova’s motives, often giggled about Zack and suggested he was weird. The other guys also didn’t appear close with Zack during the show—although it’s unclear what their true feelings were, given the editing process.

Because Netflix even set Zack up to seem like he claimed to have written a song that, in unaired footage, he clearly attributed to the actual songwriter, it’s safe to assume that there were other things Netflix creatively edited.

So when Zack and Bliss, and almost everyone else, showed up for the reunion, there were some surprises in store.

Fans Say Zack (And Bliss) “Saved” The Love Is Blind Reunion

There weren’t really any “surprises” during the Love is Blind reunion episode in terms of storylines. The married couples were still married, and the broken-up couples hadn’t reconciled.

Jackie and Marshall, who fought over the engagement ring that it’s assumed Love is Blind provided, and ultimately hadn’t spoken since their on-screen split (Jackie now lives with her other match from the pods, Josh).

But one thing that was somewhat surprising is, fans say, how normal Zack seemed. Some viewers who watched the whole season were shocked to see how different Zack seemed during the reunion and were curious as to why so many people (his fellow cast members included) dissed him.

Asking “what am I missing about Zack,” one Redditor sparked a discussion about Zack possibly being edited into something he’s not, as well as his potential matches simply not being a good fit.

Commenters generally agreed that Zack seemed authentic and a bit nervous, which might put people off. There’s also that pesky editing strategy, where Bliss and Zack’s first meeting sounded like he only talked about Irina the entire time, which perhaps was not how the date really went down.

Others said that Zack had some off-putting habits, but he wasn’t necessarily “creepy.” Some also suspected Zack might have his reasons for things such as the intense eye contact Irina hated, or his seeming nervousness.

An insightful comment elaborated, “I’ve noticed the cast members who come off more neurodivergent to me usually are the least popular with most fans watching… the fact the worst is assumed about them when they’re really just not neurotypical…”

Whether he is neurotypical or otherwise, Zack came across much better during the “live” reunion, so much so that now, headlines are claiming he saved the entire thing—and that Nick and Vanessa shouldn’t even be hosting.

Fans credit Zack with “protecting” his fellow cast members by asking the right questions, being blunt (he suggested Irina was only on the show to “get famous”), and not following the ‘leading’ lines of questioning. He also forgave Irina, with “receipts” he said he would post turning to be a personal story about giving others grace.

Are Zack And Bliss Still Together After Love Is Blind?

Zack and Bliss appeared happily married during the Love is Blind reunion, and it seems that happiness has spread into real life, too. Some viewers aren’t entirely sold on their claimed chemistry though, with many online commenters speculating that either they’re both super awkward, or Bliss doesn’t really want to be there.

Even though the consensus is that Netflix did Zack dirty during the entire season, there’s still room for him to improve, specifically by reflecting a bit more on his own not-so-great behavior.

Still, the couple has tons of supporters who came out in droves after the Love is Blind reunion (when everyone was allowed to go ‘public’ with their current relationship status), with many calling them couple goals.

Ultimately, Zack and Bliss might have become season four’s Cameron and Lauren, and fans are hoping their marriage stands the test of time (and post-edit).