Ep 3. Leuh & Justin

In season 5 episode 3 of Catfish: The TV Show, titled "Leuh & Justin," we witness the dramatic and emotional journey of Leuh and Justin as they navigate through the tricky terrain of online dating. Leuh, a 22-year-old from Michigan, has fallen deeply in love with the charming and charismatic Justin, who claims to be a former Marine and a model. The two have been talking and texting for over a year, and Leuh believes that Justin is the perfect guy for her.

However, Leuh's friends are suspicious of Justin's intentions. They believe that he is hiding something and that he may not be who he claims to be. When Nev and Max are called in to help, they discover that Justin's profile pictures are the same as those of a male model from Canada. Moreover, they uncover that the pictures that Justin has been sending to Leuh are doctored to make him appear more attractive. This revelation shocks Leuh, and she is left wondering if Justin is a catfish.

The rest of the episode focuses on Nev and Max's attempts to track down Justin and uncover his true identity. They make several calls and do some online detective work, which leads them to discover that Justin is actually a woman named Angela. Angela is not a model, nor is she a former Marine. She is a college student living in California, who has been using pictures of a male model and posing as Justin to hide her true identity.

As the episode unfolds, Angela reveals to Nev and Max her reasons for catfishing Leuh. She admits to feeling insecure about her appearance and her life, and how she wanted to create a persona that was desirable and attractive to others. She also confesses to being attracted to Leuh and feeling a deep connection to her, which made her reluctant to end their relationship.

The climax of the episode comes when Nev and Max fly out to California to confront Angela and help her come clean to Leuh. The meeting is tense and emotional, and Leuh is devastated to learn that her dream guy was nothing more than a fictional character. However, she is also understanding and forgiving, and she acknowledges Angela's vulnerability and insecurity.

In the end, Leuh and Angela part ways, with both women taking valuable lessons from their experience. Leuh learns to be more cautious and aware when it comes to online dating, while Angela realizes that being honest and true to oneself is more important than creating a fake persona to impress others. The episode ends on a hopeful note, with both women moving forward with a newfound sense of clarity and awareness.

Overall, "Leuh & Justin" is a compelling and poignant episode that highlights the dangers and complexities of online relationships. It is a reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and that honesty and transparency are essential in any meaningful relationship. As always, Nev and Max provide invaluable guidance and support, helping the participants navigate through their emotions and ultimately find closure.