Ep 2. Alyssa & Tyler

In Catfish: The TV Show season 7 episode 2 titled "Alyssa & Tyler," hosts Nev Schulman and Max Joseph help a young woman named Alyssa uncover the truth about her online relationship with Tyler.

Alyssa met Tyler on a dating website and has been chatting with him for eight months. She is convinced that Tyler is the perfect man for her and sees a future with him, but she has never video chatted or spoken to him on the phone. Alyssa's friends and family are skeptical of Tyler's existence and encourage her to get in touch with Nev and Max to help her.

Nev and Max begin their investigation by looking into Tyler's social media profiles and online presence. They find that Tyler's photos are stolen from a man named Marcus and that Tyler's online persona is nothing like Marcus' real life. Nev and Max are concerned that Tyler may be using Alyssa for her money or playing games with her emotions.

However, when Nev and Max finally corner Tyler and reveal the truth about his identity, they are surprised by what they find. Tyler is actually a young boy named Aaron who has been using Tyler's photos and identity to chat with Alyssa. Aaron is only 14 years old and is struggling with his own identity and self-esteem. He confesses to Nev and Max that he has a crush on Alyssa and has been trying to be someone he is not to impress her.

Throughout the episode, Nev and Max provide emotional support for both Alyssa and Aaron. They help Alyssa understand that even though Tyler is not real, her feelings are valid and allow her to process her emotions. They also offer Aaron guidance on how to be true to himself and build confidence in his own identity.

In the end, Alyssa and Aaron meet face to face, and the two finally have an honest conversation about their feelings. Despite the initial deception, Alyssa is able to find closure and sees Aaron as a genuine friend. Aaron is grateful for Nev and Max's help and promises to work on being himself and building his own confidence.

"Alyssa & Tyler" is an emotional and eye-opening episode of Catfish: The TV Show that explores the dangers of catfishing and the importance of self-love and acceptance. It showcases Nev and Max's expertise in investigating online relationships and offering emotional support to those affected. Ultimately, the episode shows that even in situations of deception, there is always the possibility for growth and healing.