Photo: (MTV)
If you've recently met somebody special online (Or on your cellphone. Whaddup, Tinder!), you definitely need to catch the most recent episode of "Catfish." In it, Max and Nev catch one of their biggest fish yet — a self-proclaimed Internet superhero, out to rid the world of cheaters.
Here's what went down and the important lessons we learned.
+ Fishing Is Cheating Too
First, we meet Artis — a young man who has been with his girlfriend and the mother of his children for three years, but is also in love with a blonde bombshell he met online. Before they agree to help Artis, Nev and Max make one thing clear: He's gotta come clean to his real-life girlfriend. "It doesn't feel right for us to come and meet you if you're gonna be sneaking around behind your girlfriend's back," says Nev. "We don't wanna be a part of that."
+ Catch Your Own "Catfish"
Max and Nev can't catch all of the "catfish" in the sea ... or river — or wherever catfish like to swim. (You'll have to excuse my lack of knowledge on the subject. Here in Los Angeles, the only kind of fish we know about comes wrapped in rice and seaweed.) It's 2013, people, and with the power of apps like Skype, FaceTime and Snapchat, it shouldn't be hard to figure out if the people you meet online are real or not. If you've developed a relationship with someone you've never met in person, ask to see their face —in real time. Or, at the very least, have 'em take a photo holding up a piece of paper with your name on it. If your online lover doesn't bite, something definitely smells (cat)fishy.
+ Always Bring a Fishing Buddy
Always have your first meeting in a public place, and to be extra safe, bring a friend. Artis is lucky he was not alone. His female love interest turns out to be a guy named Justin who is, according to Nev, a misguided and "self righteous do-gooder who's out to rid the world of infidelity and cheaters." Yikes. "I'm just glad we're here," Nev told Artis after meeting the angry catfisher. "If this guy had agreed to meet up with you under other circumstances, who knows what would have happened." It appears that Justin turned to the Internet to feel some love and validation after the loss of his father. But cafishing is not the way! Check out MTV's Half Of Us if you or someone you know needs help dealing with the loss of a loved one.
+ There Are Other Fish in the Sea
Artis' dream girl wasn't real, but in a follow-up interview, he admits that the "dry spell" following his catfish experience was short-lived. It's natural to feel sad after an online or offline breakup, but try to remember that there are other non-catfish in the sea just waiting to get hooked on you! Follow the action links below for more helpful dating info and resources.
