Love Island 2018: Notes from a small island, from gender politics to real politics

The 'good' doctor: Alex George on Love Island with ex-flame Alexandra Crane
ITV
Alix Oneill27 July 2018

It's the reality TV show that’s hotter than the heatwave. Everyone from Margot Robbie to Paris Hilton is emotionally invested in Love Island 2018.

Before “Mes” reignited their romance, I dropped my phone on my baby’s head while furiously scrolling through Twitter for reactions to Megan pie-ing Wes for Glasses Alex after he mugged off Old Laura. (Both OL and baby survived the trauma.)

Even Love Island refuseniks are aware of Jack and Dani — the lovebirds have joined an elite group of mononymous celebrities, figures so iconic they have no need for last names.

The ITV2 show, which finishes on Monday night, is in its fourth series but it was only last year that it became a national obsession. On July 1, 3.7 million people tuned in, helping ITV2 reach its highest-ever viewing figures. The channel has now sold the simple-yet-genius sun-and-shagging format to seven countries.

Golden couple: Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham are tipped to win
ITV

Of course, Love Island has its detractors.

There are those, like Times columnist Giles Coren, who dismiss it as a “vile, sexist abomination, made by morons for morons”. And there was a right old brouhaha over the revelation that more people applied to be on this year’s show than to Oxford and Cambridge combined.

Though to be fair, would you pick two months working on your tan with the potential to clean up in spin-offs and sponsorship deals for the next year, or years of actual grafting and, if you’re lucky, your very own studio flat in Zone 6? It ain’t exactly Sophie’s Choice.

Yes, LI is trashy and, while some might attempt to intellectualise their fixation by arguing it’s a microcosm of society which reveals crucial truths about human emotion, the reason most of us watch it is because we like to see hot people getting it on. But it has raised some serious debates around sexism, dating politics and body image. Here’s a round-up of this year’s hottest topics.

Samira and “racist dating”

She was one of the most naturally beautiful women on the show, but West End dancer Samira Mighty, who voluntarily left the villa two weeks ago to reunite with dumped partner Frankie, had a rocky route to love.

The last of the original cast members to make a romantic connection, the repeatedly rejected Sam was forced to pair with Dr Alex, a man with all the sex appeal of a colonoscopy. And when Frankie first arrived it was the pneumatic Megan he wanted to graft.

Many observers say the overlooking of Samira reflects society’s narrow standards of beauty and the wider experience of dating for a black woman. Samira got her happy ending, but LI clearly needs to up its diversity game.

Samira: The West End performer left the show after beau Frankie Foster was dumped
ITV

Adam and “gaslighting”

Gorgeous Geordie Adam Collard turned heads in the villa from day one. Even if the tattooed personal trainer isn’t 100 per cent your type on paper, you totally would. Popular with the other contestants, on the outside his womanising didn’t go down well with fans.

First he snogged solicitor Rosie just 45 minutes after kicking Kendall to the kerb, then hit on Megan. Rosie forgave him, but was suspicious when Zara arrived. When she confronted him, he blamed her for pushing him away, sparking a national conversation on gaslighting — a form of emotional abuse. Women’s Aid weighed into the argument and creepy Collard was booted off the show. A victory for every woman who’s ever been a Rosie (that would be most of us).

Alex and toxic masculinity

We were rooting for Alex. In the beginning, the perma-pink doctor’s “oh hells” and total inability to flirt were endearing. We cringed as he attempted to chat up hairdresser Grace with the sort of questions you’d prepare for a GSCE French oral (“What are your hobbies?”) and admitting he spoke to his mum every day. But his desperation to couple up started to grate as he claimed a “connection” with anything with a vagina.

Soon it became apparent the doctor has a dose of Nice Guy-itis — a male delusion that one is entitled to female attention because one is a decent chap. The viewing public was unimpressed when he turned on Ellie after she realised they shared zero chemistry. He spoke about putting potential love interest Charlie “on the subs bench” and then, last night, quite cruelly called it quits with Alexandra — the only woman to have considered him boyfriend material — causing outraged fans to brand him “pathetic” on social media.

Alex is apparently an icon among Incels (the involuntary celibate) — a term used to describe men who are serially rejected and feel they are “owed” sex.

With Adam gone, someone has to carry the torch for toxic masculinity, but aligning him with the violent misogyny associated with Incel activity seems a bit of a stretch. Basically, Alex is being an arse and should call his mum for advice on how to treat the ladies.

Backlash: Dr Alex George has gone from 'nice guy' to somebody very different
ITV

Megan and the demonisation of female sexuality

First she was into Dr Alex, then slept with Eyal, but decided that he wasn’t Jim Carrey — the benchmark for GSOH. Next, Megan set her sights on Wes, nicking Laura’s man from right under her nose and brutally strutting through the bedroom to cosy up with him on the daybed moments after Wes pied off his other half. Meg’s only regret? She relied on Laura’s hairbrush to get her do in order.

Then Wes left for Casa Amor and “proper man” Glasses Alex arrived. He was voted off and now Megan and Wes are in love and got busy in the Hideaway with Meg wearing Eyal’s hoodie.

Megan is hardly the poster girl for sisterhood, but let’s not forget — Wes was the one coupled up (and has also slept with more than one person in the villa) yet he’s received a fraction of the backlash. Love Island is providing an invaluable service in highlighting the lingering stereotypes around women owning their libidos.

Model: Megan Barton-Hanson on this year's Love Island
ITV

Body politics and shaming

From the beginning LI has been criticised for its lack of body diversity. NHS boss Simon Stevens recently criticised ITV for allowing breast enlargement ads to be played during the show. And when “before” photos of Megan (it’s claimed the 24-year-old has spent between £25k and £40k on plastic surgery) surfaced, she was subjected to vicious trolling.

Obviously the ads are a grossly cynical move by ITV, but how many “normal-shaped” people are likely to have applied to go on the show? You have to be pretty body confident to strut around half-naked in front of millions. Also, if we’re being really honest, would we be as interested in watching ordinary folk sticking it on each other? Probably not.

Besides, a hell of a lot of work goes into looking that good — last year’s contestants were snapped getting their grooming on at a local salon. Take comfort in the fact that in a few years gravity will catch up with these demigods.

Love Island 2018: Series 4 - In pictures

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Loyalty

Georgia talked so much about being a faithful friend that Pizza Hut gifted her a loyalty card on leaving the villa. For a while she was a national treasure. Then became the ultimate defender of Girl Code. Then she went and kissed BFF Old Laura’s New Jack, which obviously she denied because she’s very, very loyal, babes.

Brexit means… no trees

If you think Brexit won’t impact on your day-to-day, think again. It could spell ecological disaster — and Love Island contestant Hayley Hughes called it. During a rare political discussion among the girls the Liverpudlian model revealed she had yet to receive the memo that Britain is leaving the EU. After being told “trade will be cut down”, she asked, “So does that mean we won’t have any trees?”

Turns out the woman is a genius. Environmental experts have revealed Britain is currently relying on tree imports to aid its target of planting 11 million new ones within the next 25 years. Brexit means we might miss this target. You heard it here first.

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