By Sadhbh Hendrick
… James Hardiman, because I be working on getting that educ8ion and not a tan. If I was in the infamous villa right now, that might be a different story. Love Island Winter Series 2020. Thoughts? Opinions? Love/Hate? So anyway, let’s crack on.
Love Island, Series 6, Episode 1. To set the scene, I was comfortably(ish) perched on my faux leather student accommodation spec couch, surrounded by housemate and his fellow scientist friends. Sounds like a scene from the Big Bang Theory. Wasn’t quite like that though, I can confirm. Since I would be settling down to the first episode in male-only company, I braced myself for the viewing that I suspected. I feel compelled to watch this in silence, I didn’t expect the same commitment from my viewing companions. I was wrong to do so. I was the one getting shushed and silenced for offering a hot drop. Wasn’t trying to pull them for a chat. Jeez. It was immediately apparent talking was strictly forbidden, all eyes and ears on the villa. This high level of commitment immediately grabbed my attention.
Phase two; the ad break. This is where all post-scene analysis seemed to take place. Again, unsure of how the male brain would interpret all the goings on, I was pleasantly surprised and bemused by the discussions that followed. Detailed discussions of each girl and boy were engaged in. Dead things and proper sorts alike.
Phase three; roll the credits. Further analysis and predictions for the season that awaits us all. Once more, intrigued. We all had to disclose where our head was at.
Love Island is a big commitment and since we all come from somewhat of a commitment-phobe age, the loyalty to this show is remarkable. I’m loyal, babes.
Since Love Island first graced our screens, I must admit I have always been a fan. Certain things from the show definitely annoy me (slurping from those personalised water bottles), naturally, but the disdain expressed by some of my fellow friends/foes is excessive indeed. Love Island provides daily entertainment and a completely valid excuse to disengage from any social activity or requirements. It’s fair to say that each season causes a few heads to turn, as another peer joins the army of loyal fans. Be it a coffee break chat or an easy silence filler, Love Island serves us well.
I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket but, at the end of the day, like, it’s muggy to not appreciate the cultural value added to society by the young guys and girls Ian Stirling provides a witty commentary on. We couldn’t get through an article on Love Island without a nod towards Irish girl, presenter and all-round ledge Laura Whitmore. What other show provides us with a whole new array of vocabulary and slang? Love Island might not seem like your type on paper but in reality, it probably is. As we analyse and critique the actions of those young contestants on the hunt for love, Love Island does always spark some interesting conversations about social etiquette and socially acceptable ways of pulling someone for a chat. Having faced intense criticism for the aftercare of its stars, Love Island isn’t short of being the victim of some harsh headlines. Similarly, the show poses questions about body image and industry beauty standards, as the cameras favour six packs and lip fillers. It’s more Love Island and less Love Handles apparently.
Nevertheless, the show has provided more Instagram gold than any other show and that itself is reason enough to tune in! So, this season, I am rooting for Shaughna, absolute qween. We’ll just have to see where this season takes us though, one Primark slogan t-shirt at a time cause like, at the end of the day, it is what it is…
