Love Island catch up: 5 talking points, from Michael dumping Amber for Joanna to Curtis and Amy
A mass recoupling caused more turmoil among the Islanders
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Your support makes all the difference.What an epic helping of mass-market emotional manipulation! Love Island’s Great Recoupling episode lives up to its billing as hearts are shattered, egos broken and everyone ends up looking as if they’re trapped in the longest, most surreal (and humid) romantic comedy ever.
With the show having divided the original couples, tonight’s the night they reunite and decide whether they wish to carry on as before. Your faith in human nature is very briefly restored as Tommy and Molly-Mae cuddle and pledge their gooey fealty to one another.
Alas, your fate in human nature has already been reduced to tatters courtesy of Curtis and his half-girlfriend shenanigans with poor, love-struck Amy. And what about Jordan, who declares he is staying true to Anna only to discover she’s paired off with Ovie. As we all sit down to take in the shock and surprises, here’s a list of who’s coupled with who (and who is single), with the evening’s talking points following.
1: There are a lot of new couples now
It’s hard keeping track. So here’s a definitive countdown of who is with who. Amy and Curtis (just about). Michael and Joanna. Molly-Mae and Tommy. Anna and Ovie. Lucie and George. Anton and Belle. Maura and Marvin (you can call them “M&M” if you really want to). Danny and Jourdan. Which leaves Amber and Jordan as the uneasy singles in the pack.
2: This is really the Curtis show, isn't it?
The professional hoofer tap-dances his way onto our naughty list by trying to pair off with Jourdan while keeping Amy in his figurative back pocket as Plan B. Jourdan has other plans – and by plans we mean Danny. So Curtis decides – and rather reluctantly – to stick with Amy.
Guess what? She is utterly in love with him. He whispers that they have something to discuss later. How will she take the news that she’s the half-girlfriend he only quarter-fancies?
3: Thank goodness for Tommy and Molly-Mae
The entire villa melts into tears as Tommy and Molly Mae hug. They’ve stayed true to one another! Love Island is often accused of cynically manipulating its contestants. But this moment of genuine human emotion cuts through the reality shenanigans like a comb through a quiff drenched in gel. Sorry for the weird analogy – but I’ve just spent the past 80 minute starring at Curtis’s hair so it’s what comes to mind.
4: The extra running time works
Eighty minutes of Love Island? For some viewers, that might sound about as appealing as an extra half-hour in the dentist’s chair. But this is a night full of drama, heartache and Curtis looking as if he wants to dive behind a potted plant and hide. Stuffing it all into the traditional hour would have been far too rushed.
5: What happens now? Lots of shouting apparently.
The tears, the mopey expressions, the shy grins – and that’s just Tommy gazing at his toy elephant. But now, after the Recoupling calm, comes the storm. At least judging by the sneak preview of tomorrow night. It seems Amy has a few choice words for Curtis. And Michael is speaking rather passionately too. Forget the Rumble in the Jungle. This is shaping up to be the Squawker in Majorca.
The liveblog is now closed:
Live Island continues on 4 July at 9pm on ITV2
Tommy misses Molly-Mae. Is his heart about to be shattered into a million pieces before our eyes?
It's Molly-Mae. And she's on her own. Everyone's crying. Even the stuffed elephant looks like it might start blubbing.
Michael is next...and it's another ad break. ITV2 might want to think about airlifting in some kleenex. Love Island has basically descended into one big weep-along.
Cometh the hour, cometh Michael. "The last few days have been quite interesting," he says. "They've opened my mind to a few things". Where is this going?
So it comes down to this after the longest Love Island of the year. Joanna or Amber? Quick, put us out of our misery Michael.
He's recoupling. And everyone is shocked. Especially Anna. Which is a bit weird, as she's just done the same.
It's Joanna obviously. Anna really can't process what's going on. Maura has a migraine. Us too Maura!
Oh no. Amber is on her own. She's been decoupled! Michael doesn't know where to look.
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