A Cadre of Nymphs

In this summer Watcher's Diary, Jenny Owen Youngs delivers a breathless, play-by-play recap of the latest Love Island season—complete with a villain named Gall who owns a coffee-slash-surf shop in Venice, a fan-favorite named Carl who became "the internet's boyfriend overnight" for his emotional intelligence, and a winning couple called Brinity (Bryce and Trinity) who proved their loyalty during the Casa Amor separation by sleeping alone and keeping their arms folded, eyes on the ceiling. "They're just like so adorable," Jenny says. "And they won, and Brinity to infinity."

The Love Island Saga

The season's central drama revolved around a woman named Anaya, who was paired with Carl—the emotionally intelligent newcomer—during the Casa Amor period, where 12 new men entered the villa to tempt the original six women. Despite Carl being "the perfect man," Anaya chose to stay in her original couple with Casey. The twist: Casey re-entered the villa walking with another woman, and Anaya's face "just falls." She sobbed at the fire pit, calling herself stupid. Carl was later sent home, but America voted him back in a dramatic reveal where Megan Thee Stallion hosted a cake challenge, and Carl emerged shirtless from a cake the size of a Honda Civic, wearing a baker's hat.