The reason the Islanders gave for Gabriel being dumped from Love Island USA Season 8 makes absolutely no sense.
It all started in Episode 14. While Corbin, Gabriel, and Caleb were standing in front of the fire pit, Melanie stood up and started giving a little speech about why they were choosing to dump this boy from the villa. And the reason makes no sense. Melanie said they chose this person because he’s constantly looking for the next best thing.
Then in the same little speech they say that this boy did nothing wrong and he did exactly what he was supposed to do on Love Island USA. Melanie then wrapped it up with a pretty little bow saying that they loved this person but they didn’t know if they’ll ever really find a connection in the villa. That’s when Gabriel, the guy who’s only been in a couple with Beatriz and Jen, was dumped from the villa.
MORE: Sol on Love Island USA Season 8 Deserved Better. We discuss.
At the end of episode 14 you could see the men getting upset with this decision. But it was Episode 15 that we really got to see them talking a little bit more about why the women made this decision and why the men thought it was unfair. And I don’t want to side with men, but I’m going to have to side with them on this one. Because the decision that the women made was based on potential instead of current couples. And by their logic, the men should have sent Jen home and let Sol stay in the villa because she didn’t really get a chance to explore.
But that’s a whole other problem because of Sincere and how the women saw Sol as a threat to their couples. Anyway…
The women go on to explain, via Amaya, that Corbin was obviously safe because he was with Kenzie. And when the decision came down to Caleb or Gabe, they picked Caleb because he got the short end of the stick here. To make it even worse, they said that they felt bad for Caleb because they “pushed” Kenzie on him. And rightfully so, Zack called them out on this decision wondering if they were going to pull Caleb for a chat tomorrow then. Because let’s be real here, the only reason Caleb was “pushed” on Kenzie, was to make sure that Caleb or Kenzie wouldn’t come for their current couple.
And it makes you wonder why the women are going to bat so hard for Kenzie when she’s keeping secrets, was weird about Melanie about Corbin, and was talking about how Jen is actually the closest person to her on this island…
Back to the men, which I can’t believe I’m agreeing with them when they’re so messy themselves. They were on the money when it came to their observation about Gabe and Jen. Sure Gabe and Jen were coupled up not by choice. But when they had the whole writing letter bit, they did choose each other. That counts for something and shows that they were an established couple working on something blossoming between each other. And I’m saying this while being completely aware that Jen did not care one lick that Gabe was dumped from the villa.
Ultimately, the women of Love Island USA dumped Gabe because they felt he moved on “too fast” from Beatriz. And maybe he did. But this is Love Island USA. You’re supposed to explore connections and try to find love. What did they expect Gabe to do when Beatriz was dumped? Sacrifice himself and go with Beatriz? Hide in bed and mourn Beatriz’ loss? That’s not the point of Love Island USA. And none of the other Islanders would’ve done the same thing if they were in Gabriel’s shoes.
With Casa Amor on the horizon, I need these couples to actually explore other connections. Because like the poet Sol reminded us, this is Love Island USA. Not Couples Island. And their lack of understanding the point of the show makes me want Ace back to get them into shape.
Love Island USA Season 8 airs on Peacock.
