This season reminded me a lot of Season 5 of "Love Island UK" (which is often thought of as one of the best seasons in the franchise), in that the girls were a united front. Host Ariana Madix even said several times throughout the season that the friendships among the girls were the best part for her to watch develop. Whatever misogyny or drama they faced, they often did so together. As they said at the Casa Amour recoupling, they were 10 toes behind each other at all times. — Alexandra

I just love seeing Black women loved on out loud, and this season had that in a very special and authentic way. And that’s not just through romance, it’s through friendship, too. — Taryn

Part of the appeal of this season was how tuned in everyone seemed to be on social media. It seemed extra popular online this season, and the discussion around it made it even more fun. But on a more personal level, I loved the way PPG and #Kana and Sordell shined. It was satisfying to watch the PPG friendship grow as they supported each other through their trials and tribulations on the island. It was also refreshing to see the way Kenny and Kordell loved on JaNa and Serena. It’s rare to see Black women be so admired on reality television. — Taiyler

There’s a reason Leah, JaNa and Serena, often referred to as PPG (a self-given name, short for Powerpuff Girls), ended up in the top three at the end. They were fan favorites, praised for being hilarious, unapologetic and supportive of one another. Even though they had some stumbles in their friendship (ex. Leah stealing Connor from JaNa, Serena chiding JaNa for bringing bombshell Miguel eggs in the middle of their conversation), they were the first to acknowledge that no fight was ever going to outweigh their love for each other. I cried when Serena told the girls how her sister wanted to extend her gratitude to Leah and JaNa for loving and protecting Serena in the villa. Female friendship is so beautiful and special! — Alexandra

What an iconic trio. They each gave us some memorable scenes and one-liners. And without PPG, there’s no way the show would have been as entertaining as it was. Even through some of their less-than-ideal moments — like the Connor, Leah and JaNa situation, or when JaNa showed a bit of sympathy to Kordell bringing both Serena and Daia breakfast — they managed to develop a bond that I don’t think can be easily broken. — Taiyler

I kind of already touched on his wild behavior in Casa above, but I’d also like to talk about the scene in which Kendall cornered Serena in the kitchen after her argument with Kordell, which grossed me out beyond belief. Because WHY was this man speaking to her in such a condescending tone while backing her into a corner with his arms crossed and chest puffed out in order to physically intimidate her. If I saw that happening to a girl in a bar or club, I would pull her out of there FAST. Kendall was obsessed with being liked and thought he could get away with his flighty loyalty to the girls, but as soon as he was called out by Serena, he called her aggressive and put her in a helpless position in that kitchen until she was forced to repent. He was wraps for me after that stunt. — Alexandra

Kendall’s behavior in Casa was abhorrent. I don’t know if he was living vicariously through the boys or if he just truly didn’t like the girls. But either way, his misogyny was on display, plain and simple. Alexandra, I also cringed so hard during the scene when Kendall cornered Serena. It made me wonder how he is with women when he’s not on camera. — Taiyler

Kordell pissed me off big time when he connected with Daia in Casa. While Serena was on the floor of the villa crying because she missed him, Kordell was busy dry-humping Daia. He confused being physical with her after two days with being on the same level of connection with Serena after a few weeks. That’s some clown shit. And I’m glad Serena called him out on the disrespect when he brought Daia back to the villa. Kordell wanted to have his cake and eat it, too. But Serena wasn’t having that, and that made me love her even more. He had to do some real making up to get back in her good graces. And I hate that Daia’s experience on the show had to be a casualty of that, but that’s the risk of being a bombshell. — Taryn

I’m sorry, I don’t have that much sympathy for Daia. She said on the "Aftersun" episode prior to going in that she was targeting Kordell specifically, and while Daniela never said anything about Kaylor to Aaron, Daia was constantly bringing up how Kordell was with someone “who didn’t appreciate him.” Keep Serena’s name out of your mouth! I also think that she pulled Serena aside for that one 90/10 conversation to rile her up again because she saw how they were going to likely rekindle and wanted to derail it. To be clear, she is not responsible for Kordell’s actions in Casa, but I also did not trust her one bit. — Alexandra

Kordell and Daia really pissed me off. Kordell took almost no time to fold when Daia was throwing herself at him in Casa. And although it seemed like he pretty much immediately knew he was wrong, he kept entertaining the situation. However, the way he came back into the Villa and began pretty much begging Serena for forgiveness was so captivating to watch. I loved that he allowed her to express how she felt without giving her the same misogynoir bullshit that the other boys did. On the other end, I don’t at all like the way Daia carried herself — from the childish way she tried to break things off with Kordell to the way she was reporting back to Serena about what was going on with her and Kordell. I don’t think she was harmless or innocent in the way she navigated Casa and the Villa with Kordell. Truthfully, I think Serena let her off easy. I can’t lie. I’m a bit salty that Daia is even a part of the #Sordell love story, but I am glad that they seem to have overcome it. — Taiyler

Throughout the season, I often thought back to when Andrea was dumped and how in the chaos that ensued immediately after, Aaron yelled at the girls, “This isn’t Friendship Island!” Besides being suuuuuch a corny cliche, perhaps he should have taken his own advice. Watching Rob and Aaron go to each other in their times of turmoil (all self-induced, btw) was just an echo chamber of bad advice, misogyny, a shared Casa girl and that green Target button-down they passed back and forth all season. I have distaste for them in different ways, but watching Aaron prioritize his friendship with Rob over his eventual GIRLFRIEND was dizzying. I was thrilled Serena clocked Aaron at Movie Night, pointing out while Aaron was yelling at the girls in defense of Rob that he has noticeably more passion for Rob’s feelings than allll of the hurt he had caused Kaylor. Just look at how Aaron sobbed over Rob potentially leaving the villa (all theatrics; he was never going to leave), compared to him dry-eyed at the Casa recoupling. I hope he and Rob are happy together; they deserve each other. — Alexandra

Aaron is the weakest link of this season. He didn’t really love Kaylor. He loved the validation he got from other men in the villa. If he never stepped foot in the villa, I wouldn’t have missed him. — Taryn

Oh brotherrrr. I couldn’t care less about this bromance even if I tried. — Taiyler

Rob swore up and down he was cursed when really he was just hot on a dating reality show. Like, sir, cry me a river. Oh, wait, you already did that when you weaponized your emotions against Leah when she was expressing her valid feelings about you playing her for Andrea. To be honest, I don’t think the girls voted out Andrea to get back at Rob. I think it was just his karma for the way he handled that situation. And I damn sure didn’t feel bad for him or his overalls after making JaNa feel bad for not being the one voted out. His head was clearly not in the game after he recoupled with Cassidy, Daniela and Kassy. He didn’t want to be in the villa, and I didn’t want him there either. — Taryn

Rob was really the cat with nine lives but in the form of an islander with six lives. It really seemed like the producers were on his side, because he had a pretty favorable edit throughout the show — even his dramatic crying in the pool was painted to be an empathetic moment (although they can’t fool me!). He put in minimal effort with the girls and constantly seemed annoyed and disinterested in anything they had to say. Also, he rolled his eyes so much that I eventually kind of hoped they would get stuck in that position. — Alexandra

Rob and his eye rolls — proof of the “sassy man apocalypse.” Even with him jumping into the pool to cry, I didn’t buy into the idea of feeling bad for a man who gets to choose between two women. I think he, like Aaron, used his tears to avoid taking responsibility for his actions. It’s unfortunate that he got to stay on the show for so long, seemingly disregarding the feelings of the women in the villa. And on top of that, having sex in a SHARED room while Andrea was outside of the villa waiting for him? Sickening. — Taiyler

Andrea was kind of delulu for thinking he’d wait around for her. I did laugh when Rob said on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast that he was going to reach out to her, but then he saw that she was posting a loooooot about him after she got dumped from the island. So fair of him, honestly. — Alexandra

The amount of times I rolled my eyes at Kaylor crying over Aaron then turning around and taking him back. I wanted to put my hand on her shoulder and tell her to “STAND UP!” Aaron played in her face and all-out lied to her several times. And she let him weasel his way out of accountability every time with “I love yous” and promises of commitment. Aaron is the worst. I really hope Kaylor wakes up soon, but according to her interviews since being out of the villa, it looks like she wants to see their relationship through. Girl, I guess. Good luck. — Taryn

Have you ever had a friendship that you had to take a step back from because they are clearly in a toxic relationship, and no matter what you say or do, you can’t get your friend to see the light? That’s very much the audience’s relationship to Kaylor throughout this season. I do have sympathy for her in that regard, because I do think when you’re being manipulated the way she was, it’s something that you have to realize on your own. The gag of the century was when Kaylor revealed to bombshell Harrison that she’s studying PSYCHOLOGY in college – babe, we might have to revisit Psych 101 when you go back to school. Aaron is a textbook narcissist, exhibiting arrogance, an inability to take criticism and a terrifying lack of empathy. His actions in Casa were vile, and I couldn’t believe my ears when he playfully joked how he loved Daniela only minutes into meeting her when he was incapable of saying it to Kaylor the night before. In an "Aftersun" episode, the Casa girls said that the only reason Aaron stopped pursuing Daniela is because they heard Kaylor curse out Aaron from the villa, and he talked to Rob encouraging him to pursue her shortly afterward. Aaron insisted on Kaylor telling him what she knew before he was willing to say anything about Casa, and even post-show, he has told her that she can’t watch those episodes without him. I don’t know if he’s trying to manipulate himself into a green card or what, but I need him to leave this 22-year-old girl alone! — Alexandra

Watching the tears between these two was exhausting – I can only imagine what it was like to be in the villa with them. I was heartbroken for Kaylor after she saw the video of him and Danielle, but I was so proud when she momentarily stood on business and remained single at the recoupling after Casa. The way Aaron moved was disrespectful at best — both inside and outside of Casa. Taryn, I completely agree that he was able to evade responsibility by bringing up a new milestone, like saying “I love you” or asking her to be his girlfriend, during their tumultuous time post-Casa. But I really thought the tide was going to turn during family day because of Kaylor’s mom. Her mom, Kara, had some choice words for Aaron on Facebook that went viral online and led me to believe that she would tell Kaylor to run. But she didn’t. Kaylor said during her call with family that Aaron was a “real man” because he cried, but I hope she realizes that it means nothing if he uses his tears to bypass being held accountable. — Taiyler

The only one of her family that was standing on business was the little sister – bring her back for the reunion; I need her thoughts! — Alexandra

Sigh, this couple. To me, it felt like Nicole was the babysitter, constantly observing Kendall and his high-energy shenanigans. The part when Nicole talked to Kendall about the way he was cheering the other boys on in Casa really locked that idea in for me. I also hate, hate, hate the way it felt like Nicole was pressured into saying “I love you” back to Kendall. It did not feel genuine to me when Kendall said he’d wait for her to say the words, only for him to say it again in front of the final four couples during their speeches. That seemed like a poor judgment call to me. The relationship, at least from what we saw of Kendall, did not seem that authentic to me, nor was it enticing or entertaining to watch. — Taiyler

To me, Kendall and Aaron were the biggest game players in that villa, and while Aaron was being very overt, Kendall was slithering under our noses like the snake he was. I never really saw any genuine love and affection in his relationship with Nicole, and it felt like his game plan was to sabotage the other couples, which he did by actively encouraging Kordell to dump Serena for a new connection with Daia in Casa. Also, I lost respect for Nicole after her opinion of him remained unchanged following his antics in Casa – girl, if this is how he acts with his boys, RUN! Him saying “I love you” to Nicole felt like one last reach for the win (which is kind of silly because America had already voted), and I think him making a big deal with the boys about her not saying it back was evidence of how it was a disingenuous gesture in the first place – if you really loved her, wouldn’t you understand and want her to move at the pace she’s comfortable with? You’re not fooling me, Kendall! — Alexandra

I’m so glad these two didn’t win. I was actively rooting for their downfall. Mainly because Kendall had negative energy in Casa. I wanted him to get a taste of his own medicine (though I hate that someone leaked his intimate content). This was a stunt couple. They became so focused on winning that they forgot that you can’t win with a fake connection when there are real couples in the villa that the audience loves. — Taryn

I didn’t see it for Kenny until the very last episode. I was happy that JaNa had made it to the final four, but Kenny felt like, to me, a part of the lineup of duds JaNa had been saddled with throughout the season. I really thought she deserved better, especially since she kept getting the short end of the stick early on. And I held a grudge toward Kenny for the longest after he brought another girl into the villa from Casa Amor. And even though he was still wrong for that, my attitude toward him switched in the eleventh hour when Kenny read his note to JaNa at the final ceremony. With undeniable admiration, Kenny looked into JaNa’s eyes and told her that his worst day there was seeing her in tears and that she helped him become a better man. And JaNa saying part of her letter in Spanish was so sweet, especially knowing that he had family watching who didn’t speak English. I forgot I wasn’t at their wedding based on the way these two looked at each other. Their fondness for each other is so pure and so refreshing. And they’re both so sweet in their own unique ways. We all know how reality TV relationships tend to go after the cameras cut off, but I’m genuinely rooting for these two. Don’t hurt my girl again, Kenny! — Taryn

Taryn, I tell you I CRIED during their final date and during their declarations of love at the end. When JaNa started speaking Spanish? I was a goner. I am a JaNa and Kenny truther, and I was voting for them as my favorite couple in every voting period except for the final vote (obviously had to make sure Serena and Kordell won). Kenny was meh when he first came in, and I haaated it when he asked JaNa for a kiss on their date by asking “Can I have a taste?” (vom) but I really came around to him post-Casa. I know there are some people who were skeptical of him crying, but I empathized with him when he was in the confessional saying something along the lines of “I don’t know why I would hurt her like that; that’s just not who I am.” I think the thing of him bringing Catherine back from Casa was ego protection, because he assumed JaNa would find someone better than him and he didn’t want to be embarrassed (which is my biggest beef with these men and Casa, because why is it unacceptable for them to be embarrassed but it’s OK for the girls to be humiliated? Weaklings, all of them!). I was really happy JaNa and him reconciled, though, and I love them together. — Alexandra

Oh, my gosh, the way I absolutely love how sweet these two are to each other. I, too, struggled to hold back my tears during their final date and when they read each other their letters. JaNa and Kenny are another couple that I wish we got to see more of on our screens. I think they make a great match, but I was also unsure about them at the beginning of their relationship. And Kenny bringing Catherine back from Casa threw me for a loop. It’s not because I think he disrespected JaNa in the same way that Kordell and Aaron did to their original partners, but I truly didn’t see him and Catherine as locked in. So, Alexandra, I definitely think you’re right about Kenny and the boys not wanting to be embarrassed after Casa (male group-think at its finest). So when Kenny cried after his conversation with JaNa, I unfortunately didn’t feel bad for him immediately. With him, and the other boys, my initial thought was “You made your bed, now lie in it.” But after Kenny and JaNa reconciled, I really started to see their connection flourish. I love that he just allows her to fantasize and yap. Especially after the way some of the other boys acted and treated JaNa when Andrea got sent home, I think she deserved the contentment that he seemed to bring her. These two are so sweet to each other, and I hope JaNa is right about the wedding! — Taiyler

Also the fact that they only were able to connect BECAUSE they kept JaNa in that recoupling, which allowed her to meet Kenny when he came in as a bombshell the very next day? Those boys were trying to mess with fate, and they will get their hubris if they haven’t already. Bye! — Alexandra

I never understood the viewers who were desperate for Leah and Rob to rekindle things, when Miguel was there THE WHOLE TIME. Why would we wish toxicity for her when Miguel always took time to understand her feelings and make her feel seen? In interviews that have transpired with the islanders after the ending of the show, it really seems as if the editing of the show very much misrepresented the reality of the villa. On “The Viall Files” podcast, dumped islander Liv Walker was surprised to hear that viewers were only seeing the physicality of their relationship, and said the couple was very comfortable with one another and maturely handled any misunderstandings. So why, as viewers, were we watching Leah apologize to Rob over and over again (which was never necessary for her to do) instead of getting to see Leah and Miguel develop as a duo? –– Alexandra

I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical of Leah and Miguel at first (I blame it on Miguel’s player persona). As the show went on, I really grew to enjoy watching their connection and how genuine it felt. It was good to see Leah happy post-Rob — minus the times when she felt the need to apologize to Rob for her reaction to his nonsense. All in all, I hope that they make it! — Taiyler

I was never convinced that these two liked each other like that. And the fact that they were voted the second most popular couple is beyond me. I just think they were both attracted to each other and wanted to stay on the show. And Leah was a fan favorite herself, which catapulted the couple to the No. 2 spot, in my opinion. And maybe I didn’t love them as a couple because of the editing, Taiyler. I wish them the best, but I still don’t really have much invested in them as a couple. — Taryn

As far as I’m concerned, Kordell and Serena were going to be my winners regardless. I loved that they put Black love on display — from Serena doing Kordell’s hair to the way that they talked to each other. I really appreciate Serena’s authenticity and the way that she was honest about her tendency to be a “slow burner” from the beginning, especially in a show that typically rewards fast movers. As far as Kordell goes, I liked that he knew Serena was it for him (with the very big exception of how he moved in Casa). Lest we forget the incredibly raw dock scene between these two. Not only did it make for great television, and probably one of the best scenes in “Love Island” history, but it also showed viewers how real their connection was. This couple went through the wringer, but I’m so glad that they worked through it together without giving into the pressure of saying their “I love yous” and making their relationship official on camera. Their portrayal of Black love has been refreshing and, at times, inspiring, to see in a time when dating shows typically highlight how difficult the dating scene is for Black women, especially dark-skinned Black women. — Taiyler

I feel the same, Taiyler. I was rooting for these two so hard and that hasn’t stopped since they left the villa. I’ve been watching all of their TikToks together just cheesing like a proud auntie. Their journey to this point was messy, honest and hard to watch sometimes. After Casa, I was really disappointed in Kordell and proud of Serena for standing on business. But I couldn’t help but still hope that they worked it out.
It’s so rare that we get to see the kind of everyday young Black love Serena and Kordell and have for each other on these bigger dating reality shows. Their love for each other is so free, so fun but also has boundaries that both of them communicate and respect. It’s infectious and effortless at the same time. Kordell is so protective of Serena and didn’t let anyone talk down on her or spew anti-blackness — which covertly happened a lot this season. I truly hope these two go far and continue to maintain that love and respect they have for one another. Their presence on our screens was a reminder of the Black love we deserve to have on our screens. — Taryn

It is so fitting that their final date was a movie of their relationship, because their journey was truly a cinematic experience. You can’t write drama like that dock scene!!! Obsessed with Serena chewing him out in that lilac set with the bow in her hair, like c’mon looking cute while standing on business! Serena was my favorite islander this season, and I was so so thrilled she got her happy ending (AND her coin). Echoing Taiyler in that I love when contestants are self-proclaimed “slow burners,” and I was really appreciative of how Kordell wasn’t trying to rush her (the bar is in hell, as you can see). I think that’s why what he did in Casa hurt so bad to watch, though – it did feel like as soon as he got the opportunity to move fast, which Serena wasn’t willing to do, he jumped on it. I really thought there was no way he was going to come back from his actions in Casa, and even though I was watching it all unfold, I’m honestly not 100% sure how he did it. The key was definitely accountability, and there’s no greater evidence for how important taking responsibility was than the fact that Kaylor and Aaron were voted out and Serena and Kordell won the whole thing. — Alexandra