Too Hot to Handle isn’t exactly what one would call an emotionally rich binge-watch. The show, which drops a dozen-ish horny hotties into a candy-colored villa in paradise and then offers them prize money for not engaging in any sexual activity, makes you feel two types of ways: you’re either laughing at the dumb things the contestants say or being dumbfounded by who the contestants do. If you like your relationship reality shows to be deep dish, you go to Love Is Blind or The Ultimatum. Too Hot to Handle is thin crust, and personal size at that.
That’s why the Season 5 finale of Too Hot to Handle comes as such a surprise because it will actually hit you right in the feels. It’s not funny or infuriating like usual. It’s… somehow… sentimental? Maybe even life-affirming? It’s at least emotional and, wow, it might even make you shed a tear. How did this show and its assortment of sexy dum-dums pull off one of the most emotional finales I’ve seen? SPOILER ALERT — I’ll tell you how.
The format of Too Hot to Handle changes every year, depending on the whims of Lana, the cone that doles out punishment and rewards for the contestants. Sometimes everyone is eligible to win — and does, splitting the pot so much that it’s barely enough for the plane ride home. Sometimes a couple wins, usually the one that’s shown the most growth and commitment (although none of them are still together). This time around, though, Lana promised that the remaining $100,000 would go to one of two contestants, and those two would not necessarily be a couple.
The two Lana chose were Elys and Dre. Elys, the Scandinavian/British bombshell who not only hated commitment, she hated revealing anything about herself to anybody. Over the course of the season, she went from lusting after the villa’s resident Ken to starting an increasingly serious relationship with a guy, Alex, who could actually hold a conversation. It helped that Alex was also incredibly hot, too. On Too Hot to Handle, all your options are hot. Throughout the season, Elys worked up the nerve to reveal more about herself to Alex, and she ultimately asked him to be her boyfriend. What! Aww, come on! That is growth!
The other option: Dre, a guy who never found love or even much romance in the villa at all. But when it comes to personal journeys, Dre went through it. He came to the show ready to have sex on a boat, but then changed his tune when he realized he could win money. He then went into super snooper detective, trying his damnedest to keep his roommates from breaking rules (he was rarely successful). But when he was rejected from a potential love connection, he said “screw it” and broke a rule by making out with newcomer Linzy. But Dre realized that he had used Linzy to make himself feel better, apologized to her, and showed sincere growth during the self-help challenges that I tend to zone out during. He wasn’t there for sex or money, but for personal growth!
The rest of the cast was left to decide the winner via votes, which we know can be a hard thing for people after being holed up in a villa for weeks. Fortunately, this voting process goes smoothly and a winner is determined: Elys… and it’s kind of a bummer. Not because Elys doesn’t deserve it. She’s been great TV, and one-half of the most consistent couple on the season. But all season long, Dre’s been talking about how much that money will mean to his family, including his, like, 10 siblings. Elys is deserving, but she’s already wealthy enough to travel the entire world.
That’s when THTH history is made. Elys says that the “number one thing” that she wants to do with the $100,000 is “pretty crazy.” She turns to runner-up Dre and asks, “Would you like to split the money with me?”
Like, what?! We all watch way too much reality TV. Has this ever happened? I mean, I’m sure it has somewhere, somewhen, but no moments are popping into my mind — and I know this has never happened on Too Hot to Handle. In fact, I don’t know if anyone in the history of this show has ever looked as happy as Dre.
In a confessional, Dre thanks Elys, saying, “You have single-handedly changed my life and allowed me to give my family their best life.” I tell you, it is wild to hear this level of emotional honesty, especially between two people who are not also dry-humping in the dark. If you’re not crying at this moment, I don’t know what to tell you!
This double win feels like the first time that Too Hot to Handle has lived up to — and even gone beyond — its premise. It’s always been about teaching sex-crazed party people how to open up emotionally and forge deeper relationships, but the focus has always been on romantic relationships. With this completely unexpected and selfless act between people who went from strangers to friends over the course of the season, Too Hot to Handle expanded its influence. It’s not just about making these hotties better romantic partners. It’s about making them better people, and that is fully not something I expected when this season started.
So, what’s next for Elys and Dre? Elys actually gets an “I love you” from Alex, which she reciprocates. And what’s Dre gonna do when he gets back to Atlanta?
He’s going to the strip club first, duh. Too Hot to Handle changes people’s lives, not their DNA!