Temptation Island season 5 episode 1 recap: The island is hot with drama

Summertime is here, which means it is time for reality TV to shine. If you are just getting over watching The Ultimatum: Queer Love, don’t worry, one of my favorite shows is returning on the USA Network for you to watch, Temptation Island. I share my thoughts on everything that went down in the season premiere episode.

For those unfamiliar with Temptation Island, the premise lays out like this, four couples head to the island of Hawaii to put their relationship to the ultimate test. On this island, there are 8 single men and 8 single women who are ready to mingle. Mark L. Wahlberg hosts the show. To meet the couples, check out our preview HERE. 

The couples sit down with Mark L. Wahlberg to discuss what is ahead for them. We find out which partner from each couple is responsible for them being on the show. Out of the couples, Kaitlin, Vanessa, Marisele, and Paris are the people who brought their significant other to the show. Of course, each for different reasons, but what stood out to me the most was listening to Paris talk about Great and how, in their 18 months together, he has cheated multiple times. For starters, they haven’t been together that long, and secondly, not sure bringing him on this show will help.

Couples mingle with the singles in the first Temptation Island party

Mark announces that, for the first time in Temptation Island history, they are going to have a big party with all the couples and the singles together. This stirs up as much drama as expected from both the singles and the couples.

Hal, who seems to be very open to the idea of this show, is drinking quite a bit, and when Kaitlin asks him what he is doing, he says, “getting myself in trouble,” these two seem destined for a breakup. Later, he sees her flirting with some guys and mentions her love for six-packs, something he can’t give her, Hal says.

Then we have Vanessa, who seems to hate everything, while Roberto flirts with anyone who will give him attention. They are followed by Paris and Great, doing their parts with mingling and getting to know people, including her saying that Tahjjic gives her butterflies. It doesn’t end well as these two fight about who they are talking to.

This entire episode comes to a crashing halt over Marisela and Christopher, who appear to be very attached to one another, and the singles are starting to take notice. After Christopher tells Marisela that she’s had too much to drink, some singles join them. Family is brought up when Christopher divulges that Marisela isn’t ready to have kids. Christopher then spills that Marisela wants a girlfriend. The episode ends with her breaking down, saying she can’t believe he would use that information to connect with other women.

Temptation Island season 5, episode one is available on USA Network and Peacock.