It’s episode four and tensions are running high. The Heartbreak Island cast is figuring out they aren’t just here to have fun and are starting to put strategies into play. Even so, someone is going home.
Though last episode Harry joked that he would “rather vomit” than kiss Georgia, this episode opens on the larrikin lad caressing her exposed cheek (and we don’t mean her face) as he leans in for a kiss.
Georgia reckons “to win Heartbreak Island, I think the ideal is having romance and having a real connection with someone but also being smart enough to know whats good for you, whats good for your partner.”
She suggests they recouple for strategic purposes and has to tell him to “stop crying about it”.
Kristian has the same suggestion for Ruby. She isn’t impressed. “I don’t understand how yesterday you can say all this s–t to me…about feelings and then all of a sudden today you’re like… f–k it I’m just here for the game”
Ruby and Kristian’s heated pillowtalk
“Kristian always has blimmin’ strategies. Thinks he knows everything.” Trouble in paradise.
Stacy and Shayna, our ray of light in these dark times, are still solid. “I don’t want to recouple” she says. “As far as I’m concerned, as long as Shayna and I keep winning I’ve got nothing to worry about.” We couldn’t be more pleased to hear that, Stacy.
Over in the Tiffany and Josh camp, this grandma’s boy is ever hopeful. “Me and Tiff- there’s definitely a good friendship developing as we go.”
The “stand and eat” challenge
“There is no other challenge they could have served to me that I am more terrified of” says Kristian. And indeed, this challenge is all a bit Fear Factor.
Standing on tree stumps and holding hands to balance, the contestants have a feast laid out before them. Chili, dry weetbix, baby octopus, monkey balls, chicken livers and still-alive witchety grubs are among the fare.
The kicker is (if you somehow think the witchety grubs aren’t the kicker) if they drop their food, they are disqualified. If they fall off their stumps, they’re disqualified.
The couple that eats the most items, wins. Oh, and they can’t use their hands (again).
Just when this challenge seemed intense enough, the judges drop another bombshell. Two new contestants, or “disruptors” show up – Lincoln and Natasha. They have their game faces on.
Natasha and Lincoln: the “disruptors”
“They can’t just waltz in and start the game just from now”exclaims Tiffany. Yes they can, Tiff. And they just did.
“He looks like he works out a little bit, but I work out more.” A bit sassy there Tavita?
Georgia can’t handle the chicken liver, she gags, and it falls to the ground. She and Harry are disqualified.
Ruby can’t quite swallow “the tiniest little bit of weetbix left in her mouth” as the time runs out. Ruby and Kristian are disqualified.
The hosts then announce that the remaining challengers are going to compete to stay on the stumps the longest. In the sun. We hope they are wearing sunscreen. It comes down to Julius and Kelsey, and Shayna and Stacy.
Ultimately, Stacy and Shayna take away the win – gaining immunity. Because as Stacy says, they “maxed it out to its max level.”
Josh and Tiffany passing a not-so-tasty morsel between them
Harry and Georgia and Ruby and Kristian are at the bottom – so all of them potentially face elimination.
Harry: “I am pretty devo, if I’m gonna be honsest but being upset’s so bloody boring so stuff that.”
Drinks at the Tropicana bar to welcome Lincoln and Natasha
A game of “never have I ever” where someone suggests something you might have done and you drink if you have was always going to get catty. And of course it does.
“Never have I ever kissed someone of the same sex” says Ruby and several people drink.
Then Josh lets a savage streak show and kicks it up a notch. “Never have I ever hooked up with [his partner] Tiffany.” Tavita drinks and the cat is out of the bag – he and Tiffany shared a sneaky kiss the other night and now everyone knows.
“The game changes from never have I ever to dare or dare,” says Harry. “and that’s when s**t gets messy.”
Dare or dare turns out to be just like truth or dare except there is no truth option and everyone just gets dared to do silly things.
There are plenty of kisses, Joshua giving Gennady a lap dance, the rather tame option of Ruby and Kristian being dared to kiss each other.
Then, Stacy dares newcomer Natasha. “10 second kiss for every boy in this room.”
She is embarrassed, but she does it. Kristian tells Ruby to close her eyes for his turn. Ruby isn’t happy.
“If he had respect for me he wouldn’t have done that. Just like Harry had respect for Georgia and didn’t.”
They go off to their bure and have a huge fight – shaking one of the most solid couples on the island.
Elimination – or “doom day” as Weiting calls it
Shayna and Stacy, having won again, are immune from elimination. “I think its our bond that makes us the winning team” gushes Stacy who sounds about ready to pick out an engagement ring.
“Bloody Stacy. I wanna be that guy, man,” says Tavita.
Georgia and Harry are in last place and are up for elimination. Now that this is the second time the play back option has been available, the players know it better, and are more prepared for it. Some couples are less than solid and Harry and Georgia are favourites among the group. “Those boys do love Georgia” Weiting says.
“I think by now we have all realised it’s a game and it’s play or be played.” Says Ruby. “So, I’m sorry Kristian but I’m saving Harry.”
“…………what?” says Harry. “What?” says everyone else at home.
Harry’s face when Ruby saves him is priceless.
“Georgia, we’ve been good mates from the beginning. But Tiffany, I just don’t believe anything you say.” Josh saves Georgia. Tiffany stares at Josh for a good 10 seconds. “No one saw that coming and that’s exactly how I wanted it,” Josh says, revealing a savage side we never expected to see.
Kristian is an annoyingly good-looking cryer but it’s too late for anyone to save him so he and Tiffany are going home anyway.
Eating a witchety grub and still having to go home? Now that’s heartbreaking.
Heartbreak Island 1st episode recap: How does this show work?
Heartbreak Island 2nd episode recap: Partner swaps, betrayal and black outs
Heartbreak Island 3rd episode recap: Secret kisses, higher stakes and elimination
Heartbreak Island 5th episode recap: loopholes and bombshells
