The iconic Oscar Wilde once said “life imitates art.” There has been no greater example of this in recent years than the way the reality television series Temptation Island has swapped partners. After originally airing on Fox for three seasons in the early 2000s, the series eventually crashed out due to poor ratings. Amid a resurgence of interest in reality dating shows in the 2010s however, the series was rebooted by NBCUniversal on its USA channel in 2019. After some moderate success for five more seasons, Netflix scooped up the series last year. The show’s official ninth season debuts this week. 

 

Now, it’s extremely rare for a show to hit nine seasons and still feel relevant without trying to “jump the shark” (we all remember what happened with The Office). However, surprisingly, in its ninth season Temptation Island feels like it's just hitting its stride. Not only might this be the best season to date, but it might just set the new gold standard for reality dating shows.

 

For anyone new to the series, it follows four couples in varying stages who want to take the next big step (marriage), but might have reservations. In the past these reservations have included getting too comfortable and pausing meaningful progress, not meeting expectations, or just plain old infidelity. After arriving on the island, the men and the women are separated for a few weeks. But, as the name implies, each group is not left alone. They are both sent to oceanside villas, on opposite sides of the island, and kept company by at least a dozen attractive singles of the opposite sex. From there, the goal is simply to not get tempted. The island is, in essence, a test. As expected though, people do fall into temptation. But those who can survive a few weeks without giving in can move on to the next chapter of their lives. In some cases, however, the island can also act as a mirror, allowing some of the men and women to realize that they deserve someone and something greater back in the real world. 

 

Aside from its new home, the formula remains largely the same. The drama remains the same. And even the original host, Mark L. Wahlberg, is back (more on him later). In fact, there are only two relatively new concepts the show introduces - and they fit in quite well too! The first is the simple fact that there is less seclusion. In past seasons, both the couples and the sexy singles they share the island with have been whisked away to this tropical paradise with no connection to the outside world. This time around, even though the villas are still isolated from the world, most of the outings happen in more public settings with other people. It’s a small change, but it creates less of a bubble for the participants. In past seasons, it’s felt like the seclusion has quietly created an additional layer of pressure for the couples and the singles. But its elimination this season allows any new relationships that may grow as a result of the process to simulate real-world social activity. 

 

The second change is the “Temptation Haven,” a tent built outside of each gender’s villas that also happens to be the one place cameras are not allowed. Additionally, if anyone enters, a blaring alarm with bright lights goes off on the opposite side of the island to signal that it is being used. In short, you won’t know if the person inside the tent is your significant other, but it could be. And when it goes off in the middle of the night, it is a recipe for psychological torture. Granted, this concept is similar to the “Temptation Light” featured in the very last season of the show which would go off any time someone “gave in to temptation.” However, it scales up the suspense enough to also make even the viewer feel uneasy every time it goes off.

 

Truthfully, there are very few problems with this version of the show. Are there things fans will miss? Sure! For example, the iconic opening song is sadly no more. And those over-the-top transitions featuring random cast members in bathing suits are also gone. Even the length of time that the couples spend on the island seems to be less than previous seasons. But not once does it deviate from its premise. And host Mark L. Wahlberg deserves the praise for that. 

 

Of all the things that Netflix decided to keep when they took over production, Wahlberg is by far the best. That’s simply because without him there is no show. While the one thing that will get eyes on Temptation Island is the question of whether the couples will cheat, it’s Wahlberg’s expert hosting skills that will keep them there. Not only does he hold no judgment for any of the couples (remarkably regardless of what they do), he always knows what questions to ask them to evoke and inspire personal growth. He also knows what buttons to push to help get the couples the answers they came for. Wahlberg is so good at being a host that you’ll wonder why he doesn’t have a talk show of his own. Better yet, you’ll want him to moderate each of Netflix’s dating shows going forward.

 

At a time where Too Hot To Handle has become too horny, and where the Lacheys let their trifecta of Love Is Blind, The Ultimatum and Perfect Match become too boring, Temptation Island arrives as some fresh counterprogramming. While it does subscribe to a formula similar to many other tropical dating shows, what sets it apart is its exploration of burning desire. And long after you see who the couples end up with, it’ll leave you yearning for more too.