A moment of silence for Anton's emotional growth and maturity.

Many viewers will remember Anton from season five of Love Island as the unlucky-in-love Scottish lads-lad, and Mitch from season 10 as a lovelorn troublemaker.

While a heated argument on a reality dating show isn't exactly a headline, the substance of their argument brings up a lot of questions about dating dynamics, both in the villa and in the real world.

Particularly because, when the two locked horns on last night's episode over Anton's decision to give Liberty unfiltered and honest advice about her partner on the show, one emerged as a man and the other as a boy.

Anton was so hot for saying actually… men don’t inherently owe loyalty to men and also a female friend deserves loyalty to. Men talking bro code is so childish. #loveislandallstars

— Reeba💁🏻‍♀️ (@ReebaHadey) January 26, 2024

The Context

For those who aren't watching Love Island: All Stars, Mitch is coupled up with Liberty, but it hasn't been plain sailing - for her at least.

In a short space of time, Messy Mitch, through his actions, has left her with feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and uncertainty.

He has failed to be honest about his intentions, and his actions haven't aligned with his words at all.

Seeking advice and clarity, Liberty and her best friend, Kaz Kamwi, sat down with Anton while he shared his truthful opinion on the messy maverick.

After witnessing Mitch's antics in the villa, the Scottish Islander believes he cares more about 'clout' and 'Instagram followers' than finding a romantic connection.

Anton didn't conceal his thoughts when asked for advice, instead sharing in detail what he sees and hears when the girls aren't around.

‘It’s not bro code’ … it’s screaming ‘I was honest with you and I’m annoyed it’s got back to the girls because I’m saying otherwise to their faces’
🤮🤮

Huge Props to Anton for not being pressured to be a ‘bro’ and for being a genuinely decent and honest human. https://t.co/ojhxuuDjJC

— shan (@shanspanswick) January 26, 2024

The 'Bro Code'

Upon finding out about Anton's opinion of him, Mitch demands answers as to why he would break some unspoken 'Bro Code' by sharing it with Liberty, as it could alter her perception of him.

If you're unfamiliar with the 'Bro Code', it applies to a friendship between men that governs the behaviour of the gender.  

In layman's terms, men should put men before women, which means sometimes sidestepping what is right and wrong.

This includes covering for a 'bro', simply because you share the same gender, regardless of any wrongdoing.

In the past, contestants of Love Island have upheld the 'Bro Code', allowing female Islanders to believe their buddy is a perfect gentleman and even leaving out details of infidelity, ignoble intentions, and disrespectful 'locker room' chat.

Last night, Anton put somewhat of a halt on the 'Bro Code' continuum, leaving a mouthy 'Bro' speechless for what seemed like the first time ever.

The way Anton actually matured. Unlike the rest of this cast that claims they matured. I love to see it. #Loveisland pic.twitter.com/yPO5OSWP4t

— senwa❤️ (@lovelysenwa) January 24, 2024

“There is no bro code. There is right and wrong"

"You are talking to Lib behind my back going against me and it’s not really bro code," Mitch declared.

“There is no bro code. There is right and wrong," Anton calmly responded.

"What do you mean there's no bro code? You gave your opinion and it made me look like an idiot," Mitch reasoned.

"But I’m telling her my opinion," Anton replies, to which Mitch asks, "But, why?"

"Because that's my opinion of you," Anton explains before Mitch calls him "a bit of a d*ck".

"If a girl comes up to me, I go, 'Listen, I don't this that and the other'. I won't ever dance around the edge of it because it's not for me to get involved in anyone else's business, " Mitch tried to explain.

To this, Anton stands ten toes down and refuses to allow an invisible 'Bro Code' to change who he is.

"That's not how I perform," he says, "If someone comes to me and asks me, I'll be truthful, full stop. You're asking me to drop my beliefs and my values."

Mitch claims: "There's a lot less guys in here who have bro code that I thought, and you're one of them."

"In this villa, it's very well known that I get on with all of the girls very well, and I feel it's my duty -"

"Your duty?" Mitch butts in. "Yeah, duty," Anton continues, "If they ask me for an opinion on someone because they come to me for advice from a boy's opinion, I will give them my opinion."

"And you will not tell me it's 'not bro code'."

Mitch, now fuming, claims that the 'names' were used to describe him, despite the Scottish native not using any names to describe him to Liberty, just what he has witnessed him say or do.

"B******t. Not going with it. I thought you were great, I was wrong. Bit of a d*ck. Conversation end," Mitch said.

"So you're not looking into yourself then, again?" Anton asks, which Mitch snaps, "You are literally making me look like a *kn**head to the girl who is my partner when it's not your word to say. Keep your nose out of my business," Mitch fumed.

Anton's next response is what has earned him a place in Love Island history, as the remark left his challenger without any reasonable comeback.

"If your girl comes crying to me asking for advice I will give her my advice. You’ve been together seven days and made her cry twice.

"Look at yourself, don’t look at me. Be a man, not a boy."

Mic drop.

“Be a man, not a boy” ANTON I WASNT FAMILIAR WITH YOUR GAME #Loveisland pic.twitter.com/lwaVeWFTx4

— T 🧋 (@glossylipsonly) January 25, 2024

Why is Anton's stance so important?

I've watched Love Island since 2015, and I have not seen a male contestant share the same concern for female Islander's well-being as this lad's.

Anton chooses to openly convey that this 'Bro Code' won't interfere with equality, and if he sees wrongdoing, he will call it out, regardless of gender.

Not only does this stop men like Mitch in their tracks, but it also forces them to question the actions of their friends and fellow men.

'Bro Code' is an excuse for men to justify immoral actions and words towards women, and the more who take part in this culture, the longer these wrongdoings go unpunished, and therefore, no lesson is learned and no growth is seen.

It also reminds women - and young girls watching the show - to be careful of the men they call 'friends'.

If a man can sit and listen to or watch his pal demean women or treat them poorly, he can easily adopt the same attitude himself.

Always bothers me how the blokes on #LoveIsland allow their female friends to get mugged off because “bro code” comes first 🤮 big up Anton for showing them how it’s done 👏🏻 https://t.co/fxfV3EbQ2L

— shannon (@shannon_needles) January 25, 2024

Cast your memory back to 2019: it's season five of Love Island, and Anton couldn't resist flirting with a shopkeeper in Majorca while outside the villa with the boys.

Whether this was done in a bid to impress his bros or actually who he was as a partner at the time, it was wrong because he was forming a connection with Belle Hassan back at home base.

Tommy Fury relays this information to Molly-Mae Hague, who then tells Belle, creating a huge mess for Anton.

Not only did he not react to this supposed 'Bro Code' by confronting Tommy, but he actually learned from his error and seems to have grown emotionally since his last time on the show.

Anton has grown! And I’m here for it! “Bro code” who wants it if it’s just a group of boys lying to everyone, including themselves?! Anton is right, there’s just right and wrong

— Gina (@_ginaa_p_) January 26, 2024

Anton's emotional growth over the four years is evident from last night's altercation.

One can only hope that Mitch, or those watching who favour him, have absorbed the message: "There is no 'Bro Code'. There is only right or wrong."

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