In Erinsborough, romance is blooming, but it’s not the kind of love we’re used to seeing on Neighbours.
Amy Greenwood has been an eccentric whirlwind of a resident ever since she returned to Ramsay Street – from her rivalry with Roxy Willis to her dreams about Ned Willis in that cowboy hat, she’s been an eccentric whirlwind of a resident.
However, things are about to heat up in a novel way, with Amy, Ned, and Levi Canning becoming Neighbours’ first polyamorous couple.
Fans in Australia have already seen the events play out, but in the United Kingdom, this development is still in its early stages, with Ned and Levi only recently beginning their battle for Amy.
Despite the fact that the UK will have to wait before this trio becomes official, the excitement surrounding the narrative is obvious.
Never one to shy away from embracing a diverse range of lifestyles, the inclusion of polyamory is not only a logical evolution of the programme, but also a welcome manner of embracing diversity.
Nonetheless, although this is undoubtedly a positive step forward, issues regarding the veracity of its depiction of polyamory are already being raised.
The way Amy, Ned, and Levi’s connection has developed, and continues to evolve, may be the source of concern.
So far, UK viewers have seen as Ned and Levi have begun to date Amy casually, each trying to impress her. Their desire to be the “best man” has resulted in the traditional love triangle we’ve come to expect from soap operas.
After Ned and Levi reveal their affections for Amy, the narrative swiftly shifts from jealousy-fueled rivalry to the start of a polyamorous partnership. The complexities of this disclosure have (largely) been warmly welcomed, although there is still some concern within the poly community.
Some viewers are wary of this development due to the element of persuasion that appears to be involved – both Levi and Amy are unsure about taking this step, but Ned is all in. Although it depicts a seldom seen debate of possibilities, there is the issue that the two parties aren’t as enthusiastic about the proposal but nonetheless go forward with it.
You also have the question of why Ned is recommending such a dynamic – is it because he truly believes this relationship is good for them, or is it to prevent potential rejection?
Polygamous relationships aren’t the black-and-white stereotypes that some outside the community assume they are; they’re real experiences with the same depth and intricacies as monogamous ones.
Unfortunately, many television productions fail to convey this to us, with most poly relationships shown as confused bouts of promiscuous pleasure. In the end, this promotes disinformation and prevents polyamory from becoming more mainstream.
Neighbours took sure to include its characters explaining the differences between thrupples (relationships with three people in them) and polyamory to attempt to fight any stereotyping that may occur (desiring intimate relationships with more than one partner, but having the consent of all of them). The programme is allowing its viewers to get more familiar with and informed on polyamory by taking the time to clarify this essential distinction.
A quick conversation on the couch about whether Amy, Ned, and Levi should try it isn’t enough to actually lay the basis for revolutionary inclusion. If Neighbours wants to be an authentic depiction of polyamory, it must avoid the all-too-easy conclusion of portraying polyamory as an experiment gone awry.
Exhibit A, a London-based polyamorous blogger, says, “TV programmes often utilise poly as a salutary lesson, a weekly narrative point, or a method to help people enhance their monogamous relationships.”
“Someone will try poly, it will go badly, and they will realise that they were perfectly content with monogamy all along. That’s inconvenient.
“Poly relationships fall down just like monogamous ones do all the time – it shouldn’t be (and in reality, it seldom is) a reason for someone to give up.”
If Neighbours is to truly establish itself as a supporter of diversity, it must give this emerging narrative the attention it deserves. As a result, rather than depending on polyamory as the cause, if Amy, Ned, and Levi’s relationship fails, there has to be a nuance to the scenario.
Polyamory as a throwaway storey element, never to be taken seriously or given an opportunity to blossom, is a disservice not just to the characters, but also to the viewer. Not to mention how it may bolster claims that the programme lacks diversity both on and off-screen, as seen by its recent racism inquiry.
For the time being, fans in Australia and the United Kingdom will have to wait and see if this romance has the lasting power of Susan and Karl Kennedy’s. At the moment, the positives outnumber the disadvantages, but as any hardcore Neighbours fan knows, that may change at any time.
