Fantasy Island: Season 1 Episode 1 [Premiere] – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

After numerous reboots and even a relatively recent movie, Fantasy Island is back but scraps the more horrific elements of the recent film.

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Episode Name	Hungry Christine/ Mel Loves Ruby
Aired	8/10/2021
Network	FOX
Created By	Gene Levitt
Directed By	Adam Kane
Written By	Elizabeth Craft, Sarah Fain
Genre	Drama,Fantasy, LGBT
Introduced This Episode
Elena	Roselyn Sanchez
Mel	David Moses
Ruby	Kiara Barnes
Christine	Bellamy Young
Young Mel	Adain Bradley
Older Ruby	Stephanie Berry
Isla	María Gabriela González

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Plot Overview

Elena, the great-niece of the Fantasy Island from yesteryear, is now the host of the legendary and mysterious getaway, but without a second. But it seems she is doing just fine as she welcomes guests, helps them deal with their trauma, or allows them to fulfill a fantasy. But while one guest, Christine Collins, comes and goes, there is a draw to another named Ruby, who came with her husband, Mel. Elena is drawn to her for reasons she can’t explain, and she makes it hard to keep the distance expected of her. Leading Elena to think there is something special about Ruby that needs to be explored.

Things To Note | Question(s) Left Unanswered

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. They’re not going to have Elena, or someone else, explore what makes the island special, are they?

Commentary/ Review

Its Hook

Story

Neither Christine nor Ruby’s stories are necessarily a strong hook. Granted, Christine being haunted by a stepfather who gave her issues with food and instilled her with insecurities can be relatable. However, it felt neutered in a way, and while you got the point, it didn’t allow for a great performance or emotional tale.

As for Ruby? Her potentially being queer but choosing a life with Mel was interesting, and with her staying on the island with Elena as her second, I do wonder if Isla will return? And, if she does, will Ruby live the queer life she set aside for what was considered normal when she was young?

Characters

Ruby was really the only one who you wanted more of. Christine felt like a come-and-go character, no different than you would get from a first responder or medical show. Though the biggest disappointment might be Elena.

Granted, as host, Elena is just a medium for the story at hand. However, there is some hint that Elena didn’t want the job when chosen initially, paired with her maybe having a thing with the man who brings people to the island. These storylines, and the way the characters are written, don’t push you to think the people who are series regulars have much to offer. It’s going to be all about the episodic guest stars, which is a dangerous bet.

World/Culture

The island is the island. What allows it its power, how does it choose people, are the staff members we see part of Elena’s family or chosen like Ruby? Heck, can they leave? That’s unknown. And honestly, demystifying the island would be a death blow to the series, so hopefully, they don’t go down that road.

Highlights

Ruby

There aren’t necessarily a lot of stories about Black queer women, especially on network TV. So even though Ruby isn’t touted as the star, and they made her younger version a permanent piece, with the older one likely gone after this episode, it’s something.

On The Fence

If The Stories We Should Expect Are Like Christine’s, That Might Be A Problem

I don’t want to say Christine’s storyline was terrible. More so, it just lacked oomph in every way it could. The performances didn’t make it feel like a nightmare, nor did the writing. Then, in terms of Elena’s role, she seemed like a therapist using extreme means, and with this Elena not having any sort of creep factor, the whole segment fell flat.

Initial Impression

Fantasy Island as a summer show might work due to less competition and it being filler. However, even if a summer show, it is going to need to up what it is offering in terms of its mainstay characters and its guests. Otherwise, while the island may continue to be eternal, this show about it may not.