Fantasy Island: Season 1/ Episode 3 “Quantum Entanglement” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

[Unless Said Otherwise] Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.

A woman with a zest for life and a man who thinks everything needs and has an explanation end up on a collision course in “Quantum Entanglement.”

---

Aired	08/24/2021
Network	FOX
Directed By	Kimberly McCullough
Written By	Adria Lang
Newly Noted Characters
Eileen Mitchell	Debbi Morgan
Theodora	Mieko Hillman
Theodora (Teen)	Kamori Clark-McGeoy
Professor Charles Wakefield	Cliff Chamberlain
Javier	John Gabriel Rodriquez

Recap

A Man Who Seeks Something Beyond Science – Charles, Elena

While science is a beautiful thing, knowing everything has an explanation, it is just a matter of studying said thing for long enough; It takes the magic out of living. So when it comes to Charles, he wants to experience something he can’t explain through science. A task Elena handles through the journey another guest is on.

The Invisible Woman – Eileen, Ruby, Elena, Theodora

Eileen is a woman of a certain age who was a model, globe trotter, and for most of her life, where she went, her daughter Theodora was right behind. However, Eileen suffers from a few major issues. One is the need for attention, two, her abandonment of Theodora in foreign places, and three, her repeating what she did with Theodora with her grandson, Freddy.

Because of this, Theodora cut off Eileen, so Eileen’s fantasy is simply to get back her family. This is handled strangely, for while Elena surprises Eileen with her family’s arrival, she also makes Eileen invisible to everyone but herself and Ruby. This is frustrating for someone who needs, if not demands, attention like Eileen, and with Ruby the only one who understands her, this entire process is difficult.

One Less Reason To Seek Out A Stranger’s Attention – Eileen, Ruby, Elena, Theodora, Freddy, Charles, Javier

To our surprise, the key to Eileen rekindling her relationship with her daughter ends up being Charles. She ends up connecting with him, despite being invisible, and they strike up a friendship which is about Charles getting out of his comfort zone and Eileen learning to operate in other people’s. Because of this combination, Theodora gives her mother another chance, and despite it not being either one of their goals, it seems Eileen and Charles are now in a relationship.

As this happens, Ruby is missing Mel and her family and finds Elena giving little regarding making her feel less alone. Yet, as Javier notes, Elena herself doesn’t seem to venture away from the Island or her duties, so her fully understanding Ruby’s sense of longing is difficult. But, with a picture book, a chair, a letter from Mel, and a painting, between the Island or Elena, Ruby has some things to keep her from becoming too homesick.

Things To Note | Question(s) Left Unanswered

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. Did Elena give Ruby real items from back home, or nah?

What We Hope Happens Next

1. We get a guest with a connection to Elena, Ruby, or Javier’s past that opens up who they were before Fantasy Island.

Review

Highlights

Better Than Previous Stories

This episode’s story was a bit easier to get into. Maybe it is because Ruby was able to connect with Eileen, alongside Debbi Morgan, just giving us so much more than the previous guest stars? For I think, there was supposed to be a weird comedic element to the past ones, which Morgan does give us, but when the twist the Island provides hits, it actually landed this time. The darkness of feeling invisible, the issue of feeling alone, the abandonment, it could actually get to you.

Heck, I’d even say Morgan carried the episode because Professor Charles pretty much relied on her energy and just hitched a ride.

Fantasy Island Grows On You

Every now and then, you have to be reminded that not every show is supposed to make you feel something intensely, provide you an audible laugh, or be must-see TV. Some shows are meant to be enjoyed as something to watch because nothing else is on, and there is nothing wrong with that. The episodic approach allows you to jump in anytime without missing much when it comes to Fantasy Island. I’d even say, beyond episode 1, which helps you understand how Ruby joined the Island, there isn’t much else to miss.

Which is perhaps the best part. You could stop watching, probably return without catching up, and know not much has changed.

TV Shows We’re Covering This Season

Images used for editorial and commentary purposes. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.