sorry for a bit of a ramble im feeling silly but like joel this season is so so different in terms of like . he didnt become red early on AND he had gem by his side, whos got a sort of chill presence shes like if "im a chill guy" was personified if that makes sense which made joels usual kind of erratic nervousness kind of balanced out (?) Which yeah ppl have mentioned that but ALSO hes just not making enemies out of everyone ?? like ppl are going after him instead of the other way around + he even goes out of his way and just gives diamonds to like lizzie and jimmy, creeper eggs to tango, helping grian from the vexes too, going along with etho etc etc
and like i think his attachment to his allies is so so important like in every series he cares so much and it comes off as aggressive and he takes a lot of risks but this season hes just kinda chillin tbh . chillin and carin. and winnin . (cue outro music)
honestly not much to add like. idk his allies are usually unstable or just straight up nonexistent and i think having gem as an ally might be The Best Thing To Ever Happen To Him......... his last true allies imo were limlife (i love the mounders but he quite literally lived over a hill away + the entire alliance was based on a very "trust nobody" attitude. think them all running from each other the moment secrets were given while other teams would stick together) and look i LOVE the bad boys but. theyre so chaotic. and like u said gems very chill in her own way. having kind loyal trusting allies made him more kind loyal and trusting as a result