Every. Single. Week. I've been wanting to write "wait this season is actually really good!"
And every. Single. Week. The ptsd of the past seasons hits me, saying "What if it turns bad though?"
I think it's time though - Season 12 is great and here's why:
I don't mind being railroaded a little if it means fully fleshed out characters. They've tried to do that in the past, but for the first time this season without keeping MC single for ages.
The season is a little gimmicky with the whole secrets thing, but for the first time without it sucking. Fusebox seems to have realized that the worst possible gimmick is giving MC too much of a backstory, and bringing that backstory into the villa (aka an ex or a sibling).
A big problem in the past seasons was that everyone was obsessed with MC, always. I think that was successfully toned down this season by focusing more on drama (aka secrets) - and it actually feels realistic this time?? There is no longer the "person who hates MC is comically evil" trope, just people who like being a little messy, people who make mistakes, people who have their own little vendettas. Instead we have mysteries to solve that still introduce drama while staying within the Love Island realm.
More on the secrets: They were spread out over the season which gave the impression that some of this plot was actually thought out instead of writers scrambling to crank out a new volume every week. GUYS, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR TIME DEVELOPING PLOT AND CHARACTERS! And it makes me way more likely to spend gems, too!
Speaking of: I loved the gem scenes! They weren't necessary but they offered a lot. And depending on which you choose you can make your either secret obsessed or a don't-mess-with-me drama queen or a straight-up hoe (or all of the above)
BESTIE SLOWBURN ROMANCE WHEN?? Shoutout to whoever keeps posting about being on a boy-bestie Gryff route cause GIRL SAME!! I'm really hoping we'll get to run away with him during the finale!
If not, I'll happily stick with Irena. I looove that you get to say MC is queer but I'm not into [female LI] - and they'll actually respect that and leave you alone!
Same with the male LIs actually: Your OG LI still pines for you but also leaves you space for other routes. Same with casa boy Matt. I loooved this volume's scenes (volume XI) with all LIs literally telling you that! Like "Yes I thought we had chemistry but I'm not irrationally in love with you, so you do you and I'll do me".
A (possibly) MAJOR LI DELIBERATELY PISSING MC OFF!!!! I'LL SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS, MATT KISSING DANI TO MAKE MC JEALOUS WAS HOT!!!
I just love when MC gets rejected sometimes (not by all, we don't need a repeat of Ex In The Villa!! This is still a romance game!). It gets so boring when MC flirts with someone one (1) time and they're instantly putty in her hands. I think that's why I was so obsessed with Hamish and Jesse, and why this season I'm trying to pursue boy bestie Gryff. But it's not just him, same with Nathan choosing Tori over MC, Joshua liking Keziah more, Dante... okay, I'm a little mad about Dante cause that boy is prettyyyy. Come to think of it, maybe they overdid it a little but my point stands: Don't give MC everything she wants! Let us pine!!
Side note on Joshua: seeming sweetiepie that turns out kinda icky done right! Take notes, s5 Johnny/Nicolas! He starts out cute, does some iffy things, but is (depending on your perspective) never an outright villain. Just a bit of a prick.
Bring! Back! Banter!! I love watching all the islanders having fun with each other, like the s2 scene where they come up with words to prank the new islanders (homebrew/ding/al dente). It also helps with fleshing out characters' relationships towards one another, and I think s12 was a step in the right direction in that regard. Knowing the dynamics (and them stayinG CONSISTENT) makes it feel more real.
Final Point: I loved the sprite customization options this season. Special shoutout to all the heartrate challenge outfits, literally EVERYONE LOOKED SO GOOOOOOD!!!! (and Joshua was also there)
Okay, that's it for now. High hopes for the finale!
Let's hope Fusebox has learned their lesson and take their time developing s13 before announcing it.
