Fantasy Island Review: Quantum Entanglement (Season 1 Episode 3)
On Fantasy Island Season 1 Episode 3, “Quantum Entanglement,” the island earns a new name in “nightmare hellscape island,” and that isn’t too far off from this episode description as well.
Okay, that’s a little harsh, but this episode is nowhere near as good as Fantasy Island Season 1 Episodes 1 and 2, “Hungry Christine / Mel Loves Ruby” and “His and Hers / Heartbreak Hotel.”
The almost case-of-the-week aspect of the show is good and it’s refreshing, but it also takes over. We’re clearly meant to learn lessons from these fantasies and from these people craving something they’re not mentally ready for yet, but in “Quantum Entanglement,” it’s difficult to root for Eileen.
In the end, she (seemingly) sees her wrongdoings, and vows to be better, but will she really? Eileen spends half of the episode twisting words from people who are trying to help her, and the other half convincing someone else to do her dirty work.
We’re introduced to something new on the island, something I’m really not a fan of: getting off the island.
We’re shown a scene from Theodora’s childhood where Eileen is absent, to help Eileen understand her daughter better. The show literally has “fantasy” in the title, so I’m not searching for extreme realism but this is clearly an attempt to make it more relatable.
When they present the trope of getting to go back in time and watch a scene from someone else’s point of view, it makes the storytelling a tad flimsy. Again, it’s toeing a very fine line given that the show is centered around people’s unrealistic fantasies, but still.
Then there’s the romantic aspect of this episode. The idea of involving two people’s fantasies is outstanding, yet this one doesn’t work.
Charles wants to see something unexplainable, and he’s introduced to an invisible woman. Simple enough.
They make a connection that is very clearly going to last, but it still begs the question of why? What did this really add to the episode? If I’m being honest: not much.
Charles seems like a kind man, one who is just looking for something extraordinary in his ordinary life, and then he meets Eileen. Romantic? Yes. Plausible? Eh.
Since they’re fictional, I still don’t want to resent them for their relationship but Eileen has a lot she needs to work on in terms of rebuilding her family and rebuilding herself. Charles is okay with that, but it’s still a lot to throw at us in less than an hour.
On the more interesting side of the episode… Ruby can’t get a call out to Mel, and she’s devastated upon realizing she may never be able to.
Elena reveals more of herself by allowing Ruby to get photos and a letter from Mel. Elena has been through some extremely difficult things but she’s always, without thought, making sure everyone around her is taken care of no matter what.
This episode shows us once again (sigh) that they’re planning on making Javier and Elena a couple, and I just wish I understood why.
I suppose it sort of makes sense, but the fact that they’ve barely interacted in three episodes leads me to hope that it’s going to be a fake-out.
Elena has an opportunity to leave Ruby to her devices, to allow Ruby to look through her new scrapbook on her own, and reminisce to herself. Yet, Elena stays anyway.
My Gay Goggles probably have me looking too hard into this, but I hope that Elena and Ruby will fall in love, especially after this episode.
What did you think of this episode of Fantasy Island? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Fantasy Island airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on FOX.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Laura Wanberg
Laura is a homebody who loves everything about TV. Some of her favorite shows include Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Parks and Recreation, and The Morning Show. With her ever-growing list of new shows to watch and books to read, her favorite thing to do is to cuddle up with her cat and get lost in someone else's world.