Fantasy Island Review: Dia de los Vivos (Season 1 Episode 8)

Fantasy Island Season 1 Episode 8, “Dia de los Vivos,” gives us a bit of insight into Elena, breaks her heart, and allows Javier the courage to finally ask Elena out. 

Let us get this episode’s fantasy out of the way: Jasper, played by the ineffable Leslie Jordan, has wronged several people in his life, and to make it to heaven he must get his pseudo son, Ramon, to forgive him.

It’s honestly your run-of-the-mill episode. Jasper struggles and struggles until he gets Ramon to understand him, and once that happens he’s blissfully off to heaven.

There are two major problems with this episode: there are way too many things going on, and the directing is… not ideal. At one point, I had to pause the episode and rewind to make sure there were really that many jump cuts in one scene. There are. 

The directing, while not ideal, does not bring down the episode in its entirety but it’s noticeable. 

What does bring down the episode? Jasper’s fantasy overshadowing the personal moments we get to experience with our beloved characters.

Everyone except Jasper’s story seems rushed, but especially Elena’s. We’ve never even heard of this cousin before, from what I can remember, and suddenly he’s a big enough regret that stone-faced Elena is crying over him?

Her story is personal, and Javier’s should matter too, but Elena runs this island. Elena recruited and connected to Ruby. Elena can do magic! 

So why does it seem like she got the least amount of screentime on this finale? 

Now, whether that’s factual or not, I’m not sure. Yes, the logical answer is that the show is hoping for a renewal so this can all be explained in the next season, but it feels like everyone’s stories are wrapped in a pretty bow except for Elena’s. 

Javier’s conversation with his friend Dani is understandable, but it feels incredibly forced. His reveal to Elena that he should’ve died that day and not Dani is heartbreaking, and it presents him with a moment of courage he doesn’t pass up.

Javier asks Elena out on a date, he kisses her, and then he walks away. Damn, y’all, when did Javier get so bold? 

Thankfully, Elena looks happy that he’s taking initiative in their relationship. Finally. 

The most tragic, and unexpected, part of this episode is Ruby and Mel. We find out that Mel is actually dead and only on the island for Dia de los Muertos; so Ruby starts crying, I start crying…

Ruby, in 24 hours, has to go through the loss of her husband and the inability to comfort her children. But she handles it because that’s what Ruby does. 

I sincerely hope we get a second season of Fantasy Island, not only because of the diversity and queer representation but also because it’s a good, enjoyable escape from reality. Plus, it could give us a chance to meet new guests, continue our resident’s stories, and watch Elena Roarke do actual magic. 

Overall, Season 1 of Fantasy Island isn’t anything that’s going to win awards. However, it’s fun, and sweet, and has lesbians, so what more could you want? 

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The first season of Fantasy Island is streaming now on FOX.

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