Fantasy Island Review: The Romance & The Bromance (Season 1 Episode 7)
Fantasy Island Season 1 Episode 7, “The Romance & The Bromance,” gives us the best fantasy of this show so far. I know I’ve said that before, but this time it’s true.
“The Romance & The Bromance” gives us a wonderful new shade of Elena — bashful. She’s nervous around Javier, antsy when Ruby almost catches her reading a love story, and even visibly happy when she allows one of her guests to walk away happy.
Though it’s happening quite late, it is great to see her finally opening herself up. She’s becoming less stiff, less abrasive, and that’s exactly what the show needs.
Elena brooding and convincing herself she has to be unhappy affects the show in an extremely negative way as she, Ruby, and sometimes Javier should be the main focus.
When you don’t want to watch the person who’s the root of the show, there’s a problem. But in these last two episodes, Elena is finally showing her care for others in ways that don’t only impact the guests.
This makes for a much better watching experience.
She, of course, will have moments of tension but there’s something to be said about Elena now, as opposed to the Elena from the premiere. There’s no way she would’ve allowed Isabel to truly fulfill her fantasy back then.
This isn’t to say she’s done a ton of growing because let’s be honest, all of the characters we know are still pretty one-dimensional. However, the show is at least making an effort to have Elena grow.
On “The Romance & The Bromance,” we’re shown two sides to the dilemma of holding yourself back out of fear.
Let’s face it, though: I would watch 10 uninterrupted hours about Isabel and Rachel, but Mr. Cole’s story on the show was enough for me.
Mr. Cole figuring himself out is devastating and beautiful, yet, extremely slow. Reaching the end of his story is almost a relief, while you’re clawing for more of Isabel and Rachel.
While I’m sure it wasn’t intentional, the writers were extremely bold for placing a fairly stale, boring story next to Isabel and Rachel’s.
Isabel and Rachel’s story is so beautiful. The way that they light up when they’re around one another, and how they fell in love so quickly; the chemistry they have!
Fantasy Island isn’t afraid of telling LGBTQ+ stories and hopefully, if there’s a season two, even more stories will make an appearance.
The very best thing about Isabel and Rachel’s story is that it is pure, true love. There are no facades, no will-they-won’t-they, no question that these two are meant for each other.
The love they share is beautiful, even Elena sees it. Supposedly cold-hearted, tame, by-the-book Elena is rooting for them.
Caitlin Stasey is fantastic as Isabel, creating and becoming a character you can’t help but fall in love with alongside Rachel. She’s soft and strong and quiet but resilient, never taking no for an answer.
While Isabel getting the chance to go back and be with Rachel is one, literally, of fantasies. I do wish we could have had her on the show a little longer.
Overall, “The Romance & The Bromance” is one of Fantasy Island’s better episodes, and maybe if we get a season two there can be a reappearance of Isabel and Caitlin Stasey.
What did you think of this episode of Fantasy Island? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Fantasy Island airs Tuesday at 9/8c on FOX.
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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.