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I usually do not leave reviews for shows even when I've seriously hated the path they've taken after their first season, but The Wilds will be my exception. Why? Because I actually really love this show, and it means so much to me.
I am tired of writers being fully aware of what their fanbase doesn't want, and continuing to do that very thing anyway. When I heard there were boys being added to the show, like everyone else, I had my reservations, but I got over it and decided to give them a chance. After the first 4 episodes, I simply could not take it anymore, I skipped every single scene of theirs, especially after we were subjected to watch a COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY SA scene. It was grotesque, disgusting and just lazy as hell. It was a pathetic attempt at shock value in the most gross possible way. For that alone, the show lost many points for me. They had done a much better job in the first season when they were showcasing Martha's experience with this issue without actually showing the act itself.
I understand that because this show is about a comparative science experiment, it was inevitable that we had to see some of the boys' island to get context into the final conclusion of the study, but the way that they went about it was just wrong. The boys' scenes were boring, long and sluggish. None of them were truly likeable. The only moment that I thought was good was when Kirin sided with Josh after his traumatic experience with Seth. This whole notion that their presence in the show somehow enhances the female experience is a total lie. I resent the actors for trying to talk us into giving the boys a chance with that whole narrative because it wasn't even true. The boys detracted from the girls' character developments. They are still basically the same characters from s1 because there was no time dedicated to them. This season was basically all about the boys with some of the girls sprinkled here and there as filler.
1. We did not see Dot's progress when it comes to healing after her father's death.
2. Rachel wasn't allowed to grieve properly.
3. For another season, we have yet to see Toni grappling with her feelings of worthlessness and we haven't seen the backstory that showcases where that comes from.
4. Shelby has not gone through the coming out stages that are necessary for her arc. Everyone just randomly finds out about her and Toni, and we don't even get a scene of all of the characters reacting to the news.
5. Although Shoni was one of the shining moments in the show, it still felt rushed, and their break up was very forced. All the relationship milestones that are usually so important in shows were glossed over and sprinkled here and there i. e. the "I love you" scene. No real importance was given to these scenes.
6. We have Toni saying that she will love Shelby forever only for her to immediately blame her for something she isn't responsible for and leaving her in the next episode.
7. Fatin wasn't developed either in terms of her individual backstory.
8. Nora's appearance was lazy.
I could go on and on, but I only have so many words to use for this review. All in all, I am extremely disappointed with the writers for putting their main characters on the back burner and sacrificing their complex storylines to add characters no one asked for. I am disappointed that they focused so much cramming as much representation as possible that they forgot to actually make a coherent, interesting, nuanced plot that made **** sense.
The shining moments of the show lie solely on the girls' performances. Even with their lack of development and screen time, their chemistry is unmatched. I hope that the writers actually listen to their fans concerns and apply them if the show gets renewed for a third season. What was done to the girls was an injustice and a massive disservice to the show.… Expand
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