Where all else falter, “FBoy Island” delivers. Season 2 started strong, with three impeccably cast leads — all of them charming, beautiful, and completely up to the task of handling male shenanigans — sorting through an outrageous cast of peacocking fboys and soft-spoken nice guys. The last two episodes, from the Mansplain to the final decision night, stuck the landing.

They stuck the landing so well that it’s hard not to wonder how much producers shaped the narrative we see. Without spoiling the season (though we will do so enthusiastically in the actual episode, so be warned), both seasons offered different but entirely satisfying final twists; taking the show as a whole, there’s a palpable narrative arc. It’s so tight, so adept at giving us a new shock, a new but similarly cathartic climax, that it almost feels scripted. Then again, much can probably be accomplished with excellent casting, sharp editing, and a strong concept. Suffice it to say that by the end of the finale, our heart rates were more elevated that watching it technically counted as a cardio workout. In our opinions.

In this episode, we recap the final two episodes, getting more into the nitty-gritty than in our previous discussion of the first eight. We examine the appeal of the Mansplain, scrutinize the depth of Tamaris’s connection with Niko, close-read the final dates, try to unpack the chaos that was the decision ceremony, and speculate wildly about how much producer control went into creating such a perfect season. And, above all, we’re just grateful for the content. A show that makes us feel good after we finish watching? That’s something we can get behind.

Hope you enjoy! xo

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We’ve been reading…

God, hardly anything. I’m exhausted! So much TV to watch! But I’ve managed to read a few chapters of Jane Austen’s “Persuasion,” in preparation for another Rich Text we’ve already taped. It had been some years since I reread it, and it’s still absolute perfection: the classically cutting Austen narration, the veins of melancholy and regret, the faded wallflower given the chance to be a romantic heroine once more, the oceans of repressed yearning. -Claire

After my impressive beach reading streak, I’m back to just watching a lot of TV for work. But I did absolutely love this Allison P. Davis piece on 10 years of Tinder. Anyone who has used the apps will find something to relate to. -Emma

We’ve been watching…

So, I also watched “Persuasion” (2022) this week! Keen readers may be picking up on what our next Rich Text pod will be about. No spoilers, save to say that it is truly an assemblage of brain-melting decisions that left me absolutely reeling. -Claire

I really enjoyed “Wedding Season,” another Netflix rom com about two singles who, under pressure from their parents to just get married already, pretend to date to get through a long wedding season. Does it have some plot holes? Sure. Is it delightful? Also yes. -Emma

We’ve been listening to…

“Celebrity Memoir Book Club,” one of the two celebrity memoir book club podcasts that I adore, is my current binge of choice. It’s been in my rotation for a while, but lately I have been plowing through the back catalog. Claire and Ashley discuss the books I truly do want to know about without reading (“#Girlboss,” “Girl Wash Your Face,” “The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo”) and I giggle freely throughout. At this point in my brain-deadening summer, it’s the medicine I need. -Claire

I too have been obsessed with this podcast! The Danielle Bernstein episode truly broke my brain! I’ve also continued to love “Fed Up.” (Maybe I just really enjoy consuming stories about respectable white lady legal grifters from Long Island?) -Emma

We’ve been buying…

Belts! For some reason I had a spasm of wishing to have a belt styling option with all my summer dresses. I rarely wear belts, and I’m never satisfied with the ones I purchase. This time, in hopes of an effortlessly summery look, I went with raffia, in spite of my fears that it may be a more, idk, Lilly Pulitzer vibe than I’m going for. So far, though, I think I like it? I got this stretch raffia belt from Anthropologie (in natural), and it’s very stretchy, comfortable, and great for a casual cinch. -Claire

I snagged these chic J. Crew slides in white on big sale and I am OBSESSED. As a short girl, I always feel like my outfit doesn’t look quite put together if I’m in flats, but I have finally come around to the idea that fancier slides are simply the answer. I also bought this Abercrombie poplin puff sleeve shirt dress in two colors (also on sale!). It’s breezy, easy and can transition from summer to early fall nicely. -Emma

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