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Hey guys! Murphy here! This won't be a long long chapter. But i'm gonna do something fun here! I'm gonna share my though process with each character from season 3 and the challenges, cut stuff, like the drafts of All-Stars I didn't do. And the two big changes of All-Stars Reignited (Diffrent Winner, and the big story of the season was discard because of how season 3 went!)
We're gonna start off with the idea behind season 3!
I thought of the characters Dahlia and Barry first. And I wanted to have them in All-Stars as a rewrite. But two oc's being invovled like that is not good writing. So I made season 3 first as a backstory for the characters! And from there, I made the other 12 characters. along with an elimination order.
Season 3 was written in just barley over a month. That's legit 3 chapters a week based on math. And I regret that. Season 3 isn't written the best. I regret that, but it was a great starting off point, since I improved in All-Stars, and made up with the auditions and finale of All-Stars for the s3 cast not in that season.
I don't hate S3, not at all. It helps explains a 1/4 of the All-Stars cast and helps it feel organic (which is what I wanted!) the challenge ideas are great still, the characters I wish were more devloped.
Gonna be honest, a lot of them were giving the gimmick and I went with it from them. I hope to fix that now (stay till the end!) But let's go over each chapter and character that left when they did!
Stella being a first boot worked. The biggest mistake was not giving the characters time to show off more personality this season. The motel and greetings try and make up for that, But Stella is one of the early boots I love. The challenge being a survivor style challenge since I've binged survivor. (over 25 seasons finished!) and wanted to keep the ideas simple for my first rodeo (lol) also Iris faceplanting started here! Worth it! Plus Barry's issues were still a tease I don't regret 100%. I would of had Damien and Tabitha interact during the challenge to set up their relationship but lesson learned.
Damien being the second boot was easy to write as the downer goth, but by the motel chapter, I wanted to show him climbing up, and now he's more of a smartass funny enough then depressed. But Angie messing up with him helped lead with iris's arc (which we'll get into) Another simple challenge (All-Stars I got more fancy lol) but we got to see William show off his villian game play a bit more, which I'll explain later.
Kara is a card player. I did her berfore Ted. Stating that right now! Like the other first 6 boots, Kara isn't given a ton of details, but I loved her trying to beat William in his own game, even if she came up short (villians had to win here. lol) The sports challenge was fun to write, but frustrating to keep up with points becuase it was a team thing! If I let the story breathed more, It would have been two pairs per sport 100%, but lesson learned.
Angie helped set up Damian's 180 in the motel chapter and started the bigger Iris story (we'll get into that shortly) and being 4th boot and her boot happening after a huge blow up was a good moment for drama. The maze was one I thought was gonna work well..... and it didn't work as well as I hoped.... of course again, it being written so fast didn't help. But it did help build up the issues with Iris/Angie and show Barry and Dahlia's bond.
Walter got as far as he did since his stick wasn't great for post merge (could have been If I let the season breath. lol) But Him proving despite his job, can be cool a good story. Him being one of the chill ones of the season along with Remy, balanced the drama from others. The pirate challenge was legit fun. Havng Barry talk pirate the whole time before teasing part of his childhood a good moment, also get to show off Iris's personality more (again will discuss her later) and showing Iris and Barry get into it forshadowed their dynamic (also will go into)
Tabitha can be classified as a premerge under written character (regret all of those) but her relationship with Damien and hobbies were me making it up to her, and if I planned this more, 100% would have been shown off early on. But the escape room challenge is one I love, and will bring back later on and it let the teams banter. I would say the challenges got better from here on out.
Remy was a big moment. you see him care for the teens on the crimson team like a dad. Also trying to ease Iris's fears, but in the end, she thought he was siding with the others, and you all know how that ended up, but it helped to show he understood what hapepned, and even before that, never held a grudge, because Remy is just a sweet caring dad. The eating challenge was based on a smosh video of food combos. And the total drama reboot eating episode. I thought it being gross enough with the combos, but not dangerous way better. Also Iron stomach Barry. Lol
Sophia funny enough wasn't gonna be a villain. But in chapter 2, loved the idea of her and William as a duo, and kept up the writing. But she was still meant to be the 7th place one, being betrayed by William at the start of their dynamic, but quickly swapped to William not wanting her to leave instead (which worked perfectly for All-Stars in the end with her own villian like run) The questionare was 100% based off season 1. It also had Iris and Dahlia's biggest fight, and it hurts Dahlia since she doesn't know what she did wrong while Iris is just melting down, which thakfully Blake and Reese notice and get her to Kristal (again will go into that later) But the questions were fun to do.
Reese being the poor third villian because he was friends with Sophia and WIlliam was a fun story. It also helped with the betrayl of William's. Since we were at the end game. Needed a way to have William be the full on bad guy without it being heartless with Barry's idol. The wasteland challenge was one I thought would be awesome, and then it was mostly interactions, but I loved the reveal of Iris and Barry the most. Also the 6 fighting is the highlight for me. lol. Wouldn't change how dark it got at the end, it was VR I can get away with it!
Blake was fun to write, wish I had shown off him being more wreckless in challenges, but missed chance. His fued with WIlliam was the Navy story of the season It ending hear was a great stoping point. Blake just done, not liking how messy he got in the challenge, but two adult men fighitng while the teens weren't was a funny gag. The christmas theme was super fun and giving 6 mini challenges all based around a christmas idea was fun. The snowball fight was just a silly gag. the blended drinks were also a favorite of mine! Again, loved the later challenges!
Iris the one that legit changed the most. Originally she was gonna flip on her own choice, not feeling the Crimson team well (she was a few years older at the start) but by chapter 2-3 maybe 4, I de aged her to be about 10 months older then Barry and Dahlia. Then the OCD thing was an idea I had after her Angie blow up, and it helped with the sudden flip. Because she was older, I didn't plan on her having feelings for Dahlia or Barry, but it felt organic and how it came out in All-Stars is 100% great! Also legit people loved her more then I thought (and won't lie, by the end of her time here, I loved her a lot too!) Which will explain the original All-Stars draft shortly.
The challenge being a callback to every challenge is basically a bfdi/II/TDA style challenge and I loved it. Having the four be close to each other the whole time while adding in drama for Dahlia was to help get Iris out (because I changed Iris shortly into the season and wasn't switching it up lol) But it also showed Iris caring more about her friendship then the game and it was a strong moment for her, and set up her second run in All-Stars, along with everyone LOVING HER! And I'll explain the other elimination orders shortly.
Barry came out exactly how I wanted. His backstory and the loss of the eye despite doing no wrong was the plan (of course I turned left LAST second which will be explained shortly) But I wanted him to be rootable, and his parents being legit terrible worked well into that. From the start he was set up to be homeless and alone, but how the story ended was diffrent. But I have no regrets switching it up, original All-Stars in my head was more depressing. lol
William is someone I love. Him being an open villian but not heartless feels diffrent. But not in a bad way. Him getting Iris to flip was a terrible end result for Iris, but he wouldn't know that then. Plus him and Sophia being apolagetic after is 100% to show they are not evil people. They put on villain masks for the show, and i'm proud with how William ended up. Breaking his arm acting as a little kharma but not too fucked up for not doing much (even then it was more acidental.)
Dahlia being the winner might be shocking, but reminder, I had the ending in mind for the challenge, and Dahlia was always ment to win. I feel All-Stars Dahlia is way better since she's more vocal, and you see her and Barry bicker in an adorable way. But I love Dahlia's s3 run. Expesilly her dynamic with Iris which helped the reveal that they also had feelings for each other. The challenge being that kind of hectic race was also something I loved, the cliff key and flag final 2 might be the weak part, but It made more sense then anything else at the time. If I had more time (my fault) I woud have done it diffrently.
Now. Before we get into All-Stars. I'm gonna share the dropped plot that was gonna move into All-Stars. I teased it early in s3 with Remy bringing up betrayl and hurting someone stings more then anything. But by the end, not only A. I wasn't feeling the idea. and B. Was character assassination. I switched it up last minute.
The idea was Dahlia shoved Barry after the kiss to move on. In theory the idea was she was desprate to save her dad. And did that, which would have hurt Barry and ended their relationship shattered. But again. Her doing this made NO SENSE by the end. So it being a freak accident made it more smooth and not as depressing or baffaling with the writing. I want to point out that Dahlia and Barry was an end game. This was the drama part of their relationship, but I couldn't go all the way, since it would have ruined Dahlia, so ending it with the bittersweet note of Barry wanting to work on himself instead works since All-Stars was still in the draft phase.
Season 3 is a baby's first steps season. But one I don't regret making.
Now I can go into All-Stars. First I want to go into the scrapped drafts of the elimination orders
REMEMBER THIS FIRST ONE IS BEFORE S3 FINISHED!
Now that we got that cleared up. Here is the First draft of the elimination order when I started season 3.
Now You can see the first three eliminations were the same. HOWEVER! Hunter was gonna be like cannon All-Stars Hunter at this point (before I rewatched season 2 and pefered to write him like that season instead) Sophia replaced Blake at this point (before I wanted her to go farther in the season. And Iris was't as big of a character at this point, she was still 21-23ish and because of that Connor, Tom and Dahlia got a little father, as did Yul. Before she was aged down, an I loved writing for her.
Again, this was made early in season 3.
With Riya going out in the return challenge (that was gonna have a vote at the time) You can see the season was gonna be shorter since I didn't plan every challenge at the time too.
Reach For The Stars
Gong Buck Wild
H2OH-NO
Sandbag Sabotage
The Turbulent Triathalon
Strike A Chord
Octogon-Parodox
Ball Busters
Give Me Some Space
Slip And Sly
Alls Fair in Love And Paintball
Cook Your Heart Out
Jurrasic Camp
Last Second Change
Hungry Like The Wolf
Eat, Eat, Revelution
Dis-vengers
Tiktok On The Clock
Weight Off Your Shoulders
Gone Downhill
Like A Dark Horse
All The Mables
State Of Shock
Non-Vacency
What's Mine Is Mine
Put To The Sword
There was gonna be a cooking challenge and eating challenge. I also wanted season 3 to not take up to much space by the end, but I undersold both s2 and 3 here a little. Like I said, the new challenges weren't fully done. You can see the 6th and 7th challenges were switched, The dinosuar challenge was still there, and the final 5 one was still the s3 callback. With how Barry/Fiore went, not sure how her leaving then was gonna go.
Glad I scrapped the two food challenges in the end, since it fits better with having diffrent challenges.
Again, I want to prefrece this, before S3 ended, this was baby's first steps. I wanted a s1/s2/s3 finale but things did change too. Your notice a pattern in the next two before the final one, and i'll explain it more.
But the biggest changes was related to two people. Barry and Dahlia.
Barry was gonna be more of a villain. You can see this in him hiding the idol, the snipe votes, and hiding the villains alliance. Him and Dahlie were also gonna be on very short terms, Barry not trusting her after the eye thing. With the two making up when she went out. But in the end Barry was gonna be the end antagonist. Magenta was gonna be way more toxic, with Hunter being cannon All-Stars instead of his s2 self, and the whole "Trusting Fiore" stroy wasn't as growning. In fact in this draft the idea wasn't for Jake or Ashley to forgive FIore, which goes back to this original draft being way more cynical.
But with Dahlia not intentonally causing the eye thing, Things had to be rewritten. Barry was toned down to be more calculating then aggressive (we'll get into what was left of that) and the story with Magenta changed completly, and it worked better in the end. But in losing the main antagonist. That's when I lost my mind.
Here's the second draft I made right after s3 finished and right before I started All-Stars.
And here is the challenge list by then.
Reach For The Stars
Gong Buck Wild
H2OH-NO
Sandbag Sabotage
The Turbulent Triathalon
Octogon-Parodox
Strike A Chord
Ball Busters
Give Me Some Space
Slip And Sly
Alls Fair in Love And Paintball
Disventure Sus
Jurrasic Camp
Last Second Change
Hungry Like The Wolf
Say Uncle
Dis-vengers
Tiktok On The Clock
Weight Off Your Shoulders
Gone Downhill
Like A Dark Horse
All The Mables
State Of Shock
Non-Vacency
What's Mine Is Mine
Put To The Sword
Now besides season 2 getting a shorter stick! (fuck me on that) You can see Yul takes Ally's place. After villian Barry was thrown away, Yul would have been the final villain. Also Iris got top 5 then because by then, I saw people loved her, but I was sticking to Barry as the winner, just not a villain. And you can see I still had the elimination at the comback challenge. Hunter also got more chapters when I decided to go with s2 him over All-Stars him.
By then I got the Amoung Us challenge done, leaving two other's left at the time. I went with a say uncle style idea before that got changed too to another challenge. But we'llget into the chapters and challenges/characters in a moment where I share my thoughts on each on.
Intrestingly, was considering having Tess go to the end (for a Cyan/Mageta/Yellow) Finale
Now, if I had everything figured out. I would have had Barry get 4th here, and have it be an all Girls Finale to get the one from each team and season finale (but didn't plan that far ahead.)
Also Got the Iris on yellow team idea at this point, and wanted to go with it. Knowing people would think she would be an early boot! But as I wrote the first few chapters. I got new ideas. New thoughts. Then I had another minor change towards the end. But also wanted to give another villain a chance to shine, giving us this!
This was made around the point I started the Grett/Iris dynamic.
Here is the challenge list by then.
Reach For The Stars
Gong Buck Wild
H2OH-NO
Sandbag Sabotage
The Turbulent Triathalon
Octogon-Parodox
Strike A Chord
Ball Busters
Give Me Some Space
Slip And Sly
Alls Fair in Love And Paintball
Disventure Sus
Jurrasic Camp
Last Second Change
Hungry Like The Wolf
Dis-vengers
Tiktok On The Clock
Enemy's Heart In Your Hand
Say Uncle
Disventurerdy
Weight Off Your Shoulders
Gone Downhill
Like A Dark Horse
All The Mables
State Of Shock
Non-Vacency
What's Mine Is Mine
Put To The Sword
Iris now got top 3! I wanted to have her and Barry in the finals fighitng each other (this was before I went 100% in on the poly relationship) Sophia also got a longer run (her dynamic with Aiden was one I loved) and wanted her around longer and it grew from there. And to be fair. I feel this order was almost the perfect one, Yul gets out in Dis-Vengers still. Everything feels perfect.
You can see Disventurerdy came into play that, and the original title idea for Respect To The Wicked. The say uncle challenge was also there at the time. As I got to the merge, I ended up not liking the idea as much,and went with the animal selfie challenge instead, which was so proud of.
Then I gave Sophia the totem. Didn't want her going with it, and swtiched things around, and that messed up the s2 cast more then it already was. But the biggest change, came at the final 6-5 and it was from YOU guys. I saw the comments every chapter. You wanted to see Fiore reach the end. (And Win) and I didn't want to be bias in my writing (huge Fiore fan) but seeing how you people wanted that, I originally had Ally go..... but wanted s2 in the final 4 (I cucked them enough!) So in the end, With Sophia's idol, switching things up, and changing the final 3 from Iris/Brry/Grett to Fiore/Barry/Iris and changing the winner to Fiore and in the end, it gave us this. The official elimination order!
As you can see, Tipiskaw Gone WIld got moved two episodes lower with Weight On Your Shoulders, but was happy with the challenges by then.
Knowing Fiore was gonna win by that point, I couldn't have her alone in the gladiator battle, since she wouldn't win. So the final 3 all went to the end. (we'll get into that)
But yeah, you can see how the first 4 boots stayed the same, and for the whole time, Barry, Grett and Fiore got top 5 in all version. Ally got mid boot in the second before she was moved back to final 5, and Iris got top 5 after the first.
Again, if I had thought this through perfectly, Tess, Fiore and Iris for the finals. Ally would have gone when Tess did instea, and Barry would have gotton 4th. But him and Fiore being the sole non motel visitors during the season too perfect!
Now we can go over the thoughts with each episode first before we finish with characters.
Episode 1: Reach For The Stars 10,130 words, 36 minutes and 50 seconds to read.
Episode 1 being the only chapter under 40 minutes ironiclly. (Not counting this one) My one regret was the flow. I love the interactions and build up to tease season stories. Being an introduction/catch up, it was fun to have the 3 casts meet up as a calm before the storm, knowing how crazy things were going to get. I will say this, I didn't think of the poly relationship with the Crimson trio till after this chapter, and I will get into that. But still proud of the jokes here, and the interviews we got. It being the shortest chapter of this rewrite is even better since it was an introduction so it didn't have to be as wordy (The next one is gonna be longer. lol)
Episode 2: Gone Buck Wild 13,819 words 50 minutes and 15 seconds to read.
Gone Buck Wild was fun to make the start of dynamics. The tease of the Crimson trio being a relationship started right away, and while I am not a Ashley fan, knowing how her story ends, her landing on Fiore was perfect for the arc that came later here (and the regret) I kept the conversations the same before Sophia meets Gabby and Ellie. I didn't get the full courage to go too far off at first. which changes fast. Cyan started off with fighitng but quickly toned down for now, since I had to let it shimmer. Barry and Hunter biting back agiesnt Ashley was needed, since they weren't wrong (and both doing it for diffrent reasons) makes it not one sided. Iris slwoly getting more nervous of her team is still a peaked joke. While also teasing the tension always their from Riya and Yul.
Magenta got a focus here early on to sell their drama was the most instant. While also teasing the fact that Ashley said it might be a bad idea to cut FIore out of an alliane (and that's what ends up happening. bad choice) And the start of teh season long arc of Barry and Fiore bonding. Right away, their dynamic was always ment to be sibling energy. Barry being double her age makes him the perfect age for that dynamic, and their similar situations with parents being shit made their relationship adorably funny to write.
In hindsight, Barry saying Alec knows about making someone feel worthles because he was married might have been a little to far. But it makes the ending more funny. I went back and added the Magenta camp at night soley for pajama details because it bugged me. The challenge was made to be more close (expesilly with 6 extra people) but I needed to have an Iris face plant, it's her character now to suddenly have that happen. lol The vote being James was simple. The first 3 eliminations were soley to kill time for the plots. Magenta losing first worked the best.
Episode 3: H2OH-NO 13,142 words 47 minutes and 47 seconds to read
Ah! Episode 3. Starting off with Tom and Aiden accidentaly pissing off a lot of the team by calling Magenta dumb if they kept Fiore (it helped with the story of All-Stars. not every hero is good, and not every villian is bad.) Riya and Connor's relationship cracked more, while Alec starts bonding with Iris. Alec might be a villain, but he was playing smarter here, Iris was a vote at this point, and she at least made things positive. Also Iris being scared of Grett at this point, perfect forshadowing. Fiore wanting Barry's care towards her to be because he cares about her and not her vote, but thinking it's just the vote is heartbreaking, but shows the growth she'll get about letting people in.
Barry promising to vote with Hunter and Ally next time their team loses is a smart game plan, with Fiore and Dahlia on his side, that's more then enough, it shows the game plan he had was still there. Magenta still having the most drama with no one noticing Barry didn't know how to use a scuba suit, and Ashley and Jake's lack of care for Fiore. Having them be in the wrong BUT setting up them both improving! Since Fiore was slwoly growing empathy from Barry and Dahlia, so she was changing. But that one will be brought up more.
Barry starting the Aiden/Jake drama, Miriam helped with the "not every hero is good" story I wanted, and Riya breaking up with Connor wanting to protect him, but hurting him in the end helped her story grow. I kepted Cyan losing, becuase it helped start the villains alliance with Sophia lighting the gas, and it worked perfectly since she didn't lie too! Sometimes a villian being honest is the best way to write a good one.
Episode 4: Sandbag Sabotage 15,278 Words 55 minutes and 34 seconds to read.
Starting off with Cyan's fallout was perfect. I was able to have Sophia and Blake drop any drama they had if there was any. While Tom and Gabby talk too, setting up a big early moment later. Hunter and Ally being a healthy couple and showing care for FIore to show she wasn't unwanted by most a good small detail early, while tying up the huge drama with Magenta with barry's anger, which was meant to be longer, then I realized it was too much so I gave him the pills early. Barry and Dahlia also being the playful fighting couple is still a fun little thing to do.
The villains alliance being formed was a must. Also knowing the villains who were leaving early by now, but still loved the small details of Sophia and Grett wanting to be open to the other teams. Barry not knowing of it, but helping Fiore to farther their sibling dynamic, and Alec warming up to Fiore again set the tone for this chapter, Miriam and him. But having the sandbag challenge was a bit hard. I had to play waround with the extra cast. Luckily I made a perfect way for Fiore to win her round which came out next chapter, and the reveal Barry was half blind (which was planned for the reveal since the start)
Showing Yellow's issues while also explainiend how the elimination goes down still was a smooth idea. Yul wanted Connor, but Alec wanted Miriam. Riya didn't want Connor to go. Iris and William were going with the flow. It all was a smooth tranistion. Then I messed up by not showing the letters, which was the first early fuck up I did, but hey, no one's perfect, I'm allowed to fix mistakes, and hey, I did it well in the end and solved that issue, Miraim going home here was the right choice, and I don't regret that choice period.
Episode 5: The Turbulent Triathlon 13,682 Words 49 minutes and 45 seconds to read
Opening up to the Cyan team having some silly fun is still perfect. I'd rather have some fun at times then just have constant fighting, it get's less funn the more it happens. Magenta working around which duo get get Fiore on their side (a battle already over sadly lol) But you also see Barry and Dahlia continue their somewhat romance before the twist of Iris comes in! But still fun to write! We have more Yellow drama with the letters going out, but yes, Barry hiding them was planned early, sadly WIlliam and Iris never told Connor about Barry usally being awake! Iris and Grett start bonding! Gabby is told about the alliance, her and Ellie being a great couple! Jake and Ally's fued starts, and Barry and FIore's bond grows even more! Always fun to see!
The Triathlon was one that was a fun idea in my head. Having the teams we had, with some additions. Expesilly how it ended. Barry sabbotaging Riya out of left field while staging an accident will always be the shocking play of the season. Her getting pissy too was great, and a fun little hint that Barry wasn't being fully honest with his gamplay, but a tease you can still miss, and I don't regret how it went down, or the set up. Knowing how the eliminations went mostly now, was easy to write the challenges while having fun.
Iris being a vote to get payback on Barry was a good idea from a villain, but WIlliam, who confessed to not wanting to be a villain anymore, managed to convince Alec to do a shocking vote off him himself to save Iris. I needed a villain out, and wanting Sophia to go farther then William, it made getting our runner up of season 3 out here. But he left proud of his exit, knowing he was going out for a good reason, and showing his daughter how to be a great person even in defeat, while pushing Riya closer to the edge. Perfect.
Episode 6: The Octpuzzle Paradox 18,269 words 1 hour and 7 minutes to read
First hour chapter! Having the Magenta boys legit bond was always an adorable and funny idea, while the girls got to bond and have Dahlia and Fiore bond! Also this is when Ashley finally cools the tude with Fiore, character progress! Again, having time to breath helps! Sophia and Blake get some bonding time before e get a forshadow of Aiden and Sophia's dynamic coming out of the well suddenly, which is fun to see, and yet again, Gabby and Ellie being the coupld that's awesome together! And the biggest story going out was the breaking point in Connor and Riya's relationship (for now) While Connor even goes to Alec for advice on Riya and his feelings.
The handcuff challenge was an idea I thought was funny, it was, and it let banter and conversation come into play. Teased Aiden and Sophia more, showed Fiore's softer side with her fear of jumping off the cliff. I love to go with a wacky idea, and the original challenges in this season was legit that from me. The upside down puzzle and Fiore helping Alec was glorious and of course the cadapult being used on the campers was also a gem of an idea to use! And yes, most pairs were obvious, but sometimes that isn't a bad choice.
A two team elimination also made this more shocking and fun, since it can have anyone from Cyan going out. While Tom and Ellie were close, having Ellie and Gabby join FIore, Barry and Dahlia to snipe Blake for being a pysical threat (and to help Ellie stay in) was worth the shock from it, since it showed Fiore was trying to help Ellie, like the alliance agreed to do (Unlike Riya lol) Blake going was also to help Sophia be like Aiden, their partner and closest friend got voted out back to back, so that set up worked perfectly!
Episode 7: Strike A Cord 15,299 words 55 minutes and 38 seconds to read
Ah yes! The big one! My personal favorite early chapter. Not only do we have the touching scene of Jake/Barry/Fiore on the boat, we have the calm before the storm for Cyan, RIya's scheme with Alec about Iris kicking off even more, Iris and Grett bonding before Yul ruins it with Emile trying to help his sorry ass. It also was fun to show the girls bonding a little (Without Fiore, but her and Barry with Jake make up for it) and let's not forget Barry, Dahlia and Fiore having the moment in the rain. You want them to have enough moments to show why the three are close.
Making the songs were fun. Cyan working through any issues and then Sophia fucks it up with the kiss accidentally is way better then it being intentonal. And yes, this song was a parody/take on Team Rose's theme from Sonic about finding true love for Cyan. Magenta being more chaotic was more fun (Barry being giddy about making lyics out of left field) and Dahlia and Fiore trying to get an instruament for Fiore, before Alec helping Fiore, 100% The high point of the chapter. Their song is a parody of Team Chaotix theme, and it's a great parody. Riya trying to sabbotage the team, and it works! But Yellow Team is a song about beleving in yourself and sadly Iris never got to share the last third of the song (your see it somewhere!)
Riya using Grett to get Iris out was a cold idea, but Grett refusing to lose or hurt a friend now, convinces Alec to vote out Connor, putting trust into Alec. Who wants her trust back, and seeing Connor get hurt by Riya again and again, made the bullet, using Yul to get the three votes needed to get Connor out and his line to Riya being a parasite is cold, but it helps Riya's future growth out of her evil said, and I don't regret the idea. A ribbon to this perfect season, and this challlenge is 100% coming back in the future (it already did in Carnival!)
Episode 8: Ball Busters 13,378 words 48 minutes and 39 seconds to read.
Yes, my least favrotie episode of Early All-Stars (Sue me. Lol) Starts off with Connor's elimination. Riya pissed, and showing regret with how Connor left because she didn't want him out! While the Iris, Yul and Grett plot moved even farther ahead (Had to give it time to shimmer!) We see Barry wingmaning Jake, before finidng the Magenta Idol! And giving Dahlia a heart attack! We see Sophia's regret about the kiss, showing she's not a full villain like some may thing, poor girl has it rought with others relationships! Tom admitting he wasn't sure what he wanted as a lie wasn't meant to make Tom the bad guy, he's nervous and scared too, showing him and Jake have fears and want to improve it. Before Sophia found her idol, showed two idols at once (both used at the same time too ironcilly!)
We then have the challenge, which focused more on comedy then pain (looking at Fiore getting crush!) While adding little specks of drama and build up, which helped with the challenge! Not much you can do with the ball rolling challenge, but Magenta having numbers meant Fiore didn't have to risk getting hurt! (monsters who boo this are monsters!) Yul getting hurt is more funny, since he's 100% asking for it and having Riya sabbotage Ellie and Fiore's games and working was a great way to sell her slowly losing it while also giving her a win (she needed a win to be fair guys) lol. But not knowing how Fiore was on her team was a good bit of kharma too.
The vote was prett clear. 2-2-3 and Ironicly the longest streak was Magenta, while in cannon they struggled a lot. (Darn you writers for ruinng a fun team idea!) Having Fiore vote off Ashley because she was aproached by Barry and Dahlia first showed that Fiore was telling the truth of helping Ashley and Jake if they stuck by her, setting up the point where they messed up! While Ally and Jake's fighting made the two sides voting together impossible, it made sense why the vote went that way, and hey Ashley coming back was planned!
Episode 9: Give Me Some Space 15,540 words 56 minutes and 31 seconds to read.
The intro to this one is a personal fav of my. Barry talking to Jake, not yelling or insulting, just there to help the poor boy work though his feelings, an huge contrast to chapter 1-3 which is the point I wanted to show how the depression kicked Barry hard! While him and Fiore are legit working behind the scenes in an alliance (sibling energy!) Sophia seeing Ellie get more and more nervous and not wanting to add more stress with the idol shows Sophia is trying to be a friend and play the game, which is hard to do. Again, having the season 1/2 cast mix with s3 was fun to write, since there was a season about the s3 cast to fill organic! While Riya and Alec's dyanmic keeps going, we see Iris struggle with being a good friend without hurting Grett!
The space challenge was fun for the sole reason I got to have Barry name drop sci-fi horror movies which was worth the joke 100%. The ideas for the space challenge was expanded to make it more fun. The small puzzle room for Magenta to get more drama with Jake and Ally before having a zero gravity room puzzle is a a fun sci-fi puzzle to include in a space challenge! Yellow being first the ticket blower like in cannon for Yul worked to show Yul is hated by his team completly, before getting th the vomit commet, and Iris taking the bullet to make Grett happy shows Iris cares about her friendship. Cyan being the same as cannon and then the space puzzles worked to to set up the chaos the team get's into before the final part, the ladder puzzle with a member added each! Iris get's some comedy, Fiore and Ellie a bit more bonding before Jake screws Ellie and Aiden, setting up more tension!
The elimination worked well for the theme of the season, and hot damn Tom got cold, but with some of the cannon stuff he did. With Sohia added in, it made the vote more tricky, to get a 3-2-1 vote, Tom had to lie to get Ellie. This also helped shrink the villains alliance while also setting up next chapter's story, the Cyan team's continued fracturing from mistakes and other's faults!
Episode 10: Slip And Sly 14,755 words 53 minutes and 39 seconds to read
Starting this off with Cyan's time bomb getting closer to exploding was fun! Sophia and Gabby legit being that duo that the others aren't realizing are coming together is great. Also the beach scene, made Alec less shitty (serously, wtf was that in cannon!) Also made the Grett/Yul thing more funny, Iris trying to get Grett to be nice, only for Yul to snap back was perfect! Alec standing up for Grett too! Showing Aiden missing Sophia's energy at camp help sell the drama, and Barry and Jake's little dynamic continued! (Can't have him just be around Dahlia and Fiore!)
Slip and Slide wasn't a hard challenge to do. I mainly had comedy sprinkled in. Like Yul getting hurt twice, FIore pulling out another win from Alec helping her out. It was fun showing the story points closly. Riya annoying her team. Tom not liking the one vilain on Magenta still being in, and Barry trying to get Jake to not shoot himself in the foot. Also Sophia and Tom's issues boil over quickly here, but it works in again, the theme of the season.
Getting Tom to be honest of the betrayl fixed the issues with Sophia, but lead to Gabby not trusting most of the team, but we got the figt huge moment, Jake and Tom making up early! I was not spending 28 chapters doing that shit! The drama was perfect for the first half like this. the elimination, instead of Tess going was Tom. Gabby being burned by her bestie got him out like he got Ellie out but with Gabby and Tom making amends, and Sophia staying to her word and voted with her team, not the villains show that beneath the villain side, is the real her, someone that cares, she's not heartless at all, and this was to showcase that.
Episode 11: All's Fair In Love And Paintball 13,217 words 48 minutes and 4 seconds to read.
This one started with Yul, Iris and Grett, and Iris and Yul's bickering never got old to me. I loved the slender-man refrence, Iris just being a near with a tude is always funny. Riya loving the drama on cyan, and trying to work with Alec knowing he's the reason she still in is a fun detail here. Gabby's idol bluff works as the perfect joke soley with Sophia having the idol Gabby refered too! Jake and Ally causing Dahlia stress is still a funny joke expesilly with her blowing up randomly too, girl has fire to her! Expesilly with this being the last pre-merge challenge!
Paintball but teams! It made for a fun idea. Gabby joins the yellow team despite being on Cyan (and Cyan still wins. lol) We get the second refrence to Iris having a crush on Barry too! Barry and Fiore causing chaos, hurting Yul and scaring Alec! Iris being a legit shooter, and the best moment, Dahlia blowing up and shooting Jake and Aiden over and over again when they started bickering! So total drama, but it was a perfect joke to show she was done with the petty fighting and insults she kept seeing! While Sophia worked with her team to give them a fighting chance!
We get two yellow idols found! One being a fake, and knowing who it was, but keeping it a secret was so fun! We also get Fiore revealing to Dahlia about the villains alliance! Dahlia not being uncaring (her snapping was stress) still showed Fiore the same care from before, because that's Dahlia. a big sister that cares. Hunter leaving was a good blindside while also cutting Magenta a bit more here. It worked that despite how it hurt, Barry, Dahlia or Fiore voted with the yellow team. But Hunter here get's the game. He's not hold a grudge. But it does effect Ally, setting up drama for the merge!
Episode 12: Disventure All-Sus 21,284 words 1 hour and 17 minutes to read
This one started a fucked up way. All of Magenta having nightmares! It let them bond a little, while also showing fears, and started the knife lady joke. Which is a real person, Barry wasn't lying! Iris being honest about her feelings towards Barry to Grett, who's being a better friend! While Riya shows regret about how she screwed over Connor and hurt him, Alec willing to help, and Yul pulling the biggest dickhead move and steal Iris's pills! Sophia reveals to Aiden she had breast cancer, and Gabby and Tess talk gave each team a big moment before we get merge dynamics going!
I will admit, this was the challenge that I was the most dissapointed by. It was an Among Us Parody, but it came out more awkwardly then I thought. So I focued on the banter of the cast to help pace it better, with them also bickering. But having imposters win the last round was better, and what better then the sibling duo managing to fool everyone in the betrayl game. Lol. But the biggest moment was Dahlia and Iris realizing they had feelings for each other and for Barry! Finally was able to have the moment happen!
The fact the heroes bickered a ton, resulted in the votes being splot between Aiden, Jake and Tess. And I'll go into this later. Tess leaving was my biggest fuck up. But I still love how the vote went down. The bickering from the challenge and the heroes having all the issues before the vote did set up how messy it got and I don't hate how the vote went. But this chapter came out great still.
Episode 13: Jurrasic Camp 21,571 words 1 hour and 19 minutes to read
Starting this with the reveal that Barry doesn't get sex is a wtf moment in a funny way. lol Iris getting to bond with more people, show the girl is just an open book! Alec and Riya getting more to say, showing their masks cracking more too before Alec teaches Barry some math, showing the dynamic they have now that Barry has pills for his depression! Sophia get's to alk with Jake the teams no lng being around is great. Gabby and Aiden also have a back and forth. Iris crushing on Barry harder when he revealed he had some pills for her!
The Jurrassic Park challenge. The perfect vr challenge! I don't regret anything, and no, no one dying was worth it soley because the super-hero challenge had the crazy death! But I used the most popular dinos from the movies, Raptors, Rexy, Campys, the clawed one, even the acid spiters! Also pointing out how the movies changed up stuff that wasn't real was also worth the jokes I made for it! And the ending with all the Michael Bay explosions is still something that was perfect!
The vote to get Dahlia out was the most complex. Since not every villain would vote for her. But I had to make a way that made sence, so we got like 2 votes for multible people since at this point the villains alliance was hidden still. But she had to leave here, of former winners, her leaving at the halfway point and being the last winner freed up the chance for a original winner, while also breaking up the big power team of the Crimson trio before it got to close to the end! Plus this helped Barry's arc with depression!
Episode 14: Last Second Chance 13,173 words 47 minutes and 54 seconds to read.
Starting this with a deep Barry, Fiore talk, showing Barry at a low moment for the first time is important to show he's still only 16! Also finally showing Riya does have a heart unlike Yul! While also showing the now power trio of Sophia, Gabby and Grett! Showing how Grett is trying to work hard to get forgiveness for her past actions in season 1, like FIore and Alec! While we get Jake and Alec talking and Iris and Aiden bonding. The merge being the point all these contestants can finally just talk openly!
The challenge was a fun one. I had to get the easy pairngs. Riya/Connor, Tess/Ally, Jake/Tom, Gabby/Ellie, Barry/Dahlia, Alec/William and Lake/Aiden. James/Yul was to good for comedy. Sophia/Blake fit right here, Iris/Mriam and Hunter/Grett were my last characters left, since FIore/Ashely was the odd couple I wanted. Knowing who was gonna return, I worked around a few teams I wanted a small beleivable chance to come back (Miriam, Tom, Blake, William, James, Connor or Ashley) And went from there.
The small arc here to kick start the second half of Ashley and Fiore's arc was important. Fiore didn't trust Ashley because of how Ashley treated her, the 2 years between seasons, Fiore changed, but Ashley held that anger and possible hated for the child, and at the end, Fiore let loose how that made her not trust her safty, but Ashley begged her to trust her after apolagizing, and Fiore, getting forgivness from Dahlia, trusts Ashley in that moment, and it progress their arc for the second half. Also it starts Evil Gabby and shows more sighs of Barry having depression by punching a tree! A perfect way to end the first half of the season!
Episode 15: Hungry Like the Wolf 12,414 words 45 minutes and 8 seconds to read.
Opening with Sophia and Aiden was important, their dynamic was one of the biggest on the Cyan tem, and the villains alliance being fully out there now, you had to get the answers for that, and seeing Sophia at least be open shows the honesty behind it. Grett, Iris and Gabby, the adorable trio that was set up in the first half of the season was a perfect time to show it off even more here now that it was an all out road from here! Setting up the heroes arc, and teasing more of Barry and Iris was fun and adorable, and him being oblivious to stuff is always funny! Alec and Riya's bond from enemies working together to being friends is another thing I loved showing off, along with the Magenta players trying to work together.
The flag challenge was a simple idea, but a fun one to do. Having it be chaotic with stealing, playing dirty, and hey, started Ashley and Alec's merge dynamic a little during said challenge. We also got Iris almost confesisng her feelings, and the scene of Aiden and Jake in the tree. But here, you get Jake being more honest with how he feels like a fuck up, and Aiden, seeing it, boost his moral, and it helps the two start to get along (wasn't dragging that drama out anymore then I needed too!) Ally having an angel and devil with Sophia and Riya was a funny little stchik I wanted too! With Riya telling Barry of Yul stealing Iris's pills, setting up next chapter.
Now, the sole reason this was a non-elmination chapter was I fucked up. Didn't want to cut this challenge because of the reward, but wanted Yul to stay in. But Jake wasn't leaving yet. Having the heroes barley work together, and get a tie was still funny, and the tie breaker ending up not mattering since knowing it didn't matter meant Jake and Yul wouldn't try hard! But it was worth it because Yul's downfall being the next chapter was always way better then it happening right here suddenly and no one could stand him by now.
Episode 16: Dis-Vengers 18,796 Words 1 hour and 8 minutes to read.
Opening up with the moment that took 16 CHAPTERS! Fiore and Alec finally talk! Having FIore having a meltdown over the thought that she was indeed was the cause of Alec's issues help show the growing empathy she got. But Alec's growth is shown too, both did the other wrong in a way, and they both regretted it, not one sided, but it was a moment long time coming, and it forshadows the big moment towards the end of the season which we will get to. It also was good to set up the focus left, Yul's downfall. Iris got her pills back, and Grett/Yul's relationship finishing up.
The superhero challenge was one I was excited for, spider-girl powers, super scream, Fiore's teliportation, and of cours the symbiote idea. I had the symbiote idea since the start, and just having Barry go fucking insane like a mix of Venom and Carange was great. Everyone else worked perfectly as well, and ALec's shocking death messing with Fiore a little was fucked, but great dark humor! The ending was changed after because I wasn't a fan of the bleak ending, it was better the second time around. Also Grett finallt breaks up with Yul
This felt right to have it happen right here, and even better, Riya and Alec vote to get Yul out, since siding with him is stupid, they have numbers still, and Grett is better to have then Yul (what was that cannon idea there guys!) Yul dropping the C-word felt right, since he would use that word, to a 16 year old, and Iris outright not caring because he's now out was a good closure on their dynamic till the finale, and Grett giving one last fuck you to Yul in getting top 5! Which was also like cannon ironicly. Lol
Episode 17: TikTok On The Clock 17,604 words 1 hour and 4 minutes to read.
Jake and Ashley giving daiting Advice to Iris is still funny to me, shows the chilling mood at camp without Yul there. lol But we see the villains try and work with the issue of Yul being gone, before we get Riya and Sophia being a devil and angel for Ally again! Having the 3 Purple Players talk on the dock was something I just loved, since it was a great moment! Barry and Grett having a moment, wanted to try and show each contestant with someone new as we got deeper into the merge. Made dynamics more open.
The TikTok challenge was one I had to be careful with. While most seemed good, having Iris, Barry and espesilly Fiore do the WAP seemed wrong. So I didn't have that, but used it for a joke. I loved the banter the contestants got in this challenge. Barry being silly with a phone, Iris loving most of it, Gabby's meltdown, Riya finally apolagizing to Aiden, Alec and Ashley's dynamic grew more and the highlight was Jake and Ally. They may not be close friends, but both admitting to not wanting to fight anymore shows they want to be better, and it forshadows the elimination.
Being a purge, I thought of Jake leaving, it was going perfect. But then I thought Ally and Jake would be at the end to fast to do it. But I had enough at the end! It worked better to have a hero be purged then a villain. It's more tragic, and it's ironic to have Jake be the reason he got out, waking the bear before doing his TikTok and forgetting about it in the panic at least comes off more smoth then how Gabby freaking got out in the actural episode! So I have no regrets with this elimination, exactly what I wanted. And ending it with a new take on the dock talk actully sets up a moment in the finale here. Cry becuase you were strong long enough.
Episode 18: Respect To The Wicked 17,131 words 1 hour and 2 minutes to read.
Barry being a big brother to Fiore is something I'll never aplagize for. It's always adorable and funny. Gabby and Sophia once again making a fun cyan duo! Alec still having his growth from villain to trying to be a better dad was an important detail. Villains are fun when you can see the human side of them. You can see starting at this point was the change from Heroes vs Villains to the final 3 of the season where it's more of a strategy game. This was an important detail with the idea that no one was fully good or evil.
This challenge was based off a BFDIA challenge (same for the episode title it was perfect for it being a thing with Riya) Barry goes with the gift Dahlia gave him. Fiore a plushie. Iris something that fits her. Sophia, Gabby, Ashley and Riya picked stuff their partners had. Aiden was a gift from James, Alec his wedding ring, I wanted it to fit each character, and the chaos from the hunt was another part, and Fiore taping her's to Barry was imo a fun little twist but one that works smoovly! Also the reveal is perfect!
The elimination was the momet the fake idol was finally revealed. This was something I had saved since the original reveal, knowing it was gonna be a villain (it had to be, it was fitting) and it got you on the edge of your seat with Aiden and Riya being up on the chopping block, and it had to work this way to give Aiden a win (which I regret the next elimination for that reason) But I love this one, since it closes Riya's story this season. She'd rather go out like this then being the villain, showing she wasn more then that.
Episode 19: Disventurerdy 17,008 words 1 hour and 2 minutes to read.
Now this one was fun to write a lot! First showing that underneath her tough wall, Fiore is still a kid, loving kid stuff, and the influences this season making her more open to it. Alec and Grett having a friendly battle to see who lasts longer was a big detail too, since here Alec did side with Grett with the Yul issue. (Again cannon, WTF!) Ally and Sophia being like Sophia and Aiden is a funny triangle this season too! More Sophia and Gabby and Fiore learning to swim from her soon to be family, again teasing that dynamic coming into play!
The challenge was a long one to write, but I don't care. Barry's reveals of being part Italianan and his last name! Iris wanting a tattoo! Having the cast go back and forth with the answers. Barry swearing up a storm here, great. Alec loving his hair, and how Fiore reacts to everyone was also fun. This was a chill chapter with everyone getting to talk and not have a stressful time.
I regret Aiden going here. In all honesty I would of had the vote be Gabby, but the revenge tour was an idea I wanted to do to tell Gabby's story. Season 2 going down to one player here was a huge fuck up. But I went with it still, lesson learned. But Aiden leaving with the knowlage that villains can change and be better then you think is better then cannon gave him (or lack thereof)
Episode 20: Weight Off Your Shoulders 14,094 words 51 minutes and 15 seconds to read.
This one was fun. Having the tension for the challenge come out now with Barry and Ally's arguing. Sophia's admission of a drunken parent was also a big moment to have happen, since Sophia is secretive about her past. Still having the final 9 interact with others important in this moment. But the biggest part is Barry and Gabby's admission of self hatred, Barry's depression being one, and Gabby from missing Ellie, a strong moment for the two, and again, sets up the challenge here great! Lastly, Ashley and Fiore. The duo i'm proud of the arc given, FIore apolagizing for burning stuff in season 1 helps make it not bais too, stuff like that I love.
I wanted this challenge to be super heated and it worked with some of the questions, without making it too far messed up. Ally and Barry's arguing being Funny still. Fiore trying her hardest to stay in, and Gaby's betrayl of Iris's trust with that question showing she's slipping even more! Barry's Lill rant is meant to be over the top, he's not in the right for how much he let it effect him. I made the questions related to the arcs being told, which was better then being silly for no reason.
Gabby going was one I had to go with. I feel it shows off the idea that your helath, both physically and mentally is more important then winning the show. But adding the idea of Iris struggling to vote a certain way was important too, since it fits her arc of becoming her own person with how she played and voted, being cofidant in her own choices. Which was important for this end game.
Episode 21: Tipiskaw Gone WIld 13,446 48 minutes and 53 seconds to read.
Barry and Ally ending the issues they had was a good thing, so we didn't have more petty drama like Jake with Ally or Aiden again at this point. Lol This also was the end of the Fiore/Ashley arc. Ashley inviting Fiore to her farm was important to show the two of them are cool now and on good terms. Seeing Iris and Sophia and Grett and Alec be cool despite how heated the game is getting was a detail that was good as well. The letters here too were to tease what was coming up at the end of this chapter which was important.
The challenge being a total drama 2023 refrence was intended, and it was gonna be 15 animals, realized it would be too long, went with 10, and it was perfect. Having duos for this helped with other details too. Fiore and Ally after the first challenge coming full circle with a goat was important. Ashley and Alec ending with Ashley admitting that villains can change if they try which he was doing. Grett and Sopgia being the ones playing hard, and Barry and Iris being the silly duo of the 4. And having it be as close as it was made it fun. Birds loving Fiore, a joke I loved to keep doing.
The elimination was tricky because of the three idols. I fucked up holding onto all 3 for too long. But in the end, I figured out the perfect way for that fake out plan, Sophia using her idol to be safe for sure, and in a moment of desperation, FIore plays the idol her and Barry had to save Barry and indirectly sends Ashley out a amazing moment since it was a double idol play. It helped Sophia go out with a bang after that, but this one was hard to figure out before I got it to work. And it was a moment I was proud of.
Episode 22: Gone Downhill 13,682 words 49 minutes and 45 seconds.
Fiore getting adopted by Alec, something everyone wanted, and this was the end of their arc! 22 chapters and no drawn out bullshit, he agrees to do it. While also getting a Grett and Fiore itneraction, one the season dind't get enough of if you ask me! (My mistake!) Iris holding the only idol left and it getting to her is a fun idea too, poor girl can't handle the stress that builds up! Barry and Sophia also get a talk. Worth it 100% but again, this chapter was about Iris's idol and Alec and Fiore. So you know they're ending is a sweet one.
The challenge is a classic Survivor challenge. But it also didn't leave a lot to work around, and the cannon episode made a stupid puzzle (that puzzle was tiny!) But I made it work with the campers racing and going for a phrase puzzle over the idea of it being a symbol. And we've seen Fiore figure out puzzles faster then others. Her winning at least made sense compared to others and I loved how it went down in the end. Since again, this challenge was hard in thoery to add some fun to, but having the dynamics there worked.
Sophia had to leave here, she was meant to leave earlier, but leaving at this point was a good point for her (got 7th twice poor girl) But her idol being gone left her open, and she accepted it being her time, proud of the friends she made, how she played, going out fighting and knowing that she could do stuff lke this on her own. Compared to the start of s3 to now. Sophia was the one I wanted to get more detail and story, Iris being the other. Ironiclly by the end, those two were the ones I loved writing for the most.
Episode 23: Like A Dark Horse 14,252 words 51 minutes and 50 seconds to read.
One last time. Barry and Fiore, the dynamic that i'm glad came off as I wanted it too. Was always worried it came off wrong. Ally and Grett having a 3-2-1 disadvantage worked even better with them trying to convince Iris to help or give them her idol. It was thel little story going on here with the details. Iris being a mess mentally with feelings towards Barry, the idol, and how to play, it helped root for her! All in all, the final 6 being a game of chess over drama is a better choice for me this time around instead of drama.
The horse challenge. The horses make the most sense with all, Fiore getting the Foal was a fun idea PsychoSpike gave me, and I wouldn't go back on anything I did. Iris and Barry getting hurt because Iris didn't want him getting hurt but made him realize he does have romantic feelings a great moment. The others just gelling with their horses will alwas be adorable and fun, and I swear, multible times I thought a challenge would be short, but with this, it was the perfect length still! A chapter above 40 minutes is the best.
Alec had to go. Barry, Fiore and ALec getting final 5 would be to strong, and compared to the others, his time to go was a good one, expesilly with Grett using an idol. But not only does he respect Grett's way of getting the idol, but Fiore calling him dad as a bow to his story, because again, WTF Odd Nations! Alec got fucked over in cannon All-Stars! He left a better man, clearer mind, ready for new challenges in his life but good ones. I'm proud of it.
Episode 24: For All The Marbles 16,755 words 1 hour and 1 minute to read.
The pre challenge part was all about Iris. Barry and Fiore wanting her. Grett and Ally wanting her. It made sense at the final 5. You need a swing vote to make it work. But you see how everyon cares for Iris, and doesn't want to use her and treis to reason with her vote. She's close to Grett and Barry so it is a battle and I love how that was the focus of this one since it was the last of two challenge before we got to the finale, needed drama somewhere!
S3 finally got it's callback challenge, this time a repeat of every challenge! I kid you not this challenge legit become longer then I thought it was. But I had fun doing it, making a course for everyone to get through it, while some comedy. Iris face planting, FIore and the birds again. Needed some comedy mixed in while the challege went on, and being the last original idea, i'm proud of it the most out of all of them but I love all of them!
The vote..... changed 3 times. Fiore was gonna go here. You know that now. But everyone wanted her to get to the end. And knowing I could do that without it being an issue (Gigantic FIore fan!) I switched it to Ally. But knowing that was a terrible idea, went with Grett who got 5th both times ironiclly. But I used this to show Iris was ready to play hard ball with the game. Grett leaves proud of what she did, and meeting Iris and making things up to Gabby. I wouldn't change the final 4 besides switching Ally out for Tess. But In the end, I can say how this elimination went down, I was happy. and it gave me my smooth sailing path for the last four chapters, not coutning the issue of Ally going next. Lol
Episode 25: State Of Shock 18,516 words 1 hour and 7 minutes to read.
This was the pay off to a whole season of reveals! Despite how hated this episode is in cannon, I loved this one! Ally finished her game, everyone getting to play it, Barry finally understands he has depression (answering a ton of questions this season!) And him and Iris finally admit their feelings for each other. Something that was here for over half the season! And the payoff was worth it for me, since this was the point where waiting would drag it out anymore, so it happening here after everything was exactly what I wanted!
The challenge being more so the final 4 tryingto figure out how to win. Ally getting an early lead, but Iris playing hard ball right beside her is adding the chaos while Fiore and Barry fight to stay in it. Barry has speed, Fiore is the brains again. And when she had an idea to win, Barry took the bullet for her, knowing between the two of them, she would be more of a danger to leave then he would have, that ending was the best part. Plus the shocks all felt accidental, and that's what makes them better, it's not fucked up!
The elimination was the one that was the one I knew might cause the most discussion and not in a positive way. Having the idea for this final 3, and that's probably the one thing I kinda regret, but also don't because the finale was legit fun! But also having Iris finally have the will to vote Barry was a good moment that was built up to, and comapred to the actural episode, I love this a lot more!
Episode 26: Non Vacancy 22,082 words 1 hour and 20 minutes to read
The second longest episode. A lot of that has to do with the questions, which I loved, and being able to wrap up loose ends and have silly fun. The double idol surprise was an idea I wanted to have happen, and it worked perfectly, and besides James (his reaction alone is why he got one) The finalists helpers made sense for each one. I'd rather go out of this knowing it was chaotic fun and I wouldn't change a thing about this chapter. Also seeing the s3 cast for the first time! WOO! A surprise I wanted to have and it worked!
Episode 27: What's Mine Is Mine 15,157 words 55 minutes and 7 seconds to read
Having the finalists interact with each other before the finale started was still perfect. Set up the last little stuff that needed to be filled, while having fun. Then the interactions of the three seasons worth of characters to add some time but give everyone something to say (plus the fuck you joke with Yul) lol But it was the start to the finale, so I wanted to have some fun with the whole idea.
The mine challenge went like how I wanted it to go. SIlly at some parts. Dangerous at others. Wouldn't change a thing. the pacing was perfect as well. The giant scorpions being an accident is something I won't say sorry for, i'd rather not have villian Emily since it was left field. I was happy with how everything went down in this challenge again, no regrets, including the ending to the challenge.
Some may not agree with the twist, but it worked it giving Fiore a chance, and let there be more chaos then anything else. If had to have a final 2, it would have been Iris and Fiore. But Iris would have won the finale right away, I wanted to have some fun and make the tension super high, and it worked for me here with having a tie and Kristal making it a 3-way finale, and hey, it worked out in the end!
Episode 28: Put To The Sword 23,218 words 1 hour and 25 minutes to read
And here we have the finale. It was a long time coming, and amazingly was the longest chapter by 5 minutes! I wanted time to breath between this and the last challenge. Barry talking to Alec, Dahlia and Tom were perfect in ending his story. I wanted a postivie ending for pretty much everyone, and him getting a family (Not counting Iris and Dahlia being his girlfriends) a perfect ending, expesilly with how it's built up with Alec and Fiore.
Fiore getting to fully let out the rest of her feelings that's been bottled up was a good moment with the reveal she had scars. It shows to everyone in her season that despite being super smart, she's still a kid, and that crash in s1 fucked her up. I loved how it came out, and her and Dahlia getting to talk one last time before the last challenge begins was someting I wanted with how their dynamic went.
Iris had her big moment of the s2/3 cast and got to show off her growth. Instead of the shy, nervous nerdy girl in s3, you see her cofidance is now on show for everyone. She's fighting hard, more assertive, and bites back more. It's a type of arc I loved to give her this story, showing that she's more then just the nerdy girl, and I was proud with how it came out in the end with her fighting hard to win.
The 12 players being involved added more chaos and gave more chances for fun pairns and s2 to come out. It worked better to have 3 helpers each. It also let Fiore having a chance work better with her getting the full upgrade. The final 3 having the last battle and Barry/Iris focus on each other so Fiore winning was way more smooth, and I don't regret how it ended, it worked perfectly in making it exciting for the reveal for who wins.
Lastly we have the set up for Carnival, wanting to show that it still happens the same. Before giving each All-Star an instigram slide. Showing all the characters having a good ending for closure for now at least (Stay tuned!) I didn't want to have a downer ending, and I'm proud of how everyone ended up. Greetings can still happen, so we'll see them again. But knowing how everyone ended up is a nice little bow on the story.
Finishing up the episodes. I want to go over each character of the season real quick to end things.
James was always first boot like cannon. Getting a winner out first works better, while setting up the Aiden and Jake story/fued they have. Anytime I had to write James for greetings or at the end was always fun to do. But would keep him first boot. He was perfectly fine as a first boot. I don't have much else, besides the botch of saying last season winner with him first time, still trying to get the hang of s3 being included. lol
Lake was another good early boot here to help the villains plot start off early. I love Lake, and if she comes back later, won't be an early boot again. But having Sophia be open about the girls alliance to get Lake out was a good play in my opinion. Lake's after game apperances were great too. Her greetings were fun, and including her in the finale to give her some more time to shine was something I wanted too.
Miriam..... oh boy. Her being a third boot was never changing. It helped with the villains alliance, and compared to Iris and Connor, we needed a season 1 cast member out here, and Alec and Grett had more story to tell. But the way she went is still one that made me happy in the end. And her post elimination apperances also were ones I loved to write. Her just being a mom to everyone, perfect.
William's story was told in s3. I needed an early villain boot since 8 villains being in was way to much. Him going here was perfect. Going out with a sacrafice to Iris as a sorry for s3. It also highlights to Riya how William and her were diffrent. He shows the real him is caring, and she was leaning to much into the fake her. So to me it was 100% Worth it for his sacrafice, showing he was a good person at heart.
Blake, originally gonna be Sophia. But figured giving Sophia a better chance was better in the end. Blake here was the last filler vote. But he did get to have a small dynamic with Sophia, while also having a good moment of a snipe happening in All-Stars without it being too sudden to ruin said moment! Blake being a chill dude afterwards was also a fun contrast to his post s3 look of just being tired.
Connor was the angle for Riya to climb to. He's a good man, who left heart broken at thinking Riya betrayed him. When Ironiclly she didn't. To then find out she still cared for him and was hurt with how he left, it was perfect to set up her redemption. He didn't return since his All-Stars return was not good. Also his story was more easy to tell at the return and motel chapters, since that's when Riya's arc finished too!
We'll get around to Ashley with the second elimination.
Ellie had to go here. Fiore wasn't leaving, if Yellow lost, it would have been Iris who couldn't leave now, and Sophia wasn't making enemies. But Ellie A. Moving on from the game and working with Fiore and Alec/ making up with them. And B. knew Gabby was always more important then the money (and she still left with money!) It also helped her elimination was cold as fuck, and worked with Tom!
Tom was one that was har to write. I don't like him and Jake in All-Stars (I love the two together, but their story was not good) showing his negitive side more here worked, and the Ellie vote added to the "not every hero is good" theme. But him admitting to his errors/ him being worried about him and Jake fucking up again makes him feel more human. Also I loved the motel stuff I did with him. 180 for a character funny enough.
Hunter got to stay for 6 more chapters then he was at the beigning! Having be a good boyfriend/not child hater like s2 him would be was better then what All-Stars gave him. His little bonds with Dahlia, Barry and Fiore were fun as well. And I don't regret having them. I would still keep him here, but can say i'm proud with how it ended for him, and hey, got a last moment in the finale as a helper! (Wanted the s2 rep's there! lol)
Tess hurts. She left at this spot because I had nothing else for her. Dead serious. Then I get to the final 4, and realized she could have interacte with Barry with depression! That was the biggest shot I took, becuase it was a legit missed chance and I hate myself for it. That's what sucks the most for Tess and any character when they leave and you finally get an idea for that character. But this is what I learn, think things through!
Dahlia was the one that HAD to go here. The last winner lasting any longer would be favortisim, but she had a good run. Got an arc with her and Fiore, which was perfect. Also got her and Iris's plot done at a good pace, and then I gave her a passion for wrestling for giggles, and I love it. But again, her leaving right at the midway point was the right choice, S3 needed to have someone else out by now, and I'm glad I dropped the original idea for her and Barry this season.
Yul, despite being the worst person of the cast this season, I loved writing him! Just making him the biggest piece of shit I could was always funny to me, and I don't regret a second what I did with him. Did toned down the burn, but IMO it was better this way, not as fucked up, because again, want people to be likeable comapred to him! But the plot of him, Grett and Iris will forever be the highlight of the yellow team for me! It's up to you to decide how things for him go after the season.
Jake was the hard one to write. Expesilly with his story. But I was proud of his arc. He started off like cannon All-Stars. But as time went on, he matured and did grow (Unlike Cannon-All Stars) And by the end, loved writing him, but his elimination was the one I was proudest of, because the cannon TikTok is so hated, and I made it work in a way that made sense. Again, so proud of this Jake since he did slowly tone down his agressive nature. Hope you guys loved it as much as I did.
Riya, Riya was another one I was so proud of. Starting off with her being agressive, but slowly getting better and nderstanding why she's not liked is a fun idea. I had to get Riya up to a mountain top, before it goes down hill with her admitting she doesn't want to be the villian forever. The return challenge with Connor was great with her improving, and apolagizing to Aiden, with the Motel and her apolagizing to Rosa being teh end of her arc this time around, and when we see her again, she'll be a changed woman with the game!
Aiden shouldn't have gone here. Honestly if I planned this out, I would have Sophia gift Aiden the Idol so two season 2 contestants were in long. My mistake. But Aiden going through the arc of not every villian is untrustworthy/ a straight up villain, Sophia being his best friend, and Riya apolagizing, it made his arc a good one, again, like Tess, my regret was having him out sooner then he probably should have been out. The final 6-7 should of been 2 S1/2/3 cast, but again, my one mistake, still love Aiden's arc here.
Gabby was the arc I loved, you see her villain arc way more, without a cheap elimination. Like Ellie, Gabby understood being with Ellie was more important then the game. But her revenge tour getting out of hand and her guilt was also a story that was worth telling. Evil Gabby be design makes sense, but it's underdevloped in cannon. Here as she misses Ellie more, she get's worse, and was alright with leaving when she did. If she returns, this won't happen again, she'll play to win for her baddie! But I loved Gabbie's wacky energy she gave off.
Ashley is the one I need to talk about well. Started off with negitive writing, But her and Fiore's dynamic and growing relationship. I knew she was always coming back, and when I got to it, I had to get heat on her first, while calling out that her acations were negitive in behavior. Because she grew from it, and by the end, she was helping Fiore win the money! I'm not a big Ashley fan, but by the end of this rewrite, I loved the arc I made, again, not every villian is fully good, the perfect arc to show.
Sophia was the gal I kept adding to! Was gonna be the 5th boot, before I decided to let her be in the top 10-12, then wanted her to get farther because of the idol. But her getting a chance to show off herself without WIlliam, shows that she was a big villain inside, while her dynamic with Aiden was perfect for this. Plus the reveal of her dad/cancer she had was good build up imo. Her leaving as the 7th boot again was a joke I had to do, but her huge idol play let her go out with a bang!
Alec was the camper I changed the most. He has split custody, isn't a terrible father, just messy, and him and Fiore's arc breathed more before getting the big moment of them talking things out. I feel Alec feeling like a terrible father, but in reality is one that's learning how to improve. Ending with two people in his life that'll help him improve even more. Because cannon All-Stars fucked Alec over hard, like legit hard that's not funny. Him being down on his luck mentally but improves by the end was an arc that was perfect to me at least.
Grett was originally the season 1 finalist, but still was a top 5 no matter what. I knew her arc with Yul was gonna end like cannon. Iris made the slow burn better, and helped her feel guilt with how she treated Gabby. Her build up and trying to play a smart game by the end is a fun story. I'd rather still have Fiore in the finals now over Grett funny enough. But I will not change the story of Iris, Greet and Yul. In the end it was the perfect arc to write.
Ally was the one cannon finalist to make it or Tess. In the end, she got forth..... still regret having no s2 in the finals, but that was again, my mistake. Ally slowing growing to not care what random people think about her is what cannon All-Stars did, but less shitty. (THE BEAR!) It made her more rootable, and her slowly making that game the whole time after the merge was still a silly little joke I loved to have. Having her drama with Jake and slightly with Barry before she fought to stay in was still amazing to have and I enjoyed writing her...... would of had Tess here now, but to late for that, but lesson learned. (Lol)
Barry was gonna to be the winner till close to the end, since he was gonna be the main antagonist. But his depression was always there, and didn't change. Same for his dynamic with Fiore. I had fun with making jokes with Barry while he slowly learned more. The sex jokes in the finale was worth it as well, since it was a long running joke he didn't know that. Also got to work on him and Iris as a duo more since Iris and Dahlia had a long dynamic, and Dahlia and Barry had one. Again, my biggest mistake was not have him and Tess interact more, that would have been the story in the second half of the season with that arc to get a finalist from each season. But still was proud with how Barry's story ended.
Iris again had her story about being her own person and growing to be more assertive, more open, and more hoenst and not scared. Compared to the start of the season where she avoided Grett, they slowly became friends. Her bitting back more and more with Yul wa great, and her and Aiden, like Aiden and Sophia was accidental, but when I got was more perfect then anything else. And can end this season well proud that Iris got her own time to shine, and hey, she was the one that improved her rank! Again, people thought she was an early boot, which is what I wanted, it ended up perfectly with her getting top 3! Never gonna regret that choice! If Tess was gonna be in the finals, it would have ended the same way, Fiore still winning, but I love how the season ended still!
Lastly is Fiore she is the character i'm proudest of the end result. Keeping her personality mostly the same, but showing her growing empathy was so fun to do. Since it was a slow growth, but you saw her change and prove she wasn't just a monster like people thought. She didn't go as cut throat this time, but I see it as her showing she wasn't gonna let the game get to her, she choose her relationships in the end and still won, and who knows, older Fiore, being more trusted and stronger, would be a fun character to look into, since she got her happy ending, a family that cares about her for her. The feedback for her and people wanting to see her win was the big reason she won! So i'm glad everyone wanted to see that, because I dind't want to come off as Bias for the little genius.
And so the long journey of All-Stars is over. A project I can look back and saw s3 and this were worth it! But if you've watched my page, you see new audition tapes! That's right, a season 6 (Set after Carnival Of Chaos) is starting soon! And after that, All-Stars 2! (that one is the biggest project of these 4. lol)
This new season takes 22 new contestants to a film lot where they do challenges based on films! The cast is legit fun, quirky and diffrent with heart, and more thought out plots compared to s3! While not gonna be as long as All-Stars 26 chapters compared to 28. THe words per chapter will be in the 12,000-15000 range per chapter this time around. But everyone will get time and interaction with others, and I'm excited to show this season that's been planned since at least November/early december!
The goal is a chapter every 1-2 weeks like All-Stars, unless something crazy happens. But i'll try and give updates!
Feel free to suggest one-shots of the s1-3 cast or greetings! I'm open to ALMOST anything. There is a few things I will not do. Mostly regarding anyone under 18. That's all I'm gonna say. You can ask for one shots of them, just nothing inappropriate
But that's in the future.
Again. Thank you all who read s3 or All-Stars Reignited and left feedback, and see you guys for Season 6! Otherwise known as!
Disventure Camp 6: Hollywood Stars!