I see the original 1977
Fantasy Island through
nostalgia-colored glasses, making it hard for any island-come-lately to compete in my eyes.
So I was happily surprised when I enjoyed the premiere of the 2021 revival, complete with a
relative or the original Mr. Roarke and a new sidekick named Ruby. In the second of the
episode’s two subplots (“Mel Loves Ruby”), there is even a bit of time-related fantasy
when the island makes Ruby young again (although without sending her back in time).
— Michael Main