I would like to hear you guys, feel free to give your thoughts so far 

What even is happening this season?

And did anyone realise that the participants still haven't revealed their ages and jobs to each other, that part used to be so fun always.

They changed the format a lot and not in the good ways. 

 Lee Maeum:

What even is happening this season?

And did anyone realise that the participants still haven't revealed their ages and jobs to each other, that part used to be so fun always.

They changed the format a lot and not in the good ways. 

Yeah, the separate infernos, the picking a paradise date straight up the first day with no introduction so  based solely on looks, no cooking together, generally less opportunities for integrating activities… it’s not helping the participants build bonds in only 10 days. Also the format change seems to me to be against the initial premise of the show. 

 Moonbeam:

Yeah, the separate infernos, the picking a paradise date straight up the first day with no introduction so  based solely on looks, no cooking together, generally less opportunities for integrating activities… it’s not helping the participants build bonds in only 10 days. Also the format change seems to me to be against the initial premise of the show. 

Exactly There’s NO INFERNO.  Everything is Paradise 

Remember them going afar and bring those heavy buckets of water. Even that was so fun. They really removed all the fun things of inferno. 

Inferno has become weaker but in return, Paradise has gotten better and more varied dates. The double date setup was a good chance of pace. It gives a better incentive to go to Paradise but does make being stuck on Inferno that much more of a bummer.

People act much differently in groups, though, and having group activities can help develop relationships in a more natural way. Hoping for a better balance next time if there is another season.

 Kefkiroth:

Inferno has become weaker but in return, Paradise has gotten better and more varied dates. The double date setup was a good chance of pace. It gives a better incentive to go to Paradise but does make being stuck on Inferno that much more of a bummer.

People act much differently in groups, though, and having group activities can help develop relationships in a more natural way. Hoping for a better balance next time if there is another season.

I actually the couple date set up was kind of a bad choice imo. I mean, sure it brought more drama and made things interesting, but on the other hand things like their sitting positions (in the helicopter too) were obviously arranged by the production team. It seems as if they decided to have this couple date once they saw who’s going to go to paradise (it was a first such date in SI), and didn’t inform the cast about these plans much time prior to it actually happening. 

Although, I completely understand why someone might have loved it, and enjoyed the idea.

Dude, I feel there is a very entrenched space from the past seasons. Especially there is a very present awareness of the optics of the show, a sort of consciousness the contestants enter with. I think the best way to explain it would be to look at this whole experience with a lot more concern about its very game nature this season. Not only the competitiveness of the games have risen but also people playing it have taken a very game approach so far. There are quick judgements with no chances of redemption. The genuinely getting to know part is missing. It's more like she/he seems better so I'll pick him/her. Also, I agree with the above view about all the fun in paradise and misery in inferno. What about all the connections that blossomed in inferno? I think they have taken the word hot literally. There are sorts of hot people, if that's the format of show. You might get people who are really attractive not from appearances but also have the kind of sincerity that make people want to care for them, support them, cry for them. This season, everybody is too busy playing the game to have a proper conversation. I hardly saw them cooking anything this season, just  dinner table tactics and drama.