Scandoval sentVanderpump’s popularity soaring,breathing fresh life into a show that had beenlosing viewer interest. The question is,how long can it maintain this momentum before viewers yearn for something different?
The first four episodes have focused almost entirely on the fallout from Scandoval,which saw cast member Tom Sandoval cheat on his long-term partner,Ariana Madix,with their fellow cast-mate Rachel (formerly known as Raquel) Leviss. In fact,the new season is so Scandoval-coded,its first episode is titledNotes on a Scandoval.
It’s technically exactly what the doctor ordered. Viewers have been intrigued by the casts’ shifting dynamics since the previous season’s fiery reunion episodes. This season,we see Sandoval largely ousted from the group,Madix cutting out those who still interact with Sandoval,and their friends struggling over whether to pick a side or remain neutral.
However,much of this isn’t new. TikTok videos,podcasts and news outlets have been carefully documenting the aftermath since filming began in June,includingLeviss’ recent lawsuit against Sandoval and Madix for alleged revenge porn. So far,season 11 has felt like a relatively stale recap of a topic that has already been exhaustively discussed and analysed online.
The exclusion of Leviss – she opted out of the new season afterchecking into a mental health facility last year – is also key to its relatively flat performance. Without such a pivotal member of the scandal,how can any true drama occur? What was originally a messy love triangle has become a linear conflict within a divided group hesitant to cross enemy lines.
A good deal of the new season is yet to air,so it’s safe to assume fresh storylines will eventually play out. But how will they live up to Scandoval? Equalling an affair that practically broke the internet and saved a dying brand cannot be easy. If it’s more infidelity,it’s repetitive. If it’s completely unrelated to Scandoval,it’s forced.