Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS are forward for the Season 1 finale of Vacation spot X on NBC, accessible streaming subsequent day with a Peacock subscription.
The primary season of Vacation spot X has come to an finish, with the finale revealing alliances and betrayals that decided who amongst Rick Szabo, Biggy Bailey, and Peter Weber would win the $250,000 grand prize. I’ve had enjoyable watching the collection because it aired after new episodes of America’s Obtained Expertise, however no episode actually hooked me as a lot as when the collection premiere hoodwinked me earlier within the 2025 TV schedule.
I used to be nonetheless comfortable to rejoice Rick getting the win by figuring out Huge Ben in London, and there is some actual allure in an expert birdwatcher popping out on prime. Nevertheless it wasn’t till I learn some feedback from host Jeffrey Dean Morgan that I noticed that a part of my happiness for Rick was doubtless as a result of I used to be rooting in opposition to one other competitor greater than I knew. Sorry, Pilot Pete, however I simply actually did not need you to win!
Now, to be clear – I wasn’t rooting in opposition to Peter Weber due to his expertise on The Bachelor or The Traitors. In any case, gaining fame in Bachelor Nation (whether or not or not you are there for the best causes) would not make one a geography professional, being banished from The Traitors Season 2 solid would not remodel a competitor right into a grasp cartographer, and dealing as a pilot would not assure the flexibility to crack clues. No, I did not actually care that a lot that Peter got here in with actuality TV expertise.
Peter Weber was simply my #3 pick of the three finalists due to one massive benefit that had nothing to do along with his time on ABC or Peacock actuality exhibits: he bought to hitch Vacation spot X just a few episodes into the season, skipping out on some early eliminations. I got here to my realization not when the ultimate credit rolled on Rick’s pleasure or after Peter’s emotional last speech, however after I learn some feedback from Jeffrey Dean Morgan to Parade. He stated:
I give massive props to the casting division. Now, going ahead, say we do a Season 2. I form of like the combo of getting some newbies in addition to some veterans. And possibly additionally it might behoove us to do form of what Traitors does, and have an ‘all-star’ kind of factor of actuality present vets come on and do the present. However I just like the newbies. I like the blokes [who] have by no means finished this earlier than. And you realize, somebody like Rick, who will get to stroll away with the massive prize, who we’d by no means seen earlier than, a hen watcher from Canada, I feel that’s form of cool. I’m wondering what the viewers would assume if Peter had come on Episode 3 after which received it, if individuals assume that that’s honest.
Peter Weber was one in every of two actuality stars who bought to make late arrivals to Vacation spot X, as he was joined by Love Island USA vet JaNa Craig to maneuver into the bus in Episode 3. JaNa did not final lengthy in competitors, however Peter clearly made it to the very finish. Jeffrey Dean Morgan raised the query of whether or not “individuals assume that that is honest” if he’d been the champion; I am unable to communicate for everyone, however I positive would not have seen it as 100% honest.
That stated, I am unable to disagree with Morgan’s extra level that it “makes for good TV if the viewers is aware of some individuals,” and Deal or No Deal Island did one thing comparable by casting Survivor legend Boston Rob Mariano for Season 1. And the format of Vacation spot X implies that what Morgan described as Peter and JaNa being “very savvy” and “very good” about actuality TV dynamics will not be sufficient to win. Savviness is not sufficient while you additionally must establish places in Europe! The taking part in discipline would have been fairly even when all people began on the similar time.
On the entire, I am on board if Vacation spot X is renewed and brings in actuality TV celebs on the identical stage as The Bachelor and Love Island vets, however would discover it a complete lot simpler to root for them if in addition they have to begin initially like all people else. Was Peter Weber an entertaining a part of the ultimate phases of Season 1 due to his secret alliance? Positive, however I do not assume I am going to change my thoughts that it might have been unfair for him to beat Rick or Biggy.
If you wish to relive the wild journey of Vacation spot X Season 1, you could find the episodes streaming on Peacock. Jeffrey Dean Morgan appears open to returning for a second season, particularly after he revealed why he lastly took the internet hosting job. The scores as America’s Obtained Expertise‘s primetime associate had been additionally stable, so I would not be stunned to see NBC convey the present again as a brand new summer time staple.