Jersey Shore Family Vacation Season 5 Episode 2

Okay, people. Let's talk Jersey Shore Family Vacation. Specifically, season 5, episode 2. Who watched it? Raise your hand. Good.

This episode felt...well, familiar. Like a comfy, slightly-smelly, old t-shirt. The kind you wear even though it has a questionable stain.

The Drama is Back (Sort Of)

We all know the main ingredient of any Jersey Shore recipe is drama. And this episode delivered a sprinkle of it. Nothing earth-shattering, mind you.

Think more like a disagreement about where to order pizza than a full-blown fistfight on the boardwalk. Though, honestly, I kind of miss those fistfights.

Mike's Manipulation (Maybe?)

Listen, I love Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino. He’s come so far. But does anyone else think he’s still a tiny bit manipulative?

He's subtly steering the conversations, right? Like a puppet master of shore house shenanigans. Don't @ me.

The Meatball Showdown

Deena and Snooki are classic. Their friendship is pure gold. The "meatball" dynamic is just…everything.

However, I feel that their “meatball” dynamic is overplayed in this episode. A little bit much, am I right?

Unpopular Opinion Time!

Okay, buckle up. This is where things might get controversial. I have a confession to make.

I'm kind of…bored with the kids. There, I said it. I love Snooki's kids, Deena's kids, and Mike's baby, Romeo.

But their storylines just don’t hit the same way the drunken escapades of their parents used to. Sorry, not sorry.

The babies are cute for like two minutes, tops. Then I'm ready for Vinny to say something sarcastic or Pauly D to drop a beat. Just me?

Pauly D: Still a Legend

Speaking of Pauly D. He’s still the heart and soul of this show, isn't he? His energy is infectious. His one-liners are legendary.

I’m pretty sure he hasn’t aged a day since the original series. Is he a vampire? Inquiring minds want to know.

Vinny's Vibe

Vinny is still being…Vinny. Brooding, sarcastic, and surprisingly good at making keto snacks. Gotta give him credit for that.

He seems perpetually annoyed, but deep down, we all know he loves his crazy shore family. Or at least tolerates them for the paycheck.

Angelina: Where's the Drama?

Honestly, I was expecting more from Angelina this episode. She’s usually a walking, talking drama bomb. But she was…relatively calm?

Maybe she’s mellowing out with age. Or maybe she’s just saving all her energy for a truly epic meltdown later in the season. Only time will tell.

The Missing Ingredient

What's missing from this episode? For me it’s the spontaneity. The unexpected chaos.

Everything feels a little too…planned. Too produced. I miss the raw, unfiltered messiness of the old days.

Bring back the questionable hookups! Bring back the drunken arguments in the club! Bring back the inexplicable duck phone!

Final Thoughts

Overall, episode 2 was…fine. Watchable. Entertaining enough. But it didn’t quite capture the magic of the early seasons.

The Jersey Shore Family Vacation is a comfort watch. You know what you are getting, right?

I'll still tune in next week, though. Because deep down, I'm a sucker for these guidos and guidettes. Even when they're being slightly boring.