There are a lot of unknowns and potential trappings in the ranch event. I'm of the opinion that if he does it he needs to commit and do it big. Make it the whole day and get some use out of the new assets and environment. That's what I find so frustrating about the bar for the concert, he spent a lot of time on it but it seems like it will be underutilized.
If he's going to create a ranch then let's use it! Make it a day long event and really explore the new assets and sink your teeth into the story potential. If you can't do that then scrap the event and have Sophia and Patricia hang out at home.
Either way, I think it's great we're getting a full day with one character. Sometimes in order to get quality time with a character you simultaneously need quantity time. Short scenes are nice, but sometimes you need long/multiple scenes in order to really progress relationships. I think we're reaching that point with a lot of characters, they've been established and now we need them to take the next step to advance their relationship with Sophia. This next step should get them to a point where a sexual relationship isn't just theoretically possible but seems likely. To get to that step the characters need both quantity and quality time with Sophia to build on the spark that has already been established. We need to see Sophia think of these people as more than just someone that gives her butterflies, but as people that she actively wants to have sex with. Currently most of Sophia's thoughts are of the "oh that was fun but wrong. I shouldn't do these things." Her thoughts need to change to "Yes, if given the opportunity I would have sex with this person."
We're into Act 2 of the story at this point, so these relationships need to take a major step forward.
Sorry a bit late with the answer and already off topic, but I completely agree and, to be clear, I was not saying that he should cut short/reduce the event, I was imagining the possible scenarios development-wise.
We don't know what he has or had in mind for the event. Sure it has a great potential (cf
t3alqdansam list
) and it would be really a pity it reduces to a sort of jogging in the park kind of event (but with a horse).
And as you said, spending so much time with Patricia will help to progress the relationship in a more "believable" way. After all I think it's the hardest path to deal with from a narrative point of view. For Ellie there is still the hint of sex-ed that let the story progress a little bit faster. Here we are between two adult sisters and, by the standard he has used for the whole game, it requires some more effort in character development and interactions to progress significantly. It could be a conversation during the ride or/and this Zoe character used to further reduce the relationship gap between the sisters. Or something else unexpected happening that further change Sophia's perception of her sister.
So many possibilities. And yet it is a very delicate moment to tell the right way without giving just the impression of a simple "on/off switch" from sister to potential sexual partner (dunno if LI, though).
But I really hope he will give his best in telling the story as he imagined/sketched/bullet listed. Event at the cost of using 2 updates for that if it is necessary to tell the story the "right" way. (well, no, I hope 1 will be enough!
)
