I mean, the Diane dialogue definitely makes me feel like the game does not endorse the Jealousy date, at least from the start of Act 2. Even when MC tries to explain it to Diane, he admits that it doesn't sound good. I could be totally wrong here, but it really seems to me like the story planted the seeds that the Jealousy date is something like a drug. It makes them feel euphoric in the moment and can supercharge their passion, but when that high comes down, there are consequences. If jealousy is abused, then it's bad (ie, losing good guy points). If it's just a little, it's mostly harmless.
When we talk about consequences, emotions can be a consequence as well. Lacey realizing that she hurt MC, again, is a consequence. It may not be very satisfying, but it is still a thing, and it can still drive Lacey to be better
Act 3 could totally prove me wrong. I hope I'm not, but I totally admit that I'm mostly speculating with some of this.
I understand, even in act 1 Lacey self chastised plenty, especially towards the end.
I am one of the few that actually defends that as a genuine concern.
This is why I want her to keep going and give us all the details of her past, they are needed for her character growth.
MC defends the jealousy date until the end, Lacey does actually say that it does not look good.
Even then, I understand the self reflection, but consequences cannot be tied only to that.
Where are the reactions of the world that compensate the actions of the characters?
Example: Why is the pimp called when MC is not alright instead of Anna when she has constantly betrayed Lacey and hurt MC thanks to her "games"?
And even after all what happens in act 2 everyone is comfortable in bringing her to the HONEYMOON? She is the one that worked against that marriage the most, did more damage than Jared and yet...
Even if we accept that Lacey would let anything go because she is used to her abusive behaviour and MC will follow like a lap dog, why isn't Anna pissed off?
Has she become a shit person that is now fine with MC being hurt because it fits with her agenda?
But let's go back to Lacey so we can understand how invonsistent the whole consequence thing is.
She gets more shit for going in the bathroom with fucking micro dick Lorenzo than the Damian stuff.
This cannot be it, it doesn't make any sense at all.
Veronica is a driven woman and a supposedly great professional, who in their right mind would trust Lacey after what she has done? I would never stick my neck out for a person in my team that is unreliable, my investment could go to waste and make me look back to upper management.
She is not even disappointed in Lacey.
Dress like a slut for other men? All the dresses and bikinis are still around EVEN ON MC SPECIAL WEEKEND.
I won't go into Veronica or Christine (which at least has half of a redemption arc) but you know that neither of them faced any consequences.
Ok that's it, but I hope you get what I mean when I say there is a severe lack of consequences, even emotional that pervade this game for some reason.