VN Ren'Py Summer's Gone [S1 Steam + DLC] [Oceanlab]

[BobTheDuck]

Katie is indeed a member of the "club" judging by the confidence with which she puts Nadzika in her place, but Leia is not. She did not come to the "club" to drink wine and read a children's book. Leia started another game. It was during this visit that she set the condition for the women of the "club" that Nika and Nami should go to THIS college. Apparently, she has the trump cards in her hands that she can afford it. And the women of the "club" accepted her conditions.

The only two times Leia is mentioned in SG are below:

emilia "A Zane is blessing us with her presence."
emilia "How's William?"
katie "You should ask him that."
emilia "I wonder why you're here."
emilia "It's been a year since you and Leia last came by."
emilia "Is she here?"
katie "No."
emilia "Do you want to play a game?"
katie "I don't."
emilia "Let's play it anyways."
emilia "Why would THE Katie Zane be here today after a year of absence..."
emilia "Could it be that..."

(And then that scene cuts to Nika.

Scene with Charlie arm wrestling Nami winning the wine:
jen "As if! Leia was totally responsible for it!"
katie "I don't recall."
jen "Bitch! Just admit it!"
jen "We would've never lost against your team!"
katie "We had a good team, a good coach, and I was at peak performance."
jen "Bullshit! Your teammates spent more time getting backshots from William than actually training!"
"Sasha and Adrianna share an awkward look."

So how do you know anything about Leia here? All we know about Leia is that she is alive, and that a year ago she came to the club with Katie. Where is the rest of what you're saying mentioned in the game? There is literally no other mention of Leia, other than possibly the woman who gave Nami the earring, but that's not known.

But it has to be some kind of "conspiracy", we just dont know if its because of a blood relation or any other kind of relation between Nika/Nami and the Zanes/Wiab-Crew.

All I'm suggesting is that if Noji has different ulterior motives to Katie, they don't share a conspiracy. Sasha can't be in on it or she wouldn't ask Nami about the earring, and have Ayua cut her off. Or they just know that their parents are interested in Nika and Nami, and Ayua knows more as a Zane, because she knows about the earrings.

I was making the judgment that Noji being caring acts against the premise of her being manipulative in a conspiracy involving others. Jenna's statement "Maybe Noji did the right thing after all" suggests that Noji acted against the consensus of whoever else knows what's going on, and makes her seem an independent player. I'm merely suggesting there is no unified conspiracy, there are a bunch of different angle, and where there are different motives it's impossible to keep secrets - the stories won't match up because everyone knows different things. Which is what we observe with the earrings, as well as people's connections.

 

[rudy007]

To some extent it's a case of Nika being Truman Burbank I guess, but I can also imagine Dwight saying all these things and Sasha just saying "I've got period cramps don't bother me" or something. It COULD be a completel conspiracy, but that doesn't align with Noji being a good caretaker. Either she wants what's best for them (in which case everyone else does too, and Noji's purely being over protective in regards to Katie) or she's in league to use Nika and her kindness is a front. For the conspiracy to work, Noji has to be on the same side as the Zanes and Petrovas. If we can see differences, it highly suggests everything has independent reasons - Dwight might be pointing Nika from a "oh hey that's the guy" sort of mentality, but what we saw of him in the bar suggests he's not a superficial character, despite what we see later. And Sasha is known for discrete sideways glances, so we can't be sure what she's ignoring or not. Ocean's basically showing that Dwight is aware of them, and every interaction with Sasha until the gym seems to be Sasha ignoring Nika, while her posse make eye contact and notice him. In fact, Sasha's avoidance of eye contact is kinda suspicious, but it could be from all kinds of things. We don't know how recently the thing with Robert was, she might also be withdrawn that day dealing with her own anxiety and needing to put on a good face.

Also, I'm thinking the suited dude is probably a driver, as he doesn't follow them, and we see Inessa the next day in the canteen.

About who knows who, Ocean's made it a significant point via the bookclub, so it will be some kind of revelation. It is too big a setup to be brushed aside, and I'm sure it's to do with Katie and Leia being bookclub members.

Agree with you, it does look alike Truman Burbank situation from our point of view. But if it is so, who are protagonists? MC or MC and Nami? Somebody else?

 

[LHDLLB]

Haha my first thought was maybe its about the uniform too but it would be kinda weird if dwight just casually points it out yet sasha isnt turning around to look at it. Dwight for sure has william's body and questionable fashion sense (wtf is he wearing hotpants? )

Thought about Noji being the reason too, like Dwight: "Yo Sasha theres your bookclub buddy" while sasha is like: "Fuck her, im gonna ignore her and not aknowledge her existance, fucking plebs". Probably not it.

I think IF he is pointing at them Sasha's lack of reaction could indicate that shes deliberatly not looking at them/ignoring them like "shut the fuck up bro, we arent supposed to know them".

Which is still ... weird How did all of this happen? Did all the Zane's, Noji and linked people meet and made this big strategy discussion how to fool nika and nami?

Im so curious how all of this plays out lol, i really struggle to imagine how (and by whom) all of this was set up which could be either really good storytelling or really bad

Bella offering Noji later on to use her (mothers) connection to Sasha's mom to get her a cheap price for the tennis club and Noji being all "Yeah nice, thank you so much" was kinda hilarious too in retroperspective.

I give bella the benefit of the doubt that she never did meet Noji at the bookclub (or doesnt remember her because she was drunk or simply didnt cared about the people) but Nojiko will have to come clean soon if she doesnt want to destroy Nika's trust into her imo.

That said i think Nojiko is solely acting in Nika's interest in this whole thing. Nojiko is more of a real loving mom than all the usual avn moms together despite being not even a fake landlady, i believe she puts Nika's and Nami's interests first like a real mom. The scenes how she got emotional when she brought them to their first college day or how she did sit with Nika in front of the house at night seem to strongly imply that.

I think she either doesnt want Nika to be connected to the criminal zane's (again) or considers Nika not ready to confront this topic (which she is probably right about looking at his panic attacks).

I don't think that bella is hiding anything, would be against her character and Bella is not subtle or much perceptive give how Vanessa fooled her, most likely she see them as just boring housewifes. The odd part is from Noji, she was so agaist the idea of Nika - specifically- goind to the book club but is alright with him hanging out with Bella, who best friend is Auya.

I like the idea of Dwight being William's son and playing the character that William did. I don't really like the conspiracy idea and the Truman Show kinda vibe, seems too fantastical to be believable for me. I tend to think that Nami is more important than Nika, and has more chances of being a Zane.

If either Nami or Nika are Zane though, Nojiko as an independent player is really difficult to believe, we know how the Zanes are a really loving family - or were- Nojiko has to have someone backing her up, especially if she is willing to go agaisnt Katie.

Being honest I think the book club meeting genial of Ocean part, is a pit of theory, we know enough to go running wild gooses chases but not enough to be sure of anything. The more we learn the more sense it will made, right now is shooting in the dark. I think that the Dojo will clear some things up, and maybe Nika will confront Nojiko on some things next update, they seem to have a cople of scenes together.

I really like Nojiko and think she wants what is best for both Nika and Nami, that said, I ain't trusting nothing that she says so far.

 

[Capt. Obvious!]

so when is summer coming back ? (read when is season 2 out ?)

 

[Krytax123]

I don't think that bella is hiding anything, would be against her character and Bella is not subtle or much perceptive give how Vanessa fooled her, most likely she see them as just boring housewifes. The odd part is from Noji, she was so agaist the idea of Nika - specifically- goind to the book club but is alright with him hanging out with Bella, who best friend is Auya.

I like the idea of Dwight being William's son and playing the character that William did. I don't really like the conspiracy idea and the Truman Show kinda vibe, seems too fantastical to be believable for me. I tend to think that Nami is more important than Nika, and has more chances of being a Zane.

If either Nami or Nika are Zane though, Nojiko as an independent player is really difficult to believe, we know how the Zanes are a really loving family - or were- Nojiko has to have someone backing her up, especially if she is willing to go agaisnt Katie.

Being honest I think the book club meeting genial of Ocean part, is a pit of theory, we know enough to go running wild gooses chases but not enough to be sure of anything. The more we learn the more sense it will made, right now is shooting in the dark. I think that the Dojo will clear some things up, and maybe Nika will confront Nojiko on some things next update, they seem to have a cople of scenes together.

I really like Nojiko and think she wants what is best for both Nika and Nami, that said, I ain't trusting nothing that she says so far.

Agree about Bella, wouldnt fit her character at all and it would annoy her way too much to play a part in a charade.

I strongly doubt that Nami is more important than Nika, i think they are equal, otherwise Katie and Nojiko talking specifically about him is kinda nonsensical. I think the difference in there treatment (from Noji) is simply because shes more worried about Nika than about Nami.

And yeah i agree Nojiko as a independent player is very unlikely but i could imagine some sort of deal or agreement.

Like maybe Nojiko agreed to raise them - after whatever tragedy happened in the past - but in exchange demanded that the Zane's (and their dangerous/criminal activitiys) stay the fuck away from them until they are adults. It looks more like Nojiko is a former/retired member of the "Zane clan/mafia".

I took the exchange between Katie and Nojiko more like two people who trust/respect/know each other but have a strong disagreement than being enemys of some sort. I think Katie/the Zane's is/are thankfull towards Nojiko.

And yeah the bookclub was awesome imo, so much possbilitys

 

[LHDLLB]

Agree about Bella, wouldnt fit her character at all and it would annoy her way too much to play a part in a charade.

I strongly doubt that Nami is more important than Nika, i think they are equal, otherwise Katie and Nojiko talking specifically about him is kinda nonsensical. I think the difference in there treatment (from Noji) is simply because shes more worried about Nika than about Nami.

And yeah i agree Nojiko as a independent player is very unlikely but i could imagine some sort of deal or agreement.

Like maybe Nojiko agreed to raise them - after whatever tragedy happened in the past - but in exchange demanded that the Zane's (and their dangerous/criminal activitiys) stay the fuck away from them until they are adults. It looks more like Nojiko is a former/retired member of the "Zane clan/mafia".

I took the exchange between Katie and Nojiko more like two people who trust/respect/know each other but have a strong disagreement than being enemys of some sort. I think Katie/the Zane's is/are thankfull towards Nojiko.

And yeah the bookclub was awesome imo, so much possbilitys

Well we know that only one of them can be a Zane, Nami is the less problematic choice, she has Leia's earring, Nika we don't have anything other than wild speculation. Does not mean that Nika is uniportant, he is the MC, but between them I think Nami is the one with a past.

I find the idea that Noji raised them in secret to protect them a odd one as well, why Auya was not ? or sasha ? or the first team Rivera?

there are some relation between them and the Zanes and Noji played a part in it. My guess was always William and Leia but now we know this cant be the case, if it ever was. I can't see a reason that I find crediable that explain it all. they have a relation of sorts, both Nami and Nika from different avenues.

Oh I didn't mean like they are enemies, more like allies with different perspective. but Nojiko is the weak part here, if she is opposing Katie I don't she is alone in it. Leia was not there.

 

[BobTheDuck]

so when is summer coming back ? (read when is season 2 out ?)

It's unknown. My guess is somewhere between the end of Feb and the end of April, based on all the factors you can read in Ocean's devlogs, usually posted her by kind people around Thurs/Friday.

 

[rudy007]

Agree about Bella, wouldnt fit her character at all and it would annoy her way too much to play a part in a charade.

I strongly doubt that Nami is more important than Nika, i think they are equal, otherwise Katie and Nojiko talking specifically about him is kinda nonsensical. I think the difference in there treatment (from Noji) is simply because shes more worried about Nika than about Nami.

And yeah i agree Nojiko as a independent player is very unlikely but i could imagine some sort of deal or agreement.

Like maybe Nojiko agreed to raise them - after whatever tragedy happened in the past - but in exchange demanded that the Zane's (and their dangerous/criminal activitiys) stay the fuck away from them until they are adults. It looks more like Nojiko is a former/retired member of the "Zane clan/mafia".

I took the exchange between Katie and Nojiko more like two people who trust/respect/know each other but have a strong disagreement than being enemys of some sort. I think Katie/the Zane's is/are thankfull towards Nojiko.

And yeah the bookclub was awesome imo, so much possbilitys

Agree to about Bella, she doesn't care about "Cougar's pit" and their stories.

About Nojiko, whoever stand behind MC or Nami, they were left to Nojiko, she could be retired member of Zane's, but I think those kids are too important to be raised by some random gang member. She must be close friend of them. Yeah, Nojiko/Katie, I think they aren't on good terms, but it could be some rivalry between them, but I think there is some respect between them.

But Katie being there is hard to believe has something to do with MC, only Nami know that MC probably would be there, nobody else. So, is she told Katie? Or is Katie there for her. I doubt Katie waits behind doors and appear to the club. And she comes rarely there. Or was she there for some other random reason.

I think this is looking alike "The Truman Show", but I very doubt it is.

 

[Krytax123]

Agree to about Bella, she doesn't care about "Cougar's pit" and their stories.

About Nojiko, whoever stand behind MC or Nami, they were left to Nojiko, she could be retired member of Zane's, but I thing those kids are too important to be raised by some random gang member. She must be close friend of them. Yeah, Nojiko/Katie, I think they aren't on good terms, but it could be some rivalry between them, but I think there is some respect between them.

But Katie being there is hard to believe has something to do with MC, only Nami know that MC probably would be there, nobody else. So, is she told Katie? Or is Katie there for her. I doubt Katie waits behind doors and appear to the club. And she comes rarely there. Or was she there for some other random reason.

I thing this is looking alike "The Truman Show", but I very doubt it is.

Katie knew about Nami attending (and thats why Katie was there) but seeing Nika there (to her suprise) showcased her interest in Nika is at least equal to Nami imo.

But Nojiko seems only concerned about Katie interacting with Nika, not with Nami.

Well we know that only one of them can be a Zane, Nami is the less problematic choice, she has Leia's earring, Nika we don't have anything other than wild speculation. Does not mean that Nika is uniportant, he is the MC, but between them I think Nami is the one with a past.

I find the idea that Noji raised them in secret to protect them a odd one as well, why Auya was not ? or sasha ? or the first team Rivera?

there are some relation between them and the Zanes and Noji played a part in it. My guess was always William and Leia but now we know this cant be the case, if it ever was. I can't see a reason that I find crediable that explain it all. they have a relation of sorts, both Nami and Nika from different avenues.

Oh I didn't mean like they are enemies, more like allies with different perspective. but Nojiko is the weak part here, if she is opposing Katie I don't she is alone in it. Leia was not there.

Kinda the same answer as above about the Nika/Nami - Katie relation. It doesnt make sense why Nojiko is concerned about Katie and Nika meeting when Nami is the (main) link.

Nojiko worked together with Helen's sister in a hospital if i remember it correctly (my memory is cloudy about that one) in the past. And yeah i thought Nika is Willy&Leia's kid too in the past, no clue how the connection is now and why they ended up with Nojiko. Maybe both were kids of former Zane allies/friends who died on a zane mission ... doesnt sound too exciting but i really lack explantions for that

Not sure what the last paragraph is supposed to mean? But im pretty sure Katie and Leia are working together (seems like they visited the bookclub the last time together too).

 

[BobTheDuck]

Well we know that only one of them can be a Zane, Nami is the less problematic choice, she has Leia's earring, Nika we don't have anything other than wild speculation. Does not mean that Nika is uniportant, he is the MC, but between them I think Nami is the one with a past.

I find the idea that Noji raised them in secret to protect them a odd one as well, why Auya was not ? or sasha ? or the first team Rivera?

there are some relation between them and the Zanes and Noji played a part in it. My guess was always William and Leia but now we know this cant be the case, if it ever was. I can't see a reason that I find crediable that explain it all. they have a relation of sorts, both Nami and Nika from different avenues.

Oh I didn't mean like they are enemies, more like allies with different perspective. but Nojiko is the weak part here, if she is opposing Katie I don't she is alone in it. Leia was not there.

I mean, all of our theories are speculation, we wouldn't wonder if we had certainty. Going back to what triggered this, Dwight pointing at them could be "ha someone got her good, betcha Bella pranked her" ...which isn't out of character considering he sent dick pics of his schlong with a ribbon to the dean, and rocks a major hangover during the middle of the college day. He's a bit dual natured; mature around Sasha (probably because she's no nonsense, but probably hams it up around guys.

The bookclub conspiracies: we know that Katie knows something about Nika and Nami, and that Noji knows it too. We'll keep circling around these ideas until Ocean slips up revealing a render that tells a thousand words, or the update is out. We've got renders of Noji in her sleepwear talking to Nika and Noji in a bikini talking with Nika, my guess is both are serious talks, so there will be explanations of ...something important. Most likely after visiting Ayua, NIka will be curious about even more.

Noji isn't doing a great job of keeping them secret if she enrolls them in the Zane college. Keeping them secret would be moving state. The returning prince is poor cliche. I really hope it's not that. There might be a conspiracy to protect Nika from what really happened to Summer, which I'm guessing Katie and the Zane's know about - that's a pure hunch though. I believe that because the Zanes are central and Summer is central, at some point Ocean will join those dots. That doesn't mean Nika's story is about those things, they are currents which pull him around while he tries to find balance. The story is less about Nika's parents (which might never be confirmed) than it is about how Nika navigates life dealing with his mental health.

Regarding gangs, Uncle Joe had the gang, Leia had employees and a business with wannabe mafia style habits. But her business is legitimate. Same thing with ZPR, it's a legitimate business. We shouldn't get so caught up in cloak and dagger that we miss the simple concept of these three families might have created a business to monopolise the town. The best crimes aren't illegal, and it could well be that the college is their way to retire legitimately, and fix their messes of the past.

 

[LHDLLB]

Katie knew about Nami attending (and thats why Katie was there) but seeing Nika there (to her suprise) showcased her interest in Nika is at least equal to Nami imo.

But Nojiko seems only concerned about Katie interacting with Nika, not with Nami.




Kinda the same answer as above about the Nika/Nami - Katie relation. It doesnt make sense why Nojiko is concerned about Katie and Nika meeting when Nami is the (main) link.

Nojiko worked together with Helen's sister in a hospital if i remember it correctly (my memory is cloudy about that one) in the past. And yeah i thought Nika is Willy&Leia's kid too in the past, no clue how the connection is now and why they ended up with Nojiko. Maybe both were kids of former Zane allies/friends who died on a zane mission ... doesnt sound too exciting but i really lack explantions for that

Not sure what the last paragraph is supposed to mean? But im pretty sure Katie and Leia are working together (seems like they visited the bookclub the last time together too).

I mean, we don't know why Emoji does not want Nika there, she did not know Katie was going that night, as far as we know maybe she just did not wanted Nika to make the Amber connection or the be in cougars den. Katie interest in Nika could as well be one of simply curiosity, not that i belive all that, but Nami is the only one with any link with the Zanes, Nika has none.

Nojiko worked under Scarlet in the hospital and they get along well. Yeah, was the "logical" conclusion but not anymore, would be more easy now if Nika was not a Zane.

The last paragraph is more I musing over thoughts. If the Zane's have a interest in Nami. given that Nami has one of Leia's earring, would not make more sense to Leia check out Nami ? Why Katie was the forcing a meeting ? Agaist Nojiko wishes ? Is possiblie that Leia and/or William do not want make contact with them ?

 

[Capt. Obvious!]

It's unknown. My guess is somewhere between the end of Feb and the end of April, based on all the factors you can read in Ocean's devlogs, usually posted her by kind people around Thurs/Friday.

So update after 1 year

 

[BobTheDuck]

So update after 1 year

Season 1 was released in May, that was the first time we saw the full reworked material, so if it's before May, it's less than a year. Also, consider that S2 Ch1 is going to be half the render count of the entire 5 chapters Ocean released so far, that means we're getting half the size of a season, potentially within one year, which is quite amazing.

 

[Krytax123]

I mean, we don't know why Emoji does not want Nika there, she did not know Katie was going that night, as far as we know maybe she just did not wanted Nika to make the Amber connection or the be in cougars den. Katie interest in Nika could as well be one of simply curiosity, not that i belive all that, but Nami is the only one with any link with the Zanes, Nika has none.

Nojiko worked under Scarlet in the hospital and they get along well. Yeah, was the "logical" conclusion but not anymore, would be more easy now if Nika was not a Zane.

The last paragraph is more I musing over thoughts. If the Zane's have a interest in Nami. given that Nami has one of Leia's earring, would not make more sense to Leia check out Nami ? Why Katie was the forcing a meeting ? Agaist Nojiko wishes ? Is possiblie that Leia and/or William do not want make contact with them ?

It’s confirmed in the conversation between Nojiko and Katie that Nojiko isn’t happy about Katie and Nika interacting while she wasn’t like that with any of the other women at the bookclub despite her initial reservations about Nika coming along.

She didn’t liked Nika joining the trip but only got really agitated/nervous when she realized that Katie is there to a point of being visibly uncomfortable and other people noticing it.

Imo there’s not a lot to discuss about and it’s plainly obvious that Nami and Nika are equally „important“.

 

[alanrock]

So update after 1 year

 

[LHDLLB]

I mean, all of our theories are speculation, we wouldn't wonder if we had certainty. Going back to what triggered this, Dwight pointing at them could be "ha someone got her good, betcha Bella pranked her" ...which isn't out of character considering he sent dick pics of his schlong with a ribbon to the dean, and rocks a major hangover during the middle of the college day. He's a bit dual natured; mature around Sasha (probably because she's no nonsense, but probably hams it up around guys.

The bookclub conspiracies: we know that Katie knows something about Nika and Nami, and that Noji knows it too. We'll keep circling around these ideas until Ocean slips up revealing a render that tells a thousand words, or the update is out. We've got renders of Noji in her sleepwear talking to Nika and Noji in a bikini talking with Nika, my guess is both are serious talks, so there will be explanations of ...something important. Most likely after visiting Ayua, NIka will be curious about even more.

Noji isn't doing a great job of keeping them secret if she enrolls them in the Zane college. Keeping them secret would be moving state. The returning prince is poor cliche. I really hope it's not that. There might be a conspiracy to protect Nika from what really happened to Summer, which I'm guessing Katie and the Zane's know about - that's a pure hunch though. I believe that because the Zanes are central and Summer is central, at some point Ocean will join those dots. That doesn't mean Nika's story is about those things, they are currents which pull him around while he tries to find balance. The story is less about Nika's parents (which might never be confirmed) than it is about how Nika navigates life dealing with his mental health.

Regarding gangs, Uncle Joe had the gang, Leia had employees and a business with wannabe mafia style habits. But her business is legitimate. Same thing with ZPR, it's a legitimate business. We shouldn't get so caught up in cloak and dagger that we miss the simple concept of these three families might have created a business to monopolise the town. The best crimes aren't illegal, and it could well be that the college is their way to retire legitimately, and fix their messes of the past.

I agree with most of it. Nojiko hiding them from the Zanes does not make any sense. I on the other hand would hate to Summer being the thread that connects it all, Summer always felt more a character bit than a plot point, I don't really care about it outside of how Nika deals with it.
The Returning Prince is a bit cliche, it really only interestest me because I find william and Nika personality to be very different in some aspects and very similiar in others, I think is has potencial to have a good dynamic in a father-son relationship.

Other point that I don't quite agree is the cloak and dagger. I think both stories has plenty of that, Nika plans to make Vanessa have sex with her boyfriend father to destroy their family, a bit silly but is the type of cloak and dagger shit I expect, same goes with the Mila situation and the Nicole character assassination, I think will be plenty of that.

The family thing is much early to say, but I don't think Leia would give up her business, and we get bike in SG as well. If I was to bet, each family is one branch of a operation. Petrova the legal one, Elena is a respect lawyer, the Zanes are the finacial and the Revera the criminal one.

 

[LHDLLB]

It’s confirmed in the conversation between Nojiko and Katie that Nojiko isn’t happy about Katie and Nika interacting while she wasn’t like that with any of the other women at the bookclub despite her initial reservations about Nika coming along.

She didn’t liked Nika joining the trip but only got really agitated/nervous when she realized that Katie is there to a point of being visibly uncomfortable and other people noticing it.

Imo there’s not a lot to discuss about and it’s plainly obvious that Nami and Nika are equally „important“.

Well maybe Katie likes them Young and Fresh with a sparkle of depression and anxiety and she feared that Katie might not hold herself and just ravage poor Nika then and there. Unlikely but a man can dream. I agree that Nika is important, my point is that we don't know Nojiko reasons to be mad at Katie and Nika does not have a clear link with the Zanes as Nami do.

 

[Capt. Obvious!]

View attachment 4175772

Sorry, but I'm a bella fan....

 

[yossa999]

Sorry, but I'm a bella fan....

Yeah, this is quite a reason to be sorry

 

[BobTheDuck]

I agree with most of it. Nojiko hiding them from the Zanes does not make any sense. I on the other hand would hate to Summer being the thread that connects it all, Summer always felt more a character bit than a plot point, I don't really care about it outside of how Nika deals with it.
The Returning Prince is a bit cliche, it really only interestest me because I find william and Nika personality to be very different in some aspects and very similiar in others, I think is has potencial to have a good dynamic in a father-son relationship.

Other point that I don't quite agree is the cloak and dagger. I think both stories has plenty of that, Nika plans to make Vanessa have sex with her boyfriend father to destroy their family, a bit silly but is the type of cloak and dagger shit I expect, same goes with the Mila situation and the Nicole character assassination, I think will be plenty of that.

The family thing is much early to say, but I don't think Leia would give up her business, and we get bike in SG as well. If I was to bet, each family is one branch of a operation. Petrova the legal one, Elena is a respect lawyer, the Zanes are the finacial and the Revera the criminal one.

I can imagine plenty of ways to make SUmmer stay gone, but be a fixed point that Nika navigates the story by. In my mind, Summer is a direction that he has to walk away from. It's quite easy for her to have impact and to be more than just a starting point without her dominating the narrative. I would hope that Nika uncovers his past and retrieves the parts of himself that he though he lost, not just build himself up from the ground and ignore who he was. I suspect that bringing Nia's story into things, Ocean will have plenty of material with Summer, therapy flashbacks or memories taht NIka comes to terms with, and he grows past those mental issues as he accepts the grief is part of moving on.

I can also imagine scenarios where the Zanes feel guilty for what happened to Nika's parents. What if Vic got the scholarship for the same reason, that the Zane's felt responsible for her being an orphan? That is SG the Zanes try to fix some of the damage they caused by getting to the top?

By cloak and dagger, I don't mean the teenage detective shenanigans, I mean the mafia/gang angle. Yes it's 100% there in WiaB, and we know it's still there in some ways now, but it's not necessarily a major focus of SG. ALso, we don't know how it will be in WiaB. So far it seems more like organised crime than a gang, there's a lot more subtlety to Leia's operations. So yes WiaB has the cloak and dagger and mysteries, SG so far is just Nika's mysteries. The Zanes do have a legitimate business, and Noji might be simply a legitimate doctor.