The Ultimatum: Queer Love Season 2 Power Rankings

by

Watching “The Ultimatum: Queer Love” is essential viewing for any straight woman who often wishes she were a lesbian, as it demonstrates that complications aren’t exclusive to heterosexual relationships. The second season of this queer adaptation of Netflix’s “marry-or-move-on” concept further showcases the fact that chaos isn’t confined solely to straight couples. This series features couples consisting of women and nonbinary individuals who must undergo two trial marriages – one with a new partner and one with their original one – before deciding whether to get engaged.

Personally, I think if you’re dating someone who even considers participating in this show, it’s time to end the relationship. However, if everyone followed that advice, there would be no compelling Miami couples left for us to analyze!

Before diving into our power ranking, remember that this is not a judgment on the individuals’ kindness off-screen but rather their impact in the edited version of events we see presented. It’s important to note that this entire cast outshines every individual from the main “Ultimatum,” as the straight seasons have yet to captivate my attention beyond a single episode.

16.
JoAnna Garcia Swisher

In my perspective, JoAnna appears to be a gracious woman whom I respect for her supportive attitude towards the cast’s relationships. It was heartwarming to see a straight-identifying person openly accepting their connections, as it truly touched everyone involved. However, if a host feels compelled to clarify that they are not queer before addressing issues on The Queer Ultimatum, it places them lower on my list of preferences. I yearn for hosts who can provide guidance or facilitate discussions while drawing from their personal experiences in thriving queer relationships – Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts, or Gabby Windey and Robby Hoffman, for instance, would be ideal candidates. Such representation would undeniably add power to the show.

15.
Britney

In simpler terms, if we were ranking people in real life, Britney would likely be at the top due to her beauty, emotional intelligence, and business acumen. However, on the show “Queer Ultimatum,” she’s unfairly portrayed as a troll. Despite this, no one chooses her, leaving her in a platonic trial marriage. When she reunites with AJ, Britney emphasizes that AJ is enough but also has potential for more. The show leaves Britney waiting for AJ to overcome her insecurities, giving her little control over her experience. Despite the frustrating situation, Britney reports that it led to a healthier work-life balance and improved relationship with AJ, so as long as she’s content, that’s what matters! Here’s to hoping Britney’s med spa always thrives!

14.
Ashley

Ashley visits “The Queer Ultimatum” with her girlfriend Marita expressing feelings of emptiness in their relationship. It’s surprising that Ashley anticipates happiness when she barely bothers to buy flowers for Marita. However, it is understood that Ashley has a history of being in an abusive relationship, which could explain her stoic demeanor and reluctance towards romantic gestures. Yet, these traits make her an unsuitable partner for Marita; even Ashley’s own sisters acknowledge their mismatch. In this situation, Ashley is supposed to be the one applying pressure, but it’s Marita who persistently urges Ashley to change. Instead of proposing, Ashley follows the “had-to-do-it-to-’em” meme, stating that she loves Marita enough to let her go. Unfortunately, it seems like Ashley didn’t make an effort to maintain the relationship from the start. During the reunion, accusations of infidelity are exchanged, and it remains unclear what truly transpired between them off-camera. However, it becomes apparent that neither has much influence when even mentioning a dying grandmother fails to elicit sympathy from their former partner.

13.
Marita

As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it as follows: In the realm of hopeless romantics, I, Marita, take the crown. My voice, stronger than most on this series, echoes my desires loud and clear. However, fate seems to have other plans for me, as more often than not, what I want remains elusive. For instance, instead of a trial marriage with AJ, I find myself paired with his girlfriend, Britney. This twist works wonders for AJ and Britney – AJ eventually admits that our conversation played a significant role in his proposal decision. But alas, it doesn’t bring me the happy ending I yearn for. When my friend, Britney, treats me with kindness I’ve rarely experienced, it only magnifies the turmoil I feel towards Ashley. Despite acknowledging that I’m not truly content in our relationship, I still crave Ashley’s proposal – a strange longing that persists even though I intend to accept. During our public breakup, my attachment to Ashley holds me back from leaving as much as I wish to, but by the reunion, I find the courage to tell her that I despise her. This journey could be seen as growth.

12.
Marie

It’s interesting to observe that Mel often shakes her head while talking, and I speculate this might have had some hypnotic influence over Marie. Other than this peculiar bond, their shared business partnership and living arrangement don’t seem sufficient to explain the durability of their relationship. Mel has expressed doubts about whether she and Marie can serve as each other’s support system, which is striking given Marie’s validating nature and her tendency to forgive Mel’s transgressions. For instance, when Mel discloses getting a tattoo with Dayna, Marie merely sighs and acknowledges that Dayna will always be in her life. When Mel proposes using a Ring Pop, it appears as if Marie is ready to accept the lesser offer and continue dating; she looks taken aback when Mel presents an actual ring and makes her a fiancée. Fortunately, Marie eventually ends their relationship off-camera. During the reunion, Marie shows more assertiveness than usual, but her focus often wavers, making her appear more agitated with Marita than with Mel. Fittingly, Marie’s last words of the season are, “I’m not a toucher,” just before she is embraced anyway.

11.
Mel and Marie’s food truck

It’s unfortunate to note, but this vehicle seems to exert more influence over Marie than Marie does. The food truck that Mel and Marie managed jointly seemed to dictate the amount of time they could spend together, casting a significant shadow on their relationship priorities as a couple. Marie appears particularly upset during their reunion when she mentions the Brussels sprouts that Mel prepared for Dayna – it’s no surprise that this dish is listed on the truck’s menu. In essence, before Dayna was even involved, the food truck seemed to form a sort of three-way relationship with Mel and Marie.

10.
Kyle

The ability to catch Pilar’s attention, who is in a decade-long relationship, might appear as a strong asset at first glance. However, considering that Haley, Pilar’s partner, was also tempted during her trial marriage, it could be more about Pilar exploring whether there are superior options available rather than being attracted to Kyle specifically. Following an unexpected kiss from Pilar, Kyle expresses regret for sending ambiguous signals. Although this incident serves as a positive illustration of conflict resolution in future relationships, it’s unclear if Kyle was steering the conversation or even actively involved in it. Despite this, Kyle’s persistent emphasis on the importance of marriage eventually convinces her initial partner, Bridget, to reconcile, despite her not fully grasping its allure.

9.
Kyle’s mom

In this season, she’s the initial person we encounter who has effectively enforced an ultimatum, and the man sitting next to her serves as convincing evidence of his power. She isn’t shy about expressing her belief that her own child might not be ready for marriage, yet when Kyle and Bridget decide to get engaged despite this, she’s present at their reunion, recording a message of encouragement for them.

8.
Bridget

Bridget isn’t shy about openly criticizing AJ for using the same lines when seeking potential trial-marriage partners. When she feels that her relationship with AJ isn’t going anywhere, she instead pursues a trial marriage with Ashley. Ashley turns out to be genuine and not interested in causing trouble for Marita; she simply has a liking for any partner. Their trial marriage is rarely seen, as it seems Bridget bonds more with Ashley’s dog than with her. In the end, Bridget decides that she can move past Kyle’s kiss with Pilar (she does). Ultimately, she chooses to get engaged because it matters to Kyle. During the reunion, Bridget communicates effectively and remains calm and clear in her expressions. Additionally, Bridget might offer some hair-care advice to Mel, as she has a good routine for her own hair.

7.
AJ

In simpler terms,

At the start of the season, AJ appears to be a troublemaker. Before formal marriages are arranged, she shows interest in Marita, Bridget, and Marie, which seems like the selfish behavior people often warn against in religious teachings. However, her villainous storyline doesn’t last long. If AJ truly wanted to be unfaithful to Britney, it would have been easiest with Marita. Instead, AJ maintains contact with Britney during a trial marriage with a distressed Marie that ultimately remains platonic. AJ seems more concerned about herself than pursuing genuine relationships with others. Even her decision to get engaged revolves around reflecting on her own career progress compared to Britney’s.

AJ’s influence comes from the fact that people, whether they are potential trial wives or Britney, care deeply about her decisions. However, AJ is primarily focused on herself, a trait consistent with someone who receives a 40-second self-focused speech during the reunion in third person.

6.
Pilar

In Pilar’s case, her unique and long-standing queer relationship has endured for a decade. The prejudice she encounters from her family leaves her somewhat uncertain about her desires, but she acknowledges it herself. Unfortunately, her kiss with Kyle casts a shadow over the rest of their trial marriage, which otherwise appears to have played a significant role in nudging her towards accepting her parents’ rejection. Upon hearing that Haley has fallen for someone else after their trial marriage, Pilar feels hurt but doesn’t react defensively. Instead, she uses the moment for self-reflection and makes necessary changes to improve their relationship, eventually winning Haley back. However, she also insists on not being seen as a backup option. Pilar’s strength lies in her willingness to tackle difficult discussions head-on, and this trait extends beyond her personal life as she introduces Haley to her family as her fiancée. Aww! But it might be best if her family didn’t watch this show.

5.
Mel

Mel’s persistent smirking is exasperating, as it’s unclear what there is to smile about. Her actions towards Marie seem more like emotional torment than amusement. Throughout the season, Mel admits that her name represents both Melissa and melodrama, indicating her tendency for dramatic behavior. During her first trial marriage, she expresses that Dayna was the first person to truly understand her, while Marie has left her feeling “crazy” for four years. Mel appears ready to leave Marie for Dayna, but Dayna’s indecisiveness leaves Mel in a difficult position. As decision day approaches, Mel confesses that her feelings fluctuate rapidly and even seeks Dayna’s advice on making a decision. In the reunion, she evades defining sex explicitly, but it’s evident that, by Marie’s standards, boundaries were crossed with Dayna, and Mel lied about it. She also mentions being content as a single individual. Unlike other separated couples who seem to be grappling with sadness or resentment, she merely nods her head without saying much. The capacity to feign indifference is also a form of power.

4.
Haley

In a gentler manner than with Dayna, Haley handles Magan, prompting Magan to challenge her parents’ rejection of her sexuality. Haley guides Magan to a point where she can cut off contact with Dayna. However, she stirs up trouble by suggesting to Marie that Mel and Dayna are in a physical relationship, encouraging them to be more open about it. Interestingly, after giving an ultimatum, Haley resumes her decade-long relationship with Pilar, confessing her newfound love for Magan. When Magan’s demeanor shifts, Haley seeks Pilar’s understanding and support to find closure. In a twist of power dynamics, it is Haley who receives a proposal, leaving us in suspense about whether she will accept or not (unlike when AJ proposed to Britney). Furthermore, Haley gets to propose and discuss marriage even after changing her mind and falling for another woman. Ultimately, Haley ends up happily engaged, and the lesson Pilar learns from their experiment is to treat her better, despite Haley having a physical and emotional relationship with someone else.

3.
The TV That Mysteriously Logged Into Mel and Dayna’s Spotify Playlist

Just messy.

2.
Magan

In my perspective, while Bridget and Mel are both impressive figures, Magan stands out due to her unwavering dedication to her unique hairstyle, earning her the title of the season’s most unforgettable hairdo. On-screen, Magan and Haley express their affection for each other, a declaration that holds significant weight given Haley’s impending decision to possibly end a decade-long relationship. Magan’s subsequent actions, such as reconnecting with Dayna only to later walk back her feelings, are downright cunning. Adding to this is her audacity in asking Haley to apologize to Dayna for not granting her space during their trial marriage. At various junctures, Magan’s actions have left both Haley and Dayna in tears, causing them distress and uncertainty about how to proceed within the show. However, Magan’s influence is such that she arrives at the reunion as a content fiancée with a noticeably stronger bond with her family. As for how her relationships compare to the “most family ever” depicted in Fast & Furious, well, that remains to be seen.

1.
Dayna

Dayna could have a lengthy and prosperous career in PR should she choose to do so. If you pay close attention to the assertive tone of her voice, you might think she never makes mistakes or that if she does, someone else is more at fault. Dayna ponders whether she can ever forgive Magan for forming an intimate bond with Haley, even though we witnessed them getting matching tattoos (something she had promised Magan she would do with her) and heard sounds of pleasure. When Magan suggests they don’t need to discuss their last conversation with Haley right away, Dayna insists, “We’re talking about it now” – a behavior that has led Mel to joke that Dayna acts like her mother at times. This is simply how Dayna conducts herself, which may explain why Magan not answering during their initial trial marriages was so unsettling; Dayna doesn’t appear accustomed to being ignored. When Magan proposes, Dayna reciprocates without getting on one knee – a display of power. During the reunion, it seems that Dayna anticipated some viewer criticism, acknowledging that her understanding of sex might differ from others and expressing regret for lacking self-awareness this season. Her actions undoubtedly affected Magan, Mel, and Marie, but she also encouraged Magan to establish boundaries that hurt Haley’s feelings and unintentionally influenced Pilar’s experience. There’s no denying that Dayna stayed current with what makes popular reality TV, even as she maintains a firm stance on where else her influence was not exercised.

Read More

2025-07-08 22:56