Final Draft

As a European, it truly warms me to see the sportsmanship in this show. I know what it's like to see bad losers and even worse winners - but in this show, they are gracious losers and humble winners.

They cheer for each other, encourage one another, and show admiration and respect in a way I haven't often seen in sports shows. Even in defeat, they take full accountability without blame or excuses, and they're genuinely grateful for the opportunity to be among other great athletes.

The challenges were fun and tested both durability and power. Some athletes really got to shine and display their almost superhuman strengths. But in the end, it's the heart of this show that makes it so special. At times, it even felt like watching a movie - that's how good it was. I ended up binging the entire season in one afternoon.

This show reminded me of the joy, connection, and energy that sports gave me when I was younger. A must watch!

This is a highly addictive competition series that I almost watched in only two days. Once you start, you just can't stop. I love the formal of these physical competition series and I'm already looking forward to the next season of the show. If you enjoyed Physical:100 or Physical: Asia you will definitely want to check this series out.

First off, many viewers are disappointed in the production value of Final Draft. And I agree. Compare it to physical 100 and the shock value and entertainment are sub par. The overall mix of different elements and games sometimes felt lacking or rushed.

But the message behind it all and the respect of one's peers, is something so beautiful to witness. The last episode left me feeling in awe. Sport is the pinnacle of human life. There's something so profound to push everything in your body to the maximum. The simplicity, but the sheer bliss. I think final draft did an excellent job at portraying this feeling.

It was slower than I usually like, but it pulled me in because of the participants. They were some of the best athletes I've seen-competitive yet respectful, showing genuine sportsmanship.

It's kind of ridiculous how many reviews keep comparing this to Physical 100. Yes, both shows feature athletes, but that doesn't mean they're the same. They have completely different challenges, rules, and approaches. If you don't want to try something new, just stick with what you like-there's no need to drag another show down.

Also, people seem to forget the bigger picture. This show probably had a smaller budget, but that might be intentional so more of the prize money goes to the winner. That money can genuinely help them start a second career after retirement. It's not just a competition show-it's meant to be more than that.

From an editing standpoint though, the pacing didn't work well. I understand it's a reality competition show and they want to keep things authentic, but it often felt uneven. That was my biggest issue.

I also wish the show were a bit longer, with more time dedicated to contestants bonding. There were glimpses of that, but not enough. The video call segments, while emotional, took too much time. It would feel more rewarding if contestants had to earn them by winning challenges.

As for the complaints I've seen from others: the show is about finding the best athlete, the one who can survive eliminations. The claims that women were at a disadvantage don't hold up-many women defeated men and advanced. In the end, the ones who didn't make it simply weren't strong enough. I truly believe several women had the potential to reach the finals.

And regarding the winner: Itoi absolutely deserved it. I don't understand the backlash. This isn't a scripted show-it's reality. The best athlete won, fair and square. If people only want a "deserving" winner based on personal preference, then they're watching the wrong kind of show.

Honestly I was really excited for a show like this, physical competitions are the purest form of reality TV and it is something everyone can relate to and be inspired by.

However, Final Draft fails to hit the mark in many ways. While the collection of athletes was very impressive, the competition design itself is VERY flawed. The second competition is a prime example of how little thought went into designing some of the setups. A lot of people got eliminated despite being better athletes due to equipment's not registering entries, or being needed to be pushed too hard in a situation that also lacks feedback and clarity. Either that or the special guests bought in do not get enough rest or are from different weight classes with massive reach disadvantage, therefore not offering the same intensity for everyone. It is very poorly planned when it comes to balance.

Also the direction and overall presentation is a tad below what I expected. Simply put this is an inferior Physical 100 in every sense of the word, while still fun and worth a watch.