As a Gordon Ramsay fan I welcome new content. I didn't think KN would come back due to the low restaurant success/survival/turnaround rates of the previous seven seasons, with only a few exceptions of good owners/staff that kept his changes. But here we are, and let's examine.

Right away, the production quality seems weird. For me the gold standard is the UK Nightmares series - light music, GR narrating the episodes himself, honest convos, working with the young chefs, improving front of house, doing activities that brings the teams together and informs them how they can be better, and multiple services to get a clearer upward trajectory for the restaurant. Then we have the first seven seasons of US Nightmares - I didn't like the music, narration and drama as much but the pacing was better. Some episodes we felt a connection to the owner or the staff. Usually there would be a second night of service where they implement a fresh special - it wouldn't go super well but it would prove that Gordon's direction is right, and once he's convinced the restaurant can be saved, he does the makeover and they have the final redemption service.

I'll start with the positives for this season. I like that this season is more modern, thinking about online menus, social media accounts, etc. Gordon is narrating it which is a huge W. He is much more cognizant of mental health and deals with it in a gentler way. Less screaming and bullshit drama is nice. However - the pacing/timing of the shots this season are weird. I'm sure some of it is not having the music. Some moments are dull. He doesn't insult the food as hilariously. The owners/staff have very clear issues which he does point out but they don't have a middle service prove themselves, he just straight up does a restaurant transformation after having a heart to heart with the owners. I'm curious to see how the restaurants are doing now.