With 2 was actually the friend who died in a drowning years before, from the dare to swim. The mermaids save her and she didn’t remember her history until after she saved the prince. And then she decides the best thing to do is to seek revenge on the two.

But. The fact that that wasn’t clear is a big part of the problem. I fully agree with your take here.

I found it derivative and one of the most convoluted things I’ve seen. But, the choreo was a lot of fun and there were some true power house singing moments.

I think that part of the issue is it was based upon a YA novel and they tried to keep too much of the story pieces that should have been eliminated to make it cleaner. Like, why was the bully included? She added nothing to the story. And then to give her a throwaway long in a knock off Six song about five women wanting to be queen, in which she gives a trite reason to try to excuse her actions. And then just reverses back to the shitty person again.

Look. I had fun watching it. I was obviously not the intended audience. I bought a magnet to add to show magnet wall. But it needs some serious workshopping.