OPINION: From Skeptic to Superfan – How I Went From Disliking Gio to Yelling “TEAM GIO!!!”

Let me be the first to admit it — if you scroll back through my older posts in this group, you’ll probably find more than a few spicy takes about Gio. In fact, some of you may remember how passionately I disliked his character. I complained. I questioned his purpose. I rolled my eyes at every scene he popped up in.

But today? I’m here to eat my words with a side of humble pie because guess what? I’m now fully, unapologetically, and enthusiastically on TEAM GIO. That’s right — this former Gio critic is now his loudest cheerleader. Funny how things change, eh?

Let’s take a little walk down memory lane.

The Early Days: Confused and Unconvinced

When Gio was first introduced (you all remember that awkward debut), I honestly didn’t get it. His character felt — to me at the time — like an odd fit in the dynamic we were already invested in. He was unpredictable, quirky, and seemed to float in and out of scenes without a clear arc. While other characters were driving the plot or delivering emotional gut-punches, Gio felt… ornamental.

I didn’t understand the point of him. What was he doing? Why was he there? Was he just comic relief? Was he supposed to be deep? Was I missing something?

Cue several posts from me on this very group, venting my confusion and frustration. I wasn’t alone either — a few of you chimed in with similar sentiments. For a while, it felt like Gio was destined to be that one character I just couldn’t vibe with.

The Turning Point: A Scene, A Line, A Shift

And then something shifted.

I can’t even tell you exactly when it happened — maybe it was that quiet little scene with him sitting on the rooftop at dusk, talking to [insert character] about feeling like he never quite fit in. Maybe it was the way he stood up in that confrontation scene, not with bravado but with honesty. Or maybe it was how the writers began peeling back the layers, showing us that beneath the carefree surface, Gio was navigating his own silent battles.

Suddenly, the quirks made sense. The randomness had context. Gio wasn’t aimless — he was guarded. His humor? A shield. His detachment? A mask. He wasn’t just there to fill space — he was reflecting an entire archetype of people who struggle to find their voice in loud, chaotic worlds.

It hit me like a ton of bricks. I had misjudged him. Entirely.

Now? I Can’t Get Enough of Him

Now that I see him for who he is — or at least, who he’s becoming — Gio is one of the richest, most relatable characters in the whole series. He’s funny, yes, but also deeply human. He doesn’t demand your attention the way some other characters do. Instead, he earns it — slowly, and meaningfully.

I find myself rooting for him in scenes I once dreaded. I smile when he enters a room. I get him now. His growth feels authentic. He may not always have the loudest storyline, but he has one of the most quietly powerful ones.

A Lesson in Patience (and Admitting When You’re Wrong)

What Gio taught me — beyond the bounds of the show — is the value of patience and the importance of withholding judgment. Some characters (and people!) aren’t meant to grab you from the first moment. Some grow on you. Some need time, and layers, and space to be understood.

I was so busy expecting him to be like everyone else, I almost missed the brilliance of who he actually is.

So, to the Group…

To everyone who stuck by Gio from the beginning — you were right.
To everyone who doubted like me — maybe give him another look.
To Gio himself (fictional or not): I was wrong, man. You’re the heart of this thing.

And finally, to all of you reading this, know this much:

I’m Team Gio now. Loud and proud.
And I never saw that coming — but that’s the beauty of great storytelling.

Funny how things change, eh?
#TeamGioForever