Content Warning: This section of the guide contains references to sexual assault and harassment.

Centered around Bake Week, a week-long reality baking competition show, The Golden Spoon explores the dangers of competition and rivalry. As the contestants and hosts navigate the competition, their determination to win compels them to take drastic action. The fictional examination of reality television highlights the physical, emotional, and mental dangers of competition and rivalry. Strikingly, the contestants themselves are not particularly competitive with each other. They have moments of jealousy and annoyance, but, on the whole, remain friendly with each other and are capable of keeping the stakes of Bake Week in perspective.

Host Betsy Martin, on the other hand, is a cautionary tale. Although she wants Bake Week to have a gentler atmosphere than her co-host Archie’s previous show, Betsy herself is consumed by jealousy and competition. Although she singles out Archie as the object of her rivalry, because of his charm and confidence, Betsy is also, and more directly, threatened by her show coordinator, Melanie. Over the course of 10 seasons, Melanie has gradually assumed more control over the direction of Bake Week, even to the point of choosing this year’s contestants.