Call It What You Want Season 2 (2021)

I have so many issues with this season I don't even know where to start.

Argh, this was frustrating.

How can they tackle a story such as abuse of power, sexual abuse, and waste so much time on James and Ait's relationship? My problem isn't even that I find them boring or that Ait is annoying and immature. My problem is that they could have had something actually valuable to say and they bailed. The endless speech about James and Ait being in a relationship bore me to death. Even while acknowledging that shipping actors together is huge in the BL industry and makes sense to talk about (the way Lovely Writer also did), Tee's problematic behaviour comes last and is barely addressed. Honestly, I was more satisfied with the first season's ending... It felt open ended and optimistic whereas this one felt rushed and unresolved.

Now, don't get me wrong, I wanted to see Bas and Marco get together, but somehow when they do, it fixes all of Bas' issues? The depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, the constant self-blame? I can even excuse that they picked the weirdest time to have sex, I can believe that would happen, but it was way too rough considering Bas' history which made me really uncomfortable. Oh, and that's without even mentioning it's mere hours after Marco confessed his love to James. Yikes...

I'm trying to remember positive aspects but the end got me so upset I think I forgot everything else. I mean, if you exclude what I said above, Marco and Bas kissing in front of the cameras is quite cute. Apart from that, Bas' struggles are very real and definitely what I wanted from this season, brilliantly acted by Michael as well. Everyone say thank you Michael for giving this season a reason to exist. He single-handedly raised all of the scores.

I wouldn't say don't watch it because Michael is amazing but... gosh it's flawed. If it was any longer, I would have said don't bother.

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Highly Recommend

Looking for something cute and fluffy? TURN BACK! Looking for something that screams 'real life'? LOOK NO FURTHER!
In true S2 fashion, this season focuses on the side couple. And I'm living for it! Everything about it was emotional. We all know the entertainment industry is cut throat, but CIWYW highlights the dark secrets everyone tries/is forced to hide, for the sake of their reputation and careers. Everyone deserves a friend like Marco for when you're feeling darkness like Bas. I wish it wasn't so short and there's a bit of room for S3, but I'm legit satisfied af with this ending. I wouldn't recommend to a newbie to BL, unless you want them to see the negatives of it all but I'd definitely put it on your PTWL.
I hope everyone learns something from this series whether it be 'Don't be scared to love who YOU want' or 'Talk to someone when you're in a bad state of mind and/or body'.
Enjoy...

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