Pedro Guida
It's very hard to write this review because these show started out incredibly unique and strong and also managed to end very well, way above your usual BL or drama in general, including Western. Yet, the back half of the season before the final two episodes are some of the most poorly written and edited episodes I've ever seen, that leave you wondering why are you still even watching this.
The reason why I kept watching it is because the leads, Drake and Frank, are highly charismatic actors with the most adorable chemistry. Their interactions are not too sexual - this entire series features two very tame kisses - but they have a tender bond that is explored in every single episode. If what you want to watch is a very romantic BL, this fits the bill nicely.
What is bad about it is the writing. The original premise makes no sense and it's soon dropped. Which is fine, because for the first 5 or 6 episodes they delve into how a boy can realise his true sexuality and fall in love in a very grounded way, including the consequences you might face. I don't think any other BL has done this that well. However, as they run out of that storyline and need contrivances to keep going, this series will introduce huge plot points every episode to cause drama, never really explore or explain them, completely drop them or mention them in passing several episodes later. It feels half of the story is happening off screen and is only mentioned in passing while on screen the characters are doing the most mundane things ever for no reason. All characters that are not the two leads are underwritten and underserved, half of the time you don't really know what is going on and when you do, it doesn't matter. The characters will simply ignore those plot points and the story will go on. When you almost lose all hope, they tie most of them in the last two episodes, which have a very satisfying ending, but, that is very real-life. Even though it won't have a season two according to the book author, you could see the story has many interesting places to go. Which, again, begs the question, why doesn't it go there in *this season*.
The music is great. The sound is poor, though, and a few scenes you can't barely hear the actors. Production values started out OK and, by the end, it seems they were out of budget.
Would I rewatch this? Yes... Episodes 1-6, 11-12. I would not watch 7-10 and, quite frankly, you don't even have to. They add nothing but confusion.
The reason why I kept watching it is because the leads, Drake and Frank, are highly charismatic actors with the most adorable chemistry. Their interactions are not too sexual - this entire series features two very tame kisses - but they have a tender bond that is explored in every single episode. If what you want to watch is a very romantic BL, this fits the bill nicely.
What is bad about it is the writing. The original premise makes no sense and it's soon dropped. Which is fine, because for the first 5 or 6 episodes they delve into how a boy can realise his true sexuality and fall in love in a very grounded way, including the consequences you might face. I don't think any other BL has done this that well. However, as they run out of that storyline and need contrivances to keep going, this series will introduce huge plot points every episode to cause drama, never really explore or explain them, completely drop them or mention them in passing several episodes later. It feels half of the story is happening off screen and is only mentioned in passing while on screen the characters are doing the most mundane things ever for no reason. All characters that are not the two leads are underwritten and underserved, half of the time you don't really know what is going on and when you do, it doesn't matter. The characters will simply ignore those plot points and the story will go on. When you almost lose all hope, they tie most of them in the last two episodes, which have a very satisfying ending, but, that is very real-life. Even though it won't have a season two according to the book author, you could see the story has many interesting places to go. Which, again, begs the question, why doesn't it go there in *this season*.
The music is great. The sound is poor, though, and a few scenes you can't barely hear the actors. Production values started out OK and, by the end, it seems they were out of budget.
Would I rewatch this? Yes... Episodes 1-6, 11-12. I would not watch 7-10 and, quite frankly, you don't even have to. They add nothing but confusion.
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