The HIStory tended to focus more on the teenage aspect of gay love, which is okay since I live for high school romances, but Trapped strays from this tradition and gives a story between a police officer and a crime boss. The result is WOW. Never have I felt a rush like I did with this show, I was heavily anticipating every new episode, even up to the last one. No episode is boring and there's so much plot development that happens with each episode that it's dizzying.

The development of the love between Shao Fei and Tang Yi is electrifying (I know I used this word already for my Make Your Days Count review but it's the perfect word to use here). It's a gradual process and it's one that makes you incredibly eager to see the end result because you want to see both of them win at the end. Jake Hsu and Chris Wu have incredible chemistry and you can really feel the emotion, care they have for each other. To see Tang Yi begin to open up to Shao Fei was one of the most well done moments of this trope I've seen anywhere. Usually the trope is used to excuse the main guy's horrible personality and attitude for reasons ranging from whatever but here Tang Yi is not that. He's actually hardened for a reason and doesn't use that to be as a reason to be horrible to other people, even despite the fact that he's a crime boss. Both he and Shao Fei were done written and done so well that I really want to applaud the writers for doing this.

The second couple is cute, leave it for a few too many moments of actual cringe. I did find Jack's sudden attraction to Zhao Zi to be random but I did like that he was open and unafraid of his feelings for him early on. While I still kind of find Jack to be kind of one dimensional, Zhao Zi is absolutely adorable and he's such a great and loyal friend to Shao Fei. His interactions with majority of the characters is absolutely adorable too.

While I do love this series in its entirety, there are a few problems I have with it. For one, its representation of other gay characters aside from the main four. There were so many stereotypes that were put forth with these characters that it's kind of sad to see in a show that is usually progressive in terms to how they represent the queer community. Andy is one of Tang Yi's friends who is gay and obviously has a thing for Tang Yi. That's not a problem if it weren't for the fact that Andy has a BOYFRIEND and yet he's still pining for Tang Yi's affection and it is very sensual with him. This puts unfortunate strength to the negative stereotype that gay men are incredibly promiscuous and prone to cheating. Then theres Zhi-de, who is also in love with Tang Yi because who isn't. Anyways, when his advances are constantly rejected and in favor for Shao Fei, Zhi-de resorts to kidnapping and sexual aggression to gain Tang Yi's attention. This furthers the stereotype of promiscuity and also the horrible stereotype of gay men as predatory. Now onto two, Hong Ye. Sigh. I was so disappointed that the show was going with the route of the evil female character in the BL. It's a horrible trope that is not also rooted in sexism but also downright misogyny that will do anything to make the male characters look good. It was quite confusing what the reasons for her being antagonistic with Shao Fei were. I thought at first she was also in love with Tang Yi but then Gao De comes in and that's the one she's in love with. ???. However that doesn't stop her from being horrible. She is actually responsible for Shao Fei getting shot the first time and wipes her hands clean from the whole ordeal by telling Zhi-de she doesn't want to be connected to it... and she gets away with it. The hell? It pissed me off because after a while everything she did is glossed over and eventually she accepts the relationship ... Now for the last one, three, the plot is a bit farfetched and cliche. However, this isn't a jarring problem so I might let it slide.

All in all, the show isn't one without flaws but it's definitely one of the best BLs out there (with HIStory 2: Crossing The Line, SOTUS, Mr. X and I: Be There For You). It's got a great cast with great performances, excellent music (the opening theme is AMAZING) and impressive cinematography. It's a great ride and it definitely has rewatch value. I definitely recommend. I just might watch it again myself.