This review may contain spoilers
toxicity dressed up as love
Overall the show is toxic, that is undeniable. But there are also a few good things and I really enjoyed parts of it, especially the first episodes.
So, first what I liked.
- acting. Mew is an amazing actor and he really carried this show on his back many times. He is so much more than just good looks and I love how he shows different emotions with just slight changes of facial expressions. His pain was really heartbreaking and those little happy smiles Tharn tried to hide so desperately when Type did something nice were just stunning. Gulf was solid, though obviously overshadowed by Mew's performance. Other boys were decent but didn't really have much onscreen time.
- side characters. Techno was super cute and funny, I enjoyed every moment he was on screen. The entire group of friends was interesting and I would love to see more of them. The two guys who lived next to Tharn and Type were sweet.
- music was good and the theme song is lovely.
- chemistry between Tharn and Type was off the charts and all intimate moments were really hot.
Now a much longer list of what I didn't like.
- an unbelievably careless approach to sexual abuse. Type's unresolved trauma which is suddenly miraculously cured by sex. Tar being raped and the show not addressing this issue in a meaningful way. Tharn having dubiously consensual sex with San when the former was 14 and was so "small, cute and innocent that San couldn't resist". Plus Thorn, a loving big brother, laughing with San that "you had sex with my younger brother and it was so bad that he doesn't want to be a bottom ever again, but sure bro, you are still my best friend".
- Tharn's rapey behaviour. As much as I can understand that he felt attacked when he did nothing wrong and decided that since Type hates gays, some gay behaviour would be the best way to retaliate, but still, as soon as he learned about Type's past, he should have stopped it immediately. No excuses.
- Type's toxicity. Jesus, that was awful. I really felt sorry for Type at the beginning, but when he was still being a total asshole when Tharn was nothing but sweet and loving towards him, that was too much. No, it is not cute or mischievous, it is WRONG on so many levels. I get that Type was traumatised and was supposed to be the "tease" here, but ffs this is not how you justify being a toxic jerk towards the person you supposedly love.
- Tharn's absolute lack of self-esteem. He is repeatedly verbally and physically abused by Type and still comes back begging for more. It was terribly sad that Tharn was all smiles and happiness only because Type wasn't hating him for a few seconds. This is NOT how you should be treated in a relationship.
- ending. Honestly, was there any logic in this at all? Couldn't those two just TALK for once instead of having sex and fighting? Couldn't Type think of something that would NOT break Tharn's heart for a change? And Lhong is essentially left to his own devices and even assured that he is loved after he paid some guys to GANG RAPE Tar?
- overall lost potential. I really hoped that as the show touched upon so many important and difficult issues, it will be a meaningful story about overcoming your traumas, learning how to be more open-minded, working on relations with other people, establishing a healthy relationship and contributing to it in a mature way. It could have been so good.
So, first what I liked.
- acting. Mew is an amazing actor and he really carried this show on his back many times. He is so much more than just good looks and I love how he shows different emotions with just slight changes of facial expressions. His pain was really heartbreaking and those little happy smiles Tharn tried to hide so desperately when Type did something nice were just stunning. Gulf was solid, though obviously overshadowed by Mew's performance. Other boys were decent but didn't really have much onscreen time.
- side characters. Techno was super cute and funny, I enjoyed every moment he was on screen. The entire group of friends was interesting and I would love to see more of them. The two guys who lived next to Tharn and Type were sweet.
- music was good and the theme song is lovely.
- chemistry between Tharn and Type was off the charts and all intimate moments were really hot.
Now a much longer list of what I didn't like.
- an unbelievably careless approach to sexual abuse. Type's unresolved trauma which is suddenly miraculously cured by sex. Tar being raped and the show not addressing this issue in a meaningful way. Tharn having dubiously consensual sex with San when the former was 14 and was so "small, cute and innocent that San couldn't resist". Plus Thorn, a loving big brother, laughing with San that "you had sex with my younger brother and it was so bad that he doesn't want to be a bottom ever again, but sure bro, you are still my best friend".
- Tharn's rapey behaviour. As much as I can understand that he felt attacked when he did nothing wrong and decided that since Type hates gays, some gay behaviour would be the best way to retaliate, but still, as soon as he learned about Type's past, he should have stopped it immediately. No excuses.
- Type's toxicity. Jesus, that was awful. I really felt sorry for Type at the beginning, but when he was still being a total asshole when Tharn was nothing but sweet and loving towards him, that was too much. No, it is not cute or mischievous, it is WRONG on so many levels. I get that Type was traumatised and was supposed to be the "tease" here, but ffs this is not how you justify being a toxic jerk towards the person you supposedly love.
- Tharn's absolute lack of self-esteem. He is repeatedly verbally and physically abused by Type and still comes back begging for more. It was terribly sad that Tharn was all smiles and happiness only because Type wasn't hating him for a few seconds. This is NOT how you should be treated in a relationship.
- ending. Honestly, was there any logic in this at all? Couldn't those two just TALK for once instead of having sex and fighting? Couldn't Type think of something that would NOT break Tharn's heart for a change? And Lhong is essentially left to his own devices and even assured that he is loved after he paid some guys to GANG RAPE Tar?
- overall lost potential. I really hoped that as the show touched upon so many important and difficult issues, it will be a meaningful story about overcoming your traumas, learning how to be more open-minded, working on relations with other people, establishing a healthy relationship and contributing to it in a mature way. It could have been so good.
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