ABO Desire - episode 9
Let me think on this, how am I going to make my comments 🤔
Before I get to the hot topic from this episode that has users in the MDL comment section and the BL community throwing fists at each other, let me talk about a little thing called "practicality".
I am not sold on the happenings in this episode; they seemed far fetched and stupid. What I am not sold on is Mr Sheng not being able to recognise Hua Yong during the rape. I am assuming that the low lighting of the scene is supposed to give the idea that it was too dark for him to see. Even that for me is a poor explanation, given there are lights mounted on the wall which were on albeit dimmed; plus he was able to see enough to punch Hua Yong squarely in the face. He heard his voice and as far as I am concerned his voice did not sound different. Furthermore Hua Yong is not some associate, he lives with the man, literally sleeps in the same bed; he is in love with him. How on earth, given these circumstances does he not recognise him. The explanation that Hua Yong used his pheromones to subdue his senses does not hold much water because Mr Sheng was clearly defending himself and in close proximity to Hua Yong before he was subdued. In addition his memory remained intact the morning after. I simply cannot believe the events that took place here concerning the identity of Hua Yong remaining hidden; no sense of realism can be extended to this situation.
In the case of Gao Tu and Sheng Wen Lang their situation is unrealistic as well. You mean you want me to believe that Sheng Wen Lang could not have possibly recognised Gao Tu during the course of their situation (it is hard to classify it as a rape legally speaking). I simply cannot give it no believability.
I am starting to see why out of the two Chinese BLs that were airing together (this and RL) this series fell behind in ratings and hype.
Now to the topic of contention; the rape that took place. Really I would have preferred to discuss this in a finale review because I have grown into the habit of saving it all for such reviews out of laziness lol. However I want to discuss it a little bit right now. Let me see if I can do so in quick bullet points:
- I see a lot of fans outraged about the rape and sexual assaults that took place. They have a right to feel however they want. Reading the comments though it became very clear to me that many do not really know Chinese works beyond the few series that get released and Bromances. Most of these series are adopted from novels and a lot of Chinese BL novels have rape between the leads as an element. Fans have been shielded from the reality of these stories through these series adaptations. I wonder how many know what really took place in Addicted Heroin? The series adaptations of Addicted Heroin, BL and Bromance, have truly protected fans from the truth. If you have read Chinese works then you should not be surprised about what took place. Why rape is such a popular element in Chinese works is another discussion. I must say that Meet You at the Blossom was bolder is sticking to the truth of the story concerning the rape that took place.
- Now, choosing to watch or read works that have this element is solely up to the viewer to decide and they have every right to make whatever choice and to have opinions.
- In terms of the Omegaverse context justifying the rape, that is a another discussion that will drag in the classification of what took place between Gao Tu and Sheng Wen Lang.
I have a lot more to say, but I would really prefer to reserve my comments for now until the finale review. With topics such as this I prefer to comprehensively flesh out a discussion and for me I do that best when I have all the facts at the end of a series. Plus, this topic is very sensitive as it plays on so many things such as culture, morality, fiction, etc. I will leave it here for now. That Finale Review is going to be very long, but hopefully not contentious 😭