Chelsea Black

The lack of anal foreplay is worrying! I read the books always assuming they'll be more on this and that it has been adapted for TV but, no. I mean, sure, everyone's first time is no picnic but the reluctant maiden storyline needs to stop, you're right. I note the absence of this in Taiwanese dramas. Apart from History3 MODC where they discuss it but again none of this, "thanks for enduring pain for me"

Right, the obsession with defining them as such in the genre is why we have so many 'gay for him only' storylines instead of exploring sexual fluidity without positioning it in terms of gender. But I guess this is what happens when it's such a women dominated genre.

I'm definitely getting a D/s vibe from their use of consent and rule setting to Gene's willingness to let Sib lead. Like arranging for his car to be picked up and how he seems to space out a lot. But again not a full on western definition of one so it's really quite delightful to watch

Interestingly here I think they are still breaking barriers as the relationship is more dom /sub than the typical top / bottom. Yes a lot of cultural norms are still very heteronormative but I'm getting the sense that their power dynamic isn't masculine vs female energy which comes across when Gene is engaging with others. He's in his own world and somewhat struggles but I don't see that making him more feminine. There are a number of times when he's definitely leading their interaction but as he trusts Sib more he defers to him more. We can question if that's right or wrong but it feels like what he wants

They further explore this through Teep and Run and then Tum and Tiffy. Things are how they appear on the surface but within relationships are more complicated than

But in terms of relationships, I find that everywhere we still rely on heteronormative roles too much. If I see one more YouTube comment about who is the top. YAWN!

My understanding is that as they've veered away from the book then it's hard to know in Ch 11. So although it will be about pressure from the show for them to break up and keep the Aoey / Sib fandom thing going, they've played this up in the series as Aoey wasn't that involved at this stage of the book. So it will be interesting indeed.

I'm so disappointed that I can't find the whole novel online in English yet. But from the bits I've read he's much dark, selfish and doesn't give a F except when it comes to Gene. @aprilnwright has read it so she could say more?

Yeah not too dark but in the last few episodes it's been all sweetness and worry only. I thought he would go off on Aoey in the hotel bar for e.g.

It's the curse of episode 11! Yeah they will get their HEA I'm sure but I guess they're going to have to fight the industry they're both a part of it to get it.

Yes although from what I've read online Nubsib is meaner in the novel? I want to see more of his dark side but despite the episodes being longer I appreciate they've got limited time to explore everything

I still love the show but this episode was let down by poor editing, way too much product placement in one hit and a definite sense of 'filler' episode. It's like they let the apprentices loose on this one before they get back to it in 11. I think they spent too long on the family at the beginning then it weirdly changed pace. The Tum and Tiffy stuff doesn't work unless a) Tum was also a woman or b) Tiffy wasn't being so silly. Still not feeling Hin and have consistently hated Aoey so, not surprised by the preview

He's not shy at all is he!

Lucie please don't! I'm not sure any crush outside of the BL world would find this endearing. I cringed all the way through it. It took me 3 lines to realise he was rapping!

I'm surprised given that she's pan or bi that she wouldn't consider him to be the same? It's a funny little side story. But then maybe it highlights the discrimination / judgement within the community too. Fingers crossed she sees beyond the makeup knowledge

I like him too but he's too #TeamBua for me. Hopefully I'm wrong and he's a total sweetheart.

I agree the parents will accept it as the guys are so determined. They couldn't fight as children but they're both grown. But, I don't trust Aoey /Aey so the threat may come from elsewhere. Also, why do I have a bad feeling about Hin?

Why am I so nervous for ep 10? I feel like we have another roller coaster episode to look forward to!

Yeah and he's a little submissive so this made sense to me. I didn't think he was into Aoey at all

yeah they're my fave too. Here's hoping!

I think they'll have to finish strong on the Sky / Paper one and I hope this resolution of the two in Ep. 5 we like isn't a 'peaked too soon'? I also heard that there may be 10 episodes although I thought 8. Hmmmm. So many let us down with endings which try to get a season 2 etc and ruin main characters but hoping as it's 2nd Chances they won't do that here.

Yeah they've not created enough mystery to engage me. Maybe why he's always tired and late. Problems at home? But 5 episodes in I'd have thought we would have had more than we have had. But luckily the other two are engaging enough. I

I'm enjoying the Beam / Forth storyline the most from about episode 7