I loved how the mythology is so interwoven into the story. The Abbot is an important character. He speaks to the mythical creatures. Loved how he answered, "I'm only doing my job."
I am in LOVE with this series.I love how it is focused on romance, but at the same time they do not make that…
I love how the guys feel real. Yes, they are police officers in trainng, a serious job, but they are young, in their early 20's. They act like guys at this age level!
So nice to see Ngern again in another BL.. he needs a leading role pronto.
He's getting more range in his emotions. In Love Sick and Part Time he only had one look. Love in Translation showed he coud really act. I think he's ready for mainstream again.
I know Mandee was trying for something more lighthearted than Bed Friend, but what a stumble. If they went the way of the unreliable narrator from the POV of Jade that would have been better than this. I do like how Uea and King are still in the story but in no way overshadow it, while still helping move the plot forward.
Namtan is really GMMTV's Top actress in my humble opinion. Her scenes in EP4 were heartbreaking.
Namtan is an epic actress! She has chemistry with all her fellow actors and doesn't outshine them while still bringing her skills forward. IMHO she carried The Player forward as she was the best baddie! Before that, and even after, she has always played this sort of nice character. It was great to see that mold broken! Here she has great chemistry with both Jimmy and Sea. Phojai's conversation in the cafe with Day was just so nicely done! Anyway, I'm always in for a Namtan appereance!
Well, there you have it. The awards this series will have: 1. Worst Pinoy Drama 2. Worst Pinoy Drama with a GL 3. Worst Pinoy Drama that mentions SOGIE (Dethrones BenxJim 2) 4. Worst Asian drama from an established studio 5. Worst Asian drama with a Christmas soundtrack 6. Worst Asian Drama with the Best New Actors 7. Worst Hospital Scene in an Asian Drama 8. List goes on!
Wow. What a wasted opportunity. Wasted like GTA when the character dies. Wasted like an ice cream falling to hot pavement. Wasted like . . . well like Our Story.
Hospital scenes are always sad. Well were. Even hospital scenes in Physical Therapy were better! Does Oxin have access to some sort of time/ space transfer technology we don't know about? All the cast from Manilla were able to magically appear in a hospital in Baguio in record time! Even before Zeke, as an emergency case no less, could be properly treated! Wow! The overacting in the hospital was just pitiful. All that water works for no end.
As a production house, I'd think Oxin would at least have some ideas for the use of flashbacks. J&J's story would have slotted in nicely as one to explain what happened with Oliver instead of the teleportation we saw between the hospital scene.
The continuity was, yet again, crap. Fifth had on the same shirt for all the hospital scenes. Yes, the scrubs were supposed to hide it, but his brown shirt showed up. If he went to Zeke's house, wouldn't he have put on some clean clothing to get back to the hospital the next day? We saw him in sleeping clothes on Zeke's bed.
The less said about the other characters' Disney end the better.
Oxin had the goose that laid the golden eggs with Fifth and Jericho. They killed the goose with this drama and tried to make Balut with the remaining eggs, then tried to hatch the eggs, then realised they were better as Balut, but by that time the eggs were really spoilt.
Hiro is an amazing find. Don't get me wrong, Jericho is also. It's just that Hiro steals every scene he is in. His emotional range is amazing. He is almost like a new Elijah Canlas in his abilities. Can't wait to see him in other works, even if not BL.
There is a small production house called Wayufilm Production (look them up on YouTube) that produces some nice, short BL films with new, unknown actors. The studio has no sponsors and are able to do amazing work. Imagine if such a studio had the resources of Oxin!
Ok. So this has to be the Oxin Production with the best actors, but the worst of the worst story. My goodness! Where do I start?
1. Discount Sue Prado has her son missing and never thought to call the hospitals or police. Many people will say something about Asian culture, but even in Asia, they call the police if someone is missing! Diyos ko!
2. Fifth's mom was sick last episode. She tells him to run to his lover and that’s it? He just leaves her there? I don't live in the Philippines, but isn't Baguio like a 5 hour from Manilla? It's not like on the other side of the city, which would still be far. What's Fifth's real motivation to make that journey? And by public transport no less . . .
3. After the outburst for Kevin to go home because he caused the issue with Zeke, discount Sue Prado still takes him with her to the hospital! Does Kevin live next door to come running whenever someone whispers his name?
4. Kim and Bim finally get together after wine drinking and I-don't-need-no-man talk. Diyos ko!
5. Jelai telling Jerome he's a good person? Diyos ko! Jerome had Jelai like a slave! Diyos ko! What is Xion trying to say here?? Diyos ko!
6. J&J is now a parody of some 13-year-old trying to write some kind of fan fiction. What is really the point of that plot? Jason is the offending party, but wants to get rid of Oliver? Yes, Oliver was evil, but Jason caused all this!
7. Matt's breakdown was so funny. Best thing Xion ever directed! Just apply a laugh track to it and we have the Pinoy Award for Best Comedy Performance by the Non-Scripted!
8. We have a scene with Iris and her girlfriend from last episode attempting to become GFs again? Xion, continuity! Did you forget that last week the confession when Iris was going to Canada and then suddenly was not? Diyos ko!
9. The fake crying we could have done without. Comeon!
Now I direct this to Xion once again. Dude. You almost had it! Chemistry, good characters, nice set-up! You wasted it on this parody of a parody parodying itself because there's nothing to parody!
How about this for story: We focus more on Fifth's home life. We see he came from quite a broken home, but has still become a successful, ambitious young man. The exposition from Mama Linda could more than establish this if we don't want to pay the actors.
Fifth's mom has cancer. Trope, but good motivation to get Fifth home. His relationship with his dad is icy. We still have the same sub-story with Zeke, even involve Kevin, but handled much better. Instead of Fifth going to Baguio we see Zeke arrive at Fifth's house, hugging him on the porch. Fifth's dad interrupts. They separate. Fifth wants to take Zeke into the house but is being blocked by a demand to know who this man is. Zeke introduces himself with his last name but just says he's a close friend of Fifth. Ronnie recognises the last name and asks Zeke if (insert Zeke’s dad’s name here) is his father. Turns out Zeke’s dad was Ronnie’s batch mate in the army. They hit it off. Well, sort of.
We now turn to Fifth’s mom’s bedroom. The door is closed. Fifth is introducing Zeke to her as his love. Just as she is holding Zeke’s hand Ronnie rushes in and in a loud voice demands to know what’s Zeke’s and Fifth’s real relationship. Not giving any more ideas, Xion work it out.
See, Xion, with a little thought we could have had a much better storyline with these amazing actors!
Honestly speaking I wanted to see this one best the best of 2023. The other Oxin productions were fun to watch for the mere rubbish plots and campy acting such as Rainbow Prince and My Day. However, seeing these two amazing talented actors, Hiro and Jericho, succumb to such mediocrity is just heartbreaking. This was a great missed opportunity to really make an impression on the GL scene too. Sadly, wasted.
One thing I can say is Guy is well-written. Usually, these optimistic sort of characters can be rather annoying, even if they are loners. He is, however, quite enjoyable and Ping is playing him perfectly.
Ok, after the first episode I commented that I wasn't sure if I'd continue and would come back with an update…
The parallel of Mork in jail to Day's issues is just superb. They are handling Day's disability in a sensible way too. Day was extremely independent. He was an athlete. Suddenly suffering a debilitating disability would be a major blow. His reactions are quite realistic.
I know it's not the focus, but could we see more of the cars pls? Some of the tuning and mods? Loving Babe's baby GTR :D. Would love to hear more of what was done to her :D Dude's got a Datsun 510 in his living room!
Anyway, loved the acting. Nice to see Nut in a more serious role.
I used to write these in fun, but all jokes aside WTH are you really doing?
The good:
Hiro's acting is top-notch with the crap he's given. He basically steals any emotional scene he's in. He has an epic range in his acting.
Angelgrace continues to be a good actress also.
Zeke's post-crash makeup was a bit gory, but really got the point across. The single bloody tear was really dramatic. Nice.
But I think that's all for this episode.
The bad:
Where do I start Xion?
Kevin was touted as the bad guy at first. Ok. You did the character a solid and showed he wasn't all bad. He reacted negatively to Zeke's confession. Ok so far. You made Zeke look as if that rejection is what spurred his downward spiral. Ok. Now, in the 11th episode, you finally show us how abusive Kevin was. A little late don't you think Xion and Easy? We already have his personality down! You had ample opportunity to show us that part of him! Why now?
Why did Zeke get so angry at Kevin? What was his motivation? Did he realise Kevin deleted Fifth's call? That would have been motivation. That term, motivation, is critical to the audience's understanding of the actions of a character. Did Zeke suddenly remember what Kevin really did to him and this got him angry? Did Zeke not like Kevin telling him about new tourist areas? Zeke being angry just came out of nowhere. As a director with staff does a nobody amateur have to tell you about writing techniques Xion and Easy?
Why does every scene with Zeke and Kevin feel like it was filmed on the same day in one go? Probably because it was. Xion, couldn't some editing, lighting, or something make it feel like these scenes had time passed? Xion, you're the director and producer, come on!
J&J are now a parody of some other show. Do you realise that the entire incident occurred because Jason used Joel's image in the app? Oliver was evil, yes, but he is the innocent party here! Jason and Joel plotting like that was just too much! He is, honestly, the innocent party here! Could have been handled much better Xion. Oliver's life is now destroyed because of Jason's stupidity. Are we supposed to be rooting for what they did? Diyos ko!
While I like taking Fifth home these scenes were extremely rushed. Why wasn't this done earlier? His dad is an ex-army officer. Do you really think this one screaming scene between them would make Ronnie break down like that to ask for forgiveness? After decades of abuse? That turnaround was faster than a race car going off-track at a Grand Prix event. You had the greatest opportunity to explore Pinoy culture, parents causing psychological damage and so many other worthy topics. Xion and Easy do you even watch other dramas, lakorns, tele novellas, and Indian movies? His sisters are given less presence and importance than Chuck Chuck! They are the main victims! For heaven's sake, one of Fifth's sisters killed herself! Killed herself Xion! Diyos ko!
Xion. I doubt that you are a parent. I hope you or someone on your team was once a child. Do you really think parents ground children from going to school? I can tell you if that was the case I'd misbehave all the time not to go to school. Iris' father grounded her for what? Again, what was the motivation? Did he know she was in another girl's bed kissing her?
And while we're there, the entire thing between Iris and Lorraine was developed so quickly and resolved. What? What? What? Suddenly Iris was going to Canada and just as quickly she's not? What? you had an epic opportunity to introduce an amazing GL relationship and side couple into Pino Dramadom. There was a good set-up, with Iris leaving. That was something called a plot thread, Xion. A really good way to get characters motivated to act a certain way. Instead, we get whatever that was. Diyos ko!
As for Jalei and his situation. Yes, we solve all our man problems with wine. You go Xion! We could have a psycho stalking him now, but never mind: we'll just sit and sip wine.
The less said about Kim Mim and Bim (I can't even be bothered to write their names again) the better.
Xion, Xion, Xion, what's up with the music score? All that Christmas music at just the perfectly wrong time! I know we probably couldn't get Patricia Lasaten to score, but virtually anyone into sound would tell you the emersion with Christmas music in the background that does not involve angels, baby Jesus, Joseph, Mary, Wise Men or Santa is not a good idea. Again Diyos ko!
Xion, again I say you do have a talent for making these utter disasters that we can't stop watching. There are moments where what this show could really be shine through, but then you just drag it back to the bleakness that is the constant rain of wherever Zeek's house is, where the rain never stops.
If the approximatly 15 of us masochists who stuck around till the end got t-shirts, I would be ready to throw…
If I could afford it I'd fly to Manilla for the finalle party at the mall just to tell Xion how much he sucks and how he has killed tallent in Hiro and Jericho!
I do like how Uea and King are still in the story but in no way overshadow it, while still helping move the plot forward.
For sports dramas, it equals Project S: Spike for character development and story.
Here she has great chemistry with both Jimmy and Sea. Phojai's conversation in the cafe with Day was just so nicely done!
Anyway, I'm always in for a Namtan appereance!
1. Worst Pinoy Drama
2. Worst Pinoy Drama with a GL
3. Worst Pinoy Drama that mentions SOGIE (Dethrones BenxJim 2)
4. Worst Asian drama from an established studio
5. Worst Asian drama with a Christmas soundtrack
6. Worst Asian Drama with the Best New Actors
7. Worst Hospital Scene in an Asian Drama
8. List goes on!
Wow. What a wasted opportunity. Wasted like GTA when the character dies. Wasted like an ice cream falling to hot pavement. Wasted like . . . well like Our Story.
Hospital scenes are always sad. Well were. Even hospital scenes in Physical Therapy were better! Does Oxin have access to some sort of time/ space transfer technology we don't know about? All the cast from Manilla were able to magically appear in a hospital in Baguio in record time! Even before Zeke, as an emergency case no less, could be properly treated! Wow! The overacting in the hospital was just pitiful. All that water works for no end.
As a production house, I'd think Oxin would at least have some ideas for the use of flashbacks. J&J's story would have slotted in nicely as one to explain what happened with Oliver instead of the teleportation we saw between the hospital scene.
The continuity was, yet again, crap. Fifth had on the same shirt for all the hospital scenes. Yes, the scrubs were supposed to hide it, but his brown shirt showed up. If he went to Zeke's house, wouldn't he have put on some clean clothing to get back to the hospital the next day? We saw him in sleeping clothes on Zeke's bed.
The less said about the other characters' Disney end the better.
Oxin had the goose that laid the golden eggs with Fifth and Jericho. They killed the goose with this drama and tried to make Balut with the remaining eggs, then tried to hatch the eggs, then realised they were better as Balut, but by that time the eggs were really spoilt.
Hiro is an amazing find. Don't get me wrong, Jericho is also. It's just that Hiro steals every scene he is in. His emotional range is amazing. He is almost like a new Elijah Canlas in his abilities. Can't wait to see him in other works, even if not BL.
There is a small production house called Wayufilm Production (look them up on YouTube) that produces some nice, short BL films with new, unknown actors. The studio has no sponsors and are able to do amazing work. Imagine if such a studio had the resources of Oxin!
1. Discount Sue Prado has her son missing and never thought to call the hospitals or police. Many people will say something about Asian culture, but even in Asia, they call the police if someone is missing! Diyos ko!
2. Fifth's mom was sick last episode. She tells him to run to his lover and that’s it? He just leaves her there? I don't live in the Philippines, but isn't Baguio like a 5 hour from Manilla? It's not like on the other side of the city, which would still be far. What's Fifth's real motivation to make that journey? And by public transport no less . . .
3. After the outburst for Kevin to go home because he caused the issue with Zeke, discount Sue Prado still takes him with her to the hospital! Does Kevin live next door to come running whenever someone whispers his name?
4. Kim and Bim finally get together after wine drinking and I-don't-need-no-man talk. Diyos ko!
5. Jelai telling Jerome he's a good person? Diyos ko! Jerome had Jelai like a slave! Diyos ko! What is Xion trying to say here?? Diyos ko!
6. J&J is now a parody of some 13-year-old trying to write some kind of fan fiction. What is really the point of that plot? Jason is the offending party, but wants to get rid of Oliver? Yes, Oliver was evil, but Jason caused all this!
7. Matt's breakdown was so funny. Best thing Xion ever directed! Just apply a laugh track to it and we have the Pinoy Award for Best Comedy Performance by the Non-Scripted!
8. We have a scene with Iris and her girlfriend from last episode attempting to become GFs again? Xion, continuity! Did you forget that last week the confession when Iris was going to Canada and then suddenly was not? Diyos ko!
9. The fake crying we could have done without. Comeon!
Now I direct this to Xion once again. Dude. You almost had it! Chemistry, good characters, nice set-up! You wasted it on this parody of a parody parodying itself because there's nothing to parody!
How about this for story: We focus more on Fifth's home life. We see he came from quite a broken home, but has still become a successful, ambitious young man. The exposition from Mama Linda could more than establish this if we don't want to pay the actors.
Fifth's mom has cancer. Trope, but good motivation to get Fifth home. His relationship with his dad is icy. We still have the same sub-story with Zeke, even involve Kevin, but handled much better. Instead of Fifth going to Baguio we see Zeke arrive at Fifth's house, hugging him on the porch. Fifth's dad interrupts. They separate. Fifth wants to take Zeke into the house but is being blocked by a demand to know who this man is. Zeke introduces himself with his last name but just says he's a close friend of Fifth. Ronnie recognises the last name and asks Zeke if (insert Zeke’s dad’s name here) is his father. Turns out Zeke’s dad was Ronnie’s batch mate in the army. They hit it off. Well, sort of.
We now turn to Fifth’s mom’s bedroom. The door is closed. Fifth is introducing Zeke to her as his love. Just as she is holding Zeke’s hand Ronnie rushes in and in a loud voice demands to know what’s Zeke’s and Fifth’s real relationship. Not giving any more ideas, Xion work it out.
See, Xion, with a little thought we could have had a much better storyline with these amazing actors!
Honestly speaking I wanted to see this one best the best of 2023. The other Oxin productions were fun to watch for the mere rubbish plots and campy acting such as Rainbow Prince and My Day. However, seeing these two amazing talented actors, Hiro and Jericho, succumb to such mediocrity is just heartbreaking. This was a great missed opportunity to really make an impression on the GL scene too. Sadly, wasted.
They are handling Day's disability in a sensible way too. Day was extremely independent. He was an athlete. Suddenly suffering a debilitating disability would be a major blow. His reactions are quite realistic.
Anyway, loved the acting. Nice to see Nut in a more serious role.
I used to write these in fun, but all jokes aside WTH are you really doing?
The good:
Hiro's acting is top-notch with the crap he's given. He basically steals any emotional scene he's in. He has an epic range in his acting.
Angelgrace continues to be a good actress also.
Zeke's post-crash makeup was a bit gory, but really got the point across. The single bloody tear was really dramatic. Nice.
But I think that's all for this episode.
The bad:
Where do I start Xion?
Kevin was touted as the bad guy at first. Ok. You did the character a solid and showed he wasn't all bad. He reacted negatively to Zeke's confession. Ok so far. You made Zeke look as if that rejection is what spurred his downward spiral. Ok. Now, in the 11th episode, you finally show us how abusive Kevin was. A little late don't you think Xion and Easy? We already have his personality down! You had ample opportunity to show us that part of him! Why now?
Why did Zeke get so angry at Kevin? What was his motivation? Did he realise Kevin deleted Fifth's call? That would have been motivation. That term, motivation, is critical to the audience's understanding of the actions of a character. Did Zeke suddenly remember what Kevin really did to him and this got him angry? Did Zeke not like Kevin telling him about new tourist areas? Zeke being angry just came out of nowhere. As a director with staff does a nobody amateur have to tell you about writing techniques Xion and Easy?
Why does every scene with Zeke and Kevin feel like it was filmed on the same day in one go? Probably because it was. Xion, couldn't some editing, lighting, or something make it feel like these scenes had time passed? Xion, you're the director and producer, come on!
J&J are now a parody of some other show. Do you realise that the entire incident occurred because Jason used Joel's image in the app? Oliver was evil, yes, but he is the innocent party here! Jason and Joel plotting like that was just too much! He is, honestly, the innocent party here! Could have been handled much better Xion. Oliver's life is now destroyed because of Jason's stupidity. Are we supposed to be rooting for what they did? Diyos ko!
While I like taking Fifth home these scenes were extremely rushed. Why wasn't this done earlier? His dad is an ex-army officer. Do you really think this one screaming scene between them would make Ronnie break down like that to ask for forgiveness? After decades of abuse? That turnaround was faster than a race car going off-track at a Grand Prix event. You had the greatest opportunity to explore Pinoy culture, parents causing psychological damage and so many other worthy topics. Xion and Easy do you even watch other dramas, lakorns, tele novellas, and Indian movies? His sisters are given less presence and importance than Chuck Chuck! They are the main victims! For heaven's sake, one of Fifth's sisters killed herself! Killed herself Xion! Diyos ko!
Xion. I doubt that you are a parent. I hope you or someone on your team was once a child. Do you really think parents ground children from going to school? I can tell you if that was the case I'd misbehave all the time not to go to school. Iris' father grounded her for what? Again, what was the motivation? Did he know she was in another girl's bed kissing her?
And while we're there, the entire thing between Iris and Lorraine was developed so quickly and resolved. What? What? What? Suddenly Iris was going to Canada and just as quickly she's not? What? you had an epic opportunity to introduce an amazing GL relationship and side couple into Pino Dramadom. There was a good set-up, with Iris leaving. That was something called a plot thread, Xion. A really good way to get characters motivated to act a certain way. Instead, we get whatever that was. Diyos ko!
As for Jalei and his situation. Yes, we solve all our man problems with wine. You go Xion! We could have a psycho stalking him now, but never mind: we'll just sit and sip wine.
The less said about Kim Mim and Bim (I can't even be bothered to write their names again) the better.
Xion, Xion, Xion, what's up with the music score? All that Christmas music at just the perfectly wrong time! I know we probably couldn't get Patricia Lasaten to score, but virtually anyone into sound would tell you the emersion with Christmas music in the background that does not involve angels, baby Jesus, Joseph, Mary, Wise Men or Santa is not a good idea. Again Diyos ko!
Xion, again I say you do have a talent for making these utter disasters that we can't stop watching. There are moments where what this show could really be shine through, but then you just drag it back to the bleakness that is the constant rain of wherever Zeek's house is, where the rain never stops.