FreshKicks

I can say that we agree 100% in the case of this particular series. Whichever way it ends, it's going to be a milestone that we'll all be using as a reference point for years to come.

It sounds like you would support the idea that any dramatic work that features a m/m relationship is therefore BL.

If you do *not* believe that, I'm curious to know where would you personally draw the line on what constitutes a movie or series that is BL vs. one that is not?

Yes, you're right: I said that "for me", BL should never end sadly. Clearly you disagree.

What I took from the ending was that the older male lead, who used the 'method acting' approach, would always become the characters he played while a production was running. His wife had become accustomed to it, and she had also become accustomed to him returning to his senses once a production was finished. The younger lead was essentially taken in by this and was hurt by it.

It's been a while, but I think there was a kiss on stage that wasn't in the script (i.e., the script for the play within the movie), and people have cited this as evidence that the older actor's feelings for the younger one were real. For me that's just another part of the method approach -- to get so into character that you start to improvise unconsciously.

When the movie was over I didn't think any other outcome was possible than the older actor going back to his wife, making him destined to repeat the cycle in his next production.

I'm not familiar with those dramas at all. But I'm thinking of the classic definition of fantasy -- the imagination of something that is improbable but pleasant.

If a story of love between two men ends badly then it is certainly a work of imagination but (for me anyway) if it is unpleasant then should not be categorized as BL.

LOL ... yes, I consider BL to be an escapist, fantasy-fulfillment genre, so for me it makes no sense to slap on a sad ending.

I think a series like 'HIStory 3: Make Our Days Count' aspired to break out of the genre, but the whole thing backfired due to how unexpected the sad ending was. That might be why they're making a sequel where the dead character is suddenly alive again.

I haven't been able to understand why Teh can't just buy another copy of the book, which I think supports your interpretation.

"It's darkest before the dawn."

We're all familiar with the masks of Comedy and Tragedy. (In this context, 'Comedy' is the term for a story with a HEA ending.)

The mask of Comedy has a happy smile and Tragedy inverts the smile into a frown. The way those smiles are shaped also symbolizes how their storylines go.

With Tragedy, you start the story at the left corner of the 'inverted smile'. Things might not be so good. But, as the story continues things get better, which is symbolized by the arc of the 'smile' going up. The characters become happy and prosperous. By the end of the story, though, the 'smile' makes its descent. When the story reaches the righthand corner it completes the frown and ends sadly.

While I personally believe that BL stories should never, ever end sadly, there are examples of Tragedy in BL:

- HIStory 3: Make Our Days Count
- My Bromance (movie version)
- Method
- The Shipper

For Comedy, you also start the story on the left corner of the smile, where things aren't going great. Then as the story unfolds and you move to the right, you descend into truly troubled times. The situation looks bleak. You start to lose hope. But then, as the story nears its end, the curve of the smile goes upward again, and by the time it reaches the righthand corner you've arrived at a Happy Ever After.

We probably can't count the number of BLs that are a Comedy:

- Why R U
- 2gether
- Gameboys
- Hello Stranger
- HIStory 2: Boundary Crossing
- Where Your Eyes Linger
- Long Time No See
- Until We Meet Again
- TharnType
- Dark Blue Kiss
- Beloved Enemy
(etc.)

This is all leading up to me saying that I believe that ITSAY is also a Comedy (as strange as it may be to use that word after Episode 4.)

I think it's actually good that we're in the dark zone of the story before we get to the finale. I mean, how much worse can it get, right? So, I'm optimistic that Episode 5 will bring us back to the upper corner of the happy smile.

By this time next week I'll know if I'm right.

^^I really did LOL at this comment.

Something about the way you added it one hour after saying all those nice things, which makes me wonder if you watched Episode 9 in the time between. ^__^

Episode 9 was one long cringe. Noah is crazy to take Soda back, let alone "merry" him ... and I'm sure we'll get that wedding next episode. Oh boy, can't wait.

It's pretty much a hate-watch for me now. I've come this far. I need to see how it ends.

I'm blown away by Kokoy's fearless performance.

A notice is a written review.

So 'Don't read your own notices' means something like: 'Don't read the rave reviews of your performances because then your acting will start to over-emphasize the things they praise and you'll become a ham.' :)

Stop! Stop! Yer killin' me here! xD

I was seriously ready for some waterworks (i.e., my own) when Tul first saw Hin in the kitchen ... then when Tul started to speak those lines I sobered up immediately. Horrible writing! It didn't seem like anything that a real person would say in that situation.

Yes. I think it happens a lot when a colorful character gets a big reaction. In Season 1, Can was a standout because of his innocence (which often gave way to whining, but it was a more lovable kind of whining) and his constant desire for food.

In Season 2 things got exaggerated and the performance started to become cartoonish.

I think there's a saying that actors should not read their own notices, and maybe this is one of the reasons.

Tul/Hin was an unexpected bonus. Their kiss at the end was very nice, but I thought the dialog in the scene where Tul discovers that Hin has returned was a bit of a letdown. Tul's lines sounded awkward, and I wonder if this might have had an impact on Meen's acting because that too seemed a little stiff to me.

What a good-looking couple, though!

Episode 8 was full of surprises but for me the real killer was Oil telling Tan that he's as delicious as the porridge then asking Tan if he wants a taste. I guess we can say that he's now given permission to Tan for any moves that Tan himself would like to make. I can't wait. :)

With Kao now inviting himself to move in with Tan and Oil -- and letting on that he knows the true nature of their dynamic -- I hope we're not headed for another scenario where yet another person (Kao) is infatuated with Oil.

Now, for me Oil is the most fully realized character in the series and his cuteness is 100% legit and undeniable, and the wisdom and support that he provides to Tan in times of need is the truest sign of his love. I can also actually believe that three guys would feel drawn to him, with Kao as a potential fourth. But with only four episodes left, at some point the series needs to stop introducing new characters, new conflicts and new love triangles and start resolving a few things. I'd like for Episode 12 to have enough time to include some soft scenes between the couples that will reward us patient viewers.

Itt also says to Pure "It's painful", and Marc's delivery of this simple line is as poignant as can be, but as you say, given everything that Itt has done up to this point the whole conversation with Pure is almost laughable.

I mean, seriously, Itt: What else did you expect???!!

One thing that struck me is that Itt also says that Pai is the ONLY light in his life ... and when I think about it, it does seem that the only friend that Itt seems to have at university is Pure. It's really sad but only helps to prove how focused he is on Pai.

I love this review. You're very witty! You made me LOL and this I appreciate.

This is one of the few BL series I've watched where the m/f pairing is interesting on its own and doesn't feel like an add-on.

I think the main reason is the character of Waan. He's friends not only with Pai but with Pure as well, and it's because of Pure that Waan ends up becoming the bridge between the rival clubs in high school. Then later on in college his interactions with both Pai and Pure have consequences that affect the couplings of Itt/Pai and Pure/Folk.

Having Pure's character be bisexual allows for a nifty setup where his flirtations with Beau have an impact on both Folk and Waan. As viewers we become invested in how both situations turn out.

Some of the credit for all this must go to Fiat and JJ for making their characters so interesting and fun. The parts could not have been better cast.