Pinoy BL Series

Episode 4: Pagtatapos (Conclusion) was a horrendous finale episode. Plot holes and illogical scenes abound. Everything was rushed on this episode. Script had preachy lines and directionless dialogues. Acting was amateurish. And production technicals remained weak. Overall, I'm just glad that this series is over.

While Episode 3 had its shortcomings, it was still better than the previous episode. At least Kelly had more screen time. I don't know if they'll end up as a couple, but I like Kelly and Pads together. On this episode, there were efforts to discuss relevant social issues like outing, domestic partnership and same sex marriage, sexual favors in the workplace, etc. although they felt contrived. Sadly, instead of seamless integration within the plot/storyline, they felt more like after-thoughts. It didn't help that some of the dialogues were preachy. Despite all these, there were also relatable lines ("The best way to avoid disappointments is not to expect anything from your partner... Sometimes, we create our own heartbreaks" and "The best thing that you could ever give to someone you love is your time" among others). Acting felt less scripted on this episode. Both Carl and Johnrey were alright. And thankfully, the handsome Enzo redeemed himself with some fine acting. By the way, next to Johnrey, Enzo looked really tall. Audio-visuals were also better compared to last week's episode. Overall, this was a good episode.

Episode 7 started well with Ethon and Martin being charming and all but ended a bit messy with Dane's party. There were cute scenes that featured Ethon and Martin but the other scenes with the support cast members were just dull. I enjoyed the funny lines and naughty dialogues between Ethon and Martin. Acting by Aki and Solo was mostly ok. But production value for this episode was largely unimpressive. Camera work for Dane's party was shambolic. Regardless, this was still better than last week's episode.

This series wasn't great but it was nevertheless good. I appreciated that Episode 8 was able to deliver a nice happy ending for this series. Sure, the plot/storyline revolving around self-acceptance of queerness was a bit light and the main characters needed better character backgrounds and character development as well as better relationship development but at least this series made an effort towards characterizations, however limited they may be. Also, I liked that similar to most Filipino (Pinoy) epics, this series ended with a triumphant "wedding" ceremony. There were cheesy lines here and there but script was generally alright. Migo and VJ's chemistry lacked oomph but for excitement, I guess Migo's butt exposures will suffice, lol. Production technicals were mostly fine. Overall, this episode was a solid finale for this series.

Episode 6: Never Have I Ever was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. With JM finally opening the locked room and opening up about his ex-girlfriend, his relationship with Reb really progressed on this episode. JM and Reb had charming and cute scenes together. But they clearly have different views about the status of their relationship. While JM sees their relationship as a casual and non-committal companionship, Reb wishes for something more. My heart goes to Reb. Reb, like most people, yearns for a relationship with label with some sort of commitment. There were good exchanges about love, marriage, and relationships on this episode. While both Iyo and Yves were wonderful on this episode, I was particularly impressed with Iyo's acting nuances. Production technicals were alright. "Sa Piling Mo" (With You) by Silent Sanctuary was quite nice. Overall, I really liked this episode.

Episode 4: The Experiment featured an aborted sex live show and the surprise arrival of Rica and Troy. It was confirmed on this episode that Lloyd and Troy are cheating on each other with the same guy (Lance) while Mandy and Rica are cheating on each other with the same girl (Yam). How Lloyd and Mandy react when they find out the truth will be one of the issues for the next episodes. Screenplay had awkward dialogues. With regards to the aborted sex live show, why was it that only a pair of boys was featured? Shouldn't there be a pair of girls as well? I also felt there's a degree of over-reaction on the parts of Lloyd and Mandy. Anyway, audio-visuals were slightly better than previous episodes. All in all, this episode was nonetheless watchable.

While Episode 5 had cute moments, there were a number of illogical and unnecessary scenes that really annoyed me. I didn't like Andrei's mood swings toward Sef. When Sef visited him because he was sick, Andrei shared smiles and laughs as Sef teased him then afterwards he reverted to being highly irritated with Sef especially after they became roommates. By the way, the bed's too small for a room rented out to two persons. Sef's obnoxious as ever. I fear his character development and redemption will be rushed. I also hated the scene that showed Gelay and Ginger fighting over Ivan. The screenplay for that toxic scene exuded sexism and lookism. Allen and Ivo's acting was at least more tolerable when compared to previous episodes. Also, there were glimpses of Allen-Ivo chemistry on this episode. But audio-visuals still need improvement. Overall, even with the cute moments, this episode was barely watchable.

Out of all the kissing and making love scenes from Star Image Digital Network, Episode 6: Bestfriends with Benefits' scenes were definitely among the most daring. They weren't perfect, there were awkwardness and sloppiness, nevertheless, they were tastefully done. As an aside, I did wonder, why was it that only Gus got fully naked? Anyway, Gerald and Joshua had sex. How this will affect their relationship as bestfriends will be the focal issue for the remaining episodes. On the whole, in terms of plot/storyline, acting performance, and production value, this was far better than previous episodes.

Episode 3: The Sickness confirmed that Cardo's sick. This episode was a bit boring. There were dragging scenes. Script was generally dry. But acting was mostly fine. While production design and cinematography was alright, there were still issues with color grading and lighting. All in all, this series needs to be more interesting on succeeding episodes.

While Episode 8: Captive Reveal wasn't great, it was nevertheless ok. Yes, there are posers online and we should always be careful. But beyond this obvious message, this series also humanized both the poser and the victim. This series also highlighted how complicated love and relationships are. For the entire season, So's been trying to move on from Pablo, only to end up in bed with him at the end. For the most part of this season, So's been communicating with a poser -- Chris pretending to be Pre, only to meet the real Pre at the end. What happens next? Your guess is as good as mine. I just hope that next season, Seph figures more in the plot/storyline. On the whole, in terms of plot/storyline, acting performance, and production value, this season finale was ok.

With the proliferation of Filipino (Pinoy) boys' love (BL) series this year, I had hoped for a least a few top-tier and middle-tier BL series. Yes, there were a few of those series released this year, but alas, this series doesn't belong to those two categories. Unchanged Melody can instead be classified as a low-tier BL series in terms of plot/storyline, acting performance, and production value. The plot/storyline as introduced on Episode 1 wasn't interesting enough. It lacked depth. Screenplay had cheesy lines and preachy dialogues. Acting felt scripted for the entirety of this episode. Jack and Lorens lacked appeal and chemistry. Audio-visuals were poor. Background music and sound effects didn't quite match the scenes. Camera shots and cinematographic techniques were amateurish. Overall, this series needs substantial and technical improvements if it wants to free itself from being a low-tier BL series.

Algiro and Monsour fell for each other on Episode 7. Everything about this episode felt abrupt and unnatural. The problematic portrayals of effeminate queers on this episode were quite troubling. Script was generally bad and acting was horrendous. Audio-visuals were still poor. Finale's next week... or is it?

The production company, Bohol Film Production, doesn't have a good reputation when it comes to concluding a Filipino (Pinoy) boys' love (BL) series. Their first series, Overlooked Love (2021), was cancelled after just one episode while their second series, Infinity the Series (2021), is on hiatus after four episodes, with cast members confirming that they already left the production company. Will they be able to finish their third series Him Will Be His (2021)? Don't get your hopes up. I have a bad feeling this series will be cut short as well. Anyway, Episode 1: Pagsisimula (Beginning) of this series had a shallow plot/storyline marked by uneventful and unexciting scenes. Screenplay had cringy lines. In terms of acting, Lorens was barely tolerable while Cyril was obviously amateurish. Audio-visuals were mostly substandard. Overall, the pilot episode was very weak.

My Chinito Prince is no longer accessible on the MLV Film Production YT channel. There are accusations of absence of contract, unjust compensation (some cast members were only paid 500h), grave threats, mistreatment & sexual harassment: https://bit.ly/3wAUsPY

About half of Episode 5 was spent on flashbacks/recaps. While this episode tried to resolve some of the issues among and between the characters, such effort generally failed given the confused and problematic characterizations on this series. Screenplay and acting were mostly cringy. Audio-visuals were weak. Thankfully, this was the penultimate episode. Finale's next week!

According to its Director, this series is already cancelled. Five episodes were previously released.

Episode 3: Pagpapatawad (Forgiveness) was frustrating to watch. The scenes were overdramatic and prolonged with off character reactions. Screenplay had whiny lines. Most of the cast members overacted on this episode. And audio-visuals remained weak. All in all, this was a poor episode.

In terms of plot/storyline, Episode 6 regressed compared to the previous episode. There were lots of fillers and unnecessary scenes. Scenes weren't purposive enough. The only thing that went well for this episode was Aki and Solo's chemistry. But even their chemistry was visibly affected by the dull script, uninspired acting, and uneven audio-visuals. Hopefully the next episode is better.

Three episodes in and I'm still finding it difficult to connect to any of the characters of this series. The characterizations were quite shallow and none of the characters were endearing enough. On Episode 3: Unsin, Lance and Lloyd and Mandy and Yam, separately, frivolously talked about having threesome. And disappointingly, Kapitan was depicted as a stereotypical promiscuous older queer guy. If it's any consolation, acting on this episode was alright. The shower scenes lacked oomph though. For succeeding episodes, I'm looking for depth and substance for this series.

There were aspects I liked but there were also parts I didn't enjoy about Episode 2. I liked that this episode discussed the need to spice up Benjo and Emil's marriage. Emil's role play fantasies were funny and sexy enough. It was also interesting to see Filipino (Pinoy) boys' love (BL) actors (Ben X Jim/B X J Forever's Jerome Ponce, My Extraordinary/Meet My Angel's Enzo Pineda, and Padayon's Ian Garcia/Ian Rosapapan) as guests on this episode. But their scenes were just too cringy I question the thought of having them as guests in the first place. Also, Kelly deserved more screen time. And sadly, this episode seemed to confirm that Chloe's a problematic character. Screenplay was bad and the delivery of lines felt scripted. There was awkwardness in the performances. This episode didn't have the flow and rhythm of the pilot episode. Editing needs improvement. All in all, this episode was a hit-or-miss for me.