Pinoy BL Series

Episode 8: Unspoken Words was a terrible ending for this series. The plot/storyline didn't really go anywhere. Everything felt rushed. Screenplay had cringy lines. Acting was passable though. And production technicals were mostly alright. Overall, this was a disappointing finale episode.

Substantive and technical issues remained but Episode 13 was at least tolerable. Art and Mack's relationship progressed on this episode. Their shirtless kissing scene was steamy, lol. There were also nice Win and Spencer moments. Screenplay was mostly dull. Excluding the shirtless kissing scene, acting for most scenes was dry. Audio-visuals were still weak. Last two episodes!

Even with the repetitive scenes, Episode 2 was still better than the pilot episode in terms of plot/storyline. At least Ethon and Martin's relationship seemed to be going somewhere on this episode. I actually liked their dynamics on this episode. Their power play was amusing and they looked cute together. But this episode wasn't all good. There were dialogues that suggested sexual harassment (delivered by Asia) and sexual grooming (uttered by Direk T) that made me uncomfortable. Also, screenplay had too many unvarying lines. Acting was mostly ok though. Production technicals were better than the premiere episode. All in all, this was an improvement from the previous episode.

Episode 3 was just fine. It was suggested that Alex is an introvert (or maybe ambivert as put forward by his friend). He and Gino had shirtless scenes, lol. But aside from these, this episode wasn't that interesting. Screenplay was alright but not all the jokes landed (e.g. finalizing eyes vs. tantalizing eyes). Acting was mostly good. Audio volume had some issues. Overall, this was just an ok episode.

Our Twitter account has a significant number of Alter accounts as followers/mutuals. Since they follow our account, we often wonder if their experiences are appropriately represented in Filipino (Pinoy) boys’ love (BL) series. There have been a couple of good productions like AL+ER (short film) & Alt Gameboys (special episode) but these weren’t full-length series. Given this, we feel that Stuck On You is a sensible take on the stories of people with Alter accounts especially during this pandemic. Episode 1: Mask for Mask was a solid pilot episode. Character contrasts were shown on this episode. Screenplay was conversational enough with relatable lines. Acting was mostly on point. Both Yves and Iyo depicted their roles well. Audio-visuals weren’t spectacular but they were clean and clear. This series has a Spotify playlist for its official soundtrack. We especially liked "Kargo" (Cargo) by Eevee, "Nagmamahal Din Lang" (Since You Love Anyway) by Karl Zarte, and "Bakit Hindi" (Why Not) by Lirah. Overall, this was a very good premiere episode.

Episode 2: Love Hurts concentrated on several new characters. There are just too many of them! My fear is that this series will lose focus because of its preoccupation with these new characters. This season was supposed to be about Prince and yet, nothing interesting happened to him on this episode. Script had repetitive lines and corny dialogues. Acting was still a hit-or-miss. Some of the actors like Lj, Edz, and Vergel were natural enough with their performances while others like Xerxes, Arjay, and Axl were a bit tentative with some of their scenes. Production technicals need improvement. Overall, this wasn't a solid episode. I hope the next episode is better.

As announced by the production company Pepps TV, the fourth part of this pilot episode had technical issues and will just be added to the second episode. While I feel that Aki and Solo have better chemistry than Aki and Kevin, Episode 1, notwithstanding the missing concluding part, was a bit all over the place for me. Martin had mostly incoherent characterization. The scenes were disjointed with no clear direction. There were also too many flashbacks on this episode. Screenplay had repetitive lines and unnecessary dialogues. Acting wasn't on point at times. Even the audio-visuals regressed when compared to My Toxic Lover. I just hope this series somehow improves on succeeding episodes.

With all the boys' love (BL) clichés and tropes on this series, it's obvious it's derivative. But the problem with this series is the execution. A lot of things are just poorly executed on this series. Episode 12 moved forward with respect to Art and Mack's relationship. At least they're now officially together even with Aileen trying to mess things up. On the other hand, there's a new female character out to ruin Khel and Sai's relationship. Screenplay had preachy lines and corny dialogues. Acting wasn't on point at times. Production technicals were the same as previous episodes. Three episodes left!

The reason why Lawrence helps Nico was revealed on Episode 5: Shadows of the Past. Sadly, there's deception involved. Also on this episode, Chubby experienced abuse from Charles yet again. Overall, it's good that the plot/storyline progressed on this episode. Screenplay was mostly ok. But the delivery of lines wasn't always on point. Some of the actors were a bit tentative with their performances. Audio-visuals were still weak. For next episode, I'm looking forward to Chubby finding out about Charles and Stacy's affair.

This isn't a super spectacular series but it's a good enough series that I feel will keep me interested. Episode 2 introduced the some of the supporting cast members while giving the two lead cast members, Gino and (the always shirtless, lol) Alex, adequate focus. Yes, Alex and Gino weren't endearing yet but I'm hopeful that with appropriate character development and relationship development, they'll grow on me. Script was conversational with a few funny lines. Acting was alright. Production technicals were fine. Overall, this was a solid episode.

The pace of Episode 4: Unwind X Scandal was still too slow for my liking. Lawrence and Nico's relationship development was still hard to come by. But at least there's a change of scenery. Script was alright. Acting, especially by the supporting cast members, was mostly fine. Issues with production technicals remained. Given the preview, for the next episode, I'm curious what happens to Chubby.

Episode 3: Lies & Deceit was more about Chubby than Lawrence and Nico. While I'm intrigued where Chubby's subplot/secondary storyline will go especially given Stacy's betrayal, I'm growing impatient with the main plot/storyline. Lawrence and Nico's relationship should have some progress at least. Screenplay for this episode was alright. Acting was tolerable. But audio-visuals were still weak. Hopefully the next episode will focus on Lawrence and Nico.

Does Lawrence have a messianic complex? I still can't believe he welcomed Nico to his home just like that. Anyway, Episode 2: Hope & Heart Breaks still suffered from the weaknesses of the pilot episode although there were some improvements. Plot/storyline progressed with some character backgrounds for Lawrence and Nico. I also liked that there's a subplot/secondary storyline for Chubby. Script was mostly ok. Acting was passable. Production technicals especially editing, including scene transitions, need to be cleaner. Overall, I hope this series continues to improve on succeeding episodes.

While I appreciate that most low budget Filipino (Pinoy) boys' love (BL) series at least try to represent characters from the low income class of Philippine society, most of them actually fail to provide just representations. Some of them even contribute to furthering stereotypes about poor people. It remains to be seen if this series will be another one of those failures. Episode 1: Piece of Paper introduced the two lead characters, Nico and Lawrence. It was weird for Lawrence to just offer his residence to Nico, a snatcher, whom he just met. Related to this, screenplay had lines that defied common sense. But it was conversational enough for the most part with some sensible dialogues. Obviously newbies, JC and Lawrence need improvement on their acting. Audio-visuals were mostly amateurish. All in all, I hope this series gets better on the next episodes.

Episode 4 confirmed that Luiz died. He was stabbed in a bar. This episode had numerous weaknesses. After four episodes, the boys' love (BL) focus of this series hasn't really materialized yet. Maybe this is about Algiro and Monsour or Algiro and Marion. I don't know. It's a pity, Algiro and Luiz seemed to be a better pair. Aizen/Renzo was also the most attractive among the cast members. Anyway, Luiz was relegated to the prolonged flashbacks on this episode. His character background was revealed during the tedious scene at the cemetery. Screenplay for that scene had circuitous lines. Acting felt awkward at times. Production technicals were bad. I can barely hear some of the dialogues and there were poor camera shots. Overall, this was a very weak episode.

Out of nowhere, someone died on Episode 3. Three episodes in and it isn't clear yet where this series is going. But at least, screenplay was more natural compared to previous episodes. Acting was passable on this episode. Audio-visuals were still weak. I hope next episode's better.

Episode 5 was a very short episode. On this episode, the necklace was lost and Engkantito's back. No evident improvements on all fronts. One last episode!

True to form, Episode 6: Finale used unimaginative inner monologues with not much acting involved. There was an 18-year time jump and Arthur's son was all grown up on this episode. The young lad received a scholarship abroad and he'll be able to bring with him his adopted father Boyet, fulfilling the latter's dream of flying on an airplane. The end. No wait, there's a "Till Death Do Us Part Season 2" entitled "I Hate You But I Lied" that will possibly revolve around an incestuous relationship! Bad idea. I hope the production company (Astrum TV) take a breather first. It needs to improve its craft in terms of plot/storyline, performance, and production before it ventures into a new series.

After Arthur's death, Joyce also passed away after giving birth to their son. While visiting Arthur's tomb, through inner monologues, Boyet shared that he's now taking care of Arthur and Joyce's child. The uncreative inner monologues of Episode 5 also revealed that Boyet's bisexual and Arthur's father was queer. Screenplay had long and tedious lines that tried, but failed, to make up for the lack of acting on this episode. Production technicals were still weak. Finale next!

Episode 6 was a really nice way to end this series. Yes, Kiko overacted when he found out he's human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive and Mark didn't really know how to react about the situation at first but both their responses were understandable. I liked that after they got sensible advice from Jenny and Fr. Lucas, this episode was able to show that people living with HIV can have successful and blessed lives with their loved ones. I'm a sucker for happy endings so I thoroughly enjoyed this finale. Screenplay was good. Acting was just about right. And production technicals were fine. Overall, this was a satisfying conclusion for this series.