Synchonicity

Lol!

Like you, I'm okay with rape/assault being depicted on screen... IF it is treated as the terrible and criminal thing it really is. ("The Effect" was a great example.)

What I'm NOT okay with is the following:

"You know, I really like you."
"I really like you, too, you're so hot! Still, you shouldn't have raped me."
"Oh yeah, about that... really super sorry."
"Well, okay then."
(Couple goes on to ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after.)

SERIOUSLY??

Agreed, Gottillc. Thanks!

Well said, thank you.

Thanks, jadea! I think I'll wait a little while and continue to check the dsscussion boards before deciding to watch.

What's the general feeling about this? I watched Season 1 and liked it only for the actors and the chemistry: I HATED the story. Honestly, after TT Season 1 and Love by Chance 1 and 2, I'm quite leery about watching anything based on a novel written by MAME. She's pretty toxic with her obsession with man/man rape tropes...

What do you all think?

Thanks for sharing that, I hadn't read the novel (I was only somewhat aware of the Tin/Can story). Now that I know, I'm with you.

MAME has some severe problems. I have no desire to watch anything else that's based on her novels.

Count me as someone not supporting the Tul/Hin relationship. From what I gather it's a master/slave thing... which, I guess, some people actually get into.

Kla/No was definitely rape. I guess Tul/Hin is "better," because it's consensual? Or was it? I'm totally confused!

Ok I've watched the first two episodes and I like it. But is this headed to be an entire series about an unrequited love? Not sure I'm in the mood for another one of those. Thanks in advance for anyone who responds.

Is anyone else sick of the damn Wishing Tree?

Very well said. I'm not sure how anything in the remaining episode is going to redeem this mess.

And what message does it send to young gay people who are, right now, considering coming out to their parents?

In MODC, one of the lovers gets hit by a truck while crossing the street and dies. The entire series is a build up of their happiness (while fighting some bigotry from parents) and then in the last episode... tragedy, with the remaining lover going into deep despair. The End.

Agreed 100%. Something to consider, which is very important... even though Ken hadn't officially come out to his mother, she knew. Most of the time mothers just know. Ken even said it himself: "Mom, I'm your son. You've always known. You were just the last to admit."

This is obvious when Monica is hounding Ken about not dating Sandee, and Ken was dancing around her questions. SHE KNEW.

And, because Monica knew, she had a lot of time to think and come to terms with it, had she chosen to do that. But no, she chose to cling to her homophobia, which she obviously had for years.

So she lashes out against Ken, screaming at him like a lunatic, as though he had committed the biggest crime of the century... and now he is dead. She's pretty much abandoned Lawrence, who very well may be gay, too.

I actually wondered if Monica's husband had been gay and left her, and that's why she is so homophobic. That would at least provide some sort of explanation for her erratic behavior. If not (and even if so), this is not at all the sign of a stable person, let alone a good mother. The woman needs therapy.

Get off your damn high horse and make your own attitude adjustment, honey. Your sanctimonious proclamations won't fly with me, nor anyone else here.

The way the mother behaved is anything but "excusable." If you're quick to excuse that kind of nasty, homophobic behavior, go ahead. Don't expect everyone to follow.

Also, it is 2020, not 1980. Adults (parents) today, for the most part, are much more evolved than those of older generations. Those who continue to be homophobic make that choice. Monica doesn't get a free pass just because she's a "mother."

I was just remembering the first episode in the classroom, where they were discussing the role of the protagonist and the antagonist in Kevin's story, with Ken saying that the antagonist character might consider herself a hero.

I'm wondering if Episode 8 is going to have some tie in to all of that... maybe?

Teresa said that the antagonist did not deserve to be happy, which the professor questioned. And here we all are, arguing about Sandee and the mother, how much at fault they are, and whether or not they should be forgiven...

Hmmmmm.

Exactly.

The mother was toxic long before losing her son. The hate and anger when she found out he was gay is inexcusable. She acted like she would have been more accepting if Ken were a murderer. Women like that -- with no capability of loving their children unconditionally -- should think long and hard before ever giving birth.

If that sounds harsh... it's meant to be.

For me, if a series is dealing with guys in a same-sex relationship, then it's BL. Some people would argue that the definition of BL is different, and that's okay. That's another topic.

In the end, I don't think it really matters. What does matter is that THIS is what has been chosen to be aired. While my hat is off to the actors and to the production itself, I'm very disappointed that this was the direction they decided to take.

That message has been sent out many, many times. For a groundbreaking BL -- one that is being shown on primetime television for the first time -- a message of normalcy and acceptance would have been a huge step forward.

As is, the message is just encouraging gays to remain in the closet.