warrenaa

An entire episode devoted to self-pity. A bit much, really. There's Jimmy, drinking himself into a stupor for two months. Was he eating at all, was he feeding the cat properly? Apart from an old cake, his fridge was empty. It's a wonder that by the end of the episode he looks little the worse for wear, though he should be. Then there's Toh, forcing himself to be in love with Dr Freeze, all the while thinking of Jimmy but determined not to go back to him. At least he has the grace to break up with Dr. Freeze and not let that relationship drag on, for which he had all the enthusiasm of a rag doll. It's just a shame that every time Jimmy summons up the courage to see Toh, he sees something that makes him turn away. I don't think Toh is Jimmy 2.0; their characters and personas are like chalk and cheese, though they both have the capacity for too much introspection. Emotionally and physically, they are a good match because they complement each other in matters of love, though Toh is not as cute as Run. But Jimmy is heartbroken over Toh and Toh, try as he might, can't get over Jimmy. We know, though, that in the forthcoming final episode they will somehow reunite - it's inevitable. It's only a matter of how it comes about.

From what I can make out, Yu is really in love with North and despite all of North's efforts to obtain a divorce, I don't think he'll be successful. In fact, I'm rooting for Yu he'll weather the storm and convince North he loves him, as he's so good looking and combined with some expertly sensual kissing, North will just melt in his arms. There is, of course, the matter of the 'dowry' North impulsively gave Yu, which his thieving mother stole from him and is likely behind his decision not to go anywhere. Whatever, I also think Yu's love for North is more sincere than Tim's love for Pai, though when Pai eventually finds out Tim is a scammer too, that revelation will be devastating as he's really fallen for Tim. It's all very messy for everyone at the moment and likely to remain so for some time yet.

Just watched the special, which unsurprisingly is set in a seaside resort and features only the primary and secondary couples. It passes the time amiably enough and leaves one with the impression that their lives together will continue as loving couples.

Australia

Being in the Southern Hemisphere, we get this show on Sunday morning, the perfect light-hearted romcom for this time of day. Ep. 4 began with a bang, full of energy and lots of overacting from Duang, who couldn't be more adorable at the same time, then eventually it slightly ran out of steam - well, it is difficult to keep up that pace for an hour. Nevertheless, I'm loving this show. Waiting to see Qin smile is like hoping to find a pearl in an oyster, a rare occurrence but a joyous one when it happens. How he manages to remain so impassive all the time is quite an achievement. One of the friends mentioned he puts up a high wall, which Duang acknowledged, and being the supreme optimist, he's sure that one day he'll surmount it. He is getting there, slowly but surely, and that's half the fun.

I suppose it's a question of whether they've got the balance right - BL moments or beauty industry. The two are so integrated into the storyline that it's impossible to separate them. Life at Romy Sheerique does dominate and the two boys are totally devoted to their work there, which is intense, so their intimate moments together are restricted. In the context, it would be wrong to make them NFC, but the little we do see is just enough to satisfy - and they do kiss well. Soon, however, they'll be apart for 6 months while one of them is in Paris. Maybe after his return, we might get to see more of their personal time together, as in going somewhere for a holiday, but I'm not holding my breath.

The only reason I wasn't terribly surprised to find that Dr Puth and his companion in crime and murder, Puifui, are the culprits, is because so many writers here over the last few weeks suggested they were. I just hope Jay emerges from his confrontation with them alive.

At this point, I'm liking Teh and Fah more than I did at the beginning of the show. I really feel sorry for Jimmy, and of course, Toh overhearing the conversation between Jimmy and his friends but leaving before he continued with it so he doesn't hear the part he needs to know, is par for the course in BL dramas.

Duang is the most adorable dork I've yet encountered in a BL series. His emotions are all over the place, ecstatic one moment, deflated the next. Quinn on the other hand has perfected the art of the permanent scowl, rarely smiling and has the air of someone who is easily bored. He's accepted that Duang is into him but refuses to accept nonsense from him in any form and disdains his overt infatuation as he finds it over the top. That said, they are getting closer to each other, with each overture to dine together and the latest, for Duang to go over to Quinn's house to practice singing, being received with unalloyed delight. With their respective friends helping things along in what they expect will end up in a romantic union, this series is like a spray of glitter that will brighten up anyone's day, and don't we all need it.

I very rarely do this, but I had to watch it at 1.5 speed to get it over and done with. The extra speed made no difference to the content as it was all still understandable. Apart from the normal dialogue, the butler spoke to himself in what I presume is either a distinct dialect or another language; I really don't know - the graphics certainly weren't Chinese. Quite the odd little domestic drama.

This is turning into quite a delightful series. The leads have their own special chemistry from having worked together before, but Krapor, played by the inimitable JJ who provides the overacting most deftly, and Dr Pom, are terrific sidekicks as well. The sound effects are quite subtle for a change. The best scene was the one in the park with the cats. Thoroughly enjoyable.

The first episode was perplexing and the story, as such, was all over the place, though the main premise of the surprise relationship of Sara and Fu came through clearly. Settles down after that. They really are an adorable couple, presently my favourite (after the last couple that took my fancy, whoever they were). Taiga and his friend are rather nice too. Sara's imperious mother, on the other hand, reminds me of a mother in a previous series who also had a contract with her son to control him for the rest of his life (which I just discovered was the Thai version of this series that came out last year). I'm glad that Fu decided to accept Sara as his boyfriend, despite any reservations he had, and they began kissing in Ep. 3. I mean, how could he resist someone as handsome and caring as Sara? Long may their love survive.

At last, a Chinese BL series that's not all about money and business dealings, rather, a more conventional story set in a seaside town concerning a TV production crew making a reality TV show, with two gay couples in the making. Very likable so far, nothing heavy, proceeding at a reasonable pace as we get more invested in them. With four under 30 minute episodes per week, it'll all be over in another two weeks - short by most Chinese standards - but I'm not complaining. A pleasant change and easy viewing. I'm all for it.

Overly melodramatic, with an increasingly confusing, senseless plot that spirals out of control and ends with the introduction of a new character. Basically a mess.

You could say it was uplifiting. Here's a boy, beset by doubt but trying to do his best and eventually, with a new customer, succeeds.

I must say, there's very little happening in the way of plot or development, so I do hope it picks up pace soon or otherwise I'll have to downgrade my score even further.

An excellent series with possibly the best horror/supernatural elements in BL that I've ever seen, and definitely the most malicious ghost. Plot wise, it was all going well until we get to Bom and his father, who suddenly appear out of nowhere and dominate proceedings until they're overcome, then all too suddenly it switches to a hospital scene. There needed to be a few minutes more to tidy up things before the scene change. Pooh and Pavel together are exceptional; their closeness and feelings for each other make one think they are actually a real couple. 8.5/10 from me.

Off to a great start with this first episode. Tod and Time make an adorable couple, two guys who find out their girlfriend has been double-dating them, so they seek revenge on her by at first pretending they prefer each other, only to quickly realise they really like each other.

One would have thought that Jay saw a guy in a mask, and not just say the killer was a man. If he knows the killer is a man, he must remember he was wearing a mask.

Typical Chinese melodrama, all about money, family ties, saving a company, a forced wedding - and in the midst of this, two pretty boys who fall for each other and somehow end up falling into each other's arms. The only thing missing was a kiss.