etoks21

Episode 5:
It's really something how this show has become much more than it seemed in the beginning.
Who knew I'd be tearing up and catching major feels?

That is one of the simplest, most direct, least BS-ish confessions in BL history.
I was moved by Natsuki's dawning realization of what his deep concerns for Sota meant.
Even more touching was his instinct to honestly share it.

It's a cliché because it's true: First love can be painful af.
Even more so because the pain is a new experience.

Sigh...
I like what I saw in the ep 6 preview, though.

And the great PR is just an accidental side-effect of that, am I right? lol

There are lots of ways to draw attention to an organization or cause without mentioning that you have donated, let alone HOW MUCH you have donated. She could volunteer her time and talk about what a worthy org or cause it is.

You'll notice she managed to work into this interview the title of one of her dramas, lol.
Not that she's promoting it or anything, of course.
That would be tacky.

lol
Because making donations is all about the publicity, am I right?

I love when celebrities issue press releases to make sure we know how generous, kind, and selfless they are in their donations.
It doesn't seem to occur to them or their handlers to donate secretly, which is easy to do.

I wonder why that is...?

lol
That is likely the answer to my question.

Oh look, it's Gay Content and Speech Police Officer Eliot, here to tell us exactly what and how everything is, and to issue citations to anyone who disagrees with their Rulez of Gay Content and Speech.

Thank you for showing up, Officer Eliot.
I take it you approve of the content of this particular show and thus will be issuing no citations in reference to it..?

"High School Boy," the well-acted, written, directed, and produced vertical series, wasn't so fortunate, if I recall correctly.
Did you manage to have it banned?

Sounds delicious, StrongberryMatchbox.

So, you believe all 20-year-olds look like emaciated broomsticks?

I don't "hate" the series or the actors, you dunce.
I think the series is garbage, and the actors are both effeminate and poorly directed.
No "hate" involved.

Negative critiques of art are not "hate," they are negative critiques.
Grow up.

Yes, I did.
"Lipstick Lesbians," to be precise.

lol

Countless classic stories contain "problematic" (Lord preserve us) material.
The problematic stuff is what drives the drama.
If all characters behaved perfectly and as you would prefer, there would be no stories to tell. Fairy tales contain "problematic" behavior.

Do you watch murder mysteries?
Crime thrillers of any kind?
Problematic!

Same.

Again, I ask: How do you know ahead of time what will for sure happen?
Have you "read the novel?"

This is what I call a filler episode.

I am watching them in context, and I find them utterly ridiculous, petty, and devoid of charm. It's not because they're young; I like LOTS of young characters and actors, it's because THESE characters are ridiculous, petty, and devoid of charm.

The little girl/actor is charming and funny, but the material she and the other two were given to act out is American sitcom level.

And if they don't give Joan Crawford back her shoulder pads, bejeweled sweaters, and sequined appliqués, she's going to be pissed.
I hope they aren't hanging those clothes on wire hangers.

I know it's typical.
I use social media to a degree myself.
It's the 24/7 addiction to having faces in phones, and the brain-rotting content, that I am calling attention to.
There is a lot about the Internet and social media that is an unequivocal good, and there is a huge amount of it that is a disaster for humans, individually and collectively.

I 100% disagree with you about AI.
There is no time to remain "modest in our ability to judge."
As AI developers rush headlong into madness with almost zero guardrails, massive damage is already being done, and lawmakers are sitting on their hands as they accept massive amounts of $$$ from our tech overlords.
ChatGPT is destroying the ability to think, reason, form opinions, communicate, write, and much more.
AI has already wiped out entire categories of employment.
And if something isn't done soon, it will lay waste to the arts.
The performing arts are safe for now, until the robots become far more sophisticated, but actors, singers, dancers, musicians, etc. will be performing plays, acting in movies, singing songs, dancing to, and playing content written by AI.
And the AI actors, already nearly undetectable as what they are, are already on our screens.

I'll drop the topic at this point.
If you disagree with me about AI, there's no point in discussing it.

To be more precise, I find those two characters and their vapid story line annoying, and not in an "oh, they are SUPPOSED to be annoying" way.
It's the content of the episode, or lack of it, that I'm calling, and will continue to call, filler.
You can call it whatever you want, of course.

lol
Sure, Jan.

Togawa is a great example of how intelligence, a sense of humor, sexiness, and a big heart can make up for sloth, alcoholism, constant smoking, and more. :)

That's fine if you and "everybody else" "got it" and think the show is "amazing." Good for you.
I feel otherwise.
That's why I wrote what I wrote.

I didn't say there was anything "wrong" with her, I said she had a nose job and it's sad.
If you think it's wrong of her to have had a nose job, that's on you.

You know what's really "creepy?"
Every entertainer in China having the same nose.