You are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine. I did not enjoy watching it at all.,I found it demeaning…
I may have misread your comment (in which case sorry!) but it seems like you're assuming that I'm not a part of the LGBTQ+ community just because I was frustrated with his actions? As confused as he was (as confused as I have been at a point in my life), at no time do I think it's okay to lead people on. But like you said, his actions made sense. That's why ITSAY 1 (and 2, IMO) is a masterpiece. Characters' actions have a reason, symbolism, context, a fully thought out backstory even if we didn't always see it explicitly on screen.
As much as I disagree with you, I respect that you don't feel this made sense for his character, I'd be equally annoyed with the writers (and have certainly have been so with other shows) if I considered this totally uncalled for with no rhyme or reason.
As to WHY I disagree though (cue another mini essay, if you're interested lol, this is what happens when a writer gets stuck in a non-writing day job, I can't stop myself)
I hate that he kissed Jai, but "reason" to cheat? He didn't cheat, as some do, because he thinks such actions are fine (I was with someone like that, making me feel worse about myself than anything/one ever has. Even now, years later, I'm triggered by people or characters who cheat. It's a visceral anxiety and hurt).
But returning from that tangent, why is his confusion here perceived any differently than it was in ITSAY 1?
Teh and Oh once had the same dream (and it's kinda what brought them together), and Teh's dream evolved and came to be grounded in achieving it--being on stage-- together. Then Oh's dream changes, and Teh's not sure how to reconcile with this (Oh reacts to change better than Teh), and they're slowly growing apart. Oh can't show any interest in the things Teh loves (watching plays) and Teh can't show enthusiasm about what Oh loves (ad making/graphic design) then despite still loving and caring for each other, Teh wonders and worries about how this relationship will go. Then in comes Jai, someone Teh really admires, who shares his passion, constantly encourages him and truly understands the work he puts in, and they happen to be spending a lot of time together (because of the play). Is it really that crazy that Teh is confused? And in the midst of all that confusion Jai shows some attraction towards him (but IMO is possibly manipulating him a bit) and Teh makes a bad, very stupid in-the-moment decision. Not okay, but there was a trajectory to that point, he didn't suddenly do a 180 and become someone new.
You are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine. I did not enjoy watching it at all.,I found it demeaning…
it's funny, I never considered Teh as a comfort character. he annoyed me quite a bit in ITSAY 1 with all his flip-flopping on Oh and Tarn. Love him, but he was frustrating .So I guess I can't really relate to being let down that way. I didn't like it (and I was anxious this whole ep), but it didn't feel out-of -character. I suppose I'd have been really gutted if Oh was the one to do though as this because it wouldn't have fit Oh's character at all, so I can see why you'd feel that way
You are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine. I did not enjoy watching it at all.,I found it demeaning…
Though I'm part of the queer community, I didn't feel that way, but yes of course, it's totally fair if you have that perspective. Everyone's experiences are different and what they bring to, and take away from, a show will be different.
I do entirely disagree that they resorted to what has been tried many times though, just as Teh's uncertainty and playing on both Oh and Tarn's feelings that we saw in ITSAY 1 has been seen in so many bls, but felt more authentic and better realized, in terms of portraying and justifying Teh's actions (justify not in the sense that it made it okay, just that it made it understandable, even relatable maybe for someone trying to figure out their sexuality).
Neither ITSAY 1 or 2 are telling some wildly original story, and certainly draw on tropes/themes from other queer cinema and coming of age stories, but at no point have I felt that something happened for the sake of happening (ie drama for the sake of drama). I don't "enjoy" Teh or Jai's actions here, but I appreciate it in the sense they built up to it very naturally, and am curious on what will happen next.
And I know a lot of people don't care/notice the other aspects that go into creating a show but it is all as critical to cinema--critical to the audience's experience--as the story line, whether people realize notice it or not. Maybe it's the film enthusiast / poet in me lol, but I will always love a piece where so much intentionality is put in all of those things.
I get that people are angry at Teh but why are folks angry at the writers? The writer's aren't calling cheating "realistic" nor are they glorifying it (plus cheating happens, so we can't call it "unrealistic" either, but regardless it doesn't seem to be their motive), I though this trajectory for Teh's character actually makes some sense. So not sure why folks are bashing the writing or the show.
One one hand, he feels distanced from Oh, because he feels like he can't recognize who Oh is anymore -- What we might think of as two forward running parallel lines before, have both diverged in their paths while continuing forward. It's natural to grow, particularly during college, but like high school friends who go different schools, you come to realize your worlds are different. Oh's dealing with it better, while Teh struggles with that realization.
Then on other hand, to Teh, Jai's path might feel like it's the same as the one he wants to pursue.
So with this context--since Jai read Teh's logbooks--it seems to me that Jai took advantage of Teh's confusion and uncertainty with his relationship with Oh, and used it to kind of seduce him in order to better his play. I see no other explanation for Jai doing and saying the things he did, but then ending that kiss by saying good job, you learned how to do it. He's not blameless in the set up of this situation
Is Teh stupid for falling for this and giving into his momentary attraction to Jai? Yes! He fucked up, and now Oh will be so hurt because of it.
But this episode was beautifully done, the tension, uncertainty, discomfort, everything was so palpable, so well portrayed. I also loved the camera work in the final scene, the way it zoomed out from Oh and expanded to the room where Teh and Jai were. We already know they're going to be making out, but the impact of that zoom out really hits and you feel like Oh in that moment.
I wrote a mini essay lol, sorry to whoever actually read the whole thing. I just would hate for the writers to get a bunch of hate just because people are upset about the character's actions. it's so much deeper than other shows where they randomly through a cheating trope in just to create some drama.
I'm not really sure how necessary this special ep was—didn't particularly add much to Gene & Sib's story. But I need a sequel for Aoey, where he is main. I didn't even love his character too much nor do I have any particular feelings about Aoey-Mohk, I'm just so curious about his story. This ep not only provided no further resolution for Aoey after S1, but also opened a whole other pandora's box with just a single scene (even just that phone call really, and everything it implies with a possible sugar daddy who's connected to the industry). Gene & Sib can have a cameo in S2, or an extended guest appearance at most (I like them, and enjoyed S1, but their story is complete. I don't need to see them rehash the same premise again). I just really hope we get some kind of S2 or spin-off and they keep the focus Aoey, having laid this foundation for a rather sad but gripping story.
As much as I disagree with you, I respect that you don't feel this made sense for his character, I'd be equally annoyed with the writers (and have certainly have been so with other shows) if I considered this totally uncalled for with no rhyme or reason.
As to WHY I disagree though (cue another mini essay, if you're interested lol, this is what happens when a writer gets stuck in a non-writing day job, I can't stop myself)
I hate that he kissed Jai, but "reason" to cheat? He didn't cheat, as some do, because he thinks such actions are fine (I was with someone like that, making me feel worse about myself than anything/one ever has. Even now, years later, I'm triggered by people or characters who cheat. It's a visceral anxiety and hurt).
But returning from that tangent, why is his confusion here perceived any differently than it was in ITSAY 1?
Teh and Oh once had the same dream (and it's kinda what brought them together), and Teh's dream evolved and came to be grounded in achieving it--being on stage-- together. Then Oh's dream changes, and Teh's not sure how to reconcile with this (Oh reacts to change better than Teh), and they're slowly growing apart. Oh can't show any interest in the things Teh loves (watching plays) and Teh can't show enthusiasm about what Oh loves (ad making/graphic design) then despite still loving and caring for each other, Teh wonders and worries about how this relationship will go. Then in comes Jai, someone Teh really admires, who shares his passion, constantly encourages him and truly understands the work he puts in, and they happen to be spending a lot of time together (because of the play). Is it really that crazy that Teh is confused? And in the midst of all that confusion Jai shows some attraction towards him (but IMO is possibly manipulating him a bit) and Teh makes a bad, very stupid in-the-moment decision. Not okay, but there was a trajectory to that point, he didn't suddenly do a 180 and become someone new.
I do entirely disagree that they resorted to what has been tried many times though, just as Teh's uncertainty and playing on both Oh and Tarn's feelings that we saw in ITSAY 1 has been seen in so many bls, but felt more authentic and better realized, in terms of portraying and justifying Teh's actions (justify not in the sense that it made it okay, just that it made it understandable, even relatable maybe for someone trying to figure out their sexuality).
Neither ITSAY 1 or 2 are telling some wildly original story, and certainly draw on tropes/themes from other queer cinema and coming of age stories, but at no point have I felt that something happened for the sake of happening (ie drama for the sake of drama). I don't "enjoy" Teh or Jai's actions here, but I appreciate it in the sense they built up to it very naturally, and am curious on what will happen next.
And I know a lot of people don't care/notice the other aspects that go into creating a show but it is all as critical to cinema--critical to the audience's experience--as the story line, whether people realize notice it or not. Maybe it's the film enthusiast / poet in me lol, but I will always love a piece where so much intentionality is put in all of those things.
One one hand, he feels distanced from Oh, because he feels like he can't recognize who Oh is anymore -- What we might think of as two forward running parallel lines before, have both diverged in their paths while continuing forward. It's natural to grow, particularly during college, but like high school friends who go different schools, you come to realize your worlds are different. Oh's dealing with it better, while Teh struggles with that realization.
Then on other hand, to Teh, Jai's path might feel like it's the same as the one he wants to pursue.
So with this context--since Jai read Teh's logbooks--it seems to me that Jai took advantage of Teh's confusion and uncertainty with his relationship with Oh, and used it to kind of seduce him in order to better his play. I see no other explanation for Jai doing and saying the things he did, but then ending that kiss by saying good job, you learned how to do it. He's not blameless in the set up of this situation
Is Teh stupid for falling for this and giving into his momentary attraction to Jai? Yes! He fucked up, and now Oh will be so hurt because of it.
But this episode was beautifully done, the tension, uncertainty, discomfort, everything was so palpable, so well portrayed. I also loved the camera work in the final scene, the way it zoomed out from Oh and expanded to the room where Teh and Jai were. We already know they're going to be making out, but the impact of that zoom out really hits and you feel like Oh in that moment.
I wrote a mini essay lol, sorry to whoever actually read the whole thing. I just would hate for the writers to get a bunch of hate just because people are upset about the character's actions. it's so much deeper than other shows where they randomly through a cheating trope in just to create some drama.