solipsism5

If anyone was wondering, when Name was talking to N about the movie Hello Stranger that was in reference to a Thai movie from 2010 [this also pinpoints the year we're in in this episode], not the Pinoy BL, and here's a description of it here : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello_Stranger_(film)

The scriptwriting is always very weak in this series. GolfGun should definitely have hit it off by now, and it's just unnatural even if Gun didn't reveal who he was, and how is he still suppose to be able to hide his identity after two years? This is just a bizarre lack of attention to detail at this point.

Champ should have been able to see his grandpa after he knew something was wrong with him. Before he knew about his condition, it would make some sense to hide it from him, but there is no reason at all now. How is Champ going to study not knowing how his grandpa is doing? He could at least visit for a few weekends because Bangkok is not that far away. This plot makes no sense at all. Champ's grandpa is going to die without seeing Champ, or saying something meaningful to him before he dies. Who cares about getting reports about his condition. This is just nuts. These scriptwriters really need a spanking.

This has been really good so far. There is so much PDA in every episode - this might the most I've ever seen in any BL. The Win Team chemistry is just amazing, and very natural. You couldn't ask for any more, and even if there are other couples, they really dominate the screen time. I really don't care about A, and B at all, but I guess someone feels the need to have multiple couples in a series. Benz, playing Prince, seems to be in a lot of lackluster roles lately, including the lead in Coffee Melody, and he must have a good agent, because he seems to be everywhere. As usual he's playing another characterless twinkie that gobbles up screen time doing absolutely nothing. I just hope they don't focus on these other couples too much. I'm sure no one cares for them other than their agents who got them this job.

I am almost certain that Name's new friend is Em. It has to be him, and that's how this relationship will finally develop. I don't know why they did it this way and it was cruel for Name to not have anyone to really talk to for 2 years other than this ghost friend. Even if I'm wrong about this, finally, someone tells Name that he's "priceless". That's what should have been said to him a long time ago, and all this time people were just berating him. I never heard the mom say something like "I love you, but why won't you talk to me?" I think it's this utter coldness in the interactions with Name that has driven me up the wall. I like everything Name's friend is doing. He's not pushing him too much while still nudging him forward, and he's not being judgemental. He's the only voice that is driving Name to become better, and giving him some possibility of happiness.

I'm glad Champu is able to accept Mean's severe fashion handicap. I know I never would. She's really a saint.

I usually don't bother about the use of science in BL's anymore, but I always think of the Japanese being better at the details. I've given up with the Thai and Korean BL's - they just don't care and I've accepted that. Usually the Japanese are much better and you can see it in their anime's where they will really get very precise about the mechanics of any world they've created, or about the science behind some alien gizmo, etc. I really don't get this heart not beating stuff, because he would just be immobilized without blood being pumped throughout his body. I would see an anime explain the whole new mechanism his body is using to sustain itself, but I guess it's just not going to happen here. The body also does need to repair itself just to remain in stasis, so even if the bruises aren't healing in Koichi's body because he's in stasis, he still needs some repair mechanism just to stay alive. I'm imagining it's just some supernatural element at work here doing whatever to make this work. You can see it when the girl puts that rune on his forehead. This involves some Shinto mysticism, like in countless animes involving demons, ghosts, etc. So I'll take this as just spiritual magic, but I'm kind of not happy with it. Why did he get chosen to be a zombie? Was there any thing he did to be the only one that deserves this fate? If this involves mysticism, the reason for his fate is usually explained as a manifestation of some Karma. I don’t know, I’m just baffled by the whole scenario, but I’m willing to let it go, because this show is really well done despite these flaws. It’s become my favorite Japanese BL of the year, and I think it has an intensity beyond all the others with wonderfully created characters that are very well developed. I really feel Mitsuru's despair at what has happened to Koichi, and feel every moment of Koichi's sadness at being a corpse, so that's all that matters. Someday, you know that even that little that they have left will be taken away as well, and that makes this plot really captivating even if it is extremely melancholy.

The best way to enjoy this drama is to ignore any justification for the science fiction part. Just start with the premise that the world is going to end in 8 days and you'll be fine. Forget about the bunker, and the moon, and all that junk. Maybe the science is worse than usual but does it really matter?

Given that, this is really well done, and there are a lot of things going on. There is constant suspense, and the characters are all really out there. Even the lady with hair curlers is sort of outlandish. All these quirky characters, and one with amnesia, create a really unique action, suspense drama that you'll never see anywhere else. There's a lot of gratuitous violence, but we hardly feel anything like disgust or horror for the killings themselves, and they almost seem just like normal events like a fight scene in one of the thousand university BL's. I don't feel like the second gay couple is repulsive, and I can still get into their relationship, even if I'm not wild about their killing people for fun. It's just a kind of pandemonium environment that allows for their behavior to seem more natural.

That was sexy. It reminded me of the hot interactions of two nuns in a seminary. I'm really struggling with this show - so many hot guys with nothing going on, and even a het drama with even less going on. I feel like this is being sponsored by a gay aversion sex therapy clinic, or that I'm in a time warp going back to 2013. This show is vampiric - it sucks all the life out of you till you're just bloodless by the end of each episode. The main thing I liked in episode 5 was that big bowl of soup. That looked delicious. The rest of this was terrible, but I'm going to see where this goes. I wonder if they're selling this to the Chinese market, or what their reason for this show was. On the positive side, maybe one of these BL couples will actually pan out.

I really like it so far. I like the tangential look into UWMA - it's kind of a unique experience. I can't remember having seen a story completely from the other couple's perspective. It's kind of fun reliving UWMA this way, and makes you want to revisit it. I like all the hot sexual scenes with Boun Prem - already two for two episodes. Yes, I'm counting, because it just never happens this way, and I usually have to wait till at least episode 6 for something to happen, and a lot of times till the end of the series. I think these two have great chemistry, and are very natural around each other which usually makes for a great BL. I'm waiting for the story to develop, but I'm not so picky about a complex plot. I'm satisfied with a minimalist approach to the plot as long as it supports the romantic interactions of the couples, and develops them in some way where we have some dynamic, exciting interactions between them. There is no reason to be judgmental about this series this early into it. I think it's really an enjoyable show so far, and the criticisms are just premature. The music at the end of episode 2 really captured the moment of their sexual interplay, and that scene was just very hot and romantic.

The first episode was pretty decent. I think it was amazing that they were able to round up most of the cast from UWMA for this - that was a feat in itself. I liked that they had some scenes from UWMA that were really so pivotal, and characteristic of that drama to bring out the true nature of the previous show, while still going in a totally different stylistic and tonal direction in this series. I mean it's much more playful, and BL'ish while they bring up the soulful aspects of UWMA in the background. That part where Prem gets a hard on for like one hour was just OTT - I thought he was never going to let go of his crotch, but the sex afterwards was great, because no one likes to have so much sexual innuendo without the follow up. I can't wait to see what's coming. A great start to what looks like a really great BL.

I agree about the fan service. I don't know how these actors would make a living without it. They are paid virtually nothing for the shows and BL's would never attract any actors for this genre without fanservice. Yet, as with all things that might be necessary, there are drawbacks, and the fans get out of control asking weird things of the BL actors like not dating any girls, etc.

That was a great discussion. As a gay man, I didn't feel offended by your use of the term gay for pay, but I can see how it might come across as being an unattractive term - perhaps gay for compensation [which could be material and / or spiritual]. BL's do offer a lot to the LGBTQ+ community even if they aren't devoted to that cause, and the actors could be thought of as offering some positive psychological benefits to the gay community. I certainly like the positive tone of BL's and really prefer them to most gay dramas which tend to be rather sobering, and darker in tone. I think gay men need that, and so the BL actors are providing a service which is beyond the material.
I'm sure most BL actors are not doing this out of a sense of ethics, but there's a little bit of altruism in this for everyone involved and varies from actor to actor. No matter what their motive is, I'm glad for what they're doing. I feel like if I were straight I would never be daring enough to do what they're doing for this fanservice, so I'm always pleasantly pleased by it, to be honest.

Yes - I think this too, and think he needs to at least be honest which would be the bare minimum. I’m hoping he’s going to improve soon. He just never even shows any emotion which seems a little superficial.

I was also in a long distance relationship and I also called, texted, wrote letters, etc. You can’t be that busy that you don’t have a minute. And the amount of time you have varies. What about breaks when he could visit Name and his family? I think there should have at least been one break by now.

The music is the worst. I've turned the sound off and read the subtitles. I usually play some other music in the background. It's the tinkling piano, or the plucky strings, or the doo-wop music that drives me up the wall. It's as annoying as the WIG. Please guys, show some restraint with these things. Even if it was brilliant music it doesn't need to be shoved in our face every minute of every episode.

I think Em does have a lot of pressure on him, as well as a lot of work and distractions, but I don't think you should tell your friend you can't talk to them for a month. I think he should know how needy Name is and that Name needs a little time. I really don't think Name is asking for that much, but Em is in a new environment where he has to work a lot. He's also trying to enjoy being in a university - I know I tried to have fun at college as much as I tried to work. He's got so much going on, but I do feel he should prioritize and make a little time for Name - I believe they were best friends before. It's like a parent that is so wrapped up in work that they make no time for their kids. If he doesn't take care of Name he should understand how much psychological pain that he's putting Name through. To me, he seems a little indifferent to that. Em is also like a caretaker for Name and he must have been aware of his role as that after so many years of being friends with him. If he doesn't want to do that anymore, or to not be close friends he should tell Name just like Name asks him to during this episode. He owes him at least some honesty.

It's a complicated situation and I can see how Em is not just totally being mean-spirited or uncompassionate. He, after all, is the one that reached out to Name the most of all the people that Name first met in his new town, but Em's a little young, and a little less than saintly. It's just hard having a friend like Name who requires so much attention. I like how Mean is providing an example on how to do it with Champu, but maybe it's because they're both at the university, and can do things together that makes all the difference. Even if this series is not doing the best in depicting this whole scenario, they are doing enough to portray a very complicated relationship between Em and Name, and it really makes me very interested in watching every new episode.

Yes, I assume its supposed to build into a relationship but 6 episodes in there’s absolutely nothing. I still have little idea why Name doesn’t try some anti-anxiety medication or go to group therapy (among other possible therapies) If he refused to do any of that, it should be mentioned at least. His condition seems extreme and no one seems to be doing anything about it except for the mom who just berates him in an almost cruel way. It’s just frustrating to watch. I do think the mom is trying but it just seems like everything she’s done has been totally ineffective and now she’s at the end of her rope. There was something going on with Em’s mom last episode. I think she was going to help but I don’t know if anything’s going to happen with that.

I wonder why all the other characters don't contact Name, and act like it's Em's responsibility. I don't think that's ever been explained, and probably not thought through by the screenwriters who have always been pretty sloppy. As far as Em I think he's superficial and only liked Name when it was convenient, and is drifting further and further away and gets irritated when Name keeps calling him out on his indifference. If you really are friends you can take a few minutes from whatever to make a short call. I don't think Name is asking for that much, and Em always thinks of ways to get out of it. I also wonder what Name does all day. I have no idea other than he thinks about his one friend. He isn't going to school, or preparing for a career of some kind. It's really kind of mysterious - again, I don't think the screenwriters think about these things, because that would be work - they just like to make up a few feel-good moments and don't want to work on the context, the background environment, the backstory, etc. And where did mom go? She had such a big role last episode and she just disappeared in this one. I still like this story despite all these flaws, and still like the effort they're making with this. They could have created a very sappy, syrupy story with Name and Em, and I give them credit for delving into a more realistic one.

I think they have successfully rescued Mean's story from the gutter. This series really seems to want to highlight people with disabilities and kudos to them for that. I like how Mean was hesitant at first with Champu but later makes the effort to really go out with her - it's very touching even if he's wearing the Wig of Evil that makes everyone superficial. I'm contrasting this story with Em and Name, and there has to be some connection in the minds of the screenwriters. Mean has shown far more sensitivity and understanding than Em, and I think it just shows how a real, sympathetic person can value a wonderful person like Name.

I really don't even mind the implausibility of the Ja and First couple anymore. They really have a genuine connection and their segments have tons of chemistry. It seems effortless which is what I always want to see in a BL, but rarely ever get. It's really become very entertaining.

I like Champ's grandpa so much that I don't care that this is just weird having this story in the middle of a BL. There is nothing even going on here, and I just wonder where this story will go after Grandpa dies.

Overall this series is really good despite all its many flaws. This episode did not drag that much at all, and I'm becoming vested in all the stories.

Where did you get that from? That would be terrible. He’s my favorite character by far and he deserves the most. He needs to be seen healing , and certainly not killed off. That would have to be the worst plotline of any BL ever if this is the case

Oh ok, I wasn’t really being that critical. This was just a comical comment, and the screenplay is still jarring, but thanks for the enlightenment.

This is just so odd. The screenplay is really jarring. I mean one minute they're dodging killers, and the next they're laughing it up eating noodles. Golf must have fallen for Art because he doesn't want him to know that he was the cause of his concussion, and he's acting like he's really into him. He has those same psycho eyes he had for his girlfriend - what's wrong with this guy?

I don't understand how Art's amnesia works. Is it short term or long term? I think it's neither and he just remembers whatever the screenplay wants him to remember. I don't know how he was supposed to stitch up Golf when he seemed to know nothing about it. It doesn't matter, because Golf took his shirt off for this scene and redeemed the whole series. I just wish Art would have told him to hold on to his butt instead of his leg. I really think that would have worked better because it's really so much easier to squeeze than the upper leg. Why didn't this happen? I'm disappointed at the lack of creativity here.

I'm just starting this. I'm usually not that picky about BL's but I just didn't like the first episode. I think Best is a great actor, and I just want to look at him from every angle, praying that he takes his shirt off, but his character is just so grating. He's just a little too weird, like he has some serious psychological problem, but I doubt that he does. His behavior with his girlfriend was just too annoying to watch, and I almost felt like I was becoming a heterophobe taking in this relationship. I couldn't stand either one of them. The girl did seem very bitchy, even if she had ample cause with the way Golf was behaving.

Was that supposed to be a joke where we thought he was going to kill himself? Ha ha ha - fake suicide - hilarious! I mean something about this is just so stilted, but I can't stop looking at Golf. I just wish he would tone it down.

The subtitles are really atrocious. I just laughed when they translated that one line where they said "He's a smart." I don't know, that just killed me. Couldn't they get someone from the local Thai /English language center to help? This is actually a nice looking production for director Anasorn who does a lot of cheap indie productions which surprisingly have much better translations than this series.

Gosh, and the moon crashing into the Earth. Yikes! That's just impossibly ridiculous and requires a massive suspension of disbelief. And how does the moon crashing into the Earth cause the British Isles to sink underwater, or comets to hit Australia. Lunacy [pun intended]