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But other than it being disturbing af it's a masterpiece regardless. It truly explores human psychology and how different individuals deals with trauma, sexual trauma to be more precise.
The movie doesn't shy away from exploring such heavy and sensitive topics. It shows graphic rape scenes that were just too disturbing to watch but you also are curious to what will happen next.
Basically, as you might've read in the synopsis, the movie is about a guy finding out that the girl he has a crush on is being raped by her "friends" , he doesn't know how to react to that news but he nevertheless talks about it to her and he finds out that the girl despite getting
hurt is apparently ok with it since they are her friends and they consider rape as " just playing" but how can she be ok with it ? So he tells this whole thing to the only trustworthy teacher, our da Jun and he takes the case in charge but little did he knew that the truth is far more cruel than he thought.
Other than it showcasing things about sexual abuse so well, another thing that I loved about it was it's realistic portrayal of deaf kids and how society either shows prejudice or sympathy to them most of the time rather than empathy or help that they have to stay silent.
I feel like the movie does so well without having much dialogues in it. Most of the main characters are deaf from birth so they use sign language to talk to each other and literally the movie barely has any dialogues and I feel like that also helps in creating the eerie atmosphere in the movie plus it's done so well that you don't even realize the has little to no dialogues.
The acting is done effortlessly well that you don't feel the need for the movie to have dialogues plus subtitles are there to help you understand what they are saying by the sign language communication.
You rarely sees movies or stories from the eyes of someone who can't hear and speak but the movie does an incredible job in pulling that off.
Another thing that I loved about it is the poetic cinematography. Some scene/shots feel like they are trying to say something to the viewers. The atmosphere is really created in a way that gives you an eerie kinda feeling and the cinematography helps in keeping that atmosphere.
Now let's talk about my most favourite thing about this movie and it's how no one is a villian in here. The movie is a psychological one and like I said above that it explores sexual abuse in a very deep way. The movie blurs the line between the evil and good because everyone is a victim and everyone is the perpetrator in this movie.
Yes I hated Xiao gaung, the main "bad guy" in the movie in the beginning but I also cried buckets for him and I also know that a lot of other people did too. Cuz the movie and the characters are THAT complex.
Most of the movies that talk about abuse goes like this - ML ( it's always a guy idk why ) finds about abuse, reports to police, fights the villian/s and happy ending but in reality it's not that simple. Abuse specially sexual is not that simple. It makes you feel that your body is tainted and can also turn you into a monster yourself ( although not always the case but it happens, I've seen it happen. )
The movie goes deep into the mind of the "mastermind", why is he like this ? Why is he a monster ? Are monsters born or made ? According to the movie, monsters are clearly MADE and I agree but what do you think ? Watch the movie and tell me do you think they deserve punishment ? Do you think this will ever stop ?
The movie is a masterpiece and although after reading this blog you may have gotten an idea of the whole plot and I basically told you what happened in the real life and you might be thinking that it's no use to watch the movie since you're already spoiled. Don't think so. Watch the movie right now! It's just so needed and awesome! It's not the plot of the movie that makes it amazing, it's the execution of it! So go watch it now !
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How difficult is to find happiness if you follow society expectations.
This drama is focused in an ambitions woman, and is all about society expectations. If you expect a drama fast paced, or a drama all about love then don't watch it.I consider this drama created, produced and focused mostly in adults that try to make their way into society but about being happy, and when I talk about adults I mean 21+ because of the story.
Yes this drama is a feminist and is about a woman, but is not only about her, let me explain:
1. Here we have the guys that just finished college and want to get a stable job, but then if you do that you'll have to decide between your own happiness or financial stability, and believe me you'll relate!
The anxiety that comes in the last years of college and the so many existencial questions: what are you gonna do with your life? Are you disappointing your parents? Are you gonna live poor? Are you gonna be unhappy just in order to live? Are you following your dreams? Are you actually living????? (We've all lived that phase and is hell).
However, not all is hell in that time, if you've your friends and they support you, if you get a good boss, if you are able to actually talk to your parents and if they listen to you, then, the outcome is magical, and that is why I loved the relationships in this drama, the friendship, the portrayal of family.
2. We also have the parents and I love how we got the characters development. We all need friends, and even if you are an old grumpy woman you'll get that friend that is able to get you out of your comfort zone. I adore the relationship between the old women, the moms of the main characters, they were so different yet they got along so well and helped each other to get a better point of view in life. (I didn't like them all the time but loved them at the end)
3. Family is... complicated, specially your in laws. Are you supposed to follow what they say just because you are married? Are you supposed to forget about yourself just because your husband? Or just because you are a woman? This drama is not only about the problem and is also about the solution and if you love someone, they will understand.
4. Society sucks, yes, it sucks, but is because of the traditional way of thinking, the hypocrisy, the judgement towards the different, and prejudice. However, is up to you. Do you wanna play along with what they say or do you wanna be a rebel? Keep in mind that what they say hurts and is just as complicated as humans and relationships.
5. But, what I truly love about this drama is that they teach you how you can actually do things right. Being a rebel is not just about who yells better, or a pacifoc protest. Is actually about changing the other person and the way they think. Is about proving your value in the most appropriate way so the others will notice who you truly are and what you can do.
6. And FINALLY... the older woman/younger man relationship. You will love the leads, the woman is an ambitious woman. But contrary to many didn't forget about her dreams in order to get to the too, yes, she loves astronomy but she is too ambitious for that. What she really wanted was a luxurious life that she got on her own by being in the top of her field. And I love her.
She could get a rich man but she didn't. She could be a trophy wife but she didn't. She could get simple life but no, she wanted to be in the top without the help of others, not owing anything and always following her values of honesty and respect.
And the ML, he was lovely, a young man, too caring, too good for this world but he wasn't silly. He is smart and he knows what he wants, he won't lose himself for stability, he cares about others but he won't sugar coat or sacrifice himself for that. He knows he is good looking, well spoken and knows what to do with how charming he is.
All in all, if you don't care about slow paced dramas and if you like women of power, this is for you.
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In the predictability meter, one would initially rate this very high. I, myself, grinned at how I thought I knew how the story would go. It was constantly light: nothing was totally aggravating nor was there something totally upsetting. One would get pissed at some point, but it'll just be like seeing a poop on your peaceful walk at the park--you see it, not step on it, and just continue walking. Then, you go back to that predictability meter and you'll find it static at 1%. Like, seriously, stop predicting the end and just enjoy the story.
The actors were good. I'm doing this review after watching all three stories, so I have done the "compare and contrast" among the actors. This gave the lightest feel among the three, but that doesn't mean the actors showed an inferior quality of acting. They delivered subtle acting without making me cringe and I think that's a good thing.
I have already watched this thrice and it still gives off that satisfying sigh followed by a lingering smile as the last episode's credit rolls. I don't think that happy aftermath would fade off even when I watch it a few more times. Wait, am I spoiling anything for you? Haha, the question is this... are you sure about your definition of a happy ending?
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This review may contain spoilers
Where do I start
wow.I have never seen a sequel that was as good as the first season, let me tell you why.
Let's start with the acting.
They could not have chosen better actors for this series. The chemistry between them is immaculate, you can feel it through your screen. You can see their emotions, and you feel with them. When they cry, you cry with them and when they're happy, you're happy for them. Not a lot of actors can make me feel like that.
Then the story...
My favorite BL is I told sunset about you, so I had very high expectations for this sequel, and they did NOT disappoint. In the first season they showed what a gay relationship can really be like, and here they did it again. It started out amazing and my heart was making leaps of happiness, then it took a turn.
The way that it's really displayed how Teh felt and how Oh-Aew felt, wow. When Teh kissed Jai, I was kinda angry, then I started crying when Oh-Aew saw it. It was more than just the producers deciding to put in a storyline about cheating, I understood why Teh did it and how he felt.
They portrayed the relationship, the ups and downs and the love so well this season.
The final episode was so heartwarming. I was so happy when Oh-Aew said that he finally loves himself, I felt really proud. The evolution of his confidence was amazing to me. When he found friends, and when he found his clothing style (which I'm in love with by the way). This was a rollercoaster of emotions and I loved every second of it.
I just want to say that this is definitely a must see, if seen the first season.
Also can we talk about Oh-Aews hair for a bit, cause OMG!
I hope from the bottom of my heart that there will be a special episode (with maybe a wedding???)
I promised you the moon, you did everything but disappoint.
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The story barely made any sense and even when it did, it left you wondering if perhaps they wrote a little bit of the script and then realized how many plot holes it has and then added onto it, which made it very weirdly paced and mostly mellowed out and too chill for what this was originally supposed to be.
Kudos to Im Joo Hwan, I'm pretty sure that during the airing time of this drama the commentary that I've read both on MDL and other websites pointed out how fond the viewers were of his character and how much we've all been invested in his story from the very start. The other characters, however, were quite bland and felt a little bit like stand-in cardboards for Twilight-ish kinda roles, definitely not that appealing. I did root for the secondary couples, since the main ship had zero chemistry and even the romantic scenes felt awkward to watch most of the time.
The saving grace of this drama is its OST, which I'm sure we'll all remember for quite awhile, it greatly helped in a few moments in the plot where the acting was terrible and the overall musical background to the scenes was well-thought out.
To be honest, the only reason I could watch this through all of its episodes was because I watched only one episode in awhile, and took it as a slow-paced but consistent messy drama that it is. I would definitely never watch it again, but it was surprisingly such a miss in so many aspects that everything lacking did lower its level to a very linear-feeling experience which was, due to its comfortingly non-changing nature, strangely watchable.
If you're here for a supernatural romantic story, go watch something else from the genre. If you're here for a slow-paced, not so serious, modern-setting varation of the original manhwa that you're not gonna binge watch, you might want to try it. It would be very dishonest to recommend this as anything else, so if you want to experience this kind of a story in a proper way and to enjoy some beautiful art and writing in the process, opt for the manhwa instead.
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But... Why a 7?
Well, this drama was lacking in one aspect... I think the idea wasn't as well executed as I was waiting it to be. There were some holes in the story and I felt that some twists didn't have enough field to develop, and maybe it was because this was a mini-drama (I consider a mini-drama, anything below 15-16 episodes) Sometimes I also felt that some events were kinda rushed or suddenly introduced into the story, and yes, that's my only complain about this drama. If you are gonna give me a twist or add something to the story please let me see how that has been built previous episodes. Nevertheless, the story manages to keep your attention every episode.
Just to make it clear: I liked the twists and the events, it's just that I wanted to see why that X or Y situation happened.
Said that, this drama is funny, has awesome acting, and the characters were totally lovable, my favorite ones were Jung Woo and the Pink ahjussi ^_^ Great characters. This is very enjoyable, you'll not get bored and you'll have a little bit of everything: romance, action, comedy, thrilling moments, drama and a satisfying ending, and we all know that's very rare to find in dramaland TT_TT so, it's very appreciated. :) Thank you for that ending, writers.
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This review may contain spoilers
Everything about this drama is extremely westernised. Not surprising considering this is a Netflix production, but the Korean drama charm is not there:
- 40 minutes long episodes of a 8 episode season, with a second season coming (very untraditional to kdrama)
- Kiss on the very first few episodes.
- No aesthetics whatsoever.
- Very westernised cinematography.
- Absolutely no humor/light-hearted moments. Everything is dramatic and serious.
- Very dull, cheesy or otherwise dry conversations between characters with little personality.
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This review may contain spoilers
First let me say that this is my first review about some Chinese drama and first review about a historical one. I have recently started to watch Chinese dramas and only watched a very few of them but after this one I'll be definitely watching more. The reason why I haven't watched before is cause of the large numbers of episodes, they're always too long. So you got to have more time for that. Anyway with historical dramas somehow time goes so fast and drama kept that interesting part all the way, not becoming boring at all. At least that was the case with Scarlet heart.And now I'll be starting to write about this magnificent piece. The review will be a little bit long because I really have to say a lot about this drama and how it has captured me forever.
I liked everything. Literally. First of all the story: history, time travell, Qing Dynasty, all those princes and the main girl who had so many different relationship with all of them. Attracted me from the start. Then Liu Shi Sh, she's such a natural beauty, such a delightful creature and amazing actress, I started because of her, the rest of the cast I haven't seen before. But they were all so fantastic and I'll be stalking some of their works for sure from now on. Every one of them portrayed their roles perfectly and without a flaw. I loved the scenery in this drama, oh so many beautiful scenes with snow, snowflakes at night, during the day, seasons changing from refreshing spring with cherry trees and so many beautiful flowers, through the warm autumn with wonderful leaves to the cold winter with white pure snow. The colours were astonishing and I was purely enjoying in that, every scene was so filled with many colours and beauty, it was such pleasure for the eyes. Not to mention the dresses, the coats, hair, make up, all that jewelry, oh I was glued to the screen all the time. ;-) I was even captured by the porcelain and all those wonderful tea cups, I imagined that I drank tea from those cups.
All these things made this drama to be for true one of the best drama ever. But what was the best part of it (still is) and what made this drama so different was the relationship she had with all the princes. It was written exceptionally and I really admire the writer for that. I loved how here we have so much more male leads and roles and less women, I always enjoy and love more when there are more guys in a drama, somehow everything is better, friendship, relationship, more intelligent minds and there aren't annoying and hysterical women who only scream and gossip around. ;-) Anyway in Scarlet heart we got to see so many various and colorful relationship between Ruo Xi and the princes, it simply crawls under your skin and you can't stop but love them all. Every one of them had so important role in a drama and in Ruo Xi life and that was the best part of it. You don't have one perfect man who, let's be honest, doesn't exist in real life, you get to see many men with all their flaws who when you take the best from them become one perfect guy.
What I found to be so fantastically done is that through the whole drama you could see how all of them change, how not everything is sunshine and rainbows, and someone you knew can become someone you can't recognize through time. The drama does an amazing job of showing how greed can poison everything and destroy your loved ones. Yes, the love is in the main focus but it's not only about love, it is a fight between the brothers over the throne, it is a constant battle who will become the Emperor, it involves a politics, some palace intrigues but most of all it keeps you so attached and captivated every moment that you literally lose time about everything and everyone else.
With the love as the center of everything, I would like to say that it was done so incredibly perfect where every characters gets their "5 minutes of glory", of course some of them more, but you really get to see the stories of all of them, how and why they loved who they loved, some loves were sad, some happy, some left with bittersweet taste, some passionate and true to the bone, some one sided and all of them were no matter of their endings, filled with hope and faith.
My heart has won from the beginning 13th prince, from the first second his interaction with Ruo Xi. He was so sweet, free, carefree, a man who will do anything for his brothers without some hidden goal. A guy who was no doubt the best material for her, it was such a pity that they haven't fall in love with each other. But then again, they had the friendship one of a kind - one in which people should envy. A friendship that is unselfish, truthful and doesn’t have ties attached to it. Because their friendship is so strong, they believe in each other no matter what or in whatever circumstances. They never questioned each other and they don’t need to know or hear a reason for anything, simply because they trust each other. He was her soulmate friend.
***** SPOILER ALERT! I will be writing about some parts her relationship with some princes so if you don't want to know nothing then don't read the next lines. *****
As the show progressed I started to like 14th prince, put aside that he was from the start the best looking guy and the tallest one, I meant for his character, I started to like him more and more and in the end I thought why she hasn't loved him? He was kind, strong, loyal, a little fierce, and a tad ambitious. But his defining characteristic for me was his steadfast and unwavering nature. The defining moment for this character for me was when he made a promise to come save the woman he loved if ever she needed him. She had only to send one word and he’d come. And when she called him he came running to her. He’s the type that will stay loyal until the day he dies even if some think he should give up. But he’s also not the type to restrict you and trap you if you want to be free. He was a true man for me and I fell in love with him.
As for the two men she loved, first I would tell something about the 8th prince. He’s so angelic, very gentlemen and always warm to others. It was natural for her to fall for him although she knew she wasn't supposed to. Knowing that he’s gonna have such an ending, she sympathies and pities for him. Rouxi is in a confusion state with her feelings, she doesn’t know if she really likes him or just pity him for his fate. But then she realize that she does have feelings for him. 8th Prince and Rouxi love each other, but not enough to give up everything. It’s a beautiful love story, but they’re not fated to be with one another. It’s a love worth remembering, but it’s a love that can no long be. Somehow I saw him as her protector and she was his, their love was replaced by respect and protectiveness until the end.
As for the 4th prince, that was her love to the core. Their chemistry was undeniably sizzling. Their passionate truly pure love seared through our hearts and souls that we were left heartbroken when they were apart. Their intense love and longing for each other induced us into crying fits when the magnolia flower finally fell off her grip, and when he broke down in tears as he looked at the belongings left behind by his beloved. 4th Prince is always cautious and well-hidden, but to Rouxi, he’s different. He can be honest with her, telling her he wants the throne and such It’s an adorable, yet touching and interesting romance - it’s love. It’s a love, not just worth remembering, but a love that can last a lifetime, even when they’re not together. When 4th Prince finally became Emperor, there were more obstacles standing in their way and more misunderstanding. The more they loved each other, the more they hurt each other. 4th Prince intentions to aim for the throne was so he can protect Rou Xi, but by becoming the Emperor, he needed to maintain his power, which forced him to act in such a way that he ended up hurting the people that Rouxi love and care about. Their peaceful time together was sweet, but short. Their relationship starts to break down, with differences in opinions. They never got around to fix their problems - it escalates even more. Rou Xi becomes more hurt and tired. She still love 4th Prince, but she cannot accept the other princes’ sufferings. They were fated to meet, fated to love, but not destined to be together. And that some cruel fate. But if you ask me, I didn't like this man because he was too much cruel and tyrant, I knew that he loved her but that is not enough. I remember when he said to the 13th prince:" She only cares for others, I only care for her.", you could feel all his powerful and strong love but I just didn't like him as a person and the choices he has made were to much of a cruelty and selfishness.
***** SPOILER END! *****
Character development was awesome. The strongest character and the most pitiful one was Rui Xi. The burden she carried was very big, but she wasn't able to really share her story. And that makes it even more tragic. Ruoxi wanted to love and give, but even though she was cherished in return, she was never able to truly give herself completely. She was a true survivor after all, just trying to make the best of it. She was the most admirable one, smart, strong woman with a good heart who wanted to help others and always protected and helped the princes no matter what. And they helped her, no matter what and how important was the thing they were doing they were always coming to help her and be a support. You could just watch and admire their relationship. Cecilia has done the job brilliant, she's a true great actress. And the others were so great in acting.
Even though this drama was filled with pain, it felt real and it gave you hope at the end. I could completely relate to the most of the characters and why they did certain things, after all it was all about love, passion, friendship. This drama really had such a big impact on me and I would really recommend it to everyone, at least give it a try because I think you won't be regretting. It is a wonderful piece filled with life and making the best of it as much as possible. The story of one dynasty and their princes, their relationship with one girl who came out from other time and changed everything. All of them captured me and made my previous days filled with so many emotions and happiness that I'm really thankful for that. From the bottom of my heart.
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This review may contain spoilers
Life really goes on doesnt it? //maybe spoilers.
all along I had hoped that this won't be the ending but this hit me. it gave me a reality check, this show is truly a masterpiece. Ever since I started this I had hoped that some deity magic will happen like it happened in doom at your service but I was wrong. this was something that made me realize what death really is. This show is truly good and the acting was mindblowing. let's talk about the ending, at first I was like yeah he's gonna come back somehow with the timeskip like I saw on extraordinary you or doom at your service but this hit me very hard. you have to live on after someone dies kim ram woos mother or you could day jung hee wan's mother was living her life but still keeping her son in her heart truly made me cry. the ost and the acting is truly good. I loved kim ram woo's character so much the line "why didn't you ask me to spare you?" truly touched me. I'm still kind of sad I wanted a happy ending for them but I guess this was it I didn't want him to die tbh, no one did. I wanted him to come back desperately and live with hee wan. Atlast the writer truly did a really good job aswell as ths actors and production team.Thankyou for this masterpiece 💜
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Surprisingly good!
Didn’t expect anything when I started this drama but it really surprised me! Not too serious, the perfect amount of court intrigue, excellent pacing, funny and the romance is sweet.I’m not the biggest fan of the ML and the FL but together, they work and makes perfect sense. Every thing about them screams the perfect couple - their looks, their aura and their intelligence. The casting director hit the nail on the head.
Im loving this strong, beautiful FL and can’t wait to see what going to happen next.
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Just finished and it was not as I imagined ! Not that bad!
I really loved the relationship that was built between them among all these years!
Loved their pure friendship, and how he is supporting her anytime and anywhere.
I really looooooved her clothes style <3.. and her Shoes!
I loved the friendship they keep with their friends from high school <3 That small thing gave me a warm feeling!
Despite her failure in her relationship with other men, she has a great character. Oh Ha Na is a very strong, smart and cheerful person who can't be hated!
I think Ha Ji Won and Lee Jin Wook both did a great job in their roles. For me, Ha Ji Won was really cute and adorable :)
Although I don't think that I will re-watch this again in the future, but it is kind of interesting and enjoyable.
BTW, I have not seen the original drama and I don't think I will give it a try. ^^"
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Intriguing but slow and boring
I waited every week eagerly for a new episode of My Liberation Notes and I watched it till very end...The characters were definitely intriguing and unique and were played really well by the actors especially Lee Min Ki and Lee El. Btw Lee Min Ki's character had one of the best character arcs I've seen in kdramas. And that's a win for the writer to create such interesting and realistic characters. Yet overall I found the show to be boring and slow and pretentious at times. MLN has been compared a lot to My Mister, the writer's other show and My Mister was a slower show too, but it was sharper and more engaging. I actually thought some episodes were more similar to Be Melo, in the way the characters talked and random situations occurred. The other common thing with My Mister is that MLN teases the audience when it comes to the romantic relationships. In My Mister there was the age gap issue but here I'm not sure why the director and writer choose to stay away from any romantic scenes. How I think about it is don't show all this tension between the actors if it's not ending up in anything and it also seemed very unnatural and stark for them to have feelings for each other but hardly show any intimacy on screen.The dialogues though random are well written and thoughtful. But the show overall is very dialogue heavy which can be a disadvantage for non-Korean speakers, but I enjoyed that part to some extent. MLN was going for something interesting but the writer doesn’t do as good of a job to tie things together and make it engaging enough. You may like the show if you like deep philosophical conversations and if you're an introvert you may relate to the FL atleast in the first few episodes. But the show leaves with too many loose ends and the reveals or mystery the show builds on and creates anticipation on are not as interesting in the end.
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1What it was, what it could've been...
When KinnPorsche was announced, Trapped was nearly the only action BL you could refer to. This one appeared to be even darker & grittier, so it was instant anticipation for me. Fast forward to 2021, the promotion of KP begins and they’re really pushing its mafia themes. So when the drama finally airs and there are shootouts, brawling and death; I think to myself "This is my kind of thing, why don’t I feel immersed in this world of crime?". Well… because the world building in this series is slim to none. The way Porsche falls asleep during his orientation and gets thrown into his bodyguard duties with no knowledge of the organization, sums up how I felt as a viewer. lolAfter awhile, it sinks in that the mafia themes are mostly superficial and the screenwriter's portrayal of organized crime doesn't go much deeper than men in suits carrying guns and having meetings. After 14 episodes, I’m left with a very vague understanding of what dealings/activities Kinn’s family actually takes part in. The writer relies so heavily on the viewer’s general knowledge of mafia culture that there’s barely a build-up or explanation for anything that occurs. At one point, they have to defend their territory from a rival gang and I could only wonder what that “territory” was. Do they control all of Bangkok? Some of it? Is it even Bangkok? And what do they do within this territory? Drugs? Prostitution? Money laundering? There’s never enough to go on, but I could sense the writer telling me “hey, it’s mafia jargon. Just go with it”.
Eventually the series does reach a point where it feels like events are properly built up and connected to an overarching story- towards the end. When the mafia stuff is put aside and it focuses on the death of Porsche’s parents. This is also around the time Vegas and Pete offer us the unconventional romance and fatal attraction that was surprisingly missing from the main couple. They weren’t executed perfectly, but done well enough to steal my attention from the main couple & plot.
In conclusion: I enjoyed the characters, their wild & funny interactions, the no-holds-barred sexual expression, and the badass action sequences. But story-wise, I'm perpetually torn between loving this as a BL, and being disappointed in its hollow shell of a crime drama.
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