Pinoy BL Series
Thailand
Saan, Sana Tayo sa Himig ng Musika Episode 6
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Out of all the kissing and making love scenes from Star Image Digital Network, Episode 6: Bestfriends with Benefits' scenes were definitely among the most daring. They weren't perfect, there were awkwardness and sloppiness, nevertheless, they were tastefully done. As an aside, I did wonder, why was it that only Gus got fully naked? Anyway, Gerald and Joshua had sex. How this will affect their relationship as bestfriends will be the focal issue for the remaining episodes. On the whole, in terms of plot/storyline, acting performance, and production value, this was far better than previous episodes.
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Episode 3: The Sickness confirmed that Cardo's sick. This episode was a bit boring. There were dragging scenes. Script was generally dry. But acting was mostly fine. While production design and cinematography was alright, there were still issues with color grading and lighting. All in all, this series needs to be more interesting on succeeding episodes.
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While Episode 8: Captive Reveal wasn't great, it was nevertheless ok. Yes, there are posers online and we should always be careful. But beyond this obvious message, this series also humanized both the poser and the victim. This series also highlighted how complicated love and relationships are. For the entire season, So's been trying to move on from Pablo, only to end up in bed with him at the end. For the most part of this season, So's been communicating with a poser -- Chris pretending to be Pre, only to meet the real Pre at the end. What happens next? Your guess is as good as mine. I just hope that next season, Seph figures more in the plot/storyline. On the whole, in terms of plot/storyline, acting performance, and production value, this season finale was ok.
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Unchanged Melody Episode 1
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With the proliferation of Filipino (Pinoy) boys' love (BL) series this year, I have hoped for a least a few top-tier and middle-tier BL series. Yes, there were a few of those series released this year, but alas, this series doesn't belong to those two categories. Unchanged Melody can instead be classified as a low-tier BL series in terms of plot/storyline, acting performance, and production value. The plot/storyline as introduced on Episode 1 wasn't interesting enough. It lacked depth. Screenplay had cheesy lines and preachy dialogues. Acting felt scripted for the entirety of this episode. Jack and Lorens lacked appeal and chemistry. Audio-visuals were poor. Background music and sound effects didn't quite match the scenes. Camera shots and cinematographic techniques were amateurish. Overall, this series needs substantial and technical improvements if it wants to free itself from being a low-tier BL series.
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Algiro and Monsour fell for each other on Episode 7. Everything about this episode felt abrupt and unnatural. The problematic portrayals of effeminate queers on this episode were quite troubling. Script was generally bad and acting was horrendous. Audio-visuals were still poor. Finale's next week... or is it?
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Him Will Be His Episode 1
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The production company, Bohol Film Production, doesn't have a good reputation when it comes to concluding a Filipino (Pinoy) boys' love (BL) series. Their first series, Overlooked Love (2021), was cancelled after just one episode while their second series, Infinity the Series (2021), is on hiatus after four episodes, with cast members confirming that they already left the production company. Will they be able to finish their third series Him Will Be His (2021)? Don't get your hopes up. I have a bad feeling this series will be cut short as well. Anyway, Episode 1: Pagsisimula (Beginning) of this series had a shallow plot/storyline marked by uneventful and unexciting scenes. Screenplay had cringy lines. In terms of acting, Lorens was barely tolerable while Cyril was obviously amateurish. Audio-visuals were mostly substandard. Overall, the pilot episode was very weak.
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Lust Never Lasts Episode 5
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About half of Episode 5 was spent on flashbacks/recaps. While this episode tried to resolve some of the issues among and between the characters, such effort generally failed given the confused and problematic characterizations on this series. Screenplay and acting were mostly cringy. Audio-visuals were weak. Thankfully, this was the penultimate episode. Finale's next week!
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Love by Fehler Episode 3
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Episode 3: Pagpapatawad (Forgiveness) was frustrating to watch. The scenes were overdramatic and prolonged with off character reactions. Screenplay had whiny lines. Most of the cast members overacted on this episode. And audio-visuals remained weak. All in all, this was a poor episode.
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Worth the Wait Episode 6
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In terms of plot/storyline, Episode 6 regressed compared to the previous episode. There were lots of fillers and unnecessary scenes. Scenes weren't purposive enough. The only thing that went well for this episode was Aki and Solo's chemistry. But even their chemistry was visibly affected by the dull script, uninspired acting, and uneven audio-visuals. Hopefully the next episode is better.
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In This Kaleidoscope World Episode 3
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Three episodes in and I'm still finding it difficult to connect to any of the characters of this series. The characterizations were quite shallow and none of the characters were endearing enough. On Episode 3: Unsin, Lance and Lloyd and Mandy and Yam, separately, frivolously talked about having threesome. And disappointingly, Kapitan was depicted as a stereotypical promiscuous older queer guy. If it's any consolation, acting on this episode was alright. The shower scenes lacked oomph though. For succeeding episodes, I'm looking for depth and substance for this series.
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Why Love Why Season 2 Episode 2
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There were aspects I liked but there were also parts I didn't enjoy about Episode 2. I liked that this episode discussed the need to spice up Benjo and Emil's marriage. Emil's role play fantasies were funny and sexy enough. It was also interesting to see Filipino (Pinoy) boys' love (BL) actors (Ben X Jim/B X J Forever's Jerome Ponce, My Extraordinary/Meet My Angel's Enzo Pineda, and Padayon's Ian Garcia/Ian Rosapapan) as guests on this episode. But their scenes were just too cringy I question the thought of having them as guests in the first place. Also, Kelly deserved more screen time. And sadly, this episode seemed to confirm that Chloe's a problematic character. Screenplay was bad and the delivery of lines felt scripted. There was awkwardness in the performances. This episode didn't have the flow and rhythm of the pilot episode. Editing needs improvement. All in all, this episode was a hit-or-miss for me.
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Even without shirtless scenes, lol, Episode 7 was a nice episode. Alex and Gino confessed their love for each other and they kissed at the end of this episode. Screenplay wasn't perfect but there were some good lines on this episode. The conversation with Lolo Dell more or less represented the views of guys like Alex who are uncomfortable being labeled as gay. The insecurities of queers like Gino with respect to appearance were evident in the dialogues as well. Although their scenes together needed a bit more chemistry, Migo and VJ's acting was mostly fine. Audio-visuals were alright. For next week's finale, I hope all loose ends are resolved.
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Stuck on You Episode 5
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Compared to the previous episodes, Episode 5: Liquid Courage was pretty light but it was a good episode nonetheless. Additional character backgrounds for JM and Reb were provided. And with JM and Reb sharing personal details about themselves, relationship development was evident. I especially liked how drunkenness and post-intoxication/soberness were handled on this episode. The scenes were funny. And no drunk sex involved! Screenplay was mostly fine. Acting was on point. Audio-visuals were ok. Iyo singing "Nagmamahal Din Lang" (Since You Love Anyway) was nice. I wonder, will they eventually include his version in the series' Spotify playlist? I sure hope so. Anyway, this was solid episode.
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Paano Kaya Kung Tayo Episode 4
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It was revealed on Episode 4 that Andrei possibly has a peptic ulcer. Because of this, he failed to attend some of his classes. Sef, who doesn't get along with his family, misses Andrei and decides to visit him. At least this episode provided some additional character details about Andrei and Sef. But script and the delivery of lines lacked flow. Allen and Ivo's performances were missing dynamics. Their vocal, physical, and emotional choices were almost the same for every scene. They need proper acting direction to be able to showcase some range. Production technicals were similar to previous episodes. All in all, I'm still hoping that this series gets better on succeeding episodes.
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Saan, Sana Tayo sa Himig ng Musika Episode 5
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At least Episode 5: Spoken Poetry had more creative elements compared to previous episodes. The funny shower and masturbation scenes and the meaningful spoken poetry and musical scenes were welcome reprieves from the usual conversation scenes. While the poems and the song were quite ordinary, they were nevertheless apt devices to present Gerald and Joshua's feelings at those moments. Drei and Gus' acting on this episode were mostly alright. But audio-visuals were uneven. Sound volume wasn't good and some camera shots failed to capture the emotions of the scenes. Overall, this episode was still ok.
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