Amazing start and then story just …

Loved how the show was able to show the behind the scenes aspects of a typical BL series. However, all of that is dropped after episode 5-6. Good actors can’t really save mediocre writing. I really believe they changed writers mid season.

Some aspects of the show were so good in the beginning. The first time I saw the request for product placement scene (within the show within the series) and then the actual product placement I laughed out loud. Absolutely brilliant I thought but by the 4th time I was struggling to find it funny.

The whole aspect of having sex scenes in the book and the show as that is what sells and the writers struggle to write them were great but then they have the actual setup scene for the first time sex between the main couple that was one of the most bizarre juvenile things I have ever had the misfortune of watching (I fast forwarded though it, it was so cringe).

I feel that while there wasn’t a whole lot of character development for sib he was one of the best written characters in the show (well acted as well considering the dialogue/script). The poor actor playing Gene however was left portraying someone with an IQ of 70 looking dazed and confused all the time past episode 6 (with some limited infrequent scenes showing him in better light but majority of the times I was screaming MORON). Completely incongruous with a PUBLISHED author and not of just romance genre as he is supposedly a fantasy writer.

The whole you didn’t tell me who you were reaction from Gene was also ODD as heck. It made no sense and then the turn around for it was so sudden as well. The writing needs a LOT of help.

Pacing was so good till episode 6 and then it was very uneven.

Too many side stories that were added just to pad the story. I felt they could have ended the show at 6 episodes and we would have been much happier.

The initial reaction of the parents was portrayed so well and then Sibs’ parents’ scene with the bonsai tree were done well. Don’t understand how it went from that to we care about our reputation more and if you get us this deal we will “look the other way” of your deviant behavior. The attempt at levity was so poorly handled.

Gene’s parents behavior had the same problems. They needed better handle on the writing. There was a scene after Gene’s dad tells him they are okay and the boys meet where Gene asks Sib what will he do if Gene’s dad doesn’t agree to let them be together. Clearly 2 drafts were made and editing was at fault for including an earlier scene.

I am still going to try and finish the series but I have been really really disappointed. Such a waste of good talent. Camera work is amazing , majority of the actors are really good and parts of the dialogue/script are really good.

Update:

I finished the series and I am still disappointed, the show did highlight problems with shipping actors and the effect it has on the real actor's real lives but the stakes weren't actually high enough for the characters chosen for this. Neither one of the main characters is lacking money. Gene is already a successful writer and his relationship with Sib will have no impact on his bankability in fact it should actually improve it. For Sib he has no interest in acting anyway as it has been established that he became interested in this only to get close to Gene.

I also found other issues with the last few episodes. Aey's arc was left dangling and Tiffy's character was completely ruined for me. Tiffy not accepting Tum initially and then doing an about turn and then dumping him really was strange at the very least. It could have been a sweet story of love blossoming between co-workers but it wasn't done justice.

I actually had no issues with seeing the writer inside her own show as I think writer do need to be recognized. It did however, have an unfortunate effect of trivializing the character's struggles as being fictional (a show within a show). If they hadn't included the last scene of the writer writing at her desk it would have been much better IMHO.

I really want to see all the actors in a better made series.