a changing of the tides

WOW, what an episode. no matter what happens from here, this episode deserves a ten! the tone of "My Dearest" in the first few episodes must've confused those who weren't familiar with the screenwriter. i could tell that it was setting up for conflict and angst but i couldn't yet tell if it was going to work or not. in my opinion, it did so in a glorious way. it showed us how different people have different responses to the stress of war and trauma. the first few episodes introduced us and let us get to know the characters and their motives. it also made for the perfect background to this episode as we now can look back on those seemingly "frivolous" episodes with a sort of melancholy sorrow since we know the drama will not ever be able to get back there; every single character's life has been torn and changed from what it was in the first few episodes to now. yet... no one is behaving out of character, we are just seeing a side to them that we didn't see before the war broke out, and seeing how people respond to the tools of life laid in front of them.

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slowburn crushes & vulnerability with comedic relief. so fun!

I enjoyed a lot of aspects of this episode. specifically, how we saw xiaoju as the one taking care of shiyi this time. (ALSO the scene where they are hugging, literally so cute) plus it was super adorbs to see the parallels of our main leads with their friends who are trying to push them along in their respective crushes. i just adore this drama, regardless of what some may say, it's a lot fun and comedy mixed with light angst that i find really enjoyable. or perhaps just seeing a lead couple as best friends rather than randomly being in love is just a dynamic i prefer. i think the blood phobia was also good example of how shiyi is scared to show his emotions. he hid it until he couldn't anymore. just like his crush that he doesn't want to share yet.

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non-linear format done wonderfully

i enjoy the vibe already, the realness. i won’t address the criticisms of the main characters because it’s based off source material and also, it’s fiction guys, there have been more morally corrupt main characters. anyway, it’s each to their own! but i thought this was intriguing as a first episode and it’s serious but it’s not boring to me. so, i enjoy the art-college vibes. already the main characters oddly give me a skins (uk) vibe with the large college group but focus on main characters. i’m sure that’s a very random comparison, also, there’s no drugs in here duh, maybe i thought of skins due to the excessive cig smoking though and college setting. anyway, it’s interesting and i’m going to keep watching! i think as her first fl role (*i think) the main actress is doing very well and natural at a shy character, she’s very likable and pitiful at the same time. the editing and storytelling is very enjoyable so far. looking forward to more.

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