Pinoy BL Series
Thailand
While there were good scenes like the harana (serenade) scene and some of the Gabriel-Giorgio bedroom scenes, Episode 10: Right Minus Wrong on the whole, didn't worked for me. I was really turned off with the shit-eating scene. It was cheap and disgusting. It wasn't funny at all. The Hendrick scenes were over the top. Screenplay was cringy every so often. Acting was similar with previous episodes. Production technicals were also the same. Three episodes left!
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Episode 15: Until My Last Breath closed this series with a Homies video call showcasing friendships and relationship developments. Everyone's happy. Substantially, at least this series was able to convey its story, however simple it was. Technically, until the end, there were still weaknesses. Nevertheless, this do-it-yourself (DIY) series should still be congratulated for the efforts of its cast and crew!
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Episode 4: Ang Stigma ni Nick (Nick's Stigma) was a good ending for this miniseries. It wasn't spectacular but it was generally satisfactory with its emphasis on character development and lessons learned. Screenplay tended to be preachy at times but was largely alright. Acting was mostly fine. Audio-visuals were passable. Overall, it was a good finale.
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After watching Episode 6: Christmas is All Around, I'm dreading the culmination of this series. With its double love triangles (Ram-Migo-Cholo and Andrei-Josh-Max), it seemed to be moving to a silly and thoughtless tangled web of love and relationship among the main characters. Screenplay was relatable at times but other times, senseless. There were also corny lines and cheesy dialogues. Acting wasn't good but tolerable. Production technicals were ok. I hope this series is still able to salvage its plot/storyline on the last two episodes.
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In terms of plot/storyline, there was much progress on Episode 4: Kalaban (Enemy). Those who were a bit confused where this series is going will find some clarity on this episode. I like Bart. He reminded me a lot of the time when I was still a provinciano/probinsyano (someone from rural areas; provincial) in Metro Manila. This is also the reason why I don't like Bryce. He reminded me too much of people I met in the capital who looked down on and mistreated those from the provinces. I'm still not sure how I feel about Josh. But one thing for sure, Kurt, Renz, and Marc are really, really beautiful, as in, model-level gorgeous. Brendalynne's still a hit-and-miss for me. There were times when she annoyed me because she's the stereotypical comic relief but other times she's ok because she made me laugh. With her own subplot with the entry of Erwin next episode, hopefully I'll have a better appreciation of her character. Script was fine. Acting was alright -- not great, but largely ok. Audio-visuals were solid. Overall, it was a good episode.
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I barely got through Episode 5: Confess. It was so cringy. Screenplay was super corny. It was also preachy at times. Acting was poor. Oftentimes, they mistook shouting for acting. It was awful. Production technicals were still uneven. Halfway through this series and nothing exciting has happened yet.
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Similar to Amore, The Shore has dragging episodes as exemplified by Episode 4: You and I. Nothing significant happened on this episode. With only ten episodes, you'd think that each episode will somehow advance the plot/storyline, but obviously, not this episode. Script had corny lines. Acting didn't improve. Audio-visuals were uneven. There were unnecessary background sounds. There were cool camera shots though. Hopefully, next episode's better in terms of pace.
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Episode 18: Healing had several time jumps. After 17 slow-paced episodes, suddenly everything's being rushed. Two of characters that I really like on this series, Nuan and Brenda, were eased out on this episode. Brenda left to study abroad while Nuan went back to his province to join his older brother. It's just sad if they're no longer part of this series. Screenplay was extra melodramatic in parts. Acting was generally ok. Audio-visuals were still uneven. I like that this episode seemed to have only one part/video. I hope the remaining episodes are the same.
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Finally, after a long, long time, Joey found out the truth about scheming and lying Wil on Episode 17: Truth Will Prevail. Screenplay still had long lines that did the acting a disservice. Acting was generally ok but because of the tedious script, the impact of the actor's performance was lessened. Audio-visuals were uneven. There were unnecessary background sounds and poor camera shots on this episode. Let's hope for faster pace and improved scenes on succeeding episodes.
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Win Jaime's Heart Episode 2
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Episode 2: What are the Chances? was filled with flirting and sexual tensions between Win and Jaime which seemed to show the direction of the plot/storyline of this series. While there were sexy and steamy scenes (including butt exposure, lol), I still found the episode tasteful. Although the creepy scenes made me uncomfortable. Script, with dialogues peppered with double meanings, was generally ok. But with speaking lines, acting weaknesses of the lead actors, especially Allison, were exposed. They were awkward and tentative at times. Allison made too many unnatural hand gestures that were distracting. It's still watchable though. Production technicals were good. And there were nice camera shots on this episode. All in all, it was still a good episode.
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Happenstance Episode 2
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Episode 2: Forelsket was another strong episode for Happenstance. I liked that this series didn’t belabor Jose Manuel and Wade's first mirror meeting and the mysteries surrounding it. It might be a bit fast-paced, but I digged it. What I also loved about this episode were the clear historical and social contexts for 1974 and 2020. From the Martial Law period during the regime of Ferdinand Marcos to the extrajudicial killings and the pandemic during the administration of Rodrigo Duterte, the contexts were just right. Related to this, screenplay was realistic. Acting by the lead actors wasn't outstanding but they were good enough. Not surprising, Rosanna, Angeli, and even Erlinda were very good. Production technicals were solid. Kudos to the production crew for the set designs that represented 1974 and 2020 well. I used to collect coins so I appreciated the contrast between the big 1 peso Jose Rizal coin of 1974 and the small 5 peso Jose Rizal coin of 2020. I'm really looking forward to the next episodes of this series.
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Plot/storyline didn't move much on Episode 5: Ipagpatuloy ang Kahapon (Continue the Past). Bulan/Caloy met members of his ethnic group at the market. They asked him to return to the mountains to help their ethnic group. Jealousy was presented as the reason for Ditas' unpleasant attitude. But given Ditas' over the top reactions, I'm not convinced jealousy alone can explain her behavior. Script was corny at times. Acting was the same as previous episodes. Production technicals were generally ok. I liked the last scene wherein they shared gifts and meals to celebrate Christmas. It was heartwarming and hopeful especially with the new OST "Sa Agos Mo" (In Your Flow) by Spencer Geronimo in the background.
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Got'chu Fam! Episode 5
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I have issues with Episode 5: Bukas Para sa Lahat (Open for All) but overall, it's still a good episode. I like Spencer but I didn't like the whole slimming mix subplot/storyline. Also, I hope they don't limit to Angie, depicted as a flirt, the representation of women on this series. The King and Kylie ship's sailing! That's nice. While I understand Paul, I love that Kylie stood her ground. Yes, it's important to differentiate transwomen from gays especially in the Philippines where transwomen are often seen as no different from gays ("bakla"). Script was alright. Acting was fine. Production technicals were passable. All in all, I'm ok with this episode.
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Why Love Why Episode 7
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Episode 7: Liberation was a bit tamed when compared to previous episodes. I expected more for a finale. But it was still generally ok. Wena's death was a reminder of the context we are at right now. Kelly's religiosity was a realistic depiction of the many considerations faced by a Filipino (Pinoy) transgender woman when deciding to have sex reassignment surgery. But not all major issues of this series were resolved on this episode. While there's a possibility in the future, Benjo and Emil didn't end up together on this episode. Screenplay was extra melodramatic on this episode. There were also problematic lines that exemplified internalized homophobia and queerness denial, particularly when Benjo and Emil asserted that they're not gay. Acting was largely alright. Production technicals were mostly fine. There's a second season. I don't know yet how I feel about it. But hopefully it's better than this season.
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Episode 3: Ang Stigma ni Lei (Lei's Stigma) was better than previous episodes. The plot/storyline was clearly narrated in all the scenes. This episode discussed the social stigma associated with dating a transwoman especially for Filipino (Pinoy) celebrities. This episode also introduced the possibility of a Kian and Nick ship. Script was less preachy than previous episodes. Acting was mostly fine. Production technicals were largely ok. Nick's stigma's probably up next.
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