Pinoy BL Series
Thailand
Episode 1: The Agony was an interesting pilot episode for The Shore. The plot/storyline was intriguing enough. Screenplay had cringy lines and long monologues. There were also glaring English grammatical errors. I don't usually mind these errors but there were just too many of them on this pilot episode. While generally tolerable, John David needs to improve his acting which I don't know if it's even possible since location shootings are over. He overacted on some scenes and his tears didn't look natural. He's a newbie so it's quite understandable. The depiction of most of the supporting characters at the resort, including the receptionist portrayed by toxic Buknoy, were caricaturish. Audio-visuals were largely uneven. There were abrupt noises here and there that were distracting. Although there were good camera shots that captured the tranquility of the shore, visual effects especially those that pertained to the typhoon were amateurish. Overall, even with its shortcomings, I hope this series keep me engaged on the succeeding episodes.
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Each of the main characters are in search of a place where they'll feel at home. It would be interesting how their worlds collide and eventually converge on this series. The three lead characters, Bart, Bryce, and Josh, were introduced on Episode 1: Putik (Mud). Brendalynne was introduced as well. The only one missing on this pilot episode was Edwin. Screenplay had corny lines and unnatural monologues but was generally ok. Acting wasn't quite impressive but wasn't bad either. Kurt, Renz, and Marc were mostly alright. They were also very handsome and sexy in different ways. Audio-visuals were the best aspects of this premiere episode. Sound engineering and musical scoring were consistent. There were also stunning camera shots of nature on this episode. The OST "All I Need" by Nhiko Viktor and performed by JMxJC was good. Overall, Episode 1 was fine.
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At times, Influencers suffered from the same issues Chasing Sunsets had -- some scenes were quite boring and the pace was really dragging as evident on Episode 3: Beating Hearts. While the ships, Ram and Migo, Cassandra and Chesca, and Andrei and Josh (possibly a love triangle with Max) started to sail on this episode, the piecing together of scenes wasn't exciting enough. Not even shirtless Kevin was enough to stir things up, lol. Screenplay was cringy at times. Acting was still underwhelming. Audio-visuals were at least ok on this episode. Let's hope for some improvements on next week's episode!
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Got'chu Fam! Episode 2
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Episode 2: Ebiksyon (Eviction) revealed the main issue of this series. The main characters need to find a way to stay in the boarding house. The plot/storyline's pretty simple but as long as I get a few laughs here and there, I'm fine with this series. Script was funny enough on this episode. Acting was on the campy side but it was alright. I like Paul as a character and King and Spencer as a couple. There were minor improvements in the production technicals. Overall, this episode was ok.
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Other than Nuan moving in to Wil's room, nothing much happened on Episode 16: Holdback. There were growing tensions between Joey and Wil, Wil continued to scheme behind Joey's back, and Jimmy kept on flirting with Joey -- all these we've already seen on previous episodes. So while I appreciated that Nuan got screen time on this episode, overall, the plot/storyline only moved just a bit. Script was still dragging. One positive point though: acting by the main cast, especially by Jules, was fine. Audio-visuals were mostly uneven. Release of episode parts wasn't on schedule. Aside from the effects of the recent flooding in the Philippines, it seems that they're really focusing more on their new series The Shore. It would have been better if they wrapped things up with Amore first before starting The Shore.
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A lot happened on the 40+-minute long Episode 7: The Final Chase. Most loose ends were resolved and a major secret was revealed -- Ben's father had an affair with Jim's father and Jim's mother died ashamed and broken-hearted. It wasn't clear if Jim was made aware of this secret towards the end of this episode. There were character and relationship developments for the main characters but not enough character backgrounds and developments for the support characters. Screenplay was good. Teejay, and especially Jerome, were at their acting best on this episode. Production technicals were also good. All in all, it was a satisfactory finale for the first season. Yes, a second season is coming!
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A series of typhoons in the Philippines messed up Lakan. The shoot location was heavily damaged and the set was thoroughly ruined. It seemed that the plot/storyline for Episode 3: Muling Pagkakataon (Another Chance) was even adjusted to incorporate the devastating effects of the typhoons that ravaged the mountains and the lowlands. The two parts didn't have clear continuity. On the first part, Caloy and John worked the fields and they seemed to get along well. Then on the second part, Nanay Zeny, John, and Caloy had to suddenly move to an evacuation center for safety. I hope this detour doesn't have major implications on Lakan's plot/storyline and I hope that the people behind this series are still able to tell the story they want to tell. Screenplay was still cringy at times. Acting was the same as previous episodes. Audio-visuals were uneven. There were unnecessary sounds and some camera shots were too dark. All in all, I'm hope this series is able to get back on track on the next episodes.
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Things escalated quickly. Compared to previous episodes (and even to preceding series Hook Up and Truly Very Yours), there's a drastic difference of tone on Episode 3: Dangerously in Love. There's physical violence and there's a character, Lukas, who obviously needs professional psychiatric help. I'm not sure yet how I feel about this difference of temperament. But I did like the script for this episode. It was repetitive at times but generally realistic. Acting by both Marky and Niko was good. Gorgeous Niko was quite scary. Production technicals were largely ok. I'm curious how they'll end this miniseries in next week's finale which will also set-up their next series One Night Stand.
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Why Love Why Episode 4
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While I understand why some people got offended with what appeared as queer misrepresentation and oversexualization during the pilot episode (for the record, I didn't get offended but for those who did, your feelings are valid), I hope they didn't judge this series based only on their issues with the premiere episode. It pays to stick around for this series. I hope those who dropped this series will give it another shot. Why Love Why is not without flaws but it clearly has something relevant to say. Since Episode 1, I've been wondering what this series is trying to say. Apparently, a lot, based on Episode 4: Duress, its best episode yet. It tackled historical, societal, and personal issues like dictatorship, human rights violations, corruption, poverty, pandemic, coming out, cheating, etc. I do have an issue with the historical timeline which was a bit confused. Prior to Martial Law (1972), Emil's grandfather was arrested and tortured by Benjo's grandfather who was already Mayor. He was the same Mayor who was asked by an Assemblywoman to join Ferdinand Marcos' New Society Movement (1978) to run for Mayor for the first time. Prior to 1972, we didn't have Assemblymen or Assemblywomen. We had Congressmen, Congresswomen, and Senators who returned after the overthrow of the Marcos regime through the EDSA People Power Revolution (1986) -- Benjo and Emil's thesis topic. But other than this, everything else was generally handled well. Screenplay was largely relatable even with the theatrical lines here and there. Benjo's coming out and confession of feelings for Emil were realistic. And Benjo and Emil's sex scene wasn't dirty at all. In terms of acting, their breakfast scene was really good. Both Carl and Johnrey were quite good. The silences between them didn't diminish their performance, but instead, amplified their acting. Audio-Visuals were mostly satisfactory. Overall, I really liked this episode.
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11/10. Episode 5 was just brilliant. There were no excuses for cheating. Mando and Barry realized they're wrong. Full of guilt, Mando told the truth, and while obviously reluctant to hurt Krisha, Barry had to follow suit. And they're now suffering from the consequences of their action. Will Barry commit suicide? I hope not. I don't know what such action will accomplish. The appropriate path for him and for Mando is to make amends so that Krisha can find it in her to forgive them -- which I think she will, over time, much like Mando's Tatay (Father) Armando. While the protest chants were a bit cheesy, the script was still very good. Magnificent acting all-around. The actors made me tear up! Kokoy can do no wrong. He's an actor's actor. Barbie and Alex were also very good especially during the revelation/confrontation scene. I was so worried about what Barry will do after the shower scene, I wasn't really able to process Alex's butt exposure, lol. Veteran actors Andrea and Dominic were also ok. Renzie's Vince and Marynor's Leslie are my kind of friends -- friends who love me and because they love me, will always call me out when I'm wrong and full of crap. Audio-visuals were still pretty solid. I don't know if we'll get a happy ending next week -- if not a happy ending, maybe at least a hopeful one?
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For a do-it-yourself (DIY) series, Art of Love, with its simple plot/storyline was generally ok. Episode 1: Birth of Art introduced the important persons in Art's life. Through a dream, a strange man was introduced to Art. This episode even paid homage to Thai actor Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree and Thai boys' love (BL) series 2gether. Screenplay had cheesy lines but was tolerable. Acting was at least watchable. The actor playing Art's dad seemed too young to play the father of a teenager. Audio-visuals need improvement. All in all, the pilot episode wasn't that bad.
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Got'chu Fam! Episode 1
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With less that 15 minutes, Episode 1: Lipat-Bahay (Change of Residence) didn't give out much in terms of plot/storyline. The main characters were briefly introduced. Each character had obvious personality trait. Screenplay wasn't overly hilarious but it was funny enough. Acting was generally ok. Mico's King and Redge's Spencer would make a cute couple. Production technicals were mostly fine although I would have preferred a live shot of the facade of the police headquarters than a still shot. All in all, the pilot episode wasn't bad.
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Boyband Love Episode 8
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Charm and Danny competed for Aiden's affection on Episode 8. By the end of the episode, after being caught kissing Danny in the pool, Charm asked Aiden to choose between her and Danny. Meanwhile, Rico was even more confused after Mika took care of him when he was sick while Josh left the group for a scholarship in Cebu. The efforts to tie loose ends in preparation for the finale was obvious. I just don't know if they're enough to have a good finale. I'll watch the finale via GagaOOlala later. Screenplay for this episode had cringy lines but was generally tolerable. Acting was still underwhelming at times. Production technicals were still below average. The underwater kissing scene was fine though. Finale's next!
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Why Love Why Episode 3
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Benjo and Emil started to develop feelings for each other on Episode 3: Incarceration. Character background for Kelly was also provided on this episode. Halfway through its season and I'm still not sure what's the main message of this Filipino (Pinoy) boys' love (BL) series. I hope it doesn't end up like Oh My Sexual wherein the form overwhelmed the substance. Script was hit-and-miss. Some funny lines landed but others were off. There were corny dialogues as well. Acting was largely ok. Production technicals were fine. For next week's episode, I just what some clarity on what this series is trying to say.
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Episode 2: What Now? started slow but picked up midway through the episode. There's progress in terms of plot/storyline. After the kiss from last episode, there's understandably confusion at the beginning but they seemed to get along pretty well throughout this episode until the end when Mark Lee seemed to finally associate Lukas with the masked guy from Hook Up. Screenplay had corny, long, and repetitive lines but was largely ok. Acting performance especially by Niko was fine. Niko is really a sight for sore eyes. Production value improved. I loved the outdoor scenes. Overall, it was a better episode than the pilot episode.
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