Therapy (2025)

Mar. 18th, 2026 08:19 pm
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
[personal profile] reviews_and_ramblings
 With Therapy (2025) I have experienced the specific brand of chaos that only a STRONGBERRY production can deliver. They’ve always been the "indie rebels" of the K-BL world, but Therapy definitely pushed their reputation for "mature themes" into a territory that felt more like a marathon than a movie. When a studio known for short, artistic films tries to tackle a "sex therapy" plot, the line between "prestige cinema" and "unintentional comedy" gets very thin, very fast. Sincerely it felt like "too much". In most dramas, physical intimacy is the payoff. In Therapy, it’s the default. When the "therapy" sessions consist of 95% heavy breathing and 5% actual talking, the emotional stakes start to evaporate. Because the actors (U Gyo especially) have to maintain such high-intensity "passion" for long stretches, the dialogue often becomes secondary, leading to those hilariously awkward transitions where they go from being basically strangers to... well, the bed (or the floor or the table or... well you have the idea). STRONGBERRY usually excels at high-quality cinematography, which almost makes the "soft porn" vibe feel weirder. The lighting is beautiful, the framing is professional, but the content is so relentless that it feels like a high-budget parody of itself. It’s "unwillingly hilarious" because it takes itself so seriously while the plot is essentially a revolving door of excuses for the leads to lose their shirts. That card is the ultimate "choose your own adventure" trope. Depending on how you viewed Hui Su’s character: The card contains a personal number or a "private session" invite that implies they are moving beyond the professional/patient boundary into a real relationship. It’s just a referral to a real therapist, implying that their "sessions" were just a chaotic detour. It’s a literal blank card, symbolizing that their future is whatever "therapy" they decide to invent next. It’s a 2025 time capsule of "How much can we get away with?" It’s perfect for a "watch-party" where you can laugh at the absurdity, but as a romance, it’s a bit of a hollow shell. HEA (maybe). Watch on Gagaoolala. Heat Level: 6/6.



Heat Level:
1/6: glances, caress, hugs, no kisses
2/6: kisses, closed mouth or camera angles
3/6: full kisses, clothes on
4/6: full kisses, some clothes off, hands above the waist, pants stay on
5/6: most clothes off, they have sex, but it’s masked, no sexy sounds
6/6: full nudity mostly hidden by camera angles, they have sex, sexy sounds

(no subject)

Mar. 17th, 2026 05:29 pm
flemmings: (Default)
[personal profile] flemmings
In more 'cast not a clout till May be out' news, I had to dive into the futon storage drawer and retrieve my fleece trousers against today's minus 16C/4F wind chill. Also heaviest winter coat and mismatched fleece gloves because cold cold so cold. Tomorrow will get up to O, aka freezing, and if the wind drops, feel like spring.

Surpassed myself in the losing stuff in the bed dep't yesterday. So I brought one of my two wraps downstairs for sofa sitting, then brought it back up to join its fellow in the bedroom. Which wasn't there. I have a habit of flinging my beanbags from me when I pull the covers off to do my exercises so I carefully unwrapped the duvet and blanket and terry sheet, and it wasn't there. Checked the far side of the bed, moving the pillows and such I have stacked there, and it wasn't there. Shifted bed, looked under same on all sides, found a tennis ball but no wraps. Checked between head of bed and mattress and it wasn't there. Did I take it downstairs and forget about it? No, I only took one down along with my laundry. That wrap had glitched in the matrix into non-existence. Decided not to worry about it and went fretfully to sleep. Until this morning when I took my breakfast down to the study and there was my wrap on the table, exactly where I'd left it yesterday after ordering a new one. Ginkgo biloba cannot contend against aged brain fog. Mindfulness, mindfulness, mindfulness.

Love in the Moonlight (2025)

Mar. 17th, 2026 06:41 pm
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
[personal profile] reviews_and_ramblings
 Love in the Moonlight is a period BL drama that has quickly earned a reputation for being a "masterpiece of melodrama." Produced by One31, it blends the high-stakes tropes of a traditional Thai lakorn with a deeply emotional queer narrative. Set in 1963, the story follows Prince Saenkaew (Peak Peemapol), who is sent from the fictional kingdom of Sariangkham to Bangkok to enter an arranged marriage with Pinanong (Perth Veerinsara). The goal: to secure his family's assets amidst political turmoil. The twist? Pinanong’s cousin, Sasin (Pearl Satjakorn), is deeply skeptical of the Prince’s intentions. What begins as a tense clash evolves into a secret, high-stakes romance that forces both men to choose between their hearts and their duty to their families. The series is to be praised for its high production value and emotional depth. The show feels more like a movie than a TV series. The use of 1960s heritage houses, vintage cars, and "moonlit" lighting creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. Peak Peemapol's portrayal of Prince Saenkaew captures the nuance of a man crushed by unhealed trauma and the heavy burden of "apologizing for simply existing." The dynamic between Pearl (Sasin) and Peak (Saenkaew) is intense and palpable. Their connection—built on small, stolen moments like balcony music and longing glances—is the show's strongest asset. Unlike many BLs where the female lead is sidelined, Perth Veerinsara's character, Pin, is the "beating heart" of the show. Her journey of dealing with betrayal and seeking agency in a restricted society adds a layer of realism and pain that I found surprisingly moving. If you enjoy the emotional intensity of shows like To Sir, With Love (Khun Chai), you will love this. However, it does lean heavily into melodrama. Expect: Evil, overbearing fathers. Tragic plot twists and frequent crying. Highly convenient (and sometimes predictable) plot movements. By the final episode (Episode 12), the heavy angst and family politics are finally resolved. Love in the Moonlight is a beautifully crafted, tragic period piece that elevates the BL genre through stellar acting and lush production. It is a "must-watch" for fans of historical dramas and high-stakes romance. HEA. You can watch on GagaOOLala. Heat Level: 3/6.



Heat Level:
1/6: glances, caress, hugs, no kisses
2/6: kisses, closed mouth or camera angles
3/6: full kisses, clothes on
4/6: full kisses, some clothes off, hands above the waist, pants stay on
5/6: most clothes off, they have sex, but it’s masked, no sexy sounds
6/6: full nudity mostly hidden by camera angles, they have sex, sexy sounds

(no subject)

Mar. 16th, 2026 08:10 pm
flemmings: (Default)
[personal profile] flemmings
The weather page could say it was 10C when I left the house today but that was the chilliest 10C I've ever experienced. Nothing like a grey day and wind to make things feel like below freezing. Wore my winter coat and a scarf but thought I'd be OK with half gloves and no, I definitely wasn't. Had to wrap hands in scarf to keep them warm. But had chicken and vermicelli at Pour Boy, plus cocktail, then walked back up to Dupont because you're supposed to have a brisk walk after such indulgence. Did get the return to nephew's invite mailed off, though noticed too late that I didn't put my return address on the prestamped envelope. Ah well. Must trust the post office to be reliable.

The downstairs beanbag is not only the wrong shape for use on the back, being cervical,  the insides have finally become too scorched for use. I was googling 'back heating wraps' last night and finding nothing but amazon and temu offerings. This because I could never remember the name of the super excellent moist heat wraps I use for my poor twinging elbows at night. So to have it here, they're Thermalon, and they're Canadian, and I have a third one now on order from them so I needn't keep lugging one downstairs and back up all the time. I should have ordered two, in fact, and used the second for warming my bed at night. It's true that the aged shouldn't shower every night because lord but it dries the skin out, and washing of pits and bits is sufficient for the lethargic retired. But showers are the only way my feet get warm enough when I go to bed since my circulation sucks. Magic bags don't do the trick being again the wrong shape. But a large flat Thermalon might heat enough area to keep me warm.

Meanwhile the temperatures have sunk and it's now snowing again. March is still too early to be saying How long, oh lord, how long, especially since this summer is supposed to be a scorcher. But-- how long, oh lord, how long?

Losing Dickens.

Mar. 16th, 2026 05:32 am
archangelbeth: Sad female face, with horns. (Sad Eyes)
[personal profile] archangelbeth
https://archangelbeth.dreamwidth.org/267795.html – 2005-10-19.
Cats are actually 8 weeks old, not 6 as I thought, and need to go back in on friday (well, 4 of them) so I can pick up their health certificates and have them have their first distemper shots.

<>[...] Friskie, Smoke, Black and White, Black, Black two, and Gray Boy [...].

Hey, little Black and White. Hey. August, 2025, yeah? 20 and a half years.
grief grief grief )

(no subject)

Mar. 15th, 2026 09:55 pm
flemmings: (Default)
[personal profile] flemmings
Snowed again last night, an inch or so, as the winds of March kept my house chilly. Temps rose steadily during the day, disposing of the snow,nand will continue to rise overnight, to 'do we really need the heat on?' levels ie 10C/ 50F. But yes, yes we do, because the winds of March are still blowing. Rain tomorrow and then wind again as temps drop back to the minuses. Follow the bouncing ball.

Thus was indoors all day and accomplished nothing bar a half hour of exercise and a fast reread of The Moving Finger, one of the better Christies. Maybe tomorrow I will tackle those dishes, do a dark wash, and write those belated letters, but today is all sloth all the time.

Done Since 2026-03-08

Mar. 15th, 2026 10:37 pm
mdlbear: blue fractal bear with text "since 2002" (Default)
[personal profile] mdlbear

Note: I haven't had more than a short nap in over 36 hours. So this is going to be a really short and possibly incoherent post.

The main thing this week was my (short) trip to the US -- first solo transatlantic flight. Far easier than I'd been afraid it would be. The bank errands didn;t get run, but I got to the Wednesday grief group gathering in Third Place Commans, got my driver's license renewed (and had a nice long chat with MG from the Tuesday group, while she drove me down to the DOL in Tukwilla), and had lunch with my kids on my (79th) birthday. The sushi place was closed, but we went next door and had ramen and pork buns.

I took Lilac, and got everything done that needed to be done, but it was a struggle. Some scattered commentary below. There are links below but you'll have to dig them out yourself -- I'm going to bed. With my cats.

Notes & links, as usual )

(no subject)

Mar. 14th, 2026 06:13 pm
flemmings: (Default)
[personal profile] flemmings
High winds last night had the odd effect of making my upstairs for once much colder than downstairs. Was resigned to staying in but the sun melted snow from the roofs so I decided to try my luck. And was very lucky. The salter bobcats came through at some point last night, leaving their tell-tale salter tracks on the sidewalks, and I could have done the walk in shoes. Anyway, now have potatoes and cheese for omelettes.  And will stay in tomorrow because we're due for another bout of snow, sleet, possible freezing rain, and rain rain as the temps climb to 10C/50F on Monday. The spring equinox is known for wintry weather here, and this year is looking to be no exception, even if a tad early. But all hail the March sun, which is at least warm enough to melt whatever March throws at us.
mark: A photo of Mark kneeling on top of the Taal Volcano in the Philippines. It was a long hike. (Default)
[staff profile] mark posting in [site community profile] dw_maintenance

Happy Saturday!

I'm going to be doing a little maintenance today. It will likely cause a tiny interruption of service (specifically for www.dreamwidth.org) on the order of 2-3 minutes while some settings propagate. If you're on a journal page, that should still work throughout!

If it doesn't work, the rollback plan is pretty quick, I'm just toggling a setting on how traffic gets to the site. I'll update this post if something goes wrong, but don't anticipate any interruption to be longer than 10 minutes even in a rollback situation.

Khemjira (2025)

Mar. 14th, 2026 09:27 am
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
[personal profile] reviews_and_ramblings
 Khemjira (2025) blends intense Thai folklore and horror with a romance that feels earned. The romance in Khemjira is a slow burn rooted in fate and past lives. The Main Couple (Pharan & Khem)'s dynamic is built on "Master/Protector and Cursed Student." Pharan (the shaman) is initially cold and resistant to helping Khem because he wants to avoid karmic entanglements. This creates a lot of "stolen glances" and high-tension moments. I found the lead, Khem, a bit passive at first, but their chemistry is tender yet intense. I found the Side Couple (Charn & Jet)'s romance even harder than the main leads. They provide a lot of the show's heart and comedic relief, balancing out the dark, supernatural themes. The sex scenes are high quality. They aren't just for fan service; they are usually used to show a deeper emotional connection or a turning point in the relationship. Despite the heavy themes of death, curses, and vengeful spirits, the series concludes on a very positive note: Khem manages to survive his 21st birthday, effectively breaking the generational curse. Both the main couple and the secondary couple end up together. The finale (which is nearly 2 hours long) provides a very satisfying "life after the drama" look. In fact, the show goes further than many BLs by showing them living a happy, domestic life together—even hinting at a future with a family. HEA. Watch on iQIYI. Heat Level: 5/6.



Heat Level:
1/6: glances, caress, hugs, no kisses
2/6: kisses, closed mouth or camera angles
3/6: full kisses, clothes on
4/6: full kisses, some clothes off, hands above the waist, pants stay on
5/6: most clothes off, they have sex, but it’s masked, no sexy sounds
6/6: full nudity mostly hidden by camera angles, they have sex, sexy sounds

Thankful Friday March Thirteenth (79)

Mar. 13th, 2026 07:24 pm
mdlbear: blue fractal bear with text "since 2002" (Default)
[personal profile] mdlbear
ags: thanks, birthday, travel Picture: turkey Music: Mongol birthday song, of course Mood: grateful Location: the

Today is my 79th birthday. I am thankful for...

  • Making it this far, alive and I suppose about as well as can be expected, for someone who doesn't really take good care of themself.
  • An uneventful flight to the US, without any of the problems at the border that I was worried about. NO thanks for apparently-current-limited back-of-seat power sockets.
  • Having remembered to bring extra-absorbent paper underwear. NO thanks for forgetting toenail clippers and a multitool, among other things.
  • Uber, Lyft, and Crown Limo.
  • A ride to my DOL (Department of Licensing) appointment, with good conversation.

NO thanks for mid-March snow -- isn't it almost spring now?

Bad Bunny

Mar. 13th, 2026 07:21 pm
momijizukamori: (:D)
[personal profile] momijizukamori
Because it came up when I was talking to my dad yesterday, and I remembered I meant to post it here and then forgot - if you haven't seen the Super Bowl halftime show this year, you should watch it. Even if you don't know who Bad Bunny is, or aren't into his style of music. The level of sheer technical skill involved in the staging is next-level, and he very much had a point he wanted to make and most certainly made it.



Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show

And if you are interested, someone one Bluesky shared their Bad Bunny 101 write-up, which has links to a bunch of other articles and listening suggestions. Reggaeton is probably not gonna be one of my top genres personally, but I feel like it's good to get out of my listening confort zone and try new things, particularly when it's like, a global phenomenon right now.

(no subject)

Mar. 13th, 2026 05:42 pm
flemmings: (snow)
[personal profile] flemmings
It was very nice of that storm system to not start snowing until after the morning rush, about 11ish. Roofs were bare when I first got up and then, when I came to breakfast after my exercises, we had whiteout. Stopped two hours later and I went and pushed the near-freezing slush off my steps and walkway and sidewalk. Neighbourly duty done for the day, except it started again in time for the afternoon rush hour. However it didn't stick on my pavement so all I need do now is put a little salt or sand against the early morning dip below 0.

But now, in the absence of alcohol, I want to make a Dutch Baby pancake. Indulgence, indulgence.
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
[personal profile] reviews_and_ramblings
 If you’re looking for a Thai BL that breaks the "engineering students in love" mold, Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart! is a high-octane breath of fresh air. Produced by the lead actors’ own company (YWPB), this series feels like a passion project that actually had the budget and talent to back it up. The story follows Joker (War Wanarat), a suave, Robin Hood-style thief who steals from the corrupt to help the poor, and Jack (Yin Anan), a former taekwondo athlete turned reluctant debt collector. Their lives collide in a whirlwind of heists, betrayal, and a five-year gap that transforms Jack from a sweet, optimistic youth into a hardened, stoic man. The chemistry between War and Yin is legendary for a reason. They don't just "act" like a couple; they have a natural, intense pull that makes the slow-burn romance feel earned. The story is a rare blend of action, crime thriller, and comedy. One moment you’re watching a high-stakes heist, and the next, Joker is in a ridiculous disguise making you laugh. Unlike many "fluff" BLs, this show dives into the cyclical nature of poverty, generational debt, and the corruption of the wealthy elite. From the fight choreography to the authenticity of the sets (like Jack’s actual house vs. a studio set), the quality is top-tier. The romance is a "circular" journey. It starts with a sweet, youthful crush in their teenage years, which is then shattered by betrayal. After a five-year time skip, the dynamic becomes a tense game of cat-and-mouse. Jack is cold and hardened, while Joker is desperate to earn back Jack’s trust. If you’ve seen their previous work (Love Mechanics), you know they specialize in "angsty" chemistry. The intimate scenes aren't just for fan service; they feel heavy with emotion. War has a way of looking at Yin that makes you feel the five years of longing. It is worth noting that the actors themselves have described the show as an "action drama with a gay love story" rather than a pure romance. "It's not just about them spending all on-screen time together... it's about their journey as individuals who happen to be in love." The Special Episode released in early 2025 has a massive, unexpected cliffhanger. If you're a fan of happy, closed endings, proceed with caution! It’s easily one of the most ambitious Thai BLs in recent years. It proves that when actors take creative control, they can deliver something much deeper than the usual tropes. Watch on iQIYI. Heat Level: 4/6.



Heat Level:
1/6: glances, caress, hugs, no kisses
2/6: kisses, closed mouth or camera angles
3/6: full kisses, clothes on
4/6: full kisses, some clothes off, hands above the waist, pants stay on
5/6: most clothes off, they have sex, but it’s masked, no sexy sounds
6/6: full nudity mostly hidden by camera angles, they have sex, sexy sounds

(no subject)

Mar. 12th, 2026 09:09 pm
flemmings: (Hirakawa)
[personal profile] flemmings
DW is hanging like a hanging thing. The Graun loads OK though my solitaire page doesn't at all. Maybe my connection is wonky, maybe greenfelt.net is having one of its periodic outages.

Bright blowy November day out there with swift clouds and the occasional snow flake tumbling from a blue sky. Snow tomorrow and on the weekend, so I went out to return Strange Houses to the five people waiting for it, and had-- err, whatever you call a 3 pm meal, the oposite of brunch: linner? at Sushi on Bloor. My waiter there loves me.  But my stomach must be shrinking. The small size sushi selection is too big for me now, and I must go to the three piece + a roll sushi appetiser.

Checked out the former By the Way which is now Brasserie Côte, having a soft opening with a menu that does not inspire me to go in. Apparently it has a sibling out Ossington way, a much smaller place with a larger menu which one hopes they will bring here. Although Côte de Boeuf's menu seems to run heavily to the same escargots and sardines and charcuterie as the new place. Well, brasseries are brasseries, but I was hoping for something a little broader. Which I must still go to Le Paradis for, the bro-tachi's local, even if it's not local to any of us. But their boeuf bourguignon is amazing enough to make the trip worth it.

And since I'll be housebound until Monday at least, I walked up to Loblaws for milk and such, and to my physio's across the street to get my receipts for tax purposes, and thus racked up 7000+ steps.

I have always wanted a bidet-- more so when I was younger of course, but still think it would be nice. Especially after reading articles about how tp really doesn't cut it. My bathroom is far too small for a real one even if my knees would permit it-- which they wouldn't. Happy ads say you can add a douche to your toilet seat-- 'So easy you can install it yourself!' Uhh no, I doubt that very much. But googling around I discover something called a peri bottle, for postpartum women. Details of same make me glad I never had children: there's a lot about childbirth they don't tell you in sex ed. But peris sounded reasonable for hygiene so I bought one (from amazon.ca, mea maxima culpa, because neither Shoppers nor Starkman's has them even if they say they do)  and will see if they make any difference at all. But because this isn't in any way a Japanese toilet with blowdry function, one must still use toilet paper, so what do these countries with bidets or bum guns or whatever use instead of that?

(no subject)

Mar. 11th, 2026 08:25 pm
flemmings: (hasui rain)
[personal profile] flemmings
In spite of the constant stream of scammers and robocalls and robocall scammers that I get, I really must stop answering my landline with a curt Yes?! because occasionally there's a real well-meaning person on the other end. As today, the third call of the morning after This is VISA security and This is doors and windows, was my doctor's locum reviewing my bloodwork from Monday. My blood sugars are up from last year when I was evidently doing something right. 'Of course the holidays see a rise in blood sugar but do you think there's some changes you might make now?' Well, I allowed, I could stop drinking Black Russians. She agreed that would do the trick. Not that I've been drinking Black Russians this week, but I have been putting vodka into my cocoa. However, the bottle is finished and I won't buy another, so we'll see in another three months. But equally I'll be moving more now that the worst of the snow is (fingers tightly crossed) over for the nonce. Exercise, exercise.

This week I finished Lost Souls etc and Strange Houses. Doubtless read some Dr Priestleys-- yes, ok, Death in Wellington Rd with the poisoned pigs, and The Domestic Agency. Rhode's problem, more apparent in the former book than the latter, is that he never gives too much information. Mystery writers ought to give us more details than we can use. If they don't, every piece of information we get is significant, so that if Chekov's Australian cousin is mentioned in chapter 2, for sure he will turn up, probably as the murderer, by the end of the book.

The other problem is a hardwarish one: Kobo's Rhodes will occasionally just hang as I'm reading and refuse to go either forward or back. This only happens on my phone, but the upstairs tablet won't load Kobo at all. This happened last week so I went and bought The Mystery of the Yellow Room to see if it happened with other ebooks. Answer is no, not, and it's a fun read even with the Belle Epoque Gallic piling up of adjectives. (Yeah, OK, Lovecraft did it too. Not just the French.) But can I quibble at a translator who talks about 'the assassin' and not the more natural murderer. Assassins in English are political murderers, not people who shoot inoffensive young women in their bedrooms.

Goddess Bless You from Death (2025)

Mar. 11th, 2026 02:14 pm
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
[personal profile] reviews_and_ramblings
 Goddess Bless You from Death is a BL drama, but it is not a traditional lighthearted romance. Instead, it is a gritty supernatural horror-thriller that features a romantic storyline between the two leads. If you are looking for a show that is 100% focused on dating and "fluff," this might surprise you with its intensity. Unlike many BLs where the plot serves the romance, here the romance often serves the plot. The show is known for its high production quality in the horror department—expect blood, gore, black magic, and genuine scares. Detective Singha (Pavel Naret) investigates a series of ritualistic murders. His only witness is Thup (Pooh Krittin), a young man who can see ghosts. It’s a "forced proximity" trope where Singha takes Thup under his wing to protect him from being framed, leading to a slow-burn connection. The shift from "gory horror" to "sweet romance" can be jarring for some. Is the romance good? Yes, but it’s a different "flavor" than the leads' previous work together (Pit Babe). The relationship develops naturally through the trauma of the investigation. Pavel and Pooh have strong established chemistry, but the "skinship" (intimacy) is more restrained and focused on emotional support and protection rather than constant explicit scenes. I praise the leads for having a healthy, communicative relationship compared to the toxicity often found in the genre. The mystery is genuinely engaging and creepy, but I feel it drags slightly in the middle. Pavel Naret is to be praised for his role as a serious cop, but if you watch a lot of crime dramas, you might guess the killer early on. Excellent use of Thai folklore and religious rituals. If you enjoy shows like Manner of Death or Not Me—where there is a heavy plot involving crime or social issues—you will likely love this. If you are sensitive to horror or just want a cozy love story, you might find the "corpse-of-the-week" vibe a bit much. HEA. Watch on iQIYI. Heat Level: 3/6.



Heat Level:
1/6: glances, caress, hugs, no kisses
2/6: kisses, closed mouth or camera angles
3/6: full kisses, clothes on
4/6: full kisses, some clothes off, hands above the waist, pants stay on
5/6: most clothes off, they have sex, but it’s masked, no sexy sounds
6/6: full nudity mostly hidden by camera angles, they have sex, sexy sounds

Love Alert (2025)

Mar. 10th, 2026 05:44 pm
reviews_and_ramblings: (Default)
[personal profile] reviews_and_ramblings
 If you're looking for a drama that perfectly captures the "messy, toxic, but I can't look away" energy, Love Alert (2025) is likely your next obsession—or your biggest frustration. The story follows Jimmy (James Hayward Prescott), a notorious playboy who originally tries to get close to his crush, Plaifah, by befriending his friend, Teh. However, plans shift when he meets the older brother, Toh (Kad Ploysupa). What starts as a manipulative game of spite and hidden agendas turns into a complex, often toxic relationship. Jimmy is a classic "red flag" lead—manipulative and emotionally avoidant—while Toh is the heartbreakingly innocent "doormat" who falls too hard, too fast. James and Kad have undeniable spark, which is why fans stick around despite the toxic plot. The story leans heavily into "angst for the sake of angst." The plot can feel repetitive or frustratingly slow. James Prescott excels at playing the "jerk you want to punch," and Kad captures Toh’s vulnerability well. Best watched once for the drama; too stressful for a casual re-binge. James Prescott has basically mastered the role of the manipulative playboy. If you enjoy watching a character slowly realize they’ve ruined their own life, his performance is top-tier. The drama doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable situations, including "wild" scenes that have gone viral for being incredibly bold (and occasionally ridiculous). I found Fah to be the MVP of the series—the only voice of reason in a sea of questionable choices. Watching Toh constantly forgive Jimmy’s manipulation is genuinely painful. The "groveling" arc for Jimmy’s redemption felt "too little, too late". The show features heavy emotional manipulation, blackmail, and questionable consent, which can be a huge turn-off depending on your triggers. The first half is a slow burn of bad decisions, while the ending feels a bit rushed to reach a resolution. If you enjoy "Toxic BLs" like KinnPorsche (for the intensity) or Only Friends (for the mess), you will probably find this entertaining. However, if you prefer healthy communication and "green flag" romances, this series might actually give you a headache. HEA. Watch on Gagaoolala. Heat Level: 6/6.



Heat Level:
1/6: glances, caress, hugs, no kisses
2/6: kisses, closed mouth or camera angles
3/6: full kisses, clothes on
4/6: full kisses, some clothes off, hands above the waist, pants stay on
5/6: most clothes off, they have sex, but it’s masked, no sexy sounds
6/6: full nudity mostly hidden by camera angles, they have sex, sexy sounds

(no subject)

Mar. 9th, 2026 03:49 pm
flemmings: (Default)
[personal profile] flemmings
Finished Strange Houses and then went to the internet to find out what I just read. Internet was mostly reddit, whose black-out spoiler redactions do not appear when highlighted. But a lot of people had the same suspicions as I about the architect jumping at once to 'murderous child killer cult' while other people noted that that's just the way Japanese horror rolls. Which, fair enough. And also noted that what's important is once again the things not said, sigh. But the general impression was that everyone but the narrator and the architect are lying and what's actually happening is a conspiracy, yes, but not the one we think. Although people did seem to think the weird cult thing was true, which to me is, ok, if you say so. Do not think I'll be reading more of his work.

I know better than to go for a blood draw on a Monday especially a Monday when I've just lost an hour of sleep, but it's going to rain all week and then snow. So out I went at 10 new time and came in to a posted 45 minute wait. But I waited, and then waited some more when they called my name because they said the room available was too narrow for me. Told them I could walk without the rollator but they were all No no just wait. And when they called me again I went without my walker just to show them. But the nurse got my vein first try,  no having to use the other arm as in December, which is either her being more skilled than the other or my veins being pumped up from my water drinking. Whichever, I am grateful.

Could have done without the two large guys who barged into the elevator before I could get off it as I was leaving. Men, said Jessica. And am now headachy and am going out to dinner with bro and s-i-l tonight, but again, nobody made me get my draw this morning.

smooth sailing

Mar. 8th, 2026 05:45 pm
totient: (rally)
[personal profile] totient
Relative to my Iron Butt superpower, a very fast drive from Boston to DC yesterday. I picked up the car in Harvard Square instead of Somerville and brought my luggage with me, so I got to the Mass Pike quickly and easily saving at least 10 minutes and maybe more like 15. The car was unremarkable but got decent enough gas mileage not to need refueling, as neither did I. I hit 10 minutes of traffic total for NYC and another 10 minutes south of Baltimore. Total elapsed time 6:51 which is not a record but it's close, and I think only the second time I've made this drive in under 7 hours. The other time, in June 2020, is not a fair comparison.

For 24-hour one-way rentals like this I get an AYCE toll pass and it finally dawned on me that this made the I-95 express lanes north of Baltimore free. They probably saved me about 45 seconds. Not worth the buck and change it would have cost me a la carte.

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