Media roundup: Knock Out, Sweetheart Jom, Rex Stout
These posts will probably be a staple of this blog, since I'm always watching too much to write about longform. I make no promises of consistent format.
Standard disclaimer: these are my scattered thoughts and feelings about what I'm reading and watching. They won't generally include content warnings or much in the way of recommendation guidelines. I will, however, avoid spoilers.
Currently watching
Reset, Thai BL, 6 eps out of 10 - Big melodrama, fortunately the actors are putting in the work to sell it. Pond has had me in the bag since 180 Degrees Longitude Passes Through Us, and I'm enjoying Peterpan in a wildly different role from the other one I've seen him in (My Cherie Amour, where he played the probably-autistic brother of the female lead.) The plot has not entirely gelled and I'm not sure if it will, but the chemistry and emotions are strong enough that I'm having a good time.
Whale Store XOXO, Thai GL, 3 eps out of 10 - Milk and Love playing adults! I was sold from the opening scene of Milk's character going for a run and then showering and getting into business getup for work. This one has some of the "small community threatened by big commerce" elements that Moonlight Chicken had, complete with one of the love interests being closely tied to the big commerce engine. So far all the characters and their struggles feel very grounded, I'm looking forward to how it develops.
The Ex Morning, Thai BL, 8 eps out of 10 - The first half of this show was phenomenal, extremely tight, compelling and expertly paced. It lost a little of its energy in the shift from Phi's pov and arc to Tam's, but that just downgrades it from "great" to "very good."
I Became the Main Role of a BL Drama s2, Japanese BL, 3 eps out of 6 - I'm one episode behind on this one. I loved season 1, and season 2 has been fun so far although I neeed them to tackle Akafuji's intimacy panic. Aoyanagi deserves kisses!
My Sweetheart Jom, Thai BL, 9 eps out of 12 - This is my favorite thing airing right now, which kind of came out of nowhere. The scope is broad, with a lot of character stories and plot themes running simultaneously, and a range from very broad comedy to gunpoint action scenes. That could mean a chaotic mess, but the themes and throughlines are so strong that it holds together, and makes the story's world feel immersive and richly explored. And the main romance, which I was unsure of at first, has been a glorious slow burn. Every week I look forward to it, watch it, and immediately wish for more.
Knock Out, Thai BL, 10 eps out of 12 - Speaking of main romances I was unsure of at first. I wasn't sold on the main ship at all for the first 2-3 episodes, and now they're looking like a strong contender for favorite couple of the year. This is action romance at its finest, using outside pressures to test and strengthen the romantic bond, and using their growing trust and connection to push back on whatever threatens them.
The Next Prince, Thai BL, 10 eps out of 14 - I'm one episode behind on this one. This show is everything I expected it to be: gorgeous, sexy, too much going on and plot holes you can drive a truck through but a good time nonetheless. It's been especially delightful to see Nunew playing a vixen princeling.
Currently reading
The Hand in the Glove, Rex Stout - I've read almost all of the Nero Wolfe books (many more than once), and have met the detective Dol Bonner in those, but hadn't read her own book until now. I'm enjoying it; I was trying to say something brief about Rex Stout's writing of women, but that turns out to be difficult. Maybe I'll give it its own post.
The Nightrunner series, Lynn Flewelling - I finished book 4, Shadows Return, not long ago and am looking forward to picking up the next one soon. Thoroughly enjoying these and wishing I'd read them sooner.
Recently finished
My Stubborn, Thai BL - This show was perfect, in the specific sense of "knows just what it's trying to be and hits it bang-on." Absolutely masterful in horny vision and horny execution. The first six minutes are some of the hottest material I've seen in any medium, and they kept it up week after week. Everyone was making terrible decisions at all times in perfectly consistent ways. I loved it.
Boys in Love, Thai BL - Really solid high school BL. The characters were grounded and their struggles all felt very true to a type of way one can be in late high school.
Poker Face s2, American drama - What a good show. Every episode is fun and engaging and surprising, Natasha Lyonne is magnetic, the guest casts are stacked. Season 2 did a great job of stretching the formula without breaking what makes the show so compelling. The finale's homage to Reichenbach Falls had me punching the air. I hope we get a season 3, there are several juicy threads lined up.