I've always had kind of a love hate relationship with Chinese historical BLs. Some are genuinely excellent, but then there are others that cram in so much plot that keeping track of all the layers of betrayal and scheming gets exhausting, and I end up checking out mentally. Part of the issue is also just how much content is out there in this space, so something really has to stand out to keep me hooked. In this case, the production value is genuinely impressive, top tier stuff, but story wise, I just couldn't bring myself to actually care about these characters. There's a ton of political scheming and backstage manipulation running throughout. Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, a hostage ends up falling for his own Prince Charming. The show runs eight episodes, each around 50 to 60 minutes long. After spending three years guarding the border, Fifth Prince Yin Qi gets called back to the capital because of a secret letter, only to end up walking straight into a deadly...
THe show basically focusses on lives of 3 friends in San Francisco. Friendship binds them but each of them is at a different point in their journey. Patrick, works as a video game designer and wants ti get back into the dating scene after breaking up with his ex. Agustine is an aspiring artist. After he moves in with his boyfriend, he starts questioning his career and the whole idea of monogamy. And finally we have Dom, the oldest member and a longtime waiter. His romantic and professional dreams are still unfulfilled. Other characters are also introduced. Patrick meets Richie, a hair dresses, and is forever confused in what he really wants from his relationship with him. The confusion only escalates when his new boss is gay and after few months of flirting, his boss openly tells him he likes Patrick. Agustine befriends a sex worker and brings him for a threesome rendezvous wit his boyfriend without informing him about the details. His bf, who has been supportive of him throughout can't take anymore and asks him to leave. Dom, who wants to run his own restaurant has always been attracted to younger boys. Things change when he meets an older man, who not only helps in taking the next step in realizing his dream but could he also be the love of Dom's life that he has been looking for all along.
The stories intertwine and unspool dramatically as they search for happiness and intimacy in an age of unparalleled choices for gay men. It's refreshing to see characters of different ages relating socially even though some might say this happens infrequently in the real world. In gay online culture Looking means available for sex now, but this show is much more than that. The characters are looking for satisfaction, fulfillment in careers, friends and family. Performance wise, every actor is doing a fantastic job including all the characters that keep coming in the show. The dialogues are pretty natural and real. The sex-scenes are frank, but very tasteful and more is implied than ever shown, anyway. The humor is genuine and seems completely spontaneous. I really appreciate this more methodical approach.
I for sure am looking for the next season of this series. (8/10)
Comments
This page it's a very good idea,before knowing yours i was thinking about doing one myself if i'll have the talent and the brave but you done a such a good one it's not worth it anymore. And i was wondering if you know some other good serie like this (I know "in the flesh" i didn't saw it in your blog the story isn't about gay stuff it's just the mains figures which are gay .To me it's a good one) Thank for your job keep doing it!! (if you haven't already stop) hoping you will respond bye ! (sorry for my horrible english i'm french and i do not fluently write in english)
There are a few gay web series which you could try to find out but there are a very very few gay TV shows.