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Journey With You (Chinese Series)

By Golu
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...
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Eastsiders: Season 4 (Web Series)

By Golu
I had already reviewed the first three seasons of this show earlier. With its fourth and final season, this Netflix show is coming to a closure, all of the characters are given an equal opportunity to bring their story to as much closure as a six episodic series can probably do justice to. Interestingly, this comedy drama deal with all of the challenges of a relationship in 21st century especially in the gay community - monogamy, polyamory, marriage, STIs, gender, bisexuality, finances, adoption, and careers. It doesn't shy away from conversations around these topics and somehow they are all so seamlessly integrated into the main story, you don't feel like you are being preached or anything.

The main story of this season is of course the continued straind relationship of our lead couple Tom and Cal and how they are navigating through their open relationship. But besides that the focus is on the upcoming wedding of Douglas and Quincy with the drag theme. We are told through a flashback episode on how and why Cal/Tom decided to open up their relationship. The duo are very much in love but something is off and they are hoping this will fix it. We also then have Cal's sister's boyfriend Ian (prominent in all seasons), who gets dumped by his girlfriend when she gets pregnant and who afterwards rediscovers his bisexuality leaning more towards a guy and in fact even ends up finding the rightt guy for himself. Of course, we also the couple Jeremy and Derrick, who are going through their own issues of being a couple. Jeremy still is pretty much unsure about everything in his life while Derrick wants to have a kid. Through a breezy six episodic format, we see a very interesting and to be honest a very realistic depiction of some of the issues that long term couples deal with.

This season is unique in showing couples navigating life and sex together over the long term. Thus, the drama is not about finding Mr. Right, but what it means to stay with Mr. Right even when things get complicated. Sex never seems forced here, it goes very well with the story. As is the story with a lot of couples who have been together for a while, gay marriage is again central to the theme of this season. What does being married mean for gay people, who are their role models and is it really important in the larger scheme of things. Douglas/Quincy go through multiple conflicts on how the wedding should actually happen; Cal/Tom ponder around monogamy and engagement, and we already have Derrick/Jeremy who fast-track their own relationship toward becoming foster parents. Each couple decides what works for them. As gay people, we know there is no straight forward formula that works for everyone. Every couple needs to decide exactly what commitment means to them, from a monogamous relationship to an open relationship. Everybody has to chart their own course. I really liked how when Ian is exploring his sexuality, the people he meets he talks to them, chats and is still nice and friendly guy that he is. Cal and Tom talk about their issues openly. And you feel the same gap between Jeremy and Derrick. Only if more couples would be able to have open and honest conversations around what they feel , life would be so much more easier.

I am surprised that I didn't realize that the last season came almost 2.5 years back. Somehow I must have missed it. Well, better late than never. Of late I haven't seen much good shows coming from US. This and Looking have been good positive shows that engage the viewers completely while also focusing on tackling some rather relevant subjects within the community. Actors are all good across the board. I have seen some of them on other shows but somehow I feel the director brought out the best in all of them in this show. Sadly the director, who also plays the lead Cal in the show is the weakest as an actor (not that he is bad by any means), but everyone else around him is quite good. Regardless, this was a good finale to an otherwise good run of a show that started its journey on Youtube. I am not going to spend some time researching on what Mr. Kit Williamson, the creator/producer and director of the show has been since unto and is he doing anything good recently. (7.5/10)
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