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...
We meet Stu, a young man born Below the Line. However, when his mother invented a hot app, he was able to move Above the Line. Now there is one problem. People born Above the Line are assigned mates at birth under specific regulations. Since Stu didn’t move Above the Line until he was older, he was never assigned anyone and has found dating tough. A friend at bar tells him about this company called “The One That’s The One.” This is a company that takes data and hooks a person up with the one that was meant for them. Stu gives in all the required information after being asked random questions (some of them quite funny). He is told that his 'One' Will reach his place at night. 15 minutes after midnight the One finally shows up and it is an older guy named Burt. Now, neither Burt nor Stu is gay, and they are confused. They finally agree to catch a bite to eat anyway at a diner Below the Line. Turns out they love the same food and they both have a great time. They start to meet and realize that they share so much in common, they date and have great sex. They soon realize they are in love. They introduce themselves to Stu’s parents, who loves Burt. They introduce themselves to Burt’s kids, and while his daughter likes Stu, the son isn’t happy, but eventually Stu wins him over. Time flies. They are now married and celebrating Christmas. The company guys show up and inform them that they meeting was a mistake. Turns out Stu’s perfect one was a woman and Burt’s was an old, cranky man. They are forced to separate as per the rules of Above the Line. But love eventually wins when they decide to rebel and move away to a different part so that they can be together.
My first reaction after watching the episode was how can they show so much happening injustice 30 minutes. Yes, this episode is only 30 min but you feel you have seen the whole journey of a gay relationship here. The production, the VFX was top notch, rivaling any big production. Stu and Burt have an amazing chemistry that you don't even get to see that is some best of the films. Despite keeping comedy as the base root, there is a mix of tenderness and respect in the way we see relationship between Burt and Stu grow. Their relationship is dealt with casually. When they get together, there is no gay panic, no fervent assertions of their heterosexuality. Watching the dad from everyone's fav show 'Modern Family' playing the role of Burt as the older gay man was fantastic. They make an amazing couple eventually. The satirical look at our world is incredibly smart, and it does in fact make you think. Weird City lives up to its name. But there are wise, teachable moments underneath all that weirdness. “The One” is one of the more wholesome episodes, about two men who find love in unexpected places and decide to defy convention and stay together even after society tells them they can’t be (but not because they’re two men!). It’s a story about opening yourself up to possibilities. (7/10)
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