This is basically a high school BL where two guys who have nothing going on in common somehow end up getting really close to each other, and that's kind of the whole point of the title too. There's barely any drama or fluff packed in here, it stays pretty straightforward the whole way through. A little bit of friction pops up here and there, but it's nothing compared to what you'd normally get in this kind of show. Runtime wise you're looking at 8 episodes, each one sitting around 25-30 minutes. The two guys carrying the story are Akira and Kanata, and funny enough they knew each other's faces way before they ever knew each other's names. Kanata's the type everyone likes, always got people around him, popular guy, but there's this distance to him that people can't quite place. Turns out he had an injury that ended his football days, and that's what pushed him into being more withdrawn, and it only got worse once his younger brother got picked...
The story starts with a funeral of Jake, whose sister Jill is giving the speech. We are introduced to Josh at the same time, sitting in a toilet cubicle, browsing a gay hook up app. Turns out Josh and Jake were twins, with vastly different lives. Jake was straight, a famous Hollywood actor; while Josh is gay and a bakery supervisor. With Jake passing away now, every family member including mother, grandma, sister and most importantly his shadow, his twin brother Josh would need to confront their unresolved feelings - all while grieving. The sister finds out she is pregnant, the mother is eclectic who keeps looking for signs that Jake is still around and is very bitter about the father not showing up. And Josh is grieving in his own way by also trying to find out who is this guy n the hook up who is so close to him but is not replying. Set over the course of one day, Josh navigates his brother’s shiva (the traditional Jewish mourning period) while juggling a slew of unexpected challenges. From a botched eulogy, to an unexpected pregnancy, a literal man-hunt, and a job opportunity that could change his life forever, Josh’s day is anything but ordinary.
For some reason the series reminded me about HBO show 'The Other Two' , I guess just cos of Hollywood connection and the female lead being Hollywood agent. But the similarity just ends there. This show is easy to watch and has a queer heart, very relevant given this is pride month. The series is both a celebration of LGBTQ identity and an honest look at the ways we process loss, family dysfunction, addiction, and personal reinvention. By showing us different stages of grief in 6 different episodes, we follow Josh’s journey of self-discovery and the impact of his brother’s death on his life. It is a dark comedy that explores themes of identity, family dynamics, and addiction but all with humor and heart. The acting is solid, the content is taut, the writing is both funny and emotional at the same time (although I do have to say that it doesn't match the brilliance of the British show, Big Boys). Josh Nadler playing the title character is amazing and is also the creator of the show, and it show this grasp over the material. I enjoyed this brief little series and I hope more seasons would follow. (7/10)
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