#ofts: ep 1

[projectjasper]

🫵 SLUT

🫵 WHORE

[khaoala]

❝What's your role in a bar?❞

HAPPY ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, ONLY FRIENDS!

[rabbiitte]

Sand betraying Nick hurt me more than any other betrayal 😭😭

Oh, Anon... You shouldn't have sent this, now it's your fault if I can't stop. Deal with me, please 😂.

A lot of people are talking about how Sand possibly manipulated Ray but few people are talking about this. I personally believe that Sand knew which buttons to press to elicit a response in Ray but it's debatable whether Sand expected to see Ray explode or not. However, what's not debatable is how Sand betrayed Nick.

Nick and Sand have known each other for a long time, in EP2 it's suggested that they used to spend time together. They even trusted each other enough to get to live together.

In the present, Nick trusted Sand enough to confess that he recorded two people having sex without their consent, only asking him not to disclose it. At the same time, Nick also confessed that he was in love with Boston and Sand was able to see the slow progress in BostonNick's relationship (even though he knows Boston never compromises with anyone) and how much it affected Nick.

These two were the only ones who could really be considered "friends" (without any other feelings involved) and yet Sand betrayed Nick's trust and showed that he doesn't care about what happens to Nick. Sand even revealed to Ray who had recorded the audio, something completely unnecessary if you ask me.

I really don't know if Sand didn't think about the consequences of his actions because his hatred for Top blinded him or if he did think about the consequences but decided to ignore them. I think it's important to think about the level of obsession that Sand has with Top, because he didn't care about the way his actions might affect his relationships or the relationships of his relationships. This is certainly something to ponder. Either way, Sand not only hurt Nick (because Nick knows what Sand did), but he put Ton and Nick's relationship at risk (which is also going to hurt Nick) and Nick could have to face legal consequences.

Now, many may say “deserved" to Nick because Nick also went through Ton's phone, Nick was the one who made the decision to record TopBoston and, of course, Nick is also questionable and manipulative. However, both Nick and Sand have acted problematically in certain situations and it's important to evaluate their actions individually rather than comparing them directly. Each action must be considered in its own context and with respect to its consequences. Same with those people who complain about putting Sand and Ton on the same level saying that Sand is not as bad as Ton. There is no such thing as who acted better or worse, both acted badly and to say that a character isn't problematic just because he isn't as problematic as certain character is to minimize and justify based on comparison. We're allowed to criticize the actions of each character without having to compare them with other characters' actions. Each character deserves an independent evaluation based on their own development in the series.

With all that said, I love the drama Sand is bringing to the series! I hope we can continue to enjoy his questionable attitudes, even if they make us suffer.

[blmpff]

ONLY FRIENDS (2023) 1x1

[blorbingqls]

Sand being the SASSIEST CHARACTER of Only Friends and I MEAN IT

Please, I come with proof. MAJOR PROOF. Please GET ME.

Episode 1

and this fucking expression. LIKE HE IS SO DONE WITH PEOPLE PICKING UP MICS TO CONFESS THEIR LOVE

Episode 2

and this

BRO THIS IS SENDING ME LOL TF - HOW DARE YOU (affectionate)

Episode 3

AND THIS EPIC MOMENT

Episode 4

bonus:

since this post is reaching the 30 image mark, i'll add episode 5 to 7 attaching to it via reblog.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD MORE INSTANCES. I WILL LOVE.

[dribs-and-drabbles]

PSA (in case anyone cares) user dribs-and-drabbles is now watching Only Friends!

I repeat, user dribs-and-drabbles is now watching Only Friends.

Ep 1 down and my initial observations are as thus:

Mew must be protected at all costs (and his glasses)

Neo and Mark are blowing the others away (NOT like that, although I wouldn't be surprised if it happens eventually)

Mew has the milkshake that's bringing all the boys to the yard (both Ray and Top obviously want him but does Boston want him too? Also, is it just a 'forbidden fruit' thing, where they probably only want him because he's inexperienced and waiting for the right one/time...?)

Pran's Singapore bedsheets are going to get desecrated at some point, right?

And will a different GMM actor cameo in every ep for Neo to sleep with?

I think that's all I've got for now. I won't be looking into the tag until I'm all caught up but you're welcome to direct me to any ep 1 posts or comment on this...but no spoilers for future eps please!

[mysterygrl20]

force downing that glass of water was… something

[the-untold-want-by-life-and-land]

Ok but why are "Sand" and "Ray" wearing the exact *same* boots?! You can't fucking tell me poor as hell Sand can afford Ray's boots. What's going on here hmm 🤔

[grapejuicegay]

@thehollowprince YES THIS IS SUCH A GOOD CATCH!!

Begin Again because it's a new year, a fresh start. Begin Again because they've removed the "problems" from their friend group. Begin Again because they've graduated and they're starting a new project. Begin Again because Boston and Nick are starting a new lives away from all of this. Begin Again because all their mess is cyclical and they're going to keep doing this again and again until they all fall away.

i genuinely loved that final scene so much though because these characters can judge boston all they want and blame him for all their relationship issues but now boston is a world away living a whole different life and they're all in solid stable relationships but the appearance one singular mix sahaphap has all of them drooling and offering to keep him company. like how do you blame boston for any of the mess this would cause.

it's also the biggest fuck you to the contractual obligation of giving the fixed pairs their happy ending because you can spend the whole episode showing how they're all happy and sorted and over their issues while nick and boston need to figure themselves out but you can also put mix sahaphap into a scene and say yeah it's a month after their very fun new year where everyone got along super well and their relationships were all great and solid and you can have ray dressed like sand and mew dressed like top but they will still all clamber over each other to get to mix and it just ENDS on that and there's enough plausible deniability but also WE KNOW. we know.

[operationslipperypuppet]

New to your blog and I'm curious and think this will probably be a good ask for you to cook on for a while: Sell me on Naddpod?

well first of all welcome! as much as i walk like a d20 blog and talk like a d20 blog i am in fact a naddpod blog a lot of the time so. look out. (everyone)

this is gonna get long.

now, to the task at hand.

naddpod.

imagine if you will that four improvisers/comedians who are very good friends combine their powers to tell stories that they want to completely sit in while also having the ultimate goal of making each other laugh.

naddpod is first and foremost a comedy podcast, there’s a reason dragon pussy comes up four and a half minutes in, there’s a reason “cumpatriots” being said in today’s episode left me completely unfazed. they want it to be silly. they enjoy it being silly.

but god do they also just simply care.

they care about their characters, they care about each other’s characters. they create a world together where when the dm (murph, most often) gives them a shocking twist, you can hear them waiting with bated breath, the same as you, for what will come next.

there are also so many deeply devastating emotional moments. “you ruined my night, brian.” is said in the show and oft repeated by the fans for a goddamn reason. you feel for the characters when bad things happen. you can’t wait to see them resolved. and they don’t feel cheap when they happen. you’re having a great time even as they have terrible times.

the worlds feel lived in. you also feel like you can see the worlds be created as you listen. it’s just so fun. there are several episodes where if i listen to them during a shit day i feel so much better.

sometimes, it’s deeply stupid. and it’s very fun. god are some bits insane. (shoutout to dip spit). but it’s just a good time.

they’re also incredible writers. the stories the dms are trying to tell come from this pure place of loving what they’re doing and being very good at it.

murph’s encounters are also some of the best in the game. even when they’re similar they don’t feel tired. he creates pictures you can see so vividly without having any visual aids. he keeps the stakes high even though he clearly wants his players to win. and they’re so endlessly creative. (c3 def has some of the best encounters due to his experience at that point but don’t discount some of the mighty c1 and c2 ones either)

in conclusion, listen to naddpod. please. you’ll have a great time. if you don’t enjoy the dragon pussy of it all, you might not love it, but if you enjoy it or can power through it, you’ll have fun.

and now. a quick rundown of like the general conceit of each (completed) campaign off the top of my head. in case you’re curious about where to start. (you can start at the beginning of any of these, in any order) and fuck it. i’m including a spotify link to every ep 1. i’m also def gonna do a bad job so. grain of salt etc etc.

bahumia (campaign 1): three legendary heroes saved the world three years ago, cumulating in their killing the devil. but then they vanished. and things have gone bad. so our adventurers attempt to figure out what happened. and how they can fix it. (100 episodes, dm’d by murph) (x)

trinyvale: sci-fi. three roommates work for a corporation on mini retrieval missions that eventually all come together to point toward one large mystery: what happened to the gods and how does it impact the world? (22 episodes, plus a few one-shots or mini arcs, dm’d by caldwell) (x)

the mavrus chronicles: five lads who are each other’s boys go on a beach vacation and one gets lost. they have to find out what happened, and find their friend, even if it means trekking across the water into the mysterious fog (7 episodes, dm’d by emily, ft. zac oyama’s guest pc from bahumia) [also has a sequel campaign, blazing babe, where they go to a burning man-esque festival and try to figure out who’s trying to ruin it. you can’t listen to that on its own. it has 4 episodes](x)

eldermourne (campaign 2): a dark fairy tale setting where those devoted to the gods continue to hold their alleged promises over people’s heads without quite explaining what it really means. and a secret order has left behind our heroes, who have no choice but to try to track them and what they’re working toward down. (41 episodes, dm’d by murph) (x) (also has a session 0)

ba2mia (campaign 3): we return to the world of campaign one, 200 years later. things have changed in the world a lot in the time in between, and it’s a much more cyber-punky place now. our heroes work for a megacorp attempting to dig itself into every major city in the world. they do their best to outrun that. and its ripples. (72 episodes, dm’d by murph) (x) (session 0ish)

twilight sanctorum: the family business is as detectives. and the business is slow. in a noir setting, a father/grandfather, son/father, and grandson/son work together to solve one single mystery: who is threatening the featured performer at the town’s most famous theater. (4 episodes. dm’d by emily) (x)

the episodes i shared will give a better early description than i did, certainly. bc they thought about them more.

anyway. long answer over. hope this helps. maybe. idk it ran away from me a little bit.

thanks for the ask!!

[idleorbitals]

sandray being paralleled by their entire surroundings in ofts ep 8, exhibit b: yo and plug

just for funsies let's look at sand's dead eyed gaze while plug is saying heartbrokenly: you know she flirted with me for a month? I refused. time after time. but now I want to get serious, she says she doesn't want it anymore

and here's a nice shot of each of them reacting to if you really think nobody in this world wants to get serious with you, then you'd better stay alone:

oh yeah! ouch!

and here is sand telling plug to take it easy and reaching out to stop him walking away

aka: I've decided that's not how we treat the people who are hurting us with their abandonment issues

the moment that yo and plug have interrupted here is, appropriately enough, sand turning to leave, then telling ray let me go already and pulling his hand away when ray tries to restrain him. but he hasn't actually made any further move to go, and I'm not convinced that he's about to. when yo and plug arrive, sand and ray are still standing staring forlornly at each other, to a slow acoustic riff that I'm so sure is intentionally channeling brokeback mountain.

when plug has given up and gone sand pulls p'yo into his arms and after a beat ray comes over and puts one hand tentatively on her shoulder. they are both comforting a friend here, and also they are both seeing themselves in all of it: ray as yo, who is sabotaging her own happiness because of the ways she's been hurt before, and sand as plug, who values his own ability to give love and is tired of feeling strung along by someone he has real feelings for.

it reads as a little uplifting to me that ray is reaching out, however uncertainly, to his mirror here. and sand, for the first time since this episode began, looks suddenly back on solid ground: he's familiar with the caretaker role, and at ease in it.

10:1 plug and yo are getting back together in this story, because their problems are the kind of no-one-has-done-real-wrong ones that in fiction at least can be set aside. and sandray? they're about to face at least a few more of the problematic-even-in-fiction problems, but honestly despite what's coming up for them this episode, I'd say the parallel holds here

...?

[projectjasper]

this is the funniest line on any show ever

[khaoala]

Boston's a Bitch and he owns that Shit! Pt. 2

Some of my favorite Boston graphic shirts are: 'Make Love, No War' as he walks angrily towards Nick after a fight with Top, happy sun shirt as he's clearly missing Nick after sleeping with Cheum's asshole brother, melted Smiley shirt as he watches Nick dance with Dan when moments before he was probably getting his d sucked by a random dude, and Faith Hope Love on his skating date with Nick that is probably the only one that fits his mood somehow.

NEO TRAI as BOSTON ( ONLY FRIENDS EP. 7-12 )

[rabbiitte]

thank you so much for your analysis on Mew - it's so interesting! I feel like there's so much hate towards him right now (and I don't really get why? The SandRay situation obviously isn't his fault?) but he's such an interesting character to me, flaws and all.

You're also the only person I've seen talk about his potential demisexuality, and I was wondering if you could expand on that? There are a lot of comments out there saying that Mew has a really unhealthy attitude to sex because he doesn't seem to want to have it - and spends the first few episodes actively avoiding it. I'm not disagreeing with that perspective entirely, but what's wrong with just not wanting to have sex? I'm asexual so I may be missing something in this fandom discourse - is it Mew's desire for control that's unhealthy, or is the argument that a healthy relationship must include sex? I was so pleased to see your comment about demisexuality, because honestly that's what his whole character screams to me. (I could also be reading into it way too much, we don't get a lot of ace/demi rep!)

Thanks again for the great meta, I love your posts!

You're welcome Anon! I'm glad you found the analysis on Mew interesting. I agree, there's so much hate towards Mew right now and I think it is due to several reasons: a) Mew negatively affects SandRay's development. b) Mew is a difficult character to read and that can make certain people uncomfortable. c) People don't like the actor and resent the fact that he's a central character in the series.

The topic you brought up is extremely interesting and I don't see enough people talking about it, so... Sure, let's talk about Mew's possible sexual orientation! 🤗

Since EP1 it has been theorized about Mew being demisexual due to the following moment:

Demisexuality is a sexual orientation where individuals typically experience sexual attraction only after forming a strong emotional connection or bond with someone. Unlike many other sexual orientations, demisexual individuals may not feel immediate or purely physical attraction to others and often require a deeper emotional connection to develop sexual desire.

Demisexuality is a sexual orientation that is on the spectrum of asexuality. What does it mean that asexuality is a spectrum?

“asexuality as a spectrum” means that asexuality it's not a monolithic sexual orientation (not a single, uniform category that encompasses all people who identify as asexual) and that it encompasses a variety of experiences and degrees of sexual attraction. Asexual people may experience their orientation differently, and that's why we talk about a spectrum. Many asexual people may experience no sexual attraction and others may experience sexual attraction in very specific circumstances. However, this is only one aspect of many that makes asexuality a spectrum.

At the same time, asexuality is a sexual orientation within the asexual spectrum.

Mind you, lack of sexual attraction should not be confused with lack of romantic attraction. A person can be hetero-romantic, bi-romantic, homo-romantic, and so on.

Why do I explain all this? First, in the case that someone who's not very informed is reading. Second, because I think Mew is asexual and not demisexual. It's debatable, what's not debatable is that Mew's sexual orientation is part of the asexual spectrum. However, I think the theory that Mew is demisexual is no longer in line with what Mew has shown in recent episodes. Despite having accepted his feelings for Top and forming an emotional bond, Mew has no sexual attraction for Top. This is also consistent with the fact that Mew is still discovering his sexuality and, at first, he might have thought that after getting to know Top he would experience sexual attraction. In fact, many asexual people used to think at first they were demisexual (because at first you don't want to rule out the idea of possible future sexual attraction).

So, let's get things straight:

Mew isn't sexually attracted to Top. Despite that, like many asexual people, he may consider someone attractive. In this case, he considers Top attractive and, at the same time, he actively seeks a romantic relationship with him (once again, romantic attraction isn't related to sexual attraction). He isn't particularly interested in having or perusing sex. He never manifests enthusiasm, desire or strong emotional reactions (deep desire, passion, excitement, among other) towards the sexual act itself. In the shower scene he tells Top that their sexual encounter was "okay" and, during their first time, Mew simply lies down and lets himself be pleased (in case anyone is wondering, yes, asexual people can feel physical pleasure because they're still people and physical pleasure is a natural response of the body to stimuli).

Actually, Mew is completely fine being a virgin. Even so, he's not sex repulsed so he's fine with the idea of having sex. Although he doesn't have a terrible time doing it, he certainly doesn't enjoy it. And, like many asexual people, he feels pressured to have sex. However, it's important to note that Mew didn't have sex against his will. In fact, like many asexual people who decide to have sex for different reasons, Mew had sex with Top because he considered it important when it came to forming an intimate relationship.

Based on all this information we can say that, although someone's sexual orientation is something very particular that everyone experiences and defines internally (therefore it's difficult to know with certainty someone's sexual orientation), we can say that Mew is a homo-romantic asexual person. This means that Mew doesn't feel sexual attraction but does feel romantic attraction to people of the same gender. In turn, his attitude towards sex is neutral (he neither takes a sex-favorable stance nor rejects the idea of having sex).

Regarding your question about control or sex as something inherent in relationships, I don't think either of these two desires is unhealthy. Actually, we all want to have some degree of control in our lives, otherwise we would live in a constant state of anxiety and panic. Control is unhealthy when it becomes a necessity and an obsession. Control also becomes unhealthy when someone tries to maintain control through questionable attitudes that affect others negatively. I also don't think the idea of not wanting to have sex is unhealthy. Sex isn't a prerequisite for romantic relationships (in fact, there are countless healthy romantic relationships that don't include sex), our degree of sexual attraction doesn't define us. In terms of sexual health, a healthy and positive relationship with one's sexuality involves being able to identify one's own limits and respect them. I believe that the thought of “avoiding sex or not wanting to have sex” as unhealthy is related to the pathologization of asexuality. However, it's of utmost importance to remember that asexuality is not a problem to be solved.

I am sorry to dwell on so much Anon but I consider this topic extremely significant and valuable to discuss. Of course, feel free to disagree with me. I hope I answered your questions!

[fetznerdeathrecords]

Vitriolic - Black Steel Vengeance (2024)

Black Speed/Thrash Metal from Tampere, Finland

VITRIOLIC stammen aus Tampere und erheben die eiserne Faust der oft übersehenen Black-Thrash-Szene ihres Heimatlandes. Von den Paradebeispielen Urn und Flame bis hin zur nächsten Generation von Evil Angel, Sadokist und den Labelkollegen RAPID kämpft das Power-Trio von VITRIOLIC seit fünf Jahren im Metal-Kampf. Zunächst veröffentlichte die Band ihre ersten EPs und ein Live-Album im Eigenvertrieb und gab dann 2021 mit „Renegade Ascension“ über Headsplit ihr Debütalbum in voller Länge heraus. Und während einige Songs ihres zweiten Albums in den letzten Jahren in Demoform angekündigt wurden, erscheint nun endlich „Black Steel Vengeance“.

1. Crown of Fire 03:50 2. The Eternal Return 04:25 3. Death Unconquered 03:38 4. Martial Spirit 03:41 5. Envenom Katharsis 05:03 6. Hellspawn - Heir to Darkness 04:33 7. The Hunt 02:12 8. Scorn is the Son of Defeat 04:49 9. Trench Raider 03:52 10. Black Steel Vengeance 05:01

Release date: January 17th, 2025 via @dyingvictimsproductions

[blorbingqls]

only friends first episode thoughts: the chaos of my mind totally aligns with the fact that this was sort of exactly what i expected from p'jojo.

in p'jojo we trust (the chaos within)

Sand/Ray give me very enemies to lover trope vibes - love it

the fact that everyone wants to fuck each other and how we are gonna empathize with each character as the series progresses is sending me because as First said "none of the characters are purely good or purely evil."

no one is pure - maybe namcheum and her girlfriend - but no one else - maybe P'Yo too

predicting that we will get more guest roles for the one night stand series - ep 1. was Drake

Top/Mew give me the whole nerd and his asshole boyfriend vibes but the nerd then will kill him - i want this character arc from Mew plssss

Ray and Boston internally starting a Top hate club is honestly gag material asf - as if they aren't the pathetic little shits as well

Boston/Nick chemistry was so off the charts - amazing