#the loyal pin ep 11

[thefriendoforatioisdead]

Pin and Anin : We need to be discreet in order not to get caught !

Also Pin and Anin : [wear wedding rings] [wear matching hair pins] [look at each other lovingly 24/7] [almost kiss in public everyday] [include over four persons in the secret] [go on dates and room together whenever given the opportunity]

Like...HAVE WE FORGOTTEN THIS IS THE SIXTIES ?

[center-line]

The Loyal Pin ep 11 BTS

[aundraaedits]

The Loyal Pin | EP. 11

[twig-tea]

GL odds and ends 6 October 2024

I haven't been as good at posting about shows as I wanted to be, so I'm trying a round-up format instead because it feels like a lot of GLs skirt under the radar. It's exciting that we're in a time when there's enough GL airing that it's worth doing a round-up! This was a great week for the lesbians to figure themselves out, so it feels like a good week to start. No idea how regularly I'll do this, need to figure out a cadence that makes sense.

Currently airing (with thoughts up to Oct 6):

Reverse 4 U 5/8 (Thai, Tuesdays 1:00 PM EDT, Netflix / YouTube) This week the girls finally sorted themselves and we got set up for the main plot to start next week. I was initially really stoked about this one and then a little bummed that it's not taking it's very cool premise and the stakes it establishes as seriously as it could be, but I'm still hoping it will start to have real stakes in the main plot stretch.

The Two of Us s2 ep 6/6 END (Thai, 29 Aug-3 Oct 2024, YouTube) It was so great seeing women in their 40s being romantic together but I did not love the plot of this one; I find their romantic conflicts too juvenile (lots of easily-triggered jealousy). The moments they're being sweet are great though.

Unlock Your Love ep 4/8 (Thai, Wednesdays, GagaOOLala / YouTube [cut version]) This is the first episode that this series felt a little more assured; I liked the series this production company produced with a short run time, it feels like this series has been worse off for its longer episodes. That being said, when these couples get to do their thing like in this episode, they have good chemistry.

Chaser Game W s2 ep 3/8 (Japanese, Thursdays 12:30 PM EDT, GagaOOLala) @lurkingshan is already doing a great summary of this week to week in her JQL weekly round-up!

Affair the series ep 6/8 (Thai, Fridays 11:15 AM EDT, iQIYI/ YouTube) Finally! I liked that it was Ek pointing out that Wan was unhappy the entire time she was gone that finally got Pleng to give in to her desire to be with Wan. This show is so melodramatic but the emotional threads follow and the character motivations are clear and consistent; I'm enjoying it in spite of not loving melodramatic storylines in general. It helps that the acting in this one is excellent.

The Loyal Pin ep 10/16 (Thai, Sundays 12:15 PM EDT, YouTube) Glad we finally got confirmation of Patt's history! And I'm relieved Anin knows she has an ally, though I feel like it's given her false confidence that worries me. These two are stressing me out by how bad they are at being careful but I do love how desperate they are for each other, as well as how beautiful this show is.

Red Whisper ep 2/8 (Korea, Wednesdays and Sundays, YouTube) Starting with cheating is not my fave but is par for the course with these SukFilm short series; my fave so far has been their first GL so if you haven't seen that yet I'd honestly recommend that instead.

Recent One-offs

Out of Breath (re-release in a bingeable version; Korean, YouTube) Highly recommended! Also the creator, Soo not Sue, announced she's working on another series to hopefully air before the end of the year, which I am super stoked about.

The Suffering of Xiqing Mountain (Chinese (censored), YouTube)

Sastra film app YouTube channel has several short Cambodian GL series that come out weekly Honestly they are not to my taste but I don't like gatekeeping GL especially from smaller markets. I check in on these time to time and if there are any that I think are great I'll give them a shout-out

Ditto above with JPC media YouTube channel for Thai GL shorts if there are any that stand out to me I'll say so

Recently ended that I haven't had the wherewithal to write about:

Hoshikuzu Telepath (fansub) Thank you to @yuiyuihan for your hard work making it possible to watch this series! I I haven't read the original manga but I do know they changed the kiss communication to a forehead rest; Unsurprised that this adaptation, starring idols in the same group, would be left ambiguous in terms of whether their feelings are friendly or romantic. I liked what this series was trying to say, but in all honestly didn't love the execution. It's too bad because I absolutely love the concept of an alien being helped by girls obsessed with building rockets.

The Secret of Us 8 eps [complete] (24 Jun-15 Aug 2024, YouTube) I first included this in my recommendations from the summer and then retracted, but I ended up liking this series and then never updated again. So to set the record straight: Though it lost me in the middle, the ending on this series won be back over. I really appreciated the way this series handled filial piety and balancing that against personal happiness. I appreciated SO MUCH that the main characters decided together how to handle Lada's situation with her mother. I finally understood too late that Earn believed the lies Lada's mother told her in ep1, and that affected some of their decisions in the middle of the series. I still think the execution was wobbly, but the acting and chemistry between the two leads carries this series through. This has some of the best domestic fluff in any GL, as well as my favourite GL counter lift to date. And it's gorgeous. Tentatively recommended with the caveat that you do have to either enjoy or power through the melodrama in the middle.

Starting soon:

Apple My Love, Thai, 12 October, GagaOOLala

Pluto, Thai, 19 October, VIU

The Nipple Talk, Taiwanese, 1 November GagaOOLala

My Ex's Wedding [in theatres in Thailand 14 November]

Petrichor, Thai, 23 November, TBD

[purrpickle]

I love how for Ep 11 of The Loyal Pin, they realized there wasn't any sex in the episode itself and were like, "Quick! Put in flashbacks to the Ep 8 'punishment'!"

[girlsloveupdates]

The Loyal Pin

EP.11

[reviewinghiccup]

RIDERS OF BERK | HTTYD SERIES | HICCUP X ASTRID

Blog Post Series : HICCUP X ASTRID

Title : HEATHER REPORT I & II

Ep/Season : Episode 10 & 11, Season 1 (Riders of Berk)

Premise :

A young girl washes up on the shores of Berk. But is she, who she says she is, or is she someone else completely?

PERSONAL TAKE:

I have to admit, that when I first watched this episode, like the very first time, I did not like it. On a whole, I just didn’t like the addition of Heather into the group. And I didn’t notice the nuanced approach it was going for. That this episode was actually more on Astrid.

The movies don’t go into detail about anyone else’s character apart from Hiccup and Toothless. So, it’ll be a waste if you’re a fan of the franchise and not have any opportunity to enjoy the personalities of the other characters. Hence, why ROB will be a treat for you.

You see, these 2 episodes dive into (1) Hicstrid’s first conflict, (2) Astrid having to prove herself; (3) Hiccup learning the lesson, trust Astrid.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT :

HICCUP HORRENDOUS HADDOCK III & ASTRID HOFFERSON

(1) HICSTRID’S FIRST CONFLICT

Hiccup is all too trusting. On the other hand, Astrid is all too suspicious. Her intuition and ability to read motives make her a pivotal member of the groups decision making process and is indicative of the kind of soldier she is.

They need to balance each other out. While Heather was in fact, a “spy”, she was also someone in grave danger. So, Hiccup wasn’t all too wrong about Heather, but he should’ve also listened to Astrid and maybe get to know Heather a bit more before trusting her with all their dragon secrets.

(2) ASTRID’S LEAD

Astrid called it. We know she will be proven right towards the end of Episode 10. And we can only see Hiccup feeling horrible for what happened.

Note: Can we also take a minute to appreciate the shark rug, which serves like a sleeping bag? The creativity in this show is endless.

But it was also a season for Astrid to trust her dragon. In spite of her suspicions, Stormfly allowed Heather to ride her. We know the dragons are smarter than that, and bribery wouldn’t work w them, especially since Deadly Nadders are fiercely loyal. So, if Stormfly knew Heather was going to hurt Astrid, her senses would’ve pinned Heather as an enemy.

I loved Astrid’s plan to dress up as Heather to retrieve the Book of Dragons. Tenacious thy name is Astrid. She is courageous and creative in battle strategy and mind-games. She very cleverly talked her way into an audience with Alvin, was quick-thinking and intelligent, remembering what she learned from Snotlout to deal w the wild monstrous nightmare.

Also, another thing Astrid learned was, that there was more than meets the eye. There was a reason to Heather’s betrayal.

Astrid bravely change the mission in hopes to save Heather’s parents despite what Heather did to her. Astrid is compassionate as well. She isn’t ruthless. She knows what’s right and what’s wrong. Her innate sense of justice is strong, making her a hero.

This is the kind of feminist stance I love to see. Being a feminist is more than life independent on men, but on core characteristics that make her human. The flaws to accentuate the lesson and the strengths to carry through resolve.

(3) HICCUP’S LESSON

Have you ever seen Hiccup so angry? OK, yes we have, but honestly, this made me love the episode. Hiccup getting angry. I feel like, this was where Hiccup’s respect for Astrid took on a whole new meaning.

Especially that scene when Heather and the Book of Dragons were falling from the sky, and when Snotlout claimed that he was “going after the girl,” Hiccup very determinately said that “I’m going after the book!” As if to mean, whatever the case may be, I’m so done w this girl.

Personally, I don’t think Hiccup ever waivered in his feelings for Astrid. I don’t think he was ever romantically interested w Heather, just intrigued. Also, he found someone to geek out about dragons w, that’s like Hiccup nib, if we’re being honest. And we know, that with Astrid, his chance to geek out has limits. That’s probably why in RTTE, he nerds out w Fishlegs and not Astrid.

You can see that he was much gentler w Astrid in Episode 11. And the little smirk and gentle look he gave to Astrid before she left on the mission felt like a longing to say something more than he could. We know that Hiccup will always be there for Astrid and Hiccup has learned the valuable lesson to trust Astrid.

GROWTH FOR THE TEAM

These two episodes would lead up to the riders first mission. They had to work as a team to defeat Alvin and retrieve the Book. Even to work together to protect or save Astrid.

They worked on a plan and practiced it. E.G. the fiery spikes formed by a combination of Hookfang’s fire and Stormfly’s spikes.

Their first mission was successful, messy, but successful. And Heather is the first civilian they saved.

VERY O.K. WITH THAT

[thefriendoforatioisdead]

Anin and Pin are so WIVES I'm afraid I've never seen two people being more WIVES ! They were married before being married, and they are now married through the celestial bonds of lesbian beach scenes and they will be married even more later because nothing will stop the sapphics from getting married ! They are married through their attachment, their faithfulness, their undescribable love ! AND NO AUNT, NO MAN, NO LAW, NO SOCIETY WILL STOP MY GIRLS FROM WIVING LIKE THE TRUE WIVES THEY ARE !

[thefriendoforatioisdead]

I need to give Lady Uang a hug and help her run away from this life because she deserves the world

[twig-tea]

GL odds and ends 10 November 2024

Still feeling out how regularly it makes sense to do this; first one was 2 weeks ago on 6 October, second was--oops--3 weeks ago on 20 October. If you're interested in GL older than that, check out my GL rec list through Feb 2024 and my update in July 2024. New series marked with an asterisk*.

Currently airing (with thoughts up to 10 Nov):

*The Fragrance You inherit 1/8 (Japanese, Friday/Saturday-ish, no official distribution but fansub on @isaksbestpillow's blog [thank you Siiri!] I wrote about episode 1 already, but just to keep it all in one place: this one looks great. Not really a GL, more a family drama with a lesbian at the center of the story. I'm doubtful we're going to actually get anything other than closure for the romance in this one.

Pluto ep 4/12 (Thai, Saturdays 9:30 AM EDT, YouTube) This plot continues to be absolutely wild (at this point both of them have suspected the other of being involved in attempted murder?!) but Namtan and Film stay gorgeous and serving so I am still tuned in.

Apple My Love ep 5/7 (Thai, Saturdays 11:45 AM EDT, GagaOOLala and YouTube) This show is very sweet and continues to hold up the recent Kongthup pattern of being great about things like sidestepping the most annoying drama tropes, showing great friendship dynamics including asking your friends about sex, and in this one, excellent sibling dynamics too.

The Loyal Pin ep 15/16 (Thai, Sundays 12:15 PM EDT, YouTube) Anin remains so brave. This latest episode felt a little like we rushed to the finish line, but I've really enjoyed the way this show has handled things overall to date. The show continues to enjoy faking us out in previews so I'm not going to speculate on the ending until we get it.

Red Whisper ep 7/8 (Korea, [schedule is kinda unpredictable; vaguely every 5 days??], YouTube) Oof we've graduated to actively upsetting me with the way this show has depicted nonmonogamy and bisexuality. For the record: Not all bisexuals are nonmonogamous, and entering a monogamous relationship under false pretenses and then acting like your partner is being unreasonable by not wanting an open relationship is shitty behaviour.

*The Nipple Talk 5/10 (Taiwanese, weird schedule: the first 5 dropped on Nov 8 and the last 5 will air Nov 22, GagaOOLala) I honestly owe this show a separate post, it is great! This is an ensemble show with the main character being a heterosexual woman but her two besties are a gay man and a lesbian woman, and the show follows all of them through relationship issues. There is a lot of sex, great conversations about sex, and different relationship styles from one night stand casual flings, to nonmonogamous casual regular sex partners, to long term monogamous relationships. It is very funny, fun, and charming as all hell. It's made a couple small stumbles in the first 5 episodes but I'm still enjoying it a lot. If you liked Diary of Tootsies, this is highly recommended!

Recently Completed:

Reverse 4 U 8eps (Thai, 3 Sept-22 Oct 2024, Netflix / YouTube) I did not like this finale--in the end I was sad where we ended up with this show and I hope we get to see these actors in something else. Also looking forward to more genre GL, which is in the works!

Unlock Your Love 8eps (Thai, 11 Sept-30 Oct 2024, GagaOOLala / YouTube) This show was a little slow, but it stayed cute and relatively low stakes, and the actors had excellent chemistry when they were allowed to do their thing, which was relatively often--I appreciated the amount of good kissing in this show lol. The plot meandered, and we forgot we were in a worklpace GL by the end, but I enjoyed this in spite of that.

Chaser Game W s2 8eps (Japanese, 19 Sept-7 Nov 2024, GagaOOLala) @lurkingshan is already doing a great summary of this week to week in her JQL weekly round-up, but I'll add my thoughts to the finale here. Honestly this show did not do it for me for several reasons, but the main thing this final arc did that bothered me was introduce lesbian motherhood as a serious conflict, and then seemed to suggest that homophobia only exists because queer people are not brave enough. It rubbed me the wrong way. Plus the boss who sexually harassed characters in the first season was back to sexually harass characters in the second season with no consequence. I think this show was trying to do to much and as a result it didn't feel coherent.

Recent One-offs, Side Couples, etc.:

A very short and cute Chinese GL Oh General! My General! aired on bilibili and was subtitled by @douqi7s on YouTube This short manages to speedrun training, shared bath, cheek kiss, forced separation, timeskip, and happy ending in 2 minutes

The sapphic backstory in The Hidden Moon concluded with a happy-in-the-afterlife ending

We also got more of the Aim as a Lesbian plotline in the new Love Sick 2024 remake again (this was not a plotline in the 2014 version and it's one of the changes I really like and that I think works really well; her conversation with her mother was a good scene)

The Thai lakorn The Empress of Ayodhaya had a kiss that earned very high ratings on Thai television (This show does not have international distribution so I can't cover it in any detail unfortunately)

Sastra film app YouTube channel has several short Cambodian GL series that come out weekly Honestly they are not to my taste but I don't like gatekeeping GL especially from smaller markets. I check in on these time to time and if there are any that I think are great I'll give them a shout-out

Ditto above with JPC media YouTube channel for Thai GL shorts if there are any that stand out to me I'll say so; that being said I haven't had time recently so if I've missed anything good let me know!

Starting soon:

My Ex's Wedding [in theatres in Thailand 14 November]

Mom Ped Sawan, Thai, 17 November [international distribution uncertain; it should be on VIPA app with subs, but that is region-locked]

Petrichor, Thai, 23 November, iQIYI

Mate, Thai, 26 November, WeTV

[twig-tea]

GL odds and ends 20 October 2024

Still feeling out how regularly it makes sense to do this; first one was 2 weeks ago on 6 October. If you're interested in GL older than that, check out my GL rec list through Feb 2024 and my update in July 2024. New series marked with an asterisk*.

Currently airing (with thoughts up to Oct 6):

Reverse 4 U 7/8 (Thai, Tuesdays 1:00 PM EDT, Netflix / YouTube) I'm disappointed by how this final arc has gone. We haven't really seen any growth for Wa, and the whole plot with Wa and Vivi's father didn't really make sense. I really don't understand why he had to stay away, or why the rules are so different for him than for Wa. The relationship between Wa and Four also feels flat because we've barely seen them together. I was rooting for this one but alas.

Unlock Your Love ep 6/8 (Thai, Wednesdays, GagaOOLala / YouTube [cut version]) The sequence where Rain and Love keep trying to have sex but getting interrupted/hurt was very funny; this show still drags but the core of it is pretty good. I mostly just wish it were tighter.

Chaser Game W s2 ep 5/8 (Japanese, Thursdays 12:30 PM EDT, GagaOOLala) @lurkingshan is already doing a great summary of this week to week in her JQL weekly round-up!

Affair the series ep 8/8 END (Thai, Fridays 11:15 AM EDT, iQIYI/ YouTube) Other than the jealousy in the last 10 minutes of the show, I really did like this ending for the series. I really liked Wan's decision to take time for herself after being disappointed by Pleng's decision again. The plot and melodramatic-ness of this show is not my favourite, but I enjoyed it week to week in spite of that. The acting was so solid, the women so gorgeous, the chemistry so fire, and the writing was great for the genre its in (the story was internally consistent and coherent, and the characters were complex and their motivations were clear. There was even a good plot reason for the 'they might be siblings' twist). If you don't mind melodrama, give this one a try!

*Pluto ep 1/12 NEW (Thai, Saturdays 9:30 AM EDT, YouTube) Starting off with a fantastic kiss and Namtan on a motorcycle is truly an incredible opening gambit. That being said, I don't buy the core premise of the plot and it is making it difficult for me to actually enjoy the show. I'll probably be mostly quiet about this one because the things I don't like about it aren't actually about its execution but rather my taste.

*Apple My Love ep 2/7 NEW (Thai, Saturdays 11:45 AM EDT, GagaOOLala and YouTube) I already shouted on main about ep1 here; so far I'm obsessed with this show. Kris is too gay to function, and the misunderstanding is perfectly executed. Very excited for this one, it's so far fantastic.

The Loyal Pin ep 12/16 (Thai, Sundays 12:15 PM EDT, YouTube) Anin's speech in this episode was fire. I feel for these girls, Anin and Pin are just so desperate to be together and their choices are limited. This show continues to be gorgeous and so well done, and I keep bracing for pain.

Red Whisper ep 4/8 (Korea, [schedule is kinda unpredictable; vaguely every 5 days??], YouTube) Cheating and taking advantage while your crush is heartbroken and drunk is not my fave but is par for the course with these SukFilm short series; my fave so far has been their first GL so if you haven't seen that yet I'd honestly recommend that instead.

Recent One-offs & Side Couples

We finally got the sapphic backstory in The Hidden Moon but it was (as expected) sad and mostly inferred.

We also got more of the Aim as a Lesbian plotline in the new Love Sick 2024 remake (this was not a plotline in the 2014 version and it's one of the changes I really like and that I think works really well)

Sastra film app YouTube channel has several short Cambodian GL series that come out weekly Honestly they are not to my taste but I don't like gatekeeping GL especially from smaller markets. I check in on these time to time and if there are any that I think are great I'll give them a shout-out

Ditto above with JPC media YouTube channel for Thai GL shorts if there are any that stand out to me I'll say so

Starting soon:

The Nipple Talk, [ensemble] Taiwanese, 1 November GagaOOLala

My Ex's Wedding [in theatres in Thailand 14 November]

Mom Ped Sawan, Thai, 17 November [international distribution uncertain; it should be on VIPA app with subs, but that is region-locked]

Petrichor, Thai, 23 November, TBD

[purrpickle]

I just rewatched GAP the Series for the first time since watching The Loyal Pin, and found myself crying, more than once. One part of me, thoughts I had been stuffing so far down inside of me, had been worried that I wouldn't feel the same about it, or I'd have trouble watching it without seeing Anil or Pin, and not Mon or Sam, but only than a few parts here or there - the same that happens with watching The Loyal Pin and seeing brief hints of Mon and Sam - I did not have that issue (besides, parallels! I love all the parallels!). And like I said, I cried. Both happy and sad tears. The characters, the acting, the story... Still so beautiful. So amazing. It was like coming home to an old friend.

I am beyond happy that GAP the Series is still, and will forever be, one of my favorite things. I am even ready to rewatch it again!

Except Ep 11. That one hurts. The hardest episode for me to watch, oof.