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wen-kexing-apologist · 7 months

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What the Fuck Is Boeing Doing Here?

Listen.

I know that I don’t have to write an essay at the end of every episode of Only Friends. But you see, I have decided I need to either hit or break the number of essays I wrote for Moonlight Chicken.

So, I want to talk about Boeing and the narrative purpose he serves. Mostly because there seems to be some contention around whether Boeing was introduced too late in the plot. But he wasn’t. Why?

Photo from @chicademartinica

Because Boeing serves as external pressure, not internal.

The final relationship boss if you will

Only Friends appears to have a four act arc.

Act 1: We meet the characters, the couples are introduced to one another, they fuck, they establish some modicum of a relationship, and we see the aspects of their characters that are going to cause the tension points.

Act 2: The couples engage in Chronic 20-Year-Old behavior and fuck up their relationships internally by: cheating, secretly recording, blackmailing, commodifying, misunderstanding, etc etc.

Act 3: Everyone does everything in their power to ruin their own relationships further by trying to set a record for Most Number of Impulsive Decisions Made in One Sitting, thoroughly fucks their life and relationships, stops, thinks, “hmmm, well, I’ve tried everything else, I wonder if talking might help?” and starts resolving their relationships.

Act 4: With the internal tensions resolved, make up sex had, and tenuous peace beginning to be forged between all couples, it is time to put their ability to weather external pressures to the test.

gif by @25shadesoffebruary

Which is why we meet Boeing for the first time with Mew and Top, because Top and Mew have not fully reached a resolution when he arrives. Mew has decided he wants to give Top another chance, but we know Mew is having difficulty moving past his anger at being cheated on. Boeing comes in, pokes at the potential weakness/fracture points of Top, and is denied. So he turns to Mew, whose cracks have not been healed enough.

The external pressure seems to have taken a hold, and the beginning of TopMew Round 2 is under threat of not taking off, because Boeing as an outside player has found a wound he can press in to. In Episode 11, Mew is once again, set on a course, (whether or not it is the one he would have ultimately chosen for himself without added suggestion remains to be seen), acknowledges that he doesn’t think that he is going to be Top’s last boyfriend, and does decide to try to move past his hang ups and start over with Top.

Top and Mew have passed the test of external pressure. Boeing has served his purpose, he has poked and prodded, manipulated and made out, and Top and eventually Mew saw through it.

gif by @moonkhao

So Boeing goes wandering towards his next victims, Sand and Ray. And again, we have a situation where one person in the couple is more susceptible to Boeing’s manipulations. In this case, Sand is the one, unsurprisingly, who is more likely to fall for Boeing’s flirting, though Ray is far more volatile of a person than either Mew or Top is. Which means that Boeing is in for an external pressure application treat because the thicker he lays it on with Sand, the more reactive Ray is going to become.

Ray has a lot of changes going on in his life right now, he’s making some breakthroughs in therapy, he’s starting rehab, he’s waking up more to the ways that Sand has twisted himself in knots to help him and all the ways he has failed Sand in return. And Sand, our favorite wet blanket, is physically incapable of maintaining a single boundary with anyone that gives him positive attention. Which includes Boeing, and we knew this was a potential outcome because of how pissed Sand continues to be about the fact that Boeing left him for Top. Sand has never gotten over Boeing, it’s part of why he cares so much that Top “stole” him.

Say what you will about SandRay’s opening in Episode 11 feeling a bit rushed, we want, or at least I can assume Jojo and co wanted some moments of peace and happiness between Sand and Ray to give them just a moment of stability. Because, I don’t think they are ready for the test of external pressure. They got this brief moment where they are happy, sappy, and in love, planning for the future, yada yada, but the fundamental internal issues between Sand and Ray, namely Sand’s inability to maintain a boundary and Ray’s inability to tolerate a boundary have not been worked through. Ray’s jealousy and ownership of Sand have not been worked through, Ray’s alcoholism has not been worked through, Sand’s compulsive caregiving have not been worked through.

gif of Ray saying he won't be jealous, you know, like a liar by @firstmix

And in comes Boeing, calling Ray Sand’s friend, trying to get Sand to take him home with him, trying to talk to Sand alone. Flirting with Sand, reminding him that Ray isn’t his type, being physically affectionate. Boeing, once again, is serving as the external pressure testing the weak points in SandRay’s relationship, in this case Sand’s simpdom and Ray’s possessiveness.

Ray’s method of getting between Sand and any other potential romantic interests has always been to suggest a threesome. To throw out a claim on Sand’s body, and to get right with Sand exploring other sexual options while Ray is still there able to watch, participate, and/or control the sexual encounter. It serves as a great way for Ray to stake his claim, to make people who thought Sand was single (when he is) feel like they are invading a relationship, etc. and up until now it has worked.

But Boeing is the external test of Sand and Ray’s relationship. And Boeing is a chameleon that can slide in to anyone’s personality. And Boeing has no issue with sex or intimacy with total strangers, especially if it brings him closer to what he wants, as we know from him making out with Mew. So Ray takes the bait, offers a hangout with the three of them, and takes Boeing and Sand back to his house. Ray is, however, extremely insecure about his relationship to Sand, as we can see from the preview that Ray is buying in to Boeing’s External Issues Test. He wants to know if Sand has gotten over Boeing, he wants Sand to kiss Boeing, I do not yet know how that whole thing is going to end (though I for one hope there is at least a threeway make out if they don’t end up with an actual threesome) but considering that Sand seems pretty pissed in the preview, I don’t think it is going to go over swimmingly (haha get it? swimmingly, cause they…nevermind).

gif of a truly pining Sand made by @sunsetandthemoon

What I personally think Boeing is going to do with Sand and Ray’s relationship is expose the part of their internal struggle that they have not addressed yet, and that is either going to tear Sand and Ray apart (for you know…the three hours Sand is able to stay mad at Ray before Ray makes puppy dog eyes and Sand succumbs to his masochism once more). Or potentially, highlight the issues and allow Sand and Ray to talk through where the rough points in their relationship are (haha, can you imagine?)

Regardless of whether or not Sand and Ray pass or fail Boeing’s external pressures test, Boeing will have done his job exploring the strength of Sand and Ray’s relationship and will move on to testing the fractures in Boston and Nick’s relationship. Which, honestly, I think Boston and Nick have the strongest chance of passing with flying colors because they have been working through their internal problems extremely, extremely well the last few episodes. But we shall see what actually happens in the finale.

Anyway, all of this to say, that if you think Boeing should have come in to this story earlier, I personally think you have misunderstood the purpose Boeing serves to the plot. He should not have been introduced while the group was still intact, because there were too many other moving pieces of internal dynamics issues that needed to be worked out without a random stranger coming in and trying to fuck with it. As we head in to the finale, we need to understand how the characters get to the end point of the story.

And I think we can only really do that, when we see how every couple holds or crumbles under the pressure of the outside world, now that they have that talking things through like adults actually may be a valid method of getting what you want out of a relationship.

Who knew?

gif by @sunsetandthemoon

#only friends #only friends the series #oftssandray #bostonnick #topmew #boeing #boeing only friends #mond tanutchai #first kanaphan #khaotung thanawat #force jiratchapong #book kasidet #neo trai #mark pakin #jojo tichakorn #ninew pinya

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bengiyo · 9 months

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Only Friends Ep 1 Stray Thoughts

We've been waiting for Jojo to be unleashed for a long time. Let's do this.

Wouldn't be a Jojo show without a Jennie cameo.

Oh, they're letting First sing again.

Real shit, I kinda like the wristbands to signal what people might be into at this bar. Hearkens back to older handkerchief traditions.

Ray is kinda feisty. He's so ready to beef with someone.

Oh my god I have been part of this friend group as the table keeper.

Neo looks so good.

Ew, vomit.

They are about to fuck up Mew's academic career.

Of course Khaotung is playing the rich brat.

Boston messed them up first by combining work and sex. He's definitely going to bring Top on as the designer.

Hello, again, Mark. Always glad to see you.

Okay, love seeing Nick and Boston vibe.

Very refreshinging to just see guys flirting with each other without the BL pretense. Even gives us Ray being shitty because he feels possessive of Mew.

Top said he's had enough of the sex tryhards.

Oh, Boston, what was that? You brought Top around your friends and now you're jealous of Mew?

DRAKE?!!!

Ray is that friend who always requires so much when we go out.

"I'm gonna charge you more than an airport taxi." 😂

First and Khaotung really are just so powerful. I'm glad this is a strong cast, because their teamwork when it's just them is still so enjoyable to watch.

Congratulations to ForceBook for being the first to have a scene on this show, and on the counter no less.

Not these two having ice cream since Mew isn't ready. Top is going to be a problem, but at least he understands what No means.

Should I keep a counter for how many times Ray throws up in this show?

First still has it. One fond look and it's over.

No one had Neo and Drske as the first to fuck on their bingo board. Cutting this with Nick jacking off to unethically acquired thirst traps? My goodness.

Oh interesting. Top didn't put his pants back on.

I know we all came here for the hot stuff, but I really like seeing Mew and Top negotiate intimacy during this first night together.

Sand put Ray in a POOR BOY shirt. Those used to cost $5 in the city now I can't get a good sandwich for less than $12.

Ray you could just say thanks. No need to be a dick constantly.

This book store date is cute.

Okay, Nick! I like this thirst trap play!

Everyone is just going for it! Good job, Neo and Mark.

I really liked this one week montage.

Ray is channeling Bruce Wayne. "Harvey Dent. Can we trust him?"

Boston called Ray right out on his crush on Mew.

Only Cheum is invested in helping Mew out here.

"You're concerned about your friend, or you're just jealous?" Top clocked him.

Oh no is Force going to sing?

Oh, whew, it's just a grand gesture.

This was so much fun! I love that Boston and Ray are going to be the source of everyone's problems! Jealous Thot and Rich Boy With Anger Issues are some of my favorites. Why does First always have the most soulful eyes? Mew is another really good role for Book, and Force is clearly having the time of his life. Is there nothing Mark Pakin can't do? Lookjun is warming up, but I'm looking forward to more.

Also, Drake cameo! Who's going to show up next??

#only friends the series #ofts #thai bl #bl series #only friends meta #Ben watches

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twig-tea · 6 months

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Only Friend Finale Reaction

I want to write this down now because I suspect my feelings on this will change over time. In this moment, immediately post-finale, I am satisfied. I feel happy. I am glad this show got made, and that I watched it.

Only Friends was billed as the messy gays show. I went in expecting something close to Friend Zone but with more gays, and that's what we got. Not a Warped Effect with explicit morals and lessons about sex, consent, sexualities, kinks, etc., not a GayOK Bangkok which is grounded in realism.

And because this was Jojo and Ninew and Den and Best, it's still more realistically queer than any GMMTV BL to date, and there were some absolutely stellar moments that stand alone as moving, and powerful, and beautiful, and genre-changing. And so near the beginning of the show airing, I raised my expectations; maybe this show was going to do more.

But was clear by the penultimate episode that it wasn't. I wrestled a lot on here with my need for this show to be the one that finally broke up the mixed pair expectations, and let sluts be sluts, and finally showed a threesome, and maybe even gave us consensual non-monogamy. It didn't go that far in any of those realms, but it took a step closer on many of them, and considering where BL has been to date that's still pretty huge for GMMTV, and I don't want to lose sight of that or judge it for what I wanted it to be instead of what it ultimately was.

The other thing I wrestled with a lot in this show was what other people were seeing in it, and my frustration that people were taking away moral lessons that the show wasn't giving. I think I was successful in that I watched this finale with satisfaction for what I was getting, even though I know a lot of people won't see what I saw (and btw I'm not even claiming that what I saw was what the creators intended! I am not claiming superiority here, just bias lol). So I watched this finale deciding to take what I wanted from it, rather than what I thought it was actually trying to say, and for that reason I enjoyed the hell out of it.

So. Here are my takeaways from the Only Friends finale:

We got a three-way kiss, even if it didn't lead to a threesome, after teasing us all series that was still satisfying and we got it as part of a branded pair in a GMMTV show. It was fun, and messy, and I loved it. I appreciate that it was also...maybe necessary is too far lol but it was actually in service to the plot--we all knew Sand still had feelings for Boeing, or else he would not have still been so mad at Top that he was willing to use Nick and Ray to get his revenge. Not every emotional loose end needs to be resolved with kissing, but it was kind of fun that they tried (and I also really appreciated that it didn't work lol).

I loved that Mew and Ray talking as friends got them to compare notes on and eventually team up to take down Boeing. Their friendship really is the backbone of this series, and I'm glad it survived everything. Mew is so relieved to have someone else taking care of Ray because he never wanted that role and wasn't good at it, but he does care about his friend's happiness and is more than happy to step in when there's drama. I appreciate that he made really clear to Sand that his feelings for Ray are platonic, in the bar, that's the first time I've really seen him be truly supportive of Ray, and it was nice to see.

The Mew and Top scenes were fascinating. I think this is where I'm going to differ from the bulk of the audience and I've made peace with that. I do not find stories like theirs romantic--where both partners need to be in control and play games to stay in control the whole time--so for me, the fact that these power struggles were still present in all of their scenes satisfied my desire to see them stay together, happy but on edge. So. That scene with Mew and Top in which Mew agrees to live with Top but then asks him to apologize to Sand right afterwards; I read that as pretty manipulative on Mew's part, and Top's uncomfortable face at the end means that he felt it too. Maybe I wasn't supposed to read it that way, but that's why it worked for me. The ring, too, "now or never", it's not a promise of forever, it's a promise of the present [such a strong ephemerality statement]. The conversation in the bath in which they outline their needs and identify that they have contrasting needs, and say "I'll work on it / we'll deal with it when it comes" is exactly what I was expecting of this relationship. They're not perfect for each other, and they're going to continue to push one another. Right now they're agreeing to try, without a guarantee that it will work. Talking about their needs is good, but we don't actually see them trying, so it didn't hit as romantic as it would otherwise for me either. And Mew daring Sand to kiss Top in order to get them to be chill was such a Mew power move I loved it. He asked Top to apologize to Sand, and then forced them to be in close proximity before getting confirmation that Top was ready. Top apologizing to Sand in that last second before they kissed was him clinging for power while Sand was hovering over him, and it was a perfect Top volley. Constant power struggle, that's how I read these two. Mew teasing Top with whether or not he's slept with anyone else was so interesting considering their history around that--I was probably supposed to see it as growth in their relationship that they can joke about it? Or maybe they were trying to undo some of the sexual morality nonsense that made its way into this show by pointing out that actually it doesn't matter if Mew had been with anyone before? But what I saw was Mew still struggling to have a power foothold over Top now that he's moved in. I will admit the fire scene, at first, I was so confused by. Were we supposed to be moved by Top getting past his trauma? What was that scene even about? I think, in the context of Mew's struggle with his place in Top's life, and his power in this relationship, it was about Mew understanding the invisible support he provides for Top, and why he's important to Top. Mew watched Top be competent and collected in the face of a triggering event, and was impressed at how Top had it all together, but Top credits Mew's presence for that. I think it helped Mew start to actually see a future with Top, because he understands his place in it a bit better. Even if he feels like he's not doing enough, Top sees his presence as strength, so maybe he doesn't need to worry quite so much about keeping score. But that's honestly me reaching, I struggled with that scene and think it was the weakest in the finale [and @lurkingshan I read your post and could believe that your read is true, that it was there to prove Top did have trauma].

Can I tell you how much I love how this show ended, with Mix's character smiling at Mew, and Top's nervous look? Because I think we've wrestled with Mew's confidence in this relationship for the whole show, but it's clear Top still feels unsettled/uncertain in this relationship and I love that we ended with him feeling threatened. This for me was the perfect ending for this couple, and what I've wanted as their ending all along--they're happy right now, they know there are potential bumps on the road in their future, and they're not certain they'll make it through, but they're willing to try--but the threats are real, and present, and not going to be easy because this relationship is not solid.

I also really appreciated what was happening with Boston and Nick, even though I wish it would have been more explicit or done better; what we got was still better than I expected from a GMMTV show. I loved Boston dissuading Nick from following him, and finding the romantic asks to be too many/too much, and having a different definition of "boyfriend" (but not different enough to not like to Nick's face about where you were, Boston, I see you). I love that Nick didn't get mad at Boston for "cheating", understood what Boston was offering for what it was; I also really loved Sand's advice to Nick that just because what's on offer is laid out honestly and fairly, that that means he has to accept it if it's not what he wants. I didn't love Boston trying to backtrack when Nick decided not to take him up on it; but I did love Nick's response, telling Boston to own who he is rather than trying to be someone he's not.

I think this is where my attempts the last couple of weeks to let go of what people will take from this show has helped, because yeah, you can see this as the narrative punishing Boston for being a slut, but this has never been a morality play, and so I'm taking from it how I see it. And I see it as Boston getting a clean slate with a bit more perspective going to New York. What I would say to Boston if he were my friend: This friend group was a mess and they always judged Boston for his sex life more than was deserved; they also violated his privacy by passing around his sex audio and never apologized for it. Boston also didn't take their feelings into consideration when he decided who to have sex with, and he messed with their relationships which was not being a good friend either. Does he actually want them back, or is he just feeling lonely? My hope for him is that he takes what he's learned about other people's feelings--that not everyone sees the world he does, and he has to understand that people will be hurt by different things whether or not they would hurt him, if he wants to retain relationships of any kind including friendships, and decide whether or not they're worth making concessions for before hurting them so that he doesn't lose people he doesn't want to--and finds folks who fit better with his worldview and morals, and then is better able to keep them in his life. But also these people are hypocrites, and he should not take their opinion as a statement of fact about his worth. He didn't do anything worse to them than they did to him or each other.

I know a lot of people are going to see this storyline as a punish the slut story. I was wrestling with this two episodes ago, maybe that's why I'm willing to be chill about this now. I was hoping we'd get Boston as a reason to discuss consensual non-monogamy in a GMMTV show, but I am actually ok with Nick saying listen, I need to be honest about what I want and it's not that, and Boston you shouldn't be trying to give me what I want because that's not going to make you happy either. Boston being alone isn't a sad ending; to me it's the ending he was expecting and aiming for this whole time. The only difference is he's surprised by how he feels about it now that he's in it, and he's panicking a bit. Boston was not just a slut, he was a slut who didn't care about who he hurt; it's that latter piece that he's wrestling with in this finale, and I love that Nick told him he didn't have to stop being a slut to stop being an asshole. Honestly, he'll get to New York and be fine, I really think so. And I took the Nick/Boston goodbye conversation as Nick saying "I love you as you are, a slut, and it's ok to be that. Go be a happy slut!" Do I wish he'd said that more explicitly so that people would understand that? Yes. But I've given up on that.

Cheum not going with the group to the fireworks was so interesting in the context of our conversations about Cheum over the past couple of days. I took this to be the show acknowledging explicitly that she's not actually a part of the core friend group; she schemes to keep the group together (unsuccessfully), and we don't ever get a sense of why she cares so much about that--maybe it's guilt for helping push out Boston for something he didn't do, maybe she needs the security of the group she's got, we never get that insight and I'm still a bit sad about that. But she's not there for the big fireworks finale, so we're at least clear that the show never intended her to be a Main Character. And I was so happy we got her saying her plan worked in the pool. Maybe that still won't be enough to convince the audience that she's an unreliable narrator, but it was satisfying for me! Also loved her unwrapping the photo from Boston and the group's uncomfortable reaction to it. Maybe Chuem's going to keep pushing that they reconcile; maybe she's just delusional about how well her plan worked. Either way, the tension was fun. I didn't get the full resolution of her character that I wanted, but the show nodding explicitly to the fact that she keeps herself apart from the main group so I shouldn't expect it was helpful to me getting over that. And we got a kiss! And another tiny insight into their relationship; again not enough to go on, but i did think it really interesting that the two things we know about April and Cheum are: April appreciates Cheum's positive energy, and April has asked Cheum to be more honest and not just positive for the sake of being positive (about her films). So I'm reading this as that these two are just as messy and as likely to continue to have problems as the rest of the group.

Ending in Sand and Ray because I think this is the least ambiguous; I appreciated that Sand started doing what Sand always does and saying "yeah I"ll sacrifice all of my sources of income for you no problem" (WHAT) and Ray waiting until they're alone again to say "actually that's ridiculous don't do that". I appreciated that Sand's new year plans were all about Ray because he hasn't had anything push him into actually being more selfish, and the resolution with Boeing was done for him so he didn't have to set boundaries after all (called that one), so he's had zero character growth, actually. I appreciate that Ray pushes him to try to be a little selfish, that's the best sign that Ray is finally actually caring about Sand's needs, and that their relationship might work, that I've seen the whole series. I'm taking it with a massive grain of salt, because the plan is for Ray to constantly expose himself to alcohol and partying. I think this is set up to be just as tenuous as the Mew/Top relationship, but it reads a bit more lovey-dovey because they're in a less problematic place at the moment (where they have just resolved one of their insecurities so they're more confident in one another--but it's not clear how long that will last, especially with the threat of Sand's self-sacrifice and Ray's fierce boundary-violating in the face of any threat looming in the background unresolved). Sand expressing his uncertainty around his role in the Hostel was also perfect, because he is an outsider in this project and doesn't have a role, and it's a perfect point for tension in the future between them.

Even the way Yo warns the group of friends in the very last scene that they're going to have to be better to one another and less dramatic in the future if they want this hostel to last felt ominous to me rather than preachy; have this group learned enough to make this business work? That definitely remains to be seen.

Nobody should be watching Only Friends with the idea that it's going to give them any kind of lesson about what to do; at best it's a list of what not to do's lol. None of these characters are perfect, they're all incredibly flawed, and young. So their choices, including whether or not to stay together, whether or not to stay friends, whether or not to stay in business, should not be read as a moral judgment by the showrunners. I definitely agree that this could have been more effective as a message if folks weren't happy at the end. But I've given up on it needing to be effective for everyone; they stayed in character to me, and it was effective for me.

I recognized so much of my friends and my youth in this series, and I am so grateful to have gotten to see that portrayed in a show that felt like a rollercoaster while I was watching it; I literally screamed aloud, I cheered, I laughed, I applauded. This show had characters casually snort coke, hook up, flirt with their exes, kiss their friends, make mistakes, forgive one another heinous shit, be mean, kiss outside their branded pairs, and in some cases let one another go.

There are a LOT of ways this show could have been better. It was close, so close in some cases, to being amazing, and it's fallen short in a lot of ways. It could have been a subversive and compelling narrative about slut shaming and the toxicity of fandom branded pairs. Instead, it was just a show about flawed people being flawed. But I had fun, and I'm not taking away from this show that any of these characters were in the right, or that sluts are bad, or need to change--whether it was the intended message, I've given up on that because I legitimately can't tell and if it is the message, I don't want to know. I don't think it overromanticized these flawed characters, but I can see how folks could see it that way. I'm choosing to remember that these characters have all been flawed and shown to be flawed throughout the show, and notice the ways in which they are still flawed, and the hints that things will stay messy. Maybe this is a bit like those experiments in which they found the way people in incarceration watch Die Hard very differently from how other people do or how it was intended LOL maybe I'm working too hard to justify what was just bad writing and gross moral judgments and toxic relationships being portrayed as romantic. But it didn't land that way for me, so I'm going to celebrate that and enjoy the feelings this show gave me.

#only friends the series #only friends meta #ofts meta #only friends #ofts #ephemerality squad #long post #typed so I can stop thinking it #I said it in the post but I'll say it again here: I don't think I'm taking a moral high ground or reflecting the creators most authenticall #I'm just watching the show in a way that lets me enjoy it even though I suspect it's saying things I don't like or morally agree with #that's not always something I'm able to do so I'm enjoying it while it lasts lol

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chawarin-panich · 8 months

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Boston giving Sand the Reality Check he needed Part 1 of 2: Boston's Reasoning

This is my thoughts on Boston and Ray's fallout, how and why it came about and how Sand did really need it - which I start talking about in this meta - even though despite Boston's insistence his purpose was never to help Sand. I didn't mean to make this two parts but I started writing the Boston portion of the meta and it turned into what it did kajsfhsdkjfh and I needed to approach Sand and Ray's portion a little more seriously. Without further ado, here goes:

[SCENE START] Imagine you are Boston, the son of a politician, loaded with money but not a lot of visibility or acceptance (I mean if you watch enough Thai dramas you know what politician is code for - corruption, deception, selfishness, entitlement). You are extremely entitled, extremely guarded and extremely unscrupulous and this is what you've been taught life is, what successful, powerful people are like and you are successful and powerful even though things have not quite been going your way recently. Even though earlier on in the day you had your first human emotion:

(give the boy a break he is starting to figure out why people have boyfriends okay? much less that he also kind of wants one??? the emotional TOLL he is under oh boy)

and on top of all that suddenly you have been called for emotional support??? Mew is supposed to call Ray this is very much not your job!!! Can Mew's virgin ass please get over one stupid kiss already???

So Mew has called you and he is THE LAST person you ever want to help with THE LAST problem you've ever wanted to help him with. But you squeeze down the sting of rejection, the inferiority you feel from it - are you perhaps?? not as successful and powerful as you thought??? - and you try to be a normal, human person for A SECOND TIME in ONE day (!!!!) and be a good friend

And you did such a good job!!! You didn't play into his insecurities or try to ruin it for him - even though you wanted to!!! - because at the end of the day Mew is your friend and you know how important his virginity is to him. And now you are ready for some MUCH NEEDED REST from all that decent human being cosplay that you've been doing. And there is a cute guy who likes you and he has an apartment where you can go and fuck him and even though the day is ruined there is still chance for the night to recover but uh oh!!!! What's that???

A Situation You Do Not Understand!!!!! Involving the man who fucked up being manipulated so badly that you had to do 5 seconds of emotional labor earlier that day. Now, you have a choice as an adult to mind your business and walk away into that promised room of fucking that cute guy you were going to fuck. But you are also The Son of a Politician and if there is one thing you know it's that information is power and the instinct to meddle like a 70 year old auntie is slowly overtaking your senses. And so you ask a seemingly innocent question with auntie-adjacent straightforwardness:

And your hot mess of a best friend comes up with the shadiest, juiciest answer while his partner is looking at him like his soul is leaving his body:

On top of that there is weed????? In the form of a delicious looking cookie?????? At this point you are on a missive FROM GOD to find out What The Fuck is Going On.

And what the fuck IS going on?????

An absolute bonkers situation is unfolding, Ray somehow in the mess of his life and his unrequited feelings for Mew is living some romcom with the cute bar singer! Ray!!! The alcoholic!!!!! the one friend you could always count on to make you feel better about the mess that is your life. The one friend you will always be superior to - THAT RAY???

And to make matters worse!!! The cute guy you're with Knows Everything. You have been so busy squeezing out three drops of human emotions because you want to keep the Cute Guy You Kind Of Sort Of Might Like around that you forgot to get around to the 'so do you know any gossip' portion of the casual fucking programming.

Not only are you fucking up your duties to the Politicians' Son Upbringing but the dormant auntie inside you gets another whiff of that fat, juicy gossip as Ray pulls a second 'We Are Just Friends' after you JUST witnessed Sand feed him an edible WITH HIS MOUTH

And you're not trying to stir shit - promise!!! - you just want to see your alcoholic friend stutter and get awkward, put in his place a little bit because Mew might have you beat but there's no way that this flaming hot mess has you beat.

Except!!! UH OH!!!! Ray is an idiot! He is so in wanting of love and finding himself undeserving of it that he has genuinely Not Noticed that the man next to him is In Love With Him. He is not you!! - acutely aware of how his cute guy is in love with him - he is Discovering That Sand Likes Him and somehow you have been duped into helping????

Sand's soul is back in his body and they are somehow Being Worse than before. But your Help A Friend Quota is OUT! You have spent IT ALL on Mew earlier and You. Are. Done. Only one person is allowed to cosplay a decent human being tonight and BY GOD it will not be Ray! The only thing left to do is To Bring Out The Gasoline.

And So? You Do.

[END SCENE]

#ofts meta #only friends the series meta #ofts boston #only friends the series #ofts #sandray #nani's hot takes #god this is such a silly post #i didn't even mean for it to become this #but boston is such a silly little guy #and i love him so much

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pookacangetit · 2 years

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Disney Song! Yuu [Disney Songs Edition: A Reflected Self]

It's been almost a year since Yuu (obliviously?) won over NRC with the power of songs and charisma, but there is still much to learn about the god behind the title of the Ramshackle prefect.

MASTERLIST

Yuu stayed awake as Grimm fell asleep, staring at the pale ceiling of Ramshackle as the snores of their fellow first years trickled in from the other room. Ace and the rest had suddenly showed up on their doorstep after the fiasco with S.T.Y.X, bragging about their feats and demanding a first-years-only sleepover at Ramshackle.

Knowing Riddle was still passed out, Yuu gandered that the Heartslabyul troublemakers would be in a big deal of trouble come morning.

A hand rested atop Grimm's body as Yuu's soft voice filled the room.

Look at me~

I will never pass for a perfect bride~

Or a perfect daughter~

The shadows twisted inwards as the room warped into a smokey landscape, floating lanterns shining a dull white in the dusk-grey atmosphere as a tranquil pool of water rested beneath Yuu's feet. Grimm let out an annoyed mew as Yuu moved away.

Can it be~

I'm not meant to play this part~

Now I see, that if I were truly to be myself~

I would break my family's heart~

Noticing the tied papers on the lanterns' ends, Yuu made a move. Cutting through the smoke with a lifted hand, the prefect grabbed one of the lanterns to read the kanji written on the paper, フィクサー.

Yuu went to grab another lantern, this one reading 非魔法, never noticing the smoke resembling a person's shadow weaving pass their figure as the door quietly creaked open to reveal a purple eye.

Who is that girl I see~

Staring straight back at me?~

Why is my reflection someone I don't know?~

Somehow I cannot hide~

Who I am, though I've tried~

Azul only wanted to repay a debt to the Ramshackle prefect, having the Leech brothers shove the rest of the first years out of Ramshackle while he searched for the Yuu and their familiar.

Watching the prefect woefully sing their heart out, Azul might've come at a bad time.

A stray lantern floated into his path, Azul grabbed it's paper tail and grimaced at the written words, 悪党. He flicked it away with a grimace before turning his attention back to Yuu, watching them.

When will my reflection show who I am inside~

"Ah, Koebi-chan's moping~" Azul quickly swatted away Floyd's arm from on top of his head as the Leech brother peered into the room, his smile wider than normal, "I can fix it with a nice and tight hug-"

"We are not here to murder Yuu with one of your death squeezes," Azul snapped, "and where's Jade-"

SMASH.

Azul and Floyd snapped their necks towards the Ramshackle prefect who was standing in front of a broken mirror, Grimm having fell off the bed with a sharp yowl.

Azul screeched after one look at Yuu's injured hands, "DID YOU JUST PUNCH THE MIRROR??"

Yuu glanced back at the second year terrified, "THERE WAS SOMETHING- wait, Azul? Floyd??"

Jade strutted in with Ace and Deuce passed out beneath each of his arms, "What did I miss?"

Yuu: *undergoing an identity crisis* who am I?

Azul: an angel, my prince charming, my darling siren-

#twst #twst imagines #disney song yuu #twst azul #disney twisted wonderland #twst yuu

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nterini · 8 months

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The Leftover Kids in ONLY FRIENDS

A character analysis of Boston and Ray Ep. 6

This episode reveals a bit more about Boston’s character, and while it doesn’t justify his actions (because your past doesn’t have to justify all your present decisions, especially in fictional characters) we’re able to better understand his impulse to “humble” others when it seems to him like they’re finding their own way.

We learn that Boston’s mother remarried, and flew to another continent to start her new life. And while I don’t want to make assumptions, something about Boston’s politician father (who calls him only to speak about his campaign and winning over young people) encouraging his son’s impulses to toy with the emotions and bodies of others may have had something to do with it. Boston, time and time again tells Nick that the potential of the public finding his sex tapes (with other men) would be a burden to his father’s career. We don’t know if Boston has come out to his father, but the ultimatum that Boston must graduate or be sent back to New York to live with his mom shows his father’s willingness to get rid of a son that may not fit his public image. Boston is a talented photographer and someone in the demographic he wants to target; why so eager to send him away.

In the next scene, while comforting our favorite crazy lovesick puppy, he tells Nick, that the reason he doesn’t make lasting relationships is because he knows he has to leave anyway (and some more be about how he’d be a better photographer abroad). Maybe it’s because of the pressure he feels from his father, but Boston believes that there’s no place for him permanently anywhere. No one has chosen him for an “unconditional forever love” and no ever one will. He’s had no power over that. If my assumption that Boston’s father already knows of his son’s sexuality, and is slowly freezing him out and that Boston knows this already, Boston’s view of his future in Thailand, one that will always be queer, must be bleak. His own father, a popular candidate elect, does not want him. This loss of control triggers him. We see Boston seek control of potential rejection in the way he pursues his flings. He prefers Nick over all his other flings because he’s confident that Nick will always choose him no matter what selfish things he says. He’s envious of Mew who’s constantly chosen and pure, of the perfect Top who rejected him and has his life together, and of Ray and Sands budding relationship. He believes he’ll be left alone again, so he sabotages externally against anyone’s progress.

It’s what makes his scenes with Ray that much more interesting. Because Ray is just like him, except he sabotages internally.

We were introduced to Ray’s family background a few episodes back, and the toll it took on him emotionally, physically, and mentally. His mother was a young and talented actress who married rich, and whose light was dimmed in that marriage. And whether it was resentment over her lost career, Post-partum depression and an uncaring husband, or just a worsening addiction that was left untreated, she died alone drowning herself in alcohol. We know that Ray did not receive much affection from his mother and that his father was just as neglectful. Ray has learned to use money to buy emotions, companionship and intimacy. Unfortunately, he seems to be following in both his parents footsteps.

There is a theory going around that Boston has had a secret unrequited crush on Ray. And while I don’t think there’s a lot of evidence that supports this ship, it’s a plausible theory. However, the way he constantly goes back to Nick when he needs comfort and conversations, other than just straight sex, says the opposite. I think a better conclusion would be that Boston finds comfort in Ray’s lack of growth and misfortune. After all, they’re very similar. Leftover, abandoned, rich kids that were never chosen. I don’t even think he had any ill intention against Mew when he slept with Top or even with Ray. I think deep down he’s secretly comforted by seeing Ray heartbroken. It makes sense that he was triggered when he saw that Ray might have found someone to help him come out of that misery. He doesn’t provoke Mew or Top the way he does Ray. Maybe it’s because Ray doesn’t see how similar they are. Maybe it’s because Top and Mew see right through him.

Mew’s role in their friendship is also really interesting 🤔. Ep. 7 might give us inside Mew’s thoughts and actions. Is Mew manipulating his rich friends to get his dream career and partner or is it all all a grand plan to help heal the lives of the people he cares about most.

Overall, I love how real the show feels. The discussions of drugs in Thailand’s queer community, of privilege and class struggle, it all feels incredibly genuine. It’s hot and steamy and we’ll written. Like we CAN have all of these things at once! The growth that I see in BL/Queer (the slash is necessary) content gives me hope. Please give the lesbians (AprilNamchueam) more screen time plsssssssss 😩.

(Please excuse any typos and errors.)

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heretherebedork · 6 months

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How would you change the Only Friends ending? You can only change episode 12 though, the rest is the same. What would you do differently? Personally, I think Boeing should have started the fire. Also Cheum would have actually apologized and would have had to take a long, hard look in the mirror at the kind of person she is.

Am I making it better or am I making it messier or am I just trying to stay on theme?

We'll do one for me.

Cheum would find Boston to apologize and Boston would have turned her down and said he didn't need her or the friends that were so eager to believe that about him. He might be heartbroken over losing Nick and the people he's cared about but now he gets to see how they really view him and he doesn't need that before he goes to New York. Cheum realizes that she's been quick to judge people eher whole life and also has a talk with Atom about what he did. Top and Mew would actually talk about the whole forgiveness thing and Mew would agree that still saying he'd bring it up in future fights was wrong of him. Ray and Sand would have to mutually apologize for things that have gone wrong and Sand would call Ray his boyfriend first in at least one scene. Nick would be seen on dates with Dan and we'd know that he was still friends with Boston even if he couldn't handle dating him.

Bonus Biggest Change: Boeing sets the fire to try to prove to Mew that he couldn't handle Top at his worst and Top actually has a panic attack and doesn't just get over his trauma thanks to the power of love. Mew is with him and realizes how immature he's been about Top's issues and how quick everyone is to write him off. Then everyone teams up to take Boeing down because he's fucked up too much, it brings everyone back together, even Boston (though reluctantly) and after that they have a much better NYE's together and there are apologies and even if there isn't forgiveness there's something changed between all of them and everyone is more peaceful. Boston still gives Nick the picture but this time Nick accepts it as it's meant to be and thanks him and we see him and Dan making out under it later and Boston happily walking into the airport to start a new life.

#only friends the series #only friends series #bl drama #thai drama #thai series #thaibl #asianlgbtqdramas #thai bl #asian lgbtq dramas #thai bl series #thai bl drama #bl series #asked and answered #rewriting the ending #i mean i can't cancel the rest of the show

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thatgirl4815 · 8 months

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Intimacy & Communication (Ep6)

Once again, there’s been a lot of talking, and a lot of talking within said talking, and now all hell has broken loose. Everybody is in shambles. I'm in shambles. We're all in shambles. And it will only get worse from here. 🥲

*Note: Since this meta is slowly becoming a series, you can find the other metas here

SandRay

I suppose we have Boston to thank for Sand and Ray’s communication issues; prior to this episode, I think they’ve maintained a reasonably healthy communication style—even if it was destined to implode at some point with the whole “We say we’re friends but we feel like more than friends.” I think Boston has just sped things along at an uncomfortable rate.

It’s interesting because Sand and Ray’s closeness is solid when they're alone, but the moment their relationship is known, it's immediately thrown into turmoil. It's also upsetting that Sand, someone we know to have a very direct approach to communication (not unlike Ray), is very closed off in Ep6. I'm thinking specifically of the Pool Scene (a label that should not be confused with the KinnPorsche Pool Scene™, whose name shall live in infamy).

It occurred to me while rewatching this scene that this is one of the only, if not the only, time we see Sand and Ray talk about anything but their relationship to each other. They haven't often mentioned the other characters because up to this point, the drama hasn't forced them to.

That fact alone gives this scene a certain chill. There's no sign of their usual flirtiness. And Sand is noticeably resistant to Ray's efforts to straighten things out since the fight with Boston. Sand is lost in his own anger, in feeling used by Ray and unwanted, and that reaction is reflected in every part of this scene. Ray clearly reads between the lines on what Sand says about Mew, and once again wants to speak directly about it. He knows Sand is bothered, even when he says he isn't. Whatever casual "We're just friends" comments Sand used before are clearly not at play anymore. Ray and Sand both know that Sand cares, long before Sand is direct about it--

This scene shows a bit of a flip in terms of how both Ray and Sand respond to each other, specifically when it comes to honesty. Ray is the one who has just blown up in anger, and he's the one lying, calling Sand a whore who only wants his money, who doesn't have honest dreams, etc. But Sand is direct this time. No jokes or flirts. It's an admission that both Sand and Ray have known about, but it's something that Ray needs to hear, because a) he hears it so little in his life and b) because the more lonely he feels, the more reason he has to get in his car and risk himself.

Excited to see where this goes with Sand comparing his relationship with Ray to Ray's relationship with alcohol next ep. In any case, I'm glad Sand is aware of the position that he is in. All of these characters are very cognizant of their situations.

TopMew

Top and Mew pose a stark contrast to SandRay in that they go from seemingly very solid communication and intimacy to very negative. My key takeaway from their plot line this episode is how Mew keeps his anger over Top's infidelity buried until they're in bed together. Which, from an entertainment standpoint, is just glorious. From a communication standpoint, it seems to bring everything full circle.

Sex has caused a lot of tension in Top and Mew's relationship. It's been a power play from Mew when he's withheld it, but last episode we saw that barrier finally break. But Mew takes back control here through the truth, and he effectively turns the tables on Top, calling back to the very thing he had hang ups about in the first place: sex.

We already know how Mew views sex. And we also know that Mew has gradually transformed Top's view of sex as something to build emotional intimacy. So for Top to have hooked up with Boston is like a slap in the face to all of that careful development. When Top had sex with Boston, the act alone seemed to confirm that Mew isn't enough for Top.

It's also worth noting just how quiet Top is in the last scene. He takes the blows, which is a good sign, compared to what we get from Boston. I compare this scene between Top and Mew with the one between Ray and Boston, where Ray admits to knowing about Boston and Top's hookup--Boston gets defensive immediately, rattling off excuses. But Top just takes the hits from Mew.

Top knows he was wrong. Boston knows that others think he's wrong, but I don't think he genuinely thinks there is anything wrong. He knows Mew won't get over it easily because that's just how Mew is--uptight, moralistic. Boston's own morals are incredibly loose, just like his approach to relationships. On the topic of morals, I'd say Boston and Mew's are on opposite sides of the spectrum.

BostonNick

Nick tries time and time again to be someone special to Boston, and time and time again Boston makes it clear that he doesn't care. From Boston telling Nick that he wants to spend time with him before he leaves, to harshly telling his friends that he isn't in a relationship with Nick--right in front of Nick--is just heartbreaking. (Seriously, the scene of Mew kicking Boston into the pool can't come soon enough.)

We get some insights into Boston's upbringing with the introduction of his father, who seems to possess a very similar mindset to Boston's. I could go on a whole other rant about this, but Boston approaches everything loosely because he thinks he won't face pressing consequences. He's going to leave the country, so if he screws some people over and makes some enemies, what's the harm? He'll be gone soon enough anyway.

I could also go on a rant about the glaring hypocrisy of Boston saying he can't be friends with someone who would record him...I go back and forth between thinking he's a cunning manipulator and a stupid college kid. Surely he must see the hypocrisy there...but if he does, he probably doesn't care (as with most things).

I've compared Nick to Sand before, but Nick has been shut down by Boston on countless occasions, and yet he still stays. For Boston, who has proven time and time again that he enjoys manipulating people, ruining relationships, recording his friends, and sleeping around. Nick knows all of this all too well. And yet.

Nick, I'm starting to lose some sympathy for you. Leave. Him.

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aspureasamelody · 4 months

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pure what are your top 5 favorite ichisaya moments

5. Masaya's last moments before his sacrifice

When Masaya just takes a moment to hold Ichigo close, run his fingers through her hair, hug her and pet her and be with her for a little while longer.

Masaya's never felt very attached to his life. He always felt like the world would be better without humans, and he included himself in that when he spoke. I think some part of him was always subconsciously ready to give up the ghost and hand himself off to Deep Blue.

But here, in this moment, where he's about to sacrifice his life to heal the earth in a similar way to how he's always thought he should, he hesitates. He's found this precious feeling he wants to hold dear. He's scared to die for the first time, because for the first time, he feels like he has something to lose.

But he'll do it. For her. He just wants this last moment.

And afterwards, even as Deep Blue tries to claw back control, Masaya holds back a god and either kills himself, or holds them down to let Ichigo finish them off. And he dies with a smile, because at least he knew her, at the end of it all.

4. Masaya encouraging Ichigo to fight in A La Mode

Masaya had a character arc throughout Tokyo Mew Mew about how scared he was when Ichigo put her life in danger to fight. He went from worrying about how she's holding up out there and feeling utterly useless to do anything, to unlocking Blue Knight to protect her, to fully awakening as Blue Knight and vowing to fight by Ichigo's sides as equals who uplift and support each other.

And now, when Ichigo's powers are slowly coming back to her after they've both died and come back to life for each other, Ichigo is the one who's worried that she's not sure what she can do, for her friends or for the Earth.

And Masaya pulls her aside, and reassures her that he knows she's strong. There's plenty she can do, and the others need her. He trusts her to fight, believes in her power and her might, knows that she's strong enough that even if they have to part ways right now, they'll still find each other when he comes back for her.

He helps her remember her strength at her lowest moments. He helps her awaken this confidence she deserves.

3. Ichigo and Blue Knight fighting together side-by-side

This one doesn't really need a full analysis to go with it.

They're a power couple, and probably the two most powerful beings in the entire verse of Tokyo Mew Mew, and I love that for them.

2. The confession in the rain

Classic moment, beautiful in all forms.

Ichigo's run all this way in the pouring rain. Her phone is broken, the concert is practically over, she's so late that she's sure he's already left. She's terrified that he'll hate her forever.

But Masaya's there. Masaya stood in the rain all night, for hours, waiting. Because he told her they'd meet there, and he was worried about the fight at the tower, but all he could do right now was wait for her.

We get to see Ichigo's determination, her raw emotions, her conflict in her double life. It's so good to see just how overjoyed Ichigo is when this finally goes right, and she finally gets to hear him say that he loves her. She's been through so much all day, she deserves this joy.

We even got to see the emotions in this scene broken down from both their perspectives, and it's just... perfect. Every moment of it.

And it's even better in Tokyo Mew Mew New, because in that one, Masaya notices the ears and expertly plays dumb by placing a handkerchief over her himself! That added touch elevates an already awesome scene to new heights!

1 Ichigo taking the lead in Tokyo Mew Mew ReTurn

This is a culmination of Ichigo's character arc.

She's confident, straightforward, knows she's powerful, knows what she wants.

She's passionate about the earth, and proud of her passion and love in all departments. She's not deterred or embarrassed by the cat ears and tails popping up anymore. She knows who and what she is, and she loves it. She's found this amazing depth of self-actualization and self-love, and it shines in this little moment.

Masaya is afraid of things changing, but he sees this, sees how Ichigo has changed and how happy she is for that growth, and suddenly, his fear of change is abetted. Because in whatever ways they change, whatever the future holds for them, they'll just come closer and closer together.

#ichisaya #Tokyo Mew Mew #ichigo momomiya #masaya aoyama

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athousandbyeol · 7 months

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i'll get hate comments for this (i know) but there's something about p'jojo's style that i personally have issues with. this is something i noticed in never let me go too.

i think p'jojo struggles with two things: consistency and continuity. what i noticed in never let me go is the inconsistency of nuengdiao's character (especially in the first half of the drama). his actions and dialogues sometimes don't feel like him. it's as if he's having issues to stand his ground and admit his feelings for palm. while i think it's open to interpretation and perhaps, inconsistency and turbulence are real human traits, but it feels off sometimes. bitter at some point too.

in mew's case, i feel like i'm seeing a different mew in every episode. i wonder if mew has an underlying disorder (that we don't know of) because his intention isn't clear and i'm having a hard time trying to understand what and why he did it? because mew in my eyes has always been the smart, level-headed and mature guy who won't let an anomaly (top) take over his rationality (to an extreme extent like now). it feels a bit out of chatacter, in my opinion.

also, p'jojo cutting topmew scenes is really heartbreaking. i think those scenes are so essential and substantial to their characters and dynamic. if we got the top crying scene, it'll clarify many things: 1) top's feelings for mew (he truthfully loves only mew, 2) top's character development and growth, and 3) top's drive to pursue mew again (even if they don't end up together). and the mew drowning boston and punching top bit should also be inserted in order for that little cut scene in episode 10 to make sense.

i think p'jojo (and his team) has/had the power to really sit down and think of these crucial aspects pertaining topmew's character/storyline. because at this point it seems like their story exists as torn patches glued into one. it's honestly quite disappointing.

i hope whatever it is happening in episode 11, it'll make sense. and p'jojo, please, no more cutting off topmew scenes 😔

#only friends #only friends series #only friends the series #mew witsarut #top tanin #topmew #force jiratchapong #book kasidet #forcebook #my two cents #i'm honestly so tired of ofts really #it's draining me #i want it to end already #atp they SHOULD give topmew a happy ending #i don't care anymore #i need my broken men to be happy for me not to commit crimes #na rambles

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silverliningtears · 8 months

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BRING IN BOEING RIGHT THE FUCK NOW, FUCK!!

Honestly wat a ride!!

Mew

Man, Mew is one scary motherfucker!! He had Boston on his knees lmaoo, and that's after punching him and almost playing his sextape TO HIS FATHER!!

Book ate this ngl. Power moves left and right. The true MVP for 2 weeks straight. But after this high comes the crash, jumping into a relationship with ur best friend who is madly in love with you so soon after getting cheated on is not the win he seems to think it is.

Also, reputation era mew dresses like Ray lol.

Ray

Speaking of Ray, man you apologized to EVERYONE except SAND, the one u called a whore?the one who followed u and saved your life? Look at your life and your choices, boy...

He's been waiting for Mew to give him a chance for so long, he's obviously gonna take it lol. But feel like it's gonna hurt him in the long run.

Finally,we met Daddy Ray!!didn't think it would happen!! Thinking he's gonna play a bigger part in the coming eps, esp with Sand..

Raymew getting together now right now is gonna destroy them both. Mew has not dealt with any of the baggage yet. And he has this idea of "no more mister nice guy/boring virgin" so feel like Ray's addiction is gonna play a bigger part in their "relationship" now.Mew is gonna wanna "let loose" and we see the police in the preview.

Ray is basking in the glory of "getting" Mew, he's obviously gonna celebrate with drinks and drugs.

A shame cos, him denying he's an alcoholic to Sand, i thought we'd finally see some discussion on his dependence and abuse, but NOPE, NOT TODAY, why can't I have nice things?

In the preview, we see him interrupting Sand's hookup AGAIN. Hope we get some conflict in the Sandray dynamic. I want some pushback from Sand.

Sand

Babygirl I love you. You're so sexy, don't do this urself haha...

I was hoping that Ray's dad paid him to look after him and that's why he's immediately all buddy buddy with ray. Since the scene kinda cut out, I'm still holding out hope for it to be true.

I can kinda see him agreeing to it like, oh this guy already thinks im just a whore, why not get paid??

But he did say he doesn't see money in love and friendship. I remember First saying that Sand has to deal with his all his feelings alone in the series and it just makes me feel sad for him.BRING BOEING BACK ALREADY!!

in the future eps, I want to see Ray absolutely obsessed with Sand and being soo pathetic about him. Like foaming at the mouth over Sand talking to Boeing anyone.

On the fence about their endgame tho. I love firstkhao but this ain't healthy man, my heart is hurting. Do Not take the fall for Ray next week, pls!! I'm on my knees here kinda like boston

NICKY BOY

My other baby girl, imma give you like one more ep to cry over Boston, then u gotta move on, c'mon son!

Also, interesting how he didn't reveal it was Sand who gave the sex audio to Boston, but immediately told Mew about Gap, the weirdo. Like, That was Life Ruining Info™ and he just gave it away lol.

Boston

Well, well,well,how the turntables...

Neo is killing it, i don't know if anyone else would be able to pull off Boston so well.

Kitty seemingly lost his claws this week,but he's waiting for a chance to pounce alright. He's just licking his wounds for now. But, all of the mewkarma was so satisfying.

Top

Broooo, he's sobbing all alone in his bed, thinking about past dates. Honestly i cackled like a witch.

No more Mr.Top Tier then?

I expect more grovelling and begging from him, maybe then he'll become more interesting to me idk

#only friends the series #only friends series #raysand #sandray #first kanaphan #ofts #firstkhao #khaotung thanawat #only friends #boston #nick ofts #topmew #raymew #sandnick #bostonnick

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bonebabbles · 7 months

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River vs Sky

MAN it's getting good just as it's wrapping up :///

Skystar continues to be a fantastic villain, and even better, THIS time it's on purpose.

If you've ever wondered why exactly I'm always so passionate about my opposition to the Clear Sky Redemption arc, and why I harshly dismiss it every time it comes up over on my main, this is why. This is fucking delicious stuff.

From the very offset, the image of Clear Sky on top of the fallen oak, placing himself higher than Riverstar to look down on him, that's a powerful look for this scene.

“You came back.” He sniffed. “I thought you’d decided to become a loner again.” “I was never a loner,” Riverstar growled. “Then a park cat or whatever you were.” There was scorn in Skystar’s mew.

Clear Sky has never stopped being xenophobic, but more than that, he hates what he can't control. Everything boils down to power for him. He hates things that are different, because he's not in control of those things.

“I’m a warrior.” Riverstar glared at him. “And this is my territory.” Skystar’s whiskers twitched with amusement. “I thought you didn’t believe in territory.” “I believe in protecting my Clan,” Riverstar growled.

Belittling Riverstar as much as he can. He's a bully; he's trying to feel for a weak point. If Riverstar had hesitated, Skystar would have exploited that.

Keep that in mind, that Skystar is a bully looking for an opening.

“This tree fell and made a river crossing for us,” Skystar mewed. “It was a sign from StarClan that we can hunt here.” “It was a sign that a tree with rotten roots can’t survive a storm.” Riverstar met Skystar’s gaze. “Before you start challenging RiverClan, make sure your roots are deep and strong, Skystar, because we won’t give in easily.” He flexed his claws. “We won’t give in at all.” “What happened to you while you were away?” Skystar narrowed his eyes. “You’re beginning to sound like a warrior.” He turned away, swishing his tail. “But who knows how long you’ll stay this time? You might be gone again in another moon, and the rest of your Clan will run away to the Twolegplace like those strays you took in.” “Dawn Mist and Moss Tail aren’t strays,” Riverstar snapped. “And they’ll be back. My Clanmates are loyal, and I’d trust them with my life.”

Off the bat, Skystar is making an excuse. This isn't even the first time he's conveniently interpreted StarClan's will in a way that would end with him getting more power; he does the same thing with Fluttering Bird's spirit in Forest Divided.

But Riverstar counters with his own clever, and insulting, interpretation. "Maybe it means go fuck yourself."

Hearing that, Skystar returns with his own backhanded comment. REMEMBER, he's looking for a sign of insecurity or weakness. That's what he always does.

“Do they think the same about you?” He held Riverstar’s gaze. “This tree-bridge is StarClan’s gift to SkyClan. It’s their way of saying they want us to take your land. And SkyClan always obeys StarClan.” He leaped down from the oak and led his patrol back into the forest.

This is a great villain. Whatever is genuine here is something he's put into his own head through sheer force of will. He will always find some way, some justification, in service of taking more.

And after he's done it, he'll make your blood on his claws into an example of the great injustice he faces. He's just Obeying StarClan. This is what they want him to do.

Riverstar curled his claws into the mud. “No cat takes RiverClan land,” he growled. “Not as long as I’m here. And I’m here to stay.”

#bones reads rh #riverstar's home

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idleorbitals · 9 months

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OF ep 2 watch through ...part 2

(part 1)

sand he was inviting both of you *so* explicitly what is your move here. sand will complain repeatedly about this into the next scene but no one asked him to cancel his date. baby is in denial

side note ray enjoying begging sand so much?? side note also this is how we find out ray blacked out and sand left him their last night together? ouch

ohhhkay the extensive flirting in the car. "one night stand boy, huh?" sand patently enjoying himself /so/ much but whining the whole way. they are both in trouble and neither of them know it yet but sand is going to find out really soon and ray is not going to find out until they both are in much more trouble

top has trauma-induced insomnia and he's serious enough about it to make this face. I'm still proud of mew for checking if he was trying to pull one on him and then being kind about it when it seemed like he wasn't

alright tho didn't we just establish that your much comfier bed is right over there? mew no one did this to you but yourself

I like these mockumentary cutscenes more than I thought I would. mew silently smirking as he checks off boxes is doing heavy narrative lifting and I'm into it

the foreboding music the lighting the lingering on the photo of ray and mew boston what are you planning?? is he about to become a real antagonist? can't decide how I feel about this

ray is sort of into sand insulting him? is this because he doesn't have the power to hurt him yet or masochistic kink

...ray baby no. you're gonna be Learning

sand brings up the /who are you, my dad?/ except this time it's /who am I, your dad?/ convo again and ray makes this face:

alright

oh here we. fokking go

sand going "what am I supposed to be, your hooker" and ray saying "sure" and sand doing soft surprised pikachu for like ten seconds. ray doubling down and sand telling him to save it. instead of saying "I don't sleep with people for money" he says "I sleep with people I like for free" and we send silent thanks to screenwriters who understand the sex industry and have the cultural vocabulary to write compelling nuanced and still quippy conversations about sex. not to be heterophobic but queer people make better tv

anyway sandray are both playing a game and they both keep getting surprised to be one-upped. this is a very enjoyable dynamic to watch and they seem to be enjoying it too

...for now

at minute 8:30 sand's last vocal sound leaves his mouth. for thirty full seconds ray smokes and asks him leading flirty questions including "am I interesting enough for you?" and "are you open to someone like me?" and for thirty full seconds sand looks from rays right eye to his left eye and back again and lowers and raises his jaw infinitesimally and just generally:

this boy is done for and I can't even be mean about it I'm right there with him

anyway at shortly after minute 9 they break the tension and kiss each other. they kiss each other! ray is the one leaning around from his cigarette to do khaotung's little smoke plume of high art but sand is very much matching him in coming in for this kiss. I love this framing so much. firstkhao have the absolutely ideal dynamic to pull this off*

*if anyone saw that one person copy pasting SANDRAYYYY SWITCHHH into the live comment box the entire end credits that wasn't me but I was there with them in spirit

they break away and sand says if they go further they won't just be friends and ray says some kinds of friendship start from sex you watched the same thing I watched I don't need to describe it but here I am. do you remember though that this was the look ray was giving sand while he said that because ho boy

sand pronouncing that ray is going to keep wanting him but they're going to stay just friends right after he says we won't be just friends after this...what level to tackle this on. narratively this definitely feels like foreshadowing and I think he's right on the money on the first bit. but we know that sand is not going to get out of this remotely unscathed whether or not it could possibly be argued that he hasn't already lost that battle. sand showing his hand by contradicting himself out loud as well as internally?

they stub out their cigarettes Significantly and start making out again. can't coherently screencap this scene. it's so excellently done. top notch dynamic again. firstkhao are getting better at this with every go.

ok I do have one minor gripe

for some reason in the middle of sand pushing ray back onto the couch they have inserted a shot of ray on top of sand. it is from the beat that comes after the last little mockumentary cutscene—it's not a double, it's the exact same shot, just colored differently. screenshots below from 10:11 and 11:02

editing mistake? intentional insert to lengthen the scene? I like this shot too but it breaks up the flow of the scene oddly and I want it gone from the first part

mockumentary cutscene: even harder to focus on when I know what's coming back on screen right after but worth mention. obviously sand is reflecting on some past mistakes here. he knows he's playing with fire and he's denying it vocally and also not changing his behavior. self-awareness level relatable honestly. do we think he fell in love with someone he didn't want to? or fell in love freely and then got screwed over? why is he mr. one night stand boy

also don't know whether to credit ray or khaotung for this longest gayest look ever at his own pants. sublime

okay back to the couch for our not-quite-ten-second final indulgence. ray's on top this time. I don't even like sex scenes that much I know what I am saying

I see, like sand's, my words are not matching my actions. and yet

*trembling* sandray.... switch....

all ofts watch throughs

#ofts #only friends the series #ofts meta #firstkhaotung #raysand #sandray #that devolved a little #also it took me so long to finish i took two breaks and posted snippets forgive me #i'm overflowing with um. i don't even know #consider me truly fucked over by this show #where did my saturday go anyhow #ofts watch through

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