lovetune
Philippines
After establishing the series' world and tone with its first episode, things really kick off in The Shipper's second episode. The comedy is amped up as the script now has free range to be playful. Making use of our lead's (literal) displacement, certain secrets are revealing themselves in ways that feel natural. Because Pan is our equally confused avatar, we're learning just as much as she is (and reacting all the same). Amidst a series-long arc, the show introduces us to its episodic conflicts— in this go-around: the problematization of idealization. In true feel-good sitcom fashion, a series of complications ultimately leads us towards a moment of character growth. The bathroom scene might just stand as the best testament so far of what this show is capable of. It's effective storytelling with a lesson in mind without bordering on preachy. I hope it's just the beginning.
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From the trailer, I got the sense that they would treat the material as a comedy and that's what initially drew me in. The BL niche, especially from GMMTV, has exploded into ripe ground for satire within the last couple of years. I was hoping they would use this opportunity to hit two birds with one stone: cater to fans while also poking fun at them—not maliciously (because at the end of the day they still fuel this niche industry for profit so they can't exactly take the high ground) but in a way that lets them feel like they're in on some secret joke that the the "locals" can't be privy towards.I think playing it for high camp was the bold but ultimately correct move. This is best exemplified by the scenarios that our two fic writers create. Yeah, it's cringe, but that's what stuff like that really does read like— and that's fine! It's written by young people for fun so they can revel in some escapism. It's not meant to be the next great piece of literature. I'm a little too used to discussions about this treating it like it's some reporable thing—here no one's villainizing Pan or Soda for that stuff, just telling them to keep their head out of the clouds all the time. Both Kim and Khet's reactions were so wholesome and it was a welcome change from the landscape.So overall, I was surprised in a good way. I think this has the potential to be one of the best things GMMTV puts out this year. Hopefully the vision won't get lost along the way.
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