23.5 the Series: It's Thai GL Heartstopper!

Hello and welcome to Big Gay Energy. I'm Caitlin. And I'm Fiora. Come along with us while we dive into the fun and nuances of queer media. Representation matters, and we're. Here to talk about it. Cheers, queers. What's on the big gay agenda today, Theora? Today we're going to be talking about one of our favorite shows ever, which is 23.5 the series. It's about damn time. We know in this episode it will not be a scene by scene breakdown.

Instead, we are going to be discussing all the things we loved about this show, which is favorite characters select scenes and even why you at home those that participated in our poll why you guys loved 23.5 the series. So hopefully this will be super fun talking about this really cute little show. It's. Been a long time coming. It has been. We've been talking. About the show since Gap. Yeah, we've been talking about the show since it came out. It just we didn't have time to cover it.

But now here we are. So we're going to talk about it. If you love 23.5 the series, just know we have. We did watch it together. We did react to it. There are some reactions on YouTube for select episodes in highlight reel format. We reacted to the entirety of the series. So you can head on over to our Patreon and for $5 you can watch us watch all of 23.5 for the first time. We were even the same room together, which was special. My dog joined us.

You know, it's a good old time over there. Dog's the best. Yeah, she's something. So if you want to see us in the same room together, that's where you can. All right, so let's get into it. So we have a lot of comments from the lovely listeners at home. Thank you to everybody that participated. We're just going to weave in what you thought with what we thought. So let's start with some of our listeners over at TikTok who said things about why they love 23.5.

And there's a couple that kind of went together. So we have Carolyn, who said it's just so wholesome and sweet, which, Yeah. And Sarah B, who also said it was really cute and sweet. It's the show that would have really helped me out a lot if it had been on when I was a preteen slash teenager. I wish I had grown up in the Thai girl of era. Girl, Don't we all? The world would be a better gosh. Girl, yeah. Thai girl love should have been hundreds of years ago even though.

For real man. TV was there anyway healing? Humanity, now, that's all that matters. But like especially, I loved how they said it would help them out a lot if they've been on because that scene with Sharon. How do you say it? I don't I cannot pronounce her name properly. Like Sharion is what it looks like to me in English, but I cannot hear them pronounce her name so I really don't know. I well, we apologize in advance for our butchering of her name. Well, she says, why would that

be weird for you to like son? And I just love that normalization. Of it, it was really cute. Over on Instagram, man, you guys really like to make this hard. Neely or Nelly 43256 says. It is really funny, wholesome, and sometimes Angsta is very relatable. She's quite relatable if you freak out. Relatable just like the she's kind of like the loser girl who

like, you know, the underdog. You want to root for her, but like she doesn't believe in herself and so it takes the village to get her to have some courage. That's also basically in a nutshell it just how do you not love her? And she puts more value on the people around her, which is why she freaks out so much when Son texts her. Yeah, yeah. Because she doesn't believe in herself. She believes in everybody else. Yeah. That is relatable, I understand. Yeah, it's relatable.

And Nerd Life 0789 says because it's lesbian heart stopper and it is so light hearted which is needed in the world we live in. God, yes. Yes to all of that yes so yeah, main theme from all of our listeners wholesome sweet.

We needed this as children relatable and it's lesbian heart stopper and I will say heart stopper is the thing we compare this to the most because it is it's basically the Thai version of heart stop like every it's like like even some beats are like exactly what happens in heart stopper. And if you've been listening to us for a while and you haven't watched heart stopper, go watch heart stopper. If you liked this like you will like heart stopper.

I I'm not even like the show the comics go consume heart stopper. If you watch all of our content and listen to us tell you to watch Heart Stopper and still haven't done that, how have you not consumed the peer pressure? Seriously, how have you not watched Heart? Stopper yet? What the hell anyway cuz 23.5 literally is GMMTVS heart

stopper. It's what it is and it's it like that wholesome, sweet feeling that's heart stopper and it's basically like Alice Osmond came and wrote this, honestly, this screen adaptation. Yeah, it's because it. Feels very warm and wholesome the whole entire time and that's and still like. Hope touches on real stuff too, yeah. No, exactly, but it's got that like hopeful tone that Heart Stopper has that was really needed in the world we live in to quote our listeners.

And like and also like the series, just like Heart Stopper kept getting queerer. The more you watch it, like over time you get like Sharion who? Sorry, I'm going to process that name wrong. She's like, I'm bisexual. Like you get more characters that are just like, oh, they're queer too. And then the teachers and then you're like, this is literally what happens at Heart Stopper. Literally just happens like that. To that part though, because that scene, basically, they just

started rattling off. Everybody was queer. Yeah. Like. Everybody and Tin likes guys and then then you get aliens and like I don't like anyone. I don't like any humans. And it's just all the representation in one scene. It just it's completely normalized. Right, which I will say is, is the show not so this was based on a novel and the novel and the show are not 100% the same.

And like when I say that this is GMTVS heart stopper, they removed a lot of the homophobia from the book and we're just like, we're going to give you heart stopper. It's just happy and hopeful and things are normalized. And it's like for a modern audience, like quote, UN quote, which is really nice because, you know, we got enough drama out there. Like, let's not focus on the homophobia, you know? Yes. Please let's escape like Alien is trying to do with the aliens

because I don't want to be here. I hate it here. So I will go to 23.5 in my mind. That's good. Yeah. It's good escapism. It's a it's set in like high school too. So the end. What I like about this adaptation is that the characters act their age. And so kudos to all the actors and the writing and everything because it's one of those young, it's a young adult type story that actually feels like young adult, which is my biggest pet peeve with why a is that a lot of people don't write it or

execute it properly. American high school dramas, for example, the vast majority of them are adults in young pretending to be young people. And you're like, what is this? Whereas this was actual young people acting like young people. So for example, Unksa Unksa feels like a teenager, like uncle would do things like, Oh my God, my crush texts me. And then she'll like throw herself around her room and

squeal and do things like that. Like, like a teenager who has big feelings and they're just like, physically letting them out by like, acting like a child because she's a child. And then they're wardrobes too. Like, obviously the school uniforms for sure, but like, their street clothes, they look

like children. So everything about the production really felt like you were watching a group of teenagers, even though, like, you know, they're older actors, but it felt like you were watching teenagers be teenagers. And I really appreciate that about this, this adaptation and it, it lends to that like wholesomeness of the show because the actors and everybody involved did a really good job of like making this a believable like high school slash teenage type story. So kudos to everybody.

I loved that. Yeah, I I did not question any of them like their ages at all in this. Yeah, exactly. Because even in the other shows you see them try to age them down. And I don't know if it's just because you see the adult version 2 in the same show, but it's very hard to like believe they are in high school at that point. But this one, I'm like, OK, they're all high schoolers. That's their age. And then when I saw the Girl Rules trailer I was like what the hell?

Yeah. My mind was blown anyway, yeah, so I it did. It was very much high school. I did see someone leave a review saying they they couldn't see it and I'm just like how? But. Yeah, how? I guess we all see different things I saw. We sure do. I saw high. Schoolers. Being high schoolers and trying to figure out the world still. Yeah, and who they are. And like, that's very, it's very. That's what teenagers are like, you know? Why you need it growing up.

So to all those 1213 year olds that are loving GMMTV in 23.5, I'm so happy for you that you have this while growing up. It's such a good show, it really is. OK, but my question is because we keep comparing it to Heart Stopper. Originally I was going to ask which characters are who in Heart Stopper. But that's really. Putting them in a box, we could see some similarities. So I'm like, let's just put them together. What would happen if they had a crossover special? What would happen?

Darcy would love Latte. First of all, I think Darcy would just gravitate to the dog. That there's that. First of all, Kizzy is a scene with a dog, so yes, exactly. Kizzy would like that. The actor we interviewed Kizzy, if you want to go check that out. Who played Darcy in Hard Summer? I have no idea. Honestly. I feel like Nick and Son, they're both the Sunshine characters, so they would get along obviously. I don't know crossover like to be honest. With you, Tan and Tao would do

something with like filmmaking. Yeah, for sure. Because you'd be like, I'll star in it. Tan would. And then Tao would be like, who are you? And then it would just be a whole thing. And they would have to, they'll learn all, learn valuable lessons together because that is what their shows do. And OK, the teachers though. The teachers. I was just thinking, I have a whole thing teachers to hang out. I want all the queer teachers to hang out. That's actually. What I want, Oh my gosh,

because. That would be great. I don't want the kids. I actually want the adults to like hang out and. Do stuff. Honestly, I think the teachers. Meeting like the gym coach like that would be hilarious. Oh my. Gosh, yeah, the gym coach, but I I would just see like Farooq seeing the teachers and like how she's so accident prone and then he just is like, at least at least we're not like that. I'm into that. I don't know. Whatever it is, it would be amazing to see them all

together. I would just be really happy. Speaking of things that make me happy, let's transition to my favorite characters, Eileen and Luna, starting with a comment we got on. YouTube, our favorite. So comment we got on YouTube from Dominic Thornborough AKATRG Luna uses used kindness and friendship to help alien come out of her shell and showed her it's OK to be different and that made her comfortable enough to step out of her comfort zone and

find love. I was more invested in their relationship than Angsa and Son. Yes. Same, not that I didn't like Ungson Son's relationship, I just I felt like that was more comedic whereas Alan and Luna there was more depth there where Ungson Son is just like the catfishing humor. Oh my God she texted me. I'm wearing a sheet mask. I forgot to take it off. Oh no. No, I loved. OK, I will say disclaimer, I read the novel and so I will be

comparing it to the novel. So I'll try to give a heads up if you don't want to hear those little spoilers. So like mini spoiler, I'm really invested in Elite and Luna because they're not in the novel. So that was new and I was like, what is this? Like they, the GM MTV purposely added them into the show to make it gayer, just like Heart Stopper or Alice Osman's. Like here's these other characters that don't exist in the Canon, they're queer. You're welcome.

Like GM MTV did the same thing. And so I was really invested in them because it's purely for the show. And I loved how they their relationship formed really organically and it was really beautiful because it wasn't just about oh, I have a crush on you, blah, blah, blah. It was like TRG said on YouTube, it's about like Luna helped Aileen like trust people and come out of her shell. And she was a big reason that Aileen had this humongous character growth throughout the show.

And it was just it took her kindness and her empathy to get Aileen to like kind of like also like believe in herself and like, you know, make friends and things and like heal whatever little like hurtness going on in her little heart. So like they had just like a really beautiful relationship on many levels that was so sweet and I just wasn't expecting it. And I just, I love them, that's all.

I love them so much. As as we went on, Aylin definitely became my favorite character because how can you just not love her? And can we just talk about a little bit about her as a character first? Because she definitely is unconfirmed neurodivergent representation. It's up to the viewer to see. Some people don't think so, but you know, it's what whatever. I feel like she's autistic. She's definitely. On the autism spectrum, that's what I see.

Like she has trouble making friends, fitting in, understanding social situations. We'll get to a scene that's hilarious later of her being like, why do humans kiss? Oh my God, that was so fucking funny. She couldn't. Let it go that. Scene was. So good. I love her. Why do humans do this that? Was so funny I forgot about. That also her hyper fixation with aliens. I first she's just amazing.

I love her. She's amazing views portrayal of her is incredible, especially when you go from that to. US. The the versatility amazing. I think I have that somewhere too. Yeah views acting like damn she might be 1 of GMFT VS strongest actors like holy shit. Just yeah I'll I'll get to that later. OK. My thoughts on her acting. And she did grow up being bullied, and we see it in the show too. It's a constant thing for her because of the way she doesn't

fit in with everybody else. And I know we learned about her being bullied, but I don't know if the obsession with aliens became before or after the bullying 'cause I know they started, they gave her the nickname Alien. So I'm wondering if it was because she was obsessed with aliens or if it was a play on her name Alan, and they thought she was acting like it. And it's just kind of word play. And that's why she's like, OK, well, I actually think I like aliens. And then? Yeah. That's.

A good question. Yeah, they became her safe space because All right, Well, these people, aliens, are othered in our world even no matter how you look at it, it's aliens, outer space aliens and other. As. Foreign, yeah. It's just you're being othered, not fitting in, and that's what she feels like. And I think it gave her hope that she wasn't supposed to be like the people around her. Because when you are different quote, you feel like you're supposed to try to fit in.

So you do everything you can. But because she now has aliens, you don't really see her try to fit in as much until like Luna is kind of pushing her into it, which she does a little too much at times and then pulls back a little bit and learns what she actually needs. But.

OK, so we see. Eilan trying to contact the aliens a lot in the beginning episodes and it's because she's just trying to escape and find her people and you do see it become less and less and it's because she is finding her people in life. I although it would be nice to get confirmation if she was on the spectrum because I know some people there's been discussions about Aylan and the

representation that she has. People wanted them to have a conversation about her being on the spectrum, how it affects her. I feel like it may have been a good thing that they didn't address it explicitly because it just normalized it. It's not they didn't make it a whole thing like, oh, This is why I'm like this. Like, no, I'm a person who has things that I need to work through in life, but I'm not boiled down to this one label or diagnosis. No one is.

No one like explicitly talks about their labels in this show. Yeah, that's true. And I mean, it's just I normalizing it. That's also what we need because in a way, if we did talk about that, it's othering her more than what we were trying to do of getting her to realize that she doesn't have to be exactly like everybody else to find a place in the world. And then also another. Section in the show is when Aylin is trying to figure out her feelings for Luna. She asks Ansa if alien hearts

can love like human ones. And this is like such a sweet scene. And then Ansa starts freaking out because son actually texted her. And I think that's when Aylin is like, first of all, this is a lot, but also it makes her think, oh, but I don't feel like that when I talk to Luna, not yet. So do I like her like that? So I feel like that kind of confused her even more in the relationship because she's not feeling exactly how Anksa is. And Anksa is very expressive.

Oh my God, Anksa is such a reactive teenager to her big emotions. That's an understatement. I love it though. But Luna's the perfect person for Aylan because she sees her strengths immediately. She is the first person to see her as a person. Even her family you see at the dinner table, they they do other her a bit. And it's because the whole family isn't cohesive because they've all been apart or they

don't fully know each other. They need more time together, which we do see the cousins all start to grow and learn more about each other now that they're all together. But Luna just immediately from the time that she threw that first paper ball at. That's our love language, throwing shit at each other. And then when they were doing the fortune telling for the club fair, Yeah. She says that Aylan and Ansa should be the fortune tellers.

And she says Aylan is the best among us when it comes to information. So she's using the hyper fixations that Aylan has to advantage. Like it's your doesn't make you weird to have all this information. It's an advantage for us. And that makes you special too, because you are valid and useful for us. But wait, what? Followed up after that? All those are valid points. And then they're like, also, we're popular and better at drawing and talking to people, so you guys need to be in the

tent. I'm like, which is also valid. Once we got to that part, I'm like, OK, well, yeah, that makes sense because you can't really, you can't have Alien and Ansa trying to get people into this because they're not going to ask anybody, right? That would be a disaster. But the issue is that they need to talk one-on-one to people. They're more one-on-one type people, which is also valid. It's not a bad thing. So everybody played to their

strengths in that activity. I just I love how Luna really did bring out the best in Alien except when she forced her to have lunch with other people and that I mean she had to learn. She is a teenager though. Teenagers aren't going to know. She's a teenager. Teenagers, they're dumb. They're dumb. They're learning. But I mean, she was like, from her perspective, she's like, you promised me you would do this. You're my girlfriend kind of

thing. Like, yeah, she wasn't being malicious or anything towards aliens. It's just like she's like, you know, these people. Why is it weird like? You There's only so much understanding you can do without being in that person's shoes. Yeah, exactly. Like she was empathetic, but like, yeah, their life experiences are different and they're young and they're figuring it out. That's part of it. Just you make mistakes. That doesn't mean she's a bad person and evil.

It's like she's a teenager, like she's not and. She used that experience to change how she handled things in the future. Growth. Yeah, if people were perfect. What would these stories even be about? They would be super boring, right? What would? But I do I yeah, I love their relationship. I love, I love how Luna did get on her level with the space stuff. First of all, she's named after a moon and she like played into that.

She's like, oh, you like space? I'm literally named after the fucking moon so. And I like when she's like. I'm not a person, I'm a moon. And that got like Eileen to like see her like as more of appeared in the beginning versus being like, I'm othered, you're othered, let's stay in our lanes. And then Luna's like, but I'm a moon. I'm not a person. Like, look at me differently. And that actually got Eileen to be like, oh, OK. Like let me regard you as a

person. I'm not a person as somebody who's more on my level basically. And that like started the relationship. But the one of the my favorite scenes is when they did the not the heist when they were trying to find the aliens in the school or whatever, the green light and Eileen and Luna end up together and she does the little the finger thing. They do the ET. Their version of pinky promise. It's so cute with like with the spotlight in the background.

It does. It gave me ET vibes, which like goes on the line of like their space theme, which I have to say one of my favorite things about the show is the commitment to the space stuff. So much the commitment is so good. All the space stuff. It's more than the novel because like the it's 23.5 is like the the earth tilts and like the whole concept is like sun and and Ongstar are like, you know, colliding because of that or

whatever. But like, the show is like, hold my beer when it came to the space metaphor. And I was like, here's 10,000 more things that were not in this novel. Space. And it's just awesome. The. Astronomy Club in the book. I think so. I read the book when the show was coming out so it's a little fuzzy. I read a couple of quick chapters for this discussion but I I can't. I'm pretty sure that was in there, but I can't recall

exactly. But the scene when Aylan is just not sticking up for herself and people are bullying her and Luna's like, don't you care? And Aylan is, I mean, maybe she doesn't fully care, but you could see her face and you saw that was starting to get it to her. She's like, I just try to ignore it. And Luna's like, OK, well, I'll protect you. You know, the moon has a bunch of craters in it. They'll protect Alien. So cute.

I love that she's like, you don't care, I fucking care, I'll care for both of us. I just love Luna's fierceness all the time. She is a woman who knows what she wants and goes and gets it, and I respect that about her. She knows exactly how to talk to Alan to to get her to understand what she's trying to say. Like the the way that she approaches things differently to help Alan in life is just

incredible. And and then by the end, when Aylan is smiling and feeling safe in their relationship, it is so sweet to see because their relationship might not look normal or typical to everyone else, but she's finally feels safe and home. She doesn't feel like an alien. Although it helps that Luna put on her own alien hat and just shows that Ellen is accepted and she's all in with her. Yeah, all of that. And just just appreciate her, Luna in general, just on her own as a character.

I love that she's always ready to fight people. Like when we first meet her, she's like ready to throw hands with like Taun over something. And then later when she starts defending like Aylin, like you said in the library, she's ready to like throw hands with people. I love that about her. She's just like fiercely protective of people she cares about and things that she cares about.

And I love that about her. And that's like, what, you know, her girlfriend needed was somebody to stand up for her because nobody ever did. And then Luna is like, always like, want to fight me? Let's go like immediately and so. It's. Kind of funny when you put those two together. So I love that about Luna and I love that Luna's always like kind of like bossing alien around and Eileen's like

whatever. Like she kind of like lets it go. Like, for example, when they had the big sleepover at Anson and Aileen and Alfa's house and Luna's, just like I'm staying with Aileen for a few days. Like. She's like, I moved in. They're. Like wait, what We're. Working on a project. Honestly. Tell like you already, Aileen. Needs that. She needs that. Because. Aileen needs that. She's not going to do it on her

own. She needs to that little push and Luna's the type of person if she knows that it's not what Aila needed or she's uncomfortable, she would pull back. So that's the only reason why it's a good thing, because I mean, it could turn into. No, I mean, that's what I mean. She need like their personalities balance each other out because Luna is very confident and knows what she wants and goes and gets it and then alien's like whatever and then fine. I like it. Like it's kind of like that

relationship. So anyway, I love that about them and to circle back to the acting, you and June do a really good job of like the having that like push and pull kind of relationship where they're like kind of like bickering, but it's like lovers bickering. That's like part of their flirting. They're very good at doing that together. So I appreciate that about them. It made Alien and Luna, it made sense for those characters and so how they played it, but worked really well and View in

general. Shout out to her. Like I said, I think she's probably 1 of GMMT VS strongest actors. Her acting choices as Alan were incredible. Like the way she just embodied that like robotic kind of character so so well at all times that she was fantastic. And then when like she was having the big feelings and they kind of like broke through. Like you did such a good job of playing that character.

And my absolute favorite acting choice that she ever did is the episode where like Son and Ungs are finally like it's the jealous son episode and sounds like you're my girlfriend now. And everyone's like everyone was trying to get them to do that and they do it. And the friend group in the background who's like watching this. And when they finally hug, everybody celebrates. And the way of you played Eileen and that scene.

Is one of my. Favorite scenes because she's just like overwhelmed and like the clapping that she does that like reserved little clapping. She's like, I don't want to be here like. What was the fucking funniest thing I've ever seen her? Acting was so on point for somebody who would be uncomfortable in that scenario but also happy. And it was so fucking funny the way she did it with the execution. Chef kiss, man, that was so. Fucking funny. It's it's hilarious. Her acting voices were

definitely very, very good. And because you could see Ailan kept being with them even though she kind of wanted to be somewhere else, but she wanted to fit in still and be with her friends because she knew that they were getting closer. And you could see all of that emotion that's not present on her face, but just like in the body language. So she's emoting more with her body rather than her face. But then her facial expressions were still hilarious too.

The the physical comedy, yeah. Just seeing the versatility of you as an actor is amazing to have to do a more monotone robotic like voice the entire time when you're not. We don't don't normally speak like that. Just kudos to view, kudos to. The screenwriter, because again, this is a character that's not in the novel. They created this character for the series and I saw online from like native Thai speakers at the time this was airing, that in the script for Aileen, it's even more.

I don't want to say the. Way they had her dialogue was it was even more indicative of the fact that she really doesn't like talking to people. Like the like a lot of her language, from my understanding, is really clipped. Like it's really like her sentences are condensed. Like she gets her point across with the least amount of words as possible as a Thai speaker to convey that this character really doesn't like talking to people.

It makes her even more reserved. And that's something that like we miss because we're reading the translations. But like the Thai speakers were like wow, like the way she's talking is even or like they clipped her sentences to show that this character really like. Really. Genuinely. Doesn't want to talk to people and like does it in the minimum minimal waste humanly possible so they. They're like, there's a lot.

Of thought that went into this original character from the screenwriters who developed the character and then the actor who conveyed this character. And it was very effective. And I think that's partially why people like, you know, like us are like drawn to this character because so well done in so many aspects. I really appreciate that about the show in general. I love her. Yeah, well, we could. Literally spend all day talking about Aileen and Luna. So let us let us move on.

So we'll move on to one of our OG favorite Patreon people, Pooja, who has a lot to say about 23.5. So let's let's get into what Pooja thinks. Pooja says. Oh, I love this show. It's one of my favorites. I love almost everything about it. Yeah, girl first, I love the characters. They're refreshing and relatable. I adore Aileen. We go back 20 minutes. We agree the way she feels different from others, with hints that she might be on the spectrum, her journey of finding friends and love.

It's also beautiful. The Luna and Aliens story definitely deserves a spin off. Girl, I was wishing for that. Yeah, we're never going to. Get it now. But you know, put that out in the universe, I'll take an alien spin off. Yeah. And then there's Onsa, this huge ball of anxiety. Yeah. Who? Doesn't. Relate. Who doesn't relate to her in some way? Her default response to anything is self rejection. She pushes herself away before anyone else can. Parentheses are you talking about?

Answer. Are you talking about me? Just yeah, she said. That one really hit home. Yeah, it's relatable. Sun on the other. Hand is pure sunshine, I love her relationship with her parents, and I appreciate that the show doesn't include the homophobic angle. Sometimes it's nice to just see queerness normalize. It's a happy show, and I love it for exactly that. It's funny, cute, has great music, and most importantly, it's harmless. No one dies in this one. Yeah, GMMT.

V What happened? Nobody died in this show. What happened? Surprised you decided to adapt this. It's. It's like they. Wanted to give the younger children well the younger audience hope before like they move on to Pluto and all the other shows they produce where people start dying they're like let's keep them innocent start dying they. Start often more people than is necessary. Often Where are the grandmothers of this show? I just realized that I think

there's no grandmothers. They took out the. Homophobia, Theora. There's no, but there's no. Grandmother in the novel either like usually they like to give you at least one grandmother. Where was the There's no grandmothers of this show? Maybe they were like they. They finished the show and you're like, you know what? Feedback Too many living parents, not enough grandmothers. We need to fix this going forward and. Then you get to Pluto. And then you get to us. There's no they just got.

They just got body counts. Going forward? Oh my gosh. Anyway. So that. Is one thing that, to your point, puja, that makes 23.5 unique and there's no bodies. All right, OK. As for my standout moment, it's when Luna visits Aileen's room, Yes. And Aileen initially tries to stop her from looking at her things, but then she realizes that Luna is genuinely interest, interested in her interest. You can see her walls start to crumble from that moment on. I love that scene.

And I love you trying to, like, use her body to, like, literally block Luna. That was a really cute scene because also the commitment to her room and the way they designed it with the door, the, like, keep out stuff. Yeah. Like alien containment. Center, like it was really cute the way they designed that room. But yeah, that was a really significant scene in a lot of ways cuz like, nobody's allowed in that room.

And here's Luna being like, I'm coming in whether you say yes or no and it comes in and it's like, can you show me all your stuff? This is actually really cool. I'm not making fun of you. It was adorable. Anyway. OK. And then pooja. Our favorite Swifty says ends this by saying this show is very speak now lover coded. And yes, all. I have to. Say is that I love you, Pooja. You will keep the Taylor Swift section going because only you are. Yes, you're the only person who comments on it.

You're probably the only person who listens to it at this point. That's actually not real. There's. There's a couple of people on YouTube, but yeah, who just isn't spearheading that. We appreciate that about you, yes, but yeah, no, I agree. It's very very honestly lever coded. Is is a good way to. And speak now. You're right cuz. Like I still got more and speak now. I was like, younger, Yeah, before. We continue into all the 23.5 goodness.

We have to interrupt this video to bring you a few brief shout outs from KS crew over on Patreon. So our chaos crew members on the big gay rider died Here and above are Dana W, Caroline RA, mixed monzone under score multi Natalia Danny Kassie M here for it Jill L, Regina V and Monet FI could not do it in one breath. I tried damn but. This is the first time I'm reading. This list of names. Wasn't used to it yet.

I will try again next time. Our featured big Gay supporter members for this episode are Kim P, Janie C and Chelsea. Thank you everyone. All of your support. And as always, we appreciate everybody who supports us, whether it's on Patreon, as part of our Chaos Crew, or just by watching our content, listening to the podcast, sharing it with everybody, commenting, subscribing, reviewing, doing all the things that you definitely know how to do

because that's our world. We all consume a lot of media. That is why we're here, quite literally. And. If you aren't already, come join our discord so you can talk about 23.5 with us and all other queer media. We have a great group of people over there, especially in the Thai girl of groups. If you love Thai girl of there's your people are there OK? They're there ready and willing to talk about it all at any time of the day. So. Yes, make friends. All right, let's continue.

All right, so. Spinning off of Pooja's comment, let's talk about the homophobia changes. So this I'm going to talk about the comparison to the novel. So again, if you don't want to be spoiled by the novel, jump ahead like 10 minutes because I'm going to make some comparisons because GMM. TV. I've noticed with their girl love series very much like are like. They create fan fiction. Out of like the novel, Canon basically is what they do.

And as we know, fan fiction, sometimes it's better than Canon. Sometimes you read it and you're like. I'm here for the characters. What is this? But you know what? I'm here for the fan. It's fan fiction if you look at it that way. It's I'm OK with the changes, truly, because they're trying to make fan fiction. I'm OK with that. So one of the big, big, big, big changes is the homophobia, OK? Because I'm convinced somebody on this production team has red heart.

Stopper knows Alice Osmond personally tries to like put that vibe into their adaptations. So homophobia was a huge part of the novel, I'm not even going to lie. So particularly UNGSA and Son when their relationship comes out, because yes, there is acceptance that they receive, but there is homophobia that they also experienced because Sun is super popular and there was a lot of like jealous men who are like, you're into vulgar comments about women, gross, like all this stuff.

So they didn't face that. And from, and the the story is written from Unksa's point of view. So you're in her head. And Unksa, as we you can tell even from the series, has really low self esteem at the end of the day. And so that really got to her and made her kind of do the back and forth thing with Son to be like, wow, I'm making Son's life worse because she's with me. Son is getting all these comments like Ongson's like has low self esteem. So she's like, I kind of expect

this shit. The same way we're talking about the scene with Aileen in the library to be like, I expect to get bullied. The same thing with Ongson. She's like, I expect this for me, but like I don't want the person I care about to go through this kind of thing. And so they had there's that. So it wasn't like sunshine and rainbows when they, you know, it wasn't like a grouping like gay. They're together. No, there was homophobia that they faced at school that the GM Mt VS like burn that.

We don't need that shit here. MTV is like we do. Not need examples of what could happen like we need to show them what they should be reacting like. GM MP is like it is. 2024 Enough of this basically. Also this is heart stopper. Why would we put this in here? OK, the but the bigger one that I think was more important to the plot and where things kind of fall apart a little bit for me in the adaptation was the stuff with Unksa's mom.

OK so Unksa's mother is super homophobic and Unksa knew this and that was actually a major plot point with Unksa and son's relationship. And this was the chapters I just quickly reread because I wanted the details. So remember in the series where they're having the dinner and the sun's there and sun? Outs everybody at the. Dinner table and then gets mad at Ong SA, OK.

And that creates this friction with Ong SA and Sun. And then we have the conversation where where Ong SA runs away from her family because she's like, Oh my God, they're not going to accept me. And then they accept her immediately. That does not happen in the book. OK, In the book Unksa's mom is incredibly homophobic and Unksa knows this and so she's super afraid of her mother finding out about this relationship and son does not out people. That does not happen in the

novel. In the novel, there are more characters and basically Unksa's mother is having like a catch up session with one of her friends and her friend, her friend's daughter is like friends with Unksa. She's got a girlfriend, blah, blah, blah. And the Unks mother's friend is like casually mentions like, oh, the people that are dating that are their kids age. And she mentions she's like, it's not that weird. Like, oh, actually, no, here's what happened.

They they're at a diner or cafe or whatever and they see two young teenagers making out or whatever and they're like, wow, don't these kids have decency these days? This Unks his mom and the friend is like, yeah, you know, I'm glad our kids don't kind of do that and like, blah, blah, blah. And then she accidentally lets it slip and almost has a girlfriend. And then her mom flips out and she's like, what do you mean my daughter is dating a woman?

What the hell? And basically the the friend's mom saw it on Facebook is kind of how that happened. She's like, whoops, and didn't know it was a big deal. And so Unk's mom flips out and then goes to pick up Unka from school. And you're in Unk's head now. And she's like, my mom's acting weird and she starts getting freaked out. She's like, something's wrong, something is wrong. And mom corners her and it's basically like, are you dating a girl? You better not be. Basically.

And Unk's is like, no, no, we're just, you know, it was one of those things we did it for attention. Like, it's not real, mom. It's not real because her mom's like flipping out on her and her mom's like, good. You better not do that. It's evil, like all this stuff. So that gets into Uncs's. Head and she ends up like breaking up with son because things at her house get really bad to the point where like her parents are sleeping in separate

rooms. Like they have a huge fight over this and like her parents almost get divorced over this like it's that bad. So uncs is like I don't want my family to break apart. So she breaks up with son to try and like salvage her family basically and son doesn't really understand the full context cuz like Unksa is bad at communicating we all know this. And shortly after that for just randomly. Unksa ends up getting. Appendicitis and has to go to the hospital to get her appendix

removed. Convenient. Yeah. I mean appendicitis. Just happens randomly so it's not super. I don't know where. So she ends up in the hospital and this is one of my favorite, least favorite things I've ever read. You don't we don't know what happens. Basically, we're in mom's head and then alpha calls and she's like distraught and mom's like, what the fuck's going on? I was like, it's also she's in

the hospital. And so like you as the reader don't know what's going on. And then you get to the hospital with the mom and the doctor's like, OK, let's let me talk to you guys are also's parents. Let me talk to you. And the first thing the. Doctor. Says is. How would you feel if I said also doesn't have that much longer left to live and. You as the reader don't know what's. Going on, you're like, what? And he's like, I'm kidding, she's fine, but how would you feel?

Can can you do that? OK, wait, wait, there's a reason. This is all happening. This, this the homophobia thing is wild actually when you read it. OK. So. There's that and the mom basically has a heart attack and then he's like, no, no, she's fine. She's fine. But hang on to that feeling. And the reason is the doctor. That's talking to him. Talking to them is the root cause of Unksa's mom's homophobia.

And the reason she's so homophobic is because Unksa's dad used to date this doctor, who's a man. Yeah. And basically they were in love when they were younger. And he explains the story here, the doctor, and he's like, well, yes, we used to date. He's like. And the reason we're not together anymore is my our parents found out and shipped me away to America, and then the parents forced the boys to marry girls basically to break them up specifically. And. He's like, you know, but that

was a long time ago. We've moved on this and that. And like Unk's mom, I think found this out a while ago. And so she's been like kind of afraid of she's been super homophobic because she was like felt like she was the second pick and like always afraid her husband was going to leave her for a man and this and that and basically that. I think the parents talk at some point and it's like Alex's dad is like, bye, basically. And he's like, no, I love you too. It's not that I don't love you.

I loved him, but I also loved you and that kind of thing. And they finally talk it out and like, it gets better. But like, that's why she was so paranoid about her daughter. She's like, it's a sin. It's isn't that because she was like scorned by this because of her husband was queer. And like, you find it out during this hospital visit. It's wild. Wait. I kind. Of want that though. I know I'm saying it's real, it's real good, it was good.

And then, OK, so then what ends up happening is like. That. And like the doctor was like, he's like, hey, and the reason I said at the beginning, how would you feel if you only knew your daughter? You know your daughter had short amount of time left. He's like when you were in that moment thinking about that, he's like, what mattered more that she was queer or that you wanted her to stay? Like how did you feel about your daughter? Did anything else matter other

than I want her to be OK? He's like, remember that you love her. She's your daughter. That's why he opened with that. But like you're reading it. You're like what the fuck? Why would you say this? But he's like, yeah, yeah, he's like I. Know you're going to flip out. You were always mad at me, but like, don't take it out on your daughter. Basically, that's what the doctor was saying.

I knew that that was. Probably what he went in with, but I'm like, is a doctor allowed to say shit like that in the beginning? I mean, he knows that. Personally, All right, that is fair. That OK. But anyway, obviously it just. It's funny because as the reader, you don't know the context of any of this and you're just like what the fuck, man? Because you don't know what's. Going on with long sex? You're out in her head yet?

OK, so then. Again, Sun is not the crux of the homophobia thing that happens in the show. So what happens with Sun in the way it gets resolved is that Unks is in the hospital for a few days because she had surgery. And TIN, oh, like, son, I forget how, but Tin and son start talking or whatever.

And he like, he basically tells her the context of what's going on. He's like, hey, did you know that her mother is super homophobic and she flipped out when she found out you guys were dating and that her parents almost got a divorce and she was trying to salvage her family? And so I was like, no, I didn't know any of that. Onsa is like Sam, he doesn't communicate. And he's like, yeah, that was the context of it all.

So like, he can't be super mad. He's like, I'm not making excuses for Onsa. We all know she's the worst sometimes. He's like, that's what happened so. Son kind of feels a little. Like, OK, I want to see her and so she goes to the hospital. With like school work. Basically because she's like, finals are coming up, let me give Unsa our school work and she runs it to Unsa's mom, who doesn't know whose son is she. Just know that Unsa has a girlfriend.

And so son shows. Up and Unsa's mom's like, oh, do you want to see her? She's awake and son just kind of freaks out. She's like, oh, this is the mom. Oh my God. Because she has the contacts now, like the homophobia and she's like, no, it's fine. It's good here. Give her the homework and then son kind of runs away. So like Unsa, Unsa's mom in that moment puts together it's son and it's like, oh wow, this girl cares enough to like starts putting it together that they

actually care about each other. It's not like some weird experiment or whatever. And after son leaves the mom goes and talks to Unsa and is basically like tell me why you like this girl. And unsa's like this is that. Weird. And then Unsa basically tells her like, why she loves son. And then the mom's like, OK, like love who you're going to love. It's fine. You have my blessing, basically.

And that's what resolves it. So it's to me, I like that better than oh, I love that so much better. Yeah, I like it a lot. Better, it's like, yeah, it's more dramatic and stuff, but I it made more sense of why. UNSA was so. Afraid of her mother versus like in the show? It didn't to me. It didn't quite pan out because they removed the homophobia entirely. Her like. Reaction. To son outing her made less sense and there was like less payoff with it because there

were no stakes involved. Where is like in the novel that like there was a huge family blowout. Like, there was a real reason for UNSA to be so freaked out by it because the consequences were kind of real. And yeah, you can argue that like, well, UNKSA doesn't know exactly how the parents are going to react. So there's that fear. That's totally valid.

That's part of being queer. Unfortunately, in the world we live in, there's always that fear until, like, you do tell somebody and it's her parents, you know? But it. But but like. For son to get so mad at UNKSA and be like, well, we told my parents we need to. There's no. World that's OK for you to tell out somebody it's first of all that. Second of all, it didn't make sense for Sun's character to do that, no. You would be so accepting they right they set.

Her up as sunshine and accepting and empathetic. So it didn't make any sense for her to actually do that. I feel like the writers got backed into a corner because they didn't have the homophobia anymore, which is what actually propels the plot in the book. So they're like, how do we get around this? And they made Sun the villain, which was kind of, it just didn't translate to me because I was like, this feels out of character for Sun to do this.

But I feel like they have to do this to get the plot to move the way it moves in the novel. They could have easily. Made it that the parents over like heard or over like saw them together somewhere. But Even so, like. But they removed the homophobia. So like, again, there's no stakes to any of that. They were just been like, Congrats on SA and that we don't have like the break up and like

the way it goes. Like you don't have those beats anymore because they removed this element that drove that plot. That's what I'm getting at. Like, yeah, it was nice to not have homophobia in the story. But like the plot kind of falls apart towards the end because that was the plot at the end. And like the I don't think the writers like. Super calculated. That the end. I think they got stuck and so they were like, we'll have Sun flip out like. You know, like that's. Kind of.

The sun gets angry, you know, Sun gets angry. She's an explosive flare. Yeah. Solar flare. Exactly. So for me, it didn't, I don't think it's super worked. It is what it is. But that was a consequence to me in the writing of removing that element, because it is part of the plot at some point in the novel. It was a choice. It was a choice and. Like again like there. Are pros and cons to making?

These changes, and I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I just think the writers got stuck because that was a plot point that was the last third of the book basically. Another thing that I do, another choice they made when adapting this is they GMMTV kept it in high school. Like they kept this as just YA. It's just young ung son, son in high school and that's it. And they just keep it there. Whereas the novel you get to see their future a little bit more,

which I did like. So and they and they did make some changes, like son's family didn't have some business she was taking over. Like son eventually becomes an actress, Onsa becomes a dentist. Like she wanted to be a veterinarian and in some point she's like, I don't know if I'm that smart. And then she becomes a dent, then she becomes a dentist. Like girl, you are smart. Like again, what she had to believe in herself to like do

anything. And Son and Unksa do get separated by the gap year thing that Son does. Son does go abroad. I forget why, but she does go abroad. Unksa enters dentistry school and they don't like see each other until she's in like dentist school. And son like shows up at the. Campus and then they start like living together from then on basically and. Also becomes. The dentist Sun becomes the actress and the whole time their relationship remains closeted because Sun's an actress.

So they kind of like end up in the same scenario they were they started with with the closeted relationship because of Sun's career. And. That was kind of sad, but like they make it work kind of thing. Does it just end there? Well, it ends with like. Son coming to visit on set her clinic and they like make out the dentist's office. And that's basically how it ends. But they're like still their. Relationship's hidden because. Son's an actress.

So, yeah, they they they hide the relationship otherwise, like it would jeopardize son getting work based. I assume this is more when the novel was written versus like now kind of thing. But yeah, to preserve son's career, which is it's still a thing being an actor like that is a choice. You could you could go. Yeah, exactly. So they kind of like make that choice together and they're like, you know, son's a famous

actress. We have to kind of hide this, but I do. Like that they get a. Glimpse of their future and like what it looks like in the novel but I respect the fact that the the show is like we're just going to keep this as a why a story we're going to keep it in high school and we're just going to end it there and I thought that it worked it was just you get different things from both mediums because at this. Point like these teens, they don't know where they're actually going to end up.

They might think they know totally. They're focusing on the you're in the teenagers heads. We're not like. Seeing like the big. Picture of like what the parents are seeing. And it's not that. It's like we are living in high school. So we don't really get that future because they can't even fully see it.

Yeah. And truly, I I. Respect the choice to be like son has a happy, healthy family that they love her and son's trying to be the good daughter to like take over the family and she wants to like go abroad while she can. And I I thought that worked that worked as a back story for son that worked as motivation for her to do the abroad thing. So I did like, and you know, so

it was empathetic towards that. And I, I liked that in the novel, like, like I you make changes when you adapt stuff and like some works out, some doesn't. And I thought overall, like the changes worked for what they were trying to achieve. And so being like, these are kids, we're going to keep them the story as them as kids. I thought that worked. That was really fun. Another thing that I really love is the OST, their opening song. It got stuck in my head every single time.

I wish I knew the words in Thai because they that song gets stuck in my head so easily. It's a little ear worm of a song. I think Milk and Sun harmonize really nicely together, like their voices complement each other. And when they created the song, it really fits the tone of the show because it's like warm and it sounds really upbeat. And that is like going into the show, what you'd expect. Like that show, really, the song matches what you're about to watch.

So I do like that. Like they put a lot of thought into that, you know what I mean? Yeah, it matches the. Tone and. I mean, we jammed out to. It in every single reaction episode we had the whole the same conversation where theor was like I wish I knew that the lyrics to it so I could sing it. And then I told you I saw a TikTok where they did put the lyrics so you could learn it. And then I still haven't found it. So if anyone has it, send it to us.

One day. And also the commitment to the space theme and the opening credits. It's great. That was my. First introduction to GMMTV and I was winning credits. And. We've seen it like similar ones to it, but it's a they do really well with their openings, yes. I have one. Gripe with us, hey, if you've watched. Our reaction? Videos, you know what it is? It's in everybody's. Pick a random one. Don't. We will say it every time because. However. I think you played it.

Out in the YouTube. Version it's only oh, actually everybody yeah, if. You're on Patreon gets when we talk. During the credits, we talk during the credits. But that is my favorite OSD of all time. So it's it's because the OSD is so perfect. My gripe has to do with it, but. Anyway. That's for another time when we. Eventually, talk about us, we'll get into it. OK, so. To comment, Speaking of music, to go back to Pooja's love of Taylor Swift. So what songs go with this series?

I'm just going to throw it out there that mine is Alien and Luna's song just because of everything we said about the Way like Luna and Alien, basically, they change each other's lives in these really beautiful ways. And like, they are the best thing to each other. And they, I, I of all the couples, they they make it. That's the one that's, you know, they make it forever. Yeah. Especially when. Like Aylan? Well, in the song it's like, brace myself for a goodbye.

Like she doesn't. Think that. She's worthy because like what she sees and it's just. Luna. Showing her that no, it doesn't have to be like that, and just taking her time and showing her how things can be. That does encapsulate that song. Yeah, they're. That's their. Song. They're so cute. Thank you. Again. Pooja, because you pointed me to the right albums to look at. I just went through it with the discography to refresh all of the. She has so many songs I can't

remember. I didn't finish my database yet because I. Forgot about it for a little while. Anyway, from the songs mean I think is alien because she's gonna be running this world one day. I gotta. Be so. Mean, that's alien. And literally everybody else. Yeah, everyone's so. Mean to her, I mean, not in like the group, but everybody in the world. Angsa is definitely enchanted. Yeah, please don't. Be. In love with some. Also just I'm enchanted. To meet you, can I point out something?

So when I was watching this for the first time and this was like early in our intro to like Tiger love shows. And at that point, I think a gap was like the only one I've we've seen all the way through because like Blank was still airing. And so in my brain I'm like, why is this another show where like we have Internet stalking because like Mon stalked Sam for decades and then we have this show where like Anksa is the Internet stalking sun. And that's how I have an all.

Star. I mean stalking. Catfishing, yeah. Stalking and catfishing Mom didn't do catfishing, but like mom was stalking Sam like the. Following for a while guidebook of really bad stalking. Mom did bad stalking, but like I was like, here's Om so dude, she upped the stalking and I was like let me catfish you. I was like what a way to start the show. I just thought it was really funny. That is the. Era we live in. With Internet the possibilities. OK, I have a couple. More. Oh yeah, go.

Son is lover. Mostly just because of the line. I'm highly suspicious. Everyone who sees you wants you. And that is episode 7. You have the. Jealous son. Absolutely. Ellen's other song. Is it's nice to have a friend, Yeah. My poor baby. And then Ansa is fearless. Ah, yes. So I wrote down. The lyrics too, just so in case you don't remember the song, because when I hear Fearless, all I think of is head first fearless. And I don't know the rest of the words.

So we're driving down the road. I wonder if you know, I'm trying so hard not to get caught up now, but you're just so cool. Run your hands to your hair. Absolutely making me want you. And I don't know how it gets better than this. You take my hand and drag me head first, fearless. So this is when she hurts me, meets son and is driving on the motorcycle with her. The motorbike just in general.

That because like again, Honest's big thing is she has a lack of self-confidence and like son gave her the the self cut. This song also works for Aileen and Luna because like Aileen dragged that's true and dragged Aileen into confidence the same way son did. Like they honestly have parallel kind of stories in a way that were told differently. Yeah, it was. The butt, you're just so cool around your hands, your hair. It reminds me of when Son was taken off the helmet. Yeah.

But also like you could. Relate that to like again, uncle scrolling through the Internet and being like, wow, she's so pretty. Like absolutely. My name is she just existing and like, God damn it, yes, Siren or whatever, like you know what I mean? And then my. Last one is also for Aylan. I think about her a lot, Can you tell? And her song, Another song is a place in this world and. Just yeah. I love her. OK, this last bit I already said.

Yeah, OK, All right, so now that we've talked about all of that, let's talk about some other characters like that are in the show. So we'll we'll use our page lovely Patreon member Cassie M as the jumping off point. So why does? Cassie Love. 23 point 523.5 is a personal favorite of mine because Onsa is pretty much me

40 years ago. I identify so much with that nervous character, with a lack of self-confidence, that it was great to see her come out of her shell and even get the girl I adore that Onsa is in a perpetual state of panic, yet so true. Yet yet, son. Sees through. Her. Her true. Self, which is capable of much more than she believes. Son is pretty much the popular girl in this relationship, even more so than in the book, but in the series she definitely encouraged her to aim for more.

Apart from that, the friends they are surrounded with all support. Unsa and Luna plus Alen are the best side couple of other girl loves. Absolutely. Seriously. Seriously. So yeah, let's ODE. To Onsa real quick because she's the, you know, she's the main we spent a ton of time talking about. We said like 30 minutes talking about alien but like Onsa's the main character and Milk did such a good job playing Onsa This like literal ball of anxiety that's teaching expressions.

Oh my God, God, she's such a strong actor. I really enjoyed watching her play Onsa, she really nailed it. Like her like physical acting, facial expressions, the like her voice acting, the whininess of ONSA like she nailed it. Did a phenomenal job committed in. Every aspect to this character, yeah. She like is so so so so good. One thing I love about. Onsa and the way it was depicted in the show is really her. At the end of the day, Onsa is on a quest, her courage.

That's basically her her, if you had to boil down her character arc, that's what happens from start to finish. And I love that the show bookends that journey with the the motor taxi scenes. So something you kind of lose a little bit in the adaptation. And I will say this over and over again, especially when you have a first person like you, you lose the character's inner monologue.

So their thoughts, OK, when you translate it to screen, unless you have a ton of voiceovers, because the point of a voiceover is to tell you what they're thinking. Like basically you have like the actor voice out loud what they're thinking while a scene is playing out. That's a voiceover. And that gets annoying. After a while, because you're like, just so often times like the characters have to show you what they're thinking, right? Why are you? Laughing.

Because. You complain about it whenever it happens in shows and I love it, no? I have to say this. Every time it's not. Whenever it happens, it's when they're used inappropriately or overused. Because when you have it like the actor supposed to show you what they're thinking without, it's a show don't tell. Once you put it on screen right in a book that the author can tell you explicitly, this is what the character is thinking in this moment.

That's the novel 'cause you're in their head. So in Uncs's head in the novel, you really get to see or or read how self deprecating she really is. Like she constantly calls herself lousy, unworthy. Like she talks down to herself in her brain on screen. Either the the way you would. Kind of like show that is you show like how self deprecating Unksa is through her actions. Like she self sabotages herself constantly.

It's because she feels unworthy. And the other way you kind of depict that is by having her talk with other characters. I think that's why we have Aileen. It's so that Unksa can talk out loud and you get those thoughts through the dialogue of how unworthy she feels. So like all of that is to say is in the novel, it's really clear that like she does. Not have any.

Confidence at all. She talks down to herself constantly and that's really what makes it so hard for Anksa to accept that somebody like son, a person who's the complete opposite of her, like Son is happy, upbeat, confident, you know, And because of that, she like she easily interacts with other people and she attracts people to her. Like she's the opposite of Onsa. And it's really hard for Onsa to to accept the fact that Son likes her because Onsa doesn't

even like herself. So that's really a lot of their friction. And she's like, I don't even know why son likes me because how could she? I don't even like me. Like she doesn't see her own value. And like son gives her that in the same way that Luna gives that to alien. Like they have kind of like parallel, like trajectories and why. And So what I love about the show is they bookend essentially this journey that UNSA has with

the motor taxi. So the first, like the opening scene of the show is like they're trying to it's the the cousins are trying to hail taxis to get to school, right? And Ungsa lacks so much courage and self-confidence. She can't even hail the taxi by herself. Like she can't. She just fails so miserably at it. The sun, the like knight in shiny armor has to come rescue her basically because she's so useless. She can't even achieve this.

But then she goes on this journey where she like gets to know Sun. She, you know, gets more confident with her friend group and in herself and she becomes the beauty pageant queen. And she starts like, like, like finding her own values so that by the time we get to the end of the show, when we get to the last motor taxi scene, it parallels the first one. But and not only in the scene does Onsa grow so much that she has the courage to hail the taxi. She puts the finger up, she gets

the taxi. She also teaches somebody else how to do it. You know what I mean? It's like she grew so much that not only is she confident in herself, she's able to pass it on to somebody else. Like that's a huge amount of growth to have in one show. And I love that they really show that with these two, these two parallel scenes. It's a great way to bookend Unksa's journey when it came to like her own character growth.

And outside of like the sun, stuff like that's Unksa grew a lot and like shows you that it's really cute. I love that it was a. Great way to depict it. I just want to touch on something that you briefly mentioned well in that explanation and the parallel between the. Between Aylan. And Angsa really because both of them feel othered cuz Angsa is socially, she's always she's socially awkward.

I will say one thing. In the book that's really obvious that she says in her inner mom at the very beginning, she's like, it's easier for me to talk to dogs. So like in the show, you'll see her talking to latte because she doesn't feel comfortable talking to people like, and she says that in her brain like she's like, it's so much easier just to hang out with dogs. Like she, she. Doesn't. Feel comfortable with people in the same way that Alien doesn't, like you said.

And she even, like, admits that about herself. And so, like, Latte is there to kind of show you that, like, Angsa is like, whispering to him at the table and things like that. Yeah, she's sort of very awkward. I think it's in the first episode. We hear her say it's weird to hear latte at the dinner table, and that's exactly we don't hear alien say that, but you see that with the way that she's obsessed

with aliens. They both have the same feelings, they're just presented differently and I do think that's a very good way to contrast like neurotypicals and neurodivergent as well if you want to call. Uns a neurotypical? Yeah. I mean, you don't know. No, I don't. She might actually have. ADHD. Herself so like, Oh my God, yeah, you know what? But like you. Just see like the. Differences in people totally how they present and react situations, but you do see that they both.

If they really talk. Or like just hang out. They would see that they're very similar. You do see that in the show when? Because Anxa. Understands Aylan more than I think she realizes too. There is a scene where she calls Aylan and says I'm waiting for you. And Aylan doesn't respond. And Aung said just like, keeps checking to make sure she's on the phone and just keeps talking and like periodically checks like, OK, she's still there. She's like, OK, I know you can hear me.

This is what's happening and then I'll see you. She knows that Aylan doesn't want to speak and she accepts that. She doesn't push her or like, try to get something out of her, get her, get angry with her. She understands her. And that part of the relation, their two relationship, is so cool to see, especially when you see the similarities between them. Yeah. No, I totally agree. But yeah, I think, I think. Anxa might have ADHD for sure. Do you have? Any other thoughts about Anxa?

Before I move on Anxa. Just a relatable mess. I love her and she's so. Fucking funny. And again, Milk did a fucking amazing job playing Anxa. She just nailed it. It's just Oh, yeah. There was, I forget exactly the scene. I think it might be when she was trying to kiss. Son for the first time. And I think son walks out of the room and you just see her face and the reaction that she

failed. She tried so hard three times and Oh my God. That was the one where they're trying to watch the movie and Unsa's like, son's going to pick out a romance movie and it's like this like mafia movie. And yeah, when she leaves the room, Unsa does like the finger guns at the TV, at the laptop because she's mad at the movie. It's so. Funny.

Oh yeah, no, she starts. Freaking out and she's just like having this whole not nutdown, but just like frustration that's silent because she can't let son here. And that is still relatable in itself. And it's just like I want to throw this laptop across the room but I can't actually it was so. It was great. It was great and. Great. I don't know how much was like directing and what was her choice.

I feel like when it's like physical like that, it's I think it's more so the actor's choice of how to convey what the emotion the character's supposed to be having. So, but whoever's idea this all was so good. It was very well done, so well done. So piggybacking off that scene will trend this into the sun. So also in that scene I love that when Son leaves the way she has the little like gay. Panic. Outside the door because she was gay panicking she's like, Oh my

God, I'm so whatever. And then she goes outside the door. She's like Oh my God, gay feelings like she's like I'm so bold. I like this because OK, because then you could be mad at son and be like, wow, son, why couldn't you just kiss her? But it's like they're teenagers figuring this shit out for the first time. Like big feelings are scary. And so the Son was like, Oh my God, Oh my God, that's. You know that's normal. It's just unfortunate because it

took. Oh my gosh, sorry the names are getting jumbled in my head. Ansa. It took so much for her to even try, let alone three times at once, and this is the first time she put herself out there like that. And so having son escape. Like, yeah, she wasn't. Ready for it, but you see her be happy that Ansa took initiative, but now Ansa's going to be less likely to take initiative because it failed. Yeah, which. But I mean, Sun should not have kissed her if she didn't feel ready or want that.

Exactly. Fine. So fine. I just. It's unfortunate. It does, but I do love Sun. I love that Sun lives up to her name. She is Sunshine in human form. Like if Sunshine was a person, it would be Sun. She is aptly named one of my. Favorite things? About her character. She's really. Empathetic, honestly, like she's not just like a happy go lucky person. Like she really is empathetic and she.

Really does try to meet. Also where she is, and she really does try to understand Unsa because like son doesn't have the self deprivation. Son has a lot of confidence that is reinforced by the way people see her. She's like the president of the class like and she really does try to meet UNSA where she is, which is like underground because like UNSA has no confidence. Like, they're on opposite ends of that spectrum. I do love that about son. And son puts a lot of effort

into the people she loves. Like, it even gets to the point where, like, she gets integrated into Anksa's friend group and, like, supports them. And like, Aileen, when Aileen's going through her, you know, kind of like struggling to like, fit in with everybody when she like, actively wants to do it. And son's like, oh, I'll watch out for her. And like, she really is a caring person, which again, made the whole outing everybody weird, but you know.

Another thing I love about son. That I'll never be able to forget. Is her cat noises the. Sound effects. They make me laugh every single. Fucking time. Because they're just, they fit, but they're just fucking funny. Especially like Happy Cat and then Angry Cat, they're so. Fucking funny. Whoever made that choice, well done. It just makes me laugh every time, even when we hear Cat. Noises and other shows. It's still Sun's cat. It's Sun's cat. Noises.

They're forever. They're Sun's noises. They're so fucking funny. OK, yes, but my biggest pet peeve what's on is her outing Aileen and Onsa to the parents and then getting mad at Onsa about it. And I went on a rant about how it didn't make any sense. But like, you can't just out two people. Like, that's not cool. Seriously. What? I mean again, we know. That it really did not make sense character wise.

But seriously, how do you ever think that that is OK and then get mad at the other person still right like it was a. Really weird chain of events that happened that just wasn't it Didn't I did forget for a second that. She outs. That's insane. That's what I mean. She's lucky. That this is in the book. Oh my God, if this was. The book they would have like thrown sun out of the house. It would have been gotten really bad, like really, really bad.

And if that was wild, if Aylan. Lived there too, like Aylan probably would have. Been sent away or? Something. Yeah, I know. It's kind of fucked up what I favorite scenes at Sun. Is I really like the basketball scene, that whole thing where Unks is like trying to get the money as the treasurer and fails miserably. But I like that sun is like, well, you tried, like you did something nobody else would do.

I love the way she builds up Unksa and it like looks at the bright side because she's the sun, right? And I do love that whole thing with her where she's like, well, you tried, that's what mattered, nobody else. And you didn't give up like, and that's, that's a good thing, you know, like that you'd fought and. So I like that she does that. She's, again, really empathetic and good at supporting people, and she's very pretty consistent about that as a character, and I do appreciate that.

And I love that she named her moped Sunny. That was I, I am as a person who also names inanimate objects, I love that she named her Moped. I thought that was really cute. And she named it after. Her It's sunny. She did. That's cute. OK, moving on to our next listener comment from Instagram. There's a Ramachari. Oh God, if I said that wrong, I'm really sorry. Ramachari, that's mine. Thank you. Would you like to read it,

Caitlin? Since you can spell the name OK, so Ramachari. 5048 says this show is cuteness overload. The things I love about the show follows. They didn't say follows. Anyway, no bullshit attitude of Son. She is really amazing and open about what she wants. There is no drama with her. Well except for a little bouts of jealousy. She shows. Yeah I Son is just like I'm going to tell you as it is. I wait a minute also.

Like the jealousy. I do love when they place into Son's jealousy to get her to admit that she likes Anxa and the way she's like not having it with Todd. I think I. Have this later but it's I've been vocal about me not liking jealousy in shows like as the plot point but in this show they make it so funny like it's not meant to be taken seriously and that's why I'm totally fine with it because they're literally doing it on purpose right now to get them to stop being idiots. Yes.

OK, so the next thing. Total and utter dorkiness of Anxa. Has there ever been a more relatable female lead? Thank you. Like her. Thankfully I am past those awkward teenage years. Or are you? Is it awkward adult years? Because. Those are a thing too. And awkwardness doesn't have an. Expiration date it doesn't. Unfortunately, I wish it did, really did. And Eilen and Luna, those two are adorable. PS Am I the only one who wants a happy ending for Alpha? No, I mean no, I want a happy

ending for everyone. But yes, AA deserves it. Let's talk about. Alpha. I have so many thoughts about Alpha. I fucking love her. First of all, I love this actor. She's was an amazing big sister to Onsa and Ailey, basically older cousin kind of thing. And I love the way they showed her very consistently trying to be like the perfect eldest of the house, like sibling basically. And she was kind of like the in the not the negotiator.

She's kind of like the liaison between the parents and like Aileen and Onsa as the younger children in the house. And I think she tried to fulfill that role as best that she could. And I really love that they gave her her own plot where she struggles with that because as like an eldest child, I, I empathize with Alpha in the situation that by definition, in many cultures, including mine, a lot is put on the oldest child. And you see that with Alpha over

and over again. Like she feels responsible for like everybody else in the house. And she's like, is trying to be perfect in school And it like does get to her. So I like that she has that scene with the teachers where they basically coach her through that. And they're like, well, what do you want? And like, I like that they, as educators who probably seen this with other students, like took the time to invest in Alpha and like let her vent her feelings

and her fears. And I like that we got that glimpse into Alpha. Like obviously this is Anksa story. Like she's the main character. But like another thing I love about GMTV in general is they make ensemble shows where the other characters have their own plot points. Like not everything the other characters are doing a revolve around Unksa the main character. Like this was literally. Just. About Alpha and I really liked this little side plot with her

and up to this point. As a viewer, you're like, OK, she's perfect. You're seeing what she's presenting to everyone else as well. And then this humanizes her where like don't forget not everybody's perfect or they're everyone is being. Who they think they. Need to be, yeah. Yeah, perfection is. Not really a thing. It's something you strive to achieve, but it's not always. There's no such thing. As a perfect person, no, There's. Literally no such thing.

People are people. And so I like that you get a glimpse into Behind the Curtains of Alpha because you you're seeing her through Angsta's eyes in the beginning. Because Angsta's the main character. The book is written through Angsta's point of view and it reads that way up until a point where it starts going like, OK, let's actually look at these people outside of what Angsta sees. And you, the viewer can see like what that person is really like. And you see.

Videos of that. Scene it like come out earlier too, when she realizes that she doesn't know Aylan and she does take that personally. And I mean, I, I don't fully remember when Eilen came to live with them, but she she took it so personally that she did not know everything that was going on. So she could be there to be the one to fix things if they needed to be when that's that's not her job. But now you can get to know each other as people, not as a person and that you need to protect all

the time. But I just the responsibility that she had that she. I don't know if the parents put it on. Yeah, like she just put it on herself. She felt like she needed to do that. Yeah, as. The old, as an older child, you feel it whether or not you are directed to do it or not. You feel like responsible for the other people. And that's like Alpha's whole thing. She felt like this the second's

parent to everybody. And yeah, that that's that moment you brought up where she's like, I don't know Aileen. I also don't know Anxa. She's like, you guys are hiding shit from me. It was both of them. And she's like in this weird position. That's why I called her like the as the oldest child, you're like the liaison sometimes where it's like you're not really a sibling. You're kind of like this in between a parent and a sibling to everybody.

And so she felt alienated in that moment because she's like, you 2 are bonded as just like the younger siblings. So you don't have the responsibility or the feeling that I feel. And so it kind of it separates them. So I like when they, the parents leave and like the writers, they go on a trip and it gives the, the writers gave them a bonding moment where like Alpha again feels responsible. So she makes breakfast for them and she's like, I know you like this.

So I made it for you and like it show showing that she's like, I, I, I know you, I care about you. Let me show you that versus just like me being this like authority figure in your brain. And I like they had that moment that they had time to bond with Alpha as. Piers not as. Like she's the authority figure because she's older and I have to respect her because she's older than me. It's kind of like that's also it kind of alienates you in a way.

So I do like that. They're relatable to Angsa and Aylan who feel other. Yeah, exactly. And again, it goes to show you like, yeah, she seems like this perfect person, but she also feels alienated by her, you know, status in the family and that kind of stuff and the responsibility she feels. So again, like it makes it more like these relationships are more complicated than like, if you just superficially look at them.

So I'd like that we got depth to Alpha, not just like, she's my annoying older sister or like whatever. So I might also about their relationship points out the fact. That everyone feels alienated at some point. Yeah, that's the part of. Being human, yeah. Honestly so alien. Is more human than she even realizes. Exactly. But back to Alpha. So yeah, I wanted, I don't think Alpha didn't have a happy ending, but I think it could have been happier.

So what I wanted with Alpha, honestly, it was for either her to end up with Sharian because why the hell was she with Ton? That was weird. I feel like her and Alpha could have got together and then Alpha could have got a girlfriend and that would have been nice for Alpha or I would have been super happy with Alpha being like I'm an arrow ace bitch and living my

best life. I also would have been fine with that read for her where she's just like I know who I am now and I'm comfortable with like going forward. Like she can be Alice, yeah. I I could see that. As well, I could see it from her. Without Luna I. Would see that for Aylan too,

but for sure I don't know. I don't know if you knew this or if you told me this before, but apparently in the opening credits the colors that outline the characters are the colors of pride flags and it shows you what their sexuality is. So apparently. Alpha is bi. I'm also fine with that. Yeah, so end up. With a Sharon. I want her to end up a Sharon. Well, the spoiler the actors end up together and what is it Pluto? So like I would have liked to

see it here too. I just wanted her to be a happy, happy little alpha because she she did her best to be like the best girl basically, and she should get happiness for that. I mean if she's happy with. Tan good for her. But OK, was. Sharon happy with Tan that they were had the weirdest relationship. Their ending was just like, I'm so much like, I don't understand what's going on with these two. I don't even know if they understand what's going on with themselves, but here we are.

That's basically how they ended. That was not in the novel. That was like, I don't know what this is, Nobody knows what this is. It's just the thing. They're pairing up. Put this here, but I'm just saying from Alpha's point of view, I would have liked that for Alpha specifically because she deserves happiness like our listener said. All right. Let's. Go to Patreon where Zori M said this show has my favorite episode of all the girl love shows which is episode 7 AKA sons jealousy episode.

It literally makes me laugh so much I rewatch it all the time. I couldn't agree more. This is one of my favorite episodes of the show because it's literally the embodiment of the classic lesbian trope of it takes a village to get the lesbians together. Like that's literally the whole episode where like you said they're like we have to play to their weaknesses which is son's jealousy to get these idiots to real to admit they like each other because they obviously

like each other. Like just this is the episode where they're just like, can you guys just kiss like smooshing the heads together? That's the episode. And it's so funny how the friends try to execute this and they try so. Hard. And then the scene that makes them realize that they have to try even harder now is like when they're working on stuff for the blue team and Angsa is upset and they ask her like, oh, why are you upset? And she goes.

I don't think son likes my. New look and they're like are you freaking kidding me? First of all. She's literally the one who gave you that look that we see the prior part of the episode. And they're like, oh. Gosh, so yeah, they have to try even harder with the jealousy, which Tan is fully willing. Oh my God, he was. So fucking funny in this he was. So fucking funny, they said. Make. They probably gave him the direction. Flirt with Ansa, he said. Say no more. I got this.

At all costs, I. Like again with the end. Where like they win the trophy, they take the photo and then Ansa's like, I'll see you later, son. And they're like, get that? Done. And he's like, hey. Ansa, you want to go to dinner with me and then finally son's like stay the fuck away from her. She's mine. It's so funny. Yeah, but part of that, OK. We get to the really. The end when they're together and he's like my UNSA is moving on my. Sweetheart. Yeah, my sweetheart, they're.

Like on he's like son, son, sweetheart, and then he's. Goes I love my sweetheart, son, sweetheart. So fucking funny, but. Yeah, there's just oh wait, OK. Also, the way they executed that was hilarious too. Just in general where like son's friends are finding this out for the first time. They're like wait son, like so so we'll. Fill you in later. Shut up, shut up. The games are happening. You're. Like. What is? Happening. They're like SH, let it happen, shut up, we'll tell you later.

But the best part of the scene? I was talking about. Is when Ansa just leaves to go to the bathroom and everyone's just like are you kidding me? And this, the reactions of everybody is hilarious. And even Aylin's like humans can be really stupid. She's like, you guys are fucking stupid. Yeah, it's so funny. Oh my God. This. Episode was so so so so so so so so funny. I agree it is one of the most rewatchable episodes because it's hilarious. Cassie M on.

Patreon had a favorite moment I wanted to highlight. My favorite moments include the repeatedly falling on each other in episode 3, Luna's declaration of love, declaration of her as a place to hide for alien which you brought up Caitlin, and of course the Morse coded love declaration. Oh my God, that was the fucking cutest thing ever. That's all the fact that. Aileen and Luna got there. 1st. I mean Luna. Knows the fuck she wants. She ain't beating around the Bush.

But it's Aileen. Says it. First. Like that was the crazy part. Like, is it? Aileen said it first. Oh my. I didn't expect. That at all I. Thought it was going to be Luna. Yeah, it was just like. The she, she couldn't say it directly either and she had to like code it. So just in case she lost like the confidence, not the confidence, but like. The I don't know what the right.

Word is but in case you didn't want to say it and it's still decoded technically, so Luna had to do the a little bit of work too. OK, but then like what? Is Luna's response again, she gets on Alien's level. She's like, OK, this is how you want to say it. She's like, how do I say 2? Like, and she's like, she engages in like Alien's way of communicating immediately. She's like, OK, how do I add this?

And then she's like, OK, no, you read it like, and she does it back in her language versus just being like, I love you too. Like she's like goes to Alien's level, which they're the fucking one of the best couples ever, period, because they're so fucking cute. All right. And then Cassie ends it with Sun's reaction to finding out Alex's earth. Oh my God, that that where she's reading the text and then she's like. Why is why? Is your phone going off when I'm

texting you? I mean, that's way too long, first of all, son, for you to be like, that's weird, that's weird. He has like how many? Confirmations do you need? Also you can clearly. You see, it's your name popping up on your screen too. You're like, right? Next, you're right next to it. Yeah, that went on for. A while and I understand that. Whatever I was worried about, like telling her about being Earth, but you're getting in so deep there.

Well, again, it's on since. The character with no confidence and so I. Understand why it took. Her so long to like finally do it and one of my favorite scenes too is the what she does with the bracelet where she. Was going to give it to son. For her birthday, but then like thinks better of it and she's like, well, again, the self-confidence she's like, she's not going to want it from me. She's going to want it from earth because that's the one that she wants to see.

And I like that she sends it to her. So son has a happy birthday, even though Unsa's like, I don't have the courage to tell you this, but like, I want you to have a happy birthday. And she sends it to her. And it was just heartbreaking to have like, son hug her and be like, I got it. I got it. And like this thing made her so happy. And Hanks is like, but it's not me you want. It's like this other person. And just like that was so heartbreaking. It's a very good scene.

All right, and. Then. Last member our Patreon member. Last but certainly not least, Nancy over on Patreon. One of our Ogs. Nancy had so many scenes that you like. We're going to or we decided to include the most watched scenes, which you noted, so thanks for noting that. So #1 the lipstick scene, there always has to be product placement of some sort. That was a very good one because it didn't feel like 1 and it was a lot of gay staring and almost kiss. Good job ladies.

Suns declaration. Agreed. The meteor shower. Aileen and Luna on Sun Sun, yes, we'll get into that. Because that and the teachers, that was a great scene. Everything about that. Ung, so and son study. Session the extra alien in aliens room scene AK Oh the Luna alien kiss scene. That was like homophobically cut out of the show. What? That was cut out of the show? It was an extra scene. That was an extra scene. Oh, there's an extra scene. Of Alien.

I've showed it to you a while ago, I doubt if you remember it. There's an extra seed of them in. The in in Alien's bedroom and the whole whole homecoming sequence that completes the series. Yeah, I agree, that was really cute. The the again the parallels when Son came back with the motorbike was cute. OK, all of.

Those are great scenes. I have to add my favorite themes sequence that I wasn't expecting because why would I be and just makes me laugh every single time is the transition from the end of episode 9 to the beginning of episode 10. Because episode 9. Ends with UNSA and Sun alone in her room and Suns in the towel and the towel drops and then we open and then you're like oh, what's going to happen? And then you open the next seat and the next episode not knowing

this was going to happen. So everybody screams Onsen scream. Alpha comes running into the room with a kitchen knife because she's like danger. And it just gets really weird really fast. And I was like, what is the sequence? It was so. Funny. I love the transition it because you're just like, Oh yeah, they're going to like fool around or whatever. No, it's alpha. Comes running into the room with a knife because everybody screams. It's just so. Funny.

I mean she's, I mean she. Has to protect them exactly. She's. So unlike Luna, she knows. Her size and what she's capable of. So she's like, I need reinforcements with a knife. So funny I. Did not see that coming. It's great. It's so good. OK, One of my favorite scenes that I brought up in the beginning of this episode is. Alan. Asking Alpha why humans kiss. That was so. Fucking funny. She even leaves the scene but but alpha. Why? Why? He's like don't, don't just

leave. I need this answer. She doesn't like talking to people but she needs this question answered and it is a valid question. It is theor. Does bring this up? In our reaction video. But it is exactly like the Good Place scene. I saw. This on Tumblr when I was trying to look up more people talking about the autism presenting in Alan and I saw this Tumblr thing where it's the scene with Michael saying kissing is gross. You just mash your food holes together.

It's not for that. That's literally alien. And that's literally her when it's such a boring concept. To you like when you're not used to it, it's just like, it makes no sense. And I still like think like, I don't get it. Like who thought to do that? I don't know who thought to. Do that, but I think it's like you have a lot of nerve endings on your lips. So like, that's why. It got popular. Because like you do get tingling sensation and stuff because

there's a lot of nerves. It is a really like when you stop to think about it, it's super weird and like the good place comparison is really great. So if you've never seen that scene, the character that's having this discussion isn't human, which again, Aileen, who doesn't think she's human. It's it's a perfect parallel who's like, I don't understand why humans do this shit. Like it's basically alien in the scene.

It's works on so many levels, but it is weird when you actually think about it. Like why are humans doing this? It is weird. I mean, stop to think about it. Most things that humans. Do are very weird weird. Man, sometimes I just walk. Around my house, I'm like, why do we have all this stuff? Like how do we get all this stuff and then like animals and like in like in the wild, but they don't have stores. And stuff like. I just don't understand. How we evolved into this?

That's the whole other. Brain breaking science lesson but. The meteor shower scene or, or episode, can we talk about that? I know you have a point. I have many points about that. That's a great episode too. That's probably my one of my favorite episodes. The meteor shower episode. Yeah, it's. The whole thing The whole thing is great. The. Whole thing is great.

But you do. It's kind of the start of you seeing Aylan really put herself out there and forward and really think of all the things that Luna has been trying to get her to do and just really studying the relationship between them. And she recreates the way that Luna got her attention in the very in the very beginning with you throwing a paper ball. So she writes a note and throws at her, but it doesn't go far.

And then she OK. Because they're outside on the bleachers and she's like many meters away from Luna trying to throw keepers. I was like girl. Like. And she doesn't try to like. Walk closer to throw it she but she eventually does get frustrated and just gets the paper ball and then puts it next to her and then walks away immediately so. Funny and like hides and that's how cute. She invites Luna to watch the meteor shower with her and this is after they found out the. The teacher.

Tells him that. If a couple watches the meteor shower together, they'll be together. I'm sorry my dog's starting to freak out so. This this is even. Bigger question to ask because now they are fully aware of this. Yeah, I like you. Let's be together forever. And Luna's like finally fucking ass. God damn she's like I knew this. That's why I threw paper balls at you in the very. Beginning that's their love

language. They throw paper at each other multiple times and it's really cute every time. OK, let's talk about that episode in general because it's so so, so, so good. So that's going on, which is beautiful. And then you get Unksa trying to kiss son for the first time. And I do love the way it actually happens with them alone and the, you know, under the stars and it's like really cute. And we're like, Unsa finally

makes a move. It's just them and there's like no pressure because it's just them. Nobody's watching them. There's no like you got to kiss her during the movie. Kind of like like also was trying to like cosplay other people basically when she was trying to court Sun, whereas like to give herself confidence because again, she doesn't feel worthy.

And so like in the scene, I like that it's just them and also is just being herself with Sun and it and it works, which reinforces to Unksa that like she likes you, you are worthy, at least for a little bit. Because again, it's hard to learn to love yourself when you're not used to it. And so it's a it's a journey. Like there's ebbs and flows to that with Unksa. And so that scene is really cute because it's just them. And it was really like romantic

and stuff. And I like the way they did it. And then on the flip, flip side. You have. The teachers and the teachers stupidly told everybody about this legend or whatever, and then nobody shows up to where they're supposed to be supervising everybody and they're like, where the fuck are the students?

So it fails miserably as supervisors of these children, but they get to have a cute moment together because there's like some unrequited feelings happening from the anyway, and it's just the clueless teacher and the I'm into you teacher. And just they were. Adorable. I love. Them too. Just all of all. Of the couples were just great. But you know who was shafted in not a good way in this scene? Mawin and 10 because Mawin gets stood up.

Poor mommy boy. No, Mala needs a little bit of time for him because he. Got the short? End of the stick, The entire show. We needed so much more. Mawen. He was the sweetest, cutest. Oh my God. And he tried. I just love him. I love him. There wasn't enough Mawen. I agree. I loved his friendship with Tan though. I loved their friendship.

I thought it was really great how supportive Tan was of Mawen when he's like oh you like tin and he tried so hard to like help Mawen get a boyfriend and like their friendship was super when they were. I wish we had more of them. When? Moen go exits the classroom and then they just start freaking out together. Oh my God, that was so. Cute. They were freaking out. Like they were adorable as friends. I loved them together as friends and I wanted Mahwin to get his his man.

I feel bad for him because the writers were like forgot about him. Yeah, they did. Like poor, they got to. Forgot about him. They're like, Oh yeah, Moen and 10. So like, even worse, like we. Got less Mawin than we did the teachers and we still the teachers weren't as big of a part either. I just I needed for both of them, but definitely Mawin. Mawin needed something special. There was not enough. No, just like another a couple more scenes. Yeah, just not asking.

Much just for Grady. Something that pays off for him. Yeah, I just felt. Bad. One thing I want to mention not about model item. One of my other favorite scenes is our introduction to Bam Bam, where Anksa is freaking out in the bathroom and the and Bam Bam comes in and reads Anksa's fortune and it's like you're going to die. And like it was like the weirdest intro to this authority figure and like Ox's new, like it's like new to the school and she's like, what's happening in

this bathroom with a teacher? It was so awesome. She's freaking out in the bathroom. Oh my God, which is in this? Again, your job. She's freaking out like a teenager with big feelings. And it was. That scene was hilarious. It's one of your first interest to Unksa and this teacher and you're like, who the fuck is this teacher? But what an intro to a character. What a scene. That scene was so funny and like as you get to know Bammy, we're just like, no, she's just kind

of like that. She's kind of clueless and into her like fortune telling and not judgmental and like she's great, but just what an intro to a character. I loved everything about that. That was so funny, this whole. Show is so funny. It's so. Funny a great way to. Escape. And honestly all. The characters are really, they feel human, like they're very well-rounded.

And that to me is one of the advantages of writing an ensemble where like a true ensemble where the other characters have their own plot lines that do not revolve or do not directly revolve around the main characters. Like, yeah, you can argue, OK, the meteor shower, seeing the teachers are there because of Ongson Son because they had to supervise them, but they're not having conversations about them.

They're talking. They're having their own lives on screen and they connect with them more as people. And so you're like like we say you're I feel invested in like every character basically we see in the show, even like sons friends you get for like 3 seconds, like they're off like

doing dances in the background. Like they're their own people and they're they're also lovable And like you just want more because you feel I personally feel connected to all these characters because the writers really let them be their own people, not just like revolve around ung son. Specifically, I want to see the. Scene where the friends have the relationship explained to them of the timeline. Oh my God, they're. Explaining to deer and mint what

the fuck happened. That would have been so funny because the like I would love to have like tin ton Luna Alpha those ones explain what's going on with Ungson sign to son's friends who are like what because alien has. To be there to make offhand comments, though, Tin would be aggressive. About it, Tan would be super romantic about it, Alpha would be pretty matter of fact.

Luna would try to fight the men when they got annoying, like it would be really funny, and then like Deer Inventor just like trying to take all this in and they're just doing it really. Fast too, so they can even conquer. They're talking over each other. And aliens like plugging her ears in the background. That would have been hilarious.

Good job GMMTV. This is our first intro to a GMMTV show and honestly they execute their shows extremely well and make you love all the characters like Bravo extremely well. Done. Extremely well done. Go watch. Heartstopper, if you haven't already. I'm just saying seriously, you missed the show. Also if you. Haven't watched the Good Place do that too because that show also do that is also amazing. Do not have the first season ruin for you, go in blind.

Just go watch it just. It's amazing. Love it, just do it, I'll see it. There's all the actors in there. Brooklyn, I'm so sorry. My daughter, anyway. 23.5 is a very special show we really loved it thank you to everybody that shared why you also love this show. Your favorite scenes probably got. We got so many comments about this show cuz it's just it was something special and. Let us. Know if you didn't. Let us know in the comments what you loved.

We couldn't cover everything. If there's any scene we missed that you enjoyed, what you liked about the show, let us know in the comments because there's a lot to talk about. And you know, we did this in a very overview Y kind of way. So, Speaking of comments. If you are still watching this. Or listening. Thank you.

Yes, thank you. I have two questions for you because I needed to give you options in case you couldn't answer 1. So it could please answer this question either in a comment on YouTube, message us on not or just tweet us whatever on social media, social medias. I don't think that's the right way to say it. You get it or leave a review with the answer it. It'd be hilarious 'cause you know people would not understand what you're saying, but we would anyway.

So the questions are you can either tell us who you relate to the most and why if you feel comfortable, never share anything you don't want to in. 23.5. Or if you've seen Heart Stopper 2, what would happen in a crossover between Heart Stopper and 23.5? Give us ideas and then. Maybe we can do it do something where we actually fully dive into that crossover. You know who I want? To see interact Tori and alpha. The Big Sisters. Like the Big Sisters interacting. Yeah, yeah.

Yeah. I want that now with Michael Holden and Alpha they would get. I feel like Michael and Luna. Would get along, yeah, I mean all of. Them would eventually they'd have to have an entire group scene and that would be chaotic and I'm just like thinking about filming that as well. That would be so chaotic for that group but also Aylan and then Isaac cuz Isaac definitely would have read books and like under Michael.

Michael and. Aileen would also get along because I feel like he is on the spectrum for sure. Yeah, I've there's. There's a couple people who I think would really bond with Aileen, but what do you think? Let us. Yeah. What do you think I'm? Curious. Caitlin. I can't believe. You didn't talk about latte. We got this whole thing and you didn't talk about latte at all? Yeah, I had a feeling. That, I mean, I did bring up that she talked to him with that one line. I did.

I was thinking about that. I was like, I feel like she's going to be like, you didn't even bring up Latte. It's because we didn't get enough of freaking Latte. And This is why we love the show. OK, Caitlin's better. Caitlin's better. Also, I'm a little concerned that. Latte was too hot while filming. Yeah, poor baby. He's a big fluffy dog. He was. He was. Exhausted in the. Half the scene, he was just like, I like here right now what

I want to say. About Latte really quickly that's kind of funny in the so in the show, Latte is this big golden retriever like again, because we're going for heart stopper like that's the happiest dog of all time is like a golden retriever in the in the novel, this is a spoiler, but not really. Latte is like this little mutt dog. So it's like a really weird. Change like and and the way they talk to Latte in the novel is different than like this big fluffy happy like it's really

funny. He's like this little shit who gets in trouble in the novel versus this like really sweet. Yeah, yeah, basically he's Brooklyn. Brooklyn, what are you? Doing in the book. Versus this really sweet. Golden retriever. So it's it's it's like not a big deal change, but it's it's funny because the interaction that definitely. Does change the tone of the way you talk to the dogs? Yeah, it does it. Does it? Does the dog is more mischievous? I understand. The little shit.

Man, stop it goodly down. All right, so that was. 23.5 hope you enjoyed it I don't know when this is going to air in the relation to stuff we'll have other overview episodes eventually very soon we're going to be getting into our scene by scene breakdowns of Pluto. We're sorry for everybody's been waiting. It's coming. It's. Coming. It's coming. We're going to get into that, so I hope you'll. Join us for that. Ride and until next time I dread for lesbian Jesus and get up.

All over the place. Bye. And with that we've been. Big Gay Energy, thank you for listening. We'd really appreciate it if you downloaded this episode and left us a review. No matter how brief, your contribution will help us reach a wider audience. We would love to hear. From you about everything and anything. You can find us on all social media platforms at Big Gay Energy Pod or e-mail us at [email protected].

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