Love your reactions and your analysis as a hapa queer man. I love these characters and am reveling in their evolution. But, I also really appreciate how you two don't pull any punches about calling out the toxic behavior we are seeing on screen. We can appreciate why the guys are doing what they are doing because get to see their situation and their backstories. But it doesn't change the toxic nature of it. At this point in the series the only character who is relationship material is our lovely Kip. The other 3 have serious work to do.
james
2026-01-15 21:01:13 +0000 UTC
Thank you ❤️ I appreciate the insight.
Manley Xu
2026-01-05 19:21:45 +0000 UTC
Ryan Price has his own book in the series
No Name
2026-01-05 00:50:25 +0000 UTC
I love y'alls perspective so much but I think there's a bit of missing the idea that Shane is a deeply closeted Asian boy ten years ago. I think he retreats bc now it's real. He's going to have to admit to whatever is going on whereas up until then he could justify it as brojobs and boys will be boys. He's also unsure of how Ilya feels and terrified to talk to him about it. The boldest thing Shane has done up to that point was tell Ilya his room number. This boy is making him risk everything and Ilya's distance frustrated him, but also made the situation manageable. The second Ilya started to lean into the intamcy and call Shane by his first name, Shane realizes it's a crossroads and he's not ready to face it. It's such a lovely scene!