By the law of averages, since the recent BL series' that I have seen were mostly all good ones, Sooner's or later I had to chance upon a bad one. Sakristan was so far one Filipino series that was underwhelming and poorly made. Joining that list is this series, which is so badly acted and directed. At 7 episodes, about 30 minutes each, I personally felt really tortured sitting through it. I wonder, if people who have understanding of local significance of the political aspect of bits of it, will find it more simulating that I did.
Two straight boys Benjo and Emil have been assigned to be thesis partners by their professor. Emil, being not financially capable to do online research reluctantly agreed to stay in Benjo's affluent penthouse unit. When a couple turned positive to COVID-19, the building where Benjo's penthouse was situated was locked down for a month, Emil is forced to stay longer with Benjo. With constant interruptions from Benjo's mother's secretary's trans woman, the two boys discover the love they share for each other despite their very starkly different social-economical backgrounds, paving the way for Benjo and Emil's sexual awakening.
The series incorporates some historical Philippines military background to show more contrast between the two boys in addition to their already existing economical differences. Sadly, the messages are just random, not detailed, painstakingly obscure. Despite all the historical, political and class references, the series just comes off as under researched, hollow, over the top and pretentious. The various characters living win the building but the stories are never connected. You can fast forward some of the those scenes and will not make an iota of difference to the overall story graph. The attraction and eventual that happens between the two boys also happens very randomly. There is no real build up. And it seems too convenient and easy. Even the funny moments seem forced. The two actors are below average. I'd say its the screenplay and the direction that is largely at fault here. The transgender story was the only one which had some merit. Other than that, I think this series is totally avoidable. There are a lot more, much better made, entertaining series out there that one should rather spend their time on. (3.5/10)
Comments
Unfortunate reality sadly.