BLISS RATING: ★★★★+
“If kisses were stars, I’d give you the sky and build you a new constellation.” – Magic Night Sky
This is the continuation of the story “The Boy Foretold By The Stars”, which I passionately admired and loved. That was a story of an unlikely relationship between a jock and a rather effeminate teen. It was refreshing and gave representation to a segment of the gay population that are not in the archetypical category and is often overlooked in BL series or treated mockingly. This story is the continuation of their relationship as they wind down their high school year and face graduation.
Dominic, again played by Adrain Lindayag, remains the effervescent, bubbly, intellect, still dealing with the ‘fag’ taunts. Meanwhile, Luke, continued to be played by Keann Johnson, has become way more secure and committed to his relationship with Dominic, even with all the constant taunts by his basketball teammates and warnings from his coach. Indeed, he put his relationship with Dominic above almost everything else. He at times becomes pensive and reflective, but always centers himself on his relationship with Dominic and how to strengthen it. When he introduces Dominic as his ‘boyfriend’ to his mother, it is a magical moment captured in the eyes and expression of Dominic.
They plan on going together to the Grand Ball, not in secret, but as a couple. Except that Dominic, despite being forthright at school, defers to his parents and becomes a complete child to the whims of his mother, specifically. He does not and cannot tell his parents who he is going with and wants to be with at the Ball. When he gets there, it is stunning and one of the best visual scenes in BL herstory. They are strikingly handsome together and are beaming. Both have such an infectious glow about them that it becomes one of the most magical and frankly romantic scenes in any BL series. They dance together and are caught up in the moment and kiss. Passionately. Of course, this is captured on camera and by a teacher at this Catholic school function.
While there is some debate as to what to do with them, the compromise solution is to suspend them, but they must break up. Surprisingly, who caves to this condition is Dominic as he says to Luke, “I am not as strong as you are”. What you have is a complete role reversal from the first season – Dominic fighting to be gay and proud while Luke was fearful.
Now, Luke is fighting to be gay and proud while Dominic cowers and gives in to the pressures of conformity and being a dutiful son.
There is the introduction of a curiously interesting character who was once a good friend of Dominic. Gio (Vaughin Piczon), who is drop-dead stunningly handsome. He is Student Council President and wants Dominic to get involved in the Grand Ball decorations. He is a rather obtuse character, almost priest-like in mannerisms, but still seemingly very attached to Dominic. We discover that long ago, Gio was the first person Dominic told that he was gay. Gio, was too but he could not deal with it at the time and chose to forgo the friendship. Only now is he able to rekindle the friendship.
As a favor to Luke, Gio goes to talk to Dominic on Luke’s behalf to convince him to talk with Luke, perhaps for the last time before they all go off to college. As they talk and exchange looks, Gio suddenly kisses Dominic. Although Dominic pulls back, he then lunges forward and kisses him back. I found that scene to be quite telling and added complexity to what may be an underlying love triangle. It is obvious that Dominic still has feelings for Gio. How strong? Unknown. It was obvious as Dominic and Gio reconnected that Gio was attracted to Dominic. All along, Luke had been jealous of Gio and his instincts were correct. There really is ‘something’ between Gio and Dominic.
Who saves the day in this series is the father. He senses and knows that Dominic is gay, and he has known that for a while. He also knows that Dominic is in love with Luke. He, as a father should, succinctly and brilliantly sums up what Dominic is feeling and knows that he has accomplished what he has done to please them. But he gives Dominic guidance and permission to finally become an adult and now be who and what he is. It is obvious that Dominic has taken these words to heart because during his Valedictorian speech, Dominic says that the school has taught him love and to be himself and in front of all, confesses his love for Luke, catching Luke off-guard. They kiss in front of all – graduating class, parents, and of course, Church people. Nice ending.
Being a fallen Catholic, I appreciated the conference about what to do with the two of them kissing. While some reacted with forward thinking, and even deep understanding, for the Church to ask them to break-up, outraged me even as a compromise. The Church is no friend of gay people, and this was yet another example of their archaic and primitive thinking. They forced them to separate BECAUSE the Church remains opposed to gay relationships, not for a euphemistic reason. That will not change soon. To see the headmaster (who is a priest) clap for them at the end was totally unrealistic (honestly) but made for good viewing. That is soberly NOT the Church.
Having said all of this, I cannot say that this series had the same impact on me as Season One. It did not. I loved the rawness, grittiness, and storyline of the first one. This seemed to lack a strong chemistry between the two and frankly I do not know why. In this series, their love is established, and the irony is that Luke was the stronger of the two with Dominic crumbled like a house of cards. It seemed so unexpected to me and uncharacteristically like Dominic. His blatant unwillingness to fight for the very thing he fought for in Season One took something away from this story. I understand weakness, even doubt, but to give up so easily simply seemed counterintuitive to what Dominic would have done and too contrived. It set itself up for a ‘happy ending’ which did not disappoint. In the first season, you wanted a happy ending; in this one you expected a ‘happy ending’. A very different approach to storytelling that frankly disenchanted me. It was just too cute.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. the series? The father of Dominic, played by Romnick Sarmenta (Nico), who is a stunningly handsome man. While quiet and reserved, he knew what the whole picture was. He not only had to deal with the sometime out of control mother of Dominic, he also had to maintain a decorum of stability and a sense that family is first. Yet, he knew that Dominic was different and when he needed someone’s support the most, he was there. This was a background role, but he played it so powerfully and with great sensitivity. His scenes with Dominic were breathtakingly emotional and were the utmost in sincerity. I cried at his compassion, his empathy, warmth, and humanity in hugging his son as if to tell him (which he did) follow your heart and take the path that make you most happy. Very, very powerful scene and worthy of commendation. Second to Nico, an Honorable Mention would go to Vaughn Piczon as Gio. He was simply outstanding. Soft yet intense. Laconic yet penetrating. Pensive yet doleful. He telegraphed from the very beginning his special connection, if not attraction, to Dominic, without ever being overt (until the end). His being in the background yet always in the forefront of leadership made him someone unique. He was willing to give up what he felt for Dominic to help him see and understand the love that they both had for each other. I could quite enjoy a whole series based on him.
This was a good series -entertaining and beautiful and still ground-breaking in many ways. But it left me feeling unsatisfied especially with the role reversal of Dominic. Its impact was not as powerful as Season One and was just a bit too cute. Regrettably. This feeling saddened me because these remarkable actors/actresses are stunning artists who could have played this series with deeper emotions and greater depths than to simply create a cute story.
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