Better Days (2020)

Better Days (2020): A Palatable Pinoy BL Series

“Better Days” was a tasteful Filipino (Pinoy) boys’ love (BL) series. There was a bit of bitterness, but also a little sweetness. It wasn’t too sweet, too spicy, too sour, or too salty -- it was just about right. There was nothing too fancy or over the top about it. There were enough ingredients that made it a palatable Pinoy BL series. For the most part, it was a very wholesome Pinoy BL series.

“Better Days” had a simple plot/storyline about rekindling childhood friendship, confronting daddy issues, and discovering oneself as a vlogger, chef, and maybe even as a lover. It’s also about Pinoy cuisines! Character backgrounds were clear. At first, I was really uncomfortable with the unequal power relations between Kian, the boss, and his house helper Aron especially when the childish Kian was throwing tantrums and the timid Aron was showing signs of lack of confidence. But because of good character development, the issue of unequal power relations was somehow resolved. While it felt a bit short in terms of relationship development, in the end, it was shown in some ways that they support and love each other. Even though it obviously hurt, Kian was supportive of Aron who received a culinary arts scholarship which will most likely mean that they’ll have to be away from each other for quite some time. This was difficult for Kian because Aron made him feel loved. Aron for his part, eventually realized that he also needs to love himself. While “Better Days” had a straightforward plot/storyline, it didn’t shy away from larger societal issues like the COVID-19 pandemic. When Kian’s father died and he couldn’t even bury him because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was reminded again of the major challenge that our entire world is facing right now. Like Aron and Kian, we are all hoping for better days ahead.

Script was natural and realistic. Screenplay had good comedic (“it’s a frank!”) and dramatic (“you ask every day why were you left behind”) lines.

With regard to acting, newbies Benedix and Chesther were fine. They appeal differently but both of them are adorable. Chesther’s Kian was annoying at times but he’s still cute, lol! Benedix’s Aron was nice... plus, he cooks, lol! Even with the dearth of intimate moments, Aron and Kian’s chemistry was evident. I liked their funny and tender moments together. They were mostly bromance moments but they were alright. Benedix and Chesther fit their roles perfectly. It was also good to see Jomari and Rex as guests on this series.

Audio-visuals were mostly ok. Notwithstanding its small budget, “Better Days” was actually well-made. I especially liked the presentation of Pinoy cuisines and how they’re cooked and prepared (I miss Pinoy food!). The soundtracks “Lahat ay Posible” (Everything’s Possible) by Carlos Dala and “Nandito” (It’s Here) by Benedix were nice.

In summary, I would certainly recommend rewatching “Better Days.” It’s a palatable Pinoy BL series with wholesome plot/storyline, fine acting performance, and satisfactory production. By the way, “Better Days” has Book 2 (hopefully with less of the bromance and more of the BL romance ) to look forward to.

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Could have been a better series if the entire team had better days

Although the main action takes place during a lockdown, whoever came up with the story could not help throwing in a couple of characters who seem to turn up in spite of lockdown rules in the series. This is perhaps a sign of a lack of confidence with pulling off a series of six episodes featuring only the two main characters.

The story is actually ok in some ways: two childhood friends meet each other again after many years ; there is is palpable master/servant class difference between them, but they do have genuine affection for each other. Kian decides to play a prank on Aron by pretending not to recognize him--it is only a prank, but the prank works because of the inherent power difference between them. While Aron is saddened that Kian seems to have forgotten him, he can't really be assertive here. The potential of the "friends with unequal power" angle isn't fully used, however. We see how it manifests in the different way each expresses his jealousy upon seeing the other with someone else as Kian throws a tantrum while Aron has a more muted response. Yet, how do they overcome it? There isn't much development here.

As if to make up for the lack of eventfulness in the story, Kian gets news that his father has passed away in the final episode, but there isn't really any exploration of how this impacts Kian's character or future. To be fair, the death isn't altogether unexpected: from early on, it is revealed that Kian's father has been hospitalized. But one would be hard-pressed to think of a good reason why it is included.

The series does manage to have some moments of BL sweetness, particularly in the final scene. The ending scene is rather good. There is no sudden passionate kissing or cloying confessions of love, but Aron takes the initiative to hold Kian's hand. It is a happy ending though not an unambiguous happily-ever-after ending. The couple may have to be apart soon, but there is hope that they will overcome challenges that come their way. If the quality of the ending scene had been maintained throughout, if the series had focused on the two characters' struggles with their increasingly undeniable romantic feelings for each other from the start, perhaps the series would have been much better.

This is a series I wouldn't mind having a sequel to, nevertheless. Although a sequel does not seem likely, it may well make up for the shortcomings of the original six episodes.

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Better days

Mais uma das dezenas de séries feitas na quarentena pelas Filipinas. Essa pelo menos trouxe um enredo diferente e dois atores gracinhas. A fotografia da série é linda, ambientada numa região rural da Tailândia, numa fazenda pertencente à família de Kian, que foi morar na cidade quando criança e deixou seu grande amigo Aron, filho dos caseiros que tomavam conta da fazenda, hoje falecidos.
A história perde um pouco a lógica pq deixa alguns furos, se os pais de Aron morreram ele vive absolutamente sozinho? Kian foi passar a quarentena, mas com a morte do pai decidiu ficar para sempre? Encontraram um restaurante fechado, que por acaso tinha todo o aparato para ser reaberto? E o final, totalmente sem lógica, aberto, dando a impressão de uma segunda temporada que não aconteceu? Ou que a série foi cancelada não tendo tempo de terminar de forma decente?
Não indico a série, a menos que vc queira passar raiva sem saber como ela realmente terminou.

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This smaller Filipino series disappointed me, mainly in terms of the story, which was like an emmental with big holes. I saw the series a few days ago and thought to myself that I would rather not post this "friend puzzle" here. I wouldn't mind the fact that there are only two actors, and they are also very likeable, but what they "played" according to the script and direction was far from even the slightest expectation of things to come, not to mention the BL series. I saw the two boys as if they were still ten years younger, and the entire six episodes, except for the very conclusion, were all about chatter, childish bickering, just friendship, camaraderie, sometimes a game of cat and mouse (Kian-son of the owners and the "inferior monkey" Aaron-son of the deceased administrator). Without spark and emotion, unsalted, ungreasy, bland.
Overall: terrible story, childish, untapped potential of an empty house, maybe a gay character in the last few minutes. Acting above average, processing (I appreciate the nippl

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Soft, Sincere, Emotional

This really is an amazingly beautiful love story told softly, subtly, and with great understanding of male bonding. Not every relationship starts with a big bang but more like a slow burn and is almost metaphorically like cooking. All the ingredients must be there and prepared just right for the final outcome to be indelible. These guys are very good actors and conveyed a deep sense of commitment to their roles. This could have been fatalistic, but it does not go there and in fact feels hopeful. These guys are also stunningly handsome with such a boy next door charm about them. These are hard roles because they must carry the whole series since there are only very minor characters otherwise. You can read my full review of this nice series at ppbongi.medium.com.

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so having binge watched this drama i'm left baffled as to why everyone else in the comment section was so elated. and yeah the story was cute and it's great that everyone of the BL's coming out of the Philippine's isn't the same baseline story/plot that has a miniscule twist. here every story is unique and the actors give it their all - in spite of their true sexual orientation.
but that doesn't always mean the character's r good / root - worthy (if that's a word) like Kian, from the word go - u get he is a spoilt brat, he is the apple of his parents eye - and even if they r at that sec having a minor problem - it isn't cause they hate him, so he can act-up and chose to go "lick his wounds" in their village villa, like the immature baby he is - as he doesn't have to fend for himself - he has a live in nanny in the shape of Aron.
who is a kid just like him - but has had a polar opposite life and upbringing to Kian. they might be the same age, but cause of the way they grew-up, Aron seems decade's older. yet in spite of all the hardships he had to endure All Alone he is a well rounded, good, thoughtful, kind individual - can't say the same for Kian, who has been so overindulged, it has prevent him from maturing and acting like a freakin adult -

so even as a Bromance this falls short as Kian is all about Kian, treating Aron as a joke - at the best of times a play thing not a friend or equal - and at worse time as "the help" that needs to know his place. and we have to be elated cause Aron has a soft spot - cause of childhood memories? when Kian didn't even have the decency to visit his so called friend, one he claims is "cherished by him" so much when his only family member (father) died??. only now does he find out that Aron's father committed suicide - and this boy had to deal with it all alone - and Kian is worthy to be called a friend - let alone a good one?!? k

the only reason i would come back to watch a second season, is so i can see Aron achieving something and getting successful - he has lived a hard life from childhood - and as i mentioned, he is a beautiful individual inside and out - he deserves something good happening to him. and as in the last episode he gets a scholarship, something that will enable him to follow his dreams and make something of himself - not rot in that village and become a caretaker like his father to Kian's parents farm. and at last Kian also showed a spec of maturity, when he told Aron to follow his dream - so at least that was some kind of saving grace and maybe an indicator that Kian will start to grow-up (fingers crossed)...

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