I'm going to be the person to say that I would compare Leo and Fiat to Gene and Nubsib from Lovely Writer. Yep, I'm going there. When it comes to asking for consent and checking in with your partner, they were on par and maybe even better about it.

There were so many questions and conversations about what are you into, what are you worried about, what do you like, is this okay, are we on the same page, etc. This showed a level of consent to strive for and look up to.

Okay, onto my more detailed thoughts:

First off, this was adorable. A big portion of this drama (especially in the beginning) focuses on these two people who are starting a relationship and don't quite know how to go about it, have their own insecurities and inexperience, and are trying to overcome their nerves and fear of disappointing the other.

You don't really get to see a drama start with them already being in a relationship and showing how it's not as though everyone knows how to be together perfectly right off the bat. People get nervous and shy. People worry that some aspects of themselves may be disliked by their partner. It's exciting but terrifying to start something with someone you have loved for a long time and have longed to be with.

Also, there were so many amazing conversations being had, whether it was between Leo and Fiat or one of them and their friends. It may have taken this couple a little bit of time to have the talk they needed to but they always brought their deepest thoughts and feelings out into the open. I fell in love with the open conversations we got. Yes, for communication! Yes!

Such a healthy couple. And, I really admire this drama for its tone. It knows when to give you something light-hearted or fun and when to slow down and just have the characters talk. Just, talk. Talk about where they're at and what they're feeling/thinking. I think people forget that relationships aren't just about being physically intimate with someone--and relationships aren't so perfect and easy that you are able to read your partner's mind--they are about voicing your wants, needs, insecurities, and concerns with honest and upfront dialogue.

I loved how this drama would often set things up as though it was going to be something bad when it wasn't at all, twisted our expectations, and/or had its characters deal with legitimate conflicts/issues that fit them/the situation. Seems like this year I am learning to have more faith in my dramas and its characters. And the faith is actually being well-placed.

Once again, I have to reiterate that consent is seen as a priority here and is amazingly done. Not many dramas will set so much of their run-time and lines around this subject. Here, it is a constant.

Regarding representation, because I would be remiss not to mention it, we had a confirmed Pansexual SML, Leon. And they did it in no uncertain terms. They described how he would date/was interested in men, women, and non-binary people, they called him Pansexual at least twice, and he was also involved with a girl before he started seeing Pob. Could we ask for much more? Not really short of him saying it himself.

There were some flaws during the last few episodes but nothing that took away from the overall experience and what they were going for.

Good job, Don't Say No. Good job.