When last we left our kidnapper and kidnapped, they kept crying and being noble idiots. Hopefully, that’s out of their system so we can get to important stuff.
Like Min’s fetishes
Because we start episode 9 with Min kissing Q’s foot. Because it’s the hurt one and he wants it to heal faster.
Our guys are sweet and awkward. Min thanks Q for getting back together with him and Q says they never broke up. Later, Min claims he remembers everything about someone he loves. Very briefly, I entertain the idea that Q will become a zombie but Min’s memories will bring him back. Or something.
But no, it’s about how Min doesn’t know his own favorite color.
Downstairs Mhen complains to Q that he was too loud during sex. Ew. Q tries to learn more about what Min likes from Mhen, but Mhen doesn’t know either.
It’s take your boyfriend to work day again
Q is studying Min to figure out what he likes. Min says he likes whatever Mhen likes. Q drags him out to try different foods and takes notes on his tastes. This would be the best date ever. But Min won’t commit to liking anything and says he likes doing things with Q.
James is a riddle wrapped inside a mystery inside an enigma
Because here he is, part of a film crew using Min’s surf shop as a location. What is James’ job? Wasn’t he the one to try and get Min into a life of crime? I need to let this go.
Min and Q hang out to do extra work. The assistant director chats with Min and gets his number. Q asks James about him but denies being jealous. Then, James says things that make Q more jealous, which is fine because Min likes a jealous Q. Min has many Q kinks.
Eventually, Q learns the guy has a wife. There is someone interested in casting Min in a real role that pays well. Min is surprisingly reluctant. When did money become a non-issue for Min? When they sold the house?
Q realizes that Min likes a film set
Min is worried his acting sucks and he doesn’t deserve the chance. Q encourages him and promises to keep an eye on Mhen. He knows Min is protecting him, but wants to help Min with his burden. Awww. Kissing! Min climbing onto Q in a car!
Mhen and Q record Min for an audition, and Min is again able to act when acting against Q. A week later, he’s got the job.
But Min is going through something. He hesitates to unpack some boxes. Later he talks to Q about watching movies with his parents. More kink as he recreates the iconic Spider-Man scene with Q. Kinda.
A few days later they have a birthday party for Mhen. Mhen gives part of the cake to their parents. Jeen shows up and Mhen acts surprised she just showed up. Things get weirder when Q offers to drive Jeen home, and Min invites him to move in. Wasn’t he already moved in?
That night Min and Q are tied together, but Min has the nightmare. Q doesn’t wake up but notices Min is subdued the next day. Min says he’s fine, but Q follows him to the cemetery. Min introduces Q to his parents.
Min turned down the film project
We’re getting to the truth behind Min’s behavior. He was a rebellious young man who resented the attention Mhen got because of his heart. After they moved to Bangkok Min ran away. His parents died in a car accident while looking for him.
He blames himself and wants to make it up to Mhen. He turned down the part because he felt he didn’t deserve it. Q reminds Min that it was an accident and he’s a great brother. Hugging!
Of course, Min and Q didn’t notice Mhen overheard everything
He’s not at home and a helpful stranger saw him going to the cemetery. They keep looking, and Q asks his Dad for help. Immediately Suea reports that he got a bus ticket to Bangkok. That’s scary fast.
They can’t find him in Bangkok. Q brings Min a salted egg dumpling, which is what Mhen shared with Min during their parents’ memorial. Back then, Min didn’t care who took Mhen in, but Mhen wanted Min to take him. That’s when Min realized Mhen never pushed him away, but he was pushing Mhen away.
James calls to tell him Mhen is in the hospital.
At least there’s a reason James knows where Mhen is
After overhearing what Min said to Q at the cemetery, Mhen went to Bangkok to try and get Min’s job back. But the director was a jerk and Mhen collapsed.
Mhen appreciates Min’s sacrifices and wants Min to be happy too. He recognizes that Min lost his parents too, and it’s unfair that Min carries everything He wants Min to stop acting so cool.
Min spends the night at Q’s. Min thanks Q for being there for him. Q points out that Min has more people than just him. But Min keeps thanking Q and Q says the past doesn’t matter because he’s Q’s good boy. There’s kissing.
The next morning Min leaves a post-it note on Q’s sleeping face. Downstairs he has a heart-to-heart with Q’s Dad. Since Min only has one family member left, he understands Q’s fear. It’s vague, but I think he’s pushing Q’s dad to get closer to his son. Q’s Dad wants to know how to start. Aww.
At the hospital, Min shows growth by splitting an egg with Mhen instead of giving him the entire thing. Q and Mhen call him a good boy. Outside the room, Min thanks Q for talking to him. He asks Q to stay by his side, and they tease each other about marriage. I love this real-world influence on dramas. There’s flirty kissing and hand-holding and staring!
It’s interesting to watch this at the same time as Jack and Joker
While I feel Jack and Joker is the stronger show, it’s missing key character stuff that this show gets right. I love that we spent time in these episodes on Min’s character and why he’s determined to be a selfless er, good boy. I like that Q accepts and understands Min while also helping him grow. It’s cool that we haven’t just dropped Min’s acting ambitions now that he’s moved from Bangkok.
I like that Min had a real conversation with Q’s father about how to begin healing instead of fixing it in 10 minutes. This is all great.
Because it’s missing from Jack and Joker, I appreciate seeing it here more.
But I can’t ignore that the plot comes and goes. The kidnapping and money problems disappeared even from the background during these two episodes. Instead, we spent too long on Q’s jealousy, which didn’t lead to anything or connect to anything.
James, Suea, and Jeen continue to have no character and exist only to provide things to our leads.
I like Min and Q. I like them together a lot, I wish they had more to do.