I won’t lie—I’m quite disappointed by how little screen time is being dedicated to this ship. In my opinion, ArnoldTua were, at first, designed to be the "third ship" of the series because JossGawin were a fresh couple, so the producers played it safe and gave them the most low-key relationship of the series.
Indeed, the announcement of their participation in OFDO was made before the couple achieved the level of success they are currently enjoying; therefore, their role—while still a leading one—was naturally expected to be less prominent than those of the other two couples. Their storyline seems to be the simplest and least dramatic, and as we know, the general audience craves drama.
If only they had the room to shine, I believe this story has the potential to be fresh and uniquely interesting compared to the usual tropes.
I’ve decided to set my grumpiness aside and focus on what I actually like about them.
Arnold might seem inconsistent at first glance, but he’s actually neither inconsistent nor stupid. He is simply the typical "good guy" who can't see past the end of his own nose because he’s too focused on himself.
He hasn't yet realized how important Tua is in his life, simply because he doesn't think about it. To him, Tua is a constant—the encouragement he needs to feel on par with everyone else. For better or worse, Tua is always there, pushing him to try new things and, most importantly, never admits he's been hurt: Arnold's shortcomings are always forgiven. This allows Arnold to avoid digging deep within himself, knowing that Tua will accept everything regardless.
It's selfish? Yes—but his attitude is understandable. It’s typical of that specific type of man who feels he must always act like the 'nice guy'; he is so afraid of making a mistake that he refuses to compromise his emotions. The reason Arnold comes across as bland to us is that he fails to express his emotions, even to himself. As a result, he seems hollow... he needs a catalyst to trigger a real reaction. And for the first time, we can see a glimpse of his heart when he finds out about Tua's lie. It's a breakthrough moment and it changes this relationship (too bad about the lack of screen time). After this clash all the masks are coming off...
Tua: a guy raised in comfort who understands nothing about financial hardship. He admires Arnold partly because he feels like he (Tua) knows nothing about the "real world." It makes perfect sense that Tua uses money to solve everything—it’s likely how he was raised.
The fact that he almost doesn't comprehend why Arnold is angry is perfectly in character: he’s a kid who doesn't know how to value hard work simply because he’s never had to understand it.
I like this character. I’m so sorry he isn't the lead of a series. I like him because he’s different from the rest; because his drama is implosive rather than explosive; because I identify with a specific period of my life through him and bc Gawin plays him.
Tua is the character who always says 'yes,' suppressing his own emotions... he’s the one who doesn't process what he feels because he believes he is worth less than others (he even admitted it in the very early episodes). It's not a coincidence that the two people closest to him are the ones who had to make it on their ones. He really admires them both.
Then, he’s the type who doesn't open up, and that’s why he asks AI for advice instead of people. It’s as if this character is locked in a glass prison, unable to truly communicate with the rest of the cast. He is seen, but not truly perceived. For this reason, I simply cannot feel any pain for Arnold right now and I don't feel as emotionally attached to Arnold as I do to Tua. I keep craving Tua’s explosion.
Every time I see him with Arnold, it breaks my heart to see A. being so obtuse and to feel that silent pain that just can’t break through. This is also one of y
The reasons why Arnold still hasn't realized he's falling in love with Tua. He doesn't fully understand Tua. It’s no coincidence that after this conflict, he will finally open his eyes and truly see who is standing right in front of him.
We have to remember that even though these two have known each other for four years, Arnold didn't even know about Boston. Where was he? It almost seems as if Arnold is in love with the idea of being a 'good person,' rather than actually being attentive to the person standing right next to him. After Tua confessed to him and proposed a situations hip, Arnold's perspective began to shift. However, it's only following this first argument that his eyes will finally open to the truth.
The truth: Arnold is so used to having Tua around that he hasn't yet realized what it means to lose someone who literally only had eyes for him, who really took care of him. Arnold isn't the one looking after Tua. It's always been the opposite. And only when Tua truly explodes and finally learns to say NO will Arnold realize that merely 'preserving the friendship' is not enough—that there is something else here.
I'm not saying Tua wasn't wrong to lie. He's dead wrong here but I can't bring myself to feel for Arnold the way I feel for Tua.
In the end I just hope they don’t cut the one scene from the book that they ABSOLUTELY must keep for the sake of this ship:
Spoiler
The moment where Arnold accidentally hits Tua instead of Boston. This scene, for me, is crucial because it challenges Arnold’s gallantry and his 'good guy' persona; it visually demonstrates all the harm that Arnold has (unconsciously) inflicted on his friend and highlights the hidden coldness that Tua is capable of.
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