i think episode 6 of Shine might just be might favourite episode so far. and i want to do a recap of why. first off, the relation between Trin and Victor. i have said previously that it's a precious connection between the two. and we saw Victor's full confession today.
the way he took a chance, because he clearly knows now that Trin cares for him. probably more than a student. and Trin does. he sees Victor as someone very close to him. someone Trin cares about very deeply. but it is not romantic.
I love how here instead of rejecting him vocally, Trin offers to take him home. Trin takes the time to put the shirt over his shoulder. he doesn't shove it at Victor, he doesn't haphazardly puts it over him while looking away. we did see Trin was initially uncomfortable with seeing Victor down to his underwear, but then he takes that shirt, puts it over his shoulder, fixes the collar, brushes off the shoulder, pulls the buttons close. there was so much care in handling the delicate situation. and I really appreciated that they didn't take this situation as an easy opportunity to push the two apart.
next the protest, the way Trin runs to the scene, yes for all the students, but also Victor. why I say Victor separately, is because of the way he protects him in the following scenes. despite the amount of time Victor mistaking it for something more what like 3 times going for a kiss? Trin does not waver in his concern. he stays put, and protects that boy. Trin and Victor will be very special to me. i really hope after this episode, they don't mess up Victor's character. He is such a precious boy and deserves to be protected.
now lets talk about Apo Nattawin. oh Apo the actor that you are. i have said it before, and i will never get tired of saying it again and again and again THE ACTOR THAT YOU ARE. THE MICRO EXPRESSIONS. ELITE. When he sees Tanwa at his place, and says nothing, but god does his face speaks. at first you could see this anger in his face, and then walks over to Tanwa and just crumbles in his arms.
he just holds on to his man. this whole time Trin was doing the worrying, carrying this weight of concern and possibly guilt maybe? however, with Tanwa there, he complete crumbles in his arms. and Tanwa just holds him. does not say a thing, doesn't ask what happened, he can probably assume what went down, but doesn't poke, just lets his man finally let it all out.
And Tanwa simply comforts him. and their final scene together was also very beautiful. i love how MileApo, or should I say ApoMile, are being treated as a couple, the fluidity in their intimacy I really appreciate. they love each other your honour. i genuinely loved everything about this episode.
i really hope VIctor as a character continues to be treated respectfully, i hope they don't make it into a negative immature arc, because of Trin's rejection. i hope the relationship between Trin and Victor don't waver, particularly on Victor's side, because let me tell you that final scene with Victor made me a little concerned.
I also very much loved the politics of this episode, and it felt so so relevant for the current time also. but if i start talking about that, i might hit a word count, and I've already written an essay so far. maybe i'll write about that sometime also. but yeah just wanted to brain dump my thoughts, simply to say that this episode was faultless. and Apo Nattawin is an exceptional actor.