Playboyy Rewatch - EP. 1 Thoughts
The way that Playboyy establishes exactly what sex and sexuality mean for the characters in ways that are so subtle that you miss them on the first watch because you have no idea what you're looking for is everything to me. The writers lay out the foundations from EP. 1 but we're utterly clueless about where the story is headed. They bait you into thinking it's going to be a simple story about naive college kids and the big bad sex workers who are going to take advantage of them and that couldn't be farther from the truth! It's a clever way to drive the narrative, playing on the audiences preconceived notions. We learn a lot about Zouey, First, Jump, and Teena that plays into their behavior later on but you have to truly pay attention. Zouey expresses a clear interest in sex but we get hints immediately that he's more interested in giving rather than receiving. Of course, I didn't catch on the first time I watched the show. I assumed Zouey was simply inexperienced and scared. And fear is certainly there but it's not a fear of sex! It's a disinterest in having sex the way the world (and us as the viewer) assume he should want it. A fear that what he wants won't be accepted. Too many people wrote the show off immediately because "ew sex" like OPEN YOUR THIRD EYE. I BEG. WHAT DOES THE SEX MEAN!?
I'm still crazy about Nont crashing into the Baddies house like "hey, what's up, it's your good friend Nant. I know I've been gone for a few months but I'm back and I smoke now because I'm cool. Also, Porsche, fuck you and your dead mom. Anyway, I'm totally normal!"
First and Soong openly talking about how they both enjoy rough sex and how neither of them have ever found someone who understands that <3. The blowjob scene of all time!!! Like honestly what a banger way to have these two characters meet for the first time.
Captain being a little shithead from EP. 1 <3. My guy had to grow on me initially but now that I know where his storyline is headed, I'm eager to pay closer attention and see what other gremlin moments I might've missed.
Porsche being so hidden in the background, intentionally kept in the dark, with the knowledge of why that is this time around....I'm already sobbing, weeping, throwing up.
Everyone feeling some sort of guilt surrounding Nant's disappearance also hits so much harder when you recognize that all of them did have some part to play in what happened. Also, the fact that Nant is an enigma that we don't ever fully know or understand T_T. I was utterly devastated after my first watch because I was so certain we'd get to know who Nant was but no, of course we can't, because Nant is gone and everyone else only knew him in fragments. Couple that with the guilt and shame that's warping everyone's memories and we will never know who Nant actually was. Once again, I WEEP. I CRY.
Honorary quick mention to the set design and intentional stylization of the show. I've talked about it before but it's still so good. The Zouey/Teena bathroom scene with the golden light streaming in. The art studio. Nant's bedroom. Chef's kiss.
