OratioIsAlone

Queer and working hard to be queerer / Disciple of the ancient german philosophy of the ''shadenfreude'' / Genderqueer

[plague-doctor-paige]

Wine text posts part 1

[plague-doctor-paige]

Lalwine, my beloved

[wayoblew]

shades the series (second half of s1 i think)(special eps technically) airs this year with season 2 airing early 2027!

[unrealcosima]

Never date an accountant

[unrealcosima]

Call backs to the pilot in the final episode

[unrealcosima]

Curse is officially broken. Congratulations, Kapook!

[lost-in-the-fission]

sure, lal

[commander0fmyheart]

Damn, they really won’t let Fah forget that she’s not a Wathinwanit, huh 🙈

[awvy]

this was so lamp of him

[glgoggles]

I love this whole interaction Lal and Wine have at the bowling alley, for so many reasons. But this moment is my favorite.

This moment is so indicative of what draws Wine to Lal. Yes, the chemistry is always chemistry-ing with these two, but it’s a little more than that here. Lal offers Wine some encouragement, with a great little ritual, crafts a little innuendo about “eating” her name to transfer her skills. It’s one of the cooler moments for Lal’s flirting game, in my opinion.

But it’s Lal’s response to Wine’s refusal that I love. Because it’s just…accepted. Wine says she doesn’t want it (which is a lie) and Lal is just like…okay then.

Like, imagine being Wine, who is constantly being pressured to drink and be nice and “not misunderstand” men, even when she says no ALL THE TIME. You are responsible for their feelings and comfort. What you want never seems to be more important than that.

And then this woman, who you are actually attracted to, who has never pressured you for anything, who you’ve already slept with, who seems to be flirting with you, takes your ‘no’ and accepts it. You are not made to feel guilty, or afraid, or uncomfortable. Your decision, even in this silly, flirty scenario, is respected. Look, this one can manage her own emotions and does not feel entitled to you.

Is it any wonder that 2 minutes later:

[glgoggles]

I’ve loved seeing the parallels in EwB between how the men (who are attracted to Wine) interact with her, compared to how Lal (who is also attracted to Wine) interacts with her. This overlap with alcohol, in particular, is very visible. Just some examples that require few words.

“Pouring” a drink (forgive the pun, I love them)

Offering a drink

Assessing drunkeness

All the men in these examples are clearly looking to take advantage of Wine, if not actively contribute to putting her in a more vulnerable position. All great examples of how misogynistic men see women as opportunities that can be manipulated to get their desires met. No wonder Wine isolates herself. Creepy men have honed in on her in a disturbing way.

Lal, on the other hand, is constantly assessing what Wine needs, wants, and how to ensure she has the best time. She’s obviously attracted to Wine, but even before she develops deep feelings, she cares for her with her actions. She sees her as an actual person who has, and should have, agency. I actually couldn’t find any instance of Lal even offering Wine alcohol. When Lal offers Wine a drink it’s been “vitamins”, yoghurt (lol), and water. Or, as pictured above, to give her an opportunity to feel included without having alcohol pushed on her.

I don’t think this is ground breaking analysis or anything, it’s just a something that fits well into the themes of the show. People and relationships are not always what they seem. Pleasing words and apparent kind actions are meaningless when they are grounded in selfishness and manipulation. Real care is valuing other people, as people, and cultivating connections.

Lal is good at this and deserves everything she wants and I hope she never cries again.

[thefriendoforatioisdead]

2026 Mid-year QL Check-in

thank you @gl-all-the-way-down for tagging me ! Now I have something to post !

1) Number of QL's you've watched so far:

Oh. Wow. I will have to go through my archives to remember that ! [space to signify the time I took to think] Okay no I can't remember exactly but that is definitely more than fourty. At least. Because if I count thai gls, the few bls, the japanese gls, the chinese gls, the korean gls....I have no idea

2) Best QL you've watched in 2026 so far:

I forgot what came out this year and last year...I kinda mix it up but I would say there is a tie between Shades, EWB (scarily relatable but so so good) and the Water (at least those I'm sure are from 2026)

3) QL that you want to watch but haven't gotten around to yet:

In love forever. I suspect that I will not like it as much as I wish I would but I still want to give a try to this company. For some reason.

4) QL that was the biggest disappointment for you:

Either 23.5, Only You (which I truly wanted to believe in) or I wanna be Sup'tar (for the reason we know. I literally could not keep watching after that. But that's my personal sensitivity)

5) Most anticipated QL for the second half of the year:

Is By Your Side going to come out in the second half of the year ? Does that count ? I literally have no grasp of time omfg. But it's by your side anyway. I need ShellyPundao back in my life (tho I must say I wish they had swaped the roles but they're going to do a great job anyway)

6) Biggest surprise favorite new actor (debut or new to you):

I can't pick one person but I'd say that I really look forward to what Attar and Angie might do (from Clairebell) especially since the company is clearly preparing to lauch them as a pairing. I also really enjoyed discovering the whole main cast of Shades.

7) Newest fictional crush:

I'd say probably Lada or Wine. Headstrong and ready to call someone out on their bs...I say yes.

8) Favorite QL that made you happy:

MMDIY when I finally received my happy end ofc. And the Water, because it was funny, sweet, soft, and this last episode just made be sob of joy like an idiot.

9) Favorite QL that made you cry:

MMDIY. From before I got my happy end. I had never expected to cry when watching it but here I was. And Dangerous Queen. If only for the fact that it managed to genuinely cause me emotional harm. (I enjoy emotional harm from fictional causes)

10) What QL's do you need to watch by the end of the year?

Honestly among those that are already out, I'm pretty much caught up on anything that I was interested in. I let go of the idea of having to watch every gl that comes out. Some plots or pairings simply do not interest me and that's alright. I just have to catch up with the Air and Chasing love and I'll be set, the rest is not out yet. But I have to say that I particularly look forward to the gls GMMTV annouced since, so far this year, I have not been dissapointed.

I still do not know who to tag it's a lot of pressure but I appreciate @gl-all-the-way-down for still tagging me despite the fact I don't continue the chain :)

[redfoxraccoon]

Enemies with Benefits - Episode 9

[invisiblegarters]

Committing all the crimes.

[glgoggles]

So Wine was out here being brave (and a little stupid) going drink for drink with a douchebag (…where have I seen that before?)

While Lal was calmly explaining the fine details of purchasing and authorization forms and rules (…sounds so familiar).

I’m done with all the tears and yearning. Get them back together where the belong!

[thefriendoforatioisdead]

My Lady's bodyguard has made me relive the good old days of watching low budget censored chinese gl masterpieces such as Legend of Yunze....And I cannot be thankful enough

[qlforlovers]

They are both aggressively, impressively incapable of a no strings attached/friends with benefits situation.

Enemies with Benefits, Ep. 4