Last Friends

suzzy wrote: yes they are
man it is hard not getting to talk on time soo much I have to catch up on
wow wow it was a lot and I still think I am missing some :shakehead: :crazy: but man i had fun reading what u guy had to say

Haha.. what a strange litany of delayed responses.

I read them together and only remember the source material for like half of them - and I'm someone who's paid to have a good memory :sweat:

Forums are a strange, living beast, huh?

phlargo wrote:

Haha.. what a strange litany of delayed responses.

I read them together and only remember the source material for like half of them - and I'm someone who's paid to have a good memory :sweat:

Forums are a strange, living beast, huh?

:hehe: :mrgreen:
well that what I get when school has most of my time
which really sucks lol
but sorry about that i guess i wanted to catch omhow with everyone :hehe:


that good that u have a good memory :dancing:

oh u mean u read mine together or..something else?

bmwracer wrote:
It might be my imagination, but it appears that all the guys who have watched this drama have seen holes and various other problems, whereas the gals are oblivious or unconcerned... :headscratch:

I wouldn't say that those viewers expressing opposing opinions are oblivious those problems, per se, but maybe their positive experience as a whole out weighs those negatives. Also, another reason they maybe differing opinions is that the things that people my perceive as the not giving enough in depth characterization of some of the characters, may serve as a positive aspect to their viewing. The show isn't being totally ambiguous, they are showing bits and pieces that make the viewers aware of what is going on and why the characters are acting the way they do. There way of telling the story maybe through implications rather than explicitly show the whole story. Maybe they are doing that to keep it open-ended? I don't know what their intentions were, but some people may think of it as a good thing rather than bad.

An example of people percieving the show differently is the subject of Sosuke taking care of the child. Some people may think that the writers are only doing this to show that Sosuke has good qualities to him. Others may think that this serves as gettin to know the character better. They may make a link with him and the child in where he sees himself in the child and that the situation that the child is going through was what he went through when he was a kid. Him taking care of this kid isnt an act of redeeming himself but kind of a self-fish act where he wants to save himself from loneliness or whatever feeling he is going through.

I used that as an example cause from what I've read many people are disappointed with this drama cause of this undeveloped character. Me I don't really care about him, most of his scenes are boring to me lol. I like the interactions between the sharehouse characters better, they offer more exciting dialogue than the redundant, "I want you back come back to me... I'll kill myself... promise me this and that blah blah blah. My problem w/ this character is that he says the same things over and over w/o any good dialogue. And his boring staring/stalking scenes are boring too, but I think it's suppose to add suspense. I'm okay w/ them not giving his background cause I think he is a side character and like most side characters there is not enough time to give them their whole story just a gist of what they are like. I think that the DV serves only as a catalyst to the interactions between Ruka, Michiru, and Takeru, the true main characters. That is why there is so much focuses on those 3 cups and characters... even in the press, its mostly between those 3 who gets interviewed. Even further more the I think main characters of the main are Michiru and Ruka, that is why their story is more developed than others. It even starts out w/ Michiru talking about Ruka in her beginning dialogue.

Spoiler — click to reveal

As for him killing himself... Here is the opinion to as of why he did it through the scenes they gave me (this isn't probably the real reason its just my deduction-- they haven't really given anymore implications for me to work w/ so its probably not that accurate; probably another reason why people may think that it is insufficiant info given cause no one can really say why he did it for sure, but also a reason why people do not think that it is okay for them to do that because they can form opinions to why he did it, but it is open-ended--some people like stories that why and some don't, I don't blame it on anyone's inability or lack of smartness because of their opinions because peoples minds respond differently to others giving different perspectives. In my opinion it is a little too open-ended for my liking, they could have given us more of a reason for him killing himself than by looking at a few pictures and then offing himself, I doesn't show creativity nor anything thought provoking... just a selfish guy feeling sorry for himself. Probably another reason for people calling him a one note character, I believe that it is true.. he is indeed one note)

Okay heres my take:
I don't feel like typing it anymore cause I've already typed a lot, I'll save it for later lol for whoever reads this :hehe: <-- I've pulled a Last Friends -- a cliffhanger :rofl:


Edit: Also I think that the true problem of Sosuke's character is being not intrugueing and underdeveloped in a bad way. I never felt like I even wanted to know why he was doing the things he did cause I know that his actions are selfish in an annoying sense, where he acts because of self pity. I hate people pitying themselves and making it seem like its everyone's else's fault and not his own fault for being miserable. Though some may like those emo types, not my tastes lol. I feel the opposite for Eri character, although she is underdeveloped... she is intrugueing to me and catches my attention.

I just think it all boils down to peoples perspective , their likes/dislikes... and not people having better tastes in drama than others or higher ability to distiguish from good/bad.

antixcutie wrote:

Spoiler — click to reveal

I wouldn't say that those viewers expressing opposing opinions are oblivious those problems, per se, but maybe their positive experience as a whole out weighs those negatives. Also, another reason they maybe differing opinions is that the things that people my perceive as the not giving enough in depth characterization of some of the characters, may serve as a positive aspect to their viewing. The show isn't being totally ambiguous, they are showing bits and pieces that make the viewers aware of what is going on and why the characters are acting the way they do. There way of telling the story maybe through implications rather than explicitly show the whole story. Maybe they are doing that to keep it open-ended? I don't know what their intentions were, but some people may think of it as a good thing rather than bad.

An example of people percieving the show differently is the subject of Sosuke taking care of the child. Some people may think that the writers are only doing this to show that Sosuke has good qualities to him. Others may think that this serves as gettin to know the character better. They may make a link with him and the child in where he sees himself in the child and that the situation that the child is going through was what he went through when he was a kid. Him taking care of this kid isnt an act of redeeming himself but kind of a self-fish act where he wants to save himself from loneliness or whatever feeling he is going through.

I used that as an example cause from what I've read many people are disappointed with this drama cause of this undeveloped character. Me I don't really care about him, most of his scenes are boring to me lol. I like the interactions between the sharehouse characters better, they offer more exciting dialogue than the redundant, "I want you back come back to me... I'll kill myself... promise me this and that blah blah blah. My problem w/ this character is that he says the same things over and over w/o any good dialogue. And his boring staring/stalking scenes are boring too, but I think it's suppose to add suspense. I'm okay w/ them not giving his background cause I think he is a side character and like most side characters there is not enough time to give them their whole story just a gist of what they are like. I think that the DV serves only as a catalyst to the interactions between Ruka, Michiru, and Takeru, the true main characters. That is why there is so much focuses on those 3 cups and characters... even in the press, its mostly between those 3 who gets interviewed. Even further more the I think main characters of the main are Michiru and Ruka, that is why their story is more developed than others. It even starts out w/ Michiru talking about Ruka in her beginning dialogue.

As for him killing himself... Here is the opinion to as of why he did it through the scenes they gave me (this isn't probably the real reason its just my deduction-- they haven't really given anymore implications for me to work w/ so its probably not that accurate; probably another reason why people may think that it is insufficiant info given cause no one can really say why he did it for sure, but also a reason why people do not think that it is okay for them to do that because they can form opinions to why he did it, but it is open-ended--some people like stories that why and some don't, I don't blame it on anyone's inability or lack of smartness because of their opinions because peoples minds respond differently to others giving different perspectives. In my opinion it is a little too open-ended for my liking, they could have given us more of a reason for him killing himself than by looking at a few pictures and then offing himself, I doesn't show creativity nor anything thought provoking... just a selfish guy feeling sorry for himself. Probably another reason for people calling him a one note character, I believe that it is true.. he is indeed one note)

Okay heres my take:
I don't feel like typing it anymore cause I've already typed a lot, I'll save it for later lol for whoever reads this :hehe: <-- I've pulled a Last Friends -- a cliffhanger :rofl:

Make sure you employ [ spoiler ] tags!

Uh oh :doh: I don't know how to do that! Quick someone teach me how! lol

antixcutie wrote:Uh oh I don't know how to do that! Quick someone teach me how! lol

well i use the quote button and just change the word from quote to spoiler
hope that helps

Thanks! What a nice and quick response :woot:

antixcutie wrote:Thanks! What a nice and quick response :woot:

oh ok
on problem :hehe:

phlargo wrote:

Make sure you employ [ spoiler ] tags!

Same to you pal, your quote uncovered the quotes! :P :hehe:

antixcutie wrote:
And his boring staring/stalking scenes are boring too, but I think it's suppose to add suspense.

It was ok the first one or two episodes, since it did add suspense. But they couldn't keep eliciting that response for each of his appearances without any sense of depth from his character. It just became irritating.

I'm okay w/ them not giving his background cause I think he is a side character and like most side characters there is not enough time to give them their whole story just a gist of what they are like. I think that the DV serves only as a catalyst to the interactions between Ruka, Michiru, and Takeru, the true main characters. That is why there is so much focuses on those 3 cups and characters... even in the press, its mostly between those 3 who gets interviewed. Even further more the I think main characters of the main are Michiru and Ruka, that is why their story is more developed than others. It even starts out w/ Michiru talking about Ruka in her beginning dialogue.

It's kinda hard to say it was focused on only a few main characters if they showed all five of the stars constantly in all the press and such. Seeing the drama start out, you'd think hey, a drama about friends, and you'd see various storylines touching on each of the different characters eventually being tied into one cohesive whole. They never sold it early on as being just focused on the two or three, which shows that either they weren't sure about where they'd go on a week to week basis, or that's just some fraudulent advertising.

And not to say that we're gushing here, but Ruka did seem like the most developed character in the story. Takeru's is still missing that part about his family situation, while Michiru's became repetitive as well.

I just think it all boils down to peoples perspective , their likes/dislikes... and not people having better tastes in drama than others or higher ability to distiguish from good/bad.

As with any other personal experience, your mileage may vary. :victory:

antixcutie wrote:I used that as an example cause from what I've read many people are disappointed with this drama cause of this undeveloped character. Me I don't really care about him, most of his scenes are boring to me lol.

I agree... I found myself in later episodes hitting the fast forward button.

I like the interactions between the sharehouse characters better, they offer more exciting dialogue

Exactly.

There's lotsa good dialog and interaction between these people... And it was involving. :)

than the redundant, "I want you back come back to me... I'll kill myself... promise me this and that blah blah blah. My problem w/ this character is that he says the same things over and over w/o any good dialogue. And his boring staring/stalking scenes are boring too, but I think it's suppose to add suspense.

Yes... But even the suspense faded since that was redundant as well... :bleh:

Spoiler — click to reveal

In my opinion it is a little too open-ended for my liking, they could have given us more of a reason for him killing himself than by looking at a few pictures and then offing himself, I doesn't show creativity nor anything thought provoking... just a selfish guy feeling sorry for himself. Probably another reason for people calling him a one note character, I believe that it is true.. he is indeed one note)

There you go. :thumbsup:

We've been saying that since Episode 10 aired... And even before that.

Edit: Also I think that the true problem of Sosuke's character is being not intrugueing and underdeveloped in a bad way. I never felt like I even wanted to know why he was doing the things he did cause I know that his actions are selfish in an annoying sense, where he acts because of self pity. I hate people pitying themselves and making it seem like its everyone's else's fault and not his own fault for being miserable. Though some may like those emo types, not my tastes lol. I feel the opposite for Eri character, although she is underdeveloped... she is intrugueing to me and catches my attention.

Good points... I'll go along with those as well. :victory:

Tenshigure wrote:

Same to you pal, your quote uncovered the quotes! :P :hehe:

Indeed! Taken care of.

bmwracer wrote:


It might be my imagination, but it appears that all the guys who have watched this drama have seen holes and various other problems, whereas the gals are oblivious or unconcerned... :headscratch:

I don't think that is necessarily the case, I know that I've seen my share of shortcomings with this drama. I'm just usually horrifically late to the party, and by the time I get to the thread pretty much everything's been discussed and I don't want to be the post full of quotes and "I agree!"

I've finally finished episodes 9 & 10

Spoiler — click to reveal

And despite all the extra drama and the far too kind demise of Sousuke, the thing that really gets to me the most is the almost blatant refusal of the writers to flesh out Takeru's story. They've put just enough out there to shock and appall the audience, but they never bring any sort of closure. They made a point of bringing in his sister into the house, but all it did was reinforce the fact that she still wants to keep in touch with him and he is physically/ psychologically traumatized by her prescence and/or baked goods.

I guess the only outcome for him now is to have some sort of emotional breakdown infront of the others and then everyone giving him a group hug. I mean, that's not the worst thing that could happen, but when you consider how he was almost at a point with Ruka earlier on of comfortably talking about it in a healthy sort of way that would lead to personal growth, the quick-fix route is a bit lacking imo and cliche.

And just a bit of speculation, but kinda disturbs me how apparently Michiru's rape is how she ends up knocked up at the beginning of the series-so the whole rape-then-suicide thing had to have been what the writers had been plotting all along...

KeepMeCaffein8td wrote:I don't think that is necessarily the case, I know that I've seen my share of shortcomings with this drama. I'm just usually horrifically late to the party, and by the time I get to the thread pretty much everything's been discussed and I don't want to be the post full of quotes and "I agree!"

Ack, I did that in my last post. :ashamed:

I've finally finished episodes 9 & 10

Spoiler — click to reveal

And despite all the extra drama and the far too kind demise of Sousuke, the thing that really gets to me the most is the almost blatant refusal of the writers to flesh out Takeru's story. They've put just enough out there to shock and appall the audience, but they never bring any sort of closure. They made a point of bringing in his sister into the house, but all it did was reinforce the fact that she still wants to keep in touch with him and he is physically/ psychologically traumatized by her prescence and/or baked goods.

I guess the only outcome for him now is to have some sort of emotional breakdown infront of the others and then everyone giving him a group hug. I mean, that's not the worst thing that could happen, but when you consider how he was almost at a point with Ruka earlier on of comfortably talking about it in a healthy sort of way that would lead to personal growth, the quick-fix route is a bit lacking imo and cliche.

And just a bit of speculation, but kinda disturbs me how apparently Michiru's rape is how she ends up knocked up at the beginning of the series-so the whole rape-then-suicide thing had to have been what the writers had been plotting all along...

Yeah, sorta anti-climactic, wouldn't you say?

I've said it before, I'll say it again:

Spoiler — click to reveal

In the end, Michiru is going to end up having not changed whatsoever, except MAYBE she is closer with Ruka or something. Mark my words, the writers are going to throw some sort of 'sparing the child in memory of Sousuke' or something like that, and it will feel awkward and uncomfortable; the writers, however, will think it's heartwarming that her character can forgive him after all he's done to her postmortem. It's sad, really...

Enough speculations, bring on Episode 11 so we can get this over with. :beaten:

Tenshigure wrote:I've said it before, I'll say it again:

Spoiler — click to reveal

In the end, Michiru is going to end up having not changed whatsoever, except MAYBE she is closer with Ruka or something. Mark my words, the writers are going to throw some sort of 'sparing the child in memory of Sousuke' or something like that, and it will feel awkward and uncomfortable; the writers, however, will think it's heartwarming that her character can forgive him after all he's done to her postmortem. It's sad, really...

Enough speculations, bring on Episode 11 so we can get this over with. :beaten:

Or will it be Episode 12? :beaten:

Damn, I hope you're wrong. :sweat: :fingerscrossed:

bmwracer wrote:
Yeah, sorta anti-climactic, wouldn't you say?

Very.

Tenshigure wrote:

I've said it before, I'll say it again:

Spoiler — click to reveal

In the end, Michiru is going to end up having not changed whatsoever, except MAYBE she is closer with Ruka or something. Mark my words, the writers are going to throw some sort of 'sparing the child in memory of Sousuke' or something like that, and it will feel awkward and uncomfortable; the writers, however, will think it's heartwarming that her character can forgive him after all he's done to her postmortem. It's sad, really...

Enough speculations, bring on Episode 11 so we can get this over with.

I can definitely see that happening. I'm already uncomfortable with her whole

Spoiler — click to reveal

"I wonder if I could have stopped that death from occuring..." schpiel, when imo she should have been plotting his death after the first beat down/ rape. But with all the guilt that seems to be lingering in the previews, its almost as if Sousuke won in a way, because he is yet again the center of Michiru's life and controlling it.

Its a weird feeling, I want to see how everything ends- but at the same time I dread it.

Kinda like rubbernecking a car accident- unfortunate, but you can't look away.

KeepMeCaffein8td wrote:I can definitely see that happening. I'm already uncomfortable with her whole

Spoiler — click to reveal

"I wonder if I could have stopped that death from occuring..." schpiel, when imo she should have been plotting his death after the first beat down/ rape. But with all the guilt that seems to be lingering in the previews, its almost as if Sousuke won in a way, because he is yet again the center of Michiru's life and controlling it.

Yup.

Spoiler — click to reveal

As I mentioned earlier, the writers have made his character something pretty close to a martyr for some reason... What a terrible message to make... :shakehead:

Its a weird feeling, I want to see how everything ends- but at the same time I dread it.

Kinda like rubbernecking a car accident- unfortunate, but you can't look away.

Now that's being human. :beaten:

Post-production flowers. :)

[image] [image] [image]

^ Guh, such a beautiful cast. I really love the shirt Juri's wearing.

A bit random but this is more towards bmwracer noticing the guy/girl thing:
I just wanted to note that in spite of this drama's flaws and loopholes, I still enjoyed the [incredibly bumpy] ride. After they started going crazy with not fleshing anything out, I began looking at the drama differently -- entertainment value as a whole vs. how deep it is (and yes, most of the time the core entertainment value came from non-Michiru/Sousuke scenes.)

Another problem that I thought about: The fancy schmancy opening of the drama made me feel like everyone was going to get the same kind of character development. And just as I expected, I'm not the only one who thought this.

Eh, regardless. I still think this is worth a watch for the amazing performances spanned throughout the series, along with some really great dialogue here and there.