Old lovers, assembly once more and discovering reconciliation, closure, or the desire to lastly transfer on in one another’s presence. The pilot episode of the GagaOOLala unique ‘Fragrance of the First Flower’ units the stage for that sort of story.
If there may be one romantic trope I’m an absolute sucker for, it’s what I name the ‘Phir Le Aaya Dil’ second. Old lovers, assembly once more and discovering reconciliation, closure, or the desire to lastly transfer on in one another’s presence. The pilot episode of the GagaOOLala unique ‘Fragrance of the First Flower’ units the stage for that sort of story. Unlike MLM dramas which are actually extremely common, there are only a few WLW exhibits on-line. Fragrance of the First Flower is subsequently a a lot wanted breath of recent air. You know that feeling when it’s raining and your Spotify immediately begins taking part in a tune that you just affiliate with a sure level of your life and suddenly, you’re transported right into a corridor of mirrors manufactured from reminiscences? That is what this pilot appears like.
This Taiwanese present is about after the legalisation of queer marriage within the nation, and that provides the viewers the possibility to see the very actual impact of authorized reform on the lives of residents. However, at no level does the primary episode really feel medical or stuffed with jargon. Instead, pathos is on the absolute forefront of the script as we meet our foremost characters, Ting-Ting and Yi-Ming, who stumble upon one another at a heterosexual wedding ceremony after a very long time. The episode begins with Yi-Ming, performed by the exceptional Zaizai Lin, noticing that there’s one other wedding ceremony occurring proper subsequent door to this one- and in that one has two brides! The undeniable fact that queer bliss is simply subsequent door- however she is caught here- is an attractive metaphor for the story that’s about to unfold. She doesn’t say something, however her expression is sufficient to convey the myriad of feelings swirling inside her. It is Ting-Ting, performed by the colourful and proficient Lyan Chen, who finally ends up truly mentioning the queer wedding ceremony out loud. We additionally see one of many brides describe their love as a ‘burning lily’ (delicate lilies are an emblem of lesbian love and the burning is meant to point ardour). This is probably essentially the most lovely metaphor that I’ve heard on display, and also you greatest imagine that I’m going to maintain repeating it at each that I get.
But it’s not simply the writing that stands out, for the actors are breathtaking of their portrayals. Even in moments after they don’t have any dialogues (of which there are numerous), they’re nonetheless expressing themselves and persevering with to make us join with their characters. The manner that the characters look at one another instantly tells us that they’re somebody whose eyes are transporting them to a distinct time. However, the truth that they’re now in several areas is an omnipresent reminder on display earlier than we get perception into what that point was. We don’t discover out a lot about Ting-Ting’s present private life on this episode, however Yi-Ming’s home life is launched intimately. I significantly beloved the distinction within the love with which appears at her son (an precise little one) and the tiredness with which she appears at her husband (a man-child who appears to be unable to do something on his personal). But we’re getting forward of ourselves.
The storytelling is totally charming, and the way in which that visible metaphors have been woven into the screenplay makes for a heartwarming expertise. When Ting-Ting and Yi-Ming find yourself sharing a cab on their manner out from the marriage, we see them undertake two journeys on the identical time. The first is to their present properties, and the second is a visit down reminiscence lane. The aptlyl-cast stars are simply as plausible of their high-school avatars as we see their paths cross for the primary time as youngsters. There is a heat and magic on this a part of their lives, and a light-weight upbeat background rating pulses us into that feeling. This rating is contrasted with the useless silence that follows Yi-Ming as she enters her house after getting out of the shared cab with Ting Ting within the current day, exhibiting us how completely different her life feels now.
The chemistry between Chen and Lin is palpable. The manner that the 2 embody the awkward combination and melancholy of assembly somebody that you’ve got considered usually however haven’t met within the longest of time is subliminal. Longing in WLW tales is commonly a central sentiment, and on this one it appears to be virtually a supporting character. It is commonly mentioned that while you select a life companion you’re additionally selecting a life path- and on this narrative that could be a very apparent factor, for when Yi-Ming enters her house and wishes to begin cleansing her husband’s mess, one is compelled to query whether or not this might have been her life path had society been completely different when she was a teen. Hope is, nonetheless, not misplaced, for our protagonists have simply gotten a second probability and I’m positively wanting ahead to seeing the place the story takes them.
The episode packed rather a lot inside fifteen minutes, however sticking round until after the credit was extremely rewarding for the creators have additionally made an official music video that performs at this level. The soothing melody and exquisite lyrics are accompanied by snippets of scenes from the present, and are a becoming tribute to the nostalgic and transportive nature of Yi-Ming and Ting-Ting’s love for one another. This is certainly a present that understands how girls love girls, and the way they often by no means cease.
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