Or, “I haven’t really bothered talking much about this story until someone asked me to in IG, so I’m now doing this 6 chapters in” yay
I kinda feel sorry for myself for not being necessarily as enthusiastic as before, creating some of these featured story discussion threads, especially because how some others are managed so far. That being said, this story is around annoying average so far.
List of stuff from the story
MC is basically two to three things: acting and cereal (and her tense relationship with the LI). Her ex broke up with her when they took up an opportunity in NY while she wanted to remain loyal to her big break in a cheesy sitcom. Her character just gets grating at times, especially with her obsession and sustenance on cereal.
LI (James or Jamie) in this story is often referred to as MC’s ‘high school rival’, but it’s more really ‘jock bully who just so happens to only have a sweet spot for MC back in HS, but had to humiliate her because of shitty friend’. It didn’t make sense considering the two’s ‘reunion’ scene in the beginning, but whatever… At least they’re not bad overall to MC, just a crappy person in general
The gender branching/pronouns is okay, but the female LI branch is a bit weird in that it’s almost exactly the same as the male LI’s. In theory, it’s okay, but in practice, it’s weird how Jamie is constantly the ‘female lead’ despite the fact MC is also the female lead in the sitcom, and she’s also part of the varsity team. (I haven’t played that far into the female branch yet, so I’m not sure exactly, but she’s dressed similar to a football jock so…). Oh yeah, and also lazily using default characters to replace some male characters in the branch because why not?
The gem outfit scenes are so weird. The subtext is that they are fitting to a dramatic leading lady … even though the MC is working in a cable network sitcom, playing an assumedly middle-class waitress who gets into goofy shenanigans with her SO. It’s contextually pointless, other than ‘looking professional’ or some BS.
I assumed that one of MC’s BFFs, the stylist with a forgettable name and obsession with cars, would have also been an LI, seeing they have a decent chemistry with MC. However, playing the female LI branch, he remained the same gender, so sigh. (Edit: he is Christy’s LI, but I’m still disappointed) A lot of side characters are overall decent, if not in their own ways of annoying. It even did the character narration introduction for each every one of them.
So, yeah, it’s a bit weird how I wanted to be more structured in talking about it, but these are the ones that popped in my head about what works or doesn’t in this story thus far.
I’ve had Naemi as an author to read for a bit now since she gets hyped up on instagram some, but I haven’t read anything by her.
I just read the first episode of this and it’s cute. I mean, I don’t hate but I don’t absolutely love it. I did feel like there were way too many gem choices, though.
Getting fired from this show might actually be better for the MC’s career since it’s just juvenile gross-out humor. But since she’s a complete pig who farts in people’s faces, I guess it’s up her alley.
On that note, let’s talk about fart-branching. I guess Episode agreed having her unconsensually fart in the LI’s face and mouth shouldn’t be required, because they made it a choice, when in the original, she did it no matter what. I chose not to have her do it, but in last week’s episode the LI still acted as if she had. Get your branching right, Episode.
Similarly, the whole energy drinks as a substitute for alcohol thing is a bit silly. I appreciate the fact that Episode considers not everyone wants to play as a face-farting drunk, but MC still “can’t handle her energy drinks” and drunk-kisses the LI whether you like it or not. What’s the point of incorporating choices if they don’t actually alter the story?
If I were the LI I’d report her to HR and move on with my life.
I get the story is supposed to make the reader sympathise with him, but it does a poor attempt in doing so. James still was a general jerk, he had to kneel down to his buddy’s commands and wishes to a ridiculous degree, and the story doesn’t explain why he teased her upon first realising her identity in chapter one with the nickname. Either make him a complete douche from high school to the beginning of the story, or make him a misunderstood bad boy with a good heart and intentions - but the story decided to do both
Well, this week, the fact that the two had their first kiss just now hasn’t been explained yet, the story expects James to be forgiven of his rope robbery because he confessed he had feelings for her at the time, and I have trouble rooting for the both of them.
Plus, the comedy is Mostly unbearable in this chapter, it’s just so badly executed
So it’s the end of the story. Yeah, that pretty much sums up my thoughts.
What sucks that last chapter was a cliffhanger of Toby and Christy finally getting together but it was premised in such a flawed gem choice. Similarly the chapter tries to tie up as many loose ends, but I can still see some straggling around. But overall it was a nice conclusion
I’m reading this story now and I’m enjoying it! I think I’m in like the 2nd or 3rd chapter. The plot is definitely interesting, maybe forced in some spots, and the humor could be more varied. The characters seem good too so far. I’m excited to finish it! Great job!
I think I read the featured story done by Episode and don’t remember the ending. I tried reading the original and stopped after…
SPOILER ALERT
SPOILER ALERT
SPOILER ALERT
…the LI and the best friend made out. After that I was like ‘oh hell no, not the romcom I thought it was’. For me, Episode is NOT like film. It’s a form of escapism for me so I don’t want feel like sh** (at least not to this extent). Occasional sadness while reading an Episode story is fine but this was not like that.
The LI does really kinda suck anyway, as someone else had pointed out. I was all ready to forgive him for being a constant weakling to his so-called best friend as unrealistic as that felt, but was always uncomfortable about the gag he pulled that physically injured the MC back in high school. I checked IG to be sure, and found out the endings (coz there were options) were sad. And well, I have enough sadness in my life and don’t need more.
But some people love it anyway and that’s cool. It’s just not for me, I guess.
I finished reading the main one and it was fine and in the other version ( made by the same creator) I haven’t gotten far enough for the story to change so is the story not good should I not bother idk I mean by what I’m getting from the comments is that it’s bad?
But so far it has been n decent yes not obsessed over it but I haven’t found it as bad as it’s made seem
I mean, I don’t hate but I don’t absolutely love it. I did feel like there were way too many gem choices, though.
I guess Episode agreed having her unconsensually fart in the LI’s face and mouth shouldn’t be required, because they made it a choice, when in the original, she did it no matter what. I chose not to have her do it, but in last week’s episode the LI still acted as if she had. Get your branching right, Episode.
