Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is weird to me how even on this thread people are talking about what the characters must have been thinking or their intentions or their inner thoughts or what must have been really happening in their lives. They are made up characters! They aren't real people, it isn't a real story. The are actors who learned a script and were directed to put your hand here, look this way, say this line again etc.

I don't know what made people lose sense of what fiction is. And their fan base is mostly middle aged women. I read a lot of beach trash over the years. Then you put the book down and didn't really give it too much more thought. This emotional investment by middle aged women into a fictional story and fictional characters is just bizarre.

Internet and social media have really contributed to the delusional thinking and parasocial relationships and blurred line between fiction and reality. I can see teens getting caught up in that but middle aged adults - just bizarre.

This is such a strange take. Do you not believe in literary analysis either?

I also think you understate the what good actors bring to a role.

Literary analysis of beach trash? Of Harlequin romance novels? Even the author thinks it is crazy. She has a good sense of humor about it saying, I was writing a romance novel, hockey smut, I didn't mean for it to be analyzed like The Great Gatsby!

There is no inner world. The actors learned lines and are being directed in scenes - they aren't living out the story in real life! They are being told - walk here, turn your head this way, hold that position, redo that line. The actors did a great job but there isn't anything to deeply analyze because it isn't real. She churned out a series of Harlequin romance novels (that are pretty simply written) as light hearted entertainment.

You said there is no point in considering the inner lives of fictional characters, which is ridiculous on its face. No one is arguing that HR is the screen equivalent of The Great Gatsby. It's not. But this series stands out for "showing" not "telling," which gives viewers something to note and talk about. It doesn't have to be deep.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The unbelievable acting and chemistry makes this show/story/love so addictive. I am re-watching it as we speak.

They have great chemistry indeed. They touch and kiss each other so sensually. I don't think I have ever seen kisses this beautiful and passionate in ANY show or film.

Yes! Their intimacy and all the touches - big and small - make the show. They’re so sensual and tactile that it’s ruined other onscreen couples for me (I am straight by the way).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is weird to me how even on this thread people are talking about what the characters must have been thinking or their intentions or their inner thoughts or what must have been really happening in their lives. They are made up characters! They aren't real people, it isn't a real story. The are actors who learned a script and were directed to put your hand here, look this way, say this line again etc.

I don't know what made people lose sense of what fiction is. And their fan base is mostly middle aged women. I read a lot of beach trash over the years. Then you put the book down and didn't really give it too much more thought. This emotional investment by middle aged women into a fictional story and fictional characters is just bizarre.

Internet and social media have really contributed to the delusional thinking and parasocial relationships and blurred line between fiction and reality. I can see teens getting caught up in that but middle aged adults - just bizarre.

This is such a strange take. Do you not believe in literary analysis either?

I also think you understate the what good actors bring to a role.

Literary analysis of beach trash? Of Harlequin romance novels? Even the author thinks it is crazy. She has a good sense of humor about it saying, I was writing a romance novel, hockey smut, I didn't mean for it to be analyzed like The Great Gatsby!

There is no inner world. The actors learned lines and are being directed in scenes - they aren't living out the story in real life! They are being told - walk here, turn your head this way, hold that position, redo that line. The actors did a great job but there isn't anything to deeply analyze because it isn't real. She churned out a series of Harlequin romance novels (that are pretty simply written) as light hearted entertainment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am just chuckling at all the Vanilla crowd saying it's just smut. Um, maybe tune out from Bridgerton. Or are we only offended when the leads are gay?

FWIW, I think this and Bridgerton are exactly the same - a smutty romance targeted at a largely female audience with no deep meaning behind it despite trying to throw in a little for respectability (racial stuff for Bridgerton, homophobia issues for HR.)

Neither is much my thing but there is nothing wrong with them. But all the “it is so deep it might as well be the second coming of Shakespeare!” posts here and elsewhere crack me up. It’s not. You don’t need to justify with how intellectual and meaningful and this and that it is to allow yourself to enjoy it. It’s OK to like a trashy, romancy bit of fun and admit this is what that is.

To me, the books read like that, but not the show. It feels deeper and makes audiences emotionally invested because of the incredible acting and all the little details that were changed and added in the TV adaptation.

One of the characters struggles with a language barrier and the other is on the spectrum, so verbal communication is not their forte, but the viewer is able to discern their feelings of love, longing, worry, frustration, hope, hurt etc. because of how well the actors portray them with their micro expressions, body language, and choice of specific words and inflection in he dialogue. I forget that I am watching TV; it feels like I am intruding on someone’s private relationship.

Add to that the really hot sex scenes and fresh beautiful faces (and bodies, lol), and you get a global streaming phenomenon.

He is not on the spectrum! That is something the fans made up and then the actor rolled with it. The author siad that no, she didn't write him as autistic but she was fine with people understanding her characters in whatever way made sense to them.

They are good actors but people are insane in how deeply invested they have become in this show and the people involved. That level of investment is so unhealthy. I feel for the actors. Instead of being able to appreciate a successful work of art, they are needing to deal with insanity, their families nad partners getting death threats, and people over relating to them and not even realizing that the show is FICTION, it is FICTION. This isn't a love story between Connor and Hudson. I kind of despair for humanity when I read posts about this show. It is too bad people can't just appreciate it and enjoy it for what it is. Should just be a nice fun well acted fictional positive distraction from the mess of the world - but instead like everything people have to take it too far and turn it into something it isn't.

I wonder if the actors will even want to do a season 2. Realizing how insane people are and the many to distinguish between real life and fiction and seeing how doing this has harmed the people they care about in real life - it would be brave to go through with another season. Probably contractually obligated but it is a scary world - fanbase of this show included.

I’d be shocked if these actors do Season 2. They are probably getting bombarded with scripts to star in Hollywood movies and make millions more than they’d ever make for Season 2.

I read the actors signed for seasons 1-3 up front.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is weird to me how even on this thread people are talking about what the characters must have been thinking or their intentions or their inner thoughts or what must have been really happening in their lives. They are made up characters! They aren't real people, it isn't a real story. The are actors who learned a script and were directed to put your hand here, look this way, say this line again etc.

I don't know what made people lose sense of what fiction is. And their fan base is mostly middle aged women. I read a lot of beach trash over the years. Then you put the book down and didn't really give it too much more thought. This emotional investment by middle aged women into a fictional story and fictional characters is just bizarre.

Internet and social media have really contributed to the delusional thinking and parasocial relationships and blurred line between fiction and reality. I can see teens getting caught up in that but middle aged adults - just bizarre.

This is such a strange take. Do you not believe in literary analysis either?

I also think you understate the what good actors bring to a role.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am just chuckling at all the Vanilla crowd saying it's just smut. Um, maybe tune out from Bridgerton. Or are we only offended when the leads are gay?

FWIW, I think this and Bridgerton are exactly the same - a smutty romance targeted at a largely female audience with no deep meaning behind it despite trying to throw in a little for respectability (racial stuff for Bridgerton, homophobia issues for HR.)

Neither is much my thing but there is nothing wrong with them. But all the “it is so deep it might as well be the second coming of Shakespeare!” posts here and elsewhere crack me up. It’s not. You don’t need to justify with how intellectual and meaningful and this and that it is to allow yourself to enjoy it. It’s OK to like a trashy, romancy bit of fun and admit this is what that is.

To me, the books read like that, but not the show. It feels deeper and makes audiences emotionally invested because of the incredible acting and all the little details that were changed and added in the TV adaptation.

One of the characters struggles with a language barrier and the other is on the spectrum, so verbal communication is not their forte, but the viewer is able to discern their feelings of love, longing, worry, frustration, hope, hurt etc. because of how well the actors portray them with their micro expressions, body language, and choice of specific words and inflection in he dialogue. I forget that I am watching TV; it feels like I am intruding on someone’s private relationship.

Add to that the really hot sex scenes and fresh beautiful faces (and bodies, lol), and you get a global streaming phenomenon.

He is not on the spectrum! That is something the fans made up and then the actor rolled with it. The author siad that no, she didn't write him as autistic but she was fine with people understanding her characters in whatever way made sense to them.

They are good actors but people are insane in how deeply invested they have become in this show and the people involved. That level of investment is so unhealthy. I feel for the actors. Instead of being able to appreciate a successful work of art, they are needing to deal with insanity, their families nad partners getting death threats, and people over relating to them and not even realizing that the show is FICTION, it is FICTION. This isn't a love story between Connor and Hudson. I kind of despair for humanity when I read posts about this show. It is too bad people can't just appreciate it and enjoy it for what it is. Should just be a nice fun well acted fictional positive distraction from the mess of the world - but instead like everything people have to take it too far and turn it into something it isn't.

I wonder if the actors will even want to do a season 2. Realizing how insane people are and the many to distinguish between real life and fiction and seeing how doing this has harmed the people they care about in real life - it would be brave to go through with another season. Probably contractually obligated but it is a scary world - fanbase of this show included.

I’d be shocked if these actors do Season 2. They are probably getting bombarded with scripts to star in Hollywood movies and make millions more than they’d ever make for Season 2.

Anonymous wrote:It is weird to me how even on this thread people are talking about what the characters must have been thinking or their intentions or their inner thoughts or what must have been really happening in their lives. They are made up characters! They aren't real people, it isn't a real story. The are actors who learned a script and were directed to put your hand here, look this way, say this line again etc.

I don't know what made people lose sense of what fiction is. And their fan base is mostly middle aged women. I read a lot of beach trash over the years. Then you put the book down and didn't really give it too much more thought. This emotional investment by middle aged women into a fictional story and fictional characters is just bizarre.

Internet and social media have really contributed to the delusional thinking and parasocial relationships and blurred line between fiction and reality. I can see teens getting caught up in that but middle aged adults - just bizarre.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The unbelievable acting and chemistry makes this show/story/love so addictive. I am re-watching it as we speak.

They have great chemistry indeed. They touch and kiss each other so sensually. I don't think I have ever seen kisses this beautiful and passionate in ANY show or film.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am just chuckling at all the Vanilla crowd saying it's just smut. Um, maybe tune out from Bridgerton. Or are we only offended when the leads are gay?

FWIW, I think this and Bridgerton are exactly the same - a smutty romance targeted at a largely female audience with no deep meaning behind it despite trying to throw in a little for respectability (racial stuff for Bridgerton, homophobia issues for HR.)

Neither is much my thing but there is nothing wrong with them. But all the “it is so deep it might as well be the second coming of Shakespeare!” posts here and elsewhere crack me up. It’s not. You don’t need to justify with how intellectual and meaningful and this and that it is to allow yourself to enjoy it. It’s OK to like a trashy, romancy bit of fun and admit this is what that is.

To me, the books read like that, but not the show. It feels deeper and makes audiences emotionally invested because of the incredible acting and all the little details that were changed and added in the TV adaptation.

One of the characters struggles with a language barrier and the other is on the spectrum, so verbal communication is not their forte, but the viewer is able to discern their feelings of love, longing, worry, frustration, hope, hurt etc. because of how well the actors portray them with their micro expressions, body language, and choice of specific words and inflection in he dialogue. I forget that I am watching TV; it feels like I am intruding on someone’s private relationship.

Add to that the really hot sex scenes and fresh beautiful faces (and bodies, lol), and you get a global streaming phenomenon.

He is not on the spectrum! That is something the fans made up and then the actor rolled with it. The author siad that no, she didn't write him as autistic but she was fine with people understanding her characters in whatever way made sense to them.

They are good actors but people are insane in how deeply invested they have become in this show and the people involved. That level of investment is so unhealthy. I feel for the actors. Instead of being able to appreciate a successful work of art, they are needing to deal with insanity, their families nad partners getting death threats, and people over relating to them and not even realizing that the show is FICTION, it is FICTION. This isn't a love story between Connor and Hudson. I kind of despair for humanity when I read posts about this show. It is too bad people can't just appreciate it and enjoy it for what it is. Should just be a nice fun well acted fictional positive distraction from the mess of the world - but instead like everything people have to take it too far and turn it into something it isn't.

I wonder if the actors will even want to do a season 2. Realizing how insane people are and the many to distinguish between real life and fiction and seeing how doing this has harmed the people they care about in real life - it would be brave to go through with another season. Probably contractually obligated but it is a scary world - fanbase of this show included.

I’d be shocked if these actors do Season 2. They are probably getting bombarded with scripts to star in Hollywood movies and make millions more than they’d ever make for Season 2.

Agreed. Both great actors and clearly very marketable and they already have a fan base. Offers will be flying it. Same with the director - he is already better known and has other shows that have done well so I can see him being offered bigger gigs too. Season 2 will probably get pushed back and then pushed back.

The total budget for all 6 episodes of Season 1 was about $30 million CAD or $22 million USD for all salaries, sets, licensing, rentals, insurance, props, cinematography, producing, editing, marketing, etc. It is rumored that the two leads each earned about $80K CAD total (or 56K USD) for the 10 weeks they worked on the show. Which is a lot when you are working as a server in a restaurant but peanuts when you are in the position they are now in.

Since Season 1 is a smashing success, the budget for Season 2 will no doubt be a lot higher. There are rumors that HBO might be financing the production.
30 million CAD for Season 1 sounds unreasonably high. Most indie projects are made with a lot less money. I believe Season 1's budget was no higher than 10 million, but most reports I read said 3 million CAD.

Both Connor and Hudson seem to be very invested in the characters and the show, and they clearly enjoy working together. Connor is passionate about the Russian language and culture, and he really is the perfect Ilya. I am willing to bet that they will film the next season this summer. As to disappearing last week, they probably just needed a break after weeks of non-stop promo events. They need down time to work with stylists, publicists, hire new talent agents and so on. They both seem to enjoy the publicity and fan adoration and are chronically online, interacting with fans on TikTok and Insta. I don't think this is anything new: it was the same craze with Brad Pitt, Leo, the Twilight & Hunger Games casts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am just chuckling at all the Vanilla crowd saying it's just smut. Um, maybe tune out from Bridgerton. Or are we only offended when the leads are gay?

FWIW, I think this and Bridgerton are exactly the same - a smutty romance targeted at a largely female audience with no deep meaning behind it despite trying to throw in a little for respectability (racial stuff for Bridgerton, homophobia issues for HR.)

Neither is much my thing but there is nothing wrong with them. But all the “it is so deep it might as well be the second coming of Shakespeare!” posts here and elsewhere crack me up. It’s not. You don’t need to justify with how intellectual and meaningful and this and that it is to allow yourself to enjoy it. It’s OK to like a trashy, romancy bit of fun and admit this is what that is.

To me, the books read like that, but not the show. It feels deeper and makes audiences emotionally invested because of the incredible acting and all the little details that were changed and added in the TV adaptation.

One of the characters struggles with a language barrier and the other is on the spectrum, so verbal communication is not their forte, but the viewer is able to discern their feelings of love, longing, worry, frustration, hope, hurt etc. because of how well the actors portray them with their micro expressions, body language, and choice of specific words and inflection in he dialogue. I forget that I am watching TV; it feels like I am intruding on someone’s private relationship.

Add to that the really hot sex scenes and fresh beautiful faces (and bodies, lol), and you get a global streaming phenomenon.

He is not on the spectrum! That is something the fans made up and then the actor rolled with it. The author siad that no, she didn't write him as autistic but she was fine with people understanding her characters in whatever way made sense to them.

They are good actors but people are insane in how deeply invested they have become in this show and the people involved. That level of investment is so unhealthy. I feel for the actors. Instead of being able to appreciate a successful work of art, they are needing to deal with insanity, their families nad partners getting death threats, and people over relating to them and not even realizing that the show is FICTION, it is FICTION. This isn't a love story between Connor and Hudson. I kind of despair for humanity when I read posts about this show. It is too bad people can't just appreciate it and enjoy it for what it is. Should just be a nice fun well acted fictional positive distraction from the mess of the world - but instead like everything people have to take it too far and turn it into something it isn't.

I wonder if the actors will even want to do a season 2. Realizing how insane people are and the many to distinguish between real life and fiction and seeing how doing this has harmed the people they care about in real life - it would be brave to go through with another season. Probably contractually obligated but it is a scary world - fanbase of this show included.

I’d be shocked if these actors do Season 2. They are probably getting bombarded with scripts to star in Hollywood movies and make millions more than they’d ever make for Season 2.

Agreed. Both great actors and clearly very marketable and they already have a fan base. Offers will be flying it. Same with the director - he is already better known and has other shows that have done well so I can see him being offered bigger gigs too. Season 2 will probably get pushed back and then pushed back.

The total budget for all 6 episodes of Season 1 was about $30 million CAD or $22 million USD for all salaries, sets, licensing, rentals, insurance, props, cinematography, producing, editing, marketing, etc. It is rumored that the two leads each earned about $80K CAD total (or 56K USD) for the 10 weeks they worked on the show. Which is a lot when you are working as a server in a restaurant but peanuts when you are in the position they are now in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am just chuckling at all the Vanilla crowd saying it's just smut. Um, maybe tune out from Bridgerton. Or are we only offended when the leads are gay?

FWIW, I think this and Bridgerton are exactly the same - a smutty romance targeted at a largely female audience with no deep meaning behind it despite trying to throw in a little for respectability (racial stuff for Bridgerton, homophobia issues for HR.)

Neither is much my thing but there is nothing wrong with them. But all the “it is so deep it might as well be the second coming of Shakespeare!” posts here and elsewhere crack me up. It’s not. You don’t need to justify with how intellectual and meaningful and this and that it is to allow yourself to enjoy it. It’s OK to like a trashy, romancy bit of fun and admit this is what that is.

To me, the books read like that, but not the show. It feels deeper and makes audiences emotionally invested because of the incredible acting and all the little details that were changed and added in the TV adaptation.

One of the characters struggles with a language barrier and the other is on the spectrum, so verbal communication is not their forte, but the viewer is able to discern their feelings of love, longing, worry, frustration, hope, hurt etc. because of how well the actors portray them with their micro expressions, body language, and choice of specific words and inflection in he dialogue. I forget that I am watching TV; it feels like I am intruding on someone’s private relationship.

Add to that the really hot sex scenes and fresh beautiful faces (and bodies, lol), and you get a global streaming phenomenon.

He is not on the spectrum! That is something the fans made up and then the actor rolled with it. The author siad that no, she didn't write him as autistic but she was fine with people understanding her characters in whatever way made sense to them.

They are good actors but people are insane in how deeply invested they have become in this show and the people involved. That level of investment is so unhealthy. I feel for the actors. Instead of being able to appreciate a successful work of art, they are needing to deal with insanity, their families nad partners getting death threats, and people over relating to them and not even realizing that the show is FICTION, it is FICTION. This isn't a love story between Connor and Hudson. I kind of despair for humanity when I read posts about this show. It is too bad people can't just appreciate it and enjoy it for what it is. Should just be a nice fun well acted fictional positive distraction from the mess of the world - but instead like everything people have to take it too far and turn it into something it isn't.

I wonder if the actors will even want to do a season 2. Realizing how insane people are and the many to distinguish between real life and fiction and seeing how doing this has harmed the people they care about in real life - it would be brave to go through with another season. Probably contractually obligated but it is a scary world - fanbase of this show included.

I’d be shocked if these actors do Season 2. They are probably getting bombarded with scripts to star in Hollywood movies and make millions more than they’d ever make for Season 2.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am just chuckling at all the Vanilla crowd saying it's just smut. Um, maybe tune out from Bridgerton. Or are we only offended when the leads are gay?

FWIW, I think this and Bridgerton are exactly the same - a smutty romance targeted at a largely female audience with no deep meaning behind it despite trying to throw in a little for respectability (racial stuff for Bridgerton, homophobia issues for HR.)

Neither is much my thing but there is nothing wrong with them. But all the “it is so deep it might as well be the second coming of Shakespeare!” posts here and elsewhere crack me up. It’s not. You don’t need to justify with how intellectual and meaningful and this and that it is to allow yourself to enjoy it. It’s OK to like a trashy, romancy bit of fun and admit this is what that is.

To me, the books read like that, but not the show. It feels deeper and makes audiences emotionally invested because of the incredible acting and all the little details that were changed and added in the TV adaptation.

One of the characters struggles with a language barrier and the other is on the spectrum, so verbal communication is not their forte, but the viewer is able to discern their feelings of love, longing, worry, frustration, hope, hurt etc. because of how well the actors portray them with their micro expressions, body language, and choice of specific words and inflection in he dialogue. I forget that I am watching TV; it feels like I am intruding on someone’s private relationship.

Add to that the really hot sex scenes and fresh beautiful faces (and bodies, lol), and you get a global streaming phenomenon.

He is not on the spectrum! That is something the fans made up and then the actor rolled with it. The author siad that no, she didn't write him as autistic but she was fine with people understanding her characters in whatever way made sense to them.

They are good actors but people are insane in how deeply invested they have become in this show and the people involved. That level of investment is so unhealthy. I feel for the actors. Instead of being able to appreciate a successful work of art, they are needing to deal with insanity, their families nad partners getting death threats, and people over relating to them and not even realizing that the show is FICTION, it is FICTION. This isn't a love story between Connor and Hudson. I kind of despair for humanity when I read posts about this show. It is too bad people can't just appreciate it and enjoy it for what it is. Should just be a nice fun well acted fictional positive distraction from the mess of the world - but instead like everything people have to take it too far and turn it into something it isn't.

I wonder if the actors will even want to do a season 2. Realizing how insane people are and the many to distinguish between real life and fiction and seeing how doing this has harmed the people they care about in real life - it would be brave to go through with another season. Probably contractually obligated but it is a scary world - fanbase of this show included.