Latest / Besties Do Verticals / Episode 10 - Stableboy
Transcript
- Aleta: Hello and welcome to Besties Do Verticals with your besties, Lucy and Alita. Hi, I'm Alita. Lucy: And I'm Lucy! Aleta: Lucy, I cannot believe that we are on episode ten of the podcast. This little spark of an idea. ⁓ Lucy: hahahaha Aleta: I I truly thought you'd think I was crazy ⁓ for even suggesting it. ⁓ But here we are. I'm so happy that we've stuck with it. this weekend I am going to a rock and gem show with my kiddo because I need some beads for a very special project. Lucy: Ooh. Ooh! ⁓ Aleta: Two very special projects. Ooh. The challenge is not to buy myself all the pretty rocks while I'm there. Lucy: You deserve pretty rocks. You deserve pretty Aleta: What will you be getting up to? ⁓ Lucy: rocks. Aleta: I Lucy: ⁓ Aleta: always I have a cabinet full of pretty rocks behind me. ⁓ Lucy: ⁓ fair, fair. ⁓ Well, I actually going to a fan expo Sunday. Yeah, Aleta: ⁓ cool. Lucy: I'm really excited. are the best. It looks like the ⁓ four hobbits are going to be there. Elijah Wood and all the other I should be able to remember and can't, but you know, it's fine. ⁓ Aleta: Mary and Pippin and Sam? Lucy: Well, I know the Lord of the Rings names, I was trying to remember the actors names. I have been just, I've inundated myself with verticals, so I just remember vertical actors names now apparently. But yeah, I'm really excited ⁓ and I'm not dressing up, I wish I was. I honestly almost did not go, just we're just so busy Aleta: Mm just a little. Just a little. Lucy: because we're crazy. Alita and I are crazy. Just a little. Just a little. Aleta: This week we're talking about a brand new vertical. Stableboy came out on Tuesday, and some twinklinks, who shall be nameless, Lucy, ⁓ stayed up ⁓ all night. ⁓ I must admit ⁓ that I did not. ⁓ Crazy girl. ⁓ Lucy: It was like, it was a last minute whim too, I won't lie. I was not planning on doing that at all. And I just had this gut feeling. I was like, you know what? You should nap and just stay up for the release. I now know why I had that gut feeling, but I didn't understand it at the time. Aleta: Crazy. I went to sleep after maybe, I don't know, episode 34-ish. Whenever I ran out of up to the paywall and all the ads, and then I was like, okay, I will watch the rest of it in the morning. But yeah. I cannot be doing the up all night. Lucy: Hahaha! Fair. Aleta: Stableboy was directed by Jen Park Hill, who also did Water Boy and Pool Boy. Lucy: Yes, she's part of the dream team. Aleta: And it was written by Crystal Lichty, I'm not sure, I apologize if I pronounce your name incorrectly, with a story by Taylor Busek and was released on Real Short. Here is the summary from Real Openly gay city kid Evan Brooks sent to a Midwest ranch with one condition compete on the high school rodeo team or lose his of culinary school. in Paris. His biggest obstacle? Team Captain Colt Maddox. The straight, golden boy cowboy whose shot at going pro depends on winning state. ⁓ After Evan is forced to be Colt's boy, their rivalry turns into something neither of them expected. In a town where being gay is more dangerous than bull riding, falling in love could cost them everything. Lucy: it. am so to ⁓ have the privilege recapping Stable Boy. And 48 hours ago, I would have told someone they were crazy if I said anything like that on the podcast. it's ⁓ beautifully true. ⁓ Stable Boy an interactive, and this is the first one we've recapped that is interactive. My notes today are from all of the paid choices. And since I have watched this three times already in two days, not playing. I actually have. I watched it twice today. Aleta: I've only watched it twice total. I'm doing well. Lucy: Hey, I love it. love it. But having watched it three times, I have found that the unpaid choices to me actually suck and completely. I did today. Yes. Aleta: ⁓ r ⁓ did you watch it with the unpaid ones as well? ⁓ okay. Lucy: So my last rewatch, was I wanted to make sure I was thorough for the podcast. And OK, and let me be kinder. It's not that it sucks. It's that when you do the paid choices, they're so good. ⁓ my gosh, it's the paid choices are why people probably cried. It's probably why people feel the way that they do currently. They just put a lot into that choose your own adventure ⁓ choice bucket there. ⁓ Aleta: Ha ha. Lucy: And when I watched them without, I was like, ⁓ the passion not in it as And we'll talk about it as it goes on. But yeah. Aleta: Well, they want to get that money. ⁓ Lucy: They do. And I mean, I really like Choose Your Own Adventure, cannot lie that if you are a paid subscriber and you're already paying them $200 a year to be part of it, I really wish their Choose Your Own Adventures were part of it. But I will say that Aleta: Yeah, for sure. Lucy: here is the thing. Let me throw them a bone here. You can collect gems every day. and I had tons of interactive tickets and choices. So there are people who save up for it and it's not an issue. I just think I'm an impatient person and I don't like ads and I mean that's why I subscribe them. don't like Aleta: Yeah. Lucy: I'm gonna pay for it. I'm not gonna wait. how get me. That's how they get my money. yep, ⁓ Aleta: Ha ha ha. Lucy: But yeah, I'm not the biggest fan of the unpaid choices for this one ⁓ I did think that it completely diminished the beauty of this story. So ⁓ if you haven't seen Stable Boy yet, turn back. Just go pay for this one vertical. The paid choices are so worth it. And this episode will be so ⁓ more fruitful if you are listening ⁓ you've seen it. I I also wanted to talk about that it took me almost 48 hours to prep for this episode. I know that's on me. Aleta: Ha ha! Lucy: I didn't get to do... I know I didn't get to do edits and I'm gonna start crying I didn't get to edit. ⁓ I barely got to play with anybody, I barely slept, I didn't do anything around my house, I just basically ripped Stable Boy apart so we could record this. ⁓ Aleta: Besties do not feel sorry for her. She brought it on herself. ⁓ Lucy: I did. I'm getting a little teary-eyed, but it was all me, girl. Well, I remember after I saw it, I immediately reached out to Alita, who was passed out, by the way. She had already been passed out. It was like 2 a.m. her time, 3 a.m. my time. And I just was like, hey, girl, because she was like, maybe I might want to do it. And I was like, I'm taking it. And I immediately started rewatching and doing notes. And I stayed up like all night and had to work the next day. Aleta: That's insane. I could not survive that. Lucy: it was insane. It was rough, but no regrets. It's just been a weird Aleta: We are not twenty years old anymore. Lucy: We're not, and my brain still thinks I am. Like, ⁓ geez, get it together. Anyway, I am very happy that I did get to do it. This one ⁓ is ⁓ very special me and I know I'm not the only one. So I cannot sing praises The vertical opens to an aerial shot of a ranch. We see saddles, a horse knocker, and then a young man named Evan Brooks. Evan! Played by Declan Clifford. ⁓ Aleta: Wrong oven. Lucy: I was, you know, we were told that in one of Declan's lives that there would be ⁓ a familiar name for his character. ⁓ Aleta: ⁓ Lucy: And one of the guesses was Evan, so I'm just excited. played by Declan Clifford, sitting down on a step and looking around in disgust. He says, where the hell am I? He continues, as soon as I came out to my dad, he banished me to his best friend's ranch in the middle of nowhere. This is all voiceover. I think Declan looks really cool here. He puts his sunglasses on. I just, he looked good. Hank Maddox approaches, played by Paul Rossi, a rodeo coach and his dad's best friend. Hank says, you know why you're here. I'm gonna try an accent here and it's not going well already. Evan replies, to see the long-term effects of inbreeding up close. ⁓ Aleta: Ha ha ha. Lucy: Hank replies, don't get smart. here because you're gay. You got big plans to run off to France and bake cupcakes. Evan says, it's called culinary It's woman's work. I'm gonna show you what it means to be a real man, a real cowboy. Ugh, what a piece of work already. ⁓ Hank tells Evan to follow him. We are introduced to Colt Maddox, played by Skye Kawai. Ho ho ho! Have mercy! That's all I'm gonna say. Aleta: Uh-huh. Lucy: Evan and Colt get their first look at each other, and we can tell right away that they are checking each other out. Colt says, howdy York, you visiting the ranch? Hank tells his son that Evan is staying with them and will be competing on the high school rodeo team with Colt. Colt is not happy. Hank tells Evan that the only way he gets to go to culinary school in Paris is if he lasts the season and doesn't run before state. Hank gives him ⁓ one final ⁓ lovely comment. I don't tolerate any gay shit under my roof. Do something weird. especially to my son and you're ⁓ Listeners, there's going to be a lot of this in this one. I actually toned it down, believe it or not. They are supposed to be heading to school. Evan tells Colt, don't worry, being gay isn't contagious. Colt tells Evan that it has nothing to do with that. It's that he can't have dead weight on his team because this is his year. If he wins state, he goes pro and gets the hell out of this goddamn town. Aleta: I mean you kinda can't blame him. Lucy: I don't blame him. Yeah, I feel him 100%. Yeah. Aleta: For being mad about it. Yeah. Lucy: ⁓ totally. Evan and Colt come to the conclusion that both of their dreams is ruining the others. this exchange is going on, Colt gets up in Evan's face and basically pins him against his truck. Evan gets hard. Colt notices and says, is that what I think it is? ⁓ Skye's little accent. ⁓ I think he did a really good job. ⁓ I'm actually not a fan of accents, like southern accents, but Sky did really well. I was impressed. Evan covers his crotch with his bag and asks if they could just go to school. Colt tells him the school is three miles that way and makes him walk. As he's driving off, he says, welcome to Mapleville. Now get the fuck out and drives off. Whoa, sky is really good at being. Aleta: Being mean. Lucy: being mean. He's like, ⁓ every role I've him like he, feel like this, this one, he was the most mean. The others, like, I think he chilled pretty quick, but I'm like, damn, Sky. ⁓ He mentioned in some comments one ⁓ that ⁓ if one of his co-stars, think her name is Tori or Tony, I don't know, she's awesome. But he was talking about they would do a girl love ⁓ and he would play the bully. and someone commented, isn't that what you already do? ⁓ Aleta: Hundred percent. Lucy: Evan does indeed walk and arrives at school. We see ⁓ all of students wearing cowboy hats. ⁓ I wanted say, do we think this is real? Because I live in America and even in Texas, I don't think everyone's wearing cowboy hats, even in podunk towns. I don't know. Aleta: I feel like not to school, especially, like Lucy: Maybe events. Aleta: Like trucker hats, ball caps, you know, with the the people that ⁓ I know in in our equivalent, which is Alberta, who ⁓ you know one of my dad's best friend actually had a farm and yeah, they just wore ball caps around unless they were, you know, competing in something, which was not rodeo, but competed in some other horse type ⁓ competitions, shall we say. Lucy: well, it's funny. I heard in other countries can identify Americans by baseball cap. So it's interesting to me to hear that a province in Canada, ⁓ but I guess I've heard like mini America. Aleta: Yeah, everyone in Canada wears caps. Lucy: ⁓ I didn't know that. Aleta: I mean not everyone, but I mean it's common to yeah. Lucy: Look at Aleta: I mean ⁓ I don't, but you know ⁓ Lucy: us learning. I'm learning about your culture. ⁓ I love it. All righty. So, yes, ⁓ he arrives at school. wearing cowboy hats ⁓ and talking trash about Evan being gay. Evan and Colt get into another tiff the lockers about Evan being there and on the rodeo team. It ends with Colt slamming Evan against the lockers. The next scene we see all of the students in art class. We meet Stone, Colt's teammate and friend, played by Ben Methvin. Hey, Ben. I feel like he's the go-to supporting actor, bully friend for all the BLs. I don't know. I kind of like it. He should keep doing it. Aleta: Yeah, he's kinda doing that a lot. Lucy: He is, but I'm okay with it. Stone starts in on Evan and steals the drawing he's working on. The drawing is clearly a gorgeous sketch of Colt, but it's Colt as Will Harrison from Pool Boy. I really liked this little callback. And honestly, who drew this? Because that is some damn fine artwork. I think it's a really cute Easter egg they popped in here. Aleta: Do you know what actually I wanted to say too with regard to the art? I wonder if it's the same person who drew the art for tutoring my rival boy. Because there was very good art in that as well that that was supposed to Chris's artwork. Like you know, Chris's sketchbook full of hot guys. I wondered if it was the same person. Maybe. Lucy: You think? Okay, well, if anyone's- Yeah, ⁓ my gosh, you're right. Yes. Okay, so maybe, so if someone from RealShort's listening, let us know, because now we're curious. voiceover from Evan he says, Colt has me so riled up I drew him without meaning to. Colt and Evan start arguing over whether or not it's really Colt in the drawing as Evan tries to tell him it's the statue of David. ⁓ Aleta: It doesn't li it's got long hair The statue of David Lucy: ⁓ Evan clearly thinks cult is very stupid. ⁓ Aleta: Yeah, no kidding. Also, it was missing some details for the statue of David, just saying. Lucy: That's right. ⁓ Well, remember was like, were you about to get some cock and know? ⁓ I loved It was great. All right. ⁓ Moving on. is all. I know, ⁓ I know. I'm so bad. ⁓ It's an explicit podcast, We're just. It does, it does. Aleta: I'm like details and you're like This sums us all up entirely. ⁓ Lucy: Well, and ⁓ I didn't say it at the beginning listeners, but this one's gonna be long. ⁓ my God. It's gonna be like an hour and 15 minutes at least. That's my goal. Colt rips it out and says, he's going to keep it. Stone says, now the fairy can't go home and jerk off to it later. Evan says, ⁓ okay. so Colt took it so he can jerk off to himself. ⁓ I see. Aleta: Ha ha ha. Lucy: Colt doesn't seem to know what to say and comes up you ain't worth the mud under my boots. I actually really like Evan as a character more than Aiden and Kaiden. I think he stands up for himself way more. Aleta: Yeah, for sure. Lucy: In the next scene, the high school rodeo team is practicing. shows up stating he is there to practice and if he should grab a rope. Colt tells him no, that he has no time to train him. They start arguing again, which in turn causes Evan to fall into a wheelbarrow. When Colt holds out his hand to help Evan out of Evan pulls Colt down with him. Colt gets pissed, he tells everyone that Practice is over. Colt gets up and says, except for you, you're coming with me and drags Evan away. So instead of a typical shower scene we tend to get with Sky Kawai because they always throw that man in the shower. We get an outdoor shower scene. Yippee-ki-yay motherfuckers! Woo! ⁓ Aleta: Ha ha Lucy: I mean we're doing a thing about cowboys so I have to throw in a yippee-kay-ay somewhere. Aleta: Ha ha ⁓ my god. Lucy: we're all happy to still have a shower scene. you know I wonder with poor Sky, is his future? is ⁓ If he sticks with real short is it just shower scene after shower scene? my god. ⁓ Aleta: Probably. Most of the verticals seem to have something like that in them. Lucy: They do. It's okay. As vertical fans, we're okay with it. Keep going, guys. ⁓ Aleta: Ha ha ha. Lucy: Evan fights Colt the whole way until Colt shoves a hose in his hand says to rinse off. You ain't gotta look like shit just because we're treating you like shit. Colt takes off his shirt and Evan can't help but stare. Don't blame you, buddy. Colt tells him to make himself useful and get his back. We are then blessed with the Real Shorts Boy Universe version of a shower scene. Colt tells Evan to take his shirt off so he can spray him as well. Evan gets shy and asks Colt to turn around. Surprisingly, Colt does. but slyly checks out Evan as he removes his shirt. Colt ends up coming over anyway and tells Evan not to be a pussy. Yikes. There is a lot of, ⁓ what is, a misogyny in this. It's really rough. Yeah, ⁓ it's rough. I mean, it's for the plot. It's, it's the story. It's the truth. Aleta: Yeah. Well It goes along with the ⁓ bigotry. ⁓ Lucy: It does. It's just this is so common in the states to belittle men. Like there's a lot we'll hear about where they talk about, ⁓ that's ladies You know, I think they call Evan like a bitch or something, this pussy thing here. And I've been having lots of conversations with my family ⁓ about ⁓ how that diminishes women. When you say you throw like a girl, when you run like a girl, we're basically, this is why I think a lot of straight men don't actually like women because they're growing up hearing that we're crap. They don't wanna be like us and I'm like, no, we're awesome. ⁓ Anyway, it just made me think of that. Moving on. Aleta: I was just gonna say I would like to see most men go through a fraction of the pain that women go through Lucy: Agreed. Aleta: and see how well they handle it. Lucy: So after ⁓ Colt calls Evan a crappy name, ⁓ he takes the hose from him and insists he sprays Evan himself. We get to see Colt literally washing Evan and he keeps going and going and lower and lower until Evan asks, Aleta: How low are you going to go? Lucy: Colt replies, well, I was just seeing if there was anything else that needs my attention. Aleta: Find anything? Lucy: I need a better look. I'm so excited. It's okay. Nobody to blame here But this Taylor and this crystal real short for it Aleta: Ha ha ha. Lucy: podcast might get little there were many here's the and and crystal have say I'm I'm actually really happy with the writing. ⁓ I Did not get into waterboy and pool boy as much but the writing and stable boy to me is genius and we are going to basically be acting out some of the scenes. I have to. It's my decision, was my creative choice. I have to. There's Aleta: You you don't have to. Lucy: no way. And like, that's why Alita took a shot of vodka, because I'm making her talk dirty to me, and it's just, ⁓ it's why the podcast is gonna be long, but I'm gonna tell people. But okay. Aleta: You're not supposed to tell people that. Lucy: ⁓ Colt then starts moving his fingers down past the tops of Evan's pants. Evan makes a little gasp. Damn it, Evan. Evan asks ⁓ if Colt is trying to get in his pants. Colt panics and says, gross, I'm not like that. Totally breaking the crazy sexual tension that had just been between them. We see a young woman show up calling Colt's name off screen. Colt tells Evan not to breathe a word of this to anybody. The girl asks, what the hell she just walked in on? Colt tells her they fell in a wheelbarrow. Evan mistakes the girl for Colt's girlfriend, but it turns out that she is his sister. We find out her name is Hazel Maddox and she is played by Carly Lastra. Colt and Evan start arguing again about the rodeo and Colt tells Evan he wants him to leave. Evan tells him once again he can't give up on his dream. Colt says, fine, stay. This town will chew you up and spit you out in about a week anyway. Boys like you don't last long around here. Aleta: Boys like me? You mean gay kids? Lucy: You should swallow your pride before you get hurt. Aleta: ⁓ I'm gonna show you pride, cowboy. Lucy: That evening we see Evan sneaking into Colt's bedroom with lights. This is reminiscent to Waterboy with the paint on the jerseys. He plans to put lights on Colt's shirt that he is wearing for the rodeo competition tomorrow as a prank. As he is executing the prank, Evan sees his drawing of Colt hanging up nicely on Colt's wall. He makes a noise and wakes up Colt. Honorable mention, cowboy boxers. Colt is confused at first and asks what he's doing there. Evan doesn't answer and instead asks why Colt kept this drawing. Colt answers freely and sleepily. Is that a word? It's my word. Aleta: It's a word. Lucy: It's a word, oh good. He says, it makes me think of you. Can I just say that a sleepy sky is... He looks so cute and vulnerable and not mean. He's just so damn cute. Colt seems to come to his senses and throws a pillow at Evan and says, get out of here, perv. Evan decides that he doesn't feel bad for messing with Colt's outfit for the competition. We segue into the rodeo competition night. We see Evan in the crowd wearing the cutest little sweater vest. It looks like Pokemon, but I don't think it is. I want it to be though. Hazel comes up to watch Colt's competition with Evan. As viewers, we are introduced to Chance, played by Caden Columbus, Colt's rival from Box Elder in the competition. Hazel says that Colt hates him and Evan says more than me. She replies, Colt doesn't hate you and basically seems to hint that maybe Colt likes him. I'm not sure how to take that comment. I guess that's kind how I took it. Aleta: Yeah, I mean she clearly knows. Lucy: Women's intuition. She says, he's lashing out like a raccoon because you're getting close to what hurts. When Colt starts the barrel racing competition, Evan lights up his outfit and the horse he is on panics, causing his rider to be thrown to the ground. Colt immediately hugs his leg as he hits the ground. ⁓ Poor Sky. I think every character in the Pool Boy universe, his legs get hurt. ⁓ Aleta: Ha ha ha. Lucy: Evan runs over horrified at what he has done and apologizes saying that it was a stupid prank. He offers to wrap his leg and Chance comes over to give Colt shit. Evan stands up for Colt, calling Chance a cheater, who then rips his spur off and threatens to stab Evan with it. Colt gets up and says, how about I kick your ass and boom, punches Chance, yeah. ⁓ Aleta: Ha ha. Lucy: feel like I can always tell that Sky loves doing these action scenes. He's really good at them. Colt's dad comes over to break up the fight and yells at Colt, damn fool, picking a fight when injured. Hank threatens to send Evan home. Colt steps in and says, make New York my bitch and tell him better. I'll make sure he learns what it takes to be a real cowboy. Hank says, all right, don't go easy on him or I'm pulling you from state. And here we go, episode 12. Here comes Declan in a tiny ass outfit. Mm-hmm. This one has longer shorts at least. looks cute in this. ⁓ Aleta: Actually I thought that because one of the girls says those shorts are shorter than than I've ever worn and I was like, they're not that short. ⁓ They're Bermudas almost. ⁓ Lucy: I was impressed. ⁓ ⁓ fan shared Declan's chat that they actually found that exact outfit on Amazon. ⁓ It was It's Aleta: Like the little vast, presumably not the shorts. Lucy: because they were chaps. what it basically was, like a version of assless chaps. And so Declan was like, no. ⁓ Aleta: ⁓ that's what was with the vest and he wouldn't wear it? I don't blame him. Yeah. Yeah. Lucy: Yes, girl! Yes, yeah, it was a little much, you know what I mean? So, good on you, Declan. Evan says in typical pool boy fashion, you cannot expect me to wear this. Colt looks Evan up and down and is very pleased. He says, welcome to hell, stable boy. Aleta: No, no. This isn't a uniform. I'm practically naked. Lucy: It's even better than I imagined. Aleta: You imagined this? Hahaha Lucy: ⁓ he's so into him already. I love it. The high school rodeo team comes running in and laughing at Evan's outfit. Stone says, ⁓ you're missing is some assless chaps for easy access. ⁓ Evan replies, Well, the last thing I'd want is anyone here to have access to my ass. Colt looks irritated by that. ⁓ He says, that's enough. ⁓ Colt tells Evan he's going to rake hay. against the fence line. We get a nice scene with sexual tension as Colt feels he needs to teach Evan how to properly rake hay. Aleta: Uh-huh. Lucy: Colt asks him, you gonna show me how to rake it like a good boy? ⁓ Yes! And then the way Evan looks at- I'm sorry, I love the good boys and good girls. And the verticals are Aleta: Yeah. ⁓ Lucy: throwing in lately and I'm just like, ⁓ yes, thank you. ⁓ Anyway, anyway, the listeners are learning way much about the ⁓ so whatever. Aleta: Well s ⁓ of them anyway. ⁓ Lucy: One them, ⁓ one of them. ⁓ So, I was going to mention that during this scene, just something- I think I said this inbound, but Declan is just so good at melting into his co-stars, into his partners, and he just looked like, yes please, you know what I mean? Like he's just so good at that. I don't, ⁓ I don't know. I also wanted to talk about that Declan shared with us that he found out on the shoot that he's allergic to hay. I know, so he was wandering around super exposed in this tiny ass outfit, just dealing with like itching. Aleta: ⁓ no. ⁓ Lucy: I know, I feel like he really suffered for us to have this masterpiece, so thank you Declan. ⁓ my God. We get our first interactive choice. I chose, let Colt show you how to rake. Evan leans right back into Colt's body. Super easy. Colt wraps his arms around Evan to show him how to hold the rake. Grab the handle. Aleta: Like this? Lucy: Not like that. There it is. Get a nice firm grip. Then you want long, then you want long smooth strokes. Amazing double innuendo here! And I love the emphasis of Colt caressing Evan's chest. Like how do Declan and Skye not break? Aleta: Goy. Lucy: Okay for a minute then we're gonna continue. All right here we ⁓ How's that feel? ⁓ This is the greatest episode we've ever done. Okay, breathe, we're good. We can do this, we can do it. It's gonna be the longest podcast, but it's okay. Aleta: Can I ⁓ my god Good. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. ⁓ Lucy: Your cheeks are so red. Your are red. Like, I've never seen you this red. ⁓ Even with PFL, you were good, but like, it's so great. ⁓ It's alright, my cheeks It's Aleta: 'Cause I'm trying not to laugh. ⁓ my god. Lucy: much sexual tension. ⁓ Woo. Good job, Sky. Good job, Declan. I feel like it's because they already did the other two and are really good friends. I think that's Aleta: Yeah. Lucy: why this was possible. They really did kill this if we're going to get serious. Colt realizes how heated it is getting and pulls away. Colt sends Evan off to clean tack instead because of how badly he is raking. Some time passes while they are both doing chores. ⁓ Stone shows up and starts harassing Evan again. ⁓ Evan says, ⁓ Don't you have a cousin to knock up or something? And then basically asks Aleta: Ew. Lucy: Stone if he is the one who is gay because he constantly is trying to get Colt's attention. Aleta: Yeah. Lucy: Stone chases him down and throws him to the ground. Evan grabs some dirt and flings it in Stone's face. Yes, go Evan! And says, now who's the bitch? Ha ha ha, yes. I feel, I have to say it again, I just love how he stands up for himself and I feel like Evan and Shane are the best characters Declan's ever played so far. Evan is stopped and grabbed by some random ranch hands. Evan says, how many of you does it take to jump one skinny gay kid? Stone pulls out a saddle. They shove Evan to the ground and put the saddle on his back. Colt shows up and throws maybe a pickaxe at Stone. I don't know what it is. They don't really show it. Colt says, let him go. The stable boy is mine. Yes, he is. Colt stops the bullying, punches Stone and offers to make all of them pay for what they did. Evan says he just wants to move on. When the bullies leave after Colt is very angry and aggressive, Colt completely melts and becomes a total softy for Evan as he helps him up and checks his injury. And I just, that part gets to me. He was cut on the face by one of the bullies nails. I just, I'm serious. Just like the way Colt looks at him and like, Colt was just like rah rah rah rah and then like turns around and just instantly becomes like this soft little kitty and I'm like, look at you. Aleta: Ha ha ha Lucy: I love it, you love heaven. In episode 17, we see Evan sitting on the kitchen counter telling Colt that he doesn't have to help him with his wounds, especially after what he did to him at the rodeo. Colt tells him, come on, I did plenty to deserve that. And you had my back against Box Elder. Oh, next interactive option. Do we let Colt take care of Evan or reject his help and do it himself? Of course we let Colt take care of him. Crazy. Also, this is fun. We've never recapped interactive. This is cool. Evan says, ⁓ only if you want to, in regard to Colt helping yes, the closeup of Declan's eyes here. ⁓ Declan. Riley must be putty your damn hands. ⁓ He's king of the puppy dog eyes. Evan makes a comment about how he thinks Colt might be starting to like him. Colt replies, ⁓ Evan, I do like you. Aleta: You you like me? Lucy: This is voiceover. Fuck, I shouldn't have said that. I can't be this raw with Evan. It's not safe for either of us. And he says out loud, yeah, you know, I think that you're different. People here, they're just fine living the same damn life. Knock up their girlfriend before graduation, work the field, get drunk on payday. I just want more than that. While they continue talking, Colt sits up on the counter with Evan, where they have a beautiful conversation about both wanting to break free and they have an almost kiss. But Colt accidentally knocks something over and comes to his senses and asks himself, what the hell is he doing? Colt tries to change the subject about asking Evan if he knows how to fight in case Stone comes for him again. Evan says, we're a little bit more civilized in the city. Colt tells him he's going to teach him how to fight and They should clear out because Hazel needs to make dinner. Evan offers to do it since cooking is his thing and he would love to do something nice for Colt. Colt says, okay New York, I'll let you feed me. And then slaps Evan's ass. Went straight to bound with Tristan doing that too. Declan just getting manhandled in all his damn verticals. Evan has a voiceover saying, cannot be the gay kid crushing on the straight cowboy bully. Not when wanting him could cost me everything. And also to note, Evan has actually said this many times already in the vertical. We just haven't mentioned it yet, but it's already been said a lot. It's a common, common thing he says. In the next scene, Evan proudly serves the Maddox family a great steak meal. After Hank takes his first bite and is pleased, he immediately starts insulting Evan, calling him a lady man, telling him it won't be easy succeed at the rodeo, not someone of his persuasion. Evan says, you mean someone gay? Hank gets mad and says, we don't use that type of language around the dinner table. Hank tries to pull Colt into his gay bashing and Colt struggles to find out how to respond and replies that he doesn't know and if they can change the subject and that all of this is just a stupid distraction. Evan says to him, distraction, is that what I am to you? And then Hank jumps in and says, well, of course that's what you are, sideshow freak. Ooh, I did not like saying that. ⁓ I swear to God, guys, this freaking scene was so hard. ⁓ specifically to Evan, wished I was in the vertical. I wanted to just dive over the fucking table and punch Hank. I do not do well with homophobes. ⁓ I'm honestly curious how it was for Declan and Skye to kind of deal with that. This was more harsh, I think, than any of their others. ⁓ And there were a lot of queer creatives, I'm sure, on this project. So I feel like it's triggering. This is exactly how a lot of homophobic parents act. High and mighty, passive aggressive, or just aggressive. ⁓ They don't give any fucks whatsoever. ⁓ They are displeased, so they just try to put it on everyone else and shame others. And I'm sure this is really fucking hard for you, Alita, your appearance of a queer child. Aleta: I'm going to pull out your soapbox here, Lucy. We can stand on this one together. I get really upset watching so many of these. ⁓ If someone can't love their child unconditionally and be there for them throughout their life, they have no business having one, as far as I'm concerned. I don't care what your traditions or your religion tells you, basic human decency and love should always win. There is almost nothing my kids could do that would change that. Certainly not something like their sexuality or gender identity. The world, as we know, is sadly devolving in so many ways with the rise of right wing almost everywhere, really. Lucy: I know, it's not okay. Aleta: Bigots are coming out of their closets. ⁓ they're emboldened by this political climate, and a big reason why we're this podcast. ⁓ Lucy: Yep, it's a big reason why we're doing it. not we're not playing and we're here's my opinion. We're shoving them back. We are shoving them back the fuck into their closet. This is we're going to work hard. Damn it. Keep going. ⁓ OK. Aleta: If only we could ⁓ Okay, back to the recap. Lucy: There is a lot more that happens in this scene. More insults to Evan, more awkward pressure and a tug and pull from Evan and Colt. We like to keep the podcast fairly positive, so I really don't want to delve further into what was said. But just know it was realistic. It was really sad to watch. We do get a choice here. Of course, I'm going to pick the premium choice, which is keep my dignity and defend myself instead of running from the conflict. ⁓ I know a lot of people dog on the interactives, but I do personally love Choose Your Own Adventure, so I do like this. Evan says, you know, for someone who hates homosexuality, you should spend a lot of time talking about it. Hank gets mad and sends Evan to his room. Hazel jumps in to defend Evan. Hank decides to call Evan a pansy. And that is when Colt finally gets upset enough to call his dad out. Evan didn't quite make it to his room yet and overhears Colt defending him. Colt says to his dad, you are just so full of hate you can't even see the person Evan is. Hank replies, you watch how you talk to me, boy. Colt says, he's the strongest person I know. Okay, the way he puts up with all this ignorance and just keeps on going? And he's talented. I mean, he made you this amazing meal that you ate while insulting him. Hazel tries to jump back in, which ultimately makes Hank say he took Evan in to work the gay out of him. Colt says, Wow, I didn't know we were running a fucking conversion camp around here. He says, what if I was gay? And Hank says, are you gay? Colt replies, no. And then Hank says one of the most awful, I know, and possibly common things a homophobic parent probably does say. I mean, I can't say for sure. I didn't have fully homophobic parents. So ⁓ he says, I'd rather you be dead than gay. Mm-mm-mm. So breaking this scene down for notes, this was really hard guys. I realized that as awful as it was to see what Chris went through in tutoring my rival boy, seeing a parent say these things to two young queer kids and their own child to boo, it hurts my heart so fucking bad. I did tear up writing this. The actor who plays the dad did almost too good of a job. It was rough. Colt leaves the Stable Boy outfit for Evan in his locker at school to wear back at the stables. Evan arrives at the stables to see Colt riding on a saddle, swinging a rope. The viewers are dazzled, and we see Evan is completely dazzled too. Evan says, now I know why the rodeo is so popular. I hope we get a live from Sky and Declan and maybe they could give us some more info on how this experience was for them. Sky looked like he was having a lot of fun, but was he really? I feel like some of this had to be fun for him. Colt says, you excited to see me? As he catches Evan with a boner after watching him ride that saddle, Evan covers himself with his cowboy hat. Evan asks again why he has to wear that outfit and Colt says, because I told Stone to back off doesn't mean I'm not done playing with you. Ooh. ⁓ Colt helps put padding on Evan's knuckles and starts trying to teach him how to punch. Evan says, I have the upper body strength of a kitten. I think that's going to be an iconic line. Declan is a kitten. And also we heard from Declan that this was an improv line by him and they kept it in. Aleta: ⁓ Lucy: Yeah, I thought that was cute. Colt says, how about I make you a deal? If you hit me, I will tell you what me on. Evan immediately, no hesitation, punches Colt. ⁓ I ⁓ He like... ⁓ Exactly! good! ⁓ Punches in the Aleta: Like, I have to know this. Poof. Lucy: stomach and Colt goes down fast. I love So good! ⁓ For a minute there, I actually didn't know if they intended that to be a real punch to the character and like Colt was supposed to be actually knocked out or if it was Colt playing. ⁓ They me. It was cute. freaks out and checks on Colt thinking he really hurt him. Colt plays dead for a moment before sitting up and grinning. Evan tells him that Colt scared him. Colt says, yeah, well, I guess I got to tell you what turns me on. ⁓ Here comes another interactive choice and Alita's getting red. Of course the paid one. I used coupons, guys, that I saved up. I chose find out what makes Colt hard instead of refuse to listen. Aleta: What turns you on? Lucy: Colt gets up and takes Evan with him, slamming him against the stall door. Colt says, touching you, and pins Evan's hand above his head. ⁓ my God, I can't believe I'm reading this. Can't you tell? Aleta: Can't believe I'm reading this. Lucy: I'm so proud of you. Aleta: H What do you mean? Lucy: Don't tell me you can't feel me against you. Aleta: That's you? That huge thing pressed against my leg? Hahaha Lucy: Colt looks very pleased with himself. Aleta: Okay, I have to say here, the the non paid choice he has like a screwdriver or something in his poor a hoof pick or something in his pocket. Lucy: How did you know that? You did the non-paid choices? Aleta: I did on yeah. Lucy: What? What? Did you watch it eventually with the paid choices? Aleta: Yes. Lucy: Okay good, it elevates it. ⁓ I was gonna mention that too, I'm so glad you mentioned Okay, here we go. Aleta: I can see what you're doing, making the gay kid think he's got a chance with the hot straight cowboy, and then laugh about it with your friends? Lucy: That's not what I'm doing. Aleta: You know, I only came out a year ago. I haven't even had my first kiss yet. Lucy: Evan? Aleta: I know you think you're f so funny, but none of this is a game to me. Lucy: Do you really think I'm playing games right now? Aleta: Aren't you? Because one minute you're leaving me in the dust, then you're getting me wet, and then you're saving me from stones, so I have no Lucy: You talk too goddamn much. Cue passionate face grab and kiss from Colt, Evan and touchdown. Woo hoo hoo hoo! Hot as fuck. Woo! So good. This was so good. They knew what they were doing. Skye and Declan were playing. They were good. Good shit. Good shit, boys. Good shit. Anyway. Evan is so shocked after the kiss. He says, aren't you straight? Colt says, of course I'm straight. I can't be gay. Aleta: Are you sure? Because straight guys don't usually kiss other guys. ⁓ Lucy: Colt tells him he's never really thought about girls or sex before because the rodeo always kept him busy. Yeah, I think that's interesting. Aleta: A teenage boy who's never thought about yeah, I mean Lucy: Yeah, I'm like, ⁓ ⁓ since Evan got there, Colt can't help but want him. Evan accuses him of trying out the gay kid. Colt admits he has no idea what he's doing and asks if they can figure it out together. Queue next interactive choice. We chose make out with Colt and did not choose to end the moment like duh. ⁓ Aleta: Ha ha ha Lucy: Evan says. ⁓ Fuck yes, and literally jumps into Colt's arms. Cue, hot makeout session. Sadly, they almost get caught by Colt's dad. They try to cover it up by saying Evan got something in his eye. Hank asks, what the fuck is Evan wearing? Colt replies, well, you know, he's got to dress like a fake cowboy until he learns how to be a real one. That line was, ⁓ my God. He has dressed like a stripper, ⁓ which is why the the bull scene coming up is ⁓ a fucking Aleta: A fake cowboy is dressed like a stripper. Lucy: trip for me. We'll talk about that. Hank eventually leaves them and Evan freaks out, saying that was close and that if they were caught, they would both lose their dreams. Evan says, we have to go back to the way we were before. Pretend we are not friends. Colt says, if that's what you want, fine, stable boy, and walks away. We see over the next several scenes that Evan and Cole are just going through the motion of their days and not speaking to each other. There is a moment at the dinner table where no one is talking and Colt tries to play footsie with Evan under the table and he stops him. Hazel comes up to Evan while he's doing dishes and asks, what did you do to my brother? She says that Colt is walking around with a dark cloud over his head and that she hasn't seen him this depressed since their mother died. Evan feels bad and tells himself he should talk to Colt. Next scene, we are in Colt's room. He's frustrated, puts on some music and pulls up a picture of Evan and his tiny ass cowboy outfit and says, I wish I could quit you. I heard a rumor this was also ad-libbed and they kept it. And if that's true, how cool is that? I actually like that that's in there. That's from Brokeback Mountain. We then proceed to watch Colt start honoring Evan here using his photo. Evan knocks, doesn't get an answer, and walks in. Colt immediately freaks out, drops his phone, and stops and says, don't you knock? Evan quickly picks up that phone and sees the picture of himself. And so Evan asks with an amused glint in his eyes. Aleta: Killing me Lucy: You're the best. Aleta: What were you ⁓ What you just doing? Looking at pictures of me? Lucy: Colt replies, you know, if you're so curious, why don't I just give you the live show? And he unzips his pants. And can you believe that this was supposedly young adult? Because it is so not. ⁓ Aleta: No. You don't have the guts. Lucy: I have bigger guts than you." And then Colt spits in his hand. And yes, things, showing Evan how big his guts are. ⁓ my Aleta: ⁓ my god. Lucy: god. Colt tells Evan he doesn't care if they get caught. All he can think about is Evan. He tells Evan that he's thinking about the way that he sees him, the way that nobody else does. Colt begs him, come on, give us this moment together, even when we have to be apart. Interactive choice, of course, we pick do what Colt commands instead of refuse to do it. Like, who's crazy enough to do that? Anyway. And also guys, I have some boundaries. Aleta: Mm. Lucy: We're not gonna run the lines during this scene, but ⁓ damn, real short, JP, ⁓ as fans, thank you. ⁓ honestly feel bad I'm even saying this but who are we kidding? They know we said yeehaw after we saw that so it is what it is. ⁓ After a knock comes at Colt's bedroom door and it's Hank. Colt shoves Evan in his closet. Really? You're forcing me in the closet? ⁓ Hank him if he has a cowgirl in there ⁓ as Colt runs over buckling up his pants. ⁓ Hank acts super proud, ugh, and says, just make sure her daddy don't find out. ⁓ to tell Colt he came up to warn him about Evan, that he doesn't like the way looks at him and warns him that he thinks Evan's gonna come on to him. ⁓ I do not wanna quote the lines that Hank's dad says next. They made me very unhappy, were hard to hear, ⁓ very much into the character and very believable. Hank pressures Colt to admit he sees Evan the same way. Colt ends up saying, ugh, and I hate saying this, Evan is disgusting, defective. I'm just being nice to him till we can get through state. That part fucking sucked. I fucking hated it. ⁓ Hank then proudly tells Colt that's what he wanted to hear, don't play with the girl too long because he has school in the morning. When Hank leaves, Evan comes out of the closet pissed, and calls Colt out. Evan says, just admit it. There is a part of you that believes being gay means you're defective, right? Evan then says, he's not mad. He's grateful for this reminder of who Colt is and why he's there. Evan walks out. Next we see all of the high school rodeo team hanging out in the stables. ⁓ comes over and checks in on everyone. Colt tells him his knee is a little but he can ride. Hank doesn't want him to risk it. He needs him for state. Instead, he yells at Evan, telling him he's contributed nothing, and tells him that he's signing Evan up for bull riding. Evan tries to say no, but Hank tells him he either does it or goes home. Hazel tells him it's not a real bull and that it's mechanical. Colt then tells him to change back into the stable boy outfit and then he will teach him how to ride the mechanical bull. Yes! I love what we're getting to here. Here we go. This is the one she's dreading the most probably. When we get to the mechanical bull, Evan refuses to get on it. Colt tells him if he doesn't, he will put him on it himself. Evan comes over, Colt tries to help him, but Evan says he's got it. When the bull starts to move, Evan starts panicking a little. Colt looks very amused and tells him it's about balance, that he needs to rock with it. Colt gets on the bull with Evan. He says, I know you, Evan. You learn quicker when I do it with you. We are then treated to, what do I call it? A masterpiece? God, why does every single one that Declan stars in end with me sounding like a complete horndog? I don't know what the hell, but this scene was truly a gift. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know. I just, Aleta: Hmm. Lucy: I don't know. I don't know. Anyway, ⁓ thank you Declan and Skye. Maybe stripper boy next. ⁓ ⁓ Evan, who is very pleased with this progress, now asks, Aleta: Can we go faster? Lucy: Colt replies, think you can handle it faster? Evan nods, say yes, Colt. Yes girl, do it! SAY IT! good! How does Sky Declan not Because we're breaking. But here we go, go ahead. Aleta: I swear to God. We are not professionals, clearly. Lucy: I know. Okay. Aleta: Yes, Colt, please. Lucy: more hotness like damn guys damn. And then he says I'm fixing to kiss you right now. We are then presented with kiss cult while riding or tell him now is not a good time. What? ⁓ what? ⁓ I did see the Aleta: I have something scheduled. It's not a good time right now. Haha. Lucy: the I did watch the one where he chooses not to kiss him and it was cute. Declan basically said I'm sorry, Evan said, I'm barely staying on the bull as it is, you know what I And so if you kiss me, I'll fall off. I thought was cute. It was cute. I did also like ⁓ that Colt after that was not pissed. was very understanding and I was like, ooh, love the consent. Anyway, moving on to the kiss. ⁓ I also want to note that I like the song they played during this scene and I really dislike country myself personally. I actually looked everywhere online. I could not find it. I tried to find it by the lyrics and it said it was like Hosears Fletcher's song. I can't find that anywhere. So I don't know ⁓ what song that is, but if one of the creatives could tell me I'd like to download it and maybe I could do an edit it. I don't know. Hot kissing scene, Colt says, I knew you couldn't stay mad at me. The boys look very pleased with themselves. Evan looks extremely disheveled. Colt finally says, you lasted the whole ride, wanna go again? He says it very seductively. Evan says, God, yes. Colt gets off the bull and tells Evan, this time it's all him. he tells him do what he taught him and close his ⁓ eyes, find the rhythm, he this really nicely. And we are then treated to Evan looking... yeah, on the mechanical bull all by himself. This scene is what made me think of Boy, just so you know. Evan could... ⁓ not Evan. Colt... Colt can this. Or not Colt. Son of a bitch! ⁓ Declan! Declan could do it. ⁓ It's confusing me that there's an Evan in here. I don't know if Evan would do Stripper ⁓ But I think Declan could do it. Cole is also very much enjoying this show and while they are both distracted, the high school rodeo team walks in laughing their asses off. Hank walks in behind them and says to Evan, you're benched. I don't know how you managed to make bull riding homosexual, but I won't have you embarrassing us at the comp. Colt replies, come on, he was just getting the hang of it. Hank says something that makes me mad and he stalks off. Evan gets upset at Colt and accuses him of setting him up and leaves. Colt tells the rodeo team to delete the videos they took or they will be kicked off the team and says, I'm getting my stable boy. I like it. He says it a lot. The next scene we have Evan stalking off somewhere and Colt runs after him. Evan is so mad he tells him not to touch him. He goes off on Colt and tells him that he only gets brave when they are alone and that he's always touching him and teasing him. But the second they are around anywhere else, lets him get eaten by the wolves. They get into a bit of an argument. Colt, you're pretty confident you know what I'm thinking. Aleta: No, I have no idea what you're thinking, Colt. Are you a sociopath who's just fucking with my mind? Or are you a coward who actually does like me? But you're afraid to let anyone see who you really are. Lucy: It's not that I won't let anyone see, it's that I can't. My dad would rather have a dead son than a gay one. And I thought you were the one person who understood that. Colt is the one to stock off this time. I wanted to say that one of the reasons I wrote out the lines like this more than any of our other episodes is I was very impressed with the writing. Really, I really was. So Crystal, wow. It was just great lines. I don't know what else you've written, but I'd love to see it. Aleta: I wish I'd made you read more of Princess First Love, I'm telling you that right now I know, I know. Lucy: ⁓ I mean, I would have. I would have. It's competition day. The announcer says Box Elder leads by 10, but without Colt Maddox, Mapleville is in trouble. Hazel and Evan stumble upon a no-cook cooking competition. Evan has the idea to enter so they could tie Box Elder. As Evan works on the competition, Hazel brings along the rest of the rodeo team. Stone starts in on Evan, bullying him. Colt steps in again to stop it. When Evan thanks him, Colt says, thank you for helping us beat Box Elder. and then puts his cowboy hat on Evan and says, for luck, ⁓ aw. We see Chance duck down behind the table and put store-bought cupcake on his display. While Evan prepares an amazing looking cupcake, somehow Chance sneaks out hot sauce, which somehow no one sees, and puts it on Evan's winning cupcake in front of everyone. When the judge tastes Evan's cupcake, he's disgusted and says there is hot sauce on it. Now Evan Chance somehow cheated and calls him out. Another choice here, expose Chance's cheating or keep quiet. We did choose to expose Chance's cheating. That means Boxelder, but they also disqualify Mapleville, saying hot sauce is not on the list of allowed ingredients. The other option basically meant that to Chance, but didn't do anything. And so Box Elder gets to keep the points, but Mapleville still gets disqualified. Yeah. Aleta: Dislike. Lucy: Mm-hmm. After the failed competition, Colt tries to get Evan to talk to him, but he walks away with an excuse. Instead, Stone finds Evan and tells him he was warned not to screw up and tries to attack him with a hot poker. Evan does get in one good groin kick. Woohoo, go Evan. Aleta: They call it a poker, but it's a brand. Lucy: Yeah, it's a brand. get, yeah, that's right. I feel like we call it poker, but you're right, it's a brand. Aleta: I think they say poker in the thing, but it's yeah. Anyway. Lucy: Might be an American thing, I don't know. Aleta: Don't you say poker? Do you don't you say brand? ⁓ Lucy: We say both, but I think we say poker more. Yeah, but you're right. A poker is the actual poker. You're poking things. It's got a stabby thing on the end. Anyway, Evan does not get away. Of course, ⁓ Colt shows up shouting, the fuck away from my stable boy. ⁓ Because these are Skye's characters and these are verticals. ⁓ He beats the crap out of When Stone calls Evan a really bad gay slur, ⁓ Colt tells him to say that again. We are given a choice. Let Stone get what he deserves or let Stone run away. We chose to let him get what he deserves. Evan says, you're right. Bullies only understand strength. Stone says, you wouldn't dare. Colt replies, I won't if you apologize to Evan. Stone says, I'd rather take the poker. And then Colt brands him. ⁓ He does let Stone go and then yells, I am so sick of this goddamn town. I need to get out of it for the night and you're coming with me. I felt like this was a good role for Skye. He got to get some aggression out, you know? Like he got to do it a lot in this one. It was kind of cool. The alternative choice was just letting him go. That was it. It was nothing fancy. Yeah. Aleta: Yeah. Hmm. Okay Lucy, I am taking this scene. Colt has a surprise for Evan. He's done some research and found a gay cowboy bar two towns over. There are pride flags everywhere and men dancing ⁓ and a familiar face sitting at bar. ⁓ Colt asks Evan to dance and he says he doesn't know any line dances. But Colt tells him to just feel the music. This is a very cute scene with Colt line dancing, Sky with his tongue stuck out. ⁓ So cute. Lucy: That is such a signature Sky thing. Aleta: And Evan just vibing with the music. The cute blonde cowboy at the bar is checking Evan out from head to toe. We'd know that cheeky smile anywhere, wouldn't we, Lucy? ⁓ Lucy: Yes we would! Aleta: And even in a plaid shirt, he's looking fine. Evan gets carried away with the music and as he spins around he runs straight into the tall blonde cowboy. It's none other than our bestie, Greg Duffy. Did I mention that he looks great? ⁓ Lucy: He does, ⁓ my God, he looks so good. I never ⁓ would have imagined Greg Duffy in gear. And I was like, he can't pull that shit off. He pulled it off. He pulled it off. He did great. Aleta: Ha ha. The cowboy's name is Maverick and he is very interested in Evan. Maverick says ⁓ Whoa Whoa. If you want to get close to me, just say so, partner. You're not from around here, are you? The name's Maverick. Evan, who is totally blushing, looking at Maverick, as anyone would. ⁓ Lucy: Right? Aleta: Maverick says, Well, howdy, Evan. And here comes Colt, who shoves Maverick back and says, He's with me. ⁓ The look on Colt's face. ⁓ my gosh. Lucy: It was cute. Aleta: Maverick says this your boyfriend? And Colt instantly answers yes, so back off. ⁓ Maverick gives a cute little snort at Colt's reaction and tells Evan, Listen, you get tired of this jealous boy, why don't you give a real cowboy a call, all right? Hands him a card and then he saunters off with a wink. Evan says, Okay, that is bold. Lucy: Colt grabs the card from Evan and trashes it. Aleta: Ha ha ha. Lucy: Any other guy so much as touches you, I'll put him in the dirt. You're mine. Aleta: Will I still be yours when we get back to Mapleville? Lucy: Come on. You know I'd claim you if I could. Aleta: What good is the promise of a promise? You're not giving me anything I can hold on to. I need that. Lucy: Colt gives a penetrating stare. She's dying. But it's true. It's a penetrating stare. You need something to hold to? Let's go. It's the best. ⁓ In the next scene, we a beautiful sky and the camera locks in on Evan and Colt making out in the back of a truck bed. Evan starts talking about how crazy this is. Colt says that what is crazy is him pretending that he didn't want him. Evan tells him he's been hot and cold since day cult basically says he was just doing what he had to do to survive. I feel like that's just so real, you know? When you are a queer kid, especially in what is perceived as almost enemy territory, it really can be about life and death. I hate it. Aleta: For sure. Lucy: Yeah, it's true though. I think it's one of those reasons this vertical had such an impact on a lot of us. ⁓ This isn't ⁓ being queer in LA. it's being queer in the South. Colt tells him, but I can't do that anymore because losing you feels like dying. I am dying right now, hearing him say that line to Evan. Colt tells him if this is the only moment they have that he wants to be Evans first. We then are treated to another interactive choice. Let Colt take my virginity or fade to black. ⁓ Fade to black, of course! No, just kidding, that's stupid. ⁓ Also, ⁓ I had a thought about Declan and Skye having to just chill. for however long in their positions so we could have this interactive. Like they're basically just facing each other, breathing into each other's faces. I think Declan said they have to hold for like 30 seconds to a minute for these. for Waterboy and Poolboy, it's usually just Declan. I think this might've been the only time Skye had to kind ⁓ of hold. And was what he thought of it. ⁓ Maybe they'll say it in their live. I might ask that question. But it made me think about Buffy. Sarah Michelle Gellar had said her and David Boreanaz used to eat like trashy foods before they did their kissing scenes to gross each other out. And I that was kind of cute. Anyway, I did do the scene where they where he fades to black and I we get like a, maybe a cute little extra kissing scene and it really does just fade. ⁓ But okay, yeah, here we go. What does Evan say? Aleta: I don't know how. Lucy: then follow my lead. The rest of the scene is some more making out, shirts coming off, very believable expressions on Cole and Evan's faces. Good job, boys. ⁓ This scene actually felt very vulnerable for the characters. then we get a close-up of a hand on the side of the truck and we can see the truck moving and now it fades to black. ⁓ I think it's crazy that we had some of the ⁓ spiciest scenes earlier, very racy, and then this. But it's cool, it's cool. Aleta: There's only so much they can show in a vertical. Lucy: Right? After their night of passion, we are back in the stables with the rodeo team. Colt tells everyone he is cleared to ride and Evan will be in the cookoff competition. Stone shows up finally and tells him he's off the team. Stone tells them they are going to regret this. ⁓ Hazel asks Colt to put a saddle away for her and we see it so she can speak to Evan alone. Hazel tells Evan, you and my brother are hooking up. She tells him in a perfect world she would ship it, but this town isn't playing at homophobia. and what they are doing is dangerous. Hazel implores with him to back off until after state. This part was sad because they were just so happy and being adorable. Colt is leaning against the truck looking damn good and when Evan shows up, Colt tries to kiss him, but Evan pulls away. Evan says they are both so close to getting their dreams they can't get caught. Colt tells Evan he got him a present. ⁓ He gives him a basket of real cowboy clothes and a real cowboy hat. We have another interactive choice. Let Colt know I love the outfit or tell him I don't like it. We aren't mean, so we chose, let Colt know I love the outfit. Evan, with a bright smile, says, I love it! And he's super happy. We get a cute scene where Evan gives up on not being discreet and straight up kisses Colt. Evan apologizes to telling him he just wants them both to get everything they want. Colt says, can think of a better way for you to apologize New York. And spins Evan and pins him against the truck. While the stable boy is busy, the camera pans to Stone, who is taking pictures and says, Evan turned Colt gay. State just got a whole lot more interesting. I love Ben. Like the more I see this fricking actor, like, and I follow him on Instagram, he's a who. This man is talented. I just, he's my little 80s villain. That's what I'm gonna call him. My ⁓ 80s villain. ⁓ I did do the other choice. I did want to make a comment on it that ⁓ I thought it was actually really well done. He talks about not liking ⁓ it, but still being appreciative ⁓ and ⁓ Colt doesn't get mad about it. He's actually really sweet about it and he still gets a ⁓ It's officially the state competition. Evan shows up in his new clothes looking mighty fine. Hank is there and tells Evan this is his last chance to show he's a real member of their team by winning the cookoff or there won't be any culinary school. At the cookoff competition, we see Stone has joined Box Elder. is very unhappy. Stone has the opposing team. ⁓ Colt gives his to Evan luck again, but then Box Elder once ⁓ again finds a way to cheat tossing a hot kettle at Evan who catches it. His hands get burned and he can no longer cook. Colt rushes in and saves the day by telling Evan, I'll be your hands. You just tell me what to do, okay? Evan walks Colt through his recipe. When they are finished, we get an interactive choice again. Either try a bite and let Colt know he did it right or refuse to try it. Naturally, we let Colt know he did it right. He is so happy and tells Evan he likes cooking with him. The judge tells Mapleville they get a 12 out of 10. Cool. That is the best damn chili he ever tasted. Colt exclaims to Evan, yeah I did it baby! Yeehaw! I like it when he calls his boys baby. Hank comes over and tells Evan he finally proved himself and that his father is on his way to pick him up. Colt is upset by this and walks off. Evan finds Colt later in the stables brushing his horse. Evan asks if he's mad at him and Colt says sniffing, just getting ready to race. ⁓ He doesn't say it quite like that, but you know. Evan persists asking what is wrong and Colt tells him, you got what you wanted and now you're leaving me. Evan says that they are both about to get their dreams. ⁓ Colt replies, that's the problem, Evan. All that changed. Now my dream is you. We see Evan crying, of course, who wouldn't? Colt says, did anything change for you? Another interactive choice. ⁓ and that's mean to avoid answering that. ⁓ Aleta: Mm-hmm. Lucy: Yeah, it's admit Colt is my new dream too or avoid answering. ⁓ course is his new dream, duh. Aleta: Of course it did. I've never felt this way about anyone before. You're all I can think about. Lucy: space here ⁓ my god so what does that mean for us Aleta: I don't know. I just we're going to figure it out together. Lucy: and cue the kissing scene. Colt lifts Evan up and spins him. They are interrupted by Chance and Stone, who catch them kissing. Stone busts out the video he took of Evan and Colt kissing, telling him that he better throw the competition or he's gonna show the video. With Colt facing what feels like an impossible decision, he says, my life is over either way. Evan tells him. ⁓ that he will tell everyone he came on to him and that Colt pushed him off. Colt looks distraught, kisses Evan, and then heads out to his race. At the barrel race with everyone watching, Colt makes a decision to win the race. I actually stared at this scene so hard, I think there was a stunt double, there was for sure. I just kept thinking, where did they find a sky wig for this person? Aleta: Yeah, there was definitely a stunt double. Lucy: I think Sky was writing for some of it, Mapleville High are this year's state champions! Chance runs over, steals the mic from the announcer, and tells everyone he's going to expose Colt. Colt takes the mic back and says, If the truth is going to come out, I'll be the one to tell it. He braces himself and delivers a waterboy-ish speech. It's an open secret that Box Elder cheats. They cut our ropes last year. They bought pre-made cupcakes to the bake-off. And here today, today they tried to blackmail me. I spent my whole life trying to be the perfect cowboy, strong and tough and manly. But I met someone who taught me what it really means to be strong. Someone who's true to who they are, even if the world hates them for it. Hank interrupts, what the hell are you talking about, I've been living my life as this town's hero, everyone's favorite cowboy, but the truth is I'm gay and I'm in love with my stable boy, Evan Brooks, and I'm hoping my stable boy loves me back. Interactive choice. Run to Colt and tell him I love him or admit that I'm scared. I did do both. We are running to Colt to tell him we love him. Evan shouts, yes, yes, yes, yes, love you. ⁓ He jumps into Colt's arms and they kiss and spin and woo! Beautiful scene. The announcer gets back in there and says there's been a serious violation of conduct today. He's not talking about the kissing cowboys, but Bach's elder, who was caught cheating and is now disqualified. Chance says, didn't you see that they are gay? The announcer says, so is my aunt, who cares? Aleta: Hmm. Lucy: People in the crowd start admitting they are queer too and clap supportingly. ⁓ And this right here might be why I cried for 20 minutes straight after watching it. I don't know. It made me really emotional, this scene. The joy doesn't last long. Hank comes over yelling, get the fuck away from my son. He tells Colt he's going to send him to a conversion camp. Colt replies, I'm not the one who needs fixing, dad. You are. Hank tells Evan he will make sure he doesn't get to Paris. And a voice off screen says, no, you won't. We finally meet Evan's dad. This whole time we are thinking he's not supportive, but we quickly learn that Robert Brooks, played by J. Flats, flatly, is very supportive. He said he sent Evan to the ranch to become a man, and he now has all the proof he needs that he's become one. Robert says, look, this world isn't kind to people who are different. I needed you to know that, to know the kind of fight you had ahead of you before I sent you off on your own. Evan, that's why you sent me here? Not because you hated that I was gay? Robert says, you're my son. I could never hate you. Aleta: That's what I'm talking about! Lucy: right? That's the appropriate response, assholes. Come We then get a hug between and I hate this part. The camera pans to Colt, who is witnessing a father loving his son for who he is, and the look on his fucking face is devastating. So maybe this is why I cried for 20 minutes. Damn it, I don't know. Robert pulls Colt in for a as and tells Colt he's also proud of him. Robert says, Hank, come on, tell your son you still love him. Colt says, Dad? Hank replies don't call me that my son's dead colt tells him that's his loss ⁓ and hazel comes up and says colt's dead to you then so am i Hank says, I won't pretend being a homo is okay, just because my kids are threatening me. I have principles and I'll stand by them. Evan, even at the cost of your own family? Robert says, come on, Hank, these are our kids. Hank finally says, I'm not the one changing here, you all are. And you won't force me to change with you. He spits and stalks off. I hate it. Aleta: Yeah. Lucy: Hazel hugs her brother and Colt's expression sucks. Like he wraps his arms around her and he just breaks. Fucking hated it. I mean it was beautiful but I hated it. So sad. Aleta: Mm-hmm. Lucy: Good job, Sky. I don't know what the fuck you were pulling from but you made me cry. So here we go. Robert tells him, you don't deserve your dad's hate. Anybody would be lucky to have you as a son. Colt replies, I didn't believe he was gonna really abandon me until he did. Robert says, well, if you need somewhere to go, you're welcome in my home. You're part of the family. After this really touching scene, a pro scout comes up and tells Colt that that was a hell of a ride and he has a hell of a backbone. The pro scout asks him if he would like to join them. Colt says he would be honored and we get another celebratory kiss with Colt lifting Evan up and spinning him. The final scene, or is it? We see Evan and Colt sitting on a horse watching the sunset. Aleta: So what happens now? Lucy: No clue, but I'm a lot less scared of the future now that I've got you in it. Aleta: I'm not. I'm going to Paris, and you're touring with the rodeo. How do we stay together through that? Lucy: we meet halfway. Aleta: Halfway? Lucy: Come on, New York, it's just a year. I can write it out if you can. Another interactive choice, meet up with Colt in a year and see what the future holds. Or Promise will do it together. These are interesting choices, both seem positive, although meeting up in a year sucks. I did choose the premium choice, meet up with Colt in a year and see what the future holds. Thank God I did. Aleta: I know how lucky I to have won your heart. I'm not giving up that easily. Lucy: Good, because this cowboy's only got eyes for you. And then we, Aleta: Awww. Lucy: I know! And then we end with a lovely kiss on a horse. ⁓ We think that's the ending, but it's not. Ho ho, but no. We get a new scene one year later. We see New York! The actual city. Colt walks into a different house, all in cowboy gear, and sees his sister Hazel, who gives him a hug. We see this is Evan's home in New York City. Hazel is apparently living there and going to school, and Robert tells Colt that Hazel is his daughter, just like Colt is now his son. Colt is told by Robert and Hazel that Evan missed his flight and isn't there, but... SIGH! Aleta: I survived bulls, bullies, and that damn stable boy outfit. You think I would let a little stop me? Lucy: Another pick up, kiss and spin? Took you long enough to get here, New York. Aleta: Thanks for waiting, cowboy. I heard you broke records out there. Lucy: Well, I was racing to get home to you. Now a definite kiss, the end. Well, and you could see why I had to write out, we had to say some of these lines. They were really well written. They were so sweet. Like I was like, ⁓ my God. ⁓ And I wanted to mention the scene for the ending where you said, ⁓ promised, ⁓ yeah, promise they will do it together. It does end on the horse, but I think we get like a different kiss and it's still positive. but I think it's worth the premium choice for the extra scene here. Well, dear God, this was a whopper for me. ⁓ These notes took me 48 hours, I think, to write Alita. Basically almost two days. I mean, since release. I pretty much started writing. Like, I think this released 1 a.m. for me. I wrapped it around 2.30 or 3. then 30 minutes later, I started the notes. And I've been going until noon today, like a crazy person. So for context, y'all. We usually only have about six pages of notes. We had 20, 20 fucking pages. So we are aware that this is a longer podcast. Stable Boy though is 100 % in my top three verticals now. I did not expect to respond the way that I did at all. But yes, I cried. I'm still crying. I'm crying a little now. It's been a few days and this vertical is basically perfect. I wanted to, before Alita wraps up giving her thoughts, just talk a little bit about what I loved about it. I think this vertical was special for a few reasons. Yes, it had really good writing. Declan and Skye have worked together now. This is their third time and they're friends in real life and they are clearly very comfortable together and it really shone through in this. I think Stable Boy was unique. I think the writing was special and I think as hard as it was to see the way Hank behaved. It's true. And we cannot, as a queer community, shy away from that. It sucks. And it is triggering. But I think them having Robert come in and being the good parent really helped a lot. ⁓ The only thing I ⁓ to is, ⁓ to wrap it up too, is Declan and Sky are really good together. But I do know that they're gonna be doing more. and ⁓ I think they are fabulous together, but Declan is really good with other people and so is Skye. So as much as I enjoy seeing Declan and Skye, I do think that they should consider them out. ⁓ I've been very noisy about it ⁓ on the apps comment section and in chats, but I feel this way very strongly that there are a lot ⁓ of ⁓ queer actors out there. who are very talented and work well with these two. They're fabulous. So I'd love to see Declan with Greg. I'd love to see Declan work with his own husband, Riley. You know, I know Riley would love to do BLs. I would love to fucking see them together. ⁓ I think Sky, I would love to see him with Evan again. Tutoring My Rival Boy is probably my favorite next, I don't know. I never decide, it rotates. ⁓ But I like the idea of Skye and Greg too. You know, I think Skye could work with a lot of different folks and so can Declan. They're both fabulous. So I just, I don't want to burn out. So as good as Stable Boy was, I'm hoping we can see some variety soon, real short. But those are my thoughts. Aleta: I also really enjoyed this one. I always hate to see parents like Hank. Like, I really hate it. ⁓ I know that it is sadly the reality for too many ⁓ queer kids out there. At least in one, we had Robert who really came through for all of them in the end. ⁓ although these big dramatic scenes at the end aren't super realistic, I I still love it. Colt thought he was all alone, and turns out there were lots of queer people in his town and lots of people who would accept him regardless. And I always love a happily ever after, as you know. Lots of positive messages in this one and hope for the future. ⁓ And ⁓ my hope for the future, which I will be hounding real short about relentlessly, is that we get a Maverick spinoff. Someone said Maverick to York. ⁓ Someone else I'm looking at right now wants a certain person to play Maverick's New York love interest. Lucy: Well, well, well, well, well, let's say I actually changed my mind. I want it to be an L.A. love interest. Yeah, an L.A. and we, yeah, I want Evan Gambardella to be up in Maverick's business. think it should be, I'm serious. I think he should be an L.A. city boy who is a balloon artist and Aleta: WHAT Lucy: I'm not even fucking around. ⁓ Love of God, real short, just. Good short has failed us. I'm not I'm so serious when I say this I mean this with every fiber of my fucking being and I am NOT alone. You have a giant fandom who wants this, okay? Put Greg and Evan together. Good short has failed us. They are not doing straight until he kissed me too. Like... Just hook- hook us up. You have the perfect segue into this. Anyway, thank you. ⁓ I am getting sal- I'm getting salty and sassy lately. I'm getting- the more I see that we're not getting it, I'm getting mad. But lately, I'm extra. I'm extra lately. Here we go. Aleta: Lately. We are all salty about no straight until he kissed me sequel. Like, come on. Lucy: Damn it. But real short, I've got a lot of hope in you, so I think you're gonna do the right thing by us. Let's do it! Let's fucking go. Aleta: that wraps up Stable Boy, ⁓ finally. really love ⁓ Lucy: I know, so long! ⁓ alright. Aleta: We really loved it, and if you haven't watched it, why did you listen to this? ⁓ Go watch it, you'll be glad you did. Thanks for joining us. We hope you'll listen in Bye besties. Lucy: Bye besties.