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Episode 4 - Next Door · Besties Do Verticals

• Aleta: Hello and welcome to Besties Do Verticals with your besties, Alita and Lucy. Hi, I'm Alita. Lucy: And I'm Lucy. Aleta: Before we get into discussing the vertical, we would like to let listeners know that moving forward, because of all the new queer verticals releasing in the upcoming months, we will stop sharing the subject of our next episode at the end. This gives us more flexibility to adjust our release schedule in order to accommodate all the new verticals as they come out. For a while we will be releasing twice a week. Sorry for the whiplash, folks. There's just too many for us to stick to once a week. We have Tutoring My Rival Boy and Prince the Prince's First Love recorded, and those will be released in the next week. We also have an interview lined up with a very special scriptwriter that we cannot wait to have on, and look forward to releasing that episode in the near future as well. Today we'll be discussing Next Door, a brand new boiler vertical released on Candy Jar. Directed by Carolyn Pleiler. Here's the summary from IMDB. High school baseball star River Young risks everything when a secret tutoring assignment with the boy next door sparks a romance, forcing him to choose between protecting his image or fighting for the one relationship that feels real. Lucy: Thank you so much to everyone for joining us For this very special surprise episode released of Besties Do Verticals, the next episode to be released was supposed to be tutoring my rival boy, but we had an unexpected surprise last night. Candy Jar announced they were releasing a new BL. And not just any new BL. This is their first BL ever on their app today, May 8th. This felt really huge to me. Candy Jar is an app that tends to produce high quality verticals, and honestly, I haven't found a vertical on there I've disliked yet. I knew it was so important that Alita and I make room in the schedule to fit this recap in. I want Candy Jar and the actors to know how much this is appreciated. That Candy Jar is branching out and giving us more diversity. I've watched this vertical twice already, and it's just so beyond special. The vertical opens to a school hallway. We meet Kit, played by Nick Hermick, who is putting things away in his locker. We see him glance up at River, who is a few lockers down, played by Justin Stannick. There is a beat as they lock eyes. A moment later, we see two of River's friends come up and slam Kit's things out of his hands. River sort of tries to step in and stop them from bullying Kit. In my opinion, he doesn't do the best job, but it's clear he's not comfortable with Kit being bullied. We learn here that Kit is River's neighbor and the son of his family's housekeeper. River says to his friends, trust me. Screwing around with this loser is never as fun as you think it's gonna be. After all of them leave, we are introduced to Kit's BFF, Hadley or do they say Hadley? I think I think it's Hadley, yeah. Aleta: Hadley, I think. Lucy: So ⁓ we immediately liked Hadley. She is a total rock star. Hadley is ⁓ very sharp and notices right away that Rivers stepped in stopped the bullying. Their banter back and forth is awesome. These two have a very Very good flow together, and it was definitely part of the charm of the vertical. We learn that Kit has had a crush on River for a long time, but Kit says that ⁓ River is too busy swinging his bat around. Aleta: Ha ha ha. Lucy: Hadley teases Kit and says, You're not still hoping he will be your first kiss. Kit points out that Padley was his first kiss and she says, That was when I thought you were straight, and it does not count. Aleta: I love Hadley. I feel like she's the cool girl who hangs out in the art room at lunch. Friends with lots of people, but not really clicky. She actually felt like a lot of my high school friends. Lucy: I like that. I like that. It was cool hearing you say like clicky, because I always say click, clicky. Cleaky. ⁓ okay. And I Aleta: Clic, c'est un mot français. Lucy: got a little French. I like it. Okay. The next scene we see River standing in what is clearly a church chapel. I see stained glass. So maybe a Christian school. They never mention that though. He has a guitar in his hands and is trying to perform for his teacher. His teacher lets him know he currently isn't good enough and cannot receive a passing grade unless he gets some tutoring. River tries to convince his teacher that if he doesn't pass this elective, he's gonna be benched in postseason. I was gonna say throughout the vertical because I've watched it twice. He says post ⁓ W ⁓ I ⁓ Aleta: What the hell does that mean? Lucy: We know it's Aleta: As someone who doesn't baseball, I was like, What what do you mean postseason? Surely the season is where you're playing the games. ⁓ After the season you're anything, so what difference does it make? Lucy: I wish I had an answer for you. ⁓ I could probably look it Aleta: Ha ha ha ha. Lucy: up, but I I'm sure it's a thing. what made me laugh is you know how like Miles says I'm not gay a bunch of times? ⁓ River says ⁓ postseason at least five in this vertical. And ⁓ I also noticed I don't think they ever explained what his sport was. Eventually, I mean he's swinging a bat around, so we know it's baseball, Aleta: Yeah. Lucy: but we don't really get much more than that. But you're What is postseason? Is it just after the season, it's casual gameplay maybe? I have no idea. Aleta: Then why would it matter if he was benched? I don't get it, but Lucy: There are some sports lovers listening to this who are laughing at us right now. So sorry, we are not sports girlies. We are definitely vertical girlies. Aleta: Ha ha ha. Not at all. Lucy: His teacher stands firm and says ⁓ the pressures of the mare's perfect son. Okay, I get it. I am impressed by how well you played your tiny violin, but I am gonna need to hear some miraculous improvement by midterms, or you are warming that bench. Aleta: We love this teacher. He's calling River out and giving him a chance to sort it out, not just letting him get away with it because he's a star player for the school. Lucy: That's right, I like it. I like it. Go teach. The next scene cuts to text messages. ⁓ This feels so heartstopper ⁓ and is really cute. River is asking Kit to come over. Kit finds River swimming in his pool. River finally notices him, and when he asks Kit to get in the pool, Kit says, We're five, River. Cannonballs can't fix us. Aleta: Like how I think that's the first indication that we have that they've been friends since they were really small. Lucy: That's so true. I think it is. Yeah. ⁓ and I liked that little it's such a sweet little bit to throw in, right? I just I Aleta: Mm. Lucy: love I I feel like it's just it's well thought out. This is bas my understanding is is this is based on a novel. So I think Candy Jar adapts ⁓ novels ⁓ from one of their other sister websites. And I don't know how to pronounce it. Is it Galatea or Galatea? Aleta: Galatea? I would say Galatea, yeah. Lucy: Probably Galatea. Yeah, so I think they have books and then they adapt their verticals from their books. Yeah, and I think a lot of apps were doing that. I don't know if that's still the case. Aleta: Mm. Okay. Well, that's great 'cause at least then you're getting a more interesting original script rather than just recycling the same old things over and over. Lucy: I love it. I I d I do like it. I think I like s a lot of those verticals a little more, agreed. And we get one of those lovely scenes where the lead actor emerges soaking wet and flexing their muscles. Kit is completely enamored and cannot look away. I could totally tell ⁓ that River could tell that Kit was checking him out. And can I also ⁓ my gosh, I'm so excited about this. Okay. Can I also share how cute Kit's outfit is? ⁓ I love the sweater they put him in, the baggy jeans and chains. ⁓ my god. And the balls. I used to have balls. I chewed on them all the time. It takes me back to the nineties. When I was their age. Aleta: Lucy, do you mean the ball chain by any chance? ⁓ Lucy: Now when you say ball chain, which ball chain are you talking about? Aleta: It's like a it's like a bathtub chain, except larger that he's wearing. Lucy: Now where where is he wearing it? Aleta: Around his neck? Lucy: Yes, yes. We call them balls. I'm a millennial. I grew up in the nineties. I grew up with grunge. Aleta: Yeah, look who you're talking to. ⁓ Lucy: I'm just saying I wore balls in high school and now we have kids wearing balls. So Aleta: I've never heard people call it that. I mean ball chain, yes, but not balls. Lucy: I we would never call it a ball chain. That would be so lame. It was balls. And then when you lost your balls, you're like, I lost my damn balls. Where are my balls? Or are those your balls? No, they're my balls. And that's just how that was. Aleta: ⁓ okay. Ha ha ha. Yeah. Lucy: Anyway, Kit's outfit was awesome and took me back to high school. So glorious. Aleta: very nineties. Lucy: Yes, I loved ⁓ his sweater was so good. River tells Kit that he needs him to teach him how to play guitar. Kit tells him, that's a tough break. And River, you've been avoiding me for the last six years. Why would I help you now? River offers Kit protection from bullying at school in exchange. He also says, ⁓ and if you ask real nicely, I'll even start sleeping over again. This causes Kit to choke on his water. Aleta: The flirting, ⁓ my goodness. For ⁓ a character that's presumably purporting to be straight at this point, River is flirting like crazy with Kit. Lots of looks, trying to get a rise out of him. Textbook. Lucy: all over this flirting. He is very good at it. Very, very good. Kit tells him to go find new loser to tutor one that's actually fun to screw around with, and leaves. Go Kit. Go Kit. It's your birthday. Go kit. I'm making Alita laugh. I'm trying here. Tempted here. We segue into a scene with Hadley and Kit talking to each other about what happened. Kit said he didn't want to be a simp and left, and Hadley basically calls him out, telling him that he likes him and ultimately convinces him to change his mind. Because Kit wants River to kiss him. The next scene we see Kit singing and playing on his guitar. River comes in and interrupts and sits next to him on the couch. We are then treated to some serious tension between the two. River says What's it gonna take? Need me on my knees? And then actually gets on his knees and says would you ⁓ while holding the guitar pick, by the way, holding it up like a ring. Would you please do me the honor of teaching me the song you just played? And then basically gives him the KJ Appa eyes. ⁓ my gosh, the Archie Andrews, guys, I hope you know who I'm talking about. Okay. The further I got into this vertical, I I personally, I hope this doesn't offend you, Justin. I could not believe the resemblance between Justin and KJ. Honestly, I thought of Archie Andrews the whole time. I have a huge crush ⁓ KJ Appa, especially with the red hair. ⁓ mean this Justin doesn't have red hair, but he looked lovely. Just swoon. I do apologize, Justin, if you get that a lot. I just ⁓ it me. I feel like you looked just like him. I don't know what Alita Aleta: I d I don't really see it, but Lucy: Have you watched Riverdale? Really? ⁓ Aleta: Yeah. Lucy: That ⁓ surprises Aleta: to I can't remember where I watch. I didn't watch the whole thing. I gave up after a few seasons, but Lucy: same which sucks because I love the actors in it. Kit gives in and helps River get set up on the guitar and then tells him to give it a down stroke. And that basically sets up the rest of the scene to torture the audience with a will they or won't they? I do have a couple honorable mentions here. It just would have made it too long, but the eyelash scene ⁓ kit saying, Are you gonna kiss me? And then River telling Kit he's not gay ⁓ after that. ⁓ I do love the question that Justin asked. kit before he pulled the eyelash off. He said, may I? And gently touched his face. I really like the line I've a lot more stroking to do if I want to finish ⁓ Aleta: ha ha. Lucy: Honestly, in my opinion, there are way too many good lines in this vertical. To me, it feels like bound it to an extent. ⁓ bound was full of amazing speeches delivered by Tristan. But this just feels like good writing. I loved whoever adapted it from the book, they pulled out some of the best lines, I think. I also wanted to note that Candy Jar is kind of interesting. So it doesn't operate like other vertical apps. It tends to switch scenes during episodes. So when recapping, it's a bit difficult to figure out how to lead into the next part. So my notes are kind of funky. ⁓ but hopefully it's still got a flow. After the lesson, we are gifted to another Kit and Hadley scene. Hadley is played by Sophie Steele. My bad. I should have said that earlier in the recap. I also wanted to thank ⁓ Nick, who plays Kit. actually I couldn't find ⁓ any, I could not the director. I could not find any of the actors on IMDB for some reason. ⁓ And so Nick was wonderful to provide all of the supporting actors' names for me and the director's names. So thank you. You are wonderful. Kit feels humiliated and Hadley is telling him that River was definitely flirting. Kit says it wasn't because River isn't gay and that at school Carrie is all over him. Hadley convinces Kit that Carrie and River are not in a relationship and Kit relents. I love this line she says when she tries to guess if River is bisexual. She says why would you rule out a whole gender when you can charm the pants off anyone? As a pansexual? Yes. Love that line. Hadley then offers to kiss River to prove if he's gay or not. She shares to Kit that when she kissed him, she knew immediately that he was gay. She thinks it's a superpower of hers. She also says, gotta kiss a lot of frogs to find the gays. Aleta: Mm. ⁓ Lucy: And the expression on Kit's face after she says this is adorable. We are back at the high school. Kit is hiding behind a tree spying as he watches Hadley approach River on a bench. We don't get to hear the conversation, but they never kiss, and Hadley comes back to report that River only asked questions about Kit the entire time. Suspicious Hm nah, just kidding. We know where this is going. This gets Kit really excited as Hadley encourages him to make a move on River. In the next scene, with Kit feeling bold, he goes to sit next to River in class. River's friends interrupt their conversation. We see Darius played by Nick Lunetta, who likes to call Kit kittens ⁓ when he bullies him. As Darius starts in on him, We wait on baited breath to see River do what he promised. Protect Kit. River definitely falls short here. River doesn't exactly tell Darius to lay off Kit, and in frustration, Kit leaves the seat and moves to the back. Darius asks River if Kit has a crush on him loud enough for Kit to hear, and he replies, Don't know, don't care. Next scene, we see River and Kit together for guitar lessons. Kit is rightfully standoffish, and he calls out River for his don't know, don't care comment. River says we're not friends like we used to be. Kit replies, and whose fault is that? Aleta: It's clear here that River is upset that Kit is upset with him. ⁓ Lucy: I agree. I think that Justin pulled off that kind of pain in his eyes really well throughout the vertical. I actually appreciated that. River says this is strictly business, and Kit replies Fine, you protect me from your friends, and I won't pretend to be one of them. This ends with Kit telling River that the lesson is over. We are back in class and we see River, Darius, and Carrie, played by Bella Chadwick Enter. Carrie and Darius immediately go over to Kit and to start harassing him. we see already hesitating when the bullying starts, but he does eventually ask them to lay off. When his friends push back on him, River says, I have a conscience, and Darius says, You sure it's not a crush? The whole class starts laughing and it escalates with Darius throwing a spitball at Kit. River does ⁓ nothing. Aleta: Yeah, it's disappointing that River doesn't really stand up for kit, but it's pretty typical for high school kids, I'd say. I do like that the bullying in this, while of course it's very hurtful, is not as extreme as it is in so many verticals. A lot of them I really can't watch those scenes because they'll they're violent and humiliating. I think this felt more realistic for high school bullying. Well, spitball's so gross though. ⁓ Lucy: Ugh so nasty, so nasty. So I love this next scene. I love Kit as a character and how this whole vertical was written. These characters are so much more fleshed out than any of the other BLs we've seen. Kit well, BL verticals we've seen, let me rephrase that. Kit does have a backbone and I adore it. River is hanging out in his room shirtless, and Kit burst in and tells him, I'm gonna talk. And you're gonna listen. Kit gets distracted for a minute, staring at River's chest. River says, Eyes up here. I thought that was kinda cute. He then proceeds to call out River his weak protection, saying You weren't even man enough to look me in the eyes, and shoves him. I love this next line. This whole town treats you like you're some sort of hero because you set records swinging around a bat. But that thing is useless without the balls to back it up. River is noticeably upset by this outburst and wraps his hand around Kit's upper thigh. Ooh. River says, I've never seen you so riled up before. It's adorable. That frustrates Kit, who goes to leave, and River to fix it by saying, I would have stepped in to protect you from physical harm. And then Kit says, Bullying is more than just physical. River admits he was selfish and promises it won't happen again. And then he says ⁓ my god, I love this line so much. ⁓ my goodness. He says, I want you to feel safe with me like I feel safe with you. Cue the tears for me right here. Also, there is a huge will they or won't they for a kiss here? Nick also has insanely expressive eyes, like Evan and Greg, and it just killed me. River chickens ⁓ out ⁓ on the kiss, so cue more tears from me. The scene ends with Kit agreeing to continue to tutor River and then River invites Kit to a post game party on Friday. At the party, Hadley and Kit show up, have more adorably written banter. Seriously, whoever the script writer is, kudos and the original author. And kudos to Sophie and Nick. The two of you together on screen is part of the reason this vertical is so good. I know I said that earlier, but I just have to say it again. Hadley runs off to do shots And Darius catches up to Kit before he can follow her. Darius tries to harass Kit, but River steps in to stop him and tells Darius that Kit is tutoring him and keeping him from being benched. They go off to play Suck and Blow. Did she ever play this game, Alita? Aleta: You know, I went to an all girls school. Lucy: Why didn't you guys play it at all girls' school? Aleta: No, not that kind of all girls school. Lucy: There's always a little bit of that in an all girls school, didn't you know? Aleta: I was not aware, let's put it way, if was happening anywhere. Lucy: I love it. Okay. We gotta pay Aleta: It was a more innocent time. Lucy: That you know of ⁓ All So this of course is the perfect setup for the boys to have their first kiss. We get a scene where Hadley and Darius kiss and Hadley immediately whispers to Kit that Darius is gay. The next round, River does drop the card, and they share their first sweet kiss. Aleta: just like to say that looked deliberate, but I don't know whether it was intended to. Lucy: Ha ha it's Aleta: But it did look deliberate to me. Lucy: I agree. I think it could have been. One of the things I really like about this vertical is all the consent that is happening here. So you can see River asking Kit with his eyes if he can kiss him, and Kit nods. ⁓ I also think this was a stage kiss, womp womp, which sad. Stage kisses make me sad. But it was still a really super cute scene. So thinking of the positive here. The next scene opens to River rushing into Kit's room, telling him he knows he is late. River gets so excited to show Kit that he's mastered something on the guitar. And we get this really cute, proud excitement from River, and Kit doesn't respond and instead wants to talk about their kiss. Kit tells him you could have kissed Carrie instead. And River says, like she said, I'm a rule follower. Kit knows this is total BS. And honestly, I just love how River can never fool Kit, but River keeps trying. And he tells River that his flirting with him the last few weeks has not exactly been subtle. River tries to say he was just being friendly. And Kit says, I don't know what we are right now, but I'm damn sure we are not friends. Aleta: I love how Kit stands up for himself here and he he doesn't take the BS, which is really nice. I love what comes next because Justin plays this part so well. River knows that he's been caught out and so torn up by it that he's tongue-tied. He can't bring himself to say what he needs to. Definite coming out story here. Lucy: I agree. And Kit says, I guess it's easy to seem perfect when you're living a lie. And then River leaves. Damn. We see River practicing an apology to Kit at his own place. We get the line You mean more to me than anyone ever has before. ⁓ Another cute heart stopper text scene. River ⁓ asks if he can come back over to Kit's house ⁓ with an apology. Kit was on a walk and when he gets back home, Darius is waiting for him there. Darius is very drunk and basically begs Kit to kiss him. River arrives and punches Darius out. Kit takes River to his room to tend to his hand. River asks, Kit, can we be friends again? Kit says, ⁓ That depends on the answer to one question. Do you feelings for me, River? River replies, You were right earlier about me lying to myself. I have been feeling something more for you. River says he's confused scared. And Kit is so supportive of this. So thus begins an intimacy scene. Aleta: This scene was very well done, full of consent and understanding between the two characters, despite the fact that it's both their first time. They really check in with each other. Definitely a YA vertical in terms of not being too spicy. That's okay. ⁓ the queer kids need to see themselves represented Lucy: And it does fade to black. So after River and Kid are cuddling together, River says, I have a confession to make. I think you deserve to know. These feelings aren't new for me. I've had them since we were kids. I thought it would be easier to pretend like they weren't there, but I guess I forgot to stop pretending. So cute. Whoever this author is, you rock. ⁓ my gosh. It's lovely. Lovely lines. I feel like those are missing from a lot of verticals, the depth. This is why human non-AI writers are so important. River shares he's worried about disappointing his parents, if he became a jock and hooked up enough girls, he would be able to squash his feelings for Kit. He then delivers this cute line, and yet here I am with you. Kit expresses surprise that River has been able to hook up with so many women, considering he's gay. River says ⁓ It's not like that for me, kit. I didn't lie to you. I'm not gay, Kit says, you've gotta be kidding me. River replies, you didn't let me finish. I'm not gay. I'm bi. Mic drop, fucking thank you. Thank you, Candy Jar, and whoever the author of this book is, let's talk bisexuals here for a minute. Let's talk about how there is hardly any pan or bi representation out there. and lo and behold, ⁓ yes, ⁓ we got one. We got one in a BL vertical. Thank you for the love of God. You have no idea how happy this made me. Biphobia is real, and I loved that the first one that was done was a male representation because I feel like bi and pan men have it so much harder than bi and pan women. This part made me so happy. Honestly, guys, I teared up. I've experienced so much biphobia in my life, and it meant the world to have this. Thank you. Thank Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for coming to another one of Lucy's soap Appreciate it. River heads home and finds that Carrie is waiting for him. Carrie had seen River and Chris kissing by the window and now knows. She threatens to expose what happened between him and Kit if he doesn't fall in line. Aleta: The girlfriend or wannabe, sorry, the wannabe girlfriend blackmailing the romantic lead is a very common obstacle in BL verticals. One thing not wild about, which we do also see here, is that these girls are so often written as ⁓ not that bright, totally clueless. I I get that in these situations the wannabe girlfriend is the villain, but I'd them to be willier. That said, ⁓ Bella Chadwick did a great job portraying Carrie. She was really good. Lucy: She was really good. I was actually very impressed with her acting. The next day at school, Kit is shoving a note into River's locker. River walks up and immediately says I'm sorry. Carrie shows up and tells Kit that River is her boyfriend now. Kit doesn't take this crap and basically tells River to never speak to him again. ⁓ The scene is a little more fluffed out than this, but is the best way to sum it up. In the next scene, River is reading Kit's note. It's a song that Kit wrote for River. Carrie walks in as happy as can be, and River tells her to get lost. He says to her, It was right of you to presume that I would do anything to protect Kit. But as it turns out, he never needed my protection because he's braver than I'll ever be. God, these lights. They're so sweet, they make me cry, and like Just River is so passionate about kit and I love it. I love it. He tells her he's done being her puppet. With Hadley's help, after telling her he's in love with Kit, River concocts a plan to get Kit back. At the end of the vertical, Darius approaches Kit and sort of apologizes for trying to kiss him and tells him he's trying to figure things out. Aleta: I actually really like that they had a small redemption arc for him. They usually don't for the bullies. I think it's quite common for closeted individuals to be bullies. Perhaps they feel that it helps to hide who they really are. And there's probably an element of jealousy there towards the kids who are brave enough to be out in high school. Lucy: Agreed. I feel that so strongly, and we've heard people who are gay. Evan, as an example, point that out. He knows. They know. Hadley announces to everyone in the quad that River will singing a song for a special someone. It turns out River learned the song Kit wrote for him, and it's titled First ⁓ Aid Kit. ⁓ We get a beautiful performance here from River. Okay, and I gotta ask, is that Justin really singing? Because it sure as hell looks like it, and he's amazing. I was swooning the whole time. Like, I'm assuming he sang it live and then they had him record it. But I s but his lips were perfectly in time with the music. I just I think it's him, and if that's him, Justin, you have a Gorgeous voice. The entire time Carrie thinks he's singing to her, but when the song ends, River declares he's breaking up with her in public, so everyone knows this time and declares his love for Kit. River also shares that he told his mom about their relationship and she accepts it. Aleta: Yay, finally a parent who accepts it. Lucy: Woo-hoo! And Rivers teacher also overhears him and tells him he gets an A and passes. Yay! The vertical ends with another kiss and the sweetest hug ever. I love their hug. I don't know why that hug was so sweet, but it was so sweet. I don't know about you, Alita, but this vertical set me alight. ⁓ I had heart eyes. ⁓ I was squealing. ⁓ But in such a different way than some of our other favorites. This wasn't spicy. This was sweet. This was consensual. This was beautiful in the way Bound was, just more YA. I loved how much the production crew and story writer clearly wanted to honor these characters, and it just meant the whole world to me to see a queer vertical like this. Candy Jar outdid themselves. I just need Candy Jar, I need you to know. Please do not stop. Please keep making queer verticals and continuing on with this representation. There is a giant fandom out there who will consume the hell out of these. And your verts are truly high quality. We appreciated the pacing, the acting, the chemistry between the two leads, and the sweeter than pie story. ⁓ I honestly cannot sing your praises enough. Obviously, because ⁓ You just released today and Alita and I completely rearranged our entire podcast schedule because we wanted to recap this one so bad. That's how good this was. Aleta: I also loved it. You know that as much as I enjoy the spice, I'm a squish and I really love the sweetness. It is definitely more YA, as you said, so the lack of spice is understandable. This one wasn't very long. It was kind of like the length of an TV show, really, right? And I would have loved it to be longer. ⁓ one nice thing about candy jar is that they can be watched horizontally or as a vertical. I did watch it horizontally, so it felt more like a traditional TV show rather than a vertical. There were minimal obvious vertical tropes ⁓ and ⁓ none of the padding out of the episodes with screen recaps and flashbacks that we in lot of verticals. I would just love to see more like this outside of a high school setting, like this ⁓ vibe but adults. ⁓ I think it was a great script that didn't rely on gimmicks to keep your attention and I really did appreciate that. I also hope that Candy Jar does more queer verticals and I would love to check out more ⁓ from these actors and the director because they made a really good show. Lucy: You know what I read online today? This is new, I didn't even add it to the notes. I was going through the director, Caroline's Instagram, and she had on her story one of her friends was congratulating her and saying something, I don't know, saying she was ⁓ transformed into something. I can't remember. I wanna find it. Hold on, we're gonna say it. Yeah, here it is. One of her friends said, guys, Caroline moved to LA and made a whole new avatar, and now she's a director, and her first project is very gay, and I love it. ⁓ And the only reason I'm being a creepy stalker here ⁓ is because ⁓ she notes that this was her very first project. ⁓ And that's why I wanted to bring it up ⁓ is Caroline, I don't know if you were directing before this and this is just your very first project in LA, but kudos. This was so beautiful. We both loved it. You have no idea how hard it is to get Alita to look away from Evan and Greg and like she loved this vertical and now we're both happy. So happy. Aleta: You missed Andrew. Anyway. ⁓ Lucy: And Andrew. Sorry, Andrew. You're you're her baby. Aleta: My three faves Thank you for joining us. Keep an eye out for our next episode on Thursday. Bye besties! Lucy: Bye besties.