I had been hearing about this series for quite some time now, so obviously I had to check it out. I know this is a spin-off of TTS2, however, I dropped Tharntype and didn't even bother checking out their second season (A good thing since I heard it was a disaster) So, I was going into this knowing that I've probably missed a crucial part of the story and that *gags* Mame was once again a big contributor to this series. I went in with very few exceptions, ready to see the worst, but truthfully, I was shocked at how consensual, sweet, and healthy both relationships were (not all the way healthy, but not nearly as toxic as Tharn and Type). Don't Say No was a high-heat series with a sorta-overdramatic plotline and a GL couple.

Let's Dive In.

Starting with production, everything was decent and like your typical BL setup. The music was not memorable, yet not annoying, so that's a good thing. We saw a few ad placements here and there, but not anything that were blatant or gave too much filler. I liked how this was a series I could watch and understand without having to have seen TTS2. A plus on the wardrobe would definitely be the gala(?) event that Leo and Leon's mom put on. Lord. The women's dresses were BEAUTIFUL. Huge applauds there. (Also, besides his school outfit, Fiat's fit was kind of fire too).

Onto the plot. I really loved the first episode way more than I usually love first episodes. It was a nice setup, I loved Fiat and Leo's confession, I loved their shyness, and I loved how they were learning to communicate with each other on a more romantic perspective other than friendly. However, what kind of ruined it was the spread of their news plaster throughout the school. I hate yaois, I hated the rumors and the spread of their news everywhere (like the news about their business in the bedroom???) It's invasive, it's annoying, and I hate when they appear in any series cause it ruins my mood more than you could imagine. The plot was going good for a while, I was getting ready for the terrible mistake that Mame would make at literally every turn, and some things were a bit problematic, but not nearly as bad as they have been in the past.

Let's just talk about the supporting cast. I genuinely loved every single person (minus Nam who felt like it was his business to film Fiat and Leo's every movement and post it without their consent) The twins were a nice contribute to the series, they were pretty silly and goofy, but they were there for Leo and Fiat when they needed them. Natsu was adorable, and beside her spreading rumors, I enjoyed her character and her being the coach for the basketball team (although weird(?) since she was a student at the school??) and even more than that, her relationship with Anda. A very subtle GL couple, but hey, we still got one! It wasn't much, but I'm happy where we left it. All the parents did good too, and I'll touch on Fiat's situation in the next paragraph.

Onto the main couple, Leo and Fiat. Like I said, I was really invest in them in the first episode. Even Fiat's raunchy moment in Leo's bed was very nicely done. I loved how they were clumsy, and awkward, and nervous around each other initially. Their communication about sex was even perfect, but all of that was swept under the rug to get in two episodes worth of drama. In the later half of the series, Leo gets caught kissing Punn(?) and it turns into an all out war that didn't need to occur if Leo would told Fiat what happened, or even if Leo would asked what happened. I can't with this. Their communication was the key aspect of their relationship that was going on so strong until writers becme lazy and do whatever they have to without continuing to build up these characters. That was number one. The second thing would have to be what happened in episode 12. Leo and Fiat are forgiving each other and making up, expect that the writer's muct have forgotten all of Fiat's trauma for the past twenty years after they have Leo say something along these lines: "I don't want to see you loving anyone else but me." Um, HELLO?? Why would you say that?? And thenhe presume to saying more possessive stuff, and of course, Fiat has no reaction, like he wasn't having panic attacks over his mom manipulating him into hating everyone beside her. Onto that story, I loved it, I loved it more than anything else with Leo and Fiat. It was handled the best, I liked that they didn't give the mom some quick resolution to a mental illness, and eventually Fiat resolved things with his dad and step-family. Overall, this couple was okay, Their heated scenes were nice, but sometimes their kissing looked weird and off. First's performance was decent, Ja's was okay, but sometimes he was a bit stoic and bland.

Onto the side couple, Leon and Pob. I can't explain to you how much of I loved them, omg. As soon as I saw Pob playing with a cat, I knew it was over for me. They are what really kept me watching this series. Leon was so gentle with Pob that it made me fluster up myself. He was patient and understanding, and consensual, and I love him. Even with they're first kiss, he let's pob know that if he doesn't enjoy what they're doing that he can push him away. God, and their heated scene was done perfectly to the T. This couple couldn't do anything wrong. Until they decided for them not to get together. A betrayal, that's what it is. But even with that, it was still put together well. I think I just love this type of BL couple; the innocent, quiet, introverted, shy, big eyes "bottom" and the silly, goofy, loud, extroverted, ethusatsitc "top". I can't help but love the "opposite attract" dynamic. I think I noticed my love for it first in Fish Upon the Sky with Duean and Meen, but I'm sure there are other's that I've forgotten about. Overall, Smart and James put on some really good performances with some really endearing kisses and a very sweet and soft heat scene.

I won't try and put up a front like I didn't really enjoy my watch. While there were plenty of parts that needed fixing (also the whole King situation and how Fiat didn't even budge when he was told that King drugged him (or maybe even worse, he didn't go to the police??)) But that another mistake I don't fee like getting into. This had to be one of Mame's most tamed series I've ever seen, and I hope she learns that BL can be good and full of heat without the toxic and negative aspects she just aspires to have in these series. Applaud to the cast and crew for a good series.