Perfect 10 Liners 1×03 Review: Episode 3

We’re moving right along in Perfect 10 Liners episode 3, with Arc being more direct, Arm becoming more aware, and Sand and Pond getting more adorable.

Episode 3 takes us briefly back to the present, with the story of Arc and Arm’s relationship on pause while everyone heads home. We’re able to get a short look at the other relationship dynamics we’ll soon see: broody, stoic Yotha and sunshine personified Gun, “I’m gonna annoy you” Faifa, and “I guess I’ll put up with it” Wine. I think you get a good sense of everyone’s personalities just from these short scenes, and I’m most excited for Yotha and Gun – grumpy/sunshine is my favorite ship trope.

However, from the way Faifa in particular is talking, I’m a little confused on the present timeline. I was under the impression that this was Wine’s first introduction to the gang. In the first episode, when he arrives at the bar, he meets everyone, including Faifa. But after they leave the bar and Faifa takes him out for food, they start talking like they’ve known each other for a while. Faifa comments that he’s not as cheerful as he used to be. So did Faifa and Wine know each other before?

I will say that I actually appreciate how they didn’t tell the entire story of Arc and Arm in one sitting. It’s not even remotely believable that they would be able to make it through that just as they’re hanging out at the bar – this isn’t How I Met Your Mother. But we still get the flashback due to Arm wanting to hear Arc finish the tale. I think his explanation of “I like hearing about how you fell in love with me” is sweet.

And this way we get to see the couples getting together, but we also get the sweetness of an established relationship. The casual affection from Yotha, when you can tell that this is not a guy that was ever really that lovey-dovey? The clingy way that a drunk Arm is falling all over Arc? I love getting to see these little moments.

Back in the past, it looks like Arc’s vow to not hurt Arm again doesn’t extend to him not being a bit of a bully. He is still ordering Arm around, demanding he get him a drink (but not that drink), and even open his water bottle for him. He’s a little more direct about his intentions post car-accident, but Arm is still cheerfully oblivious to the flirting. (I mean, Arc buckled his seatbelt for him, patted him on the head, and called him a good boy. At this point I feel like Arm is just not socially aware at ALL.)

By the end of the episode, though, it’s pretty obvious that Arm is somewhat aware of what’s developing between him and Arc. Yes, he still gets angry when Arc does unreasonable things like demanding he delete his Instagram story, and he still prefers to have the last word in an argument. But he flat out tells Arc that he’s worried about him, and he’s giddily messaging Arc in bed by the last scene. (By the way, that scene of Po in the middle of Sand and Arm texting their love interests was pure gold. JJ gets some of the best comedic moments.)

And there’s no way to misinterpret the fact that Arc has given Arm his pin. He even pinned it on Arm himself. 

This episode also makes it clear why Arc’s friends, like Warm and Jet, are able to see through him so easily. When Arc and Warm are approached by two girls who offer them snacks, Arc doesn’t even acknowledge them, leaving Warm to collect the snacks and thank the girls on both their behalf. And then Arc immediately bails. But when he’s around Arm, he’s all over him; he’s touchy (the tie grabbing is definitely a thing), he’s considerate (it’s hidden behind layers of resting bitch face but it’s there), and he’s possessive.

I do appreciate that Arc’s friends scold him for his reckless behavior in the previous episode, but it’s still super odd to me that he deliberately crashed his car into someone else’s and there were just no repercussions. He’s not in legal trouble? There aren’t financial consequences? No one was even seriously injured. His parents even deliver another car that same day!

Sand and Pond are moving right along in their relationship. Pond even invited Sand to hang out with him and his friends in what seems like was meant to be a date. Pond is smooth as hell, by the way. When he drops Sand off at his dorm and asks if he liked the restaurant, when Sand confirms he did, Pond offers to take him there often. I feel like it’s pretty rare in a BL for two people to know that they’re interested and actually date like normal people, so it’s really fun to see them develop. Plus they’re just super cute.

Judging from the trailer for next week’s episode, both Arc/Arm and Pond/Sand are going to have major shifts in their relationships. It’s a bit ahead of schedule, but then this series is structured differently from normal, so that’s understandable. We’ve got so many more couples to get to after this!

Author: Jamie Sugah

Jamie has a BA in English with a focus in creative writing from The Ohio State University. She self-published her first novel, The Perils of Long Hair on a Windy Day, which is available through Amazon. She is currently an archivist and lives in New York City with her demon ninja vampire cat. She covers television, books, movies, anime, and conventions in the NYC area.

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