Perfect 10 Liners 1×06 Review: Episode 6

Oh, my, what do we have now? Six episodes into Perfect 10 Liners and we suddenly have a rival for Arm’s attention. Here I thought Arc’s biggest obstacle was going to be Arm’s absolute obliviousness. 

We pick up where we left off last week, with shirtless makeouts. But before they can get very far, Arc puts a stop to the shenanigans, saying that he prefers to go slow in a relationship. This makes total sense, considering what we know about Arc, and that he really hasn’t been in a relationship before. (At least, not that we, the audience, are aware of.) Plus, Arm had that whole sob story about his ex-girlfriend last week, and it stands to reason Arc would be worried that Arm still isn’t over that.

Later, Arc brings up the topic again, worried that Arm would think he was just messing with him. He reiterates that they can go slow, pointing out that he isn’t sure whether or not Arm even likes him the same way. Yes, shirtless makeouts, but being physically attracted to someone isn’t the same as having romantic feelings for them. And I really like that this was a specifically stated intention, that Arc doesn’t want to progress farther physically until they’re both sure where Arm stands.

I’d also like to point out that it’s also perfectly acceptable that Arm isn’t sure how he feels. He hasn’t known Arc that long and Arc’s behavior had been pretty confusing, especially for someone like Arm, who clearly has unresolved issues from his previous relationship.

However, I want to punch him in the face. My guy. Please have some confidence in yourself. The man who doesn’t even accept snacks from suitors just gave you his super special bracelet and made out with you shirtless. He is interested. Just accept it.

But he doesn’t accept it. When Arc says again, just for clarity’s sake, that he likes him, Arm seems surprised. When he goes back to his room to talk to his friends, he tells them, “I think Arc likes me.” Luckily his friends are there to pound some sense into him, because at this point it’s just ridiculous. There’s being oblivious and then there’s being an idiot. I can’t help but think about Arc’s, “Please don’t be this dumb,” from last week because it looks like Arm is actually just that dumb.

Despite multiple people reminding him that he’s wearing Arc’s super special bracelet, he still stubbornly refuses to do any form of self-reflection. It’s kind of getting annoying. I mean, he absolutely acts like he’s interested in Arc – the way he dotes on him at soccer practice, drunkenly declaring that he wanted to go back to Arc’s condo. But there’s not yet been a scene where he sits down with himself and tries to sort out his feelings. It’s always other people telling him what’s going on.

As much as I’m bothered by the sudden appearance of a romantic rival, I think this could be a good opportunity for Arm to actually try and figure out how he feels about Arc. At least, when he’s not drunk. Drunk!Arm seems to be completely aware of how he feels and in fact is very possessive of Arc. Sober!Arm has not caught up yet.

By the way, I may have screamed when Sea showed up. I was not expecting him.

Meanwhile, we have Pond and Sand who are still inching towards that finish line. I had hoped that after last week, there would be a little more movement in that department. But now that Sand is aware that Pond is hitting on him, he seems to be playing hard to get. And we are getting crumbs. (They’re nice crumbs, though. I especially liked the scene where Po sat between both couples and Sand was giving Pond a massage.)

The friend interactions are by far the best, though. I loved Arm coming back from the beach, telling his friends that he and Arc kissed, and Sand and Po just asking him for details. (“Did he bite your lip?” “Were his lips soft?”) Props to them for asking the real questions. And then you have Arc’s friends who are mocking him because he’s still not officially dating Arm.

Honestly, I think I keep coming back for the single braincell trio. Arm, Po, and Sand were in fine form in this episode. Sand filming Arm drunkenly declaring that he wanted to go to Arc’s, because he knew he would need proof that Arm said that? (And then Arm going, “Wow AI is so advanced now,” when shown the video.)

But nothing beats the comedic stylings of Po, who will forever be the fifth wheel, turning to a friend only to realize he’s trotted off after his love interest. Him pretending to call his mom and sarcastically talking about how much he loved college? Hilarious. I also loved him just calling out Arc and Pond for only being there to hit on Arm and Sand. Po tells it like it is. You love to see it.

Bottom line, I’m still entertained enough to keep tuning in, but please resolve this latest complication fast. I don’t want to keep going in circles, especially not knowing what the specific episode divisions are per couple. (Like, we should be getting Yotha/Gun soon, but who knows?)

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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