I'm a Fool for You 3 – Series Review & Episode Guide

Episode 1 Review

Wow, I didn't expect Season 3 to begin with Hugo's suicide attempt! I knew he'd be hurt after Hin's rejection, but I didn't think he'd take such extreme measures. I think it's really shitty that Hin learns what happened and still doesn't check up on Hugo. Even if you aren't attracted to him, you can show compassion toward your suicidal friend. Not that I was rooting for Hin and Hugo as a couple, but it's impossible to ship them together after this incident. 

We finally meet Yiu's mysterious ex-boyfriend Sheldon, who was a big part of his backstory in Season 1. It's reassuring that the series hasn't forgotten about this loose end. Unfortunately, last season didn't focus too much on Yiu, who was neglected in the plot. However, I'm glad his character returns to the spotlight again this season.

Sheldon's actor starred in a movie called May You Stay Forever Young (2021). Set in the 2019 Hong Kong protests, the story focuses on a team of youths working together to rescue a suicidal girl. Suicide rates surged during the protests. Many Hongkongers felt demoralized due to the oppressive government, violent police tactics & a bleak future of tyranny. Although the film is fictional, it captures the mindset of Hong Kong protesters advocating for democracy. Banned in several Asian countries, this culturally significant film has an important message.

Episode 2 Review

After Hugo's self-harm, I don't know if he's mentally ready for a new relationship right away. Should his friends be pushing a new guy onto him so soon? His last crush almost pushed Hugo to kill himself. Psychologically, maybe he's better off prioritizing self-love than pairing up with a love interest. Hugo needs a counsellor more than a new man!

I like Oscar's actor (John Ho), who looks comfortable on screen and delivers lines naturally. However, his role seems identical to Victor. Just give all of Oscar's scenes to Victor and you wouldn't notice the difference. I wonder if there was a scheduling conflict with the actor, forcing the series to introduce a doppelgänger. Otherwise, Oscar feels redundant when Victor is an established character who shares more history with Hugo. Victor could be the one to counsel Hugo instead.

So far, Tony comes across as a sleazy operator. He's suave in his sweet talk, but this guy seems too slick with his flirting. Tony makes three appearances in this series, but it's always during nighttime. He deliberately stays behind in the late hours to hit on Hin. Tony reminds me of a vampire, trying very hard to suck on something. 🧛

Episode 3 Review

I like that fantasy sequence in the beginning! The scene is shot pretty stylishly, transitioning well from sweet to sinister. It's also a creative storytelling technique to depict Hugo's psychological state instead of just showing him with a sad face. Surprisingly, the three leads don't interact at all during this season. I'm glad the series finds a way to include a Hin x Hugo interaction, even though they never meet in person.

I had to watch that Oscar and Hugo scene twice. The first time, I couldn't focus on anything other than Oscar's nipple. 🙈 Why is he topless? I don't believe the story gives an explanation. Oscar just waltzes around without a shirt all of a sudden. Inadvertently, his body becomes the focal point of the conversation, distracting my attention. I had to rewatch the exchange to absorb what was actually said. *lol*

Even though Oscar is a love interest, his flirting seems pretty gentle. He doesn't push his advances too hard and backs off when Hugo isn't ready to get affectionate. Oscar is empathetic and in tune with Hugo's emotions to ensure his partner feels comfortable. I also like that he's full of positivity and encouragement. At one point, I almost speculate if there's a twist and Oscar will reveal his identity as an undercover social worker. Oscar is like the chicken soup for Hugo's soul, helping him feel better and recover from his trauma.

The scene with Tony and Hin amuses me. Hin babbles about his personal problems, trying to have a thoughtful chat. Yet, Tony hardly pretends to care and only wants to get hanky-panky. There's a fascinating juxtaposition between Hugo and Hin's suitors. Oscar respects Hugo and forges an emotional bond with him. In contrast, Tony only has a physical connection with Hin and their attraction is surface level. As their storylines unfold, Oscar is boyfriend material while Tony turns out to be a player.

Episode 4 Review

The circumstances in Sheldon are too unbelievable. Yiu hasn't met his ex in years, yet they suddenly reunite twice in one week through chance encounters. On top of the coincidences, Yiu learns Sheldon's secret occupation is a camboy. WTF? The plot twist is too out there. Guess what, your ex works in the sex trade! Realistically, what are the chances of all these ridiculous scenarios happening?

The threesome looks uncomfortable instead of erotic. Everything feels off, from the stiff postures to the awkward camera positioning. If I was in the audience, I'd lose interest and tune into another live stream. Okay, I'll probably keep watching out of morbid curiosity after Yiu arrives and confronts Sheldon on camera. Imagine a boring orgy that turns into an unexpected reality show about a promiscuous ex-boyfriend. Sheldon, come with me! You have to pick him or me! It's like Love Island, except with trashy gay men. *lol*

Hello? Is this the police dispatch? I'd like to report a hit and run. The perpetrator is Tony, who ran away after he finished hitting on Hin. Okay, who isn't surprised Hin got dumped after having sex with his new boyfriend? All the red flags were there. I saw that breakup from a mile away, but I didn't expect it to be so callous. I feel awful for laughing when Tony just hangs up the phone call on Hin. That's so mean! I feel bad for Hin because he doesn't deserve that treatment. However, I also don't like his character, so my sympathy is limited. Sorry, sucks to be you~

Episode 5 Review

I like that Yiu achieves closure with his ex-boyfriend, even if they don't get back together. The vibe is a little off in their farewell scene. On a scale of 1 to 10, Yiu's actor gives an intensity level of 10, whereas Sheldon hovers around a 4. Their energy doesn't match, creating a discrepancy in the chemistry. Generally, Yiu's actor is going really hard during his scenes this season. His intensity eclipses his screen partners, who are more subtle and low-key.

Oscar cracks me up. His character is eccentric but in a good way. This crypto bro speaks like a suicide helpline, gets randomly shirtless, and keeps multiple cans of Coke Zeros in his car. He has quirky little traits that make him unintentionally funny. Also, Oscar seems like a good person, unlike the many sleazy characters in this series. He's a positive influence on Hugo, constantly giving him reassurance and relating to his experiences. I don't know if Oscar should be Hugo's boyfriend, but he has made a favourable impression on me.

I'm a Fool for You keeps giving big dramatic scenes to Hin's actor when this guy can't handle the material. His blatantly fake crying diminishes the emotional impact of the poignant finale. Every season, this actor struggles to emote convincingly. His performances are so bad that I can almost appreciate him ironically, but I'm not quite there yet. The series needs to tweak its script and give him less challenging work. He isn't ready for heavy emotional showcases.

Acting aside, I like how they filmed that final scene at the bar. This series combines lighting, cinematography, and soundtrack to create a moody, melancholic vibe. I love that gorgeous shot of Hin sitting alone with a spotlight on him. In front of Hin, we see a group of friends chatting happily, highlighting his loneliness. Afterwards, we get a closer and more intimate shot of the character's forlorn expression. I like how the lighting falls on Hin's side profile, giving him a distinguished look. The atmosphere is spot on in this scene.

Thematically, I appreciate the juxtaposition between Hin and Hugo's storylines. I'm a Fool for You Season 3 begins with Hugo at emotional rock bottom after the rejection. His character slowly rebuilds lost confidence over the season. The series ends on an optimistic note for Hugo, who meets a decent guy genuinely interested in him. In contrast, Hin has the opposite journey. A sleazy playboy shatters Hin's confidence, making him lonelier than ever. In a reversal of fortunes, his character is now as miserable and abandoned as Hugo felt at the start.

I don't want Hin and Hugo together. Hin has treated his friend terribly throughout the three seasons. In the finale, Hugo isn't even his first person to call. Hin only contacts his friend after Tony doesn't answer the phone. 😑 The only reason Hin wants Hugo now is because he feels desperate and lonely enough to seek any form of companionship. After running out of guys who can stand his needy ass, he settles for his friend as a backup choice. I'm sorry, but Hugo needs to abandon this toxic relationship for his mental health. I vote NO to a Hin & Hugo endgame in Season 4!