BL & Beyond

But then again, Boston being a voice of reason and generally good friend is also not how I saw things playing out.

"Dean shouldn't have been partying that hard"

"Dean should have struggled more after saying "no" to the pill"

"Dean was more likely to do something like this because of his past as a host and his readiness to do fan service"

This kind of rhetoric is victim blaming and semi-abusive towards sex workers. While I know Dean never sold sex, the series makes it clear that much of society will judge regardless if they see your actions as unacceptable and/or too sensual in nature. Dean's hosting and his acceptance of fan-service content is close enough for many to judge more harshly.

If this situation had happened to Tua, would he be judged in the same way by his peers (and the audience)? No, because Tua is "pure" in comparison to Dean, and therefore his agency being taken away from him would be seen as an "assault" rather than a "consequence".

Remember when Ray introduced his situationship bestfriend (Mew) to cocaine and his situationship boyfriend (Ray) almost went to jail for it last season?

He used intimate physical touch, something that he has been withholding as a norm in their relationship, to try and overwhelm his senses

And Dean is so suspicious (and tempted)!

Jack told Dean what he thought he wanted to hear. And when Dean smiled(and what a sad smile it was!), Jack went to reinforce this assumed submission with more physical intimacy.

Thankfully, Dean saw right through Jack's manipulations (as he's surely been through this act many times before).

And rightfully so, as in the very next scene, Jack is back at his manipulation tactics once again.

Raffy approached him and Jack saw an opportunity to try and take control and mold Raffy's actions and emotions.

In the past, we've seen Jack distance himself from Raffy or subdue the obvious vying for attention. But in this scene Jack pulled himself up to the same level as Raffy and called Raffy by his name. He used the intimate movements and language he knew Raffy craved to draw Raffy in.

Unfortunately(?), Raffy does not have years of experiencing Jack's manipulation. So it is super effective.

Look at that doe-eyed fool. Tsk tsk.

With Raffy properly stunned, Jack asked for his cooperation. And when Raffy agreed, Jack again reinforced that submission to his will with physical touch--using the mirroring of Raffy's earlier shoulder touch to trick Raffy into thinking they are aligned not just mentally but physically as well.