The On1y One Episode 3 Review: Wang’s Heart Flutters Hearing Tian Wishing to Get Closer

In The On1y One Episode 1 and 2, the main characters Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian were introduced to a lot of chaos and mess. Wang, after moving to his new school meets with the school’s topper Jiang who is quite rude towards him. Only a few hours later, Sheng Wang learns that he is going to be his step-brother given his father and Tian’s mother are planning to hitch. As days go by, they both keep bickering each other and in episode 2, the two share a kiss for a dare, making things awkward.

The Taiwan BL series is adapted from the novel Mou Mou (某某) by Mu Su Li (木苏里) and is directed by Liu Kuang Hui.

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The On1y One Episode 3 Recap

The episode opens with the continuation of the intense moment between Jiang Tian and Wang. After their unexpected kiss, Jiang gets his own share of emotional turmoil, leaving Wang annoyed and confused. Seeking some solitude, Wang heads downstairs to grab some food, only to overhear a conversation between his father and Mrs. Jiang about his father’s impending departure. This conversation triggers a flood of memories for Wang, particularly of his late mother and the comfort she brought him through the casseroles she used to make. The memory lingers in his mind, wrapping him in a blanket of nostalgia and sadness.

The next morning, Jiang attempts to recreate the casserole that Wang’s mother used to make, but in the process, she accidentally scalds her fingers. Wang, witnessing her effort, coldly remarks that no matter how well she cooks his mother’s dish, she will never take his mother’s place in his heart. His words are harsh, and they reflect the deep emotional wounds he still carries. Not long after, Wang falls seriously ill with a severe cold. Despite their strained relationship, Tian tries his best to care for him, even if his efforts go unnoticed by Wang.

During an English class test, Wang scores full marks, but the teacher, perhaps out of concern for the other students, publicly credits Qi with the highest score. In a private meeting, the teacher questions Wang about why he didn’t protest the lie. Surprisingly, Wang responds with maturity, explaining that he understood the teacher’s intention to avoid causing resentment among the classmates towards a new student who was already standing out. However, when word spreads about Wang’s actual achievement, Qi feels humiliated and upset, further complicating the dynamics among the students.

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Later, Tianyang invites Wang to Xi’s café, where they plan to meet Qi. Before leaving, Jiang Tian informs Wang that he’ll be late getting home, leaving Wang alone for the evening. At the café, Wang, mistaking beer for green tea, drinks it and quickly becomes drunk, exacerbating his cold. When Tian learns about Wang’s condition, he rushes from Old Ding’s house, where he was assisting the elderly man, to Xi’s café. Finding Wang alone, drunk, and vulnerable by the riverside, Tian takes responsibility and decides to take him home.

As they sit by the river, Wang opens up to Tian, revealing the loneliness he feels despite people assuming they are close. He expresses his hurt over Tian not buying him medicine for his cold, which further deepens his sense of isolation. In a surprising turn, Tian pulls out a bag of medicine, revealing that he had actually bought the cold medicine earlier, lying about it being for his mother’s burns. Wang is taken aback by this gesture, realizing that Tian had cared for him all along. He takes the medicine, and the two head home together.

Once back, Jiang prepares honey lemon water for Wang, but he refuses to drink it as the taste reminds him too much of his mother. However, after some hesitation, Wang asks Tian if he locked the door, to which Tian responds by coming into Wang’s room with the honey lemon water. Wang finally opens up, sharing how his mother used to make that very drink for him, and how her death has left him feeling deeply lonely, especially with his father being away so often on business trips.

Tian gently insists that Wang drinks the water, and as Wang does, he recalls a memory of Tian saying something to him by the riverside. When Wang struggles to express what he’s feeling, Tian finishes his sentence, suggesting that perhaps they could try to get closer. This simple yet heartfelt statement hits Wang hard, stirring unfamiliar emotions within him. For the first time, Wang feels a flicker of hope that he might not have to face his loneliness alone, and that Tian might be someone he can grow closer to.

The On1y One Episode 3 Review

This episode of the series delves deeper into the complex emotions and evolving dynamics between the characters, particularly Wang and Tian, offering a poignant exploration of grief, loneliness, and the subtle ways in which people reach out to one another. The narrative excels in portraying Wang’s internal struggle as he grapples with the loss of his mother and the void left by his emotionally distant father.

The moments where Wang confronts Jiang Tian about her attempts to replace his mother, as well as his reluctance to drink the honey lemon water, are emotionally charged, highlighting his unresolved grief and the barriers he has built around himself. The episode also does a commendable job of depicting Tian’s quiet but significant attempts to care for Wang, showcasing a deep, albeit unspoken, bond that slowly begins to surface.

However, while the episode succeeds in evoking empathy for the characters, it also leaves some narrative threads feeling slightly underdeveloped. The conflict between Wang and Qi, for instance, is introduced with promise but doesn’t fully explore the potential fallout or emotional repercussions, leaving Qi’s feelings somewhat sidelined. Additionally, the episode’s pacing at times feels uneven, with the emotional crescendo at the riverside slightly rushed compared to the slower build-up earlier on. Despite these minor shortcomings, the episode remains a strong instalment, effectively deepening the characters’ relationships and setting the stage for further emotional growth and connection.

The On1y One is streaming on Netflix.

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