BTW what was that Tatami stuff which you told about??

I remember back then that I found the kiss/no kiss moment rare, but after seeing the sensationalism both actresses were subjected to at Tatami (also discussed here at length), I sympathize with Barela’s knee-jerk reaction of not wanting (that is my interpretation) to see her character and the storyline between Marina and Esther reduced to a sensationalist image (no, women usually do not simply kiss randomly with no emotional attachment!). In fact, among the little publicity done for TdU, exploiting the “hot women making out!” stereotype featured most prominently, and it’s a disservice to the storyline, and to the Italian LGBT community at large.

Personally, I continue to be happy surprised with how well the storyline is handled within the series, allowing them to be cute and in love in small gestures and not trying to insert making out sequences at will for the sake of getting more viewers of the dumb variety.

The biggest feat, in my opinion, is to portray Marina and Esther as a storyline people respond to emotionally, and not in a voyeuristic way.

As for Barela’s noh, I think it was more of a self-preservation tactic. Imagine if a photo like that (obviously not a scene kiss) leaked out to the Italian tabloids. Big chance of acting careers going down the drain. For both of them. She did kiss Rochetti in that very annoying Tatami interview, though I think that was an attempt to shut the hostess up. That woman Would. Not. Stop. Interrupting.