I completed Mother in three days after starting it on a whim. It easily earned its place as one of my favorite dramas of all time. The story is built masterfully and the acting is outstanding. The structure of the episodes was well done, with each ending bringing a new light to the story, and deeper into the lives of the characters, questioning what might happen next. I would have such a hard time watching one episode a week. The photography was also beautifully done. There is a balance of quiet beauty and at times stirring sense of mystery, that makes you want to keep watching. It's like I have become good friends with these characters, that I'm sad I've reached the final episode.

If you at all feel turned off from the stillness of the show, don't stop watching. You won't regret it!

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I liked this drama because the main character (Ootaro) reminds me of my ex-boyfriend to be honest. (lol) Let me explain - he is an arrogant narcissist, semi-psychopath, very good looking and the female characters see the heart in him. He has a "dark past" of family drama and misfortune and a kind of crazy mother who comes to his house and cooks him dinner randomly but is generally struck by PTSD. Most of all he is a womanizer and the emotions he does express are generally lies to get what he wants. Basically a very flawed and a horrible person - so why did I want to keep watching this? It is entertaining, a kind of hilarious and strange concept weaving in time slips and murders and this really weird girl named Saiko, who is pretty awkward and sweet. It is a story that you wanna keep watching.

To be clear though, the ending left a lot to be desired - pretty trite way to end things but what can you expect? ... like they have to pull things together to end in this feel-good way. All in all, I think this is pretty entertaining.

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If you liked the more recent "tsumi no kyoyuu" drama, "N no Tame Ni" this might be right up your alley.
I find it a little more predictable of a story than that drama, but the same kind of love amongst darkness is there. It is a beautiful story that might be a bit off putting at the first episode, but will capture your heart in a strange kind of way as it becomes more and more layered with each episode.
This drama made me really like Ayase Haruka, I think because the depth of her character was so much more complex than in Jin.
All I will say is, I just finished watching and already thinking about getting a friend into it so I have an excuse to watch it again. I can't say that I wasn't disappointed with the ending, but that's to be expected. The best part about dramas is imagining your own ending anyway, isn't it?

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So, after watching the first episode of "Perfect Crime..." I am wondering what direction this is going to go. At the same time, I am kind of done with how predictable this story is (already). Typical subordinate-woman (Kaori) in a love affair with her boss (Fuyuki) who is married/has a family story - and this Fuyuki dude is super gross and controlling, of course (just the way he talks to Kaori makes me wanna puke). But she's head over heels (and Fuyuki is her boss so what's a woman to do in that situation am I right?) Well, surprise, surprise... a new guy (Haruto) obviously from NYC, comes in with advice on what she should do that she didn't ask for. The way this drama depicts women is pretty shitty, but it's Japan afterall. The preview for the next episode is downright nauseating... but we'll see. Maybe my mind will totally be changed. It's called "Perfect Crime," after all, and I love a good creepy crime drama. Is he actually gonna help her in some way, or is he just another creepy scumbag (even worse than Fuyuki), who plays the "I'm gonna save you," image? I kind of feel a bit of the psychopath vibes that you can see in Netflix's new drama "You." I guess I'll watch the next episode.

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