Ruk Ok Rit (2014)

It's been a while since I watched this one, but I'll submit some thoughts anyway.
STORY: I really enjoyed the plotline of this one. While it is somewhat similar to the Samee Tee Tra 3-husband thing, the similarities really end there.
The plot is very different. There really aren't very many detective lakorns (at least that I've seen) out there, so this one has a refreshing premise.
HOORAY FOR NO LAKORN STEREOTYPES!!! There's no crazy ex-girlfriend, no stupid misunderstandings between characters, and a super cute romance between Pope and Mew.
The plotline is simply adorable, well-written, well-paced, and consistent. Plus, it's funny.
ACTING/CAST: Really can't go wrong with Pope and Mew. The supporting cast also worked really well together, and didn't overact everything like supporting casts usually do.
Pope almost made me cry when he did his crying scenes. His comedic timing is great, but then he gets to the emotional scenes, and I just wanted to reach through the screen and give him a big hug.
MUSIC: Fun and light, nothing super remarkable.
REWATCH VALUE: I'd watch it again when I need a light and fun drama to balance out all the dramatic ones.
I highly recommend this drama for anyone who wants a light, funny, and non-frustrating drama. And for anyone who loves Pope :)

Read More

This show started with a BANG and ended with a fizzle.

If I had been asked to rate this drama after episode 8, I would have given it a 9/10. Why? Because it's a refreshing story, a detective story with a funny sherlock type lead (with the disguises to go with it). Also the Female Lead is far from a damzelle in distress, she's very resourceful. I liked the mix of supernatural and very practical elements. And there's a good chemistry between the leads (Pope is SO charming!).
But after 8 episodes, things start getting repetitive and I started fast forwarding the show and ticking off some points.
Half a point of because of the repititiveness: I mean, at some point it was just ludicrous how Joe would run for an entire episode after a lead that would end up having just been a complete waste of time. I also feel that the writer started contradicting themselves. So was Joe really unlucky or was it just a coincidence that lightening hit this guy right after he had given him money??
Half a point because of the lack of sweet moments between the leads. This is highly subjective, but as for me, I like it when the leads get together mid-drama and we get a good amount of tenderness before the end. It was not the case for this drama, and even though the chemistry was there, it still was a very low burn romance!
Half a point because of stupid plot devices like: pointless deaths. I don't understand why lakorn writers feel the need to always gratuitously kill at least one (mostly) innocent minor character towards the end of a drama, but I really think they ought to find some other plot device to insert gravity and stakes into a story. Not every consequence needs to be death.
Half a point because of lack of consistency: Joe is such a GREAT detective, uh? Well this show completely contradicts this premise towards the end. I won't say more as not to spoil. Also, I'm sorry but you can't introduce a crucial character in the last 2 episodes of a show and expect me to just stay on board with the story.

By the end, this show was saved by the chemistry between the leads and my desire for closure, not by the plot. What started as a funny and smart romcom ended as a dragging melodrama with heavy handed moral lessons.

Read More