JMcV

As a film teacher, I taught Christopher Nolan's "Memento" for years. What most people don't know about this seminal film is that his brother, Jonathon, wrote a companion short story to the film. Both the film and the short story act as standalone pieces, but when placed in juxtaposition, a third narrative appears that has you questioning your interpretations of the film and short story.

ChermChey, while obviously nowhere near the cinematic and literary masterpieces of both Nolans' works, may act in just the same way: taken out of the universe it lives in, the series seems to be a rather "pointless" slice-of-life narrative piece that is kind of a "love it" or "leave it" situation. But ChermChey is connected to Love Upon a Time and Khemjira, and when you have that knowledge, ChermChey is a ten episode long "happily ever after" for two seemingly "throw away" characters from Love Upon a Time. I am loathe to say more than that as I don't want to spoil either show. For anyone interested, I can make the case for the three dramas existing in the same universe.

Even without putting ChermChey firmly where it belongs in the "LUAT/Khemjira" universe, I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry and interplay between the two male leads. This show was definitely "conflict-lite" and redemption arcs for the only conflict that did appear were unearned. ChermChey was an overall "pointless" story- which I think is the point. It was a little underwritten, so I don't think that Erng's central internal conflict really had defined moments that built towards a personal epiphany (i.e. obvious character growth that was shown, celebrated, and earned). But even with its flaws, I enjoyed what was there- showing how two characters crash into each other with abandon (thinking it's a one night stand so no need to filter oneself) only to have to pull back when they realize this connection may actually have a shot of enduring after the sun has come up.

I can see this becoming a comfort drama, owing to its "conflict-lite" nature. Sometimes it's comforting to watch the evolution of a quirky relationship- to feel the warmth the actors brought to their characters and how that warmth seeped towards the other person. Much is lost in translation (I fear) with their bantering, which I think may be why the international audience is missing some of the witticism of the show.

Overall, I enjoyed it for what it was (both as a standalone piece and as part of a larger narrative universe). In fact, once I made the connection to Love Upon a Time, my appreciation for the small details in ChermChey increased. If you like slice-of-life, give this one a shot.