FrankIncese
USA
This review may contain spoilers
NOTHING BUT FILLER
I would say 95% of reviews and comments all say the same thing, so no big revelations here. Good potential wasted. Not a big fan of this one.
It started strong. I liked the fact that the main couple had a pre-existing relationship. It was a different story than we're used to. Loved the friendships (often my fav part of any BL). Initially thought the actors were decent, though that changed as I continued to watch and their newbie status revealed itself.
At first, I liked the non-linear story-telling. That can be effective when done well. (key phrase, when done well). But quickly the time cuts became confusing. It would take me a minute to figure out if it was the past or the present. Then all the filler started. I'm not a big fan of this in any series and Thai BL is heavy with this trope. If you have effectively told your story, and your actors are capable, you do not need to remind me of a previous scene to help me understand a characters emotions. You definitely do not need to remind me of the very last scene I just watched. It's clear in my mind. (Side note: I wonder if directors use this device because they don't think the actors can carry the emotional weight of a scene, so they feel the need to cut away from bad acting? Just a thought). There was even one instance with the Pangs where Makisig is on the phone, leaning against the wall while another man putters around behind him (another lover? never explained), they cut to Nin, and when they cut back, Makisig is in a black shirt sitting on a couch. Is this another phone call? A different time? A continuity error?
Now, some here are saying all the filler is the theme of the series. It's those In Between moments that are most important in a relationship. Okay. But do I need to see the entire scene? Multiple times? And again I would argue that if you have done your job well, I understand the importance of those in between moments the first time I see them. I don't need multiple reviews of those moments.
The worst instance for me was in the finale. This is arguably the most important moment in the series, Tau & Tep are revealing their innermost feelings, but rather than stay in the moment and let us experience it, they cut away between every 3 or 4 words (not even complete sentences) to show us the same filler moments for the 1000th time. I watched the whole series. I know how their relationship has evolved. I want to watch them get fake married, not see them riding a bike. ARGH!
I have 3 other issues. Perhaps I missed it (but I will never go back and rewatch this series to find out, so maybe some of you can help me out.) When Tep's mother realizes she may have inadvertantly broken them up, she encourages Tep to call Tau and sort it out. But he doesn't (right?). In fact, when he shows up for the party, Tau believes him when he says he's in a relationship, and has to apologize for breaking up with him (seemingly for the first time). 1st issue... was that really an apology? Explain yourself. Tell your side of the story and make your lover understand. I'm sorry doesn't cut it. 2nd issue: So... Tep knows why Tau broke up with him... but he DOESN'T call? He avoids him for a year? You find out the love of your life made an incredible sacrifice and that in fact you could still end up together, but you don't call him? Then you return a year later and prank him ("I have a BF in LA") rather than reveal your true feelings. The pranking is well established, that's what these guys do... but honestly, realize when you should prank and when you should be open and honest. Then there's a time cut and miraculously they are back together without ever having hashed out the past. That's an important "in between" moment I would have liked to have seen. WHich brings me to issue 3: The big prank at the resort. 4-5 episodes of this? Ugh. What a HORRIBLE prank to pull on someone you love. To make him think that Ri was hitting on him, to promote jealousy... and you claim it's all in the name of love. That's cruel. Once Tep starts to get upset, any decent BF would pull him aside and comfort him, but not Tau. He didn't even have to reveal the prank, but he could still comfort his lover. This made me hate Tau. I don't care how sweet his words were after that. You put me through hell and then expect me to put on a wedding suit? As someone said here, "learn to read the room". I have other issues, minor story points, and directing choices but enough.
The acting was serviceable. I liked Nics best of all. I didn't dislike Biancx like many here. Nin and Makisig were okay. The leads were decent. I have to admit, I watched this on my phone, so some of the subtlety was lost on me. I'm not sure I saw actual tears ever. But again, that could just be due to screen size. The script was also very repetitive (and I'm not even talking about the filler). In one scene, I counted characters say the same phrase 8 times, and not for effect. It was just lazy writing, not moving the story or the scene forward at all. So frustrating.
While I would certainly like to watch a Pangs series, I WON'T. Because I'm afraid the writer and director will make all the same bad choices they made here. And In Between Season 2 is a definite non-starter. Great potential. Wasted.
It started strong. I liked the fact that the main couple had a pre-existing relationship. It was a different story than we're used to. Loved the friendships (often my fav part of any BL). Initially thought the actors were decent, though that changed as I continued to watch and their newbie status revealed itself.
At first, I liked the non-linear story-telling. That can be effective when done well. (key phrase, when done well). But quickly the time cuts became confusing. It would take me a minute to figure out if it was the past or the present. Then all the filler started. I'm not a big fan of this in any series and Thai BL is heavy with this trope. If you have effectively told your story, and your actors are capable, you do not need to remind me of a previous scene to help me understand a characters emotions. You definitely do not need to remind me of the very last scene I just watched. It's clear in my mind. (Side note: I wonder if directors use this device because they don't think the actors can carry the emotional weight of a scene, so they feel the need to cut away from bad acting? Just a thought). There was even one instance with the Pangs where Makisig is on the phone, leaning against the wall while another man putters around behind him (another lover? never explained), they cut to Nin, and when they cut back, Makisig is in a black shirt sitting on a couch. Is this another phone call? A different time? A continuity error?
Now, some here are saying all the filler is the theme of the series. It's those In Between moments that are most important in a relationship. Okay. But do I need to see the entire scene? Multiple times? And again I would argue that if you have done your job well, I understand the importance of those in between moments the first time I see them. I don't need multiple reviews of those moments.
The worst instance for me was in the finale. This is arguably the most important moment in the series, Tau & Tep are revealing their innermost feelings, but rather than stay in the moment and let us experience it, they cut away between every 3 or 4 words (not even complete sentences) to show us the same filler moments for the 1000th time. I watched the whole series. I know how their relationship has evolved. I want to watch them get fake married, not see them riding a bike. ARGH!
I have 3 other issues. Perhaps I missed it (but I will never go back and rewatch this series to find out, so maybe some of you can help me out.) When Tep's mother realizes she may have inadvertantly broken them up, she encourages Tep to call Tau and sort it out. But he doesn't (right?). In fact, when he shows up for the party, Tau believes him when he says he's in a relationship, and has to apologize for breaking up with him (seemingly for the first time). 1st issue... was that really an apology? Explain yourself. Tell your side of the story and make your lover understand. I'm sorry doesn't cut it. 2nd issue: So... Tep knows why Tau broke up with him... but he DOESN'T call? He avoids him for a year? You find out the love of your life made an incredible sacrifice and that in fact you could still end up together, but you don't call him? Then you return a year later and prank him ("I have a BF in LA") rather than reveal your true feelings. The pranking is well established, that's what these guys do... but honestly, realize when you should prank and when you should be open and honest. Then there's a time cut and miraculously they are back together without ever having hashed out the past. That's an important "in between" moment I would have liked to have seen. WHich brings me to issue 3: The big prank at the resort. 4-5 episodes of this? Ugh. What a HORRIBLE prank to pull on someone you love. To make him think that Ri was hitting on him, to promote jealousy... and you claim it's all in the name of love. That's cruel. Once Tep starts to get upset, any decent BF would pull him aside and comfort him, but not Tau. He didn't even have to reveal the prank, but he could still comfort his lover. This made me hate Tau. I don't care how sweet his words were after that. You put me through hell and then expect me to put on a wedding suit? As someone said here, "learn to read the room". I have other issues, minor story points, and directing choices but enough.
The acting was serviceable. I liked Nics best of all. I didn't dislike Biancx like many here. Nin and Makisig were okay. The leads were decent. I have to admit, I watched this on my phone, so some of the subtlety was lost on me. I'm not sure I saw actual tears ever. But again, that could just be due to screen size. The script was also very repetitive (and I'm not even talking about the filler). In one scene, I counted characters say the same phrase 8 times, and not for effect. It was just lazy writing, not moving the story or the scene forward at all. So frustrating.
While I would certainly like to watch a Pangs series, I WON'T. Because I'm afraid the writer and director will make all the same bad choices they made here. And In Between Season 2 is a definite non-starter. Great potential. Wasted.
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