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This review may contain spoilers
The White Ending
There were many aspects that made this enjoyable. A childhood romance defying the boundaries of class and money surviving to the end. It lived up to the melodramatic formula without missing a beat. The over dramatization, the unbelievable kow-towing , the histrionics and the happy ending at all cost.
Phob and Thin undying love was beautiful and excessive. Reaching past the doomed lovers phase, it stretched beyond and landed in impossible. They found the rings next to Phob's body, held vigils for his death, mourned him dearly and then he shows up in the last five minutes with a flimsy story. Villagers found him and nursed him back to health. After a gun shot and a nearby bomb blast rendered him immovable and unconscious, he returns. So during his lengthy recovery, did he not feel to send word to Tin and his mother? Why would he have to hide since his side won? The ending still would have been lovely had he returned earlier, then both of them getting invitations and them declaring never to part. Also, while they both cried beautifully, it was a tad overdone. Still Inn and Ongsa were perfect for the part. I cannot fault their acting just the direction.
Grandma's character was the most stable. Outrage when she felt slighted by Phob for her kindness and feeling betrayed. Flexible at the end of her life to see what’s important and not too proud or blinded by wealth to not adapt to the changes. I was sad to see her go but her demise was well played and in the company of the one who deserved her love. I especially liked when she asked Phob for Vasin and Chat's safety as Vasin was still her son. That was the most honest scene throughout.
Now we get to the three stooges: Vasin, Chat and Nual.
Vasin being born into wealth and power and seeing it lost in his generation was understandably outraged and threatened. Still what was not forgivable was him thinking that because of it he was better than anyone else. Other royals adapted, he led his son to their end with his closed mind. He was a terrible father from beginning to end and in every way possible. The jail scene with Chat was obscene as it was filled with lies. Had he truly loved his son, he would not have waited so long to show it. Chat did not make it easy. He was hard to love.
Chat was an elitist idiot and an overdramatic one at that. Being compared to his perfect brother was the excuse. What is the excuse for him being despicable to Phob because he was poor? Never taking accountability for his actions to the end. Vasin saw him for what he was - stupid. As I said, their apologies in the cell felt hollow. Laying his head on his father’s lap was overacted and humorous. At least to me. He was the comic relief with his cluelessness to the obvious. I usually love Pond but for his last three portrayals, I'm a bit disappointed. Again, it may be what the director wanted.
Nual. She infuriated more that Chat. How can someone live their lives with their backs bent and on their knees to the detriment of their own child. Her mindset was and stayed the same. She was born to be a servant, grateful for the little and angered that her son wanted a better life for everyone. Providing a service is one thing, thinking that being in servitude for life is a blessing, is another. Her crying at the end brought no joy. I did not fault her for thinking that her son would destroy Thin but when she knew better, she still didn't do better.
Jan and Siri showed opposites end of the system and I liked how respectful it was done.
The depiction of the 'changes' was done with enough realism to show that only money was the divide. Power held was abused by whomever wielded it.
I enjoyed the 10 ep more than the last because of how it was tied up for the surprise effect of Phob's return.
Phob and Thin undying love was beautiful and excessive. Reaching past the doomed lovers phase, it stretched beyond and landed in impossible. They found the rings next to Phob's body, held vigils for his death, mourned him dearly and then he shows up in the last five minutes with a flimsy story. Villagers found him and nursed him back to health. After a gun shot and a nearby bomb blast rendered him immovable and unconscious, he returns. So during his lengthy recovery, did he not feel to send word to Tin and his mother? Why would he have to hide since his side won? The ending still would have been lovely had he returned earlier, then both of them getting invitations and them declaring never to part. Also, while they both cried beautifully, it was a tad overdone. Still Inn and Ongsa were perfect for the part. I cannot fault their acting just the direction.
Grandma's character was the most stable. Outrage when she felt slighted by Phob for her kindness and feeling betrayed. Flexible at the end of her life to see what’s important and not too proud or blinded by wealth to not adapt to the changes. I was sad to see her go but her demise was well played and in the company of the one who deserved her love. I especially liked when she asked Phob for Vasin and Chat's safety as Vasin was still her son. That was the most honest scene throughout.
Now we get to the three stooges: Vasin, Chat and Nual.
Vasin being born into wealth and power and seeing it lost in his generation was understandably outraged and threatened. Still what was not forgivable was him thinking that because of it he was better than anyone else. Other royals adapted, he led his son to their end with his closed mind. He was a terrible father from beginning to end and in every way possible. The jail scene with Chat was obscene as it was filled with lies. Had he truly loved his son, he would not have waited so long to show it. Chat did not make it easy. He was hard to love.
Chat was an elitist idiot and an overdramatic one at that. Being compared to his perfect brother was the excuse. What is the excuse for him being despicable to Phob because he was poor? Never taking accountability for his actions to the end. Vasin saw him for what he was - stupid. As I said, their apologies in the cell felt hollow. Laying his head on his father’s lap was overacted and humorous. At least to me. He was the comic relief with his cluelessness to the obvious. I usually love Pond but for his last three portrayals, I'm a bit disappointed. Again, it may be what the director wanted.
Nual. She infuriated more that Chat. How can someone live their lives with their backs bent and on their knees to the detriment of their own child. Her mindset was and stayed the same. She was born to be a servant, grateful for the little and angered that her son wanted a better life for everyone. Providing a service is one thing, thinking that being in servitude for life is a blessing, is another. Her crying at the end brought no joy. I did not fault her for thinking that her son would destroy Thin but when she knew better, she still didn't do better.
Jan and Siri showed opposites end of the system and I liked how respectful it was done.
The depiction of the 'changes' was done with enough realism to show that only money was the divide. Power held was abused by whomever wielded it.
I enjoyed the 10 ep more than the last because of how it was tied up for the surprise effect of Phob's return.
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