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Manner of Death thai drama review
Completed
Manner of Death
1 people found this review helpful
by bavinshrine
Sep 7, 2021
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

Watch it. You'll regret it if you won't.

Okay. First off. I've always, always been here for Maxtul, but I could never rewatch any of their other series because of A. They contained major queer stereotyping and internalized homophobia, buuuuuttt it's like MoD took a 360 and turn around all this homophobia and I'm here for it. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I thought this is one of the few shows that did a good representation of us. So anyways unto the series.


1. Setting: Viangpha Mork definitely has those dark, gloomy, inky atmospheres that either make you feel cold or sleepy. IDK why but it does that for me. And so I thought it didn't need to be all that to be mysterious or eery, but it kinda helps with the setting, I guess? Altho it's more on the post-production than the actual place, so there's that. (But the place they used as Viangpha Mork is sooooo beautiful tho? If I ever go to Thailand, I'd definitely. definitely go there.) Anyway, they wanted to portray a little town, where even in its close-knit community, has ill powers lurking everywhere. And that's just how it is in real life anyway. Like the abortion clinic, and the murderer aspect. It kinda gave it the extra mystery because of how tiny and close-knitted their community is, it still shows they only know so little, just above the surface. It was a good touch. But I still think you can do that without it looking like "Forks" or "Collinsport" yk? But Tan's house was a dream tho. I'd love to have one myself.

2. Writing: Goddamn. I think this is the first time I've seen a MURDER/MYSTERY/THRILLER CRIME Series, where the characters have no qualms of going around, leaving their goddamn fingerprints everywhere. I mean it could be because of how small the town is, they didn't have equipment for these? IDK but damn. Not even a single cloth finger gloves like the magicians use? I mean but well, it's kinda minor tho. and the other issue is how Bun is like the all-around doctor in the series. I mean it could be because he's the only surgeon in the town? and so he has multiple cases of different stuff? Like at one point it seemed like he was in the ER, in the surgery room as well. But I think he's supposed to be just a pathologist tho? Maybe? Or maybe they decided to change it up and made him into the chief surgeon who also does autopsies? I personally think that's how it is. Anyway, the rest of the writing was super good tho. Like how they make characters seem like it is, then make them the good guys again, then the bad guys in the next scene. It was good. It wasn't extra. Just natural and subtle. It's like the ONLY guy who I know is the good guy is Dr. Bun and that for me, made it even more exciting.

3. Actors: Well as you can all see (or will see when you start watching) everyone in this series are such eye candies. Every single one of them. Yes, I know some people will not agree. But to each his own. But they were all good-looking people goddamn. OMFG. My bisexual self just kept on rising and getting on edge every episode goddamn. But what I loved about it more is how most of their actors are new in the BL scene. Like they are in the entertainment industry, but not in BL. And I think that's amazing because it means that this series was recognized to be a Crime/mystery/ thriller, not just as BL. I understand that there are a lot of actors that are not comfortable acting in such because to each his own, but damn, the number of fresh faces I saw there excited me to no end. The only familiar face there is Dr. Oat and MaxTul, and Tan's brother, but YK. Amazing.

4. Acting: The actors acted superbly, for a crime series, and IDK that made it even more amazing for me because, FINALLYYYY no one is fangirling, shipping, or drooling over the hot guys. IT WAS SUCH A RELIEF. I'm so done with the usual roles of girls in the BL series. I'm not just talking bout the fangirls, also how most girls in BL acted. Either they want their male friends to be gay and ship them with other guys, or how their gay friend automatically is supposed to be the fashion icon just because they're gay. Like, stop it, people. Their sexuality does not dictate their fashion choices stop it. And well some actors definitely need improvement, and will ofc become better with more projects to come, but overall, it was the best at their current limitations and capabilities and I love that for them.

5. Cinematography: Idk what else to say. One of the very few Thai BL series that took my breath away with their camera work. it was quite simple? Like I mean it wasn't unique in the crime/thriller series to have unique angles to give it the ominous aura, but for a BL? This made me so happy. Their exploration and their ambition to produce variety in the BL scene made me so happy. It's FINALLYYYYYY. Thailand, please produce more quality series, please.

Overall, it wasn't a perfect series, but for me? It was PERFECT. It was everything I needed and more. A BL series where the BL plot isn't the driving force of the show but instead overshadowed by the murder mystery plot, and the showcase of issues and the reality of our society? I mean, someone better stand up and show me that. That's amazing. And what's makes it even better is that this can serve as a starting point or a booster for other producers who's been wanting to bring something different in the Thai BL scene, but were hesitant for the market's reception. I hope this shows them that even with all the toxic fanatism in the industry, there are those that came for the show and the representation. And I hope it shows them that the market is growing bigger and diverse and that it's more than okay to explore and go beyond what's bringing more money in.

Anyway, I've said so much now. WATCH IT PLEASE. POR FAVOR. Have an open mind, watch it for it is, without any expectation. Just watch it.
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