Beatrice
This review may contain spoilers
A mixed bag with a rewarding bright gem in the midst
Y Destiny varies wildly in quality like a lot of anthology type storytelling, there are many lows, but their high point is well executed artistry. The Kaeng and Puth storyline in Eps 9 & 10 that's wrapped up in ep 15 and their own special 10 minute epilogue is stunningly compelling. I would also suggest watching their scenes as supporting roles in episode 5 & 6 for a extra context of their state of minds as well as their Dear Friend cover music video done in character that's a beautifully aching encapsulation of the relationship.
Though I would rate the show at a 5 and the Kaeng Puth storyline separately at a 9, there are things I liked about the show such as the conceit of having the characters take turn being supporting characters does add additional dimension to them outside of what he see when they are in their romance plots and seeing events from a slightly different point of view as a when scenes from one story happens before or concurrently as a plot point from another story. The contrast of genre tones of the other couples worked well to compound to tragic reality at one point in the KaengPuth storyline in particular. I really enjoyed the styling, such as the creative take on the university uniform for both the general one everyone wears to the personalized takes the characters have and their personal wardrobe and color schemes also feel intentional and adds to the characterization. The use of flashbacks of new scenes to add additional information is also efficient to add more development in the limited episode time.
A review of each storyline on their own before the strongest one:
Tue Ake Ep 1 & 2 The key part of portraying them growing feelings for each other was a miss in all departments.
Nuea Sun EP 3 & 4 features actors Max and Nat switching up their dynamic with Nat playing the confident one and Max playing the cute one works really well.
Team Mon Ep 5 & 6 On it's own it's about a naïve freshman being having his emotions played with for a game by a older Scorer, which also sets up the complications for Kaeng and Puth later.
Thur Pao/Pae Ep 7 & 8 is where supernatural and magical elements are introduced as being real in this world. It almost gave Thur a bit more complexity as a character, but it didn't and the way he is both meeting and reuniting with Pae has no impact because he's a totally different person in life than he is in death, they didn't lay any connection to make it a meaningful story.
Sat Choke Eps 11 & 12 A magical realism episode with time travel through that's inspired by 13 going on 30 expect this is 11 going on 18, which gives very disturbing feelings while watching this 11 year old in a adult body doing adult things.
Masuk Tir & Jia Eps 13 & 14 The final story was a swing and a miss. I understand the intention of a moving portrayal of handling grief, the but the execution was atrociously done. It was also a missed opportunity they didn't bother continuing with or building on any of the set up about spirits and the spirit world that was introduced in Thur's story.
Kaeng Puth Eps 9 & 10 They have the heaviest relationship development despite the friends with benefits set up. The storyline is incredibly well acted by respective actors who are refreshingly committed to their characters without any personal ego and has the skills to to disappear into them on screen. 10 out of 10 score just for them. Extra shoutout to First who was just 18 or 19, not many actors his age has the capability. The storyline is intense, mature, and realistic, not just in terms of the sexuality that is depicted but the layered emotions and the complexities of the relationship . Their story has the most build up from the sidelines of the other stories, particularly Mon's where their appearances inform the history of their story. There are so many intricately placed meaningful details of the story that span from their support appearances, to their main episodes, show finale, and their epilogue that totally respects the audience's intelligence, which is good writing, well directed, and edited as well. The whole KaengPuth storyline is the very rewatchable and worth revisiting.
In a show with ghosts and time travel, the most compelling story is of the complexities of human relationships.
Though I would rate the show at a 5 and the Kaeng Puth storyline separately at a 9, there are things I liked about the show such as the conceit of having the characters take turn being supporting characters does add additional dimension to them outside of what he see when they are in their romance plots and seeing events from a slightly different point of view as a when scenes from one story happens before or concurrently as a plot point from another story. The contrast of genre tones of the other couples worked well to compound to tragic reality at one point in the KaengPuth storyline in particular. I really enjoyed the styling, such as the creative take on the university uniform for both the general one everyone wears to the personalized takes the characters have and their personal wardrobe and color schemes also feel intentional and adds to the characterization. The use of flashbacks of new scenes to add additional information is also efficient to add more development in the limited episode time.
A review of each storyline on their own before the strongest one:
Tue Ake Ep 1 & 2 The key part of portraying them growing feelings for each other was a miss in all departments.
Nuea Sun EP 3 & 4 features actors Max and Nat switching up their dynamic with Nat playing the confident one and Max playing the cute one works really well.
Team Mon Ep 5 & 6 On it's own it's about a naïve freshman being having his emotions played with for a game by a older Scorer, which also sets up the complications for Kaeng and Puth later.
Thur Pao/Pae Ep 7 & 8 is where supernatural and magical elements are introduced as being real in this world. It almost gave Thur a bit more complexity as a character, but it didn't and the way he is both meeting and reuniting with Pae has no impact because he's a totally different person in life than he is in death, they didn't lay any connection to make it a meaningful story.
Sat Choke Eps 11 & 12 A magical realism episode with time travel through that's inspired by 13 going on 30 expect this is 11 going on 18, which gives very disturbing feelings while watching this 11 year old in a adult body doing adult things.
Masuk Tir & Jia Eps 13 & 14 The final story was a swing and a miss. I understand the intention of a moving portrayal of handling grief, the but the execution was atrociously done. It was also a missed opportunity they didn't bother continuing with or building on any of the set up about spirits and the spirit world that was introduced in Thur's story.
Kaeng Puth Eps 9 & 10 They have the heaviest relationship development despite the friends with benefits set up. The storyline is incredibly well acted by respective actors who are refreshingly committed to their characters without any personal ego and has the skills to to disappear into them on screen. 10 out of 10 score just for them. Extra shoutout to First who was just 18 or 19, not many actors his age has the capability. The storyline is intense, mature, and realistic, not just in terms of the sexuality that is depicted but the layered emotions and the complexities of the relationship . Their story has the most build up from the sidelines of the other stories, particularly Mon's where their appearances inform the history of their story. There are so many intricately placed meaningful details of the story that span from their support appearances, to their main episodes, show finale, and their epilogue that totally respects the audience's intelligence, which is good writing, well directed, and edited as well. The whole KaengPuth storyline is the very rewatchable and worth revisiting.
In a show with ghosts and time travel, the most compelling story is of the complexities of human relationships.
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