6
3
This review may contain spoilers
Sisters united will never be defeated!
If I'm honest, this series feels same-y after a couple of eps. Our leads face challenges, but there is a disconnect as their world is quite different from our mundane reality. It is just as well the playing field is a lot more level than expected. This is largely due to a strong cast and a good script.
Is this show perfect? No, there are issues. When it is good, it is very good though.
Several factors are at play here. First and fore most, the relationship of our female leads are complicated. Most shows would either forge an unbreakable bond between strangers brought together under extreme circumstances or they are sworn sisters with long and storied history. Our writers forgot to read the memo. ;)
The 1FL (screenwriter) and 2FL (society wife) met in college and became firm friends. They fell out several years later and only reconnected recently. When we met them, they are guarded around each other and are more like frenemies than BFF's.
The 3FL (actress) is a late addition. The 2FL befriended her because her husband is hitting on her. As the saying goes, keep your friends close and your enemies closer . . ;) However, true friendship evolved over time once the initial misunderstanding is cleared up.
As sisters by different mothers, they show their true colours when trouble comes knocking. I can never forget the scene when the 2FL rushed to comfort the 1FL the same day she suffered a devastating personal tragedy. That's good storytelling.
Secondly, the 1FL likes to break the 4th wall by addressing us directly. It is delivered quite naturally and is well integrated into the narrative. Thankfully, the writers don't abuse this.
Finally, most of the male leads are flawed (surprise!). The 2ML, in particular, is a piece of work. He can't stop chasing skirts and yet he roleplays the good father/husband with consummate skill. Consider they married for love, his son is cute as a button and his wife is beautiful and in her prime while being an asset to his business, his actions left me cold.
On the other hand, the 1ML is nowhere near as bad. He has commitment phobia and he is called "Mr. Red Flag" by female acquaintances as he moves from one casual fling to another even as he approaches four decades of existence.
The only exception is 1ML-2 (I won't call him 3ML as that implies he is tied to the 3FL. He arrived on the scene after the 1FL broke up with the original 1ML.) He is a handsome and righteous young man. He is 9 years younger than our 1FL though. She wasn't looking for a noona romance and pushed back quite hard. He is not a happy camper.
My biggest issue with this drama is probably the tropey themes on display. We have quite a collection. Infidelity, commitment issues, abuse of power, predatory behaviours and the list goes on. I know they are drama staples. I can't shake the feeling of deja vu.
Let's move onto some positives. Our FL's have depth. The 1FL is a screenwriter which gives her insights into human natures. She also knows how to lay a cunning trap when one is called for. Talking about occupational hazard!
The 2FL is pigeon holed into a supportive wife/mother role, but she is no fool. Michelle Chen backs it up with some fine performance. There are scenes that will resonate with many.
The 3FL is probably the weaker link. While she is mentally strong, she has to play a meek girl while she is looking for a toe hold. The underbelly of the entertainment industry is coal black. Unfortunately, her experience is more illustrative than illuminating.
Thankfully, our FL's are not defenceless wall flowers. When they are backed into a corner, the claws do come out and they are sharp and possibly dipped in poison.
I also appreciate the honest and often cutting dialogue. Our ensemble of experienced actors delivered them with panache.
In the end, this series surprised me. What I assumed to be a straight forward female centric drama turns out to be a lot more "entertaining".
The bonds between our FL's are intricate and defies simple labels. The male leads' antics spiced up the story. Their sisterhood are often tested. It will bend, but it will not break. When the chips are down, you know who you'd call. ;)
Is this show perfect? No, there are issues. When it is good, it is very good though.
Several factors are at play here. First and fore most, the relationship of our female leads are complicated. Most shows would either forge an unbreakable bond between strangers brought together under extreme circumstances or they are sworn sisters with long and storied history. Our writers forgot to read the memo. ;)
The 1FL (screenwriter) and 2FL (society wife) met in college and became firm friends. They fell out several years later and only reconnected recently. When we met them, they are guarded around each other and are more like frenemies than BFF's.
The 3FL (actress) is a late addition. The 2FL befriended her because her husband is hitting on her. As the saying goes, keep your friends close and your enemies closer . . ;) However, true friendship evolved over time once the initial misunderstanding is cleared up.
As sisters by different mothers, they show their true colours when trouble comes knocking. I can never forget the scene when the 2FL rushed to comfort the 1FL the same day she suffered a devastating personal tragedy. That's good storytelling.
Secondly, the 1FL likes to break the 4th wall by addressing us directly. It is delivered quite naturally and is well integrated into the narrative. Thankfully, the writers don't abuse this.
Finally, most of the male leads are flawed (surprise!). The 2ML, in particular, is a piece of work. He can't stop chasing skirts and yet he roleplays the good father/husband with consummate skill. Consider they married for love, his son is cute as a button and his wife is beautiful and in her prime while being an asset to his business, his actions left me cold.
On the other hand, the 1ML is nowhere near as bad. He has commitment phobia and he is called "Mr. Red Flag" by female acquaintances as he moves from one casual fling to another even as he approaches four decades of existence.
The only exception is 1ML-2 (I won't call him 3ML as that implies he is tied to the 3FL. He arrived on the scene after the 1FL broke up with the original 1ML.) He is a handsome and righteous young man. He is 9 years younger than our 1FL though. She wasn't looking for a noona romance and pushed back quite hard. He is not a happy camper.
My biggest issue with this drama is probably the tropey themes on display. We have quite a collection. Infidelity, commitment issues, abuse of power, predatory behaviours and the list goes on. I know they are drama staples. I can't shake the feeling of deja vu.
Let's move onto some positives. Our FL's have depth. The 1FL is a screenwriter which gives her insights into human natures. She also knows how to lay a cunning trap when one is called for. Talking about occupational hazard!
The 2FL is pigeon holed into a supportive wife/mother role, but she is no fool. Michelle Chen backs it up with some fine performance. There are scenes that will resonate with many.
The 3FL is probably the weaker link. While she is mentally strong, she has to play a meek girl while she is looking for a toe hold. The underbelly of the entertainment industry is coal black. Unfortunately, her experience is more illustrative than illuminating.
Thankfully, our FL's are not defenceless wall flowers. When they are backed into a corner, the claws do come out and they are sharp and possibly dipped in poison.
I also appreciate the honest and often cutting dialogue. Our ensemble of experienced actors delivered them with panache.
In the end, this series surprised me. What I assumed to be a straight forward female centric drama turns out to be a lot more "entertaining".
The bonds between our FL's are intricate and defies simple labels. The male leads' antics spiced up the story. Their sisterhood are often tested. It will bend, but it will not break. When the chips are down, you know who you'd call. ;)
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