gela
Unironically Interesting
This is a series that you either absolutely love or hate, I don't think there could be an in-between. If you're someone who deeply cares about good writing and story-telling, this is probably not the right series for you. But if you're like me and love morally fucked characters and non-stop drama, you're going to absolutely adore this.
I'll get the bad stuff out of the way first:
1. It loses its direction quite a bit because of the insane amount of side stories. I don't hate this because it's still easy enough to follow, but not all side stories are essential to the main plot. This series could've benefit from someone in the writing room saying "maybe that's enough" at one point. Because of the insane amount of side plots, they did not really have time to flesh out any of the issues fully. I know the issues of drugs, prostitution, grooming, and murder do come hand in hand a lot but it would have been heaps better if they had one topic in the spotlight the entire series rather than have each of these issues take turns being in the spotlight. It is a little bit too ambitious for its own good unfortunately.
2. Not all characters were made equal. I wish I could say that I will still remember all the characters next week, but I know that I will definitely forget at least half of them. Unfortunately, some of the characters are literal dozens. I'm not even talking about the morally black characters, those people are still memorable. I'm talking about characters like Jump, the reporter, Captain's boyfriend whose name I've already forgotten, and tons of others. Even Porsche is so uninteresting compared to his other friends. Honestly if they were going to put this many people in the series, they have to make sure that each of them are interesting at least.
3. Intentions and motives aren't very clear. I think one of the reasons that the ratings are this low is because the characters are not the easiest to connect to. It is so important to ensure that even if your main character is an absolute piece of shit, the audience can still understand why they are that way. Unfortunately I think the motives established here is just not enough for most people which alienated a huge portion of the initial audience.
4. Too many buttcheeks. I've worked in hospitals and aged care where I see ass on the daily but this series still contained way too many buttcheeks for my liking.
Now onto the good:
1. Trigger warning is very clear. This was very obviously a "watch at your own risk" series so people know what they are in for. None of the shady stuff done in the series are romanticized in any way and this actually speaks about consent in a more authentic manner compared to even the fluffiest BLs. All of the characters are morally grey at best but the series never really disguised them as anything else which I fully appreciate.
2. Touched on complex issues without downplaying the seriousness of the situation.
3. This series is genuinely interesting which is not something I can always say when it comes to thai BLs. A lot of action or darker series often fail at making me care about the action side of the series because of how much emphasis they put on the romantic storyline. The action becomes secondary and oftentimes feels like a filler in between the romance scenes. This series is different because I care about the plot as much as I care about the relationships.
4. Series is sex-positive and doesn't demonize kinks. I love that this series doesn't shy away from casual sex, kink exploration, adventurous sex even after getting in a relationship. I find that a lot of series involving casual sex often end up going into the "We're going to stick with vanilla sex now because I'm in love with you and I want to make love instead of fuck" which is hugely annoying to me. People can be in love and still have rough sex if they want to! I'm glad that this series doesn't go down that road.
5. Chemistry between actors were amazing. This doesn't only apply to the romantic couples because at one point I was kinda rooting for Zouey and Nont/Nant to get together. Their friendship is seriously so homoerotic and their tension is just so tangible.
6. Prom is so hot. I want him.
Overall, this series is definitely not for everyone but I absolutely adore this. I am wishing for a season two and I hope Zouey and Nont kiss at one point because they obviously want each other.
I'll get the bad stuff out of the way first:
1. It loses its direction quite a bit because of the insane amount of side stories. I don't hate this because it's still easy enough to follow, but not all side stories are essential to the main plot. This series could've benefit from someone in the writing room saying "maybe that's enough" at one point. Because of the insane amount of side plots, they did not really have time to flesh out any of the issues fully. I know the issues of drugs, prostitution, grooming, and murder do come hand in hand a lot but it would have been heaps better if they had one topic in the spotlight the entire series rather than have each of these issues take turns being in the spotlight. It is a little bit too ambitious for its own good unfortunately.
2. Not all characters were made equal. I wish I could say that I will still remember all the characters next week, but I know that I will definitely forget at least half of them. Unfortunately, some of the characters are literal dozens. I'm not even talking about the morally black characters, those people are still memorable. I'm talking about characters like Jump, the reporter, Captain's boyfriend whose name I've already forgotten, and tons of others. Even Porsche is so uninteresting compared to his other friends. Honestly if they were going to put this many people in the series, they have to make sure that each of them are interesting at least.
3. Intentions and motives aren't very clear. I think one of the reasons that the ratings are this low is because the characters are not the easiest to connect to. It is so important to ensure that even if your main character is an absolute piece of shit, the audience can still understand why they are that way. Unfortunately I think the motives established here is just not enough for most people which alienated a huge portion of the initial audience.
4. Too many buttcheeks. I've worked in hospitals and aged care where I see ass on the daily but this series still contained way too many buttcheeks for my liking.
Now onto the good:
1. Trigger warning is very clear. This was very obviously a "watch at your own risk" series so people know what they are in for. None of the shady stuff done in the series are romanticized in any way and this actually speaks about consent in a more authentic manner compared to even the fluffiest BLs. All of the characters are morally grey at best but the series never really disguised them as anything else which I fully appreciate.
2. Touched on complex issues without downplaying the seriousness of the situation.
3. This series is genuinely interesting which is not something I can always say when it comes to thai BLs. A lot of action or darker series often fail at making me care about the action side of the series because of how much emphasis they put on the romantic storyline. The action becomes secondary and oftentimes feels like a filler in between the romance scenes. This series is different because I care about the plot as much as I care about the relationships.
4. Series is sex-positive and doesn't demonize kinks. I love that this series doesn't shy away from casual sex, kink exploration, adventurous sex even after getting in a relationship. I find that a lot of series involving casual sex often end up going into the "We're going to stick with vanilla sex now because I'm in love with you and I want to make love instead of fuck" which is hugely annoying to me. People can be in love and still have rough sex if they want to! I'm glad that this series doesn't go down that road.
5. Chemistry between actors were amazing. This doesn't only apply to the romantic couples because at one point I was kinda rooting for Zouey and Nont/Nant to get together. Their friendship is seriously so homoerotic and their tension is just so tangible.
6. Prom is so hot. I want him.
Overall, this series is definitely not for everyone but I absolutely adore this. I am wishing for a season two and I hope Zouey and Nont kiss at one point because they obviously want each other.
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