nyxsian

GIRLIEEEEEEEEEE 😭😭😭

First of all, I genuinely forgot how BEAUTIFUL Inn is until he appeared on screen and I just—

PAUSE.
REWIND.
SQUINT.

“Why is he glowing like that??? Who authorized this face card???”

GAH DAMN.

And can we talk about GMMTV lately??? WHY ARE THE SERIES GOOD??? HELLO??? I used to sit there judging and now I’m like… was I the problem? Was I tasteless? Was I blind??? Because this series almost.. ALMOST had me SOBBING. And I do not cry over series.

I watch people die in dramas like 🙂. But this one??? It tugged. It poked. It whispered, “feel something.” And I hated that I liked it. Anyway, let’s break this down before I spiral.

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a) Plot - FORBIDDEN LOVE BUT MAKE IT STRESSFUL

So the story revolves around Rati and Thee being in love during a time when society said “no ❤️” to anything outside hetero tradition. Watching this series felt like I was holding my breath every episode. Every time Thee grabbed Rati’s hand in PUBLIC I was screaming internally like:

“WHY ARE YALL HOLDING HANDS IN PUBLIC???”
“THEE PLEASE LOOK AROUND.”
“YOU ARE FROM A NOBLE FAMILY. PEOPLE HAVE EYES.”

Thee really said “idgaf.” And I was like "WELL I DO. I CARE. I AM SCARED FOR YOU.” The tension?? Delicious. Anxiety-inducing. Historic gay panic at its finest. Then the grandmother enters the chat. Grandma said: “Homosexuality? Not in this bloodline.” And of course she blames Rati. Because clearly the adopted French boy is the villain in her narrative. Speaking of which, Rati being adopted by a French man during political tension with France??? Working as a translator during France’s visit??? And then openly saying he considers himself French???

Oh grandma’s blood pressure was doing Muay Thai. The layers. The politics. The identity crisis. I was like okay… this is kind of eating. So now he’s:
• Gay
• French-adjacent
• Educated
• Close to Thee

Also, can we talk about the scene where Thee’s shirt got torn after chasing a thief and Rati just stood there looking at his chest??? THAT WAS HIS GAY AWAKENING AND YOU CANNOT TELL ME OTHERWISE 😭 You could SEE the “oh.” on his face.

“Why is my heart… racing?”
“Why am I staring?”
“Oh no.”

The concept of this series is basically forbidden love but make it double illegal. Moving to side pairing, we have Mek and Dech. Mek is a rickshaw carrier and Muay fighter. Dech is a literal noble baronet. So being gay is already one problem. Being gay with a servant??? Might as well hand him a knife and say “go ahead.” 😂

Their first meeting??? ICONIC. Blindfolded Muay fight. Dech fighting by listening to footsteps but then Mek wins so Dech becomes obsessed but DOESN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE. It’s giving enemies-to-lovers but make it a little bit sensual. Their relationship building from there? Chef’s kiss. BUT IF IT WERE ME??? I would’ve added a scene where they practice blindfold fighting together and Dech accidentally bumps into Mek’s chest and suddenly it’s breathing heavy, hands lingering, tension rising. Picture this:

Dech practicing blindfolded again. Accidentally bumps into Mek’s chest. Pauses. Hands linger too long.

Mek: “…are you okay?”
Dech: “Yes.”
Me: NOT OKAY.

HELLO??? WHY WAS THAT NOT WRITTEN??? Also the scene where Lord Ruj beats Mek and Mek cries??? I ALMOST LOST IT. The way he looked so hurt but still trying to be strong??? NO. I CANNOT DO THIS.

I actually love the memoir element. Rati writing down his feelings fits the title perfectly.

BUT.

Imagine if Thee found the memoir first. Didn’t know who wrote it. Fell in love with the words. Started searching for the writer. Only to find out it’s RATI??? THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

Also I wanted more angst.
I wanted them caught.
I wanted public scandal.
I wanted consequences.
I wanted drama.

The farewell scene between Thee and his grandmother almost got me. ALMOST. It was sad… but I wanted it to stab me deeper. I am an angst addict. I admit it. Also why are they obsessed with French but struggling to speak it 😭
Just use English babes. It’s less stressful for everyone.
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b) Characters - WHY IS EVERYONE SERVING??

✧ Rati played by Inn Sarin ✧

First of all... INN IS INSANELY BEAUTIFUL. Not only hot but can ACT. His French pronunciation started a bit stiff, I’m not gonna lie. It was giving Duolingo lesson 1. But it got better near the end and I was like SIR THAT’S TOO LATE I ALREADY JUDGED YOU.

Rati as a character though??? KING. He is not the typical “misunderstanding bottom who cries in the rain.” He’s rational. Firm. Gentle but strong. He trusts Thee. He doesn’t spiral over imaginary rivals. He knows who he is.

AND I LOVE THAT ❤️

Also he 100% knew he was gay before Thee did. There was no “what is this feeling towards a man.” No babe. He knew. He just fumbled because feelings are scary. Bottom coded but dignified. We love to see it.


✧ Thee played by Great Sapol ✧

THIS MAN GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK EVERY EPISODE. Why is he so touchy in PUBLIC??? SIR THIS IS OLD TIMES. PEOPLE ARE NOT PROGRESSIVE. But I respect that once he realized he loved Rati he was like “yeah I’m not marrying a woman. Try me.” His conflict with his grandmother? Pride vs love. Ego vs heart.

Also why did his French sound more natural to me??? And when he said “disrespectful” in English??? SIR YOU CAN DISRESPECT ME ANYTIME 😭


✧ Mek played by Aou Thanaboon ✧

Mek is adorable.

He never questioned loving Dech even though society said he should. He knew the class difference. He knew the risks. And he STILL chose him. CAN WE ALSO TALK ABOUT the kiss scene in Mek’s room??? FROM PECK TO FULL KISS??? BROOOOOOOO I WAS KICKING MY FEET. He plays the role so well that I feel Mek the most in the series especially the part when Mek became partially deaf and feared he couldn’t hear anymore but hid it from Dech??? That vulnerability??? Aou ate this role. I did NOT expect this range from him.

Also why does Aou’s French pronunciation sound better than Inn the literal teacher??? I was cackling.


✧ Dech played by Boom Tharatorn ✧

Okay I’ll admit it. I didn’t expect much because he doesn't interest me. But MISS GURLLLLL. Boom changed my mind. He expressed concern for Mek so well. His kisses??? Aggressive but in a good way 👀 Dech starts spoiled and prideful but not evil. That’s important. He’s just… privileged and confused and when his father was beating Mek and he just stood there being held back?? BOY. FIGHT. BITE. SCREAM. DO SOMETHING.

Still, his character development at the end? Soft. Cat-coded. Suddenly clingy and sweet.

I approve.

And the kissing? He did not look awkward. He understood the assignment. His chemistry with Aou also undeniable so that's that.


✧ Jam & Kui played by Best Ronnachat and Win Thanakom ✧

LOYAL SERVANTS OF THE YEAR.

They knew Thee liked Rati and they were worried but not because they were homophobic but because they were scared Rati would get blamed. They helped them meet secretly. Protected him. Stayed loyal until he left for France.

Side characters done RIGHT.


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c) OST

Historical OSTs never miss. Soft. Slightly tragic. Romantic.

I’m adding it to my playlist and pretending I’m yearning in the 1900s.

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d) Overall - The Final Emotional Damage Report

There were at least 5–10 scenes where I was kicking my feet at 3AM like a teenager.

Slow burn? Good.
Pacing? Good.
Acting? Consistent.

I didn’t get bored once. Will I rewatch? No. Not because it’s bad. But because I don’t rewatch series unless they absolutely ruin my life. Once is enough. I have processed the emotions.

Final rating: 9/10

The missing 1 point? I am an angst addict. I wanted MORE pain. MORE societal pressure. MORE emotional devastation. Still a really good watch. And yes, I am still sad that Great and Inn won’t continue pairing.

Life is unfair.