Reviews

Strong Chemistry, Devastating Ending

Honestly, this drama felt quite boring at the beginning and almost made me drop it. The pacing was slow, and nothing really stood out in the early episodes.

However, everything changed thanks to the incredible acting of the cast. Their visuals were definitely a bonus, but it was their performance that kept me going—and I’m so glad I didn’t give up.

As the story progressed, it became more engaging and emotionally captivating. The chemistry between the two main leads felt natural and heartwarming. The female lead is shy, sweet, and adorable, while the male lead is protective and deeply caring—a combination that truly makes your heart flutter.

Towards the ending, the drama becomes intensely emotional and heartbreaking. There are many sacrifices and unexpected twists that completely caught me off guard. It’s not just a drama—it’s an emotional journey.

Overall, this drama is amazing, touching, and absolutely worth watching until the very end.
Thank you to all the cast and crew of Generation to Generation for creating such a memorable and impactful story

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My 4 years wait is worth it

Idk what everyone says, the storyline is very good and is different from other transmigration plots. The scenes are cinematically beautiful. The First episode was meant to be a little lighthearted and fun because nakhun from 21st century just went to past and he refuses to believe it and using his gen z mind. And honestly, he played the role very well. On today's date, after watching ep 2, i wanna say once again that the episode was cinematic beauty and the storyline is slowly moving into a serious mode. And as someone who has already read the novel, i wanna say it's worth giving it a try.

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Everything was BEAUTIFUL!

If you're looking for a slowburn romance, this is it!

I happened to discover this by chance through a TikTok edit. It's been a while since I got hooked in a modern cdrama, I binge-watched this in two days. The storyline is quite unique as it evolves on the female lead's lying problems and insecurities. I believe this is a good watch nowadays as people have insecurities which might cause problems with interpersonal relationships.

I really love the chemistry between the leads, they blended perfectly. I would really love to see them again in another romance drama. This is by far one of my favorite modern dramas to date, the story is light and has a mix of comedy and heartstopping romance.

THIS ONE IS A HIDDEN GEM. I hope many people will watch this, it deserves so much love! 💗

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So Much Happened… And Somehow Nothing Made Sense

Wow… there’s honestly a lot to unpack here, and I don’t even know where to start. I guess I’ll begin by saying I do applaud them for trying their best with the budget and resources they had. Looking at it from that perspective, the production isn’t terrible. But at the same time, there are so many issues that make this series really hard to watch and, at times, just straight-up unpleasant.

Plot-wise, it’s not horrible, but it’s very typical, especially for Chinese BL. You’ve got the whole stepbrother/half-brother dynamic, which is something they tend to do a lot. It always feels like they’re trying to sit right on that line between taboo and “technically okay.” On top of that, you get all the usual elements: heavy toxicity between characters, tons of trauma, and the whole rich family/mafia/gang situation mixed with drugs, gambling, and debt. None of that surprised me.

What did disappoint me is how poorly everything was executed. I get that it’s low budget and the actors are still pretty new, but between the script and the overall direction, it just doesn’t come together in a satisfying way.

Every single character has trauma...like, everyone. The cousin is probably the worst of them all, genuinely the most abusive character. The other male lead is also toxic, but he barely gets enough screen time for us to even fully understand him. Honestly, I’m still confused about who the actual main couple is supposed to be. The half-brother kind of just… exists? He goes along with everything like it’s normal, even in situations that are clearly not okay, like kidnapping and assault. It just feels like a lot of emotions weren’t expressed properly, or weren’t developed enough to feel real. Everything ends up feeling exaggerated and unrealistic.

The production itself is… okay for what it is. You can tell the budget is low, but it’s not the worst I’ve seen. With better resources, this could’ve been so much better. The music was actually one of the stronger points, it stood out more than I expected.

I really wish we got more of the second couple, the half-brothers. It honestly felt like they were supposed to be the main focus, but somewhere along the way, the story shifted toward the cousin and the kidnapped guy instead.
And the story as a whole? It’s a mess. It feels like a puzzle with missing pieces. There’s just so much going on, especially toward the end, and a lot of it is left unexplained.

Even the ending confused me. Like… isn’t Su Bei the kidnapped guy? And if so, isn’t he… gone? Wouldn’t the others recognize him? And why did it feel like no one really cared about what happened to him? He literally ends his life, and it’s just brushed off like nothing, his eyes get donated, and then everyone just moves on. That part really didn’t sit right with me.

I’ve seen people say there might be a season 2, and honestly, I kind of need that at this point because I’m so lost and I want answers. But if this is really how it ends, then I don’t think it’s worth getting into.

Overall, it’s a very low-quality series that lacks a lot of what makes a show actually enjoyable to watch. At the same time, I can appreciate the effort, they clearly tried, and in a way, that’s kind of admirable. But from a viewer’s perspective, the flaws are hard to ignore.

Also… I have to say, the bodyguard was lowkey the main character. The loyalty? Unmatched. That man carried.

Final rating: 6.5/10

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good drama, but they could have done more

A few months ago I finished watching the first episode and then stopped for a while. After the first episode, I knew that this drama was not for the faint of heart. I continued watching the drama a few days ago and finished it today. I find the drama exciting, but somehow it has lost some of its suspense. I hoped we would have seen something of his past and why he became the way he is. In episode 7 we probably saw his first victim, but we still don't know why he continued murders. I could imagine that it brought him feelings of happiness, like som. In the end, I had to cry, which I never would have believed possible. You could see sadness in his eyes, and I think he already knew that she was planning something. It also affected me emotionally when he said that he liked her. I think it's a good drama, but they could have made it more suspenseful, with more backstory and a longer relationship between the two.
The actors were veryyy good.

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One of the best power couples

I never thought I'd come across another couple as memorable as the one in The Story of Minglan... until now. The development between the FL/ML was superbly done and both leads were cast perfectly. They did incredibly well in the hard and soft characteristics for their roles - which led to great chemistry between the two. Something they did even better with this particular series is that the relationship developments between the secondary couples were almost equally as good (the empress was amazing). This is not a vain "love at first sight" type of romance but a very real type of growth with all the ups and downs relationships bring.

The plot was smooth and the pacing was on point. I really appreciate the time put into the growth development of the couple in the beginning and how their backstories kept you on your toes for quite a few episodes. While this is a romance-heavy series, it's not a sappy one and there are more than enough badass moments to keep it intriguing. Kudos to the entire cast for doing such a good job in their respective roles.

Negatives? Can't really find any other than wanting to have had more backstories on the rest of the cast and for the ending to have shown some more follow-ups. And although it might be a little slow moving in the beginning for some viewers, this isn't one that relies on heavy dramatization of events but rather one that is progressively thoughtful. For anyone who enjoyed The Story of Minglan, I'm almost certain you'll enjoy this one equally if not more. It's one of the series that made me sad towards the end, knowing there were only so many episodes left to go.

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Plot Enemies vs. Lovers (my fav), but a so poorly written Script

PLOT: Two playboys, Yai and Mangkorn, compete for the same girl and end up drugged, spending a passionate night together. Mangkorn now possesses the explicit video Yai wanted, and he gradually grows closer to Yai (a tiger turned kitten). However, their family relationships are complicated: Yai is still grieving the death of his mother and rejects his stepmother-to-be; Mangkorn wants to escape an arranged marriage with a childhood friend.

+++ The two actors, Moss and Bank (newcomers), are quite convincing, especially Moss, whose acting is more natural.
+++ Budget OK; sets, costumes, etc.
+++ Jeff Satur's OST
Story very focused on the romantic aspect.

### Poorly written story, with a very immature Yai character who behaves stupidly (lets himself be kissed against his will without reacting, refuses to listen to any explanation, etc.). He remains childish to the very end. Why do directors love to infantilize (and/or feminize) gay characters so much? Is'nt it homophobic ?

=> Overall quite frustrating series, despite Moss and Bank, whom I'd like to see in more substantial roles.
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Plot enemies to lovers, but a poorly written script

PLOT: 2 palyboys, Yai and Mangkorn, qui s'affrontent pr une fille, finissent drogués, par passer 1 nuit toride. Mangkorn détient désormais la video hot que Yai voulait, et il se rapproche peu à peu de Yai (tigre devenu chaton). Cpdt les relat° familiales des 2 sont compliquées : Yai ne s'est pas remis du DC de sa mère et refuse la step-mom-to-be ; Mangkorn (gay) veut échapper au mariage arrangé avec 1 amie d'enfance.

+++ Les 2 acteurs Moss & Bank, (novices) sont assez convaincants, surtt Moss qui a 1 jeu plus naturel.
+++ Budget OK ; décors, costumes, etc.
+++Jeff Satur's OST
Story très focus sur l'aspect romantique.

### Story mal écrite, avec un Yai très immature, au comportement stupide (se laisse embrasser contre son gré sans réagir, refuse d'écouter tte explication, etc.). Jusqu'au bout, il reste puéril щ(ಠ益ಠщ) Pourquoi les réalisateurs aiment tant infantiliser (et/ou féminiser) les personnages gay ?

=> Globalement assez frustrant, malgré Moss et Bank, que j'aimerai voir dans des rôles plus consistants.

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Checkmate of Desire

The Double is the kind of drama that drags you in with a single, devastatingly elegant move: a story of betrayal, vengeance, and unexpected alliances. It’s visually arresting, every frame composed like a painting, every costume and set carefully designed to signal wealth, power, and danger. But beyond the eye candy, it’s the slow, deliberate unfolding of Xue Fangfei and Duke Su’s game of wits and hearts that keeps you hooked.

What makes this drama sing are the performances. Wu Jinyan as Xue Fangfei channels raw, controlled intensity, her expressions carrying grief, anger, and cunning beyond words. Wang Xingyue’s Duke Su is the perfect counterpart: commanding, sharp, yet capable of subtle warmth that reveals his depth without undermining his dominance. Together, they are a force of nature, a fire tempered by strategy, chemistry sparking in every glance and calculated pause.

The revenge plot is precise and satisfying. There’s no wandering from its purpose, no sudden lapses into senseless melodrama. Every betrayal feels personal, every victory earned. While the story is full of plot holes and stretches historical believability, the way the narrative is arranged invites you to suspend disbelief and get carried away on this game of vengeance. Watching Xue Fangfei methodically reclaim what was stolen from her — and at times shield those she cares for — is gripping in ways that make the audience complicit in her schemes. And yet, amid all the plotting, the romance simmers beautifully. It never feels rushed, nor does it derail the main story. The love grows with careful tension, as if every move on this chessboard has emotional stakes that could ignite at any moment.

Supporting characters add texture without overwhelming the leads. Some villains initially appear flat, but later layers reveal motivations and flaws that make them interesting, while their eventual punishment remains wickedly satisfying. Even minor players leave an impression, contributing to a sense that this world exists beyond the immediate revenge.

It’s not flawless: pacing wobbles in the later episodes, some subplots overstay their welcome, and the finale doesn’t quite hit with the intensity the story sets up. These minor issues prevent it from reaching its full potential, but they hardly diminish the magnetism of the central narrative.

By the end, The Double delivers a rare combination: a story that is both visually intoxicating and emotionally potent, a revenge drama where the lead couple’s slow-burning bond is just as compelling as the machinations that surround them.

8.5/10 for enjoyment. Razor-sharp tension, smoldering chemistry, and a revenge that bites, even if a few pacing slips and ending issues stop it from hitting a full 9.

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A Letdown

This was a complete letdown and I cannot stress this enough... a waste of time. The last two episodes are infuriating. Suddenly the FL is now this mellow, calm, sweet and understanding person, like for the past six episodes they did not have her behaving in such despicable manner. Suddenly she goes to see his grandma, after spending all through the time never doing so. Suddenly his grandma “loves” her, without absolutely no backstory scene of them ever interacting. The FL is so manipulative, so self centered, such a self- inflicting sufferer and this redemption arc they are trying to give her in these last episodes makes her even more unlikable, I’m so serious. Goodness.

I also dislike how they wrote A-sol’s character in these last episodes. Made her look like she begging the ML for love. To be honest, she deserves better and ML is actually not worthy of her goodness. She is kind, empathetic, sweet, understanding, such a wonderful character. Now they’re making her look awkward in these episodes…nothing can ever make me dislike her. She was the best character in this show, hands down. Both ML and FL deserve each other…one is spineless, the other is always eager to break the little spine he gathers.

I’m glad this mess is over. If the writers think they’ve achieved something, they’re delusional. Never put Jinyoung in such a drama again please. Also If this was supposed to be a slice of life or realistic love then that’s really freaking depressing.

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From Sugar Water to Harsh Reality

This drama starts like sugar water… and ends in harsh reality.

Watching this show was a roller coaster of emotions.

The drama is clearly divided into three arcs, and each one feels very different in tone.

The first arc in Lin’an is very slice-of-life—relaxed, visually beautiful, and filled with charming characters. It’s the kind of beginning that eases you in and makes you want to keep watching just to see what comes next.

The second arc begins when Chang Yu leaves to search for her sister after her town is massacred by bandits. This is where her journey really starts, and I think it shows her development into a general well. She didn’t choose this path—she just wanted to protect the people she loved. Sometimes all it takes is one moment to push someone into something bigger. This part of the story still feels hopeful.

Then comes the final arc in the capital… and everything becomes heavier.

I went into this without reading the original novel, so I experienced it with a fresh perspective. The ending felt bittersweet, mainly because this is one of those stories where almost no one is truly evil—except the old king, who is really the root of a 17-year tragedy.

What stood out to me is how layered the characters are. The “villains” aren’t purely villains—they care deeply about others while also doing extreme things. The uncle slapping the king for scheming against his nephew—and the younger Sui showing care for his brother despite being a psychopath… those moments stay with you. People are complex, and I think that’s why the final arc feels so heavy and heartbreaking. People are willing to go to great lengths for those they love.

Maybe the last arc could have been executed differently, because the emotional weight is intense—but maybe that was the point. This show really goes from sugar water… to ginger water… to harsh reality. You see glimpses of that shift earlier, but the heaviness fully settles in at the end. Even the final scene adds to it—it’s a “what if” that will never come true, which makes everything feel even more bittersweet.

In terms of casting, I think everyone gave it their all—from the actors to the director. Visually, this drama is full of beautiful people.

Zhang Linghe and Deng Kai stand out the most visually. Tian Xiwei is always pretty, but her performance in the Lin’an arc was where she really shined—she felt natural and authentic.

Ren Hao, who played Wen Kan, even with a smaller role later on, did a great job showing his helplessness as he watched his grandfather make mistake after mistake. In a time where filial piety is so important, you really feel for him.

Guan Yunpeng, who played the emperor, and the actor who played his eunuch also stood out. The emperor was portrayed as such a cowardly, timid, and indecisive ruler that I almost understood him. But when his cowardice led him to place the blame on his most beloved eunuch, that moment was heartbreaking—especially because the eunuch still chose to take the fall and own up to everything.

Deng Kai’s role could have easily been overdone, but he made the character feel human. You could see the trauma, the obsession, but also the restraint and growth throughout the story.

As for Zhang Linghe, aside from the visuals, I think he did well with what the story gave him. The first arc builds a strong foundation for the leads, but in the capital arc, everything shifts. There’s no room for slow emotional growth anymore—it becomes about survival, so expression management is critical. It’s like poker—you can’t show emotions on your face. That’s likely why the romance takes a backseat to politics.

It’s like the story expands from a small pond of impact into an ocean of impact. In Lin’an, what happens there mostly stays there—but in the capital, decisions determine the life and death of an entire country. I’m okay with that kind of storytelling—the choices people make and the consequences they have to carry.

That’s why the ending feels bittersweet… and why, overall, I think it was a good show.

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When the Demon Meets the Demon Slayer

Wu Zhen is a county princess, sister to the empress, with a notorious reputation for being unruly and wild by frequenting a particular pleasure parlor, the Ruyi Pavilion, which is an unconventional practice for a respectable lady of noble birth. Little that people know, the boss of Ruyi Pavilion, Lady Huzhu is actually a fox demon and assistant to Wu Zhen, the current Cat Lord of the Demon City. A heavenly fire afflicting Chang’an 18years ago had changed her fate into a demi-demon as she is now, living her life as a human by day and demon by night. Because she needed to manage Demon City, she had to get out of the house at night with the pretense of frequenting the pleasure house, and this is how she scored the reputation of a notorious noblewoman chasing men one after another.

One day during her pleasure outings in the city, a particular Mei Zhuyu of the Mystic Department caught her eyes. Although just an unremarkable cousin of the notable renowned Mei family of Chang’an, Mei Zhuyu displayed an uncanny talent at solving mystical cases, thanks to his secret identity as Changxi Palace’s demon slayer. As demonic unrests began to unfold across Chang’an with the help of a sinister hidden hand that was also involved in the heavenly fire 18years prior, Cat Lord and Changxi Palace demon slayer raced to solve these cases, one focussed on retrieving the demons back to Demon City for punishment, while the other adamant on vanquishing them altogether, making them go head to head in the darkness but a loving couple in the lights.

The story started off really good and fast paced, the push and pull between the main leads as they dabble their secret identities throughout their relationship is pretty much interesting and not quite as cringy as i thought it would be. The action choreograph is rather good even with those supernatural powers being played on. I totally love the diversity of Serpent Lord’s character when she turned into her fiance Mei Si when he accidently swapped bodies with her. The actress played gender swap really well especially when she walk with the dress train. The actor who played Mei Si was really good during the gender swap too. The roundabout change of character and body posture of both actors is on point.

I especially liked how they managed to make the death of support character to be memorable and heartwrenching, mainly due to how the characters grew towards the end. The plot twist is very unpredictable, i had to commend on that.

However I found Xu Kai rather stiff here, not sure why, it didnt look like he had much chemistry with Tian Xiwei. It’s weird cuz I have seen many of Xu Kai’s work and although only three of Tian’s, they are obviously good actors. Unfortunately, somehow I felt the spark between their characters had been lacking. I had to admit this is definitely one of Xu Kai’s finest works that I have seen, it’s unfortunate that the chemistry didnt come through for me, else the rating wouldve been higher.

Not sure how it is in the novel, but I think the magnificient Cat Lord is a little too fragile as the story progressed throughout the show. She keeps getting injured one after another and frequently needing saving, and this definitely didnt bode well with me who prefer strong female characters. The beginning was awesome and the Cat Lord looks formidable and powerful, but this wanes gradually under the pretense of the mortal body weakening due to latent illness. I don’t mind a lead character that keeps getting injured and weak, my only pet peeve is when it’s a female character they just love to turn her into a damsel in distress so that male character would shine, despite her background being formidable and uncontested in the demon world. 🙄 Same goes to Serpent Lord, they managed to weaken this character so much that she could be rendered helpless with just a simple powder. So weak and yet they both were supposed to be co-leaders of the demon world 🫩😌.

But I can say I enjoyed the show despite my above grievance. Everyone acted well and the plot is good enough to keep me glued to the screen.

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A story that left me wanting for more, then episode 11 happened.

Watching this series in the first 10 episodes made me stop having a skipping through episodes problem. I haven't been enjoying a kdrama since maybe 2020 the way that I enjoyed the first 10 episodes, and I hoped that nothing would ruin it.

I loved all couples, all men were green flags, and none of the women were written as annoying or intolerable. It was a bit insane that I didn't have any character that I hated, it has been so long since I loved all main characters, so this was such a good surprise.

Chan and Haran were the type of couple I prayed to see in any media, they were communicating, no misunderstandings even though Chan was hiding things, they loved each other so much. Even for Chan, I totally understood the reasons why he couldn't say anything, it all made perfect sense. I loved the scene where Haran heard him talk to his grandma and she didn't dwell on it, she went in the car and immediately asked 'Hey so what was that about?'. She was an icon of communicating, it was sooo perfect.

Hayoung and Taeseok were also such a cute couple. Mr. Yeon's feelings were so obvious to everything around them lmao, yet he tried to bottle them up (spoiler alert, he couldn't). Hayoung was honestly my fav character in the entire series, she was just perfect (episode 10 Hayoung I will never forget you).

And then we have our teenage couple, Hadam and Yugyeom, and honestly at first I thought they would just be a moment to breathe between all that angst, but instead they brought tears to my eyes. They love each other so goddamn much, it was adorable to see.

Now, let's talk about episode 11. Tell me why the hell our communication queen Haran suddenly didn't listen when she had to listen? Her entire character was built on listening to Chan and waiting for him, but when she had to wait and listen, her whole personality changed. That episode absolutely ruined the way I view this kdrama. It felt like they wanted to prolong the drama and didn't know how else to do it because Haran was such a perfect character, so they ruined her. She was exactly how I wanted a character to be, she had flaws and she had strong points, and that was perfect. Listen, they could've made her have an entire panic attack and leave after Chan explained, because honestly all that information, plus Chan thinking he killed Hyeokchan, would make her spiral, but instead they choose to do the worst thing ever and make her unbearable to watch. I don't even know what they had in their minds. Did they think I would feel bad for her? NO?? If she had listened, then I would've, but that was sooo unnecessery.

Honestly, if episode 11 would've been different, this kdrama would've gotten a 10/10 in everything. It was a runner up for my top 1 kdramas of all time, and usually modern kdramas don't come close to my fav EVER. Which says just how much I loved the first 10 episodes. I had a hard time rating it, honestly. Because as much as I hate episode 11, I can't give it a bad rating because of the first 10 episodes. I'm sad.

Also, why the HELL did they use so much AI that was so fucking annoying bruh. In a kdrama about design and shit they keep using AI like that's such an insult i cant do this.

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Imperfect, but definitely worth a watch

This story has some unrealistic plot points, some uneven story telling, and meanders at times. But it also never fully unravels like so many other dramas these days. By the end it tells a coherent story that feels intentional and that shows real character growth and poignantly explores its themes.

I really enjoyed having 4 separate and quite different types of romances to follow, and that the usual leads love triangle was subverted by it being with her already-dead boyfriend. Watching the ML/FL slowly fall in love was really lovely and beautiful. But they definitely dragged out the secret storyline too far, to the point where it was getting frustrating to watch, and it made the character arcs more rough than they could have been. The resolution for 3 of the 4 couples was perfect, but the second couple, which was at times even more compelling than the leads, completely putters out by the end. That was one of the most disappointing aspects of the show.

I also loved the emphasis on the non-romantic relationships. On the connection between the sisters, on the different relationships that each character had with their parents, both dead (or treated as dead) and alive, both those they were born to and those that became a stand in through choice and love.

Some of the acting performances were better than others. Kim Tae Young is a sweetie, but felt out of his league in this drama and made the youngest couple's storyline weaker than it could have been. Interestingly Oh Ye Ju was my favorite of the sisters, I loved her in every scene and she kept the youngest couple's storyline grounded enough to enjoy regardless. Han Ji Hyeon, who I have really liked in other roles, felt a bit one note here, possibly because the writing didn't give her much other choice. Lee Sung Kyung has that enchanting bubbly warmth and genuineness she brings to every role, but she still struggles to show the more subtle and deeper emotional energy in the quieter moments that would have made her character feel truly layered and alive.

The standout by far was Chae Jong Hyeop. I've never seen him in anything before this, but he has my attention. It is a lot easier to make an impact with a smoldering, closed off, reserved, mysterious ML. A ML who is open, generous, and upbeat is much more challenging to make compelling. But his Chan had me engaged and rooting for him from the start. At first I was confused by how Chan's happiness felt subtly forced at times, but I came to realize as we learned more of his backstory that each smile was an active choice, a decision to be happy in that moment, and you really felt this hard-earned hope and resilience stubbornly burning and alight even through all his moments of loneliness, fear, and pain. It made him seem so alive and grounded, and was a really beautiful and subtle characterization. He was also just as believable as the depressed loner without any hope in his past as the more mature ray of sunshine we saw in the present, and he brought such vulnerable and deep emotion to every scene. My heart ached so deeply for him at times. He was the heart and soul of the show, and what made it all work as well as it did.

This is not an addictive show you will binge watch obsessively, it is one you will be quietly drawn to throughout. And one that will hit you deeply in moments if you have the patience to allow it to unfold. There are some moments and some insights that transcend the drama and that I will think about months or years from now.

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