BLISS RATING: ★★
“Mathematics is like love; a simple idea but it can get complicated.” – Anonymous
The premise of this story was a foundation for a very interesting story. But it just belabors hesitancies and concentrates too much on the miscalculations (no pun intended) and the missed opportunities to grow these characters and their relationship. It is a best friend story between two guys. One is Tan (New Saharat) and the other is Sine (Quin Zedlerd). Tan is a bit more outgoing and a gregarious person who is also flirtatious. Sine is his best friend and a much more reserved and reflective person. They have been friends since grade school and are extremely close. However, Tan keeps giving off vibes that he is seeing Sine in a much different light than merely as a friend. Sine’s feelings for Tan are much stronger and so he is hurt more easily by the mixed messages and the connection Tan has with his ‘girlfriend’, Lyn (Ai Ivareen). There is such mixed feelings with how to feel about Lyn. She might have been romantically interested in Tan but soon realized that his heart is with another.
Unfortunately, there is no real connections with these two main protagonists. Sure, they pine over each other, but it does not translate to being deep or have any intensity to it. What is frustrating to this series is the slow as molasses type speed to the development of their relationship. By the time it happens, we honestly do not care and they both seem unable to speak or say what is on their minds. This gets old real fast. It is so OBVIOUS that they like each other. Why does the script simply not get to the point and help us better understand the development of their relationship? This could have been the least complicated BL series, but it left the audience (or at least me) feeling empty and cheated. They have known each other for years. They have been friends for years. They obviously liked each other for years. They have been connected to each other for years. Now a problem develop that they cannot communicate to each other?? This simply turned into artificial drama. Let them develop a relationship.
Unfortunately, these actors were miscast for these roles. While they are not bad actors, it seemed obvious to me that there is no chemistry between them. The tender moments they had together were rather forced and contrived. The kiss at the end was rehearsed well but it had no depth, caring, or intensity. They both seemed out of place and uncomfortable. Neither brought a depth to their character. Quin was a bit more reflective in his role and played Sine slightly better, but it was hard to feel anything from these main characters.
Ironically, I do not think it was the script that is at fault here. The scenes together in the beginning were genuine and there was very meaningful dialogue. They were interesting characters, and you could see the connection between the two. However, it never moved beyond that stage and neither developed any depth to their characters or seems to have any understanding how they affected each other.
The story did use rather effectively the beauty of mathematics to try and tell a love story. It should have worked if it were not so obtuse. There were some great dialogues especially when one of his friends says to Sine, “you are using your brain for mathematics but your heart for love”. I thought that was spot-on and rather profound. The scene with Sine’s mother and he was extremely caring, and she tenderly tries to tell her son about love. She says to him, “are you afraid of love or afraid to not be loved? Love is not mathematics. You shouldn’t calculate love. The correct answer comes from your true feelings”. Ironically, this was the same message that his friend gave him before. This was extremely effective dialogue and one of the few scenes where you could see, sense, and feel the intensity between mother and son. This is exactly what this series should have been. This is what should have been throughout this series with this relationship.
In another scene as Sine and Tan talk, Sine says to Tan that he feels like a robot. “Why does a robot want to cry. Why does a robot want to have a heart?” Very powerful words but Tan only holds him, pats him on the back, and says everything is ok. Really? Seriously? That’s it!? (Note to self: ANYONE who simply pats you on your back is NOT in love with you, period. That is a tall tell sign of nothing more than friendship). No wonder Sine left. Is it not obvious that Sine is struggling with his emotions and grappling with strong feelings? Again, this is just not really understanding the characters and not giving them an opportunity to develop into something more.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. the series? These are not particularly memorable performances but I do think Quin Zedlerd as Sine is more involved in his character and is able to intensify his emotions and lay it all out there. His characterization had depth and feeling and for that, he carried this series.
The production value of this was weak as well. It was very choppy in parts and needed better editing. For me, this series was such a disappointment. The acting seemed half-hearted. The story meanders with no clear sense of direction except to finish on a positive note. And no clear idea where these two would go even if we believed that they could have a serious relationship. These characters never grew and were not allowed to. Not a particularly good series, I am afraid.
Perhaps a better name for this series would have been ‘Miscalculating Love’.
Leave a Reply