BLISS RATING: ★★★★★
“They said the more obstacles we face, the longer our love will last and the more meaningful it will be. Then I think our love will be a legend.” – Quote from Never Let Me Go
The above quote is emblematic of the drama of this series. Essentially, it is a journey for the two protagonists to try and find peace, love, and time to foster their relationship. It is really a beautiful story, and it is told very well with both storylines and great acting. I was impressed with how engrossed I became in their quest and in the lives of the two main characters.
This series had all the earmarks of being just another Thai BL series but this one took itself more seriously and worked very hard to project a moral arc to it with an outcome that was painful, real, and incredibly honest. This is also one of the few Thai BLs of late that had serious conversations about relationships and how impactful they are to one another and what the consequences of falling in love can be.
It starts out with a rather pampered young son named Nueng (Phuwin Tangsakyuen) of a hotel conglomerate family. It could be debated as to how shady some of the dealings have been but of course that has nothing to do with Nueng. Unfortunately, what started out as a happy birthday celebration turns tragic as his father is gunned down. To make matters worse, Nueng is bullied and picked on even greater once he returns back to school after his father’s funeral because he is rich and is the end product of the anger towards his family as manifested through their children.
So, the mother requests that someone remain with Nueng not only as a companion but a bodyguard. The person who is solicited is the son of the driver named Palm (Pond Lertrakosum). Palm is a very handsome young man who is a fisherman and has had to become street smart and knows how to defend himself and others. We find out that he was raised by his father after being abandoned by his mother at an early age. Palm presents an interesting image. Laconic, he manifests symptoms of being depressed or at the very least melancholy, seeing his fate as little more than what he already has. He is astute and can read people and situations well. Yet his whole mind set is one of deference and meekness. This sense of inferiority comes from a lack of education and his own internal misgivings that he is not their equal.
Almost immediately, there is a sexual tension between the two. Obviously, Palm could never make the first move as he knew his place was only as a servant. Palm’s self-deference at times was just a bit overboard but in a strange way, understandable. When you grow up feeling always ‘less than’ others and continuously needing to show gratitude to those who have helped you, it is difficult and hard to overcome your deference to them, let alone feel equal to them. That thinking of his nearly broke their relationship apart in a number of instances throughout this series. This trait remains with him throughout the series but cracks a little in the end.
Yet, throughout this series, Nueng tries to make Palm understand that what he wanted was first a friend and second to see himself as equal to him. Without those two strengths, the relationship would never have blossomed. Perhaps on an unconscious level, they knew they were attracted to each other and no matter what, they had to discover each other’s inner characteristics. So, observing all of that unfold made this series different from the very beginning.
This story is replete with learning about each other. Both their strengths and weaknesses as well as what makes them angry, sad, and happy. We find, for example, that Nueng does have inner strengths that he can draw upon which he learned from Palm. And Palm realizes that if he ever wants to function in this world, cannot do it on his own and must rely on others, especially from those whom he loves. There is example after example of this mindset which makes it refreshing to watch.
Each of these young men must face the reality of death at most inopportune times in their fledging lives. Nueng on his birthday. Palm when he finally reconnects and is just beginning to understand his mother. There are some inspirationally deep insights into her behavior and why she left him that is worth genuflecting to as truthful. He learns that nothing is simply ‘black’ or ‘white’. I appreciated the honest writing in this case. Both traumas quite literally forced both to grow up fast.
Overall, it is an ugly story of intrigue and mafia-type behaviors that turn deadly. But the consistency of Nueng, perhaps naively, trying to provide a moral compass to guide the company which he now inherited is steadfast. Realizing he is young and inexperienced, the only thing he knows, and is guided by, is his innocence and a path of righteousness. A very commendable and honorable road to go down for someone so young. I think he does so because he himself has been bullied and he knows what it is like to be shunned and made to fell less than normal because he is different.
Although Phuwin and Pond do an admirable job in convincing us they are a couple, the physicality of their connection was limited. While admittedly, they kissed well, the rest of it looked a bit uncomfortable for them with yet again no real indication that they are actually ever intimate. That just does not seem normal. For me, it was played too safely. Yes, I am aware this is a BL, but it is also a love story that had little of the trappings of love, even safe or acceptable ones to show.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. this series? However, the one character who really is delicious in this series is Uncle Kit played by Nat Sakdatorn. He portrayed evilness with such conviction that he literally had no socially redeeming qualities about him. But was oh so handsome doing so. Even his own son, Chopper (Perth Sukhumpatansan) could not melt his heart. Nat plays this role with complete conviction and maintains that look like he could see right through to your soul. I found him to be rather chilling. An honorable mention for this title must also go to Perth as Chopper. Often misunderstood by both his father and others around him, he was a young man almost literally alone as no one liked him or trusted him, except later for Ben (Chimon Ruangwiwat), his first crush and in the end, boyfriend. What Perth did with this role was spectacular. He maintained as best he could, attempts to do the right thing. He clearly showed the agony of trying to do right against the demands and the powerful influences that his father had over him. His face and demeanor showed us how profoundly difficult that is to do. Although he hesitated, he did what he could to thwart further damage by his father. However, he is left with the feeling like it was never enough. A tough role to play.
I know this series has its drawbacks. The story is a bit illogical. Flaws in its content like not having greater protection for the family, seemingly enjoying themselves on the beach after being traumatized, etc., but none of that bothered me. Hindsight on what ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda’ is so easy to see from an outside perspective. Sometimes children need to grow up fast and make decisions at an early age. We all also deal with trauma in different ways, not all of which makes sense or seems intuitive to what should be. In addition, they are young and are entitled to act impetuously.
What I got was a deep sense of love that they had between each other that sustained them and it got reinforced in so many cute ways throughout. The manifestations of making sure each other was being cared for. The endearing gestures they gave to each other as tokens and signs of their love. I found it all believable, sweet, and natural. You could sense their love for each other almost immediately in their eyes and mannerisms. The one thing that was missing that would have made this series an epic was the closeness and intimacy of being a couple. That needed to be intimated more but was not. It all felt and looked awkward.
I also thought the ending was rather genuine and sincere and something that was very mature. They realize they are young, have dreams of their own, and do not want to hinder the other from the realization of their individual dreams. And they talked about that (how refreshing for a Thai series). That made this series so unique and different.
They were not simply going to ride off into the sunset together but recognized that each has goals, dreams, and ambitions that are needs as well. But none of that is necessarily exclusive from the title of this series: they will never let each other go and will be there for each other. They are committed unambiguously and incontrovertibly to one another. That is an amazing and beautiful sentiment.
Despite its flaws, I applaud its genuine efforts to present an honest and more realistic picture of what a relationship between two men of different backgrounds face and the challenges of trying to be together in worlds that are not the same.
This is really a very good series that I think might have been misunderstood.
Leave a Reply