BLISS RATING: ★+
“Honesty is the highest form of intimacy.” – ilovemylsi.com
Who really S.T.O.L.E. this series? Perhaps the only way to start a review for this series is with the only positive thing about it and that is the fine acting by the two main actors in the lead roles. Kiak Permsubhirun as Nanfah (Nan) and Kun Tansuhas as Phupa (Phu) had two of the most difficult roles of any BL series I have ever seen. Why? Because the roles they played in the prequel, which were outstanding, were NOT the same characters that were in the same characters in this awful sequel, although they tried their best to make it so. I could see that they did. To the extent that they could, what characterizations they could carry over from the prequel, they did so in this sequel. It was not that their personalities changed; it was the story, the background, and the essence of who they were did. There were whole swarths of their lives that were completely ignored from the prequel. The prequel was raw, intense, and laid the foundation of why these two misunderstood each other from the beginning. But by the end of the prequel, that issue WAS resolved. And the love story was to begin. But instead, we went through 10 more endless and utterly stupid episodes of misguided and unwarranted misunderstandings ad nauseum. The fact that these two good actors had to go through this must have been a chore and to maintain some sense of sanity and dignity deserves some kudos. And they keep their characters fresh and engaging most of the time. They know certainly how to engage in misunderstanding and to some degree rudimentary and elementary components of a relationship. But when it got to the real core of the relationship, such as the end, with the more intimate scenes, I have never seen two more uncomfortable individuals and I am not surprised. They had throughout this series to ‘pretend’ to like each other without ever showing any real intimacy and so they became very good at that. When it was time to show intimacy, it became rather uncomfortable looking and not all believable.
Now let us take a look at this letdown of a series. In all honesty, this is what is called a ‘bait and switch’. It is a term used as a come-on in business to entice people to shop at a store. You think you are going to get one thing only to realize that the thing they advertised is only a one of a kind item but now this is what they are trying to sale you in its place. And they are hoping you will not notice, but in this case, they hope you are fooled by its cheap theatrics. It looked like Phupha/Nanfah but it was not. It pretended to be but completely and totally deviated from the plot and story of the prequel which was so beautifully told with intensity and feeling. This sequel was told with cliches, triteness, and tropes.
The story was an endless loop of misunderstandings, misinterpretations, miscommunications, or deliberately no communications. For those of you who are familiar with the movie GROUNDHOG DAY, this same theme repeated itself over and over again throughout 10 episodes. Just when one thought the message between the two would become clear some trope, or cliché or misunderstanding or no communication would thwart the message, or the other person would storm off in a huff and be mad or take offense. It became so exasperating to watch episode after episode of these same behaviors occur repeatedly. And the withholding of information almost drove me to drop this series.
As an example, when Nan suspects that Khunkhao (Seagames Angkanit) might be Phu’s brother (which by itself is an astonishingly unrealistic coincidence), he keeps it to himself rather than let them explore that possibility for themselves until much later. Why? This was emblematic of what is completely wrong with this series. They insulted the audience. Why would you keep that to yourself? But again, that is true to the form and nature of who both Phu and Nan. Why share? They have never been straightforward.
I understood and accepted the lack of communication in the prequel but not in the sequel because they both realized how they felt about each other at the end of the prequel. If this entire story is based on true events, then these two individuals are the densest individuals on the planet and have no ability to communicate with each other. And worse than that, they have literally no understanding of each other. My basic question is: How could each of them NOT know that the other from the second they met each other AGAIN after 10 years that the other did not LOVE the other? How?? That was established in the prequel and that point was conveniently overlooked to create a contrived and continuously unwarranted and deliberate set of miscommunications or none at all.
This has NOTHING to do with culture and everything to do with not being open, honest, intimate, and upfront with each other. In other words, talking at each other; not with each other. A big difference.
There was no sense of reality about this series. It continuously insulted its audience. By pretending to be a love story but showing no love whatsoever. It was established that they loved each other in the prequel yet this plot was ignored in order to skirt around love, tease about it, but never get to its point.
This has been my level of frustration with Thai BL that is now boiling over. They refuse to show gay love. They flitter eye lids at one another well, pretend love exists, but are afraid to show it in reality. Intimacy or the hint of it is unacceptable or only shown in tragic format. To show it being developed in a slow progression as a loving couple unafraid to be together without drama, trauma, or pain is not part of the formula. Even after 10 years of unnecessary separation, these two still could not bring themselves to a point where they could admit their love for one another. What then was the point or value to this story?
Regrettably, I am sorry to say this is one of the worst plots and directed BLs I have seen. It was pointless and belaboring and tried, I am guessing, to pull at heart strings. It accomplished that in its prequel. But in the sequel, it got to the point where I began to dislike both these characters because neither one and both were unwilling to admit their love for one another. If after a lifetime of being soulmates, and being friends, and living together and loving one another and promising to never leave each other’s sides but still lack the courage to say “I love you” is a real testament to their lack of character and frankly is not a story worthy of being told. If anything, this story showed how weak, spineless, craven, and cowardly they are. That is not to be celebrated.
There is also no point to discussing the minor trope-filled caricatures that peppered this series as well.
I hated this series. It is that simple. And this will no doubt end up on my Bathos List for 2023.
Leave a Reply