ATOTS Rewatch Party: Ep. 1 April 9th 8:30 PM Bangkok Time Spoilers For Ep. 1 At That Time

 BraveAppointment1:

Administrative Suggestion:    This is fun (reacting and commenting together).   I know there were suggestions to move to a different platform, for live interaction.   If that doesn't happen, and we end up staying here, can I suggest that rather than making this one thread longer and longer and longer over the weeks, that we (this means you, dllmzca) create a new thread for each week's watch and commentary?   That way people will be able to more easily access the current topics and current comments.  

I could absolutely do that. =)

 Jaybird17:

Wow! I didn't know the Fast & Furious poster is reference to EarthMixx's real life friendship! Am I interpreting this right? That's so amazing!

 Yes, you are. Earth and Mix have mentioned going to see Fast and Furious as the first time they went to a movie together.The story also involves a pair of new shoes that Mix was wearing that cut into his heel. Earth went and got Mix bandages (after washing off the makeup and hairspray he he on from an earlier shooting) It took him 30 minutes, and Earth wanted to put the bandages on, himself, but Mix said he would do it himself. :D

 BraveAppointment1:

Actually, I thought we were going to learn that the reference to Tian's new heart being "worth the money" was an indication that the greedy auntie had been paid off by Tian's father.    But it seems the money went to corrupt officials, not the Aunt???

I believe the money allowed them to jump the queue. Separate money was paid to Torfun's aunt.

Oh wow I think the website works again yay.

A quick heads up for the rewatch on synctube:

On Thursday I will share a link where you can download a video with a short instruction on how to start the subtitles if they don't show up at first on your phone or tablet on synctube. On computer you should be able to activate the subtitles the same way as on Youtube.
As the episode is split into four youtube videos you may have to activate the subtitles again on each video. This is a bit of a hassle but better than having no subtitles.

The video also shows how you can change your user name for the chat. I'd suggest that everyone chooses the same user name as the ones we have here on MyDramaList so people can recognize the usernames they may have seen here before.

Also if you can, please use a computer/laptop for the rewatch on synctube. That way you can see the video on the left side of the display and the chat is on the right next to the video. This is the most convenient way. This may also work on a bigger tablet but when using the phone it can be a bit inconvenient and also too small, but it also works on the phone as you can see on the instruction video on Thursday.

I will share the synctube link on Friday, around 8 pm Bankok time, so everyone has enough time to enter and change their username. I will start the episode at 08:30 pm Bankok time. Between 8 an 8:30 I will drop some of the OSTs of the series in the watch playlist so we have some nice music while waiting for the episode to start.

Yeah, that is my plan. ? Would be great if everything works out. If not please watch the episode separately and share your thoughts in this thread or if the chat on synctube still works for you you can also share there.

That's all for now. Have a great Sunday and a good start into the week. ?

Thanks so much for setting things up, kpoptrash !  I look forward to trying it out! If I can, I'd like to ask viewers to save some of their commentary for the thread, in here. I won't be able to comment a lot in the chat because I'm a painfully slow keyboarder. Others may not be able to join the synctube  for their own reasons.

I'm just trying to ensure that everyone who wants to share/discuss has the maximum opportunity to do so. =)

I've set up the thread for next week's episode, kpoptrash. Would you mind reposting what you wrote here at the beginning of that thread to give people a heads up? I'll adjust the thread title to  draw attention.

Sorry, a little late posting for episode 1 - I was on vacation in Florida.

Rewatching from episode 1 I was thinking that even from the beginning ATOTS has a level of gravitas which is nearly non-existent in BL's.  We also have no side couples that divert our attention away so we are focused on one plot thread, rather than having to wade through several.  I think this approach is definitely better for a more serious drama, especially when you only have 10 episodes.  Multiple couples are ok when you have several seasons to adequately develop all the characters to their fullest scope.  I don't mind that they have side couples in some BL's like Lovely Writer, but I think those shows have less of an in-depth storyline.  

This episode is one of the only ones where we get to see the old Tian and how jaded he is.  He's not depraved, though, like many other rich kids.  He still has good friends and some conscience.  I believe that he isn't making a total transformation in his character which is important for many of us who don't like seeing things that are too far a stretch from reality.  We do have some unlikely events going on in this drama but I always believe it's best to keep these kind of things to a minimum, otherwise you are asking your viewer to strain their credulity too much.  Mix does a great job acting here and shows some range in his acting skills.  For the most part, he is the Tian in the redemption arc who is always feeling guilty and looks on his savior Phupha with doe-like innocence.  

I like how the mother of Tian is portrayed here compared to her comical character at the end of the series in the airport.  She is totally desperate to save Tian, willing even to sacrifice her life for him.  This might seem maudlin to some, but I found it was portrayed very compellingly.  The father was also portrayed very sympathetically here, offering some really heartfelt encouragement to his son.  Both parents are shown to be multi-faceted throughout this series, being manipulative, concerned, anxious, and  loving.   

I thought Torfun was portrayed very sympathetically from the beginning.  Her life seems very sad because of the hen-pecking aunt, but we see that she has found some deep meaning in her life in the village and that she is, in fact, quite happy.   

In ep. 1 Tian makes a transition from his old life due at first to guilt, but, more importantly, because of a "spiritual" conversion after reading Torfun's diary.  I think that scene was done well when you can see the wheels in his head turning as he reflects on how Torfun had found meaning in her life in the village.  He's just holding Torfun's diary and rather than any dramatic expression he's just seen in a quiet moment of reflection while a momentous change in his whole life philosophy has occurred.  

I wonder at Tian's reaction when he first meets Phupha.  You wonder if there is some element of the supernatural, like Torfun's heart is reacting to seeing her loved one.  I wonder if anyone else felt this way?  I feel that would be so appropriate metaphorically.   I believe there are hints of the supernatural throughout this series.  I have no problem with that, especially when it is done with such a light touch.

Overall this was a great opening episode both plot-wise and for character development.  I also felt it was really excellent in setting the stage for a story of redemption.  It introduced all the main characters and you already have a deep interest in most of them.  

 solipisism5:

This episode is one of the only ones where we get to see the old Tian and how jaded he is. He's not depraved, though, like many other rich kids. He still has good friends and some conscience. I believe that he isn't making a total transformation in his character which is important for many of us who don't like seeing things that are too far a stretch from reality.

True. even though he's a fatalistic thrillseeker, Tian isn't a complete douche. On the second round of roulette, I believe that he even says to his opponent that he'll split it with him if he wins. He also demonstrates some class-consciousness fairly early on.