This review may contain spoilers
proceed with caution
First things first, I think that many people don't know what they are getting themselves into. This show is a BL, yes, but it's way darker and more graphic in many different areas (language, NSFW scenes, fight scenes, etc.). I will add some content warnings at the bottom for those who might need them.
Everyone keeps talking about how flawless and perfect this show is with only minor "mistakes" and honestly... I have to disagree. While yes, the production value is significantly higher than in your usual BLs, the writing was nowhere near perfect. Just to highlight one issue: We meet Kim, youngest of the Theerapanyakul brothers and immediately know that he's up to something. He's secretive and constantly sneaks around and tries to gather some important info. It makes up the majority of his storyline. It's either him playing Kimlock Holmes or him having some boyfriend time with Chay. Solving this mystery it very tricky, so he has to be smart and careful about it. And this show really wants to let us know that he is both. But then, this plot just get's sidelined and eventually forgotten about. Suddenly it's not that important anymore and once Porsche now actually wants to know this secret information that Kim spent hours and weeks discovering, another character just swoops in and says "yeah sorry that it took me an hour and a half to get you this very secretive and important information, I was sleepy and needed a nap, but here you go". LIKE??? They did him so dirty and for what...
And no matter how many times people try to gaslight me, a mature story with criminals as protagonists doesn't automatically require them being abusers. They can be bad guys and still respect boundaries and give a damn about consent. I'm sorry, but a guy automatically loses all his attractiveness to me once they cross this line. Therefore, not many attractive men in this show for me.
This show loves to twist the plot. You think that you finally settled in and know how things work and BAMM new secret unlocked, another twist in this plot and it slowly turns into a pretzel. This happens quite a lot especially in the last third of the show. And it's intruiging at first, but I got a little tired of it by the end.
The time with our main couple and main characters Kinn and Porsche was a rollercoaster ride. I got a little fed up with them by the end. It was interesting watching them navigate their feelings towards each other, especially in that work enviroment (and the power imbalance as well). I got bored of these two repeating the same behavior over and over again. They had their cute moments but at one point I was so done with them that I couldn't even take it seriously anymore. But that meant that I had a great time the last two episodes since I just accepted whatever the writers threw at me and stopped questioning things or getting all riled up over these fictional characters. So, that's that.
The one Theerapanyakul brother that got it the worst is Tankhun. He was one of the comic relief characters that could've been really great. Even though he's way smarter than people give him credit for, he was never allowed to fully step outside of the box this show put him in. He got a moment here and there where he was allowed to be the only one seeing through everyone's bs, but in the end, it didn't matter much.
I was very concerned about the VegasPete storyline, as I only heard a few bits and pieces about it and I wasn't sure if the writers would be able to handle such a difficult topic well. And turns out my concerns were absolutely valid. While the slow built-up was okay, the ending felt rushed. I would've loved to follow Pete a little more and his inner turmoil. How he manages to accept his feelings for Vegas after everything he did to him. I found their scenes to be fascinating, but they would've benefited from more time. Their relationship starts out in a deeply fucked up way and this can easily be ruined if it's not handled with enough time and care.
But credit, where credit is due: Great production. I've read probably around a hundred posts of people making in-depth character analysis, discussing color symbolism, pointing out hints and little easter eggs, pointing out parallels, and so much more. It really shows how much effort went into making this show. The sound is good, the fighting scenes are captivating, the NSFW scenes don't feel stiff or awkward but natural and intimate. I think that it's a really great product. The actors have all great chemistry with each other and seemed pretty comfortable with each other. The music was also fantastic, they had a real banger on their hands and knew it. Also the different version of it and how they used them, chef's kiss.
The only thing that I critique though is the writing.
Content Warnings: rape, attempted rape, drugging, torture, abusive parents, so much blood and death. If you are not comfortable with these things I advice you to skip this show or find someone who can tell you which scenes to avoid.
Everyone keeps talking about how flawless and perfect this show is with only minor "mistakes" and honestly... I have to disagree. While yes, the production value is significantly higher than in your usual BLs, the writing was nowhere near perfect. Just to highlight one issue: We meet Kim, youngest of the Theerapanyakul brothers and immediately know that he's up to something. He's secretive and constantly sneaks around and tries to gather some important info. It makes up the majority of his storyline. It's either him playing Kimlock Holmes or him having some boyfriend time with Chay. Solving this mystery it very tricky, so he has to be smart and careful about it. And this show really wants to let us know that he is both. But then, this plot just get's sidelined and eventually forgotten about. Suddenly it's not that important anymore and once Porsche now actually wants to know this secret information that Kim spent hours and weeks discovering, another character just swoops in and says "yeah sorry that it took me an hour and a half to get you this very secretive and important information, I was sleepy and needed a nap, but here you go". LIKE??? They did him so dirty and for what...
And no matter how many times people try to gaslight me, a mature story with criminals as protagonists doesn't automatically require them being abusers. They can be bad guys and still respect boundaries and give a damn about consent. I'm sorry, but a guy automatically loses all his attractiveness to me once they cross this line. Therefore, not many attractive men in this show for me.
This show loves to twist the plot. You think that you finally settled in and know how things work and BAMM new secret unlocked, another twist in this plot and it slowly turns into a pretzel. This happens quite a lot especially in the last third of the show. And it's intruiging at first, but I got a little tired of it by the end.
The time with our main couple and main characters Kinn and Porsche was a rollercoaster ride. I got a little fed up with them by the end. It was interesting watching them navigate their feelings towards each other, especially in that work enviroment (and the power imbalance as well). I got bored of these two repeating the same behavior over and over again. They had their cute moments but at one point I was so done with them that I couldn't even take it seriously anymore. But that meant that I had a great time the last two episodes since I just accepted whatever the writers threw at me and stopped questioning things or getting all riled up over these fictional characters. So, that's that.
The one Theerapanyakul brother that got it the worst is Tankhun. He was one of the comic relief characters that could've been really great. Even though he's way smarter than people give him credit for, he was never allowed to fully step outside of the box this show put him in. He got a moment here and there where he was allowed to be the only one seeing through everyone's bs, but in the end, it didn't matter much.
I was very concerned about the VegasPete storyline, as I only heard a few bits and pieces about it and I wasn't sure if the writers would be able to handle such a difficult topic well. And turns out my concerns were absolutely valid. While the slow built-up was okay, the ending felt rushed. I would've loved to follow Pete a little more and his inner turmoil. How he manages to accept his feelings for Vegas after everything he did to him. I found their scenes to be fascinating, but they would've benefited from more time. Their relationship starts out in a deeply fucked up way and this can easily be ruined if it's not handled with enough time and care.
But credit, where credit is due: Great production. I've read probably around a hundred posts of people making in-depth character analysis, discussing color symbolism, pointing out hints and little easter eggs, pointing out parallels, and so much more. It really shows how much effort went into making this show. The sound is good, the fighting scenes are captivating, the NSFW scenes don't feel stiff or awkward but natural and intimate. I think that it's a really great product. The actors have all great chemistry with each other and seemed pretty comfortable with each other. The music was also fantastic, they had a real banger on their hands and knew it. Also the different version of it and how they used them, chef's kiss.
The only thing that I critique though is the writing.
Content Warnings: rape, attempted rape, drugging, torture, abusive parents, so much blood and death. If you are not comfortable with these things I advice you to skip this show or find someone who can tell you which scenes to avoid.
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