A beautiful piece
[DISCLAIMER: I am just writing this so that it stays on my profile. Like I do often with series I rate a 10. And lot of the stuff I vent about are often repeated by me]OVERALL:
I just finished it and am still hungover. I usually watch something else to distract from the previous series but I want this to last a bit longer. From the beginning it felt a bit different, and it was. Almost every episode was gripping, they kept a good pace and ended at an acceptable point. And the last episode, especially last few scenes were amazing.
SOMETHING SPECIAL:
One of the reason being, BL tag often ends up being a glass ceiling. The expectations is usually just for a light hearted fluff or sexual exploits of hormonal men in love, and that's what most try to deliver. Plots and acting is sadly not stressed on a lot. Normal protocols include : throw in a popular "couple", slap on a few provocative scenes, and despite having very promising plotlines, just not care about it. BUT this was a an all rounded drama and I loved it a lot.
PLOT:
The premise is delicate, complex and very much of a gray area. Personally, I could feel and see distinctions between what I considered "right" and "wrong" in this series. It helped that (much like the time when I was watching Dexter) my thought process made me feel legally wrong doesn't always need to be morally wrong.
CAMERAWORK:
The cinematography, was good. The lighting and filters stayed true to the mood of the story.
DIRECTION & WRITING:
Story has a good flow, directed pretty well.
SOUNDTRACK:
I became a huge fan of both the opening credit and OST of this series, again, suits the whole aura of this series very well.
ACTING:
Like another review already mentioned, almost everyone did a great job. Leads were exceptionally good. The chemistry was not overly stressed on but it was very much there. Their thoughts, empathy, sense of duty, internal struggles were all portrayed very well, even when it was without words. I am a fan of both the leads, and even plan to see what their other works have been like!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I LOVED IT
I loved how euthanasia was looked at from different POV. Doctor’s POV as more of a morality issue. Boss’ as the wrong way to perform it. And Thui’s legal POV. Both Kan and Boss had good intentions but Boss had no right to do it, literally killing people, on the other hand Kan respected wishes of the patients, which would make it legal somewhere else. Thiu holds the opposing views to theirs, he looks at it from his professional POV, which makes euthanasia illegal and unacceptable for him. I think it gives us all a side to be on (well maybe not Boss’s side, I think, he’s just an example of how it shouldn’t be done) and for many it opens a conversation regarding euthanasia since it’s illegal in most countries. I really didn’t want it to end like that but I think it makes sense that Thiu arrested Kan, I don’t think he could live with himself, knowing that Kan continues euthanasing people, in his eyes and according to law it is murder and from how I understand the character, he thinks it’s his duty to act according to law (and I mean it is his job). I still hate that Kan got arrested tho.Was this review helpful to you?
Killing me softlyyyyyy
As a series that tackles the highly controversial topic of euthanasia in Thailand, this show is expectedly quite intense.The show has received some criticisms for romanticising Dr. Kan’s actions and his controversial stance on patient care. The series highlights ethical questions on what constitutes murder and whether life is worth protecting at all costs.
Plotwise, the many twists in Spare Me Your Mercy make for an engaging and compulsive watch. But I want to talk about the unexpectedly spectacular chemistry between Thanapob and Jayler. Despite the captain’s suspicions of the doctor, the doctor’s thoughtful and charming ways gradually chip away at Tiw’s walls, giving way to a sweet and ambiguous relationship that’s neither friends nor lovers.
Spare Me Your Mercy wants you to root for Dr. Kan and Tiw, but also makes it incredibly uncomfortable for you to support a relationship based on lies. Overall, this was a great storyline that hits you with both butterflies and feels. Great show.
More reviews: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Not your typical BL but WATCH IT!
I started watching the series without any background information. The only thing I knew was actor Thor who plays Dr. Kan. I’m no expert, but I don’t think the writers, directors, or producers intended this to be a BL series at least not with the relationship between Thiu and Kan as the main focus. In fact, I wouldn’t even classify it under the romance genre.Personally, I felt like the episodes became repetitive at times. I tried to feel sympathetic toward Dr. Kan, but I still have mixed feelings about him. On one hand, it seems like he genuinely liked Thiu, especially since he knew about him through what Thiu’s mother shared as his patient. However, when Dr. Kan confesses that he likes Thiu, it’s initially presented as a lie to gain his trust and gather information about the cases. Naturally, their dynamic shifts as the series progresses.
That being said, the last two episodes were excellent and emotionally raw and incredibly engaging. I’d like to highlight the fantastic work of the entire cast. Their portrayals were absolutely splendid, and the chemistry between the protagonists was amazing. You could truly feel the tension between them. I also want to give special praise to Aelm for his portrayal of Boss. He was stunning, and I wish they had developed his character more.
Overall, it’s a decent series. I don’t think I’ll watch it again, but it would be great if they surprised us with a few extra happy episodes or even a second season so we could see Kan and Thiu happy together.
Was this review helpful to you?
More of Thriller with Little bit of Romance
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. One of the best thriller genre BL in recent times. Though the team have given very little romantic moments for couple, you still feel the butterflies in your stomach in those scenes.The only reason i reduced 1 point was for not having more episodes. Its sin to end such great show in 8 episodes. Otherwise its a perfect show with right dosage of everything. Hope they give us special episode or something in the coming days.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
One of the Most Entertaining Thrillers in 2024!
As the curtains close on Spare Me Your Mercy, the Thai BL series delivers a poignant exploration of morality, love, and loss. Adapted from Sammon’s novel Euthanasia, this melancholic drama probes the fine line between compassion and crime, framed by a chilling mystery involving rising deaths among terminally ill patients. Starring Tor Thanapob as Dr. “Kan” Kantaphat and JJ Krissanapoom as Police Major “Thiu” Wasan Khambunrueang, the series challenges viewers to grapple with the ethical complexities of life and death.The show opens with a gripping investigation into stolen potassium chloride from a local hospital, setting the stage for a tightly woven web of suspicion. Potential culprits emerge, including Nurse Onanong (Fresh Arisara Wongchalee), Pharmacist Boss Chanchai (Aelm Bhumibhat Thavornsiri), Dr. Rin (Prim Atchareeya Potipipittanakorn), and Hospital Director Somsak (Gandhi Wasuwitchayagit).
Read the complete article here-
https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2024/12/26/spare-me-your-mercy-series-review-ep-3-to-8/
Was this review helpful to you?
tor... you are an acTOR alright
overall, that was a satisfying story and has an ending that makes sense. for a show that highlights euthanasia, i like that they presented different people's views and perspectives on it and just let the audience know what they feel about it. it did not feel preachy at all. this is my first time watching tor who played dr. kan and i gotta say, that man can act oh my gosh. he was able to portray this compassionate doctor but in a blink of an eye, could turn into someone so sinister. his performance in the last episode was one of the best ones i've seen from thai media (not that i've seen a lot, i don't think) and even made me tear up. his chemistry with jj was great. with romance as a supporting narrative only here, their chemistry is still palpable. i wish it was developed more but i guess, they did the best they can with only 8 eps. there were times where the investigation and police scenes made me roll my eyes but hey, that's not really something new in fiction stories like this and it's not a crime series so it's fine. as a psychological thriller, i think this one did it successfully.(it does make think.... do i really want to have the option of euthanasia for myself too or that's that me be being depresso idk... no really, i want it lol)
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
It's a Sammon show how can it not be good! Well, as always she brought it this time too, and with these two have bestowed me some serious nostalgia though, you know who doesn't love it when the same group members do something romantic and get more into each other? Right ? Just me ? Well, okay then. I would have taken it if they never actually got together but they did and damn if that kiss wasn't one of the most satisfying shit ever! Slow burn enemies with a Sammon plot what more can you ask for? This one is about the morality of euthanasia. Personal opinion myself hey I'm pretty much one of those 'libtards' who happens to agree a human being should be allowed to die as they want but maybe that's just me..But tbh Boss bruh his character got to me so much.
Like he was just damn ... His story arc made me so sad.
But this show is on the whole really well made with a good cast pretty much everything is on point.
The only thing that doesn't work for me personally that ending.
Showing him confess to the police because he loves the guy and not because he actually blvs he did anything wrong? That just doesn't make much sense to me personally, because I would have preferred the doctor to just get away with it because Boss already died for this guy, but I also get why creators make such choices because of censorship or public opinion or viewers who have pretty typical morality the lowest common denominator and what not.
I get those pressures but still if they had given Kan's character some more darkness it would have been better, or even not end it on him confessing and going to prison.
That is pretty much my only suck for this entire show.
Was this review helpful to you?
Compassionate choices?
I loved it. It was so much more than a love story. It deals with a thought provoking and emotive issue. There were so many points of view in the mix and many reasons for the decisions made. I felt that the reasons were well thought through - although sometimes the characters behaved selfishly.The acting was great. The plot twists and turns will keep you interested, although there was one plot twist that was predictable. The emotion at the end was realistic. The tension in the love story made me want to binge watch the series - it's short enough to do if you have the time.
Tor (Kan) is a brilliant actor. His tiny facial gestures were fascinating and the emotion and thought process of his character were written on his face.
JJ (Tew) portrayed an upstanding and thoughtful police officer who I felt was sometimes naïve and sometimes selfish, but always wanted to do the right thing.
What I liked - thought provoking topic, great acting, beautiful (and tender) love scene, well written story and it was so much more than a love story
What I didn't like - not sure about the ending, although I see why it ended like that
Was this review helpful to you?
not a BL
first WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT ENDING?! I knew there were only 8 episodes and still I kept hitting next because SURELY THAT IS NOT THE END.and yet- it fits. an ending as gray and ambiguous as the heart of the story. (but that didn’t stop me from knocking my rating down half a point from a solid 8 to 7.5 because I’m petty and HOW IS THAT THE END?!)
this is not a BL. if you are here expecting smoches and high jinx or angst and fists fights, please move on.
this is a complex story that should make you question how you feel about end of life care. The story does a good job of showing both sides of the argument it presents, without ever leaning too heavily in favor of one or the other. I found myself agreeing with almost everyone at one time or another.
recommended for: people who love suspense and plot twists you can see a mile away, people who like melodramas that make you question ethics and humanity.
(NOT recommended for people who need closure because COME ON with that ending!!)
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Animal Lover Here
The story line and acting are very well done for the most part. I, however, could not get past the shady character of the doctor. The actor played him as if he was a villain. His smug face and sneaky ways irritated me. It turned me off to him and I wanted him to get caught and thrown in jail. Another thing I wish the story would have addressed, was the cruelty towards animals at the hands of the local "crazy man." Instead of dealing with the animals they found, the police officers blew it off, as if companion animal sacrifice (any animal sacrifice for that matter) is legal in Thailand. It made the police officers seem like heartless buffoons. While it was not shown, it was stated and even showed a dog in a cage-like in the days of the old meat trade. Thailand has laws to protect companion animals and I wish the movie and TV industry would catch up with that. That significant part of episode 1/episode 2 should have been dealt with, even if it wasn't part of the plot. It made the police officers seem shallow, uncaring and dismissive and as if they were written as flat characters rather than officers who uphold the law as round characters. It was too one dimensional. The BL aspect was minimal.Was this review helpful to you?
A moral dilemma drama
This is a show about two people with strong values, trying to do the right thing. If you're reading this review before watching, just know that it's a very good show, that happens to have two men with feelings for each other. The focus on romance is just one aspect, not really the focus. It's quite serious, though there's small moments of humor and happiness, which I believe add more dimension. Without the moments of peace and joy, the characters would have been very flat. It is on the slow side, but I didn't find the pacing to drag. Eight episodes was perfect, imo. It told the story without any unnecessary side plots. If you're in the mood for something to make you think, give Spare Me Your Mercy a try.Was this review helpful to you?
