This review may contain spoilers
A varied ride
I really like the opening credit sequence. The editing of the sound effects with walla interwoven with the music then with the visuals of color and light splashes over the various sequences is really energetic and cool.Pavel is the standout performer as Babe with a nice emotional range, charismatic screen presence, and a fully committed performance. He is the best part of the entire show. I really love the confidence he gives Babe, not just as a racer, but of Babe in his own skin as a person. His emotional moments are very well done, it's so nice to see an appropriate response to the intensity of the respective situations. He shows the emotions in his eyes and expressions so nicely. Paval carries the scenes he's in and I really hope to see him in future productions with acting partners on at least a similar level of skill to play off each other. Babe does have insecurities in terms of his relationships with other people stemming from the betrayal from both his bio dad and adopted dad, and later from his best friend which I'll touch on later.
The acting of the rest of the cast range from hit or miss to extremely distractingly green without enough directing to steer them. The second lead who plays Charlie in particular is so lost and needs more direction to go further from just acting cute and with a pouting voice ALL of the time regardless of what the scene is about. It got tiring a few episodes in when it was clear there was no further modes to the character. There are so many scenes where it's supposed to be emotional and Babe is bringing it, but Charlie is giving nothing. The character is also already written so one dimensionally with no purpose outside of being with Babe that it would have given him some bare minimum pathos if his interest in racing was genuine and worked to be good at it. I really watched all the way to the end hoping there would be an improvement once the reveal about his true intentions kicked in, but no change.
The intimate scenes seem to be well coordinated. I'm curious to know if they employed a coordinator, but however it was done like through a scripted breakdown and the director discussing ahead with the actors, there was a clear plan and choreography for every sequence. It's tastefully done even though sometimes it seems like it skirts the line between artistic choice and self-censorship with more freedom in the uncut version. It would have been great if the same level of attention were given to the fight scenes which the actors did their parts very well, but the filming and editing really needed to cheat the angles better to make everything look more believable, which again not the actors fault at all.
The regular sets of Babe's house with the wild interior design of the automobiles and faux broken concrete walls, americana-esque bar, and racing garage were pretty nice. Way's and Alan's house were shockingly expensively looking as well, no wonder Dean is extremely mad he's not getting into the big races because it looks like it pays extremely well. The most hilarious set was the hotel that Kim was staying with the murder scene level amount of blood in the bathroom but Kim is not bleeding anywhere. I guess we can assume it was blood from whoever Kim was fighting off, but nothing in the show indicates that.
The show is the strongest in the first few episodes and then proceeds to lag and drag on the plot points with very surface level coverage of the story and implications. I'm not gonna talk about them all, but I have to talk about Babe and Way's storyline which had a lot of time paid to it, yet still oddly fumbled at the same time. There is a tantalizing scene where Babe tells Alan that Way has been making him feel like he's not worthy of love by telling him that others only want to take advantage of him. It's so fascinating that he realizes that Way has been doing something toxic like that. Way is so certain that Babe must have noticed him being in love with him all these years. There is so much for these two to actually confront each other about. Then the scene where Way attacks Babe was fully horrific and is the most affecting scene from the terror in Babe's reactions to him being immobilized, realizing Way has powers, realizing his best friend has betrayed him, and being assaulted all at once. Serious kudos to Pavel's acting in this scene. You would think after this there would be a huge showdown between the two to air out their years and years of history which includes the shared trauma of being adopted and abused. Way gives an apology followed really quickly by his sacrifice, which he should have had some blood on his face for the severity of his wounds. Babe cries and tells Way that he loves him, after Way is dead which is really ridiculous and funny, he didn't tell Way what way wanted to hear a second earlier when he still could. Pavel's performance is really good, just an odd decision in the writing/directing. Babe being open to him and Way returning to their friendship was a really great opportunity for them to have a much needed deep conversation that would hit on the major themes brought up as supposedly important to the story, but it's such a huge missed necessity that the show didn't bother to do.
A few odds and ends that again does not encompass everything else, Kenta and Pete's story only showed up towards the end, but the set up of their emotional connection and stakes was one of the more interesting ones after Babe and Way. Sadly they didn't get time to finish their story. Kim's whole plot just randomly stops as well. I'm really glad that Jeff who gets paired off with Alan is at least 20, though the power imbalance of his boss constantly disrespecting that he's already said he doesn't like being touched is pretty gross.
Overall, the show had the parts to be better, but wasn't utilized to it's potential.
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Needs some Work!!
I’m gonna start this by saying I realllly wanted to like this show I started it multiple times but couldn’t make it pass ep 2 bc it was just making me cringe but I finally got through it by watching it with a reactor and I was disappointed the only way I kept watching was bc I was watching with a reactor on my own I would of dropped it again. the amount of plot holes was something and no hate to pooh since this is his first lead role and all but the acting was stiff and I couldn’t feel any chemistry between babe and Charlie aside from when they were doing nc scenes, I felt more general chemistry between babe and way talking than Charlie and babe so a lot of their relationship development was forced and fast with no explanation as to why babe is feeling this way a lot of the characters were one note kind of characters so it was a tough watch but the trailer for s2 looked pretty good so hopefully they give the answers and explanationsWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I really enjoyed Pit Babe up until episode 10, from there it was okay. I was unsure of how I’d feel when I first started it. I thought it would be cringe like most BL’s I've watched recently (in my subjective opinion). I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was a drama with an actual good plot, romance, and most of all good acting. Story:
I've never enjoyed the Omegaverse concept before, so I went into this drama thinking it would be as disappointing as the Manhwa’s I have read, but dang this was addicting. Although I would hardly consider Pit Babe an Omegaverse drama. You kind of need Omegas and Betas for it to count as one.
I was expecting the main focus to be racing, so the whole child trafficking plot was unexpected. I didn't love it and I feel like the situation was resolved too easily and killing Way was unnecessary. Speaking of killing, I don't understand why Charlie faked his death. It was pointless and gave me trust issues when Way died. I had to look up for sure if he was actually dead. Also Babe’s reaction to finding out his lover faked his death was way more chilled than it should have been. Charlie lied to him on multiple occasions and not just white lies, like major lies that I can't believe anybody would forgive.
Way being the enigma was definitely shocking. I would have thought that after he found out just how evil Tony was, he would have stopped following Tony’s orders, but I guess not. They did his character kind of dirty but I also don’t condone attempting to rape someone. That's an unforgivable offense. I wish Way and Pete would’ve actually become a couple. I was hopeful that Way would fall for Pete and accept that his chances with Babe were never going to happen. But by the 7th episode I lost hope, they totally had chemistry nonetheless.
The racing part was an enjoyable and unique concept. I've never been interested in cars and as deadly as the sport is (which only after I watched this did I realize HOW deadly it is), I think it would be fun to watch. Honestly the story would have just been as good if the focus was on the sport and Babe teaching Charlie.
I know this might be wrong to say but even though he did try to kill Babe, I felt bad for Dean. They did not treat him like a valuable player and didn't even care if anything happened to him. I was not surprised he switched sides at all.
Couples + Main Characters:
Charlie x Pit Babe. Calling Charlie obsessive is an understatement. His character was so one-dimensional, his choices never made sense, and I always laughed anytime he interacted with any character besides Pit Babe. He would blatantly ignore them or walk away, and just overall did not care about anyone except Babe. Charlie and Jeff were supposed to be close like brothers, but they barely talked to each other throughout the drama. Jeff would go missing for long periods, so Alan would worry like crazy but Charlie remained unconcerned. Anyway, as somewhat toxic and crazy as Pit Babe and Charlie’s relationship was, it was quite cute. The NC scenes were not jaw-dropping but besides that, no complaints. I will also include that I did not like them calling each other “Mama” and “Papa.” It feeds into the harmful stereotype that there is always a “feminine” or “female” type in gay relationships.
Alan x Jeff. I loved them at first but later it got a little boring. I loved watching Jeff get jealous whenever Alan would talk to someone, you could feel his eyes on him. I liked the age gap trope but they really stretched it out. They made Jeff seem like he was a minor but they don't even look that far apart. That aside, their relationship was pretty wholesome.
Acting/Cast:
I can not stress how much I loved Pavel’s acting in this. He acted his heart out and he's definitely one of the best I've seen in Thailand. The cry scenes made me cringe a little but I'm usually squeamish about them in the first place. He definitely out-acted more than half the industry. I won't criticize Pooh too hard considering this was his first drama, but for the most part he did just okay. In some scenes it felt a bit stiff and forced, like he was reading the script but not putting much effort into the emotional part. Everybody else played their scenes well, I especially liked Sonic and Dean. They were more like background characters but they seemed very natural.
Although Pit Babe wasn’t top tier and the writing wasn't spectacular, it was enjoyable and addicting= watch.
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Where everything is beautiful but no one talks to each other
I'll be intentionally vague so as not to spoil anything but the upshot is: A little money smooths the rough edges. They clearly had a decent budget as the locations are gorgeous, the music is pretty good, and the racing action is filmed to feel properly heart pounding. Pavel as Babe really showcases his talent, and I hope season 2 has a bit less angst and gives him something to sink his teeth into. I'm ambivalent about omegaverse in general, but I think that aspect actually made real space for some great twists. I'd recommend this series, and I don't say that lightly.Was this review helpful to you?
Pit Babe: A Riveting Dive into the World of Motorsports and Romance
Prepare to be swept away by the adrenaline-fueled drama and heartfelt romance of Thailand’s latest BL sensation, Pit Babe. Set against the high-octane backdrop of the motorsports world, this series delivers a thrilling ride that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.At its core, Pit Babe revolves around the budding relationship between two unlikely souls: the talented and ambitious racer, Babe, and the charming and up and coming racer, Charlie. As they navigate the competitive world of racing, their bond deepens, igniting a passionate romance that defies societal norms and expectations.
What sets Pit Babe apart is its masterful balance of pulse-pounding action and tender moments of intimacy. The adrenaline-pumping race sequences are impeccably choreographed, capturing the intensity and danger of the sport, while the tender moments between Tan and Pat are filled with genuine emotion and chemistry, pulling at the heartstrings of viewers.
But Pit Babe is more than just a love story; it’s a celebration of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery. The supporting cast, including Babe and Charlie’s friends and fellow racers, adds layers of depth and complexity to the narrative, each character grappling with their own dreams and demons.
Visually stunning and impeccably paced, Pit Babe keeps viewers hooked from start to finish, seamlessly blending heart-stopping racing action with poignant character development. The cinematography captures the vibrant energy of Thailand’s racing scene, while the evocative soundtrack enhances every emotional beat.
At its core, Pit Babe is a testament to the power of love and the courage to pursue one’s passions against all odds. With its captivating storyline, charismatic performances, and electrifying chemistry between the leads, Pit Babe cements its place as a must-watch addition to the BL genre. Whether you’re a fan of motorsports or romance, this series offers something for everyone, leaving a lasting impression that will linger long after the final lap.”
The Main Characters Review
Babe (played by Pavel):
Babe, the spirited and determined racer, steals the spotlight in Pit Babe with his fiery personality and unparalleled talent behind the wheel. Portrayed with charm and authenticity by Pavel, Babe commands the screen with his unwavering dedication to his craft and his unapologetic pursuit of his dreams. With his infectious energy and fierce determination, Babe emerges as a beacon of strength and resilience, proving that no obstacle is too great to overcome.
Charlie (played by Pooh):
As the charming and charismatic mechanic, Charlie brings warmth and depth to Pit Babe with his endearing personality and unwavering support for Babe. Portrayed with sincerity and heart by Pooh, Charlie’s journey from a humble mechanic to a steadfast ally and confidant is a testament to the power of friendship and loyalty. His unwavering belief in Babe’s abilities and his willingness to stand by his side through triumph and adversity make him a beloved character among fans. With his infectious optimism and genuine affection for Babe, Charlie adds an undeniable charm to the series, enriching the narrative with his heartfelt moments and genuine camaraderie.
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10/10 Review for Pit Babe – A Thai BL Masterpiece
What an absolute masterpiece! I binged all 13 episodes of Pit Babe in just two days — that's how hooked I was. From the very first episode to the last, not a single moment felt boring or out of place. It’s been a long time since a series gripped me this hard, and I couldn’t stop watching.
One thing that immediately stood out to me was the absence of any female characters — not even in supporting roles — which is honestly so refreshing. It created a uniquely immersive atmosphere, centered entirely around the relationships and dynamics between the male leads, and it worked perfectly.
The genre itself is such a breath of fresh air — car racing and garage life? Yes, please! Finally, a Thai BL that's not set in a university or high school. The adrenaline, the heat, the roaring engines — it all added a thrilling edge that elevated the story beyond the typical love-line drama.
Let’s talk about the acting: Pavel absolutely stole the show. His performance was packed with raw emotion — every time he cried, I cried. And visually? His face is just stunning to look at, expressive in a way that made every scene hit even harder. Charlie, on the other hand, brought such tenderness to the series. His unwavering love and devotion, no matter how many times Babe turned him down, made my heart ache in the best way. He was the definition of a sweet, loyal boyfriend.
The rest of the cast? Just as incredible. Every actor brought depth to their role and their visuals? Top-tier. Talented, gorgeous, and completely convincing in every scene.
As far as action BLs go, Pit Babe is right up there as one of the best I've ever seen. The blend of fast cars, high stakes, and raw emotional intensity was already amazing — and then they gave us that NC scene. Hot. Steamy. Unforgettable. 10/10.
I’m beyond excited for Season 2, which is dropping next week — but I’m not emotionally ready to watch only one episode per week. The wait is going to kill me! 😭
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My opinion is very controversial i am well aware,
From the first episode, this show gave me NOTHING.I know...it may be frustrating for many to hear but i didn't. But that wasn't an issue, even though i watch everything from Cartoon Network to JimJam to Netflix, to Hulu to ...well...things like this...It is very rare that i genuinely like something from the get go. That's just how i am, i am just not easily impressed.
Because of this, i have learnt to ignore first impressions and march on. (LITA was the same, i spent months trying to get past the first episode and today its on my top ten better bls.)
I will put it out there that i genuinely wanted to like Pitbabe cause of the cast and all the work that was put into promoting it before it aired. Also hot guys in fast cars...(helllo!!) So even though i had an urge to skip through it and admit defeat, i held on for a while. I watched until episode 6 then i couldn't...it literally got worse and worse.
The worst thing for me is Pitbabe's character and how everyone and their grandma's world seems to revolve around him🙄.
I love a red flag character ...in fact i tend to mostly like the condemned bls which people say they can't stand cause of the toxic characters etc...I'm very tolerant of that generally.
But Pibabe...gosh...his tantrums and his fragile ego which everyone has to stroke...urg.
Episode after episode everyone is wondering..."Why did Pitbabe storm off?" "What's wrong with Pitbabe why isn't he talking to us?" "Don't worry Pitbabe...you're so strong and capable and better than them." Like wtf. I just can't with that....i can't.
Literally he gives me the Ick and i see NOT 1 redeeming characteristic in him. Which is weird cause I'm the person who found a way to redeem Vegas, Type, Day and all the literal Devil Gods in Chinese series.
And to make it worse, no one is likeable for me in the series. Literally no one. I found myself lacking anyone to root for and it left me baffled. It's never happened before and i've watched Fahlanruk and....Euphoria🥲
Way is cute but I can't stand how pathetic in love with Pitbabe he is, that is one thing I've never been able to stomach.
I won't even mention Charlie cause i don't even....urghhh... When he says mummy...i literally want to kill him, me, babe, and like...everyone. Just to make sure it's never said again.
All in all....Pitbabe is a 5 for me...The five to be distributed equally among the hot cast members (even the villain guy) and the cool cars.
Feel free to sue me Pitbabe groupies.
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Too Much and Not Enough: The Goldilocks Syndrome of Pit Babe
I really wanted to like this series. I watched Boys Journey leading into it and absolutely fell in love with the cast.And for the record, that is the one thing that has not changed. The cast is the only thing that makes this series work. Pavel is fantastic. Nut as well is a stand out performer for me. But all of the others are solid, well rounded performers as well.
This series dies by its writing. The problems start within the main couple- who somehow have no palpable chemistry, despite the fact that the actors who play them have chemistry in spades. They are written into an insta-love corner that the show never bothers to write its way out of. Eight episodes in, and the main couple is as hollow and vapid as they were in episode two.
There are too many characters. Many of whom serve no purpose to the plot, and ultimately serve as a pointless distraction away from the main story. There are too many ideas shoved into one show. Is this a racing show, is this an action show or is this a romance? Some series can pull together multiple genres to make a compelling series. The Sign, for example is a show that manages to balance several genres at once and still be coherent. But these writers are not up for that challenge. As they get completely lost up their own plotholes, it becomes increasingly clear over the course of this series that these writers don't have a clear direction for this show. And worse, it's become blatantly clear that they have no interest in writing a BL.
The one positive I will give the writers, is that they did manage to make compelling tension. I would always leave each episode feeling a desperate need to see the next one and find out what will happen next. Unfortunately, they are never able to pay off any of the tension they successfully build. Arguments are forgotten from one scene to the next, characters are constantly behaving in ways bizarrely devoid of emotion. These aren't characters. They're walking plot devices used to push the story around. And I do mean push the story around, because the story never seems to actually push forward in any kind of believable way.
So we're stuck with this Goldie Locks syndrome. Too many characters, too many ideas, too many pointless scenes where characters only exist to lob exposition at each other. Not enough character development, not enough time given to side couples, not enough emotional believability built up between the two main leads.
There's a good story buried somewhere in this. Unfortunately, it seems that these writers were unable to find that plot.
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It was so bad it was funny
I genuinely hate babe and Charlie, theyre both just so goddamn annoying and overall ehh, i couldnt really see anything between them, just major annoyance that they caused me by their corny ahh fake lines. Not to mention alan and jeff, jeff was alright but alan made me creep out by the way he calls him kid. Im worried abt their age difference even tho theyre both adults, its js weird. It made me question stuff bro. The only actual duo i liked and that gave me hopes was north and sonic, my boys deserve everything omg. Sonic was js so cute omg omg, my all time fav from this shitty series.Also the plot was quite common + pretty predictable in most times, which ruined it for me even further when the plot holes were already annoying enough. The rape scene was so unneccesary and detailed too, it really didnt do anything at all and wasnt even mentioned later. They also for some reason took it so light heartedly which made me disgusted to my core.
I dont think this is worth watching, especially if ur looking for some serious watch. I went thru this as a time killer but even like that it wasnt worth it. The only thing that actually made me finish this was because of sonic and how it was so weird i was curious how fucked itll get later. Not gonna go for s2 tho and im glad i wont.
Watch something decent pls, thank u♡.
(Lil fun fact: i made this acc just to rant abt this shit)
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Pit Babe (2023) Review! My thoughts on this drama
Overall I really enjoyed this series. Yes, the plot was a bit messy at times, however the cast overcame that and helped bring the series back on track.The cast was the thing that brought the series to life, the acting was, at least in my opinion, really good. The actor that played Babe (Pavel) had a few emotional scenes and nailed them. He did a great job showing the emotions.
The chemistry was really good between the main cast both platonic relationship wise and romantic relationship wise.
This drama was a bit slow at times so I did skip some parts, but it balanced the slow scenes with faster scenes and I had to go back and rewatch some scenes to understand what was going on.
This is my first review, so if I missed any good points or could improve my reviews somehow or someway kindly let me know. Hope you learned a little from this review and hope you have a great day!
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This review may contain spoilers
Miscast Pooh Took Me Out
Almost every actor did good/great. Then you have Pooh as Charlie who keeps taking me out of the series every time he came on. If the role was given to someone with some acting chops this series would have been so much better. Every delivery done by Pooh was weak to the point of being cringey. Something about his performance reminds me of Dunk. All whiny and lacking substance.Patel was born to play Babe. He really pulled of the tsundere bottom flawlessly. I am not sure if Pooh was suppose to be a helpless yandere. When Charlie absorbed Babes powers, It was hard to believe had them because Charlie was still wake as ever thanks to Pooh’s performance. Pavel was the only one who gave off any heat in the NC seasons. For Charlie to seduce Babe to have Charlie become Babe’s boyfriend instead of Babe’s boy toy. I was mystified as to why. Other than Charlie constantly stalking Babe then being all clingy as to not leave whenever Babe tells him to leave. I don’t understand why Babe fell in love with Charlie. The sex wasn’t even hot. Unless that’s what the director thinks is hot. If anything it looked like Babe and Charlie like BJs in the locker room is hot.
OMG, all their rescue mission was a disaster. They might as well not have tried for the results were were the same.
Seriously, Alan and Jeff gave 10x more heat and they weren’t having locker room sex. Uncle Alan schooling Jeff on sex was cute and sexy AF.
All Pete/Way and Pete/Kenta were left with jus5 crumbs in the end. I am sure y’all must have pitchforks out by now. Especially PeteWay shippers. The series did you dirty by killing him off. At least PeteKenta fans can still hang onto hope for a future off the series.
North and Sonic must’ve been a couple already for them to be always joined at the hip. I guess part of the fun was playing up the are they or are they not a couple until the end.
I hope Winner was beaten to death by Way, North and Sonic and not just severely and survived. I am disappointed with what happened to Way.
I am happy Kenta literally stabbed Daddy Chen in the back and dealt the final ending of the big baddie. While the death was too quick and we would like a lot more torture of Tony. Unfortunately, with this being the last episode with so much to wrap up. We were left with a disappointing death scene.
For the most part having Pavel in this series worth it. Phuwin can learn from Pavel on how to cry. This series had so much potential to be a better series than it actually is. There was so parts that was poorly executed. The pace was not as exciting as t can be because of the editing. Overall this series left me wanting more of something different. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is. I need to process the last episode and will look for some closure after reading the comment section and reviews.
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first of all omegaverse without omegas, I have the impression that they completely changed the basis of this motif, and also mixing omegaverse with supernatural powers completely messes up the series, for me they should choose one of these motifs and focus on it . In my opinion, the story was much too fast, the characters with the same bad personalities mainly Charlie, the very fact that in the first episode he agreed to the deal that Pit proposed gave me the impression that he will do anything to achieve his goal.Besides, I do not believe a word he says is terribly insincere. As for the faule itself, it was very rushed and, for me, meaningless, there were many threads that were not explained. Well, and above all, too much lust, I read omegaverse and I know that the vast majority focus on this, making them toxic, but there are omegaverse, which, however, can focus on the relationship of the characters, and not the motive of lust. For me, a good bl and omegaverse is one that has some balance between the characters' relationships and desire.
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