Mate

The most unhinged Chao Planoy adaptation

Disclaimer: I have not read the book this series is based on, or any other Chao Planoy novel. Everything I know about her work is gathered from opinions I’ve read online, and other dramas adapted from other novels of hers, so take this review with a grain of salt.

One thing you often hear about Chao Planoy’s books is that they aren’t, well, good. Her plots rely on the same five or six tropes and two or three character types, and her work is frequently criticized for glamorizing toxic behavior. But most shows set in her GL extended universe (and there have been many: Gap, Blank, My Marvellous Dream Is You, Affair, Apple My Love, Pluto, Us…) seem aware of the problems in her writing and make an effort to soften the rough edges. And most of those efforts have been pretty successful so far—Lady Sam is made into a sympathetic protagonist in Gap, for example, despite being a terrible person on paper.

I’m not sure how faithful Mate the Series is to its source material, but this feels like the unfiltered version of Chao Planoy—Chao Unchained, if you will. Like the showrunners didn’t realize how unhinged the book was, or didn’t know how to make it more palatable, or didn’t care because they were only trying to cash in on the GL craze. I’m leaning towards the showrunners just being incompetent (although this series is a quick and dirty cash-grab, no question), because Mate is real bad, y’all. The dialogue is bad, the editing is bizarre, the music is bewildering (half the time it sounds like Looney Tunes music, and the other half it sounds like the soundtrack of a historical movie set during the French Revolution where one of the lovers dies tragically of cholera), the treatment of heavy topics like PTSD is clumsy, the characters are insufferable (I would murder Great on sight and feel no remorse), the acting is uneven, the love scenes have too much male gaze and lack chemistry…I could go on. This is a show where Genlong’s entire family is forced to flee the country due to her father’s criminal business activity, and not only is he never held accountable for his actions (which, by the way, indirectly lead to Gen and Aoey’s separation for three years!!), he is basically portrayed as a cuddly teddy bear for the remaining episodes. Um, hello, what?

So Mate is a disaster at the trash factory. And yet…it is weirdly compelling, in its way. If nothing else, it made me laugh out loud at least a few times per episode. (It’s childish, but Dr. Thot’s name kills me, I’m sorry.) And every once in a while the script stumbles sideways into some genuinely good drama. There is some great tension after the timeskip between Vengeance Aoey and Sadsack Genlong. Of course, the screenwriters don’t know what to do with it, or how to resolve it in a way that makes sense, so it ends up mostly wasted (although we do get one surprisingly excellent monologue from Aoey, the one about how everything is messed up). The later episodes make me think that Mate would have worked better with a non-chronological plot structure—we probably should have started with Gen and Aoey reuniting after their separation, à la The Secret of Us, and then moved backwards in time from there—although do I think the creators could have handled that well? Absolutely not.

On one hand, I’m thrilled by the recent success of the Thai GL industry, and the explosion of new series being announced. On the other hand, Mate could be a warning sign of things to come, once every entertainment company realizes they can make a quick buck (or baht, as it were) with a shippable couple and some adaptation rights—which is what seems to be happening. I can’t recommend that anyone watch Mate unless your brain is broken like mine and you can appreciate the absurdity of it. However, Grace and Oaey are cute as heck and I wish them all the best. Hopefully this series will be the launching pad they need to achieve bigger and better things.

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Dare to say best GL I've ever seen

Brace yourself for drama, angst, and trauma because Mate the Series has it all—and it’s absolutely fantastic.
This is probably the best story I’ve ever seen in a GL. I was captivated from beginning to end.

The love story between Gen and Aoey, two childhood best friends who reconnect after years of separation, is a beautiful portrayal of friendship, love, longing, and heartbreak. Their relationship is not easy to navigate; it’s intense and raw, but ultimately filled with all the love and affection they have for one another.

I adore the two main characters so much. Gen is bossy and arrogant, but deep down, she is incredibly gentle, caring, and selfless. We see how much she grows and changes for the better throughout the series. Aoey, on the other hand, is such a pure soul—she deserves the world. Seeing her on screen made me smile every single time. Yet, she also has a mischievous side that was an absolute delight to watch.

The chemistry between them is undeniable right from their first meeting. It’s so strong that you can’t look away. They effortlessly deliver both the most dramatic and the sweetest moments, making every shared scene a joy to watch.

Speaking of acting, Grace and Oaey did a phenomenal job. Grace excels in using her facial expressions to convey Gen’s emotions, often expressing what Gen cannot say out loud with just her eyes. Oaey, meanwhile, had a particularly challenging role. Aoey goes through so much, yet Oaey’s performance always feels genuine, even in the most intense moments—it’s never cringe-worthy or overdone.

One of the reasons I love this story so much is that it’s not just about them. There are external factors that play a significant role in shaping and influencing their relationship. The story feels broader in scope, as they face challenges and obstacles that are complex and not always easy to overcome.

While Mate excels in storytelling, character development, and acting, it does fall short on a technical level. The production, directing, and especially editing could use improvement. The editing, in particular, sometimes makes the story feel disjointed, and the narrative doesn’t always flow smoothly. The cinematography is almost nonexistent, and visually, the series can feel a bit dry. Apart from two beautifully executed moments, there aren’t many memorable scenes in terms of visuals. The series relies heavily on its intense emotions and performances to carry its weight.

Overall, I loved this series so much that I’ve grown deeply attached to Gen and Aoey. It’s hard to say goodbye. Every single episode had me hooked, leaving me craving more. I laughed, cried, and felt their pain and joy. It was truly a rollercoaster of emotions. Though it’s bittersweet, I’ll send them back to the novel with so much love.

10/10 <3

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