This review may contain spoilers
WHAT STINKS AND WHAT NOT?
First things first: WHAT THE F*CK DID I JUST WATCH.This is only my second GL series after GAP (which was about as spicy as a f*cking glass of milk, let’s be honest), so my expectations were lower than my will to live on a Monday morning. And yet, somehow, this show still managed to play in my face. The first five minutes? I WAS CONFUSED AS HELL. WHO are all these women?? WHY do they all have the same ponytail?? WHY do they all look like they just found out their salary got cut in half??? It’s giving Angry Lesbian Detective Agency and I was NOT prepared.
Then, after squinting at my screen like a blind grandmother for what felt like an eternity, I finally figured out that Tul (inspector) and Ran (forensic doctor) were the leads. Cool, got it. But then I noticed something… WHERE THE F*CK IS THE CHEMISTRY.
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1. Plot & Chemistry
Alright, so we got Tul and Ran teaming up to solve murder cases, including the Raindrop Killer who murked Ran’s mom 18 years ago. Classic revenge setup, fine. BUT THESE BTCHES HAVE THE EMOTIONAL RANGE OF A FCKING TOASTER.
LIKE. HELLO??? I am BEGGING for a little sexual tension. A lingering stare. A bite of the lip. A fcking anything. But no. It’s dry. It’s so dry my skin started flaking just watching it. The ONLY thing that had me clutching my chest like a 19th-century widow? THE HAND-HOLDING SCENE. BTCH, THAT SH*T HIT ME LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN. I actually felt something. My soul left my body for a second. But then? BACK TO DRYNESS.
And don’t even get me started on the action scenes. Tul, babe, WHAT THE F*CK ARE YOU DOING. YOU ARE A FCKING COP, THROW A DECENT PUNCH. The way she fights like she learned self-defense from a fcking YouTube tutorial??? Disgraceful. You are letting criminals do parkour around your slow ass while you just STAND THERE looking confused?? GET A GRIP, B*TCH.
Also, can we PLEASE talk about the wardrobe situation. WHY DO ALL THE TOPS LOOK LIKE THEY SHOPPED AT THE SAME F*CKING WORKWEAR CLEARANCE SALE. Baggy pants. Oversized button-up. Tank top. RINSE AND REPEAT. The costume department really said, “Lesbians don’t have rights.”
ANYWAY. Let’s get into the bullsh*t decision-making because OH MY GOD.
EXHIBIT A: Tul walks into a crime scene, sees blood, and immediately rushes to Ran. Sis. YOUR BROTHER IS MISSING. Maybe CHECK ON HIM TOO?? But no, let’s just ignore that for five business days.
EXHIBIT B: The FINAL CONFRONTATION. Tul has a gun. Tin is standing there, CLEARLY ABOUT TO MURDER HER DAD. And what does Tul do? STANDS THERE SCREAMING INSTEAD OF SHOOTING. I almost threw my fcking laptop. The way she just… froze??? BABE. WHAT THE FCK. SHOOT THE BTCH, MOVE ON, ROLL CREDITS.
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2. Characters & Acting
Tul (Engfa) – First of all, this woman is gorgeous. I’ll give her that. But why does she act like she’s holding in a massive sh*t in every scene??? Like girl. RELAX. Also, WHY is she so fcking stiff?? She’s supposed to be a badass cop but moves like a fcking NPC with one animation loop. DO BETTER.
Ran (Charlotte) – I actually kinda like her. She’s got that I’m a hot doctor and I KNOW IT energy, and I respect that. BUT, BABE. WHERE IS THE SPICE. WHERE IS THE FLIRTY BANTER. WHERE IS THE “I HATE YOU BUT I LOWKEY WANNA KISS YOU” ENERGY. Right now, it’s giving corporate coworkers who just tolerate each other.
Jew (Meena) – NOW THIS B*TCH RIGHT HERE. PERFECTION. She’s fun, she’s charming, she actually has a f*cking personality. She’s everything I WISH Tul was.
May (Lin) – THE MVP. THIS GIRL CARRIED THE ENTIRE SHOW. The comedic relief we desperately fcking needed. The way she ships Tul and Ran harder than the actual writers?? BTCH, SAME. An ICON. A LEGEND.
Now. I need to be honest about something. The acting overall? Mid. Sorry not sorry. If we compare this to, let’s say, Max & Inntouch? BABY. THE GAP IS GAP-ING. Max & Inntouch give you tension, give you emotions, give you ACTING. Tul and Ran? It’s like watching two attractive mannequins trying to solve crimes.
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3. OST
I literally do not f*cking remember it. That should tell you everything.
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4. Overall
As I said in all my review, I am not the type of person to rewatch a series unless if its good. Would I rewatch this? F*CK NO. Would I recommend it? Maybe if you just wanna look at hot women making bad decisions.
The plot twists were fire, I’ll give them that. But the pacing? The chemistry? The weak-ass action? TRASH. This could’ve been an 8-episode series instead of dragging us through 10 episodes of stiff acting and Tul fumbling every single f*cking fight.
Final rating: 6/10.
Now, do I suffer through Pluto next or just set myself on fire instead???
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The Series is fantastic!!!
This show is fantastic, I hope it never ends.I urge everyone to watch it, the plot is remarkable and
intriguing, with many twists and surprises.
The actors bring depth and authenticity to their roles,
making every scene captivating and every character.
Each actor delivers a performance so genuine and
powerful that it brings the story to life in a truly
unforgettable way.
The director Poy Pannares bringing out the best in every
scene, every performance, and every detail, crafting a
series that is as unforgettable as it is beautifully
executed.
The performance of Inspector Tul and Doctor Run is truly
remarkable, bringing such depth and authenticity to the
character. Every emotion felt real, and you captured the
essence of the role with such skill and grace.
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A Fresh Storm in the Thai GL Scene
⚠️ GL Grading DisclaimerMy ratings are “for a GL,” focusing on the love story, chemistry, and plot. I grade on a curve, recognizing the production context and genre norms. A 10 means it fully delivers in one or more of these: undeniable chemistry, high enjoyability, or a standout storyline.
Plot
Petrichor really tried to shake things up in the GL world—and honestly, it mostly worked. The crime-thriller plotline was a fun ride, with enough twists to keep me engaged. I didn’t guess the killer right away, which I appreciated, though by the halfway mark it started becoming obvious. Still, props for at least trying to keep the suspense alive and giving us something different from the usual romantic fluff.
Chemistry
The leads? Gorgeous. Straight-up stunning. And their chemistry? It’s there, but it simmers more than it sizzles. Don’t get me wrong—it’s believable and I bought into their connection, but I couldn’t help feeling like they were playing it safe. Compared to the likes of FreenBecky or Lookmhee and Sonya (LMSY), who ooze comfort and authenticity, this pair just didn’t go all in. You’ll root for them, but you might not replay their scenes a dozen times.
Romance
I really liked the slow burn between Run and Tul—it was mature, measured, and made sense. There was a nice emotional rhythm to how their relationship developed. The side romance between their subordinates was a surprisingly cute bonus and added softness that balanced out the heavier main plot.
Characters
Run had some depth and emotional range, which gave her scenes weight. Tul, on the other hand, was a bit of a letdown. For a cop, I expected her to have more edge—more presence. She often faded into the background, and her character felt underwritten. And the brother? He was on a whole other planet. The overacting was relentless and turned dramatic scenes into near-parody by the end.
Acting
The acting overall was just okay. A tad stale in places. Some emotional beats didn’t land, and a few scenes felt like they were going through the motions. It wasn’t awful, but there was a noticeable lack of spark—especially in a show that’s supposed to be emotionally driven.
Pacing
The pacing wasn’t terrible, but it dragged more than it needed to. A whole episode could’ve been chopped without hurting the story. Some scenes felt stretched thin or like filler, and by the last few episodes, I was more interested in wrapping up than lingering in the story.
Production
Visually, Petrichor was good. The lighting, sets, and costumes created a moody, stylish vibe that fit the genre nicely. The noir-like atmosphere gave it some flair. There were a few continuity issues, though—little things that momentarily pulled me out of scenes. I chose to overlook them, but they were there.
Final Thoughts
Petrichor is a fun watch. It’s trying something different, and I respect that. The women are beautiful, the concept is fresh for GL, and it has enough emotional weight to make it memorable. That said, it could’ve been tighter, spicier, and better acted in places. I recommend it—but I probably wouldn’t rewatch.
This is by far the best EngLot series yet. I’m not a huge fan of them or their previous shows, but this one is solid. Still, their love story here is sweet, not swoon-worthy. It works, but it doesn't linger.
Chemistry rating: Warm
(Scale: Hot AF, Steamy, Warm and Cute — Petrichor lands at "Warm." It’s got heart, but not fire.)
For reference: Affair = HOT AF
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This review may contain spoilers
I'm gonna be honest, I haven't watched many thai gl dramas. But I've watched a few. And I was looking for a drama with plot AND romance. But somehow the chemistry between the characters felt off. The plot was good although kind of predictable (atleast for me). But I felt like there was no tension between the main leads. Their expressions kind of looked robotic(?). I felt like the side couple held much more emotion than them. Was this review helpful to you?
I just love everything about this story, Charlotte's acting is superb and for Engfa too. Actually everybody involved are super awesome.
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So far so good
Okay though it's an ongoing show . Till now the story is going pretty good . We can see a lot difference in their acting in this series as compared to other two which they had previously worked on . You can clearly see they have imported a lot in their acting and have worked really hard on it . I can't wait what the upcoming episode has got us . All the best for the series .Might come back to drop a review after it's completed
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only watch if youre into the cast
I'll probably upset some people but also save some others some time to save.This has an awful acting with no good chemistry (didnt look natural how the main couple got together), the production was mid, and the story is the only thing that might be savable even though it has many holes it's kinda interesting.
A lot of things looks forced and 0 natural so it made drop it at the episode 5 even though I wanted to drop it even before but I gave it a couple chances just because I wanted to see how the main couple would develop.
Cute casting tho
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Best Thai GL
Petrichor masterfully intertwines the themes of love, crime, and violence into a gripping narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Set in a gritty urban backdrop, the show explores the lives of star-crossed lovers caught in a dangerous web of betrayal and loyalty.The storytelling is bold and unapologetic, seamlessly blending moments of tender romance with high-stakes action. The lead characters, portrayed with raw emotion and complexity, draw you into their turbulent world, where every decision feels like a life-or-death gamble. The chemistry between the protagonists is electric, making their forbidden love both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
The show doesn’t shy away from depicting the harsh realities of crime, delivering scenes of intense violence that are both shocking and essential to the plot. Yet, it balances this with moments of vulnerability and human connection, reminding viewers that even in darkness, love can thrive.
The cinematography is stunning, capturing both the beauty and brutality of the show’s setting. Paired with a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, “Shadows of Desire” leaves a lasting impression long after the credits roll.
If you enjoy stories that challenge your emotions and leave you questioning the boundaries of morality, “Shadows of Desire” is a must-watch. It’s a show that lingers in your mind, making you root for love even in the most unlikely of places.
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#1 Investigative Crime series
If you Enjoyyyy watching investigative Crime shows then you must give this one a watch. Thrilling from start to finish. Ten amazing episodes without getting bored once. Amazinggggg storyline, Cinematography, Cast and Crew. Phenomenal Acting with some cute romance between the female leads to top it all off. Ten out of Ten had to recommend you won't be disappointed!!!!Was this review helpful to you?
Rew
Wohoa, I am at episode 2 and it could already have a different name: All The Things That Wouldn't Happen Like That at All IRL.It is not a bad story... it is just so badly written story. ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
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INTRIGUING & EXCITING!
(NO SPOILERS)Petrichor is a fresh take on girl's love (gl) from Thailand. It focuses on the mystery aspect and tackles a lot of social issues such as corruption in the police force, powertripping, and even misogyny in the workplace.
But the beautiful thing about it is how empowered the female characters come across. They power through and rise above the occasion, no matter the difficulties they face. It's so good to see strong female characters who fight for justice. Even the cinematography and attention to detail is unmatched. Never a dull moment in each episode. Also, the leads have insane chemistry! I can't see anyone else bringing life to these characters aside from Engfa and Charlotte. It's so refreshing to see a healthy WLW relationship without the homophobia from their family members.
Acting + visuals + storyline + overall message = 10/10! Kudos to the Petrichor Team!
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