BL Drama Lovers Club

The Next Prince: Uncut - Finale - Review

This is going to be a very long post and will have comments that will upset some. You were warned.

These are my thoughts and opinions, some of which will be unpopular:

Production - the production team did excellent work. The cinematography, the costumes, the music, the sets, the props - it is all amazing. The story of royalty is made very realistic through this production team. I like how each palace came to life on screen with distinguishing features. Overall the budget not just was a big one, but one that was well spent with purpose and aesthetics well thought out and executed.

Charan & Khanin (ZeeNuew) - their chemistry is ever present throughout the series which comes as no surprise if you are familiar with their works, plus the fact that they are a real life couple. I appreciate how the writers did not just focus on Khanin's story, but also gave Charan's character some depth beyond the "white knight" persona. I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive with how they delayed Charan's confession. I felt as though we have come to the end and this seems like unnecessary drama. However, with how they did it, I found myself satisfied. I think it is realistic; with the shadow of the competition and danger now gone they characters are left with the realities of normal life with a new king pushing for reforms. They are now free to decide how they want to lead their lives and at that time Charan and Khanin's paths were separate; Khanin was being lead by purpose and passion while Charan was still chained to a vow which he felt impeded him from having anything outside of duties. Although he was inspired by Khanin, it made no real impact as long as in his own mind his beginning and ending was bound in a vow. Hence, I appreciated how it was resolved. I would have preferred though if this was resolved in episodes before the finale. I wanted them to kiss in the scene where they were dancing at the royal event. As I said, I am satisfied with their ending, but I still would have preferred a different series of events leading up to the marriage proposal.

Calvin & Jay (NetJJ) - For me there are two ways to look at their story; their story was neglected and thus did not get a much onscreen time for development to be seen or their appearances and story-line here was really just a taste of them as a couple as preview to what they have to offer in their upcoming series, basically a promotion within a series. Anyway, I like their chemistry. This is my first time seeing Net with his partner JJ, so I was satisfied to see that they do have good chemistry and I look forward to their upcoming series.

Ramil & Paytai (JimmyOhm) - Yes, it is finally that time. I have stated on more than one occasion that I will save my thoughts and opinions on this couple for this very finale review because I wanted to see them through to the end without making any premature comments. These are my own opinions which will be unpopular among many. I did not agree with this couple from the beginning and now at the end I remain in disagreement with this couple. Let me be clear, it is the story-line with the characters as a couple that I disagree with and not with the actors as a couple. Here are my reasons: in my view the BDSM aspect did not serve this couple well. In BDSM relationships there is respect and deep trust between the dominant and the submissive, as a matter of fact the submissive is the one who is really in control as they have the absolute right to give and withdraw consent at anytime. In Ramil and Paytai's relationship respect is not reciprocated. For me the combination of actual physical and psychological abuse  and BDSM casts a perverted shadow on their relationship; a shadow that becomes apparent to Ramil in their NC scene where he was supposedly whipping Paypai. He could not do it because the similarity was glaring. This combination of actual abuse and BDSM casts many doubts about the foundation of their relationship and if there is actually any love at all there. Are they engaging in a BDSM relationship because of genuine desires and preference based on love and respect, or are they engaging in a BDSM relationship as a sexual manifestation of abuse with Ramil using it as an outlet release his brokenness in a violent way that leads to sexual release; someone to take out violence on since he cannot muster the courage to lash out at his abuser (father) as well as Paypai using this relationship as a self degrading device to further feel less than and feeling even more shameful of himself that he feels sexual release from it. Given their circumstances you simply cannot deny the questions surrounding the respect of their relationship. All I see when I look at their relationship is an extension of abuse. Now, after the NC scene whipping event the BDSM aspect tapered off leaving the questions of love and respect out in the open even more. 

Before I go on to this aspect let me introduce the term "whipping boy" because this is what Praypai essentially was. In medieval times princes were given young boys the same age as them from a very young age so that they would form strong friendships. During the course of the prince's education the tutors could not punish the princes so they would punish the young boys who became their close friends in order to control the behaviour of the princes; hence the term whipping boy - he took the whippings on behalf of the prince. Sometimes these boys were not peasants but from nobility just as Praypai who is from a renowned family of politicians. 

Now, to love and respect. I do not see love or respect here. I believe Ramil has a strong connection to Praypai because of the abuse they survived together and those feelings are being confused with love. Do you really love someone who you make promises to but continue to hurt and humiliate, breaking those promises? How weak is his love that it bends every time to his father's orders of abuse. Does he see a partner, the love of his life in Paypai or does he see an empty vessel in Paypai in which to seek refuge in, from his father's abuse. As it relates to Paypai, I cannot say it anymore bluntly than he is being double abused. He is being abused at the hands of Ramil's father and he is being abused in his relationship with Ramil. I will go further to say that he is perhaps suffering from some form of victim - that is what he is - syndrome. Oftentimes people who are abused are psychologically wrecked in such a way that they will refuse to acknowledge the abuse and even claim they love their abusers. With that being said I am not denying in any sense that Ramil is not also a victim!

To wrap this up, the ending they got was expected and I disagree. I would have preferred for them to split with it being implied that some time later (years or months) they reunited and started off from scratch from a much healthier place. I do not like how both of their trauma was swept away with one instance of Ramil standing up to his father for the sake of a finale. I also think that their ending scene did no justice to Paypai or Ramil. They deserve better. As for how Ramil dealt with his abuser (father), it was good for him to finally stand up for himself even though in my view it is very much too late in regards to Paypai. Personally I would have knocked the father out on that floor; do not come at me about respect for parents. The title is earned and an abuser is an abuser - under the law it is self defence.

The King - he should have crossed over to the after life much earlier in my opinion. No I have not forgiven him. His apologies mean nothing on his death bed because they are just that - DEAD! His contrition and apologies should have been exercised when he could make meaningful actions. Coming with those apologies is just him seeking peace of mind before death. I understand that there are those with a different view and you are entitled to it, but for me just like his body his apologies are dead - meaningless.

Khanin's Biological Father - I am glad that he turned out to be a good person. I however cannot believe his lack of reaction to finding out his one and only son was hidden from him by his father. That type of blind loyalty and respect is scary!

The NC scene - Uncover your eyes lol this is not that type of post. I just want to say that it had its moments and was mighty long lol

All in all it was a fantastic series that definitely provoked thought. 

Sorry for this long post.

I haven’t been on here in like a week lol (I’ve still been watching my fair share of BL though, of course)

What have I missed? 

Updates:

Source - X

 p43425:

Please note that I've already called dibs on Pak Varayu

Rest assured, I'm not going to fight you (or dora) over Pak Varayu, you can have him 😉 

The Next Prince - You know what they say, appetite comes with eating. This drama was good, so I wanted it to be even better (if you know what I mean).
I really wanted the other couples' storylines to be more developed. They deserved more screen time. I rarely see domestic abuse (mental and physical) portrayed in BLs. They've got me all curious about Ramil and Paytai's situationship. They were shown using elements of BDSM, but was it done with mutual agreement? I guess so, but it's not certain. Was it a kink? Was it a coping mechanism? Was it about dominance or being in control? Or something else entirely? Man, I've got way too many questions about a fictional couple... Ramil and Paytai are two broken people in need of therapy, one hug at the beach won't fix everything 😭
And then we've got Calvin and Jay. I've felt like their whole relationship was about protests and riots. It was scandalously underdeveloped. I blinked and they were in love. How?
I'm sorry, I don't mean to complain, but where else am I going to do it, if not here on this forum?

Doctor's Mine eps 1-3
I've got nothing against Lee, but all the productions I've seen him in so far were not the best (to put it mildly), so I don't expect much from this series. Nonetheless, the first three episodes weren't that bad 😮 Mild is a cutie and I like him 🥰 I wonder if Knight is as bad as Mud makes him to be. Two main couples are already falling for each other. I'm already a fan of Per and Kan. They reminded me a little bit of Forth and Beam. I love the scenes with the two of them and I like Per's approach (he's not giving up easily). I predict a lot of trouble for our couples, since their uni is swarmed with love rivals 😒

Lost in Kyoto ep 1
What an interesting way to start a series - BDSM concept for a photoshoot. Both characters seem quite interesting and have some chemistry. I'd prefer photographer/director wasn't married, but let's wait and see how they'll deal with this. So far so good 😊

Reset eps 1-2 (rewatched, because they're worth it)
The series has finished airing, so now I can binge it in peace. I'm so curious if my theory of common points with Perfect Marriage Revenge is right or wrong. I'm excited! I feel like a child who's got a present and cannot wait to unwrap it 😄
My cats now hate me, but I just can't help myself. It's an unconditioned reflex. I see Mr Thada, I scream (and do some other things)🤫  He is such a fine man, such a rare specimen of mankind. The way he looks at Armin, the way he listens to him, the way he pays attention to him... What one has to do to get a man like Mr Thada? Save a country? Oh, I put my faith in you, Mr Thada, please, don't fail me 🥺
I absolutely love Mr Secretary. He's a one-man special task force. I adore him 😍 I hope they all get their happy ending...

 iota:

ohhh i would love this. i'm often in the mood for a specific kind of drama so i always write tags/genres for myself in the notes and filter that way but it can be a bit tedious to do all the time

It would be cool, but I'm not getting my hopes up too much. I think I brought it up last year too. So far only silence. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

Doctor's Mine - episode 3

SCREAMING LOL YESSS I just had the best time watching this episode lol

I cannot be convinced otherwise that this series is not a MESS and the secondary couple Per and Kan is just as messy as the series and I LOVE IT!!!!! They have this series by the balls, fuck the main couple this is where it is at lol

When Per and Kan kiss it is not kissing, it is the eating of faces 🤣 🤣 🤣 their scenes have me full of excitement because it is so chaotic lol I need to talk about Kan's ex so forgive me but I can only express this in my native tongue.

Di gyal really a tek set pon di yute dem afta she walk and fuck dung di place screaming  🤣 🤣 🤣 make it make sense. A shoulda mi! Mi woulda dip up unda har nastiness. Dem too polite fi my liking. But mi glad seh dem show di dutty gyal seh dem is di it couple in town! DAT KISS!!! OR mi shoulda seh dat EATING!!!

As fi Kan's likkle fren weh luv him off, she need fi wul har cornas! Mi get seh she luv off di bowy but him don have a hubby. Him neegle eye don ketch Per so dis likkle gyal need fi go siddung some weh.

This was clearly not meant for you guys to read lol this is just me blurting out my inner thoughts of excitement lol yes I think in patois before writing in English sometimes when discussing these series here lol

Anyway, my excitement is obvious and I am truly looking forward to the next episode.

10 Things I Want to Do Before I Turn 40 - episode 5

Unuh come here cause dis need crowd! Where did they get those outfits 😭 

Whoever is behind those wardrobe choices needs to be arrested   😭 😭 😭

So tired today, but I couldn’t resist watching the final episode of Reset. I spent the first half of the episode crying, and the second half sighing and laughing. K'Thada taking 50 million photos of the lunchbox Armin made was absolutely adorable. 🥹

I’ll admit, the first two episodes left me a bit skeptical about where the story was headed. But thankfully, the series chose to focus on Armin’s existential mea culpa and his evolving relationship with K'Thada and it paid off beautifully.

There’s no need to even mention how flawless Peterpan and Pond were. Their chemistry is electric. Both delivered deeply moving performances, full of nuance and charm. They absolutely carried the emotional weight of the series.

Special shoutout to Intanont and Alexander Ty Manoiu. Janine and Veynai stole every scene they were in. I wish they’d had more screen time so we could’ve seen their romance develop further.

I’ve seen some criticism of Bom Tanawat’s performance, but personally, I thought he was the perfect villain. He starts off cold, manipulative, calculating, and ambitious, but slowly, his paranoia and obsession begin to surface. It’s a brilliant unraveling.

This is a series that I’ll definitely be rewatching at some point.