Not For Everyone
The best and most inappropriate way I can describe this is imagine if Dario Argento (Italian film maker known for Suspiria) and Orson Welles (of Citizen Kane fame) got really drunk and decided to have a threesome with The Manchurian Candidate- Black Stage might be the head scratcher, imaginary love child of that drunken encounter.If that sounds intriguing, this second season of Enigma is for you. I thoroughly enjoyed the fusion of old world belief with contemporary celebrity culture, although the execution was a little clunky.
I truly wish they had done two or three more episodes to really explore some of the post-modernist, Marxist, and capitalist social indictments that seemed too tacked on to really make for cohesive themes. This is a series that suffered from brevity- a more expansive third act might have made this a real contender for classic status.
It feels incomplete and my high rating is more of an appreciation for what was there instead of what was missing.
Season one started by sowing chaos on a small scale while season two attempted to bring that chaos to a national stage. Again, the brevity of the story, the lack of revealing the impact on the watching audience, and a budget that couldn’t allow for a more expansive story really makes the narrative they were attempting to tell feel incomplete. Ironically, a character speaks at length about what happens to understanding when chapters in a book are missing or skipped. This season feels like some of the best chapters were referenced instead of given to the audience.
But I enjoyed it. It was different (which is becoming increasingly rare) and if you are a true fan of horror that attempts to hold a mirror up to society, give it a shot. Even imperfect horror is better than no horror at all!
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Bittersweet &Funny Coming of Age
I truly respect fans of the source material and it’s always difficult to watch your beloved source material be adapted to the screen: which is why I think the ratings here don’t reflect the work as its own independent story.While superficially the narrative seems like pretty well-worn territory (first crushes- both same and opposite sex) what this drama is doing beautifully is simply reflecting life the way it is: some kids in class are straight, some are gay, some aren’t even sure yet, but at the end of the day, there is both a common humanity in the first love “rite of passage”, as well as differences unique to your sexual orientation. While there is a commonality of emotional experience, respect is given with regards to the intersectionality of sexual identity and how that identity may make the rite of passage a much different journey than the journey of your straight counterparts.
The acting is not always subtle which is fine- these are high school kids and teenagers tend to react with much broader strokes than adults.
The drama explores an interesting romantic quadrangle and gives equal weight and respect to the varying combinations. The effect on the MLs’ friendship is quiet and understated (although at some point, I am anticipating a direct confrontation).
I can’t give a complete review as episodes are still dropping. But seeing the “front-facing” reviews, I felt compelled to throw an initial review together- it would be a shame to miss such a mature and honest look at the rite of passage known as your first crush- especially since it honors the reality that is often underrepresented in drama, or represented in a very narrow definition. I truly appreciate that both gay and straight identities are given space to coexist in one drama.
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It Shouldn’t Hit Like This
I remember seeing the trailer for this and thinking to myself, “well this is straight up porn”. I figured it would be a passable titillating and forgettable watch- and I am thrilled to admit how wrong I was.THE GOOD/GREAT:
1- Boat and Oat are a part of the wave that is redefining boundaries in Thai BL (think SmartBoom). They rise above what’s written on the page to give more dimension and depth than what I believe the script demands. Their chemistry is not only undeniable, but it has layers. Yes, they are trending for the NC scenes (which are fire) but it’s the super subtle chemistry in the forehead kiss, the carnival, the way in which right under all that fierce passion is an emotional connection that feels so tenuous yet so strong (because of each character) that you are transfixed when they are on screen together. It feels like you are watching two people whose absolute trust in each other allows them the safety net needed to act a difficult relationship that should not have us rooting for a happy ending. GMMTv better pay attention and take notes or they are going to be left in the dust.
2- They lean heavily into one theme for character growth (you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone) which serves the story and character arc well. Loss usually is a great motivator for change, and it’s a solid theme on which to build character growth.
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More Authentic Than Rumored
Notice the wide range of reviews for this follow-up series- ignore the vague reviews and zero in on specific criticisms.I watched season one (Kiseki Chapter 2) owing to its infamy- and in many ways, that infamy is earned.
Both season one and two do something most casual BL watchers don’t see too often- slice of life very much from the male perspective. Most BL is written by women for women and (especially season two) I feel Kiseki Chapter 2 and Shimane are written from the male perspective, which is what makes it a unique BL entry.
The interplay amongst the male characters runs the spectrum from awkward to vulnerable not the way women imagine men to be, but more how men are. Male bonding and friendship is written realistically here and it happens over fart jokes, homoerotic drinking games, and a slow slip of their masks to reveal more authentic feelings.
Shimane definitely has the more traditional story map of conflicts and resolutions, but for me, that isn’t the strength of this series. The strength of the series is in the quiet moments between characters who are unsure if feelings are enough to overcome problems. The quiet and tender moments in bed, the more realistic visual of men enjoying each other’s bodies without all the female-written romanticizing.
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Scream+The Glory+Incidental BL
Headline says it all. If you took the movie Scream, added The Glory with a peppering of Thai BL, DFF would be the result.what starts as a love letter to American 90s slasher films quickly plants its roots in Thai culture. The result might have been messier in less capable hands (definitely not perfect by any stretch of the imagination). The director was able to get some really decent performances from a very young and inexperienced cast (Jin, Phee, Non, Tee) and there was nothing gratuitous about the NCs- in fact, I felt they served narrative purpose you don’t often find in Thai BLs.
For fans of smartish slasher films, I strongly recommend. For fans looking for a morally ambiguous romp, I highly recommend.
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Honest and Authentic
I have yet to see a narrative that so respectfully and lovingly expresses the joys, pain, longing, and frustration of queer and queer questioning youth finding their way in an unforgiving and unknowable world.This narrative serves as a prequel to Unintentional Love Story and frankly, it is the far superior and genuine story. You do not necessarily need to watch the first to appreciate this story, but if you do, you will notice the stark difference in the two tales.
The acting is sublime and each of the leads offers such warmth to their respective roles that you will long to spend more time with them.
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Overcoming Intergenerational Traum
what a heartbreaking, bittersweet, human story of the long reach childhood abuse and neglect can have. Like Love in the Big City, I don’t feel this romance is center stage- the human pain and drama will sear into your memory.The acting is stellar. Tje awkwardness of first physical love is handled with honesty and dignity, all while forcing the viewer to remember their own unsure first steps into a romantic relationship.
Tjere is a significant time jump that is jarring, but by the end, I truly understood why the writers made this choice.
Solidly number one in my favorite BLs of the year.
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