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You Maniac is not for everyone. You have either surpassed this stage or have not reached it yet.
“You Maniac” is my gay Gilmore Girls. You are given the characters Dean, Moth, Ten, Pun, Mess, and Dean’s friend group, and you are asked to dissect these characters and their actions. There is no 100% good or bad character in the show; instead, everyone is grey (Also gay). I saw someone say, "You Maniac is not for everyone. You have either surpassed this stage or have not reached it yet.” That is the most beautiful summary.
Story:
The story itself is fairly simple: two toxic characters fall in love. THAT’S IT. What attracted me was how realistic the story was, and it portrayed fickle human nature. I have been a Dean, a Moth, a Pun, a Ten, a Mess in my life at different times. I have never seen a BL where I related to so many characters. All the characters were multifaceted, with their own struggles, insecurities, traumas, beliefs, and egos. This is not a fluffy story. While there is definitely fluff, the angst is the main focus.
Love of Dean and Moth :
The love of Dean and Moth isn’t what you see in BL or even straight shows. These characters are not Thame or Duang. They don’t make the grand gestures of love we are used to seeing. Their love isn’t unconditional, just like in real life. These characters' story isn’t about love at first sight, but rather lust at first sight. (Moth’s monologue in episode 5). The first few episodes focus on why Dean is toxic, then shift to Moth's toxicity. The later episodes slowly unravel their trauma and make us feel bad for the characters. These characters go in spirals; they do not communicate; they let their ego get the best of them; they are selfish, rude, egotistical, and very much human. In one episode, you think you understand them; then a new side of them is introduced. In the next episode, they are back to being their past selves. This again is part of the show being relatable. If you want to understand the characters better, you can read the novel and also look at what the actors say about the characters. They loved the characters ThamePO fondly but not DeanMoth. I remember Est saying in real life these characters probably wouldn’t end up together, and I do agree.
Direction :
As someone who loved “The Trainee,” I do understand why the direction felt a bit iffy. Director Prang focuses on the acting. You have to look for clues through the acting, not the dialogue. There are so many micro facial expressions, body language cues, and intonations that are full of clues. If you read the novel, you will understand the characters a lot better. I was hoping the show would have a lot more narration, since I think most people didn’t understand the characters' actions. (Mostly a skill issue on the audience side). I really liked the novel and was disappointed that a couple of my favorite scenes were cut. For example, Dean gets drunk over Mess’s arrival, and his friends post a vulnerable moment of him online. He is actually very hurt by it. That is one of Dean's enlightening moments in the novel, as he realizes the true nature of his friends. They cut this part out. So I was wondering how they would justify Dean's actions without that scene.
Then episode 9 happened, and it all made sense.
Episode 9 :
I have never liked an episode this much in the history of BL. As this wasn’t part of the novel, I surely didn’t know it would be this heartbreaking. This episode was hauntingly beautiful and dealt with multiple themes at once. The most important episode as well. For example, while watching the bar fight scene, I couldn’t understand why Dean didn’t let Moth touch him. This episode explains it. In his family, hugs became an apology; he lost the ability to differentiate between pity and care. As he is like his father (as Duean mentions), he is afraid to fall in love. This was such a vital clue. Also, the fact that the show has only two narration one by Moth in episode 5, another by Dean in episode 9 is the other important clue. I remember when the phone call came; I held my breath, and I swear it felt like Dean did, too. Dean was dissociating throughout the episode, and there would be a high-pitched ‘ping’ noise at times. I was finally able to breathe and cry when Dean cried. As someone whose partner lost their father, I was Moth once, and while watching the show, I had an anxiety attack.
Also, did I mention you can literally screenshot any shot and have it as a wallpaper?
NC Scene:
You Maniac has one of the most beautiful NC scenes ever. The show is filled with sexual innuendo, and once they have sex the first time, they go at it like rabbits. Ofc they don't show it on screen, but there’s an indirect mention. For me, the NC scene had three stages: lust, vulnerability, and yearning.
The first almost NC scene is filled with lust. There’s still mention of consent and preparation, which I liked. The second NC scene was my favorite; there was vulnerability. I have never seen a top being this vulnerable. Telling the bottom to give another chance if he can’t live up to the expectations. The last NC scene was full of yearning again; I have never seen this trope in BL. The way Dean begged, the way they both cried, it was truly artistic. William and Est are such phenomenal actors; I could feel everything they wanted to portray. Again, as someone whose partner is abroad, I was Dean here. Between knowing you have to let the person you love go and knowing you have to go, they confess their love later.
You will see this show got a bad rating, but there are a couple of reasons behind it:
1. This show got caught in the fan war. While both fandoms were at fault and should have been more mature, Williamest did nothing wrong. They literally got unnecessary hate even though they weren't involved. You can look up the drama online. Trolls rated the show 1 star and left hateful comments on social media from people who clearly hadn’t watched it. Most comments were so dumb that you would think, did they even watch the show? Then they made it into a company war btw :3
2. The show wasn’t red flaggy (lack of inferencing skills) enough for a lot of people, as they wanted non-consensual acts and cheating. In real life, if any of that happened, you do not stay with that person. Doesn’t matter how much remorse or guilt that person feels; you do not go back to them. It’s funny because it is much easier to find people like Dean and Moth but not people like Boston irl. Also, you do not settle down with a Dean or Moth; you avoid them. Heck, you do not become their friends. I am 100% sure if You Maniac was about DeanxPun or MothxPun, people would have lost their shit. As two shitty characters are doing shitty things to each other, the damage feels low. But in the end, they are toxic. If you still do not find them red flags, all I can say is that if you encounter a Dean or Moth in your life…RUN.
3. The lack of explicit NC scenes. I don't get why we are expecting elaborate NC scenes from GMMTV. When has GMMTV ever done that? Their focus is different. I loved the NC scenes again because they had multiple layers. Every NC scene was part of the story and had layers. Also, the pilot literally just showed them kissing, so, like, what were you even expecting?
4. The show was also blocked in many countries; even producing content was difficult because it was banned.
5. People really hated these characters and even got into fights within fandom. The point of the show, though.
6. Then ofc You Maniac is not for everyone. You have either surpassed this stage or have not reached it yet. If you didn’t like the show at first, I would suggest revisiting it in 5-10 years. Then you will see how relatable the characters are. I have never related to Thame or Po, Duang, or Qin, but I relate to every character in You Maniac.
If you want grand gestures, unconditional love, big fireworks moments, this show is not for you. There isn’t much of a plot. It’s a character-driven, relatable show. The show actually did great, and every episode trended and sold out shows. Thai and international fans enjoyed it, cried, and had fun choosing and changing sides.
I will never miss the characters Dean and Moth, as they hit way too close to home, but at the end of the day, I want them to find happiness, as they are simply humans.
Story:
The story itself is fairly simple: two toxic characters fall in love. THAT’S IT. What attracted me was how realistic the story was, and it portrayed fickle human nature. I have been a Dean, a Moth, a Pun, a Ten, a Mess in my life at different times. I have never seen a BL where I related to so many characters. All the characters were multifaceted, with their own struggles, insecurities, traumas, beliefs, and egos. This is not a fluffy story. While there is definitely fluff, the angst is the main focus.
Love of Dean and Moth :
The love of Dean and Moth isn’t what you see in BL or even straight shows. These characters are not Thame or Duang. They don’t make the grand gestures of love we are used to seeing. Their love isn’t unconditional, just like in real life. These characters' story isn’t about love at first sight, but rather lust at first sight. (Moth’s monologue in episode 5). The first few episodes focus on why Dean is toxic, then shift to Moth's toxicity. The later episodes slowly unravel their trauma and make us feel bad for the characters. These characters go in spirals; they do not communicate; they let their ego get the best of them; they are selfish, rude, egotistical, and very much human. In one episode, you think you understand them; then a new side of them is introduced. In the next episode, they are back to being their past selves. This again is part of the show being relatable. If you want to understand the characters better, you can read the novel and also look at what the actors say about the characters. They loved the characters ThamePO fondly but not DeanMoth. I remember Est saying in real life these characters probably wouldn’t end up together, and I do agree.
Direction :
As someone who loved “The Trainee,” I do understand why the direction felt a bit iffy. Director Prang focuses on the acting. You have to look for clues through the acting, not the dialogue. There are so many micro facial expressions, body language cues, and intonations that are full of clues. If you read the novel, you will understand the characters a lot better. I was hoping the show would have a lot more narration, since I think most people didn’t understand the characters' actions. (Mostly a skill issue on the audience side). I really liked the novel and was disappointed that a couple of my favorite scenes were cut. For example, Dean gets drunk over Mess’s arrival, and his friends post a vulnerable moment of him online. He is actually very hurt by it. That is one of Dean's enlightening moments in the novel, as he realizes the true nature of his friends. They cut this part out. So I was wondering how they would justify Dean's actions without that scene.
Then episode 9 happened, and it all made sense.
Episode 9 :
I have never liked an episode this much in the history of BL. As this wasn’t part of the novel, I surely didn’t know it would be this heartbreaking. This episode was hauntingly beautiful and dealt with multiple themes at once. The most important episode as well. For example, while watching the bar fight scene, I couldn’t understand why Dean didn’t let Moth touch him. This episode explains it. In his family, hugs became an apology; he lost the ability to differentiate between pity and care. As he is like his father (as Duean mentions), he is afraid to fall in love. This was such a vital clue. Also, the fact that the show has only two narration one by Moth in episode 5, another by Dean in episode 9 is the other important clue. I remember when the phone call came; I held my breath, and I swear it felt like Dean did, too. Dean was dissociating throughout the episode, and there would be a high-pitched ‘ping’ noise at times. I was finally able to breathe and cry when Dean cried. As someone whose partner lost their father, I was Moth once, and while watching the show, I had an anxiety attack.
Also, did I mention you can literally screenshot any shot and have it as a wallpaper?
NC Scene:
You Maniac has one of the most beautiful NC scenes ever. The show is filled with sexual innuendo, and once they have sex the first time, they go at it like rabbits. Ofc they don't show it on screen, but there’s an indirect mention. For me, the NC scene had three stages: lust, vulnerability, and yearning.
The first almost NC scene is filled with lust. There’s still mention of consent and preparation, which I liked. The second NC scene was my favorite; there was vulnerability. I have never seen a top being this vulnerable. Telling the bottom to give another chance if he can’t live up to the expectations. The last NC scene was full of yearning again; I have never seen this trope in BL. The way Dean begged, the way they both cried, it was truly artistic. William and Est are such phenomenal actors; I could feel everything they wanted to portray. Again, as someone whose partner is abroad, I was Dean here. Between knowing you have to let the person you love go and knowing you have to go, they confess their love later.
You will see this show got a bad rating, but there are a couple of reasons behind it:
1. This show got caught in the fan war. While both fandoms were at fault and should have been more mature, Williamest did nothing wrong. They literally got unnecessary hate even though they weren't involved. You can look up the drama online. Trolls rated the show 1 star and left hateful comments on social media from people who clearly hadn’t watched it. Most comments were so dumb that you would think, did they even watch the show? Then they made it into a company war btw :3
2. The show wasn’t red flaggy (lack of inferencing skills) enough for a lot of people, as they wanted non-consensual acts and cheating. In real life, if any of that happened, you do not stay with that person. Doesn’t matter how much remorse or guilt that person feels; you do not go back to them. It’s funny because it is much easier to find people like Dean and Moth but not people like Boston irl. Also, you do not settle down with a Dean or Moth; you avoid them. Heck, you do not become their friends. I am 100% sure if You Maniac was about DeanxPun or MothxPun, people would have lost their shit. As two shitty characters are doing shitty things to each other, the damage feels low. But in the end, they are toxic. If you still do not find them red flags, all I can say is that if you encounter a Dean or Moth in your life…RUN.
3. The lack of explicit NC scenes. I don't get why we are expecting elaborate NC scenes from GMMTV. When has GMMTV ever done that? Their focus is different. I loved the NC scenes again because they had multiple layers. Every NC scene was part of the story and had layers. Also, the pilot literally just showed them kissing, so, like, what were you even expecting?
4. The show was also blocked in many countries; even producing content was difficult because it was banned.
5. People really hated these characters and even got into fights within fandom. The point of the show, though.
6. Then ofc You Maniac is not for everyone. You have either surpassed this stage or have not reached it yet. If you didn’t like the show at first, I would suggest revisiting it in 5-10 years. Then you will see how relatable the characters are. I have never related to Thame or Po, Duang, or Qin, but I relate to every character in You Maniac.
If you want grand gestures, unconditional love, big fireworks moments, this show is not for you. There isn’t much of a plot. It’s a character-driven, relatable show. The show actually did great, and every episode trended and sold out shows. Thai and international fans enjoyed it, cried, and had fun choosing and changing sides.
I will never miss the characters Dean and Moth, as they hit way too close to home, but at the end of the day, I want them to find happiness, as they are simply humans.
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