imaseed

You know those long-running sitcoms with over a hundred episodes, where each 15-to-30-minute installment focuses on mundane daily situations with a fixed cast of characters? Me and Thee successfully recreates that exact feeling in a 10-episode series, with each episode running for an hour. To be honest, the viewing experience isn't much different from a sitcom, because one hour of runtime feels no different than 15 minutes. The show lacks significant conflict, the plot points feel thin, and both the individual episodes and the series as a whole feel incredibly lightweight. And, much like a quick sitcom, aside from the laughs and the surface-level messages, it doesn't really leave behind any lasting aesthetic or artistic impression.

The structure is clearly designed to be loose, requiring very little connection between events and demanding even less focus or critical thinking from the viewer. Ultimately, the episode where the most actually happens is Episode 1. It introduces the characters, the setting, and establishes the mood and vibe for the remaining nine episodes. It was also the freshest episode. In the beginning (specifically the first two episodes), I was genuinely drawn in by the weirdness, the silliness, and the lack of sobriety in MAT. The comedic bits, the way everything was exaggerated, and the focus on the "cringe" factor typical of Lakorns were unique elements that few BL series have utilized. Novelty easily creates an impression and attracts viewers, but for a series to remain engaging over the long haul, it needs more than just a quirky start; the novelty needs to be sustained. MAT maintained the exact same level of silliness all the way to Episode 10. By that point, while the humor remained, that was all the show had to offer—nothing more.

MAT isn't a bad show, but it’s not for every audience, or at least, not really for me. It’s light, relaxing, and focused on comedy, but sometimes, that weightlessness—combined with repetitive humor—made me feel like I was wasting my time. It’s so light it just floats away, leaving nothing behind. I wouldn't watch MAT for entertainment, as I didn't find it particularly entertaining or relaxing, but if the goal is to kill time, then yes—MAT is the perfect choice for when you’re sitting around with absolutely nothing to do. Unfortunately, I don't exactly have time to kill.

Since the film offers little in terms of substance, I struggle to find much to analyze, though I will commend the cinematography; the color grading and general aesthetic were quite decent. Regarding the cast, Pond and Phuwin have made a noticeable leap compared to their last project I watched (Never Let Me Go). Pond seems more comfortable (though at times I wonder if he embodies Khun Thee because of improvement or simply because the role doesn't require intense acting), and Phuwin dared to step out of his comfort zone with a role (little) different from his previous ones.

However, acknowledging improvement isn't the same as praising the performance as a whole. Solely within the context of this show, the secondary couples often outshone the leads in terms of natural delivery. I don't want to be the contrarian, but for some reason, the interactions between the main pair felt slightly unnatural to me, and the chemistry didn't quite hit the standard I expect from long-time partners. There were moments where the acting felt "too much," and others where it was "not enough." In general, it seemed they struggled to fully grasp their characters. In pivotal episodes meant to mark turning points in character development, certain gaps in emotional delivery became apparent. I found myself asking multiple times: What is this character actually feeling? Why did the plot escalate to this point based on his reaction? Who is Peach, really? Does he have any depth beyond what is shown on the surface, or is he truly that plain? Crucial emotional scenes, particularly the crying scenes, felt like they stopped halfway and didn't quite land the necessary emotional impact. Ultimately, MAT isn't a psychological drama, but I still expected a bit more depth from the romance genre.

In the end, MAT left me disappointed.

I often joked that Episode 2 was the peak of the series, but I wish it had remained a joke. It’s strange that I found the love between the two characters most intense and romantic when they were still strangers—before the feelings were confirmed, when everything was just mutual attraction and lines like "this guy is interesting." It was better than the phase of "I’ll buy you an entire island because you dared to talk back to me, and because you’re the only sane normal person I know—even though we met a few days ago." The romantic progression sped by like a race car on a bumpy road. The two main characters felt like athletes sprinting toward the finish line of marriage, even if that wedding felt like it ran out of budget (no extras, sparse decoration, lack of ceremonial investment, and the groom not even wearing a suit). Even though their intimate moments sometimes felt inexperienced or awkward, and their connection relied largely on flowery jokes or scripted-sounding dialogue, I am sure the marriage of Thee and Peach will last forever—because there are never any real problems between them. Just like the entire series.

That is MAT in a nutshell—light, repetitive, and somewhat meaningless, with philosophical messages delivered directly through dialogue in a "Tell, Don't Show" fashion. And these aren't entirely negative descriptors. Look, I’m just describing the show the same way I’d describe those sitcoms that air right before prime time.

(Regarding the supporting characters, especially the side couples: MAT failed them. RM and TA were told in two almost contradictory ways. RM had a "plot with no plot," built mostly through interaction scenes and saved by the actors' chemistry. Conversely, TA had a messy storyline. Despite being built up from the beginning to the end, the sloppy scriptwriting exposed its flaws and dismantled the characters' image. The way TA's plot was handled solidified my theory: if Thee and Peach’s plot had been dug deeper with more conflicts, MAT likely wouldn't have succeeded with its current nonsensical storytelling style, because the script doesn't actually know how to create and resolve conflict effectively. For example, the way antagonist characters like Vivid or Tee pop up for one scene and then disappear blandly, or how the intern photographer character was stripped of his role compared to the source material.)

One huge minus point: the product placement is excessive. Every segment (15-20 minutes) features a commercial—blatant, irrelevant, sometimes with entire scenes constructed just to advertise a product. I tried not to dwell too much on the logic or realism of the setting, but for a billionaire, Khun Thee must be pretty broke to be doing this many commercials!