J-atty

I wasn't feeling it. There was so much wrong with episodes 1-5 that had me searching every person who was involved. From the director, production team, actors, and the two kids. What in the bl black hole was this? Nope. We waited too long for this. I did not sign up for this. Joss and Garwin were to bring Mark and Tong to life. Who doesn't like a series led by a good-looking vampire. I apologize. A gorgeously handsome vampire. Let's begin.

Three things were missing. A little gloom, suspense, and copious amounts of blood. You know, the things vampires are known for. Speed, mind reading, and biting a few necks. Well, the director probably wasn't having it. Gloom, non-existent. For people who were supposed to be protecting the golden blood, Tong sure was out and about a lot. Like he wasn't hard to track. Find Mark, and you will find him. Suspense, when the little girl was creepy crawling with the knife to kill Tong, I said finally. Less than 2 minutes, and that's it. Mark to the rescue. The most amount of blood seen was when Kla died and the junior vampire in episode 1. Jnr vamp nailed it. I was getting hopeful when he appeared because nobody was going to convince me that there wasn't room in the budget for better cgi. Joss writhing in electrical pain from a taste of the sacred golden blood had me chuckling. They probably used the same company that did Daou's midnight tremors in Century of Love. Those electrical shocks looked familiar. Then, if that wasn't bad enough, Mark had to save him by going through the glass on the upper floor while holding Tong as they descended to his car. It was so visually depressing. It would have been so much better had they been shown fleeing and then appearing in the car. I get it, budget. The pacing was erratic. The beginning didn't set the tone, whether it were a drama or a rom com. Neo's acting was oddly off. Like he couldn't find the rhythm of his character. He was just there. Voicing his part and going through the motions. When he died, he was probably relieved at that point. Gawin's screwed up face made him look more childish than a 20 year old man. The camera panned away to a far-off look with good reason. Two of them just there looking at an impaled Kla was not good. Also, does Gawin know that self care is important as an actor? An overgrown armpit in one scene and a very rough leg in the first nc scene. Razors are cheap.

What kept me watching? Joss. Joss in his whities. Joss in his blueies. Joss stripped down bare chested. Joss's superior look and constant frowning. I kept vacilitating between ogling and cringing. The director knew that they needed help big time, so him being half naked the most was expected. When Mark said, "If it looks good, why hide it?" Assignment understood.

Then, between 7 and 12, magic happened. The story started coming together, and the real action began. The true enemies revealed themselves, and the plot was finally realized. Special mention of their conversation and Mark fulfilling Tong's request was one of the most beautiful deliveries and emotionally charged scenes in all of Thai history. By the time Tong said, "I do." I was crying buckets. Their connection had ripened to that poignant moment. What a moment! What Joss and Gawin share can not be classed as chemistry. It goes beyond that, and in that moment, it was felt.

I'm not going to gloss over all that wasn't right with the production. The graphics, at times the weak script, Joss's bland acting, Neo's unnaturally bad acting, and the worst fighting scenes in all of vampiredom. When Joss entered through the window, shirtless and bruised, I couldn't contain my laughter. Like he was strong enough to fly, obviously shirtless for impact, but on landing was so drained he had to be held. When Thara descended from the upper floor with one leg bent, yes, another cringe moment. What were the entire team thinking. I'd probably do the same thing because at that point, there was no other way to mess it up. It was what it was.

The writing had flaws, but I will agree with the ending. The culmination of everyone's forever was apt. I was happy to see the fate of Nakhan. Yes, Tonkla died, but Nakhan also had been living in a shell that he too sought release to be with the one he loved. The all seeing Thara not seeing her own demise was perfect. The acting, for the most part, was good enough to keep me watching. Gawin's facial expressions changed over time, and in the end, he was the one who brought the show together.

I recommend seeing it but don't compare it to foreign productions if you are to enjoy it.