The episode starts with a flashback to college, where Love, Pat and Rain meet on stairs right after Rain found out she didn’t get the scholarship she apparently deserved. Love wanted to console her immediately, but Pat discouraged her, saying Rain doesn’t like to be vulnerable. Pat discloses that she has known her since high school (so, apparently they’re NOT sisters?) – and she went through a divorce of her parents which then both remarried on pretty much forgot her daughter.
For Love, Rain is love at first sight, literally, ran into her when she was a freshman, and as soon as she laid eyes on her, she was smitten. But she never did anything about it, the closest she got was trying to console her when yet another boyfriend broke up with Rain after cheating and exploiting her – but she dismissed her help until Love got discouraged.
Then, we get to the job about which they are meeting – it’s a promotional campaign for Deane’s tattoo parlor. That can’t really pay the three / four friends gathered, not even one of them. Deane has also no idea what she wants really – she just wants to get new customers. Also, the budget is a question mark – Pat offered to foot the bill (she must be really rich, then), but Deane doesn’t want her money. How much exactly can she afford by herself, and can she really pay Rain (and Love as a photographer)?
Also, Deane and Rain do not really vibe – their styles are just too different. I’m curious to see how this will turn out. Rain afterward cautions Pat not to the Deane walk all over her just because she loves her. At home, Rain looks Love up in IG (where most of the photos at actually reminders of her meetups with Rain). She’s gets reminded of one of their previous meetings herself.
The next day, Deane and Love are once again late to the meetings, and Rain is clearly annoyed. Later, Love tries to get closer to Rain, who reacts negatively to her various attempts to flirt with her or make her smile. Pat’s attempt at courting Deane are more politely rebuffed, but they’re rebuffed nevertheless. Meanwhile Rain begins to thaw to Love’s relentless teasing.
But then , Raid’s ex-subordinates – and her ex-boyfriend – appear at the tattoo studio a belittle Rain for now having such a crappy job. Also, Deane knows the coworker who isn’t dating Rain’s ex, and is on friendly terms with her – so friendly, that in fact Pat is jealous. Yet, she soon leaves with Deane, for a little one-on-one time, I presume. The co-worker who cheated on Rain (Fern) has inherited her job (the company will surely fold soon) and is now dating Rain’s ex, which she proudly flaunts in front of Rain – who rightly points out she has essentially taken on a leftover bf and a leftover job.
Rain is raining again, but Love doesn’t let her sulk at the “office” and takes her out on her motorcycle a for trip to a restaurant with really small portions. Love acts a little childish again, but Rain enjoys it this time – mostly. Then a face could again, and she begins to think back at all her failed relationships, and doesn’t want to start crying – but Love encourages her to do so, saying it’s will help her get over them and isn’t a sign of weakness. Rain has a good cry, then Love drops her off; but not before dropping some pills in her bag.
It’s paracetamol, because Love had previously felt Rain’s head getting warm and guessed that she was going to get sick; she texts her to take them. Love, meanwhile, is talking to her mother, and admits that she’s in love with rain (well, she has been for more than seven years now), but worries that she might screw it up with her somehow. Her mother reassures her that she has lots of confidence in her daughter, whom she didn’t name Love by accident.
Later, Love updates her IG, yet again posting something that reminds her of rain. The next day, Love arrives late yet again (that’s three days in a row!) – yet this time, Rain doesn’t tear her a new one, to Pat and Deane surprise.
The paracetamol scenes and the meeting the next day are exclusive to the uncensored version – so this time, it’s actually relevant story development that is missing from the broadcast version.
I liked this episode considerably more than the first one, but the characters still desperately need some fleshing out, the job they’re currently undertaking wouldn’t pay any bills (perhaps Pat should really finance this), and the scenes with Love trying to cheer up Rain, and Pat flirting with Deane dragged a little. Plus, apparently Rain makes terrible choices in both female and male love partners – should that leave us worried for Love? 😊Hasn’t love tried to get to know Rain better – in seven years? Well, I like the chemistry between Bmine and Near, but I know that they play well together already (they were the only enjoyable thing in “Lucky My Love”). All the other characters lack depth or are outright sitcom clichés, making “Unlock You Love” once again the current GL show I like the least.
After a dream wedding sequence, the episode first draws the clock back to the time when Itsuki and Fuyu were separated, and we spend the first half of the episode in that time frame. Itsuki hasn’t moved on, she still pining after Fuyu, and reminisces about her previous meetings with her, like the time she saved her from some guys at college (her first meeting, and something she repeats for an unknown in front of the café she manages), and some times they met last year sharing and ice cream. Of course, we know that they will meet again, Itsuki doesn’t, and also make no effort to even properly register in a dating app.
Then comes the moment we’ve been waiting for: Fuyu strolls into the Café with her suitcase – followed by her husband and daughter. We are told what Fuyu’s been up to; after returning to China, her mother (the one who broke up Itsuki and Fuyu for the first time) forced her to give up her job and become a mother and housewife instead. She complied and tried this life for about half a year, but she felt dead inside – something that her husband did notice. He of course knows that Fuyu is missing Itsuki, and after their daughter Tsuki brought a book with two gay penguins (that story reminded me of a similar one is the Netflix show “Atypical”), he finally decides that enough is enough – and buys plane tickets to Japan to let Fuyu be with the one she’s loves.
As Tsuki states it, her mom and pop are good friends – but Fuyu would really like to be married to Itsuki instead. 😊While the details of their stay in Japan remain a little fuzzy (her husband tries to acquire customers for her father’s company or something) he quickly excuses himself and takes Tsuki with him so that Itsuki and Fuyu can properly reunite – which they do over some ice cream. Fuyu pleads with Itsuki that she wants to clear her relationship with her mother before getting back together. Itsuki agrees, and the two exchange a few rounds of “You’re prettier” – “No, you’re prettier”, before the night ends.
The next day, the café is closed for filming – and then Itsuki meets her first love again, whom we saw a few times interspersed with the rest of the scenes : Yoreum, who is apparently now a celebrity (not only) in Korea.
Well, and that’s the premiere. It was cute, fluffy and nice, and almost all the obstacles are out of the way now, except for Yoreum, of course, who has the older claim on Itsuki, but does Itsuki even feel anything for her first love? Then, there’s the issue for Fuyu’s mother, who expect is not easily swayed to accept Itsuki as a daughter-in-law. But that stakes feel much less high than in season one. I’m happy that all the intrigues and the game development are gone for now, because the was the least compelling part of S1 – and I’m a software (though not games) developer by trade. We shall see how they ramp the drama back up again.
After all the drama and heartbreak of season one, we surely deserved a 'breather' episode like this. 😉
This is essentially a full recap of episode 4, with some comments added:
The episode starts with a 27(!) minute part one that could have been a whole episode in itself. Pleng takes note of the bruises on her hands having to take of the dishes and washing her own clothes. She feels ill-equipped for this new reality, and she feels like a burden to Wans family but even more to Wan. She initially plans to earn some extra money with her music (“the thing I’m probably best at”), calling it the only thing she loves - but that’s not entirely accurate – she loves Wan as well. Wan is still full of love and admiration for Pleng – but then Pleng finds out that Wan is actually better in school that she herself is and has only been pretending to be untalented to not compete with Pleng. Pleng then overhears a conversation between Wan’s parents – the father wants to kick her out as soon as possible, or get what little family money she has left – and storms off.
Wan, having witnessed that, wants to calm Pleng down – but she’s not actually angry about them, she’s angry at Wan for lying about her talents. Wan tries to explain it, that she feared they couldn’t be together if she was as or more successful than Pleng, but Pleng rightfully points out that this is not loving behavior. Wan desperately pleads with Pleng to forgive her, and Pleng finally agrees, but adds to it that her feelings have irrevocably changed.
Pleng now knows that she has to leave Wan, or she will always put Pleng before anything, including her own career. She plans on moving to a relative of the late mother’s – that is at least what she claims when talking to Aunt Wi. She also wants to give them money for her stay with them, but Aunt Wi refuses (much to the dismay of her husband). She leaves at night while Wan is sleeping and – almost – kisses her; she leaves a note for her, though.
Then, the story moves forward one year – we see Pleng crying alone with her guitar apparently earning a living with playing in bars at night, while Wan has moved on to university and is studying medicine. The estranged not-quite-sisters both look at the constellation Gemini at night thinking about each other.
The story moves forward 13 years – only 20 minutes of the 1 hour+ episode have passed – and Pleng is apparently still living in the same flat, when she gets a call from the landlady saying her “boyfriend” (that caption actually says girlfriend, and translation error) – she’s apparently sick, but goes downstairs to meet a shady guy named Ta, who claims to love her – but that’s revolting to Pleng, because Ta is married, and made her his mistress (without her knowledge) – where did I hear this complaint last time… 😊 He abandons his quest to get Pleng back when the landlady threatens to call the police – but Pleng collapses in the lobby needing a doctor.
She wakes up in a hospital bed; she immediately wants to leave, but the nurse catches her and tells her that she has contracted influenza and must stay for observation. This puts a strain on her already dubious finances, so she tries to sneak out, even though she is I no condition to leave. While at the front desk she overhears someone calling Wan’s name – and yes, she is actually in the hospital where the now Dr. Wan works and just happens to pass by. Pleng collapses in her arms again.
Pleng wakes up in a hospital bed again – and is scolded by Wan, who hasn’t seen her in 13 years, for disappearing without a trace back then, and for not taking better care of herself in the meantime. Pleng notes that Wan doesn’t smile like she used to, and Wan say: “Someone took it with them”, clearly accusing Pleng. Wan leaves, and Pleng gets a call from her landlady saying Ta causes troubles again. She leaves a note for Wan and once again sneaks out of the hospital, but this time, Wan follows her and defends her against the love-sick Ta.
Later, Wan scolds Pleng yet again for running out, and now she admits she can’t pay for the hospital. Wan says she’ll cover the cost, but Pleng will only accept a loan. Wan relents but doesn’t want to leave Pleng again, saying she hates the notes she’s leaving. Clearly, she hasn’t recovered from Wan leaving all those years ago. Wan wants to know what happened to Pleng; she recounts that because she didn’t finish school, she never found a job other than playing in bars which pays for her cheap room, but not much else. She’s doesn’t write songs anymore, as she doesn’t have time for it. Wan asks about her boyfriend, but she doesn’t want any help from that adulterer. Wan blames herself for Pleng’s fate, but Pleng doesn’t want that burden on Wan.
Wan offers Pleng to stay with her, as she’s living alone (and clearly doesn’t want to lose her again). Her apartment is nice - and full of things that Pleng liked, like a piano, or a guitar Pleng used to like, even though she doesn’t play any instruments. I could not imagine a clearer “I love Pleng” shrine. Pleng likes the apartment and Wan has no chill, offering her to stay for life, asking to not leave her again, as she couldn’t live with it. Wan reveals that not a day has passed by without her missing Pleng. Pleng then finally apologizes for leaving her 13 years ago, saying she didn’t think it would hurt her that much. Wan half-jokingly says he forgives her if she takes a shower with her, then hugs her. So, we’re doing the gal pals dance again.
The next night, Wan wakes up a 4:00 am, in the morning, saying it’s her usual time, but clearly, she’s harboring some emotions. Sometime later, they engage in some light flirting over a cup of noodles, Wan reveals that she’s really become the bike-riding doctor they saw in “City Of Angels” all those years ago. Wan teases her about collecting her reward for becoming a bike-riding doctor later this evening, but Pleng claims the has nothing she could give her, but she will wait for dinner with her. Wan ask if they can skip dinner – she’s rather be eating something else? Pleng, do you really not understand what Wan is going one about with the “cheeky” talk? SHE WANT’S YOU!!!
In the afternoon, she’s leaves the apartment – probably to buy some groceries for the dinner that Wan does not want to eat – and runs into Ek in the lobby. I assume he’s the reason Wan has changed her last name – but first we get a flashback to Wan encountering Pleng’s goodbye note 13 years ago, where the reason for her waking up at 4:00 a.m. is revealed.
That was the longest, and also the best of the four episodes by a mile, and I assume we’re almost at the point where episode 1 started now. Clearly, Wan’s life with Ek has not been happy. But I’m curious to see what the second half of the season has in store for us. This episode was exactly as melodramatic, wistful, and heartstrings-tugging as I hoped it would be.
i mean technically speaking there are rooms for improvement, maybe even big one (f.e. in comp. to GMMTV). And…
And what is your comment "FreenBecky and as I have heard and seen their current project not doing that great" based on? Just on you not wanting to watch it?!?!
The episode starts strong with Jattawa trying to dissuade Four from causing bodily harm to Ten. She misinterprets her actions as being violent all the time which visibly hurts Four; casing her to leave alone. Jattawa feels bad about this, and it’s about to get worse, because while talking with Vivi, they detect that someone has sprayed Four’s sportcar with the exact quote that Ten insulted her with, and she realizes Ten lost a spraycan while arguing with Four. Now, she feels even worse…
Then, Vivi had a vision of some man in the shadows following her. She couldn’t identify the man, but the audience (who saw the series pilot) must be thinking: Is this the man who kills her? Jattawa is worried, instructing her to not go alone, especially to shady places like in her vision.
The next day, Jattawa tries to apologize to Four. She gets interrupted by a lawyer named Pak, being there to meet up with Four, and she vents out her jealousy; by the time she calls her her soulmate, I was sure that a reversal would be imminent. 😉
She’s not done venting, though, talking to herself while in class, which causes her friends – Khun and Top – not notice that she’s stressed, but she quickly pretends to be nervous about the university contest instead. Khun tries to assure her that she needn’t worry, but makes it sound like he’s interested in her. Curious …
Later, the sees Four going to the gym, apparently continuing her tiff with Ten; Jattawa rushed to her side, claiming to be a witness to the property damage. Kie tries to dissuade her, but Jattawa stands firm, questioning the volleyball incident in the course of this. Finally, Ten apologizes publicly, which is all Four wanted.
After this, they start a little bit I’d call “extremely awkward flirting” 😊 Four tries to ask out Jattawa on a date, but Jattawa needs to work, so she asks her to buy some groceries instead, and quickly leaves the scene, giving Four no time to reply. But Four’s not mad, not mad at all …
Later that night, Vivi encounters her “stalker” – which turns out to be their uncle who brought them their share of the house sale (which now is 500,000 Baht instead of 500,000 for each of the sisters – a continuity error?). I wonder if the gambling debt that his son caused will have anything to do with Vivi’s eventual demise, but at this point it’s just guessing.
The next day, the Jattawa’s motorcycle is repaired. Vivi wants a table that costs 2,500 Baht (roughly 70 USD) – that can only be a used one, right? Anyway, while they are talking, Four shows up, and Vivi and Four meet for the first time. Four “casually” complains that Jattawa hasn’t been on the rooftop lately; she’s also made good on the “promise” to buy her some high-quality groceries, leaving them in front of her door. Later that night, Jattawa tries to sneak out to the rooftop – but Vivi of course knows what’s going on.
Four and Jattawa meet up and get talking about the filing Four wants to make – it’s about her grandma, she’s starting to succumb to dementia. Also, there’s some inheritance issue which gets confusing/garbled in the translation; apparently, the grandma’s fortune shall go to her stepmother and his son – a half-brother, whom she knows isn’t related to her as there was a DNA test made. It’s all very confusing – and her dad can’t clear the mess up anymore, as he died five years ago (in a car accident). So, both Four and Jattawa have lost their parents.
Jattawa tries to assure her that it is her right to claim the inheritance, and Four gets romantic signals from this. She tries to blame the full moon, whom Jattawa wished she could pluck from the sky – which the next day, prompts Four to buy a moon globe light. She has previously asked Jattawa out on a date this night (by post-it note), but gets called away by Pak leaving her the light and another not, taking a rain check for their date. But the post-it note gets lost, and the one that gets actually attached to the sphere light is the one where Four wrote down the details of the Sushi Place where she’s about to meet Pak. She arrives there just in time to watch Pak give her flowers, and immediately leaves dejected, giving Four no time to clear up the confusion. Then, she gets called away by Khun, who want to meet up with her; meanwhile Four is meeting up with her _family_, and is clearly unhappy; eventually, she leaves, looking for Jattawa …
… who is getting serenaded by Khun, who is acting under the pretense that this is all four the uni contest. But Jattawa is not really into it - she wants Four. Meanwhile, Four inquires about Jattawa at Vivi’s, who instructs her to get to the university – before getting a vision of Four getting hit by a car. She immediately tries to warn Jattawa, but she is still being serenaded by Khun, who apparently actually tries to woo her. But all Jattawa can think about is Four – she stops Khun from spelling out his feelings, but both know what he was about to say. She reverses back to before the confession and quickly excuses herself before answering Vivi’s call and learning that Four is in danger. She runs out to the street and catches up with her …
… but can’t prevent a clearly speeding car from hitting her, injuring her badly, potentially fatally. And Jattawa has already used up her reversal powers for the day. What to do know?
I _really_ liked this episode, which was gripping and romantic pretty much from start to finish. Wa and Four’s flirting is so cute and awkward, we get to know Four a little better, and the cliffhanger at the end really want to the watch the next episode right away. Please continue with this pacing in the future “Reverse 4 You”, then I’ll be glued to Netflix for the next five Tuesdays. 😊
So, I was a bad dream what we saw at the end of episode 6. Of course, Anin wouldn’t just leave without saying goodbye. That makes much more sense to me, yet, I’m a little annoyed that the pulled such a cheap trick, it certainly makes me wary of further tricks like that down the road.
So, the first 20 minutes were dedicated to a proper farewell of Anin and Pin, where of course Pin was still devastated, but help her packing and even made a pillowcase for her. And contrary to what the told Anin, she was standing by the road when Anin was actually leaving, both being broken.
Then we get the second time apart, where Anin’s brother helped her get the most ardent suitors out of the way, leaving only the ambassador’s daughter for Anin to deal with by herself. She turnout out to be really clingy, but was held at a distant by a fierce Anin.
Meanwhile, Pin hid to deal with Master Kuea, who wanted to ask Pin for her hand in marriage, believing she would fall in love one she was married. Lady Pin has my utmost respect, the way in which she dealt with him blatantly and unceremoniously surprised me, I would not have believed she would be so brazen as to refuse a proposal – and in such a way! – for a close friend of the Sawettawarit family. Good riddance, I hope!
Apart from that the months came and went quickly (though I took longer that for the five years Anin was previously absent); Pin of course graduated first – she is the older of the pair – and got a job as a translator. Patt gifted her a VW Beetle for that achievement, but I’m guessing the graduation this Anin sent over from England were dearer to her heart.
Finally, the letters from Anin stop at some point; I’m guessing the princess was busy with finals and wanted to get back as early as possible, as she’s even missed her second brother’s engagement ceremony. Just when Pin started to get an inferiority complex with all the big-name houses that marry into the Sawettawarit family, Anin returns (unless the show wants to pull another fast one on us) after roughly 35 minutes.
I liked the episode, it had a good balance of love and longing – but now the real story begins, as Anin and Pin are together again and must fight the expectations to get married. This is going to be more difficult for Pin that for Anin, I presume (though I might be wrong). Nine episodes left, so plenty of time for stories to be told. And if I never see the caption "many months later" again, it will be too soon. :-)
The first episode IMO is so-so; we have learned that Love is tightly-wound, whereas the other three are more laid-back, though Love seems to be a little more reserved that her friends. Other than that, we have learned nothing about the project, and the show has been fuzzy on establishing anything more clearly, as could be seen with Rain’s job status. We know that Love carries a torch for Rain, and that Pat is smitten with Deane, but we don’t yet know how these crushes came about or whether they will be reciprocated. I hope the show improves its narrative over the next episodes, so far it was more confusing that entertaining, and especially Pat is only enjoyable in small doses.
why the comments full of complaining if you don't like toxic characters or storyline then just don't watch😭
I didn't say I wasn't enjoying it - it's not "My Marvelous Dream is You". :-) But I'm saying all the toxic behavior is a bit much, even for a Chao Planoy novel!
In this episode, Pleng realizes she’s in love with Wan – but a) she doesn’t realize Wan loves her, too, even if that so obvious; and the b) she actively tries to sabotage her relationship with Wan by getting Ek into the picture. That's some denial at work!
She screens Ek to find out if he’s suitable for Wan, and finds a few red flags (especially his problems with his parents), but agrees to get them together anyway. ☹ Shouldn’t she first inquire whether Wan wants to date Ek? Because so far she hasn’t given the slightest indication that the even likes the guy.
Then, she tries to sabotage her relationship with Wan by distancing herself from her and pushing Ek onto her. Wan surely didn’t expect this, and the reacts disappointed and angry. But she respects Pleng’s – stupid – decision and distances herself as well. So Wan has no friend left and walks mopey through the school.
This is the first time she hears about her father’s problems at work, from fellow students who talk about it without noticing her. Well, perhaps she should google the matter if it is public knowledge at school (I know some pupil head about it through an uncle or father, but they must have gotten the info from somewhere as well). We know that Pleng know how to google that she googled relationship advice earlier. 😊 She tries to confront her dad about it, but he brushes it off, saying he already found a solution. And as Pleng hasn’t watched the pilot for the show, she believes him.
The next day, Pleng tries to orchestrate a date between Ek and Wan. She tags along with her and Wan’s mother, so that she seems busy and gets Wan to buy guitar strings for her – which Wan agrees to without hesitation. This should tell you something…
Sidebar: Wan’s mother doesn’t know of Wan’s plans to study medicine. Interesting; she has no confidence in Wan whatsoever. Pleng doesn’t want to end up at her father’s company – but somehow, I don’t think this is going to be a problem…
Wan meanwhile buys the guitar strings, and runs into Ek. She immediately smells the setup, and tries to call Pleng – who is spying of them from outside the store. 🤦
Before I forget it: Wan never picks up Ek’s calls – this should tell you something, Ek…
Pleng and Wan fight; Wan rightfully scolds Pleng for pushing Ek onto her when she isn’t even interested, and accuses Pleng of acting annoying. Pleng’s response to that something along the lines of “You’ll soon come running back to me” - this stinks of entitlement, and Wan responds that she hates her.
This gets to Pleng, she’s sitting in the bathtub crying and – tries to end her life by drowning herself?!?! Wan rushes to save her, as Pleng’s mother is having a heart attack or something like that. Well, perhaps it wasn't a full-blown s*icie attempt, but it should be cause for concern.
And that the end of this episode. This time I actually watched the “next week” bit – because I’m not sure I could stand another episode full of this passive-aggressive bulsh*t. But things are seeming to get better between Wan and Pleng next week.
After the credits, they even show that Wan didn’t ignore Pleng at school after all, as it looked like before, and she heard the rumors about Wut (Pleng’s dad). Come on!
About half of the episode, I wanted to push Pleng in front of a bus for her idiotic behavior, actively preventing not only her own happiness but also Wan’s, all out of denial and misguided plans for Wan which the doesn't discuss with her. I had to be reminded by someone that these are supposed to be teenagers, so idiotic behavior should be expected. I’m pretty sure that Wan loves Pleng as well, but she needs to spell it out for Pleng, and Pleng needs to stop her ill-advised meddling.
I think it was a good idea to start with a flashforward, otherwise the episode would have only consisted only of Wan and Pleng dancing around each other.
The actresses (Sonya as Pleng and Lookmhee as Wan) really have great chemistry together; the episode didn’t flash back all the way to their childhood, but only to their (late, I assume) teens. First of all, the show has to establish the various relationships. We meet Wut (played by Anin’s dad from “The Loyal Pin”) and Khwan, plus Wan mother (played by Lada’s mom). We also quickly meet both Frank – who is interested in both Wan and Pleng – and Ek, whom Wan meet at the gallery.
At this point, we get into the relationship dynamic between Wan and Pleng. They are talking about boyfriends and starting a family all the time, but when one of them even makes the smallest, most tentative step towards getting to know a boy, the other one gets mad jealous. Yet they don’t seem to realize yet that they actually love each other, or they are deep down in denial.
I was actually surprised they would bring the inherently incestuous aspect of their relationship up with the Gemini reference. They really seem like siblings at time – except when they stare onto each other’s eyes at way too little a distance.
Other than that, the show establishes that Pleng is a musical genius, but also kind of entitled and has no friends other than Wan. Her father is a – at this moment – successful businessman, but also a risk-taker. I’m sure that this will play no part in the story down the line…
Wan in the beginning has no ambitions for herself; only after watching “City of Angels” (on a Laser Disc, how far in the past are we?) with Pleng she gets the idea that she could be a doctor and makes a certain bet with her that we heard referenced in the cold open. Hmm, hasn’t she watched “City of Angels” till the end? Doesn’t she know what happens to the always-cycling doctor in that film? 😊
Well, and that’s about it for episode 1. It was kind of slow – especially for an eight-episode series – but I was entertained; they need to move the plot forward soon, though, another episode of this dance around their real feelings could get boring quickly.
For Love, Rain is love at first sight, literally, ran into her when she was a freshman, and as soon as she laid eyes on her, she was smitten. But she never did anything about it, the closest she got was trying to console her when yet another boyfriend broke up with Rain after cheating and exploiting her – but she dismissed her help until Love got discouraged.
Then, we get to the job about which they are meeting – it’s a promotional campaign for Deane’s tattoo parlor. That can’t really pay the three / four friends gathered, not even one of them. Deane has also no idea what she wants really – she just wants to get new customers. Also, the budget is a question mark – Pat offered to foot the bill (she must be really rich, then), but Deane doesn’t want her money. How much exactly can she afford by herself, and can she really pay Rain (and Love as a photographer)?
Also, Deane and Rain do not really vibe – their styles are just too different. I’m curious to see how this will turn out. Rain afterward cautions Pat not to the Deane walk all over her just because she loves her. At home, Rain looks Love up in IG (where most of the photos at actually reminders of her meetups with Rain). She’s gets reminded of one of their previous meetings herself.
The next day, Deane and Love are once again late to the meetings, and Rain is clearly annoyed. Later, Love tries to get closer to Rain, who reacts negatively to her various attempts to flirt with her or make her smile. Pat’s attempt at courting Deane are more politely rebuffed, but they’re rebuffed nevertheless. Meanwhile Rain begins to thaw to Love’s relentless teasing.
But then , Raid’s ex-subordinates – and her ex-boyfriend – appear at the tattoo studio a belittle Rain for now having such a crappy job. Also, Deane knows the coworker who isn’t dating Rain’s ex, and is on friendly terms with her – so friendly, that in fact Pat is jealous. Yet, she soon leaves with Deane, for a little one-on-one time, I presume. The co-worker who cheated on Rain (Fern) has inherited her job (the company will surely fold soon) and is now dating Rain’s ex, which she proudly flaunts in front of Rain – who rightly points out she has essentially taken on a leftover bf and a leftover job.
Rain is raining again, but Love doesn’t let her sulk at the “office” and takes her out on her motorcycle a for trip to a restaurant with really small portions. Love acts a little childish again, but Rain enjoys it this time – mostly. Then a face could again, and she begins to think back at all her failed relationships, and doesn’t want to start crying – but Love encourages her to do so, saying it’s will help her get over them and isn’t a sign of weakness. Rain has a good cry, then Love drops her off; but not before dropping some pills in her bag.
It’s paracetamol, because Love had previously felt Rain’s head getting warm and guessed that she was going to get sick; she texts her to take them. Love, meanwhile, is talking to her mother, and admits that she’s in love with rain (well, she has been for more than seven years now), but worries that she might screw it up with her somehow. Her mother reassures her that she has lots of confidence in her daughter, whom she didn’t name Love by accident.
Later, Love updates her IG, yet again posting something that reminds her of rain. The next day, Love arrives late yet again (that’s three days in a row!) – yet this time, Rain doesn’t tear her a new one, to Pat and Deane surprise.
The paracetamol scenes and the meeting the next day are exclusive to the uncensored version – so this time, it’s actually relevant story development that is missing from the broadcast version.
I liked this episode considerably more than the first one, but the characters still desperately need some fleshing out, the job they’re currently undertaking wouldn’t pay any bills (perhaps Pat should really finance this), and the scenes with Love trying to cheer up Rain, and Pat flirting with Deane dragged a little. Plus, apparently Rain makes terrible choices in both female and male love partners – should that leave us worried for Love? 😊Hasn’t love tried to get to know Rain better – in seven years? Well, I like the chemistry between Bmine and Near, but I know that they play well together already (they were the only enjoyable thing in “Lucky My Love”). All the other characters lack depth or are outright sitcom clichés, making “Unlock You Love” once again the current GL show I like the least.
Then comes the moment we’ve been waiting for: Fuyu strolls into the Café with her suitcase – followed by her husband and daughter. We are told what Fuyu’s been up to; after returning to China, her mother (the one who broke up Itsuki and Fuyu for the first time) forced her to give up her job and become a mother and housewife instead. She complied and tried this life for about half a year, but she felt dead inside – something that her husband did notice. He of course knows that Fuyu is missing Itsuki, and after their daughter Tsuki brought a book with two gay penguins (that story reminded me of a similar one is the Netflix show “Atypical”), he finally decides that enough is enough – and buys plane tickets to Japan to let Fuyu be with the one she’s loves.
As Tsuki states it, her mom and pop are good friends – but Fuyu would really like to be married to Itsuki instead. 😊While the details of their stay in Japan remain a little fuzzy (her husband tries to acquire customers for her father’s company or something) he quickly excuses himself and takes Tsuki with him so that Itsuki and Fuyu can properly reunite – which they do over some ice cream. Fuyu pleads with Itsuki that she wants to clear her relationship with her mother before getting back together. Itsuki agrees, and the two exchange a few rounds of “You’re prettier” – “No, you’re prettier”, before the night ends.
The next day, the café is closed for filming – and then Itsuki meets her first love again, whom we saw a few times interspersed with the rest of the scenes : Yoreum, who is apparently now a celebrity (not only) in Korea.
Well, and that’s the premiere. It was cute, fluffy and nice, and almost all the obstacles are out of the way now, except for Yoreum, of course, who has the older claim on Itsuki, but does Itsuki even feel anything for her first love? Then, there’s the issue for Fuyu’s mother, who expect is not easily swayed to accept Itsuki as a daughter-in-law. But that stakes feel much less high than in season one. I’m happy that all the intrigues and the game development are gone for now, because the was the least compelling part of S1 – and I’m a software (though not games) developer by trade. We shall see how they ramp the drama back up again.
After all the drama and heartbreak of season one, we surely deserved a 'breather' episode like this. 😉
The episode starts with a 27(!) minute part one that could have been a whole episode in itself. Pleng takes note of the bruises on her hands having to take of the dishes and washing her own clothes. She feels ill-equipped for this new reality, and she feels like a burden to Wans family but even more to Wan. She initially plans to earn some extra money with her music (“the thing I’m probably best at”), calling it the only thing she loves - but that’s not entirely accurate – she loves Wan as well. Wan is still full of love and admiration for Pleng – but then Pleng finds out that Wan is actually better in school that she herself is and has only been pretending to be untalented to not compete with Pleng. Pleng then overhears a conversation between Wan’s parents – the father wants to kick her out as soon as possible, or get what little family money she has left – and storms off.
Wan, having witnessed that, wants to calm Pleng down – but she’s not actually angry about them, she’s angry at Wan for lying about her talents. Wan tries to explain it, that she feared they couldn’t be together if she was as or more successful than Pleng, but Pleng rightfully points out that this is not loving behavior. Wan desperately pleads with Pleng to forgive her, and Pleng finally agrees, but adds to it that her feelings have irrevocably changed.
Pleng now knows that she has to leave Wan, or she will always put Pleng before anything, including her own career. She plans on moving to a relative of the late mother’s – that is at least what she claims when talking to Aunt Wi. She also wants to give them money for her stay with them, but Aunt Wi refuses (much to the dismay of her husband). She leaves at night while Wan is sleeping and – almost – kisses her; she leaves a note for her, though.
Then, the story moves forward one year – we see Pleng crying alone with her guitar apparently earning a living with playing in bars at night, while Wan has moved on to university and is studying medicine. The estranged not-quite-sisters both look at the constellation Gemini at night thinking about each other.
The story moves forward 13 years – only 20 minutes of the 1 hour+ episode have passed – and Pleng is apparently still living in the same flat, when she gets a call from the landlady saying her “boyfriend” (that caption actually says girlfriend, and translation error) – she’s apparently sick, but goes downstairs to meet a shady guy named Ta, who claims to love her – but that’s revolting to Pleng, because Ta is married, and made her his mistress (without her knowledge) – where did I hear this complaint last time… 😊 He abandons his quest to get Pleng back when the landlady threatens to call the police – but Pleng collapses in the lobby needing a doctor.
She wakes up in a hospital bed; she immediately wants to leave, but the nurse catches her and tells her that she has contracted influenza and must stay for observation. This puts a strain on her already dubious finances, so she tries to sneak out, even though she is I no condition to leave. While at the front desk she overhears someone calling Wan’s name – and yes, she is actually in the hospital where the now Dr. Wan works and just happens to pass by. Pleng collapses in her arms again.
Pleng wakes up in a hospital bed again – and is scolded by Wan, who hasn’t seen her in 13 years, for disappearing without a trace back then, and for not taking better care of herself in the meantime. Pleng notes that Wan doesn’t smile like she used to, and Wan say: “Someone took it with them”, clearly accusing Pleng. Wan leaves, and Pleng gets a call from her landlady saying Ta causes troubles again. She leaves a note for Wan and once again sneaks out of the hospital, but this time, Wan follows her and defends her against the love-sick Ta.
Later, Wan scolds Pleng yet again for running out, and now she admits she can’t pay for the hospital. Wan says she’ll cover the cost, but Pleng will only accept a loan. Wan relents but doesn’t want to leave Pleng again, saying she hates the notes she’s leaving. Clearly, she hasn’t recovered from Wan leaving all those years ago. Wan wants to know what happened to Pleng; she recounts that because she didn’t finish school, she never found a job other than playing in bars which pays for her cheap room, but not much else. She’s doesn’t write songs anymore, as she doesn’t have time for it. Wan asks about her boyfriend, but she doesn’t want any help from that adulterer. Wan blames herself for Pleng’s fate, but Pleng doesn’t want that burden on Wan.
Wan offers Pleng to stay with her, as she’s living alone (and clearly doesn’t want to lose her again). Her apartment is nice - and full of things that Pleng liked, like a piano, or a guitar Pleng used to like, even though she doesn’t play any instruments. I could not imagine a clearer “I love Pleng” shrine. Pleng likes the apartment and Wan has no chill, offering her to stay for life, asking to not leave her again, as she couldn’t live with it. Wan reveals that not a day has passed by without her missing Pleng. Pleng then finally apologizes for leaving her 13 years ago, saying she didn’t think it would hurt her that much. Wan half-jokingly says he forgives her if she takes a shower with her, then hugs her. So, we’re doing the gal pals dance again.
The next night, Wan wakes up a 4:00 am, in the morning, saying it’s her usual time, but clearly, she’s harboring some emotions. Sometime later, they engage in some light flirting over a cup of noodles, Wan reveals that she’s really become the bike-riding doctor they saw in “City Of Angels” all those years ago. Wan teases her about collecting her reward for becoming a bike-riding doctor later this evening, but Pleng claims the has nothing she could give her, but she will wait for dinner with her. Wan ask if they can skip dinner – she’s rather be eating something else? Pleng, do you really not understand what Wan is going one about with the “cheeky” talk? SHE WANT’S YOU!!!
In the afternoon, she’s leaves the apartment – probably to buy some groceries for the dinner that Wan does not want to eat – and runs into Ek in the lobby. I assume he’s the reason Wan has changed her last name – but first we get a flashback to Wan encountering Pleng’s goodbye note 13 years ago, where the reason for her waking up at 4:00 a.m. is revealed.
That was the longest, and also the best of the four episodes by a mile, and I assume we’re almost at the point where episode 1 started now. Clearly, Wan’s life with Ek has not been happy. But I’m curious to see what the second half of the season has in store for us. This episode was exactly as melodramatic, wistful, and heartstrings-tugging as I hoped it would be.
Yes. It's the best-looking show I've seen from Thailand so far.
Then, Vivi had a vision of some man in the shadows following her. She couldn’t identify the man, but the audience (who saw the series pilot) must be thinking: Is this the man who kills her? Jattawa is worried, instructing her to not go alone, especially to shady places like in her vision.
The next day, Jattawa tries to apologize to Four. She gets interrupted by a lawyer named Pak, being there to meet up with Four, and she vents out her jealousy; by the time she calls her her soulmate, I was sure that a reversal would be imminent. 😉
She’s not done venting, though, talking to herself while in class, which causes her friends – Khun and Top – not notice that she’s stressed, but she quickly pretends to be nervous about the university contest instead. Khun tries to assure her that she needn’t worry, but makes it sound like he’s interested in her. Curious …
Later, the sees Four going to the gym, apparently continuing her tiff with Ten; Jattawa rushed to her side, claiming to be a witness to the property damage. Kie tries to dissuade her, but Jattawa stands firm, questioning the volleyball incident in the course of this. Finally, Ten apologizes publicly, which is all Four wanted.
After this, they start a little bit I’d call “extremely awkward flirting” 😊 Four tries to ask out Jattawa on a date, but Jattawa needs to work, so she asks her to buy some groceries instead, and quickly leaves the scene, giving Four no time to reply. But Four’s not mad, not mad at all …
Later that night, Vivi encounters her “stalker” – which turns out to be their uncle who brought them their share of the house sale (which now is 500,000 Baht instead of 500,000 for each of the sisters – a continuity error?). I wonder if the gambling debt that his son caused will have anything to do with Vivi’s eventual demise, but at this point it’s just guessing.
The next day, the Jattawa’s motorcycle is repaired. Vivi wants a table that costs 2,500 Baht (roughly 70 USD) – that can only be a used one, right? Anyway, while they are talking, Four shows up, and Vivi and Four meet for the first time. Four “casually” complains that Jattawa hasn’t been on the rooftop lately; she’s also made good on the “promise” to buy her some high-quality groceries, leaving them in front of her door. Later that night, Jattawa tries to sneak out to the rooftop – but Vivi of course knows what’s going on.
Four and Jattawa meet up and get talking about the filing Four wants to make – it’s about her grandma, she’s starting to succumb to dementia. Also, there’s some inheritance issue which gets confusing/garbled in the translation; apparently, the grandma’s fortune shall go to her stepmother and his son – a half-brother, whom she knows isn’t related to her as there was a DNA test made. It’s all very confusing – and her dad can’t clear the mess up anymore, as he died five years ago (in a car accident). So, both Four and Jattawa have lost their parents.
Jattawa tries to assure her that it is her right to claim the inheritance, and Four gets romantic signals from this. She tries to blame the full moon, whom Jattawa wished she could pluck from the sky – which the next day, prompts Four to buy a moon globe light. She has previously asked Jattawa out on a date this night (by post-it note), but gets called away by Pak leaving her the light and another not, taking a rain check for their date. But the post-it note gets lost, and the one that gets actually attached to the sphere light is the one where Four wrote down the details of the Sushi Place where she’s about to meet Pak. She arrives there just in time to watch Pak give her flowers, and immediately leaves dejected, giving Four no time to clear up the confusion. Then, she gets called away by Khun, who want to meet up with her; meanwhile Four is meeting up with her _family_, and is clearly unhappy; eventually, she leaves, looking for Jattawa …
… who is getting serenaded by Khun, who is acting under the pretense that this is all four the uni contest. But Jattawa is not really into it - she wants Four. Meanwhile, Four inquires about Jattawa at Vivi’s, who instructs her to get to the university – before getting a vision of Four getting hit by a car. She immediately tries to warn Jattawa, but she is still being serenaded by Khun, who apparently actually tries to woo her. But all Jattawa can think about is Four – she stops Khun from spelling out his feelings, but both know what he was about to say. She reverses back to before the confession and quickly excuses herself before answering Vivi’s call and learning that Four is in danger. She runs out to the street and catches up with her …
… but can’t prevent a clearly speeding car from hitting her, injuring her badly, potentially fatally. And Jattawa has already used up her reversal powers for the day. What to do know?
I _really_ liked this episode, which was gripping and romantic pretty much from start to finish. Wa and Four’s flirting is so cute and awkward, we get to know Four a little better, and the cliffhanger at the end really want to the watch the next episode right away. Please continue with this pacing in the future “Reverse 4 You”, then I’ll be glued to Netflix for the next five Tuesdays. 😊
So, I was a bad dream what we saw at the end of episode 6. Of course, Anin wouldn’t just leave without saying goodbye. That makes much more sense to me, yet, I’m a little annoyed that the pulled such a cheap trick, it certainly makes me wary of further tricks like that down the road.
So, the first 20 minutes were dedicated to a proper farewell of Anin and Pin, where of course Pin was still devastated, but help her packing and even made a pillowcase for her. And contrary to what the told Anin, she was standing by the road when Anin was actually leaving, both being broken.
Then we get the second time apart, where Anin’s brother helped her get the most ardent suitors out of the way, leaving only the ambassador’s daughter for Anin to deal with by herself. She turnout out to be really clingy, but was held at a distant by a fierce Anin.
Meanwhile, Pin hid to deal with Master Kuea, who wanted to ask Pin for her hand in marriage, believing she would fall in love one she was married. Lady Pin has my utmost respect, the way in which she dealt with him blatantly and unceremoniously surprised me, I would not have believed she would be so brazen as to refuse a proposal – and in such a way! – for a close friend of the Sawettawarit family. Good riddance, I hope!
Apart from that the months came and went quickly (though I took longer that for the five years Anin was previously absent); Pin of course graduated first – she is the older of the pair – and got a job as a translator. Patt gifted her a VW Beetle for that achievement, but I’m guessing the graduation this Anin sent over from England were dearer to her heart.
Finally, the letters from Anin stop at some point; I’m guessing the princess was busy with finals and wanted to get back as early as possible, as she’s even missed her second brother’s engagement ceremony. Just when Pin started to get an inferiority complex with all the big-name houses that marry into the Sawettawarit family, Anin returns (unless the show wants to pull another fast one on us) after roughly 35 minutes.
I liked the episode, it had a good balance of love and longing – but now the real story begins, as Anin and Pin are together again and must fight the expectations to get married. This is going to be more difficult for Pin that for Anin, I presume (though I might be wrong). Nine episodes left, so plenty of time for stories to be told. And if I never see the caption "many months later" again, it will be too soon. :-)
She screens Ek to find out if he’s suitable for Wan, and finds a few red flags (especially his problems with his parents), but agrees to get them together anyway. ☹ Shouldn’t she first inquire whether Wan wants to date Ek? Because so far she hasn’t given the slightest indication that the even likes the guy.
Then, she tries to sabotage her relationship with Wan by distancing herself from her and pushing Ek onto her. Wan surely didn’t expect this, and the reacts disappointed and angry. But she respects Pleng’s – stupid – decision and distances herself as well. So Wan has no friend left and walks mopey through the school.
This is the first time she hears about her father’s problems at work, from fellow students who talk about it without noticing her. Well, perhaps she should google the matter if it is public knowledge at school (I know some pupil head about it through an uncle or father, but they must have gotten the info from somewhere as well). We know that Pleng know how to google that she googled relationship advice earlier. 😊 She tries to confront her dad about it, but he brushes it off, saying he already found a solution. And as Pleng hasn’t watched the pilot for the show, she believes him.
The next day, Pleng tries to orchestrate a date between Ek and Wan. She tags along with her and Wan’s mother, so that she seems busy and gets Wan to buy guitar strings for her – which Wan agrees to without hesitation. This should tell you something…
Sidebar: Wan’s mother doesn’t know of Wan’s plans to study medicine. Interesting; she has no confidence in Wan whatsoever. Pleng doesn’t want to end up at her father’s company – but somehow, I don’t think this is going to be a problem…
Wan meanwhile buys the guitar strings, and runs into Ek. She immediately smells the setup, and tries to call Pleng – who is spying of them from outside the store. 🤦
Before I forget it: Wan never picks up Ek’s calls – this should tell you something, Ek…
Pleng and Wan fight; Wan rightfully scolds Pleng for pushing Ek onto her when she isn’t even interested, and accuses Pleng of acting annoying. Pleng’s response to that something along the lines of “You’ll soon come running back to me” - this stinks of entitlement, and Wan responds that she hates her.
This gets to Pleng, she’s sitting in the bathtub crying and – tries to end her life by drowning herself?!?! Wan rushes to save her, as Pleng’s mother is having a heart attack or something like that. Well, perhaps it wasn't a full-blown s*icie attempt, but it should be cause for concern.
And that the end of this episode. This time I actually watched the “next week” bit – because I’m not sure I could stand another episode full of this passive-aggressive bulsh*t. But things are seeming to get better between Wan and Pleng next week.
After the credits, they even show that Wan didn’t ignore Pleng at school after all, as it looked like before, and she heard the rumors about Wut (Pleng’s dad). Come on!
About half of the episode, I wanted to push Pleng in front of a bus for her idiotic behavior, actively preventing not only her own happiness but also Wan’s, all out of denial and misguided plans for Wan which the doesn't discuss with her. I had to be reminded by someone that these are supposed to be teenagers, so idiotic behavior should be expected. I’m pretty sure that Wan loves Pleng as well, but she needs to spell it out for Pleng, and Pleng needs to stop her ill-advised meddling.
I think it was a good idea to start with a flashforward, otherwise the episode would have only consisted only of Wan and Pleng dancing around each other.
The actresses (Sonya as Pleng and Lookmhee as Wan) really have great chemistry together; the episode didn’t flash back all the way to their childhood, but only to their (late, I assume) teens. First of all, the show has to establish the various relationships. We meet Wut (played by Anin’s dad from “The Loyal Pin”) and Khwan, plus Wan mother (played by Lada’s mom). We also quickly meet both Frank – who is interested in both Wan and Pleng – and Ek, whom Wan meet at the gallery.
At this point, we get into the relationship dynamic between Wan and Pleng. They are talking about boyfriends and starting a family all the time, but when one of them even makes the smallest, most tentative step towards getting to know a boy, the other one gets mad jealous. Yet they don’t seem to realize yet that they actually love each other, or they are deep down in denial.
I was actually surprised they would bring the inherently incestuous aspect of their relationship up with the Gemini reference. They really seem like siblings at time – except when they stare onto each other’s eyes at way too little a distance.
Other than that, the show establishes that Pleng is a musical genius, but also kind of entitled and has no friends other than Wan. Her father is a – at this moment – successful businessman, but also a risk-taker. I’m sure that this will play no part in the story down the line…
Wan in the beginning has no ambitions for herself; only after watching “City of Angels” (on a Laser Disc, how far in the past are we?) with Pleng she gets the idea that she could be a doctor and makes a certain bet with her that we heard referenced in the cold open. Hmm, hasn’t she watched “City of Angels” till the end? Doesn’t she know what happens to the always-cycling doctor in that film? 😊
Well, and that’s about it for episode 1. It was kind of slow – especially for an eight-episode series – but I was entertained; they need to move the plot forward soon, though, another episode of this dance around their real feelings could get boring quickly.