Mademoiselle Noir

I was pulled in from the start, as if tugged by the cord of the earphones both MLs shared to listen to music.

There was a quiet, mutual relief when they were together. Like the rest of the world/other people were white noise, and they could just . . . Be.

No pressure or high expectations, conversation to fill, or mood to decipher.

And that interested, buzzing, connected feeling seemed to have been there for both of them from the start. A simple, repeated locking of eyes from afar and feeling tethered/knowing someone more than the people standing right next to them.

They and, by association, we (the viewers) easily understood their feelings without having to spell it out.

The drama also managed to balance the shifts in perspective well. I was impressed.

But, for how criminally undiscussed and largely not condemned the toxic/manipulative adult tutor/minor student relationship was, I was more than disappointed. Silence isn't neutral.

So in summary, I found Contrast to be uplifted by the MLs connection but dragged down by the dark shadow looming in the corner that everyone chose to pretend didn't exist.

I'd still recommend it, but with a caveat.