Mademoiselle Noir

A delightful, steamy, moving, sensitive rom-com that will make you laugh, rage, smile, and cry.

Crazy attracts crazy, as they say. And what better fate to befall a maniac than to fall for another maniac?

But You Maniac was so much more than just a story of two messy individuals messing around while falling in love.

These were complicated people with pasts that left scars on them.

It was about putting in effort and putting your walls down. Giving a real chance. It was about daring to be vulnerable while fearing rejection and abandonment. Feeling unworthy and out of place. Choosing the person that's best for you, who truly sees you and wants to know you. Who won't change who they are for you, but find ways to fit into your life and fit you into theirs. Who will be there for you even as you push them away during the hardest time in your life, because they understand you're hurting. Who will support your dream, because they love you.

Love is insane when you stop and think about it. You can't force it. It just . . . Happens. It could be a case of instant attraction/connection that deepens over time. It could be something small that causes the arrow to land. Smell. Touch. Taste. Voice. It doesn't look the same for everyone.

It's true what they say: Hurt people hurt people, which is why Dean and Moth hurt each other and themselves along the way to their own little happily ever after.

Because brushing things off, shutting down, and lashing out is so much easier than saying how you really feel, giving the other person a chance to intimately see you and hurt you.

I loved how terribly similar yet different Dean and Moth were. They both couldn't stand to lose, but had different lines they were/weren't willing to cross to "win."

And I think, most importantly, they were both lonely. Their loneliness just took on different forms. Moth was alone and lonely, and Dean was surrounded by a crowd and lonely. Moth closed himself off like an old book glued shut in a cold room, proudly embracing his stubborn, chosen isolation like a badge of honor, while Dean hid his sadness in the loud, bright city nightlife scene, showering himself in safe, overwhelming yet fleeting attention, while secretly wanting a deeper connection.

All of this made the progression as well as the backsliding of their relationship make so much sense.

Not only was the writing smart, but the pacing and editing also matched it.

I loved the chase in the beginning, the little game they played, but more than that, I loved reaching the point where the shoe dropped . . . And it no longer mattered.

I would also be remiss not to mention the peak, romantic Hollywood cinema moments they treated me to. Windswept hair, glowing lights, and tender eyes/touch amid fireworks in the background? Truly magical. It's so rare to see done so earnestly nowadays.

There are things for me to critique, though. Believe it or not, I can lower my rose-colored WilliamEst glasses and point out issues.

I do think it took longer than it should have for me to root for the side couple. Ten and Dr. Pun had very little screen time in the beginning episodes, and it was downright frustrating to watch Ten bemoaning his unrequited love fate while doing absolutely nothing about it. But once they finally got going, I was surprised to find myself fully on board with their relationship. They were a nice respite when Dean and Moth were going through it.

I also did find myself frustrated with Moth as a character at times, but I could hardly begrudge his hurtful remarks and distance as the drama did the work to make me understand him.

I can only admire the thought and effort put into producing such a work that made me reflect so heavily on it, life, and myself/my own experiences.

THIS is what art is for.

Yet another day of my week will echo a drama's name. Fridays were never the same for me after ThamePo. And now, my Saturdays will never be the same after You Maniac.

How I shall miss it!