PondGun my day anytime
There is a lot to like here.
The show is truly captivating – initially due to its plot and later thanks to good performances.
Furthermore, it is atmospheric and mysterious – due to plot and writing, but also thanks to mostly fitting music (heralded by very strong track used for opening credits) and proper cinematography (including plenty of surprisingly good shots sprinkled throughout the series like little gems).
It is also emotionally engaging – because the stakes are set very clearly and because it (the show) has real heart. This was achieved by decent writing, mostly for the Day-Ozone side of the story (a notable mention for the Night-Dream side is Dream’s phone call with her mother in ep. 12), and – again – very good performances.
"Leap Day" is very good in creating a feeling of hopelessness, of walls closing in, of fighting a faceless and unfathomable dread all alone, of suffocating in an indifferent world, oblivious to ones problems, unable – or maybe even unwilling – to help or sympathize. All these sensations were conveyed masterfully and allowed to highlight the remedies that work, that allow to survive and lead a mostly normal life: determination and support of friends and loved ones.
The cast is small (which I liked) and gave very uneven performances.
I was never a fan of Gun and have criticized Pond’s performances in BLs, calling him stiff, wooden and boring. Here I was very pleasantly surprised by how good they both were. I loved Pond’s Day – strong, determined, honest, straightforward and deeply caring for Ozone, emanating purest warmth while at it. Gun was utterly convincing as Ozone, delivering a complex and difficult performance, very far from a one-note one. Watching both Pond and Gun in "Leap Day" was a treat – the show deserves a good rating for that one aspect alone.
I cannot say the same about neither Dew nor Pahn. Dew gave a subpar, mostly flat performance of an annoying character, who felt unlikable even when he was supposed to be loving and tender. Pahn, whom I have previously seen only once (in "My Love Mix-Up!"), did not impress me with anything; her performance was uninspired and even vexing at times.
The writers mostly did a good job, though at times the show was losing its momentum and felt like dragging for no reason (other than to fill all 12 episodes with something). This is not a critique of all those moments the main characters were walking in circles trying to figure out anything about Leap Day – those moments were necessary and justified. I do, however, believe that some parts of the show, like the lengthy thread of introducing Pon's character (Kit), could have been done differently, preserving the show’s generally good pacing. I have no issues with "Leap Day" leaving us with most questions unanswered and a lot of plot threads leading nowhere/unexplained – all that can be considered part of the show’s mystery aspect. Going a little into spoiler territory I need to voice my biggest complaint regarding the script: Wiwat’s fate. That man should be dead or jailed; instead we see him alive, free and treated with respect.
I mentioned music as an important factor contributing to the show’s atmosphere. While this is the case for most tracks used in "Leap Day", I was not a fan of "อยู่เพื่อรักเธอ" ("Here You Are") sung by "Louis" Thanawin, "Ford" Allan and "Fluke" Nattanon. I like all three of them a lot and have only respect for their work – but do not think that particular song fits this series.
Having said all that I consider "Leap Day" one of those shows where "pros" are so solid and numerous that they clearly outweigh "cons", covering them completely. If you are not convinced by that, just watch it for Pond. It is worth it, the guy can actually act.
The show is truly captivating – initially due to its plot and later thanks to good performances.
Furthermore, it is atmospheric and mysterious – due to plot and writing, but also thanks to mostly fitting music (heralded by very strong track used for opening credits) and proper cinematography (including plenty of surprisingly good shots sprinkled throughout the series like little gems).
It is also emotionally engaging – because the stakes are set very clearly and because it (the show) has real heart. This was achieved by decent writing, mostly for the Day-Ozone side of the story (a notable mention for the Night-Dream side is Dream’s phone call with her mother in ep. 12), and – again – very good performances.
"Leap Day" is very good in creating a feeling of hopelessness, of walls closing in, of fighting a faceless and unfathomable dread all alone, of suffocating in an indifferent world, oblivious to ones problems, unable – or maybe even unwilling – to help or sympathize. All these sensations were conveyed masterfully and allowed to highlight the remedies that work, that allow to survive and lead a mostly normal life: determination and support of friends and loved ones.
The cast is small (which I liked) and gave very uneven performances.
I was never a fan of Gun and have criticized Pond’s performances in BLs, calling him stiff, wooden and boring. Here I was very pleasantly surprised by how good they both were. I loved Pond’s Day – strong, determined, honest, straightforward and deeply caring for Ozone, emanating purest warmth while at it. Gun was utterly convincing as Ozone, delivering a complex and difficult performance, very far from a one-note one. Watching both Pond and Gun in "Leap Day" was a treat – the show deserves a good rating for that one aspect alone.
I cannot say the same about neither Dew nor Pahn. Dew gave a subpar, mostly flat performance of an annoying character, who felt unlikable even when he was supposed to be loving and tender. Pahn, whom I have previously seen only once (in "My Love Mix-Up!"), did not impress me with anything; her performance was uninspired and even vexing at times.
The writers mostly did a good job, though at times the show was losing its momentum and felt like dragging for no reason (other than to fill all 12 episodes with something). This is not a critique of all those moments the main characters were walking in circles trying to figure out anything about Leap Day – those moments were necessary and justified. I do, however, believe that some parts of the show, like the lengthy thread of introducing Pon's character (Kit), could have been done differently, preserving the show’s generally good pacing. I have no issues with "Leap Day" leaving us with most questions unanswered and a lot of plot threads leading nowhere/unexplained – all that can be considered part of the show’s mystery aspect. Going a little into spoiler territory I need to voice my biggest complaint regarding the script: Wiwat’s fate. That man should be dead or jailed; instead we see him alive, free and treated with respect.
I mentioned music as an important factor contributing to the show’s atmosphere. While this is the case for most tracks used in "Leap Day", I was not a fan of "อยู่เพื่อรักเธอ" ("Here You Are") sung by "Louis" Thanawin, "Ford" Allan and "Fluke" Nattanon. I like all three of them a lot and have only respect for their work – but do not think that particular song fits this series.
Having said all that I consider "Leap Day" one of those shows where "pros" are so solid and numerous that they clearly outweigh "cons", covering them completely. If you are not convinced by that, just watch it for Pond. It is worth it, the guy can actually act.
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