I felt the same way regarding the feeling of content being cut and/or softened! I was initially going to title my review "WHO CENSORED P'AOF???" for that reason!
"The problem is that when everyone becomes reasonable and supportive, the story loses the source of its central conflict." – UGH! You took the words straight out of my mouth. This beautifully summarizes the incredible shortcomings of TtH, a story that had the potential to be incredibly meaningful but ended up being a cornucopia of platitudes.
"That would have made his eventual decision feel earned rather than inevitable." – EXACTLY! I despise shows whose endings are not EARNED. Look, almost all BL's have happy endings and I wasn't expecting this one to be different, but at least make me feel the genuine angst and trauma along the way! The lowest of lows yield the highest of highs, and yet this series was giving nothing but flat.
"In trying so carefully not to offend religious audiences, it sacrifices much of the complexity that made its premise so compelling. The result is a story that is emotionally moving, but ultimately far less challenging than it had the potential to be." – WONDERFULLY WRITTEN. This entire review reads so naturally, and yet is crafted with a strong thesis that you tie neatly with a bow at the end. Bravissimo!
I'm sorry but I don't get the first part of the comment... You're saying it makes zero sense that Tanrak doesn't…
Hey, I'm glad you took the time to respond to my review! I love hearing other people's opinions.
To clarify what I mean: Tanrak was raised as Catholic in the 1990's. Even if it wasn't shown on screen, kids who grew up that religious and in that time period were taught that being gay was a sin in the eyes of God. My point is that his character should not have ONLY been afraid of Kongdech and the Father discovering his sexuality; he should have ALSO been immediately afraid and ashamed of his kiss with Barth because he believes that God is always watching. That's why it doesn't make sense to me why Tanrak continues to flirt with Barth at the beginning of episode 4. It would have been much more in character for him to have his nervous breakdown immediately after the kiss, rather than wait until episode 5 and only because he thinks Kongdech found out.
As for your interpretation of what the Father means: I agree that your opinion is another valid interpretation of his words. And I guess that's the problem. The Father was being so vague that the audience can have very different views on what he actually meant. The script should have made his position on homosexuality much more clear – and a Catholic priest in the 1990's 100% viewed it as sinful, which is why I lean toward my interpretation instead.
You're right that a 4 is harsh, but I'm gonna stick by it. I think TtH had SO much potential, and it pains me to see how the show didn't live up to it. Again, thank you for your response – I love conversations like these! Have a nice day as well.
I feel like this is one of the only SANE reviews of TtH! I completely agree with you regarding the distinction between the gay/religious struggle and the love/priesthood struggle, of which this show is the latter. I also TOTALLY AGREE about the pacing – the episodes felt super slow, but then there were awkward montages progressing the Tanrak/Barth relationship a lot faster than it should have! The only thing I disagree with you on is their chemistry – I honestly felt it more here than in MSP or Moonlight Chicken. The passionate kiss at the end of episode 3 was their best intimate work BY FAR, and it was the highlight of an otherwise lackluster series. Thank you for actually giving your balanced opinion on this series!
"The problem is that when everyone becomes reasonable and supportive, the story loses the source of its central conflict." – UGH! You took the words straight out of my mouth. This beautifully summarizes the incredible shortcomings of TtH, a story that had the potential to be incredibly meaningful but ended up being a cornucopia of platitudes.
"That would have made his eventual decision feel earned rather than inevitable." – EXACTLY! I despise shows whose endings are not EARNED. Look, almost all BL's have happy endings and I wasn't expecting this one to be different, but at least make me feel the genuine angst and trauma along the way! The lowest of lows yield the highest of highs, and yet this series was giving nothing but flat.
"In trying so carefully not to offend religious audiences, it sacrifices much of the complexity that made its premise so compelling. The result is a story that is emotionally moving, but ultimately far less challenging than it had the potential to be." – WONDERFULLY WRITTEN. This entire review reads so naturally, and yet is crafted with a strong thesis that you tie neatly with a bow at the end. Bravissimo!
To clarify what I mean: Tanrak was raised as Catholic in the 1990's. Even if it wasn't shown on screen, kids who grew up that religious and in that time period were taught that being gay was a sin in the eyes of God. My point is that his character should not have ONLY been afraid of Kongdech and the Father discovering his sexuality; he should have ALSO been immediately afraid and ashamed of his kiss with Barth because he believes that God is always watching. That's why it doesn't make sense to me why Tanrak continues to flirt with Barth at the beginning of episode 4. It would have been much more in character for him to have his nervous breakdown immediately after the kiss, rather than wait until episode 5 and only because he thinks Kongdech found out.
As for your interpretation of what the Father means: I agree that your opinion is another valid interpretation of his words. And I guess that's the problem. The Father was being so vague that the audience can have very different views on what he actually meant. The script should have made his position on homosexuality much more clear – and a Catholic priest in the 1990's 100% viewed it as sinful, which is why I lean toward my interpretation instead.
You're right that a 4 is harsh, but I'm gonna stick by it. I think TtH had SO much potential, and it pains me to see how the show didn't live up to it. Again, thank you for your response – I love conversations like these! Have a nice day as well.