4
Juicy gossips dressed up as a show
I must admit I was drawn to this show by the initial premise of a strong FL who overcomes personal tragedy as well as business challenges to make a fresh start for herself and her newfound family. A solid premise if I say so myself.
The FL inherited 4 brothers-in-law’s when she married her beau. Potentially, it is a gold mine of subplots and characters. That is certainly true, and, in that regard, Oprah Winfrey would be proud. There are 6 CP's, multiple weddings as well as babies by the end of the show! On the other side of the ledger, there are troublesome ex-wives and a persistent antagonist. They also get the Oprah treatment when it comes to redemption. Everyone wins.
As the show went on for over half a year, I don't think there is much point in going through all the twists and turns. I'll keep things relatively high level.
Let's be honest. This show is a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. It is sort of makjang, part-time rom-com and certainly melodramatic. Many clichés and tropes are hurt in the making of this drama. However, it doesn't push any boundaries. The bubbling cauldron is full of ingredients, but the flavour is muted.
This becomes increasingly evident as the series progresses. I was baffled at first and then I had an epiphany. This is a weekend drama designed to be viewed by a multi-generational audience. There are many situations and themes that a mature audience will be familiar with. This show is safe to share with your grandma. She might tsk-tsk here and there but she is more likely to be wearing a knowing smile.
On top of that, all the CP are pre-ordained. Sure, there are the usual push-pulls. You can put money on the pairings, and no bookmakers will accept the bet. It is that obvious.
This is the same with most of the side plots. They are old tropes. There are the odd angsty bits, but resolution is never far away. Everything just plods along.
What doesn't move along is the progress of the 1OTP. They are forever dancing around each other. Even when they are finally dating, they are still awkward around each other. Jane Austen would call this "having an understanding". In many ways, this show is timelessness.
With so many characters and subplots, there are lots going on, but they are tame. One CP did have a one-night stand, but they are the thorniest pairing. Everyone else is prim and proper.
This raises the fundamental question. Is this show for you?
Do you prefer to be hit by angst bombs? Or would you prefer something mellower? Do you want one or two fiery, passionate love stories or many low-key ones? Final question; cute babies or cute dogs? Answer me! 😉
In the end, this is an easy, undemanding watch. I just don't think I'm their target audience. The sunk-cost fallacy kept me watching but diminishing return is real. In hindsight, I would have preferred to have access to all eps from the start. Having to wait week after week for the next release is definitely a con for me.
The show does deliver on its premise, and the acting is solid. Somewhere along the way, it morphed into something bland and predictable. I don't vibe with it and that is on me.
BTW, The ending is beyond sweet. It is sugar overload and should come with a health warning. At least it left no stone unturned.
My suggestion is read reviews. Sample a few episodes before jumping in for the long haul. Caveat emptor, chingu.
The FL inherited 4 brothers-in-law’s when she married her beau. Potentially, it is a gold mine of subplots and characters. That is certainly true, and, in that regard, Oprah Winfrey would be proud. There are 6 CP's, multiple weddings as well as babies by the end of the show! On the other side of the ledger, there are troublesome ex-wives and a persistent antagonist. They also get the Oprah treatment when it comes to redemption. Everyone wins.
As the show went on for over half a year, I don't think there is much point in going through all the twists and turns. I'll keep things relatively high level.
Let's be honest. This show is a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. It is sort of makjang, part-time rom-com and certainly melodramatic. Many clichés and tropes are hurt in the making of this drama. However, it doesn't push any boundaries. The bubbling cauldron is full of ingredients, but the flavour is muted.
This becomes increasingly evident as the series progresses. I was baffled at first and then I had an epiphany. This is a weekend drama designed to be viewed by a multi-generational audience. There are many situations and themes that a mature audience will be familiar with. This show is safe to share with your grandma. She might tsk-tsk here and there but she is more likely to be wearing a knowing smile.
On top of that, all the CP are pre-ordained. Sure, there are the usual push-pulls. You can put money on the pairings, and no bookmakers will accept the bet. It is that obvious.
This is the same with most of the side plots. They are old tropes. There are the odd angsty bits, but resolution is never far away. Everything just plods along.
What doesn't move along is the progress of the 1OTP. They are forever dancing around each other. Even when they are finally dating, they are still awkward around each other. Jane Austen would call this "having an understanding". In many ways, this show is timelessness.
With so many characters and subplots, there are lots going on, but they are tame. One CP did have a one-night stand, but they are the thorniest pairing. Everyone else is prim and proper.
This raises the fundamental question. Is this show for you?
Do you prefer to be hit by angst bombs? Or would you prefer something mellower? Do you want one or two fiery, passionate love stories or many low-key ones? Final question; cute babies or cute dogs? Answer me! 😉
In the end, this is an easy, undemanding watch. I just don't think I'm their target audience. The sunk-cost fallacy kept me watching but diminishing return is real. In hindsight, I would have preferred to have access to all eps from the start. Having to wait week after week for the next release is definitely a con for me.
The show does deliver on its premise, and the acting is solid. Somewhere along the way, it morphed into something bland and predictable. I don't vibe with it and that is on me.
BTW, The ending is beyond sweet. It is sugar overload and should come with a health warning. At least it left no stone unturned.
My suggestion is read reviews. Sample a few episodes before jumping in for the long haul. Caveat emptor, chingu.
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