I usually don't write formal reviews of BL series, mainly because I really don't want to waste the time. However, I will make a little time for CP. Early on I stated that it was a "train wreck" and then I lightened up and called it a "car crash." Either way, it was a "hot mess" of a series if you were looking for plot, substance, coherence, exposition, character development, etc. However, it you were looking for cute actors, hot sex/love scenes, big budget scenery, and a little fan service, then CP fulfilled that need. To say the series was "bad" would be unfair to the hard work put in by all involved. It would probably be fair to say that the series was just "not good."
The story (plot) had so many holes in it that even a golf course would feel envious. It addressed (or at least attempted to address) some fairly complex societal issues related to the lgbtq+ community. But, it failed to cohesively intertwine those complex issues within a story "worth" watching. It started out with a lot of potential, e.g. Nuea's character in the first ep. was interesting and provided the audience with what a glimpse of what his character could do. Then, as the eps. progressed, instead of the audience getting to see Nuea develop and evolve, we saw his character actually "de-evolve into what could be perceived as the stereotypical, sometimes effeminate, weakling uke we've come to know. Lian's character was just as bad. He goes from being a fairly cold, sadistic, psychologically controlling business-driven "seme" to a lovey-dovey, breakfast making Mr. Mom.
If it weren't so pitiful, it would be laughable. But, I digress. I place none of the blame on the actors, they're hired to do a job. And in the entertainment industry, especially in Thailand, is a very complicated animal. The blame should be squarely on the production company making the series and the screenwriter and director putting out the series. I can't understand why screenwriters and directors, and producers, too, don't understand the concept of "Adapted from the novel," with the emphasis on "adapted." Anyone with enough literary/producing experience should know that it's pretty damn hard to make a movie, series, or documentary, etc. and have it be "exactly" like in the novel. A movie or series is simply a "snapshot" of the main idea of the novel, just enough of a snapshot to allow the audience to know what is going on. The rest is for show. Which means, a good screenwriter, a good producer, or a good director can actually take that "snapshot" and turn it into something better on screen. I don't believe that happened here.
So, here's my review of the pros and cons of Cutie Pie:
PROS: 1) Attractive actors 2) Impressive scenery and apparent budget 3) Talented actors, especially NuNew and Zee 4) Good message about the lgbtq+ issues in Thailand 5) Not a great amount of toxicity 6) Good chemistry with couples (all of them IMO) 7) Impressive music (again, NuNew is a musical gem).
CONS: 1) Very weak plot (story) - absolutely bad writing 2) Very little character development 3) Overly concerned with miscommunication and manipulation 4) Irregular pacing of the weak story 5) Not enough background info regarding characters
So, as you can see, in my review there are MORE pros than there are cons, which indicates that the series had some merit. And, I also have to admit that it wasn't really "terrible." It just wasn't that good, when it could've been soooooo much better. PLEASE, NO SEASON 2! LMBO!
P.S. They did get a good soundtrack out of it, though! LMFAO!
P.S.S. Strike the "PROS" and just leave the "CONS"! Ahhh! Now, I feel better! ROTFL!!!
I'm loving the fact that this show is building up to prove why villains need to be held accountable for their…
I totally agree with your point about "villains need to be held accountable for their actions." However, there's no assurances that NamNing will get her "just desserts." The previews actually show more villainy on the part of NamNing. I just wish the writers and directors of these series stop allowing characters to constantly be perpetual victims. It would be nice for just once the supposed stereotypic "soft, gentle, non-violent, effeminate, ever-caring, uke-like character" GROW A PAIR and stand-up for themselves!
TBH, I'm not really sure how I feel about this final episode of Cutie Pie. First let me state that after the first couple of eps., I was NOT a fan of this series. Although the actors were handsome and appeared to have good chemistry, the plot just hit me in all the wrong places. This series touched on and danced around some particularly sensitive subject matter (i.e., arranged marriages, psychological abuse, mistrust and deception just to name a few). That being said, I think I understand and agree with the "message" being promoted during the last episode. It conveyed positive views of what loving and caring relationships should be and how they can work, as well as highlighted the lgbtq+ issues of equality and acceptance in their society.
It was a good message. I just wish that message had become apparent earlier in this series. Perhaps then this train wreck (or car crash) of a plot could've been avoided.
Okay. Although Kinn and Porsche running around the woods like castaways on a deserted island, instead of two escaped victims on the run was a bit much. However, I was impressed by their conversations and Kinn's apology. He didn't play down what occurred, he acknowledged that he'd never "crossed the line" like that with any of his bodyguards and asked Porsche for forgiveness. That was a difficult scene played with some reality and believability.
Way too much death for a drama like this. It's only been (2) episodes and we've had (2) possibly (3) characters die already! What is up with this plot???? But, unfortunately, it would make sense. Prakan and Tua probably can only be together if they're BOTH dead.
P.S. Where and for what reason in the hell was Prakan going in such a hurry!!??
It's really fascinating how we all watched the same episode and yet we perceived it differently, i keep seeing…
This is an interesting interpretation. Congrats. IMO, I don't struggle with trying to answer the questions of "rape" or "not rape." This is a question that has been posed many, many times in BLs (especially Thai BLs), as this behavior has occurred so frequently. I stand by my original summation of the situation: BLs are tv shows, not necessarily meant to portray or imitate "real" life in the lgbtq+ community or hetero community. It's fantasy for entertainment and/or enjoyment.
That being said, if it WAS the intent (by whoever in charge of the series) for it to portray "real" life, then that's a little different than for entertainment and/or enjoyment. Because, in real life, there are a whole host of societal norms, laws, customs, and traditions that govern people's behavior both in and out of the "bedroom." In "most" societies (particularly in the West), it's generally perceived that a person under the "influence" isn't knowingly agreeing to participate in any sexual behavior.
Finally, this particular series involves BL characters, set in the backdrop of the mafia (a sub-culture within a society known for its corrupt, vicious, amoral, and violent nature). Rape, murder, seduction, betrayal, etc., are just part of the storyline. We can enjoy the ride, no matter how "bumpy" it gets, or get off at the next corner. I choose to get off at the next corner, because the ride is a little too bumpy for me.
I really like HIStory: Trapped, but for now Kinnporsche is much better.
As you can see by my favs, I've been more partial to the Taiwan BLs. Even though the cinematography is not great, the stories are much better, so is the acting. LOL
I really like HIStory: Trapped, but for now Kinnporsche is much better.
Some of favs include: HIStory 2: Boundary Crossing, HIStory 3: Trapped and Make Our Days Count (with exception of last ep.), ITSAY, Thousand Stars, Addicted, Advanced Bravely, We Best Love (both), Be Loved In House and Till We Meet Again, etc. These are NOT all inclusive. LMBO! My guilty pleasures (depending on mood) are Love by Chance, Fish Upon the Sky, Why RU, and My Engineer. Again, my guilty please are not all inclusive, HaHaHa.
I really like HIStory: Trapped, but for now Kinnporsche is much better.
Wow. That's tough to answer. I guess it would depend on the kind of BL mood that I'm in at the time. I even liked some of the BLs that others thought were stupid. But, I liked them because they were cute and had a more positive message about the lbgtq+ community, once you got passed all the fangirl stuff. Give me a second.
The story (plot) had so many holes in it that even a golf course would feel envious. It addressed (or at least attempted to address) some fairly complex societal issues related to the lgbtq+ community. But, it failed to cohesively intertwine those complex issues within a story "worth" watching. It started out with a lot of potential, e.g. Nuea's character in the first ep. was interesting and provided the audience with what a glimpse of what his character could do. Then, as the eps. progressed, instead of the audience getting to see Nuea develop and evolve, we saw his character actually "de-evolve into what could be perceived as the stereotypical, sometimes effeminate, weakling uke we've come to know. Lian's character was just as bad. He goes from being a fairly cold, sadistic, psychologically controlling business-driven "seme" to a lovey-dovey, breakfast making Mr. Mom.
If it weren't so pitiful, it would be laughable. But, I digress. I place none of the blame on the actors, they're hired to do a job. And in the entertainment industry, especially in Thailand, is a very complicated animal. The blame should be squarely on the production company making the series and the screenwriter and director putting out the series. I can't understand why screenwriters and directors, and producers, too, don't understand the concept of "Adapted from the novel," with the emphasis on "adapted." Anyone with enough literary/producing experience should know that it's pretty damn hard to make a movie, series, or documentary, etc. and have it be "exactly" like in the novel. A movie or series is simply a "snapshot" of the main idea of the novel, just enough of a snapshot to allow the audience to know what is going on. The rest is for show. Which means, a good screenwriter, a good producer, or a good director can actually take that "snapshot" and turn it into something better on screen. I don't believe that happened here.
So, here's my review of the pros and cons of Cutie Pie:
PROS:
1) Attractive actors
2) Impressive scenery and apparent budget
3) Talented actors, especially NuNew and Zee
4) Good message about the lgbtq+ issues in Thailand
5) Not a great amount of toxicity
6) Good chemistry with couples (all of them IMO)
7) Impressive music (again, NuNew is a musical gem).
CONS:
1) Very weak plot (story) - absolutely bad writing
2) Very little character development
3) Overly concerned with miscommunication and manipulation
4) Irregular pacing of the weak story
5) Not enough background info regarding characters
So, as you can see, in my review there are MORE pros than there are cons, which indicates that the series had some merit. And, I also have to admit that it wasn't really "terrible." It just wasn't that good, when it could've been soooooo much better. PLEASE, NO SEASON 2! LMBO!
P.S. They did get a good soundtrack out of it, though! LMFAO!
P.S.S. Strike the "PROS" and just leave the "CONS"! Ahhh! Now, I feel better! ROTFL!!!
However, there's no assurances that NamNing will get her "just desserts." The previews actually show more villainy on the part of NamNing. I just wish the writers and directors of these series stop allowing characters to constantly be perpetual victims. It would be nice for just once the supposed stereotypic "soft, gentle, non-violent, effeminate, ever-caring, uke-like character" GROW A PAIR and stand-up for themselves!
It was a good message. I just wish that message had become apparent earlier in this series. Perhaps then this train wreck (or car crash) of a plot could've been avoided.
P.S. Where and for what reason in the hell was Prakan going in such a hurry!!??
That being said, if it WAS the intent (by whoever in charge of the series) for it to portray "real" life, then that's a little different than for entertainment and/or enjoyment. Because, in real life, there are a whole host of societal norms, laws, customs, and traditions that govern people's behavior both in and out of the "bedroom." In "most" societies (particularly in the West), it's generally perceived that a person under the "influence" isn't knowingly agreeing to participate in any sexual behavior.
Finally, this particular series involves BL characters, set in the backdrop of the mafia (a sub-culture within a society known for its corrupt, vicious, amoral, and violent nature). Rape, murder, seduction, betrayal, etc., are just part of the storyline. We can enjoy the ride, no matter how "bumpy" it gets, or get off at the next corner. I choose to get off at the next corner, because the ride is a little too bumpy for me.