Honglou Meng

But you won't object to a "positive" rant, would you? You won't even call it a rant. Assez has as much a right to a rant as people who praise the show do. People just don't seem to like disagreement, and just attack the person who disagrees or is critical. Also, who is the arbiter of which opinion is "educated" and which not? And why should only the "educated" have an opinion? What is an "education" anyway when it comes to a piece of light entertainment? People take this stuff way too seriously.

I hasten to add that I don't dislike the show, nor do I fully agree with Assez's assessment of it. But I do defend their right to write what they want in an open forum without their personhood or character being maligned. By all means, contest their ideas. Say why and how they are wrong. But it's just as "uneducated" and silly to call them a "hater" and all that.

Most people in London would think it too naff to have a backyard swimming pool. What would be the point? The very rich have an indoor pool, I’m sure, but most wealthy people I know just prefer a luxurious bath. Jacuzzis are becoming a thing in some parts, under American influence, but again, to me, in Britain, it just seems naff.

I am sure some hotels have infinity pools, but it has never occurred to me to check. ;)

Oh, I meant both the language itself as well as the accent. I have heard some pretty awful French and Japanese in English films and TV.

I mention this below. But I know Borough tube station well and that ain’t it! And Britain will never have half the brilliant sunshine — even accounting for global warming — seen in the show, let alone enough to warrant slate roofs. But who cares? It was hilarious.

To be fair, Anglophone actors are guilty of butchering so many languages, including English. Think of Daniel Craig’s Southern or Don Cheadle’s Mockney, let alone anyone speaking Thai in White Lotus. Fortunately, we have ChatGPT now, and the producers might as well use it in the future, eh?

ChatGPT can only go so far!

As you know, I’m a Brit too, and I know that (a) that was not Borough tube station, and (b) Britain has never had and never will have sunshine or interiors like that. Do I mind? No. Was it hilarious? Absolutely!

I won’t lie. I was a bit chuffed with myself when I came up with that.

Oh my god, I forgot about that! I think they found me passed out in the middle of the English Channel after that...

Lol. I had my husband brew me a cup of Earl Grey, just so that I could spit out in laughter everytime someone said "mate"!

Someone should get a promotion at the NewZeeLand tourism office.

I don't understand the double standards in the comments here. I find myself agreeing with some of the criticisms above, disagreeing with others, and laughing at a few. But that's the point of an open forum.

But, why is it okay to rate a series 10/10 after the first episode, but not 1/10? People don't swarm to the positive reviews and say: "you have only seen one episode, how can you give it 10/10?"

What is this business with dismissing everyone who has a different opinion as a "hater" or an "attention seeker"? Isn't the person who "hates" a negative review also a "hater"? Aren't such comments also, by definition, "attention seeking"? This is just a piece of light entertainment. What warrants such emotions?

Anyway, assez, I may not agree with you all the time. But ignore the personal attacks. Besides, you have already warned them that this is a critical review. It must be a masochist indeed who still reads it, and then wants to denounce it.

I'll never pronounce the word "Kenneth" the same way again.

Some observations so far:

1. Domundi knows exactly where its bread is buttered: New-Zee-land.
2. Domundi knows exactly where its bread is buttered: thirsty international fans.
3. Domundi knows exactly where its bread is buttered: subtly unsubtle product placement.

Also, how long did it take you before you realised they were speaking English?

Some observations so far:

1. Domundi knows where its bread is buttered: in other words, New-Zee-land.
2. Domundi knows where its bread is buttered: thirsty international fans.
3. Domundi knows where its bread is buttered: subtly unsubtle product placement.

Also, how long did it take you before you realised they were speaking English?

Your writing the response without reading the comment is about as smart as your lack of "support" of LGBTQ people. We exist, whether you like it or not. If you don't, tough. That's your problem, not ours. While you lead your straight and narrow life of beige and gray, we'll wrap ourselves in rainbow, and celebrate!

Well, I don't support straight people, and here I am! 😂

In my experience, most shows listed here have their supporters and their detractors, and usually, it is the detractors that are shut out of the conversation, told to stand down for being "negative", down-voted, insulted, and all that. This is the rare show where the detractors have managed to outswarm the supporters, and even the supporters have difficulty defending what they have managed to do with the gay characters in the show, regardless of fidelity to the source.

Five years ago, I think the situation would have been different. Most people would have put up with it, and given the show a free pass. But increasingly -- and this gives me hope -- it seems people won't put up with straight-washing and gay-erasure anymore. Good. We deserve better.

I thought of your comment this afternoon. Have you been watching My Stubborn? If you like shows that are so bad that they're good, I recommend it. (Pssk. I've even put up a review!)

Lol. Yeah, I'm glad you caught that. For me, that's the point. No one in their right mind will take this show seriously, and if you enjoy it for being what it is -- which is awfully entertaining (in both senses) softer-than-soft porn -- it's hard not to laugh... Which is what I shall do!