vanwarren

Despite a few things that annoyed me in this most recent episode (episode 3), this series is already better than the ENTIRETY of Pit Babe Season 2. I'll leave my grievances with this episode in a slightly detailed spoiler comment below.

As much as I'd like this series to have a "happy ending" for Alan's sake considering everything he's been through (and currently going through), I'm having a hard time seeing how that can happen.

It's clear that Pete and O are attracted to each other, but neither of them are ready to verbalize it to the other. Ignoring the synopsis for this series, the list of cast members spoiled the fact that Alan's "father" isn't really his father. Even if I didn't read the synopsis for this series, the way that Alan's "dad" was being shot with half of his face obscured by shadows felt like a bold editing choice to let the viewer(s) know instantly that he can't be trusted. In regard to Alan and Win's (so far platonic) relationship, I feel as though because Alan had seen Win in his dreams prior to being sent to that "hospital," Alan has a bond with Win that deep down, he doesn't want to sever no matter how hurt he feels when Win leaves him. While I do believe that there's more to Win than meets the eye, I can somewhat understand why Alan seems to still want to be around Win since his pre-existing connection with Win makes him feel like a safe space for Alan (especially since everyone else in that facility simply believes him to be mentally unstable). Since this series is nearly at the halfway mark, I hope the next episode serves to bring the story up a few notches to retain the interest of the viewers. Overall, it isn't a bad series so far.

I find it a bit strange that this series is more than halfway through, and the "hunters" have yet to make themselves visible; which leads me to believe that (based on one particular thing that happened in the earlier part of episode 5) Phraphai's dad may be the one who's hiring "hunters" to capture mermen in order to instill fear into mermen who wish to fraternize with humans and live their best "Little Mermaid" fantasy by being "part of that world." All they really have to do is swap the "hunters" out for a sea witch that tricks Nawa into giving up his voice, and this is essentially a same-sex version of "The Little Mermaid." The scene where Phraphai's dad tells him to no longer investigate the "hunters" felt a bit eerie to me given the fact that "hunters" are supposedly actively capturing mermen. One would think that his dad would like an extra set of hands to help him investigate thoroughly. As gorgeous as Phraphai is, he annoyed the entire F*CK out of me this episode. Putting his romantic feelings for Nawa aside, I can understand why he'd be protective of him since they've known each other since childhood, but the fact that he randomly gave Ping unsolicited "advice" in regard to his (Ping's) feelings for Phana when they literally only met five minutes ago in the ocean made me side-eye him a bit. I honestly believe that there's something else behind Phraphai's distain for humans outside of the issues with the hunters (which at this point, I'm starting to doubt the existence of since they've yet to appear on-screen). Phraphai may have had a personal violent experience (I've ruled out possible romantic experiences since it seems as though he's had strong feelings for Nawa since childhood) with a human (or several) that traumatized him to the point where he's simply jaded. I'm hoping he can somewhat redeem himself, but with only three episodes left, the odds aren't looking too good.

*SIDE NOTE*

I knew Ping was at least half-merman. His first encounter with Nawa in the earlier episodes hinted at it, but his flashback in episode 4 confirmed it. Since Phana is friends with Nawa and Phraphai, I don't think he'd have a problem with Ping being half-merman once they sort out their feelings for each other.

Honestly, unless they get a completely different team to write, direct, and produce it, GMMTV can keep the "sequel" that was teased at the end. What irritates me the most is the fact that I KNOW that GMMTV is capable of producing quality BLs outside of a high school/university setting with good writing, acting, and pacing since they did it with both "ThamePo Heart That Skips a Beat" and "Memoir of Rati." While I respect GMMTV for taking a chance to show variety with another vampire BL (I didn't particularly enjoy "My Golden Blood" either since I feel like Joss' physical appeal was really the main thing carrying the series [I said what I said]), perhaps the vampiric/supernatural genre isn't meant for GMMTV, and that's okay. I kinda feel bad for Barcode since this was his GMMTV debut. He did his best, but not even his acting skills (which felt a bit nerfed due to the script) couldn't save this series. Overall, this series is something to watch, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to a BL enthusiast.

The monk that they got to help with Ramphueng turned out to be the reincarnation of her son that was thrown into the water. Once Ramphueng realized it, she stopped trying to kill Khem, and decided to accept her karma as a way to atone for everything she had done.

I'm not gonna lie, this series started off a bit slow for me, but when it picked up, it picked UP! For the most part, the story was coherent, and both couples had insane chemistry with their respective partners. Ramphueng had me cracking up both at the end of episode 11 and the beginning of this final episode with the semantics of Khem's birthday (because what do you mean it's not his birthday because he was born at 6:00 A.M.? 🤣🤣🤣) The plot twist of the monk being the reincarnation of Ramphueng's son was something I didn't see coming (although I probably should have since that particular monk had to be summoned to help Khem with Ramphueng). Hopefully each couple will get future work together (with their respective partners) in other series with as strong a script/plot as this series. I've seen Tle and FirstOne work together in "Secret Love," and to be quite honest, their chemistry CARRIED that series (because overall, it wasn't the strongest series). I'm typically not a fan of characters that are indirect, but it works for Peem's character; and meshes well with the timid nature of Khem's character.

*SIDE NOTE*

In reference to episode 11, Peem isn't slick. I wouldn't be surprised if he told Kachan to get a two-seater just to have an excuse to have Khem sit on his lap. 😏

Because adults can't be protective of other adults? Your "logic" is flawed hun.

It makes no sense how dumb Jett's character actually is. If he KNEW that "Father Dracul" was a vampire the entire time (especially since he was bitten by him as a child), and he's (Jett) since become a vampire hunter for whatever reason, wouldn't he know that attempting to suffocate a vampire wouldn't kill them? Also, what was his reasoning for hiding the fact that Dracul/Faratu was still alive if he "hates" vampires so much? Unless he was also turned into a vampire (which isn't the case since he was able to cast a reflection of himself in the mirror), having Jett help a vampire kill other vampires makes no sense. Despite the fact that GMMTV has him acting like a GMMTV actor (those who know know), Barcode is still the strongest actor in this series (which isn't saying much, but it still needs to be said). Hopefully, they don't kill his character off in the final episode (because I've had a feeling throughout this series that if a supporting character were to die, it would most likely be Ciar/Barcode, which in turn would unlock unresolved trauma from "Dead Friend Forever"). Overall, since my personal bar for the quality GMMTV series isn't particularly high, this isn't a TERRIBLE series (meaning that it's relatively watchable for the most part), but GMMTV may need to give the team that produced "ThamePo Heart That Skips a Beat" a try at producing supernatural-esque series (because the writing and pacing was top tier).

So, while a part of me kinda feels bad for Phraphai, another part of me doesn't feel too bad for him mainly because from the outside looking in, as gorgeous as he is, he should've had the confidence to shoot his shot with Nawa AGES ago. I feel like subconsciously, Phraphai KNOWS that Nawa isn't interested in him romantically, but because Nawa hasn't verbalized it to him (at least onscreen), Phraphai chooses to hold onto the false hope that he and Nawa can actually be together. As this series progresses, I've come to realize that even IF Nawa got together with Phraphai, he would most likely still end up leaving him for a human (if not Phu, another human that eventually came along) for the simple fact that Nawa has yearned for the affection of a human since childhood, so Phraphai really wouldn't win either way; and I hate that for him. I just hope his character doesn't go the predictable route and become the toxic, scorned person that always get friend zoned, but unfortunately, I don't have too much faith in the writing not to go that route. I'm also still waiting for the part of the series where the "merman hunters" become more prominent just to see how well it's incorporated into this series. The "hunters" have been talked about in passing, but unless that Daniel creep turns out to be a hunter (which would explain his interest in Nawa), they've yet to make an onscreen appearance in the series.

Then you need a new book. Phraphai was WARNING Nawa not to trust humans in general outside of Phana (who had been Nawa's friend since childhood) due to the fact that humans have been hunting mermen for decades. That's not "controlling," that's a safety precaution. Have a nice day. ✌🏽

Had you read my initial comment, you'd realize that it was in reference to the first three episodes that didn't show Phraphai being "controlling" as you claimed in your reply; but I supposed common sense isn't so common these days. Otherwise, you wouldn't have written such a moot reply. 🙃

You do realize you're replying to a 5-day old comment, right?

Phraphai should've been Nawa's love interest for this series, because why is this series romanticizing a drunken stalker like Phu? I initially thought that Ping may have been a hunter, but after catching up with the most recent episodes, I'm starting to think that he may be half merman based on the flashback of his parents (specifically his mother) arguing about their son being a "freak." That would also explain his initial on-screen interaction with Nawa since they both felt as though they had met prior to formally meeting. If Ping is indeed half merman, he and Nawa may have seen each other swimming in passing. Anyways, the "main" ship isn't working for me. It should've been Phraphai, and I'll keep saying it until the remaining episodes prove otherwise.

I'm not gonna lie, it felt a bit anticlimactic overall (especially the story between Gao Tu and Shen Wen Lang). I'm aware of the time jump in the novel due to the comments I've been reading here over the weeks, but there were just WAY too many plot holes in their story that can't really be brushed over. I don't understand the purpose of Gao Tu's father being the one to disclose his pregnancy when Hua Yong flat-out told Wen Lang that Gao Tu was the Omega he'd been searching for that night. I've said this before, and I think it bears repeating; Shen Wen Lang is incredibly stupid, and this final episode only doubled down on it. The fact that he was so quick to believe that Gao Tu stayed close to him for TEN YEARS just to get pregnant by him when he (Gao Tu) literally spent his entire life cosplaying as a Beta to the point where he lied to Wen Lang about having an Omega partner as an explanation for his own Omega scent is just baffling. It's not like I wanted Gao Tu to end up with Wen Lang (especially after episode 9), but Gao Tu could never really catch a break throughout this series, and I hate that for him.

My heart breaks for Gao Tu. FIFTEEN episodes have passed, and I haven't seen him crack a genuine smile out of happiness ONCE. Between cosplaying as a Beta to hide the fact that he's really an Omega at the request of his mother, having a freeloading father that asks him for money every 2.5 seconds, having to take care of his ailing sister, getting r*ped and impregnated by the man he secretly loved, and being advised by his physician to abort his child, it really feels like Gao Tu can't seem to have even a small victory in his life. Shen Weng Lang is incredibly stupid, and I love the fact that Hua Yong finally told him. Gao Tu's doctor flat-out exposed him as an Omega when Weng Lang took him to the hospital in the earlier episodes, but for whatever reason, he (Weng Lang) continued to believe that Gao Tu was a Beta. Gao Tu ALWAYS smells like an Omega and revealed to Weng Lang that he lives alone (meaning he DOESN'T live with another Omega), yet Weng Lang isn't smart enough to put two and two together and realize that Gao Tu is really an Omega cosplaying as a Beta. Again, Shen Weng Lang is a pretty guy, but he's not too bright. Hopefully the last episode will show Gao Tu being GENUINELY happy for once (he really deserves it).

*SIDE NOTE*

If both Sheng Shao You and Shen Weng Lang are S-Teir Alphas, why is it that Weng Lang wasn't unable to figure out what he did to Gao Tu in the same way Shao You was able to figure out it was Hua Yong that assaulted him that night?

I know it's not going to happen based on the general plot of this series, but off rip I wanted Nawa to end up with Phraphai instead of Phu. So far, this is kinda giving "Revamp the Undead Story" with mermaids/mermen.

I've heard mixed reviews on Shine (primarily in regard to the story of the second couple). Also, just because I'm not the biggest fan of Be On Cloud's storytelling doesn't necessarily mean that I'm the biggest fan on GMMTV series from a general standpoint. Anyone who's familiar with my comments on GMMTV series knows that I tend to give GMMTV series A LOT of criticism that is very warranted, but I do give them credit when they produce a quality BL with good acting, story/plot, and pacing (i.e. "ThamePo Heart That Skips a Beat"). I may give "Shine" a chance, but I'm not making any promises.

The only GOOD thing about this series is the fact that the NC scenes highlighted the importance of safe sex. Outside of that, this series was plain terrible. Had Kan and Per been the main couple with a FAR better script, the quality of this series would've improved drastically. Mon and Pak have chemistry, and I hope they can get the chance to work together on a project with significantly better writing and pacing. As for the "main couple," I'm willing to give Arm some grace since this is his debut series (he wasn't bad, but you could tell that he was a bit new). Even if the acting wasn't necessarily as strong as it could've been, the WRITING for this series killed any potential for this series before it could even be given a chance. Like... Who uses a false r*pe storyline to drag out a series; and then after it's "resolved," have Mild's brother (the main one accusing Knight) seemingly drop off the face of the planet for the remainder of the series? I'm not trying to be facetious, but whoever wrote the script/plot for this series needs to be blacklisted.

Even without the NC scene, Jet and Charn carried this episode. I'm enjoying the progression of their relationship a lot more than the "main couple." I love how Charn went back to shield Jet from the swarm of wasps without hesitation.