So, here's the deal: If I were to give my opinion on this TV series called 'gether' a few months ago, it would have been completely different. I was super excited for this show. Even before it premiered, the trailers on YouTube got me so pumped that I convinced all my friends to watch it too. As a BL series, it had everything going for it - amazing lead actors, a cute premise, and top-notch production value. I became obsessed with it, following everything on...
Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr. I even incorporated the word 'gether' into my computer password. Yeah, I went all out. The first few episodes lived up to the hype. As the story focused on Tine's point of view, Sarawat's character development was entertaining. He had moments of being funny, charming, and unpredictable, especially in his interactions with Tine. Those early episodes of 'gether' were a joy to watch.
But then, something went wrong halfway through the series, and 'gether' never recovered. Sarawat and Tine became boyfriends and decided to move in together, which should have been a major milestone in their relationship. However, after that point, the lack of physical affection between them became the biggest issue. I mean, when two people are in a romantic relationship and living together, you'd expect some level of intimacy, right? But no, not in 'gether.' They would sleep in the same bed fully clothed, never cuddle, never hold hands, and never even share a simple kiss. It felt completely unrealistic, and the decision to exclude these displays of affection was bewildering. Every time a scene hinted at a potential intimate moment, the series would abruptly turn away, leaving viewers frustrated.
The lack of realism bothered me, and it seemed like there was an agenda at play. I became disillusioned and watched each episode just to see how they would continue distorting reality. Sarawat lost his endearing qualities, and Tine became an anxious mess. The joy I initially found in their relationship and in the series vanished. By the time the final episode rolled around, any attempts to create drama just fell flat. The whole thing was a mess and felt insulting to the viewers.
Looking back on my anticipation for 'gether' and how it turned out, I couldn't help but laugh at myself. It was a production created by experienced professionals who should have known better. The amazing beginning was wasted, and the series ended up feeling phony and awkward. The plot went off the rails, and I no longer cared about the story they were trying to tell. I was just curious to see how they would wrap it all up and cringe at the high-five scene between the two main characters, which has now become a mocking symbol of the series.
As for the performances, the actors did a decent job, especially considering that the lead actor, Win, had no prior experience. It was a successful debut for him and showed promise for his future career. As for Bright, who played Sarawat, it's unclear whether his detached and wooden performance was due to his acting abilities or the director's guidance. Given the decline in quality in the second half of the series, it wouldn't be surprising if the director was partly to blame. It seemed like Bright didn't enjoy being in a BL series, but it definitely boosted his popularity among the target audience. Going forward, I doubt we'll see him in any roles other than heterosexual male characters, and that's fine by me.
On a positive note, the music in 'gether' was great. Scrubb is an awesome band, and even though I didn't understand the Thai lyrics, I could feel the emotions behind them. I suspect they also wrote the end credits song performed by Bright, and he did a nice job with it. However, I wasn't a fan of the song released at the end of the series by Bright, but that probably comes from my disappointment with everything else.
In terms of rewatch value, I have no intention of watching 'gether' again. The later episodes would ruin the enjoyment I had in the beginning. I might even start nitpicking the good episodes, searching for hints of the downfall.
Finally, let's address the defense some fans have made about the lack of physical affection between the characters. They argue that critics wanting explicit sex or porn in a BL series are missing the point. But to be honest, that defense doesn't hold up. Nobody wants explicit content in a BL series, at least not in their right mind. The argument only proves that the series failed to deliver on its promise, and misrepresenting the opposing viewpoint only highlights that fact.
So, there you have it. 'gether' started off strong but eventually lost its way, ending up as a disappointing and unrealistic portrayal of a BL relationship. I can't help but worry about what GMMTV will do with their future BL productions after this debacle.