2gether (2020)

If I'd written this review three months ago my verdict on '2gether' would have been very different. I was super hyped for this series. Before it even started, the two trailers on YouTube got me so excited that for the first time I badgered my friends into watching it too. As a BL series nothing seemed lacking. The two leads were knockouts, the premise was cute, and the production values were top-notch. To keep up with the series I followed whatever I could on Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr. At one point I even incorporated the word '2gether' into my computer password.

The first few episodes seemed to deliver on the promise. In my rush to judgement on MDL I even posted an early rating of 9.5, in part because I wanted other BL fans to know that this was worth a look.

The series started out by exclusively taking Tine's POV, allowing Sarawat to develop as a character who was at times funny, charming, prickly, seductive, and above all, unpredictable. It was mainly because of Sarawat's interactions with Tine that the first few episodes of '2gether' were so enjoyable.

Then, about halfway through, '2gether' took a wrong turn and never found its way back. Around this time in the series Sarawat and Tine finally became boyfriends, and along with that the two boys took the momentous step of moving in together -- sharing an apartment, a bedroom, and (of course) a bed.

Now, the definition of 'boyfriend' can vary from person to person and even across different cultures, but for most of modern civilization, when two people are romantically involved to the point of living together, certain assumptions apply. One of those is that the relationship has evolved to the point of physical intimacy.

Once Sarawat and Tine had advanced past the flirting stage and become a couple, this became '2gether's' biggest problem. From that point on, one detail after another clashed with the everyday experiences of everyday people. While cohabitating, the boys would share the bed, but they slept fully clothed and never cuddled. They would stand together romantically under a starry night sky and not put their arms around each other or hold hands. They would comfort each other with words but not with a warm embrace. And a kiss, even a quick peck on the lips? Not happening.

The bottom line was that despite being two college-age guys in a m/m relationship, Sarawat and Tine showed no signs of sexual attraction. In fact any physical contact between them came off as awkward and uncomfortable. Somehow, whether at the behest of GMMTV, the director, the actors, or some element unknown, the decision had been made that despite Sarawat and Tine's boyfriend status and shared living arrangement, there would be virtually no displays of affection on-screen.

It was a wacky decision, and it showed in the final product. Time and again, a scene between the two guys would work its way to a point where the mood was clearly set for a moment of physical affection (whether it be an arm around the waist, a held hand, a tender hug, or a kiss), and '2gether' would veer away at the last second, often resorting to a substitute gesture that was more suited to best buds or actual sibling brothers. The substitute most frequently used was a pat on the head from Sarawat to Tine (which with each occurrence looked more and more condescending), but sometimes they didn't bother with any substitute at all. A scene would just end.

This is simply not how real boyfriends interact, and I think it's safe to say that everyone knows it, even adamant supporters of the series who have defended it for its 'purity' (as though the purpose of '2gether' was to depict a divine love unblemished by anything as sordid as hand-holding.) When a work of fiction deviates from commonly perceived reality without first establishing a believable reason for doing so, viewers get confused. When it happens over and over without explanation, viewers get frustrated.

What bothered me personally was that I sensed an agenda at play. I grew disillusioned, and found I was now watching each episode mainly to see how they'd keep screwing with reality. Along the way I noticed that Sarawat wasn't so endearing anymore, and Tine had become a paranoid bundle of nerves who forgot how to smile. The joy I found in their relationship -- and in the series -- was in ashes. When the final episode approached and the script deployed the trusty "ex-girlfriend who's still in love" trope to stir up some drama, the result just lay there like the stupid and insulting tactic that it was. You can't revive a patient who's already dead in the ICU.

By this time I'd finished mourning the loss of what '2gether' had started out to be, moved past my anger and resentment, and settled into amusement. I looked back on how much I'd anticipated the series and laughed at how I'd been fooled. This was a production presumably written and directed by experienced professionals who are familiar with the BL genre. It was mind-boggling how they'd squandered the fantastic beginning and ended up with something so phony and awkward. For me the plot had gone completely off the rails, so whatever story the series was trying to tell didn't matter anymore. What I became most curious about each week was how they'd finally pull this mess into the station, and what kind of shape it would be in when they did it.

And the way they ended it, of course, was with the high-five between Sarawat and Tine that has already gained near-legend status. I must admit that this was where the series, which had already established itself as a mockery of BL, proved it could still surprise me. It was as though the production team had gotten together to brainstorm and find a way for '2gether' to deliver a final, unmistakable "F U" to fans of the BL genre -- a gesture guaranteed to become the ultimate meme.

In this I think they succeeded, but it makes me fearful over what GMMTV will do with their future BL productions.

ACTING

In general I think the actors did a fine job with the script and the direction they were given.

Win's work as Tine deserves a lot of praise since he had no prior acting experience, whereas almost all of the rest of the cast did. His first foray into a series was a tremendous success for him personally and promises great things for his future career.

Regarding Bright, it's hard to tell if Sarawat's detachment and wooden affect was a result of Bright's inability to act or the fault of the director. Given the way the entire second half of the series was botched by the director, it wouldn't be a stretch to blame him for Bright's performance, at least in part.

That said, I get the sense that Bright did not enjoy being in a BL series. He was smart to agree to it because it provided the perfect target audience to rocket him to fame. (His previous acting gigs didn't result in anything close to this fanbase.) From here I'll be surprised if we ever see him play any other role other than a heterosexual male. And honestly, that's fine with me.

MUSIC

Scrubb! Awesome band, great songs. You don't even have to understand Thai to feel what the lyrics are saying.

I suspect that Scrubb might have also written the song that plays over the end credits of each episode, sung by Bright. It has their vibe and Bright does a nice job with it.

I'm not a fan of the song sung by Bright that was released as the series ended, but this opinion is probably tarnished by my disappointment over everything else.

REWATCH VALUE

I will never rewatch this series. While the beginning episodes are wonderful, there'd be no way to enjoy them knowing what comes later. In fact I'd probably start to pick apart the good episodes too, looking for hints of the lameness to come.

THE 'PORN' DEFENSE

A lot of diehard fans of the series have defended it by saying that anyone who criticizes the lack of physical affection between the leads is looking for a series that depicts explicit sex.

All I can say is: if this is your best argument then you have already lost. Nobody in their right mind wants explicit sex or porn in a BL series. When you have to misrepresent an opponent's argument in order to counter it, you're only saying that you don't have an intelligent response to what they are actually saying. You are admitting defeat. You are admitting that '2gether' is a failure.

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My review is a personal opinion on the drama. This is not meant to be a review that sways anyone. If you are unsure about watching the drama, don't look to reviews to help you make that decision as we all have our own personal likes and preferences.


How do you completely ruin a drama that started off strong?

Answer:
By giving us characters that had more chemistry when they were "fake dating" than when they were truly dating. By using women as plot devices to create drama and jealousy. By giving us a couple that doesn't communicate and understands that there will be times when their relationship will be tested, but that they can overcome that. By dedicating more time on the development of the side stories (Mil's crush on Tine, the fights that had little to do with the couple, Wat's Alphaness)

Lack of real intimacy between a couple that is supposed to be "in love"...

I have stated before and I will stated it again (especially since I am an ACE) I don't care for the kisses or the sex , but these two characters behave more like brothers than a couple. Depicting a couple in love doesn't mean having them do sexual things. It can be shown through different forms such as, both couples cooking together and talking about their day, doing something that creates a mood but doesn't mean they jump each other's bones. Comforting one another when one is feeling down (which reminds me, Sarawat not comforting Tine and actually turning his back on him and going to sleep, came across as a man who is tried of the relationship they are in. That was so weird). Instead, we have Sarawat just "patting" Tine on the head. I get it different cultures have different forms of expression when it comes to love, but that patting on the head is akin to an adult infantilizing another adult or it comes across as condescending "oh there there." It is bizarre how these two had more of a couple chemistry when they were fake dating than when they got together. What an amazing feat! [sarc]

And I will repeat this again....the fact that we have had a rinse and repeat story line the minute that Tine and Sarawat got together (Mil chasing Tine, Wat now with Pam) is lazy script.

This drama had a lazy script, had characters that de-evolved instead of evolving (Tine taking on more female characteristics "ukeness", Wat becoming some spineless idiot by not putting Pan in her place right way) The story was choppy due to editing in many episodes and it just didn't flow well.

I really liked the first five episodes, I thought the story was promising and while it did have some flaws specially in the editing, the drama just got worse. It's a shame really cause it could have been so nice.

Music was great though...and Gunsmile is always a great comedic character (saving grace in most episodes LOL)

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