Though it may not be necessary to watch part 1 before part 2, it might make more sense to watch it since part 2 is the prequel to part 1. However, I watched part 2 before the first series. For me, it was not necessarily the smoothest of transitions. But the story is simple and basic, yet it conveys a sense of life as it exists. One comes to terms with who he is and the other does not. There are only two characters in this series and so the whole story is shouldered on the strength and conviction of these two young men.

It is a ‘love’ story of Bank (Mon Wongsrisai) and Jack (Oak Runapnain). Perhaps love in the broadest sense of the word. Yet, its foundation is there. Season 1 is a full story while Season 2 delves more into when and how they developed their relationship and what it finally meant to them. Jack is certainly the more aggressive of the two but also hides and covers up what he truly feels about Bank. Bank, on the other hand, enjoys their sexual encounters, becoming more drawn to Jack than he realizes or wants to admit to. He also is a ‘player’, both seeking and wanting sexual attention from others. Though, he always comes back to Jack for comfort, security, and fulfillment.

It is a sad story on so many levels. Two young men caught up at an age when raging hormones rule one’s life. One knows what he is while the other wants to explore all sides yet takes comfort in the other. Bank can compartmentalize his lust while Jack cannot. He has been and always will be in love with Bank.

When Jack returns after some absence, he unveils his true feelings and his true self. Bank emphatically and soundly, after seeing Jack as a girl, spurns him completely and wants nothing more to do with him. He stipulates to leave immediately and never see him again. After all, HE is not gay. Such an ironic statement since he was waiting to have sex with Jack, like before. Faced with such a shocking confrontation with reality, Bank is unable to accept Jack and therefore quite literally unable to accept himself. Bank never does see Jack alive again.

This is such a tragic story that still plays out so frequently in real life. Perhaps not as dramatic as this story but still emblematic of what gay life or Queer life is like for ordinary individuals. This story represents their struggles in all their reality.

I have stated this on several other occasions and will say this again, Mon and Oak are the BL couple that best represents the vast majority of gay men everywhere in the world. They are not splashy, nor overly dramatic, but present real people in real-life situations. They are, for me, the powerhouse couple as they do so with small-budget productions and not a lot of glitz and glamour. They bring realism to their actions and give each of their characters a sense of worth, and value, yet do so with all the inherent personality flaws and foibles that we all have. The stories are not deep, but the characters are. Kudos for exemplary acting in these two series.

This is a coming-of-age story filled with a sense of unhappiness from the beginning. Jack is lonely, full of anxiety, and feeling horribly out of place. Bank is exploring himself but slowly deepens his friendship with Jack along the way but always with an ominous sense about their relationship. We do not get to know these two very well, like what they feel deep inside except what they wanted to show on the surface. It would be nice to give these two actors some more time to explore who they are in detail with a more nurturing relationship.

But if you want to watch what so many gay or Queer relationships look like, then this is the series to watch. It is genuine, honest, sad, bitter, and so realistic. And also in the deepest meaning of the word – superficial. There are more stories like this than in your typical BL series. This one, however, ends sadly and tragically.

And sometimes, that is all that there is to life.

Rating- 4.75 out of 5

Streaming on- Wayufilms Production YouTube

Edited by- Dee