#i was listening to loneliness by fluke nattanon while writing this

[if-i-was-a-cucumber]

GMMTV Generations Theory || Outliers

Thinking further about the GMMTV generations theory, there are some definite outliers.

I personally believe that every generation has a certain vibe. You can kind of tell what kind of generation a show is based on its production qualities and a few basic tropes. As the generations pass, GMMTV gets more progressive and less traditional in its ideals about homosexuality, which is great. But that means you have to prepare for some questionable and confusing things in earlier shows; i.e. high school–aged Pob and Nick from Slam Dance (2017) being super kinky and having sex toys for no reason, Khai’s wishy-washy feelings and horrible actions being attributed and justified due to confusion from his “gay awakening” in Theory of Love (2019), Tonhon being an absolute homophobic dickhead for most of the series but having it justified the entire time with “he’s confused about his sexuality” in Tonhon Chonlatee (2020), etc.

However, there are some outliers that seem to have vibes reminiscent of earlier or later generations. I’ll list a couple here:

Fish Upon the Sky (2021) is technically a Gen-3 series, and stars a certainly Gen-3 pair of actors (PondPhuwin). However, its production reminds me a little of Gen-2, and it definitely lacks that progressive and self-aware nature that other Gen-3 shows have. In FUTS, Mork (Pond) is super irrational, he’s very pushy, he’s problematic, and he never accepts Pi (Phuwin)’s very direct rejections — however, it’s all romanticized. This is Gen-2 or even 1 stuff.

Dark Blue Kiss (2019) is a Gen-2 series with Gen-3 level acting, production, and even scriptwriting. The fight they have builds up over a few episodes and is completely valid and understandable from both sides. It isn’t even a misunderstanding trope. It’s way ahead of its time.

The Gifted (2018), a Gen-1 series, is one you could easily mistake for a Gen-2 series. In terms of plot and production, it was the first to call attention to Nanon’s ability to play an emo schoolboy, which Gen-2 ran with.

Hormones (2014) is a Gen-0 series that I’d argue could belong in Gen-2, which is crazy. It’s just very progressive, it’s all about dramatic high schoolers. It’s like the blueprint for Netflix’s Euphoria.

See my original post on the generations of GMMTV series here.