thenerdyunhealthybrit

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

The problem I have is often the plot is something i would eat up - whether it's a manhwa or novel so I will give it a go. Next thing it's glorified background noise while doing something else because I'm bored.

One cdrama I'm kinda interested in - which i know you won't be because it's a modern cdrama - is Love's Ambition. The plot intrigued me, I'm a sucker for complex marriages. And I've liked a lot of Zhao Lusi projects, even if I thought I wouldn't at first and don't mind William Chen though a lot of recent projects I've seen with him have been more miss than hit. But I saw some filming pics shared and they looked good l

But...modern cdramas haven't been executed well lately for me. If this was a kdrama, I know I'd easily eat it up. Like I'm just a sucker for couples that have that makjang vibe without being too makjang or too plain and looking good together. I'm a simple girl.

With period cdramas - unless there are actors I'm familiar with and the plot synopsis interests me, I generally have no idea until it drops and I read the synopsis to see if it's worth checking out.

Yeah, I almost never do modern cdramas. Just not for me usually.

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

I do agree live shoots can be a problematic working environment - we have seen it with dizis. But I do miss the few times things change course because of the live shoots they see audiences responding better to certain characters or storylines instead of digging a grave in things that don't work (like dizis often do).

But old long kdramas and watching Iron Family at the same time has made me miss long kdramas that aren't the KBS family drama style.

Like there are a good of actors that would always pop up in long kdramas as well.

Honestly, on my binge of old kdramas 00s- early 10s. It's honestly has me nostalgic for long form kdramas. Like I generally don't watch many because of the long commitment plus it cam take a while to do well. But after seeing how Iron Family is panning with the leads they have...

And I'm not just talking about the old weekend dramas, where we had SBS and MBC pull the stops (especially MBC) and it weren't just KBS. But also those long "epic" dramas - contemporary and sageuk. That span decades in a timeline.

Like watching that, I can't help but miss them, how there use to be more dramas filming while airing - which also meant extensions to populat shows were more likely and rosy can make changes if needed.

I normally someone wary if shows get extended because it deviates from their original plan and sometimes the why they handle this makes a show worse. But I do kinda miss when shows could get extensions and I don't mean 1-2 like The Red Sleeve which had minimal impact. But I mean like 5 or 10.

It's common with Dailys because they often make sure the show finishes on a Friday and not midweek.

But I was thinking of shows like East of Eden, Dong Yi and Giant where they got extensions for their success and that long term storytelling.

Now it's all mostly pre recorded or starts airing near the end of filming that extensions are hard to come by.

I don't really miss extensions but I do miss longer dramas...

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

For me, it's not necessary a plot. But I've been watching this old show where there is a whole arc where the SFL (who is the crazy villain) sneaks her mother into her in-laws house that she lives in (because the mother is wanted by the police) and has her living in a dog kennel in hiding.

The woman pretends to be a man one is wack when they don't bother. From make up to body.

I remember a cdrama (Well intended love) and I remember the plot sounded like something off a wattpad or one of those books free on Kindle - contract marriage between rich man-poor actress cause she has cancer and he is a match.

And I remember thinking it would be a cliche light romance drama or rom-com based off the tone. Then midway it came out he faked and tricked her into thinking she had cancer and he was a match just to marry her.

What's the most batshit insane plot or storyline you've witnessed in a kdrama or cdrama? Whether it's because it's just insane or just because it didn't fit with the tone or genre?

The one where our ML is a cat who turns into a human and dates his owner. Kdrama with L. Called Meow the Secret Boy. He’s not a werecat or a person under a spell or w/e, he’s a freaking literal cat.

UNMMMMMM

Also it appears in so many dramas but when women pretend to be dudes but unlike in Coffee Prince (kdrama) or Love In Between (cdrama), they don’t bother making them look like a dude - they still have visible boobs, they wear make up etc etc etc. like come onnnnn!

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

Park Siyeon is another. Like she's not fave and her acting for me depends on the project. But she use to do a lot of SFL roles, mostly negative roles and I don't think I've seen her in a thing since Nice Guy (though I believe she had projects since but not in recent years).

I do miss Kim Jaewon I remember he was getting cast in a lot of long weekend dramas in the 2010s as opposed to regular dramas. But since SBS and MBC dropped those and only KBS do it, I feel roles are limited with less weekenders. Like weekenders and dailys would have a big group of actors known for doing them.

Its a shame about weekenders. Like they are hit and miss for me because of the commitment but they often offered more opportunities for mature older actors compared to idol actors.

I had no idea Kim Jaewon moved to producing. All I could find was his last TV role was in 2018. Ans he made a variety appearance in 2020 but it was a minor show so I don't know what he said. He just looked very different from his leading days. I think it's because hair use to cover her forehead, i didn't recognise him at first.

There are a few others. It's just sad because they aren't old or are similar ages to some popular actiea today. But some of those actors broke out later in life and recently while others have been able to maintain things, be lucky with projects or not taken a break.

But damn i do miss Jaewon. I think i need to watch one of his dramas. Maybe more have been subbed since as more older kdramas are being added to streaming services.

I've been watching and rewatching old kdramas (Mainly 2005-2012 era) and the amount of times I see a leading actor or actress who I enjoy watching and use to dominate kdramas and now they disappeared. And like I don't know if they aren't booked, quietly retired or taking an indefinite hiatus. But rewatching them gives me nostalgia. And the crazy thing is a lot of them aren't that old. They are in their 40s now so perhaps past the age maybe producers tend to cast. Also new actors come in and become popular and take over as with the business.

But honestly, it just highlights the success of actors like Lee Dongwook, Jang Hyuk and Jamg Nara for example who are in they're 40s but found success at a young age in the 00s and almost 20 years later are still not only finding success but are being booked in lead roles.

Obviously, there are other actors getting lead roles in their 40s or late 30s, but some of them didn't really break out big until the 2010s. So I excluded it.

There are a handful of actors that use to lead dramas that I watched them again and think it's a shame there aren't any recent projects of them. For example, Jae Hee and Kim Jaewon. Also, Yoon Eunhye - but that's more about nostalgia for Coffee Prince and Goong.

But it just crazy to think. I think this nostalgia train I'm on started cause of Ju Jihoon's return to rom-coms got me thinking about what happened to the cast of Goong. Which lead me down the road to old kdramas because things were lacking this year.

I actually looked up Kim Jae Won recently because I loved him and was wondering why he wasn't in things and apparently he's gone to the producing side.

But yeah, I miss some of my old faves!

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

Honestly it's a huge shame. And it's just funny how they jumped from 16 to 12 and not to 14.

I think only a few I think the 12 episode format works and that's when it's very story and plot driven. But when it's more about character it's okay for them to breathe.

But the problem is a lot of writers are fitting a 16 ep show into 12 episodes but they tend to be doing by only realising until Tuesday penultimate episode.

Fingers crossed that WTPR doesn't fall into that category because so far the pacing is good. I'm not too thrilled about Love Your Enemy being 12 episodes and not 16. I feel simple rom-coms shouldn't need the cut. And it's annoying since they are halfway through and I feel more is spent on the past than present (I loved the flashbacks ans teen actors but it's time to move on).

I kinda miss the days when kdramas would sometimes reach to 20 eps. Or when extensions were a bit more common.

I need to dramas to pick up again. Cdramas depends on plot but there hasn't been one I've watched this year where I'm binging crazy.

Looks like 12 episode kdramas are the new standard. I'm conflicted by this. I feel like when it started being done, it's because the story dictates it and they cut out filler. But as it's becoming more common, a handful of kdramas that I've watched that have done this -- had lead to a rushed ending. A lot has to be wrapped up by ep 12 and they often don't start thinking about tying loose ends until halfway through the last episode.

I think because studios/channels are perhaps now offering 12 eps instead of 16, probably due to cuts or maybe to compete with streaming services -- thr writers struggle with the pacing sometimes for a shorter run than regular. I mean, we've kinda said that about Iron Family as a weekender when they have 36 eps and not 50 (although there has been shorter weekenders on the past, back when MBC and SBS use to join in as well).

I've not watched many kdramas this year. Lovely Runner and WTPR is it. But I've noticed an increase in current and upcoming dramas next year with 12 episodes.

And I'm surprised when I read that a rom com finished on 12 eps recently because I thought that rom-coms would be the last genre to face the cut. Because fans tend to not mind filler stuff if it includes MC romantic moments

Yup not happy about the new state of things but it is what it is. Guess I will continue to spend the bulk of my drama watching time in cdramaland.

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

One thing I hate when a kdrama gets so popular internationally is the amount of entitlement from them demanding Netflix release the episodes.

Like I've seen tweets of people being unsympathetic towards what's going on and saying fans deserve to have the episodes dropped on Netflix when it's not even a Netflix show.

Regardless of the political turmoil local viewers/fans always hate it when a show produced and made in their country airs elsewhere first.

For me, it's completely understandable, but it'd also a comical mess because they were already going to pre-empt I think the next two Saturdays then last minute this. I have no idea if those pre-empt Saturdays are still going ahead or are now cancelled.

I think WTPR is so far the only kdrama with their entire week worth of episodes cancelled. I think a few kdramas are only airing 1 episode a week or airing 2 on one day back-to-back.

The timing is just... because December is when a lot of things can get moved around anyway because of awards then the President tries to incite Martial law and the same time.

What is kinda beautiful despite this awful thing is how united South Koreans were in their response. Especially after years of seeing Western countries internally divided in politics or countries divided over the genocide of Palestinians between public ans politicians.

So apparently tonight’s episode went from being extended by 10 minutes, to airing 10 minutes earlier to now apparently being cancelled for the week for a special news report. *sigh*

Yeah I saw. Honestly with everything going on, I’d have been surprised if it wasn’t preempted.

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

Yeah those are the makjangs I hate they are too unrootable for me. But the elements of makjangs I love are fucked up family dynamics and complex, damaged leads. And what I like about Heejoo is she’s damaged by her mum but she’s not necessarily weak.

I think that’s the kind of Makjangs I can get into that aren’t full blown so can appeal to masses. But I need someone to root for.

While When the Phone Rings and Perfect Marriage Revenge fall into the dame group of Makjangs that I love: hot chemistry, not too serious, but also not too camp that it becomes satire.

It has got me thinking about Nice Guy, which is another primetime makjang (that isn't a weekender like 36-50 eps) that I loved. Like I know it doesn't fall into the same category as WTPR and PMR but I loved it for the melo, makjangness. I remember watching it thinking I wouldn't mind more of this - though glad they didn't because it would only ne so long before they ruined a good thing. Moon Chaewon was great and I could watch her get Revenge and being men down to their knees all day.

I enjoyed Nice Guy (the sole time I loved SJK if you don’t count his supporting role as the younger version of the king in Tree With Deep Roots) but it’s not really a makjang but a high class fancy melo they used to do and sadly do nor do any longer. It’s a tonal difference really.

Honestly, even Phone does not feel makjang to me tho PMR does. When I think of makjang I think of The Penthouse, Escape of the Seven and Temptation of an Angel with Bae Soo Bin. Kinda like a high price escort versus a cheap lady of the night thing 😝

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

True. And now media will be controlled and censorship until further notice. A lot of celebs that film variety/talk shows will have to pretend all is normal. News announcers having to do their job knowing what’s going on, that their media is being controlled more directly.

It’s just horrifying because SK has managed internationally to keep a good image over the years despite issues with the government, like since 2008, 2 of the 4 presidents have been convicted of corruption (coincidentally by the current president and one of them was Park Chunghee’s daughter) and now the current president is doing this, abusing his power and SK likely heading towards a dictatorship.

It’s sad how SK is kinda in a cycle that keeps repeating itself and it’s never addressed internationally - compared to some other countries where it’s more of open.

Also we can’t blame it on them, it’s the media. Certain media don’t report on non-Western politics as much as Western politics.

It’s crazy what’s going on in SK right now. I wonder how it’s gonna effect the entertainment industry. Pre-filmed dramas could have last minute cancellations for the news. But also what about currently filmed shows. It’s a dumpster fire and it’s sad how SK can’t truly escape corruption and dictatorship.

I think dramas are the least of their problems tbh.

This is honestly horrifying - they fought to end a dictatorship and yet like with Ukraine and Georgia it never ends, the dictators keep trying!

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

I love my green flags. But yeah, I also love my red flags. And I mean the complex red flags. Not the downright red flags that are plain bad.

I can't with some Twitter theories about WTPR about how the scene with Heejoo and SML using sign language to talk in front of SFL and Saeon. They think Saeon must know sign language because there's no way he wouldn't learn since he loves Heejoo and another that he knew Heejoo was advanced in the interview. I feel like recent kdrama set unrealistically high expectations for men. Its okay he doesn't know because they point is they are bad at communicating. They are bad at conveying their thoughts and feelings and Saeon for reasons doesn't know how to express love because he doesn't know what that feeling is like because he never got it from his parents.

Yup, I love toxic mess MLs and this is def one of them.

I think he’s not secretly perfect, I think he’s just a dumpster fire on sexy legs.

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

The only thing they do right is the simultaneous airing of shows/exports that are airing. As I mentioned with Disney Plus, they don't do that. They keep it localised to regions. For me, that's hard as someone from an English speaking country where I'm in the minority that love watching foreign language content but Western media rarely air them. And if they do, they will be Western languages and "snooty" shows all about awards and acclaim and sometimes I need to watch an extra dramatic shoe where there's an arrange marriage or mob.

Netflix has ruined a lot of things. Don't get me wrong. I love Netflix and it handled foreign language content much better than Disney Plus that will only release in localised regions. (I remember being excited for a Disney Plus show (it was a spinoff of a localised show in Korea. Then on release date, it's not available in my region. It took like a year for it to be available)

Anyway, Netflix handles foreign language content better than other major streaming services. But I hate how for certain regions they have given up exporting localised contents and just only create new Netlfix content. Like Netflix used to have a decent range of Turkish dizis on their catalogue, some classics. Although it was frustrating because most of them weren't complete.

However, since they tried to dabble in the Turkish market with their own shows - (None of them have interested me apart from Midnight at Pera Palace and even then I didn't watch it), they no longer buy licenses to stream local Turkish dizis.

The only reason kdramas are still thriving is because of the Hallyu domination. But smaller foreign markets, they don't bother anymore.

I don’t like Netflix and its influence on shows all over the world tbh.

But then nobody asked me - they are clearly making bank.

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

Probably. Like in the first episode the interaction between SFL and FL I couldn't tell if SFL was being genuinely friendly with FL or fake. But like I thought her character would have more importance in terms of backstory like a pre-established relationship with the ML or FL but she really hasn't.

Yeah, I don't get the point of the SFL. Like before I read part of the novel, I thought maybe she was a close friend/co-worker of BSE when he was an announcer in the past that causes slight drama. Then in the first two episodes, I kinda wrote her off as a fangirl because of the way she spoke to SML after fans/crushes. So I saw her as she knows BSE is married and fancies him, but it's like a fan, and she knows she would never go there or tries to. And I thought her and SML would have a secondary ship once SML's role in pushing the leads together is over. But then the way she acts over the lunch and knowing he's married. It's not like someone that's trying to get with a married man but it's also not like a fan.

And with the SML background and it's not being from the novel - since he's a new character. But as soon as I saw Orphange and that backstory which will 90% be our ML or 10% (Spoiler character from the book - I think you can guess), it's got me distrusting him more than last week .

Honestly, if they had to have a SFL, it would have made sense for it to be Hong Ina -- Also I wonder if they increased her role if it was heavily change things plot wise.

Yeah, I genuinely don't get the point of SFL. I don't mind her or anything I just don't get it.

But honestly, the novel had a tiny cast of characters so maybe that's why? (I suppose they took out all the spicy scenes, so they needed to replace them with something :P)

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

Thank God. Some tweets were very misleading saying 2 week hiatus.

Honestly, scheduling patterns with kdramas/cdramas are funny to me. Because it's kinda the norm in most countries that they air once a week or sometimes Mon-Fri. While in SK, airing two consecutive days is the norm. Not Mon/Weds or Tues/Thurs, it has to be two consecutive days. Then China does whatever the fuck they want. Burn them off quietly, spread out the episodes. But regardless, the drama will rarely last beyond the month.

I hate that we are going to have a 2 week hiatus of When The Phone rings. Like I hate this time of year where it's common for shows to take 1-2 weeks off whether it's holidays or awards. (In this case neither) but at least this time, it's in the middle ans not right at the end. I remember watching a drama and they took 1 week off then aired the last episodes and I'm thinking, what's the point

We only get one ep week of 14 and 20 not none so that's at least something :P

And yeah, I don't watch kdramas as often as I used to but when I watched a ton, December used to drive me insane for that reason.

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

Agree. Like there have been a few kdramas adapted from novels/webtoons where I've read the original source material where they don't commit to what it is. They either tone it down. Or use the plot but kdramaify it by adding tropes that aren't needed but just because it's expected in that genre in TV.

Like I watched one for a light-hearted switch-your-brain-off rom-com and it was okay bit not like the original. They leaned away from the genre at times and then when they did lean into the genre, they changed things and it were t fir the best. The original despite being a cliche rom-com subverted quite a good chunk of tropes, then the remake unsubverted them for angst and drama.

But yeah, MMH, for me, it's crazy because they probably had more budget than PMR, but the poster looked so cheap compared to PMR. And then MMH just took itself too seriously for what it was. Unpopular opinion: Sunghoon and the FL from PMR (forgive me, can't remember her name) could do MMH but PMY and NIW couldn't do PMR. They just suit Revenge plots. Sunghoon in particular, he fits with good melodramatic with romance. He's probably not the best actor (and I'm a fan of his) but that should be his brand. melos with a hint of romance - or long weekend dramas. Those are the only things I liked him in.

I don't think he's done a Sageuk. I can't picture him (I feel like he's got too much of a modern, model face for a sageuk).

I really went off topic.

When the Phone Rings has got me thinking about PMR, which in turn got me thinking about MMH due to the similar plots and release dates. And it just reminded me how MMH was the bigger hit (largely due to Park Minyoung's popularity and Na Inwoo's rising popularity. But honestly, MMH adaptation was such a disappointment as someone who read the webtoons of both PMR/MMH. What was great about PMR is it leaned into what it was. Similar to what we see so far in WTPR. But MMH honestly took itself too seriously. Also I felt PMY was miscast in the role.

I just need more dramas that fall into the PMR/WTPR category. Soapy, makjang that doesn't lean too much into makjang (like official makjangs) but doesn't take itself too seriously. Or tries to be above it. Like it could be very easy for the writer to increase focus on the politics in WTPR, thinking that they are above the mess that is our leads relationship - even though it's the selling point. Thankfully they didn't.

I haven't read either the PMR or MMH source novels/webtoons so no opinion on how they work as adaptations but I felt the same as you did - I enjoyed PMR a lot more. It was just so fun and committed so hard.

I always believe that a drama (or any other adaptation) should commit fully to the vibe - whether it's wattpad/90s romance novel vibe like PMR or When the Phone Rings or gonzo fighting fantasy (high or modern) like Burning Flames or I Am Nobody,

When you hold back to be cool or artsy or whatever it is you feel must constrain you, the audience can feel the disconnect/inauthenticity. In which case don't make something like this in the first place, make an arthouse piece about accountants or whatever you can commit fully.

WTPR reminds me of old school kdrama melos - I can honestly imagine Go Soo and Lee Da Hae in this 15 years ago - and I think that is why I love it so much. That and adult-oriented sageuks were always my two favorite kdrama genres.

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

I agree about Kwak Dong Yeon and Ahn Eun Jin. I think the only think I've seen Kwak Dong Yeon lead in is Never Twice - a "Family" drama. Gasohug didn't interest me. Then he supported in Vincenzo and Queen of Tears (QoTs disappointed me, I got bored quickly and it felt overhyped for me).

Ahn Eun Jin being SFL is crazy. Like I know she's lead some small dramas before (The One and Only for example), before My Dearest she was sorta the defacto FL in The Good Bad Mother (I say sorta because it's about a mother and son so the mother is really THE FL).

But yeah, it's just while that after being in the hit that was My Dearest. You'd think she'd get more lead roles out of it. Like I know it's Suzy and she's very popular but still...

Do you have any kdrama actors that you like that are booked but aren't lead actors. They are constantly in supporting roles or are credited as mains but aren't leads or in that traditional second lead role.

I don't really watch kdramas as much as I used to (since they went into direction that largely doesn't click for me) so the only two I can think of are Kim Bum and Kwak Dong Yeon.

Oh, and this is not her default, but the fact that Ahn Eun Jin is gonna be second banana to Suzy in that upcoming melo is insane to me.

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

Honestly, it’s a huge shame because KJH is killing it as a beaten puppy and him and GSR have good chemistry. But like it’s 18 episodes out of 36 and Darin is still crushing on Taewoong with no developing feelings for Kangjoo. Kangjoo has admitted his crush and feelings but isn’t doing anything.

Like I just think about Five Enough (probably the only family weekend drama I’d consider rewatching) and around this time (halfway through) Sunghoon’s character is trying to woo Haesun’s character. Granted they weren’t the lead couple but even the lead couple were together earlier.

It’s the most disappointing thing about Iron Family because when I heard 36 episodes, and then saw the first episode. I thought that it was a decision from the show. Because of the plot and story, like they didn’t need to drag it out. But now I think it is budget cuts. And this could be the new norm.

I think MBC started cutting their weekend dramas before getting rid of them cause Never Twice had 36 episodes as well. But I remember the pacing was good in that (and had some actors I like but aren’t leading actors.) and Youn Yuhjung probably the most famous Korean actress for general people.

I’m not an avid Weekend drama watcher. It depends on plot and actors for me. Because sometimes they cast actors that use to be booked but not that booked recently and it gives them a boost. But if the pacing doesn’t get fixed…

Kim Junghyun better get booked more after this.

How are you finding Iron Family? I’m enjoying it but a little disappointed with the pacing as we are halfway through and there’s been no major progression with the leads. Like normally around the halfway mark in weekend dramas they both start catching feelings or are together. I’m enjoying some of the family drama but I am mainly watching this for the leads (Especially KJH). Honestly, I think that’s my only complaint so far. The pacing. The only pacing that I liked was the early reveal of Taewoong’s paternity.

Honestly, I think it this was a regular 50 episode drama, the pacing isn’t bad like certain milestones that have been reached fit with normal length dramas. But because it’s 36 episodes, I think I’m expecting things to move quicker.

Yeah those are pretty much my feelings. It’s cute and restful and I enjoy it but the pacing is for a 50-60 ep drama not 36.

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

I know what you mean, I’ve completed some lakorns. But most I wouldn’t rewatch. I’m just watching to finish it.

Whereas cdramas/kdramas there’s no off-season for me, I always go back to them. Lakorns, I’ll read the plot and be interested but I won’t watch.

I learned with a lot of their remakes they lakornify it too much with same added drama. The only think that makes me laugh is how the soundtrack music switches at the funniest, inappropriate times.

I’d be surprised if I watch Scaret Heart. I don’t like the actors much to watch it. And the actors seem too young for me like I’d prefer older actors like LJG or KHN.

I locket enjoyed the scene between SML and FL communicating in sign language. I hope we learn more about their past. I think it's needed because he's the opposite of the ML and is able to communicate with FL in a way that the ML could never, and I think that let's her walls down slightly. SML is fulfilling his role well. Making ML step up.

I hope SML is kept to a minimum. I found him boring but I usually find SML boring. A lot of people often get SML syndrome but i am the opposite - the only time that happens is when the drama really drops the ball (or if they have their own utterly separate storyline.)

He’s either a green flag as the young ‘uns say (which doesn’t do much for me in fiction absent specific not present here scenarios) or a secret psycho (in which pls psycho but don’t take too much time.)

We only have 12 eps so they need to keep the pace.

But we shall see.

[thenerdyunhealthybrit]

I'd still watch Secret Garden again. Nothing beats Han Jimin in Hyde, Jekyll and Me (coincidentally by the same writer of When the Phone Rings). Now that was painful she was so wooden, especiallenllllthe end.

Empress Ki, I've been meaning to watch. As well as Scarlet Heart - I hear there's gonna be a Thsi version (I know the original is Chinese) and cause it's GMM25. For the big project they are reusing I think the same leads from F4 (minus Bright). I think Win replaced Bright as their golden boy once he left. I don't have high hopes for the remake. But might watch if bored.

I locket enjoyed the scene between SML and FL communicating in sign language. I hope we learn more about their past. I think it's needed because he's the opposite of the ML and is able to communicate with FL in a way that the ML could never, and I think that let's her walls down slightly. SML is fulfilling his role well. Making ML step up.

I hope SML is kept to a minimum. I found him boring but I usually find SML boring. A lot of people often get SML syndrome but i am the opposite - the only time that happens is when the drama really drops the ball (or if they have their own utterly separate storyline.)

He’s either a green flag as the young ‘uns say (which doesn’t do much for me in fiction absent specific not present here scenarios) or a secret psycho (in which pls psycho but don’t take too much time.)

We only have 12 eps so they need to keep the pace.

But we shall see.