I just fully watched Episode 1. These are my thoughts...and they are subject to change, of course. I'm not sugar coating anything.
I ended up liking SSP's first episode more. SSP immediately grabbed my attention with Thitit's grabbing, stalking, and crying after Gandawasee. NJ's first episode was a bit boring for me. There is already a lot of side characters taking up most of the screentime. I don't know if that is because they're trying to introduce the characters and build up the story or what, but I thought it wasn't catchy. However, from the first episode, things are moving at a slower pace than SSP but it doesn't feel rushed like SSP. SSP was always about Thitit chasing after Gandawasee but he never stopped to reflect if those feelings he had towards her were true love or not or was it simply just an instinctual reaction. But in NJ, I absolutely love the details of when May and Tippy's small airplane flew over Rut in the field, the song came in perfectly, like a fated moment, like soulmates who already met but don't know that they share a destiny together, that type of scene was nicely done and elaborated. And then of course, when Rut meets May for the first time and secretly takes photos of her and then just sits on his private chair looking through them and smiling to himself. Those moments were sweet and allows us to see that Rut has gentle feelings for May.
Anyway, the acting is a bit off for everyone.
Toomtam: Wow, Watit is annoying. He's a brat. Yes, I understand that he has a heart disease, but really? Of course, can't blame him for being spoiled, but it was just hilarious watching Watit, such a big kid pouting everywhere. Hahaha. Rut is looking mighty fine. I can't wait for the real drama to begin when Rut moves in as the husband. Toomtam is portraying Watit as a borderline spoiled brat to being gay. :shrug: I feel as though some of it was a bit forced.
Vill: May is a boring character. She just moves along with the story, not the one doing the moving. Vill's acting is a bit lacking in here like she's trying too hard to be nice, which makes me think of Gandamanee when she was faking to be Gandawasee, that type of feeling. Hahah. I hope Vill improves later on, which I'm sure she does with all of those crying scenes.
Navin: Well, what can I say, he's never been a strong actor, but I feel sorry for Angkoon though. He doesn't have parents and his only blood Uncle loves another kid who is not blood related and ends up taking everything away from him and has the nerves to ask him to leave the girl he loves. The way Watit treats Angkoon and snitches on him, man, if I was Angkoon, I would be pissed too. I felt sorry for Angkoon when his Uncle was yelling at him and he said, sorry, I can no longer follow what you and Watit want. I'm going to follow my heart. But of course, it having a neglected childhood doesn't give anyone a valid reason to be a bad person.
Mouse and Chereen are okay for newbies.
Talk about awkward was that scene of Toomtam and Jane playing as lovers. Whoa, forced chemistry is the worst.
I feel like Vill is pretty in here but not as pretty as Gandawasee. Perhaps it's due to Vill's thinned out face. I feel like she's too thin in here. Girl needs a hamburger. Either that or Rut is working our poor May too much in here with them kisses and hugs.
ervie: All day, all night like he said he has time for. :drools:
The scenery is gorgeous though. The dialogue is eh, alright, nothing special yet. The transitions are a bit choppy. The directing is okay.
Looking forward to Episode 2 today!!!