Pit Babe (2023)

Starts off Strong, ends with many questions

Pros
The beginning is really captivating. I read the first few chapters of the book and feel that the show is able to make the intro race scene very exciting it also introduces the characters well.
The Charlie/Babe dynamic really works on me hahaha. Kinda hard carries my rating. I enjoy Pooh's portrayal of Charlie even though I do think it is the most different from the book. Though I think there is just a bit too much of shoving/pushing Charlie

Cons/Rant
My biggest gripe is that towards the end there are many plot holes and explanations that add to the confusion
*Spoiler*
For example when Charlie asks Jeff how he knows Reval is because he found him when he tried to escape Tony. This made very little sense to me because my previous understanding was that Charlie and Jeff managed to escape together. Overall it doesn't make me enjoy the show less but the more time I spend thinking about some of the plot holes the more I feel that I can't rate it above a 7/8.
I also don't really enjoy the waterdowned ABO explanation. I know that ABO isn't palatable to everyone, but the explanations that the show gives is a bit confusing. I think it would of made more sense to get rid of the ABO entirely and just say some are born with special powers. Though that would make the pregnancy plot impossible.
Overall I feel like there were also too many characters. I know people are upset NorthSonic didn't happen and I agree. There were just too many characters and not enough time to develop any relationship outside of CharlieBabe and AlanJeff and the confusing relationship between Way Kenta and Pete
I also wish there was more time to resolve issues in the final episode. Like Charlie and Jeff get no punishments for literally faking Charlie's death. Like yeah everything worked out in the end, but seriously no one reacts at all about Charlie not being dead for longer than one minute. In general Charlie is never really punished for his actions,,,
Another thing with Charlie's death is that everybody moved on wayyy to quickly. Like I can understand if they were locking up their emotions to process after they dealt with Tony, but literally no one other than Charlie seemed to care basically the very next day. Especially since all of the AlanJeff scenes happen after Charlie's death. Jeff knows that Charlie isn't dead so him not mourning is fine, but Alan didn't and he wanted to get with Charlie's brother basically right after he died
My review does sound like there are more cons/pros but I did find it enjoyable and cons are just overall easier to write.

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Finding Their Way Back: A Rollercoaster of Love, Laughs, Drama, and Pit Stops!

The series was nice. I really liked the actors that was chose for each character and the couple choice was so cute. My fav side couple was JeffAlan ❤. CharlieBabe was cute too, but Babe pissed me off so much omg! ⋌༼ •̀ ⌂ •́ ༽⋋

He kept on believing everything he saw/heard about Charlie, didn't properly talk about it with Charlie and kept running into Way's arms. Don't get me wrong, I was very sad when Way died, but I'm so glad that Babe always found his way back to Charlie. (see what I did there 🤭) I also really liked the switch in the relationship, it was so cute. (top and bottom yk)

And seeing OV in a series was refreshing, as it's not very known sub-genre. I would recommend. 7,7/10

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A varied ride

I really like the opening credit sequence. The editing of the sound effects with walla interwoven with the music then with the visuals of color and light splashes over the various sequences is really energetic and cool.

Pavel is the standout performer as Babe with a nice emotional range, charismatic screen presence, and a fully committed performance. He is the best part of the entire show. I really love the confidence he gives Babe, not just as a racer, but of Babe in his own skin as a person. His emotional moments are very well done, it's so nice to see an appropriate response to the intensity of the respective situations. He shows the emotions in his eyes and expressions so nicely. Paval carries the scenes he's in and I really hope to see him in future productions with acting partners on at least a similar level of skill to play off each other. Babe does have insecurities in terms of his relationships with other people stemming from the betrayal from both his bio dad and adopted dad, and later from his best friend which I'll touch on later.

The acting of the rest of the cast range from hit or miss to extremely distractingly green without enough directing to steer them. The second lead who plays Charlie in particular is so lost and needs more direction to go further from just acting cute and with a pouting voice ALL of the time regardless of what the scene is about. It got tiring a few episodes in when it was clear there was no further modes to the character. There are so many scenes where it's supposed to be emotional and Babe is bringing it, but Charlie is giving nothing. The character is also already written so one dimensionally with no purpose outside of being with Babe that it would have given him some bare minimum pathos if his interest in racing was genuine and worked to be good at it. I really watched all the way to the end hoping there would be an improvement once the reveal about his true intentions kicked in, but no change.

The intimate scenes seem to be well coordinated. I'm curious to know if they employed a coordinator, but however it was done like through a scripted breakdown and the director discussing ahead with the actors, there was a clear plan and choreography for every sequence. It's tastefully done even though sometimes it seems like it skirts the line between artistic choice and self-censorship with more freedom in the uncut version. It would have been great if the same level of attention were given to the fight scenes which the actors did their parts very well, but the filming and editing really needed to cheat the angles better to make everything look more believable, which again not the actors fault at all.

The regular sets of Babe's house with the wild interior design of the automobiles and faux broken concrete walls, americana-esque bar, and racing garage were pretty nice. Way's and Alan's house were shockingly expensively looking as well, no wonder Dean is extremely mad he's not getting into the big races because it looks like it pays extremely well. The most hilarious set was the hotel that Kim was staying with the murder scene level amount of blood in the bathroom but Kim is not bleeding anywhere. I guess we can assume it was blood from whoever Kim was fighting off, but nothing in the show indicates that.

The show is the strongest in the first few episodes and then proceeds to lag and drag on the plot points with very surface level coverage of the story and implications. I'm not gonna talk about them all, but I have to talk about Babe and Way's storyline which had a lot of time paid to it, yet still oddly fumbled at the same time. There is a tantalizing scene where Babe tells Alan that Way has been making him feel like he's not worthy of love by telling him that others only want to take advantage of him. It's so fascinating that he realizes that Way has been doing something toxic like that. Way is so certain that Babe must have noticed him being in love with him all these years. There is so much for these two to actually confront each other about. Then the scene where Way attacks Babe was fully horrific and is the most affecting scene from the terror in Babe's reactions to him being immobilized, realizing Way has powers, realizing his best friend has betrayed him, and being assaulted all at once. Serious kudos to Pavel's acting in this scene. You would think after this there would be a huge showdown between the two to air out their years and years of history which includes the shared trauma of being adopted and abused. Way gives an apology followed really quickly by his sacrifice, which he should have had some blood on his face for the severity of his wounds. Babe cries and tells Way that he loves him, after Way is dead which is really ridiculous and funny, he didn't tell Way what way wanted to hear a second earlier when he still could. Pavel's performance is really good, just an odd decision in the writing/directing. Babe being open to him and Way returning to their friendship was a really great opportunity for them to have a much needed deep conversation that would hit on the major themes brought up as supposedly important to the story, but it's such a huge missed necessity that the show didn't bother to do.

A few odds and ends that again does not encompass everything else, Kenta and Pete's story only showed up towards the end, but the set up of their emotional connection and stakes was one of the more interesting ones after Babe and Way. Sadly they didn't get time to finish their story. Kim's whole plot just randomly stops as well. I'm really glad that Jeff who gets paired off with Alan is at least 20, though the power imbalance of his boss constantly disrespecting that he's already said he doesn't like being touched is pretty gross.

Overall, the show had the parts to be better, but wasn't utilized to it's potential.

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Needs some Work!!

I’m gonna start this by saying I realllly wanted to like this show I started it multiple times but couldn’t make it pass ep 2 bc it was just making me cringe but I finally got through it by watching it with a reactor and I was disappointed the only way I kept watching was bc I was watching with a reactor on my own I would of dropped it again. the amount of plot holes was something and no hate to pooh since this is his first lead role and all but the acting was stiff and I couldn’t feel any chemistry between babe and Charlie aside from when they were doing nc scenes, I felt more general chemistry between babe and way talking than Charlie and babe so a lot of their relationship development was forced and fast with no explanation as to why babe is feeling this way a lot of the characters were one note kind of characters so it was a tough watch but the trailer for s2 looked pretty good so hopefully they give the answers and explanations

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Rouler des mécaniques… Mmh, presque !

Honnêtement, le début ne m'a pas emballé, mais quelque chose me disait de ne pas m'arrêter tout de suite. Vous savez cette intuition qui vous murmure de continuer, et vous ne savez pas comment ni pourquoi, mais vous le faites. Et bien, c'était ça ! Alors oui, Pavel et Garfield étaient deux bonnes motivations. Cela dit, aussi cool que soit Pavel et aussi charmant que soit Garfield dans ses tenues noires, leurs beaux yeux n'auraient pas suffit. Entre-temps, l'épisode 07 (ou 08 ?) est arrivé, et c'est à ce moment que j'ai réellement trouvé de l'intérêt à l'histoire.

Pour moi, Pit Babe est scindée en deux parties. La première se concentre sur la course automobile, qui permet également de mettre les couples et la majorité des personnages en place. La seconde partie est lorsqu'on sort la tête du garage. À partir de celle-ci, j'ai vraiment aimé la tournure de l'histoire.

Tout d'abord, la première partie.
À mes yeux, c'est trop lisse. Et cela vient d'une fille ayant grandi avec un grand-père et un père qui travaillent dans un garage rempli de voitures et de motos en tous genres. Si les écuries professionnelles sont d'une qualité irréprochable, dans un drame comme celui-ci on s'attend à un peu plus de cambouis sur les mains.
De même pour les courses. On sent les limites du budget dans les arrières plans. Pas de foule, pas de spectateurs, pas d'acclamations. C'est vide. Tout est trop propre alors qu'on parle de bagnoles et qu'un peu de cambouis sur la joue peut faire la différence.
De ce fait, j'ai tendance à penser que cette partie avait pour but de rendre les personnages « cool », tout en plaçant les antagonistes et les problèmes à venir.

Ensuite, la seconde partie.
Depuis le début, la plupart des personnages sont là, mais ils n'apportent pas forcément grand chose. Certains peuvent même passer pour des figurants. Tandis que les autres sont présents, ils disparaissent quelques épisodes puis reviennent d'on ne sait où… Malgré tout, j'ai adoré le virage dans cette seconde partie. Elle apporte de l'action avec un solide bagage émotionnel. D'accord, c'est parfois tiré par les cheveux avec des plans foireux et où les gentils sont stupides, mais ça reste rythmé et entraînant pour qu'on reste accroché jusqu'au bout.
Cette seconde partie offre un bon mélange de romance, action et émotion.

Côté casting et pour aller à l'essentiel, Pavel (Babe) était bon. Cela faisait longtemps que je ne l'avais pas vu, c'était plaisant. Son jeu s'est considérablement amélioré depuis 2 Moons et son charme s'est accentué de la meilleure des façons. Pooh (Charlie) m'a parfois donné l'impression de surjouer (et parfois d'être un peu psycho), mais il est resté assez sympathique.
C'était agréable de revoir Nut (Way) et comme pour Pavel, son jeu a beaucoup évolué depuis Oxygen. Pop (Winner) et S (Tony) étaient des raclures que j'ai adoré détester. Sailub (Alan) et Pon (Jeff) sont un petit bonbon qui, si on n'y fait pas attention, pourrait voler la vedette sans problème.
Pour finir, Ping (Pete) est clairement sous exploité, tout comme Garfield (Kenta). D'ailleurs, puis-je mentionner à quel point ma frustration est immense vis-à-vis d'eux ? Sérieusement ? Rien de plus ? Aucun regard, aucun échange, pas même un petit signe ? Humpf !

Pour résumé, la première partie a rencontré un fort succès. Il est inutile de faire un dessin sur les raisons principales de son succès. Cependant, Pit Babe révèle tout son potentiel grâce à sa seconde partie et nous dévoile un univers entraînant, jonglant entre romance, action et émotion, le tout avec une belle photographie.

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I really enjoyed Pit Babe up until episode 10, from there it was okay. I was unsure of how I’d feel when I first started it. I thought it would be cringe like most BL’s I've watched recently (in my subjective opinion). I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was a drama with an actual good plot, romance, and most of all good acting.

Story:
I've never enjoyed the Omegaverse concept before, so I went into this drama thinking it would be as disappointing as the Manhwa’s I have read, but dang this was addicting. Although I would hardly consider Pit Babe an Omegaverse drama. You kind of need Omegas and Betas for it to count as one.

I was expecting the main focus to be racing, so the whole child trafficking plot was unexpected. I didn't love it and I feel like the situation was resolved too easily and killing Way was unnecessary. Speaking of killing, I don't understand why Charlie faked his death. It was pointless and gave me trust issues when Way died. I had to look up for sure if he was actually dead. Also Babe’s reaction to finding out his lover faked his death was way more chilled than it should have been. Charlie lied to him on multiple occasions and not just white lies, like major lies that I can't believe anybody would forgive.

Way being the enigma was definitely shocking. I would have thought that after he found out just how evil Tony was, he would have stopped following Tony’s orders, but I guess not. They did his character kind of dirty but I also don’t condone attempting to rape someone. That's an unforgivable offense. I wish Way and Pete would’ve actually become a couple. I was hopeful that Way would fall for Pete and accept that his chances with Babe were never going to happen. But by the 7th episode I lost hope, they totally had chemistry nonetheless.

The racing part was an enjoyable and unique concept. I've never been interested in cars and as deadly as the sport is (which only after I watched this did I realize HOW deadly it is), I think it would be fun to watch. Honestly the story would have just been as good if the focus was on the sport and Babe teaching Charlie.

I know this might be wrong to say but even though he did try to kill Babe, I felt bad for Dean. They did not treat him like a valuable player and didn't even care if anything happened to him. I was not surprised he switched sides at all.

Couples + Main Characters:
Charlie x Pit Babe. Calling Charlie obsessive is an understatement. His character was so one-dimensional, his choices never made sense, and I always laughed anytime he interacted with any character besides Pit Babe. He would blatantly ignore them or walk away, and just overall did not care about anyone except Babe. Charlie and Jeff were supposed to be close like brothers, but they barely talked to each other throughout the drama. Jeff would go missing for long periods, so Alan would worry like crazy but Charlie remained unconcerned. Anyway, as somewhat toxic and crazy as Pit Babe and Charlie’s relationship was, it was quite cute. The NC scenes were not jaw-dropping but besides that, no complaints. I will also include that I did not like them calling each other “Mama” and “Papa.” It feeds into the harmful stereotype that there is always a “feminine” or “female” type in gay relationships.

Alan x Jeff. I loved them at first but later it got a little boring. I loved watching Jeff get jealous whenever Alan would talk to someone, you could feel his eyes on him. I liked the age gap trope but they really stretched it out. They made Jeff seem like he was a minor but they don't even look that far apart. That aside, their relationship was pretty wholesome.

Acting/Cast:
I can not stress how much I loved Pavel’s acting in this. He acted his heart out and he's definitely one of the best I've seen in Thailand. The cry scenes made me cringe a little but I'm usually squeamish about them in the first place. He definitely out-acted more than half the industry. I won't criticize Pooh too hard considering this was his first drama, but for the most part he did just okay. In some scenes it felt a bit stiff and forced, like he was reading the script but not putting much effort into the emotional part. Everybody else played their scenes well, I especially liked Sonic and Dean. They were more like background characters but they seemed very natural.

Although Pit Babe wasn’t top tier and the writing wasn't spectacular, it was enjoyable and addicting= watch.

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Well... I finished the series tonight and I have to say, if I had found a better series, I would have given up long ago.

First... Charlie, I have never seen a character so bland, so unlikeable, and so hollow. I can't stand his character, so if season 2 is just to watch him smile like an idiot or imply weird things like "Mom, Dad" when they are two men... really, what was his purpose?

Then Babe, let's skip over the incredibly stupid name... the actor plays well, especially the sadness. The character is full of himself. His "powers" are far from impressive... In fact, none of the powers in this series are really impressive...

Way is the best character in the series. And I would have really preferred that Babe realized he loved Way and not the other idiot. It must be said that Babe never stopped flirting with Way. He didn't stop, and once in a relationship, he treated him like dirt. So no, that doesn't excuse the assault, but damn, he was one of the only interesting characters. I'd like a season 2 without Charlie where Babe realizes that the one he loves is Way, but well.

Then there's Alan, he's nice...
Jeff is boring... the couple is completely stupid.

The two friends are a nice couple of friends.

Pete is interesting... if Babe stays with his idiot boyfriend... maybe I'll see a relationship with Way but just as a second option.

Kenta... well, I have no opinion...

Actually, it's a hollow series... we learn almost nothing about the powers... they are never put into action... they have extremely awkward scenes...

In short... meh...

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Where everything is beautiful but no one talks to each other

I'll be intentionally vague so as not to spoil anything but the upshot is: A little money smooths the rough edges. They clearly had a decent budget as the locations are gorgeous, the music is pretty good, and the racing action is filmed to feel properly heart pounding. Pavel as Babe really showcases his talent, and I hope season 2 has a bit less angst and gives him something to sink his teeth into. I'm ambivalent about omegaverse in general, but I think that aspect actually made real space for some great twists. I'd recommend this series, and I don't say that lightly.

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Pit Babe: A Riveting Dive into the World of Motorsports and Romance

Prepare to be swept away by the adrenaline-fueled drama and heartfelt romance of Thailand’s latest BL sensation, Pit Babe. Set against the high-octane backdrop of the motorsports world, this series delivers a thrilling ride that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

At its core, Pit Babe revolves around the budding relationship between two unlikely souls: the talented and ambitious racer, Babe, and the charming and up and coming racer, Charlie. As they navigate the competitive world of racing, their bond deepens, igniting a passionate romance that defies societal norms and expectations.

What sets Pit Babe apart is its masterful balance of pulse-pounding action and tender moments of intimacy. The adrenaline-pumping race sequences are impeccably choreographed, capturing the intensity and danger of the sport, while the tender moments between Tan and Pat are filled with genuine emotion and chemistry, pulling at the heartstrings of viewers.

But Pit Babe is more than just a love story; it’s a celebration of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery. The supporting cast, including Babe and Charlie’s friends and fellow racers, adds layers of depth and complexity to the narrative, each character grappling with their own dreams and demons.

Visually stunning and impeccably paced, Pit Babe keeps viewers hooked from start to finish, seamlessly blending heart-stopping racing action with poignant character development. The cinematography captures the vibrant energy of Thailand’s racing scene, while the evocative soundtrack enhances every emotional beat.

At its core, Pit Babe is a testament to the power of love and the courage to pursue one’s passions against all odds. With its captivating storyline, charismatic performances, and electrifying chemistry between the leads, Pit Babe cements its place as a must-watch addition to the BL genre. Whether you’re a fan of motorsports or romance, this series offers something for everyone, leaving a lasting impression that will linger long after the final lap.”

The Main Characters Review

Babe (played by Pavel):

Babe, the spirited and determined racer, steals the spotlight in Pit Babe with his fiery personality and unparalleled talent behind the wheel. Portrayed with charm and authenticity by Pavel, Babe commands the screen with his unwavering dedication to his craft and his unapologetic pursuit of his dreams. With his infectious energy and fierce determination, Babe emerges as a beacon of strength and resilience, proving that no obstacle is too great to overcome.

Charlie (played by Pooh):

As the charming and charismatic mechanic, Charlie brings warmth and depth to Pit Babe with his endearing personality and unwavering support for Babe. Portrayed with sincerity and heart by Pooh, Charlie’s journey from a humble mechanic to a steadfast ally and confidant is a testament to the power of friendship and loyalty. His unwavering belief in Babe’s abilities and his willingness to stand by his side through triumph and adversity make him a beloved character among fans. With his infectious optimism and genuine affection for Babe, Charlie adds an undeniable charm to the series, enriching the narrative with his heartfelt moments and genuine camaraderie.

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Too Much and Not Enough: The Goldilocks Syndrome of Pit Babe

I really wanted to like this series. I watched Boys Journey leading into it and absolutely fell in love with the cast.

And for the record, that is the one thing that has not changed. The cast is the only thing that makes this series work. Pavel is fantastic. Nut as well is a stand out performer for me. But all of the others are solid, well rounded performers as well.

This series dies by its writing. The problems start within the main couple- who somehow have no palpable chemistry, despite the fact that the actors who play them have chemistry in spades. They are written into an insta-love corner that the show never bothers to write its way out of. Eight episodes in, and the main couple is as hollow and vapid as they were in episode two.

There are too many characters. Many of whom serve no purpose to the plot, and ultimately serve as a pointless distraction away from the main story. There are too many ideas shoved into one show. Is this a racing show, is this an action show or is this a romance? Some series can pull together multiple genres to make a compelling series. The Sign, for example is a show that manages to balance several genres at once and still be coherent. But these writers are not up for that challenge. As they get completely lost up their own plotholes, it becomes increasingly clear over the course of this series that these writers don't have a clear direction for this show. And worse, it's become blatantly clear that they have no interest in writing a BL.

The one positive I will give the writers, is that they did manage to make compelling tension. I would always leave each episode feeling a desperate need to see the next one and find out what will happen next. Unfortunately, they are never able to pay off any of the tension they successfully build. Arguments are forgotten from one scene to the next, characters are constantly behaving in ways bizarrely devoid of emotion. These aren't characters. They're walking plot devices used to push the story around. And I do mean push the story around, because the story never seems to actually push forward in any kind of believable way.

So we're stuck with this Goldie Locks syndrome. Too many characters, too many ideas, too many pointless scenes where characters only exist to lob exposition at each other. Not enough character development, not enough time given to side couples, not enough emotional believability built up between the two main leads.

There's a good story buried somewhere in this. Unfortunately, it seems that these writers were unable to find that plot.

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Pit Babe (2023) Review! My thoughts on this drama

Overall I really enjoyed this series. Yes, the plot was a bit messy at times, however the cast overcame that and helped bring the series back on track.
The cast was the thing that brought the series to life, the acting was, at least in my opinion, really good. The actor that played Babe (Pavel) had a few emotional scenes and nailed them. He did a great job showing the emotions.
The chemistry was really good between the main cast both platonic relationship wise and romantic relationship wise.
This drama was a bit slow at times so I did skip some parts, but it balanced the slow scenes with faster scenes and I had to go back and rewatch some scenes to understand what was going on.

This is my first review, so if I missed any good points or could improve my reviews somehow or someway kindly let me know. Hope you learned a little from this review and hope you have a great day!

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EU DEFINITIVAMENTE ODEIO O CHARLIE E O WYN É INJUSTIÇADO

Essa é uma daquelas séries em que o roteiro é bom e ele agrada de uma forma geral mas um dos protagonistas me irritou ao extremo, o que acabou transformando a história em uma experiência ruim para mim.
Babe é um personagem impecável mas que se transformava em alguém totalmente sem personalidade toda vez que estava com o Charlie e por conta disso acabava negligenciando todo o resto (principalmente seu melhor amigo).
Eu não aguentava mais olhar pro Charlie, ouvir a voz do Charlie, ver as expressões do Charlie e ver as atitudes do Charlie. Ou seja, eu detesto o Charlie.
O casal coadjuvante é ok, não achei nada demais.
E principalmente, o Way é o personagem mais injustiçado dessa série, absolutamente nada funcionava pra ele e ninguém se esforçava para entender ou estar lá pra ele, e quando isso finalmente aconteceu tomamos um banho de água fria.
Enfim, não me agradou e não assistira de novo.

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