From the authorship of Sammon, the prolific Thai novelist of works of the BL genre, two magnificent suspense, mystery, medical-forensic, police and romantic dramas captivate the viewer.
Both have communicating vessels in terms of themes, styles, almost absolute pre-eminence of the hospital space as a dramatic epicenter, the rural environment, treatment and organization of information, ambiguity of the characters, script approaches, and interweaving of the respective investigative processes with their respective social contexts.
Both titles – caustic, not at all complacent with their socio-historical surroundings – provide suggestive insights into homosexual romance in the midst of a criminological investigation, the eternal struggle between good and evil, police investigations that turn investigators and others involved into victims of violent forces powerful dark stories, moral double standards, hatred of those who are different and the polarity of a Thailand divided on ethical, civic, human, cultural and religious issues.
These series are 'Manner of Death', directed by Chookiat Sakveerakul and Aum Natthphong Aroonnet, and 'Spare Me Your Mercy', by director Worawit Khuttiyayothin; the two adaptations, the first of the novel of the same name, while the second is of the work "Euthanasia", both written by Sammon.
The romance, mystery, suspense and police drama by Chookiat Sakveerakul and Aum Natthaphong Aroonnet recreates the investigation of a homicide carried out by a forensic doctor, who will be joined by the main suspect to, together, follow clues and find the real killer. During the investigative process, both will discover that they have feelings for each other.
Worawit Khuttiyayothin's romance, mystery, suspense and police drama follows the investigation of the strange deaths of several terminally ill patients carried out by a police captain in a small provincial town, and that everything seems to indicate that each tragic outcome is part of a series of crimes in which the Palliative Care doctor who cared for the sick on the eve of their death may be involved, including the sub-inspector's mother.
Worawit Khuttiyayothin, whose work expresses interest in strong, mysterious and complex homosexual male identities ('Century of Love', 'Laws of Attraction', 'To Sir, with Love'), finds in the construction of the characters of the police captain Thiu Wasan and Dr. Kan Kantaphat Akkharamethi, and in the defense of the characters by the actors JJ Krissanapoom Pibulsonggram ('#HATETAG', 2021), and Tor Thanapob Leeratanakachorn ('Hormones', 2013), respectively, four allies of notable weight.
Thiu and Kan are owners of a fascinating personality that does not leave anyone around them indifferent.
With the complicity of screenwriter Sirilux Srisukon ('Trab Sin Dind Fah' 2008), the director uses both the unusual psychological profile of the doctor and the police officer, the first as suspected of being involved in the crimes, the second for his sagacity in the area of criminal investigation, as well as the ductility of both actors, to model two very attractive characters who circumambulate between determination and veil, courage when facing all types of crimes and inspire distrust, sensitivity and coldness, the precise and the ambiguous, light and shadows, life and death, truth and lies, good and evil.
Like any police investigation sub-inspector, Thiu works in tandem with another police officer, in this case the experienced Lieutenant Kawin Kongthong (Phuak Pongsatorn Jongwilas), a serious and no-nonsense man who uses the language and unique skills of the police officer to find culprits in a city province where a criminal act rarely occurs.
Worawit Khuttiyayothin observes the compass taken by directors of great police and suspense dramas (John Huston, Orson Welles, Akira Kurosawa, Jean-Pierre Melville, Martin Scorsese, William Friedkin and Brian De Palma, among others) in the way of peeking, putting on the screen and follow the evolution of the process of following the clues, identifying the culprit, eliminating suspect by suspect from the list of possible criminals, but personalizing their authorship to the time to put together your dramaturgical composer, to which you add the factor of romance and mystery.
His series, ascetically formal and with meticulous narrative rigor, makes his organizational arts an identifying mark. Each small compositional fragment gives it a unity of meaning that configures sizes and ultimately explains the tapestry of each scene.
The first episode, the only one broadcast at the time of writing the review, hooks the viewer, both for the announced romance, the chemistry of the two protagonists, the perfect mix of exciting and mysterious murders, sensuality, intrigue that manages to attract even the viewers more passive and leave them glued to the screen, wanting more. A magnificent puzzle that, while making many dream of kissing and sex scenes starring Thiu and Kan, challenges the audience to join the clues to unravel some meaning at the heart of the story.
Some of the strongest things about this series are the element of mystery and the dichotomy between good and evil, between light and darkness.
In this sense, Worawit Khuttiyayothin also establishes a lucid correlation between the murders of patients with terminal illnesses, the high cost of hospital fees and charges, and the loss of family interest in protecting and caring for their patients at this stage of the illness, the insurance business, the profit of doctors and clinical managers with human life, the transmission of inheritance, the search by some sectors of society for the decriminalization of what is also known as "homicide" out of mercy" as a driving effect on the development of palliative care, crime and assisted suicide, since in Thailand euthanasia is not expressly permitted, but it is not expressly prohibited either, when religious, ethical, scientific and legal issues intermingle in the debates around the legalization of "death with dignity."
While the initial draw of 'Spare Me Your Mercy' for many people will probably be the two leads and their romance (as it is for me), I think the story as a whole is what really keeps audiences hooked and anticipating.
So I ask the reader, as you follow each clue and test your intuition: Can you get to the bottom of the case, or will you fall into the trap? Can you anticipate the twists and turns the story may take, or do you think you have it all figured out from the beginning? Do you think Thiu and Kan will end up making 'Spare Me Your Mercy' the best BL of 2024?
Too early to write a definitive review. I will continue updating it as the next episodes are aired until the end.