Close Friend: Season 2 (Thai Series)

While Season 1 of the show was a collection of six different short stories, what this season does is quite interesting actually. They took the two stories: First and last one. One was about this couple Pierce and Typhoon who have been together for a few years and the last one was about this AR/VR futuristic but present love story between a singer Jedi and his ardent fan Ray. This six episode series of 30 minutes each takes these stories forward and intertwine them, since Typhoon and Ray are best of friends.

The story of the show is basic. Pierce, who works in a music industry is still not open about his three year relationship with Typhoon. Even when his parents make a surprise visit and ask them about their relationship, he just says that Typhoon is his college junior, thereby breaking his heart. Our second couple, a celebrity and a commoner are facing a similar dilemma. Jedi's contract doesn't allow him to be out in open as a gay man, let alone his secret love with Ray. But when their secret gets accidentally published, Ray doesn't want to hurt Jedi's career so he leaves him. In parallel we see that Jedi has been hired by Pierce's company to come up with a duet song with an upcoming female singer artist. Typhoon has also joined the same company, so we see what kind of restrictions does this music company put and the effects that it has on both couples. Ray and Typhoon are very close friends in school and on each other they friend someone who can relate to them and confide in each other. Eventually both the couples find the strength to be out in open on who they are and accept and announce their true love.

The central theme of the sequel, in my opinion, is how a romance shrouded in secrecy is bound to take its toll. It is both understandable and relatable to a certain extent. There are thankfully no evil third wheel or someone trying to break the relationship (although a scene at the end hinting at follow up season may bring some of that drama). The issue of societal acceptance and coming out is a very real obstacle that gay people face, which is shown here; but specifically for Pierce-Typhoon part; it becomes a little hard to digest on the reasons for them to not be open. There is absolutely no reason given except Pierce waiting for a 'right time'. He just doesn’t seem to put in any real effort into making his partner feel wanted or seen – he looks perpetually uncomfortable when he’s around Typhoon. In contrast, the other couple grew on me compared to what was shown in first season. Not just the cuteness and the purity of tenor relationship, it was nice to see a celebrity giving his all for his love, but we also do get to see how easily relationships creak under the weight of relentless scrutiny by fans, social media etc. The acting by all cast members was quite decent and we have seen them all in prior shows. I was happy that the story wasn't unnecessarily stretched for no reason but a little more justification behind Pierce's motivations would have used the show for me. As it is of now, it is an above average show and an easy watch without too much drama. (6/10)