The Warp Effect (2022)

Great ensemble cast. Recommended.

The Warp Effect is an over-the-top comedic teen series, that wanders into something else at episode four. What it plays with is the past, making memory and choices ridiculous. While finding ways for resolution and letting things go, later in life. Even Jean's story, didn't stumble. Because, it didn't ask her to forgive and didn't tell her she had to forget. It is her life, and how she lived it was going to be her choice and her resolution. That teaching moment was probably taken to heart by more than a few people watching this. It wasn't negated by a quick fix, or someone else's idea of how she should feel. So, much could happen in this story and dealing with most of the past was done in the present, and not in the final episode. I appreciated that.

It is what is endearing to this drama. If the watcher didn't get all the social clues, healthy moments, and tips that past decisions (or circumstances) are not set in stone defining us forever. Then the final episode tied it all up in a ribbon. Like everyone in this series, none were handed a happy ending. It's a shame we'll never see Alex's later life solution for that other memory, and though I think the final episode was a stumble for the storied resolutions that were accomplished. This is also a fantasy, and the teen audience needed the final touch - that sometimes you need to be cognizant of what you do in real time to make for a happy ending. And, other times you have to turn around and come to terms with it in your own head. Great ensemble cast. Recommended.

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this is criminally underrated.

it may not have the best storyline (as far as i've) but the inclusivity of the series though, with regards to sexual issues and themes. it actually talks about a lot of usually sensitive topics that are seldom discussed openly, it even teaches the viewers in a way that makes it easier to understand. i appreciate it a lot even though some scenes makes me cringe, i cannot hide the fact that the inclusivity is actually something i didn't look forward to getting but is actually really happy to have.

watch it only if topics of sex doesn't make you uncomfortable. it's generally good.

also, i probably would have appreciate it more if there's aroace representation. but who knows? it's not over yet.

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PARTY TIME FOR MY ASEXUALS (and everyone else<3)

Since I've finished this series I can't help but to think about it from time to time. I didn't really know what I was getting myself into, but I wanted to try a series like this out. As an asexual (particularly one that doesn't like/want sex ) I was so curious to see what approach and direction the show would have regarding the central idea of sex and I was pleasantly surprised to not see just overall healthy, sex positive messages to encourage and help people but also that it included asexual representation! I thought surely they'd have to mention asexuality, but I seriously doubted they would since the aro and ace spec is usually ignored. So thank you so much to the people behind this show for giving us a really cool asexual character + giving them such a nice love story :))

As for the main characters and main plot, yeah I fucking loved it. I looked forward to the show every week & found myself really attached to all the character's individual stories. I cried seeing how touching a lot of the messages were in this show. Overall just a well written, extremely impactful show.

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I Hate Everyone Involved In The Making Of This Show (trigger warning)

Unlike what happens in this show, my trauma will never be erased or undone.
What the fuck is the point in a show where the main character inflicts unspeakable harm on everyone around him, who does not grow or learn anything at all, and instead gets to live happily ever after without sacrificing a god damn thing?
If the point was to leave me traumatized, disgusted, and afraid, then congratulations... you succeeded. As much as I try not to blame the actors (at least not entirely), I can't look at New without seeing Alex. I can't forget what happened on this show. I would do anything if it means I'll never have to think about this show ever again.

To be absolutely clear, my problem with this show is not that the protagonist makes a pile of shit look good in comparison. I can handle watching a deeply unlikable villain as the main character of a show. My issue is what this show is saying, or rather what it is deliberately refusing to say.
The first 15 minutes of Episode 1 were... an unforgettable experience. It was a wild way to start a show but I still gave this an honest chance. There was a lot about this show that impressed me. I wanted it to be good. But once I had watched Episode 6, I realized those first 15 minutes perfectly encapsulated what it feels like to watch The Warp Effect.
The show opens with Alex. He's a virgin that's tired of being a virgin, so he is with a sex worker hoping to .. fix that. Because of a promise he made to his mom, he ends up getting cold feet in the middle of their foreplay. "Let's stop" he says. She ignores this and jumps right back on him. He stopped her, and she kept going anyway.
Less than 10 minutes later, and only 12 minutes into the first episode, we get a beautiful scene of a sexual education class. The wide shot shows a chalkboard with "CONSENT" written across the entire thing. Juxtaposed with the scene of Alex and the sex worker, it's so ironic that I'm almost laughing. The absurdity of it rivals the sex ed class in Mean Girls ("don't have sex because you will get pregnant and die"). It's almost funny..
But the show never acknowledges what happened between Alex and the sex worker.

Fast forward to Episode 6. We finally get to see everything that Alex did on the night of that party, all the reasons why everyone in his life hates him. Because this is a MyDramaList review and not an essay or dissertation, I'll do my best to keep this short.
If you've been watching the show up to this point, wondering why Jean slapped Alex and why she hates him so much, this episode answers that question pretty quickly.

He raped her.

That night at that party, Alex raped Jean. They were both incredibly intoxicated. Alex was lucky enough to blackout and forget what he did to her. Jean did not forget. I felt sick to my stomach.
The Warp Effect initially impressed me by having open conversations about a wide range of topics like puppy play, nonmonogamy, and nonbinary lesbians.
But after watching this episode and everything that follows, those first 15 minutes of Episode 1 feel like a sick fucking joke. This show doesn't care at all about consent. This show isn't interested in unpacking what that rape did to Jean. It doesn't even care enough to show us Alex's reaction after learning about the horrific thing he did to a person he cared about. This show won't even call it rape. There's no weight to the reveal either. Most of the episode isn't even about the rape or Jean, and I felt insane because everything else that happened at that party feels insignificant in comparison. They drop this earth-shattering revelation on us and then barely mention it for the rest of the show's runtime.

But of course, in the final episode, Alex gets sent back in time to before the party happens. He gets to undo every single mistake he made that night. Jean, who (even after ten years) couldn't be touched by a man, has her trauma simply.... erased. Alex treats her well and they live happily ever after.
And what am I meant to gain from this resolution? What is this show even saying? What the fuck is the point of all this then? If he just gets to redo everything, why did we do this show at all?
People don't get to erase the choices they made and start over from scratch. If you fuck up, if you hurt someone, there's no undoing that.

The Warp Effect is an unforgettable show, in that I will be haunted by the memory of it until my dying breath. This show has done irreparable damage to my psyche. I hate this show with every atom in my being, with every fibre of my soul, with every single piece of my heart.

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Enjoyable with diversity in the couples featured; does not exploit well-enough fantastical element

The story of the series is pretty interesting. I liked the concept and the fantastical element. It is quite different from the norm as the drama follows the interactions of a group of characters while they are teenagers as well as during their adult life. The series features therefore not a unique "main couple" but rather many protagonists pretty diverse in their sexual orientation and preferences.

The scenario discussed important topics almost in an educational way. There are a lot of teaching moment that are meaningful and necessary. Still, some discussions and points made by the show lacked subtlety and were a bit too on the nose for me. More specifically, I found the ending really too "easy": it required a lot of suspension of disbelief to think that all conflicts can be solved so easily... I also found the exploitation of the fantastical element short-sighted: there could be a lot of implications to it but it was used as a simple plot device, bringing no specific difficulties.

I found the ensemble cast pretty good and providing suitable performance. Would I have liked to see more chemistry during the more intimates scenes ? Yes. Would I have liked to feel more emotionally connected to the characters ? For sure. Actually, the drama has quite a comedic undertone, which sometimes undermines the feelings that could have provided some scenes. it also does not leave a lot of room for nuances for the actors. I would have loved to see more maturity in the dialogs and to feel more passion in some of the romances.

Overall, it felt like a western teen show to me. Even more so with its soundtrack being made of almost all English songs. This is not a bad thing, just an observation as it is left me with a very different impression than other Asians productions I have seen.

I would recommend this to people looking for a drama featuring pretty diverse couples. If you liked teen shows like "Skam" or "Skins", or even movie like "American Pie", you might enjoy this. It is comparatively much more tame but it still has a similar vibe following teenagers and young adults trying to figure out themselves.

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Surprisingly deep, thoughtful and accepting

This is not a show I would have thought to watch on my own. (Let's be honest, I mostly watch bl series) However, I'm SO GLAD I watched this after it was recc'd in a YT video for various kinds of queer rep.

I did NOT expect the sort of thoughtful and accepting conversations around kink, intimacy, being true to yourself even if it's outside the norm, etc.

I ADORE that this show has mf couple where one of them is trans but they are never referred to as being different from other opposite gender couples. The character being trans is acknowledged only by some transphobes who get quickly shut down by our ensemble of characters. I wish this was more indicative of RL for trans individuals.

Mollie! OMG Mollie! This character was amazing to see for me. Mollie is a femme/andro-presenting nonbinary individual. Not only are nonbinary folks rarely represented in media, but usually we are seen as needing to be very androgynous or leaning toward presenting to the gender opposite we were assigned at birth. As a femme-presenting afab enby, seeing them in this series made me feel so seen! Thank you!

My only gripe with the show at all is that they left one specific part of Alex & Jean's first time together completely unacknowledged. Considering it's a theme that is presented in the very first episode, I was very disappointed about that. That conversation was important to have and they chose to pivot to the side instead. I could make a case for it being okay to sidestep it if it wasn't literally the thing we constantly saw in PTSD flashbacks.

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Give it a try (despite the crazy plot)

I'm not a big fan of time travel in my media, and while it still isn't my favorite, I do think they worked it well into the show. The plot description sounds crazy, and it is, but you just have to give it a try and let it wash over you.

The show is definitely meant to be a bold statement on a wide swath of topics, and it handles those topics quite well. There's heavy themes of being pro choice, pro kink, sex positive, and educated about sex and consent that are consistently dealt with in different ways each episode. It does at times feel like it's trying to hit some major points as opposed to flowing naturally, but once you figure out what the style of the show is I don't think it detracts.

It's worth giving it a try even if it doesn't sound like your cup of tea!

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#warpeffectseriesthebestof2023

#warpeffectseriesthebest
#startwatchingrightnow
#Let'srewatch
every episode is interesting and everything about this drama is informative.
This is series is the best one of 2023! The way last episode was plotted is amazing! Every couple in this series are so adorable and their stories are advises for a good relationship.

Why should you watch this series?
1. A good plot continuity with lots of good twists and turns.
2. Background music and songs are perfect for that situation.
3. Acting was so good and each one of the character is well written and played by the actors well.
4. The way this series started interestingly and ended on good note with cute twist was amazing.
5. sex education and relationship advises shown in this series are one of the important aspect of this series.

Trust me you will like it if you start watch it now. This series is available on youtube and has only 12 episodes with interesting plot which doesn't bore. Lots of kissing scenes are there, consent is there and some important details are there that will make you exciting. If you ask me about the villains in this series, then I should say the society is the big villain in this series as we know that society will always judge you for nothing! So what should we learn is that we should do what we like and be what we are and there is no need for hiding or no need to be afraid of something!

"One thing I have understood that what ever we do will effect others in either good or bad way! so we should do things carefully by thinking twice! "
"We as a society are judgemental, because we lack acceptance. We should learn to open our heart and accept people; every person we meet has something special to give to us if we are open to receive it. We should learn to accept others and try to adapt to them rather than changing them. No two people are alike."

By the way, in the last scene when all of them are at premiere, one couple they missed! IceKim! but its not a problem as we can see they are supportive character who got good plot too!

Await for such good series from gmmtv! Gmmtv's almost all series are good and wish that they do more like this series.

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Innovativo pur restando demenziale in alcuni punti: American pie incontra Sex education

Non posso dargli più di sette come punteggio perchè in sole dodici puntate hanno voluto inserire materiale per almeno due serie tv americane. Troppo carne al fuoco, indubbiamente, ma carne molto interessante. Infatti questa serie affronta tabù e temi troppo poco trattati in tv, (temi sia sessuali che non) in modo lieve, ma anche in parte realistico (molto in parte ma lo sforzo c'è e si vede) e abbordabile per un pubblico giovane. Strizza l'occhio a serie tv americane come sex education ma al tempo stesso è più coraggiosa su alcune cose e più irriverente e addirittura ridicola su altre. Seretà, stupidità, assurdità e anche drammaticità si susseguono a ritmo più che incalzante in una folla corse contro il tempo e verso un lieto fine soddisfacente seppur fin troppo semplicistico. Lo spunto paranormale del viaggio nel tempo non viene approfondito abbastanza ma in fondo svolge la sua funzione e se anche avrei voluto più puntate sono comunque soddisfatta anche così.

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This was on point

This felt a bit like sex education with time traveling. I spent the whole time angry at Alex 'cause he was incapable of understanding what he did wrong and that maybe there was no way to fix certain things. He kept insisting in regaining the trust from Jean but he assaulted her. What he did was sexual assault and it didn't matter how much he had regreted it, she was stuck with trauma. What I liked about this show was that it showed us that some things in life are irreparable or can't be forgiven. So the only way to solve the problem was going back in time after he had learnt about everything he did wrong. I think this show was very important and inclusive. It was the first time I saw a non-binary character (shout out to my girl Silvy) and there was all kind of couples! I liked almost every plot and they even managed to make me like the straight couples, because they were also different: Ciize and Sing with the kinky stuff, Mark and Best as HPV open-closed relationship and Phuwin and his abortion girlfriend! Super recommend.

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Muitos temas importantes de forma leve

Inicialmente, essa série não me convenceu... a mistura de realidade e fantasia só é boa quando o roteiro é muito bom e é muito bem dirigida, então não queria perder tempo arriscando. Quando soube da existência de um casal BL e um GL, aí fiquei interessada (dramas héteros não são minha praia)

Sobre o roteiro: A série fala sobre um jovem adolescente chamado Alex, que depois de uma festa muito louca com os amigos da escola/universidade(não entendi direito), acorda no futuro sem se lembrar de como foi parar ali, num mundo onde todos os seus amigos existem e estão vivendo suas vidas de forma boa ou não, mas com destinos que foram modificados naquela festa, onde Alex fotografou a todos com uma máquina que agora pode ser considerada estranha, e essas fotos agora tem uma ligação bizarra com esse futuro paralelo. Para conseguir voltar no tempo e impedir que as coisas tomem esse rumo, Alex precisa da ajuda dos amigos para resolver o mistério das fotos, e isso vai ser feito falando de temas muitooooo importantes e com muitas doses de humor. As histórias de vários personagens acontecem de forma paralela e entrelaçada, mas de forma que nenhuma se sobreponha às outras e se desenvolvam de forma uniforme, esse é um dos pontos mais legais da série. É nítido que a série é uma super produção, mas sem um roteiro bom e bem dirigido, com certeza o produto final seria duvidoso.

Os assuntos abordados nessa série são muito interessantes, polêmicos e importantes, devem ter causado um grande alvoroço na sociedade conservadora da Tailândia. Apesar da abordagem ter sido feita com respeito, propriedade e humor, com certeza essa série foi uma destruidora de tabus. A série também trabalha muito com o elemento surpresa, pois a cada episódio tem um novo plow twist.

Primeiro ponto: Alex e Jean. Alex abusou sexualmente dela na referida festa, num momento em que ambos estavam bêbados. Nesse futuro paralelo, apesar de Jean ser uma mulher de sucesso, uma boa profissional e aparentemente uma mulher forte, ela não conseguiu se livrar do trauma do abuso sofrido e isso a impede de se relacionar com quem quer que seja, mesmo que ela goste da pessoa. Ela não perdoa Alex apesar do desespero dele em tentar provar que mudou, também nunca falou a ninguém sobre o assunto... uma clara alusão ao ciclo de violência sofrida por milhares de mulheres que sofrem caladas com seus traumas, sem ter coragem de denunciarem os agressores e convivendo sozinhas com suas dores físicas e psicológicas. Como o Alex do futuro é ginecologista, existe uma ênfase no sexo seguro e à outros temas ligados a sexo que vão surgir. Não é possível para mim passar pano para o que ele fez, mas é importante citar que ele não fugiu de sua responsabilidade e fez até o impossível para reverter seus erros, pois ele se culpa e busca o perdão dela, e isso traz a reflexão de que ele pôde voltar no tempo e resolver tudo, mas na vida real não é assim.

Segundo ponto: See-ew e Liu. A série mostra eles no futuro como um casal que não mantém relações sexuais, porém See-ew é alguém que tem muitos fetiches e desejos sexuais que ele não compartilha com sua namorada. Essa insegurança dele, e o medo de se abrir com ela, mesmo que ambos se amem e exista uma relativa confiança entre eles, aparentemente é fruto do passado, quando ele era rejeitado devido à sua aparência e jeito de ser, que fez com que ele não tenha coragem de se abrir por medo de rejeição. No final tudo se resolve, e Liu também percebe que gosta dos fetiches dele e sente desejo de transar, mas ela antes também não tinha coragem de falar sobre o assunto, e os dois calados em seus mundos se afastaram. Esse núcleo também trouxe um outro tema importante: o assédio sexual que Liu sofria no trabalho, pelo seu patrão que era bem mais velho que ela, e não denunciava por medo de perder o emprego.

Terceiro ponto: Army e Joe. Sinceramente, um dos pontos mais importantes da série é quando Joe se assume assexual, pois esse assunto é sumariamente ignorado quase sempre! Army teve que controlar seus impulsos sexuais para se adaptar a Joe, pois além de tudo, Army aceitava sua sexualidade e Joe não conseguia se entender. Resolvidos os problemas, Joe não era realmente assexual, porém foi importante abordar esse tema, e principalmente a forma respeitosa como Army lidou com ele.

Quarto ponto: Kim e Ice. A história deles mostra um casal no início de suas carreiras profissionais, quando Kim engravida.
Essa parte é um pouco chocante no começo, pois Ice, apesar da pouca idade, não cogita um aborto e começa a fazer um milhão de planos, enquanto Kim, que não se sente pronta para ser mãe, decide sozinha interromper a gravidez. Esse tema envolveu diálogos riquíssimos, tanto com Jean, que ouviu Kim sem preconceitos e julgamentos, tanto com Alex, que foi necessário para fazer seu irmão Ice entender a decisão da namorada, e apoiá-la no final, com muito amor e respeito.

Quinto ponto: Nim e Molly (e Bew). Esse núcleo também fala de temas importantes. Nim e Molly foram as primeiras namoradas uma da outra, mas nesse futuro paralelo elas terminaram. Molly segue sua vida, tentando alavancar sua carreira de atriz, enfrentando o estigma de não ser uma mulher com um corpo que se adequa às exigências do mercado, ao padrão de beleza considerado ideal, mesmo com seu talento. É importante que a líder do projeto seja uma mulher empoderada (Jean), que não permite que Molly desista de seu sonho, e além da oportunidade, também dá o apoio necessário. Devido aa esse trabalho Molly reencontra Nim, agora uma dona de academia, que namora com Bew, uma garota com quem tinha um relacionamento tão sério, que Nim aceitou engravidar artificialmente e ter um filho com ela, um assunto bem polêmico na Tailândia. Com esse reencontro Bew, de uma insensibilidade e falta de responsabilidade afetiva gigante, simplesmente abandona Nim por ciúmes, sem esperar pra saber se a inseminação artificial deu certo, abandonando Nim grávida. Quando Nim e Molly voltam a ficar juntas, outro tema entra em questão: Nim quer apenas uma bed friend, e Molly não aceita ser apenas isso. Além disso, o tema do aborto volta à cena, e mesmo o aborto no primeiro trimestre de gravidez sendo permitido por lei na tailândia, dois abortos numa mesma série que já traz tantas polêmicas é algo bem corajoso de se mostrar.

Sexto ponto: Jedi e Rose. Rose é uma mulher trans que namora com Jedi, isso por si só já é uma polêmica. Junto a isso vem o fato de ambos terem um relacionamento aberto, que é outro tema contraditório. Os dois enfrentam preconceitos, mas o amor entre eles não se abala.

Sétimo ponto: Kat. Ela também tem um trauma, sempre foi uma mulher que viveu livremente e isso, como é comum no mundo machista em que vivemos, custou caro. Ela, por não querer se apegar, acabou sofrendo violência física de um homem que não aceitou ser rejeitado, e adquirindo traumas horríveis. Seu único alento era o amigo Alex, que sempre a recebia sem julgamentos, e suas amigas mais próximas. Gostei do desfecho da história dela.

Na verdade, todas as histórias tiveram um final feliz. O que me incomodou foi a forma como tudo se resolveu... do nada aparece um padrasto de Alex com uma história sem pé nem cabeça sobre a câmera, que faz com que tudo se resolva magicamente, pensei que teríamos um desfecho mais elaborado.

Os outros pontos, como atuação, ost, filmografia, fotografia, química entre personagens, tudo isso esteve perfeito.

Muito provavelmente não vou rever a série, já que já conheço todos os desfechos, mas realmente gostaria que todos pudessem assistir.

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A hidden gem

I found out about this series because of a clip of Janhae I saw on twitter (give Janhae a gl main role pls), but I never heard about it before that. I don’t get why people don’t talk about how genuinely amazing this series is, it’s one of the best things I’ve seen gmmtv come out with. The amount of representation and serious issues that are dealt with is amazing. Everytime a new storyline was introduced I was so pleasantly surprised with the issues they covered bc of how well they addressed them. Even though this series goes over serious issues it will definitely be a comfort show for me, it’s very easy to watch and fall for the character’s.

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