The Outing (2024)

The Messiness of Mixing Business, Pleasure and Family

It was really good. A story with a simple moral/warning that people know well but still don't heed, is that family, business and pleasure do not mix well and this 12 ep drama manages to tell the story of multiple people who do exactly that, mixing it all together in the worst possible way, and we see just how it destroys some relationships, brings some people dubiously closer and leaves a mess in it's wake for all involved.

THE GOOD:
- The acting of everyone in this is absolutely above the standard, no one got left behind on that front. The dialogue has a specific flow and tone that can easily convey the atmosphere and scenes and the actors all really nailed it.
- Likewise, I think the director of this also knew what they were doing. The flow of the narrative and the scenes were all so well timed and depicted.
- The editing and cinematography were great too. I have always preferred shows that don't drown their scenes in long drawn out shots and music. In real life, there is no sad soundtrack when bad things are happening and the deafening silence in a terrible moment is oftentimes what really makes the moment worse. I think this show had silences exactly where it was necessary and they were weighted and poignant. Also the scene cuts were good and not all over the place episodically, they actually line up well according to the timeline of the outing duration.
- Interesting yet relatable characters abound for most people. The human condition on display, well and quite realistically written.
- It was entertaining, which for any show is a must.
- Some of the conversations here are pretty interesting, insightful and highlight some good points about people and relationships.

Nothing BAD, just notes on the downside:
- I didn't like the lip syncing outro. That is a bit too extra. I mean, music is a great thing to listen to when someone is in a mood, but those scenes would have been less cheesy if the relevant people lip syncing had instead put in headphones or been listening to the song somehow and wallowing. This is just my irritation though, it doesn't affect the show at all.
- Ari's issue wasn't entirely clear in the end, I feel like she's the only one who's actual problem/actions were not too clearly defined, we needed some clarity there. Although, conclusions can be drawn, but they are vague.

THE HIGHLIGHTS:
- For me; MAXIIIN <3
- I also like Nonkul, so secondary <3
- THE ACTING. Kudos to everyone on the cast.

They honestly probably could do more with this series, because the fallout and aftermath of these situations could fuel a soap opera-esque miniseries, but even as it ended, it's fine. I really enjoyed this and I would definitely recommend it for viewers who are not here for ships, just for your fave actors or just for the hope of BL or GL scenes, watch it for the story and acting, because it's actually really good.

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messy characters (watch suggestions for BL)

Overall: although I think they did a good job telling the story they wanted to tell, that story was not interesting to me with the amount of cheating and terrible decision-making. Note that every 4 episodes the story re-sets from other characters' perspectives (the middle 4 were my favorite episodes and I did like some plot lines in the ending 4). 12 episodes about 40 minutes each. Aired on Viu.

Content Warnings: near rape, sexual assault, minor?/non-minor, pregnancy loss, blood, manipulation, blackmail, addiction, vomiting, gaslighting

Watch Suggestions for BL Scenes
- episode 5, 24:40-25:40 & 32-33:40
- episode 6, 22:15-22:30 & 38:55-41
- episode 7, 28:10-33:05

What I Liked
- a trans character that felt like a real person instead of a stereotype
- diversity in sexual orientation
- I hated the beginning of episode 8 but I did like that they showed a 'freeze' response because most people just think of 'fight' or 'flight'
- showcased complicated emotions around pregnancy and pregnancy loss
- touched on struggles of being trans and also being in a relationship with a trans person
- production value (music, start was in gray scale, ending credits changed)

Room For Improvement
- there were 22 characters and it was impossible to remember who was married to who, exes with who, cheating with who, related to who, etc.
- I had no interest in a whole bunch of characters/their plots

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Adulto, criativo, ótima opção

Plot: Três sócios de uma próspera agência de publicidade reunem seus familiares e empregados num resort afastado. Essa viagem serve como inspiração, reencontro e entrelaçamento. A vida dos casais, dos filhos, dos agregados e dos profissionais nunca mais será a mesma.
Gostei de tudo, os recursos dramáticos me atraem muito. Desde a escolha do cenário, um resort real, de conceito espanhol (arquitetura, decoração, cardápio), até as cenas iniciais de cada episódio em preto/branco, passando por fotografia, luz, final dos capítulos com uma trilha diferente. O elenco entrega boas atuações, há bastante diversidade de tipos. Dali eu só conhecia Nonkul, Max, Taptop.
Fizeram uma mistura perfeita entre estreantes e experientes, maduros e jovens.
Permito-me ter a ilusão que a equipe de produção tenha uma origem em cinema. Há ainda os núcleos dos três sócios bem definidos, cada família brilhando e trazendo à tona sentimentos como o amor, a ganância, a loucura, os conflitos internos, a descoberta de outras possibilidades e oportunidades e os altos e baixos das relações humanas sendo revelados através desses 22 personagens presentes no passeio. Cada um sairá diferente dessa experiência, de uma forma ou de outra ninguém será o mesmo de antes.
Destaque para a trilha e as diferentes perspectivas da camera nos personagens sobre determinados encontros.
Deveria ter mais episódios e, certamente, é o lakorn mais adulto que já vi. Não pelas poucas cenas de sexo não explícito, mas sim pelos dilemas de cada um.

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The multifaceted nature of queer relationships in the tone of romantic tragedy

The multifaceted nature of queer relationships in the tone of romantic tragedy
"When your adventure is an adventure with everyone around you"

Experiencing fun and warmth is the proposal of the daring and heartbreaking 'The Outing', the Thai LGBTQIA+ romantic tragedy that will present the different dynamics of 22 people from three families who attend the annual excursion of a major advertising agency in a resort.
The drama is about three families - those of Anan, Phupha and Taurus - founders of a successful advertising agency, who meet at a resort to participate in an annual excursion. All members of each family and their employees must bring a partner to this holiday without knowing that their relationship will change forever.
From the first moment, several questions will arise: who organized an annual company trip? Could there be hidden agendas in inviting 22 strangers to a party over a weekend? Is this a trip to cover up an affair? What will happen when the true intentions of each of the guests are known?
At the party at which these characters, unknown to each other, will be present and against the backdrop of the many interests at stake, as those gathered intend to raise an enormous amount of capital before their company is listed on the stock market, the complexities in the relationships will be revealed. human like never before, by showing the multifaceted nature of queer relationships.
Very innovative to include 22 main actors from the Thai entertainment industry.
The script by Pete Kasidej Sundararjun, Three Supawith Utama and Rose Chanasorn Makhiew, which skillfully mixes suspense, thriller, mystery, romance and drama, will entrust us with the darkest secrets of the private lives of those involved in 12 episodes, kept safe from their closest family and friends. In this way, human relationships are filled with the wounds of love and the taste of betrayal.
The camera, skillfully manipulated by Pai Ekkapop Paiaree, will follow each of the 22 characters to reveal their different points of view on love and sexual and romantic relationships, in the midst of jealousy, greed, envy, strong sex scenes, misunderstandings. and marital instability. The love, greed, madness and ferocity of human relationships will be revealed through the bond of those present at this outing. A bitter conflict will affect everyone in one way or another.
In these circumstances, in which suspense, mystery, romance and drama are mixed, everyone will choose to betray their lovers, no matter if the person they are married to or their boyfriends. The annual outing will never be the same.
By presenting a cast full of famous Thai stars who manage to show an unusual dynamic in LGBTIQ+ series, revealing the dark secrets of 22 people while they navigate different points of view on love, fans of the genre have been waiting since its announcement for the series in which Nothing is out of the ordinary, from secret adventures to occasional bloodshed, from apparent naivety to the most complex human emotions that ultimately lead some to betray their loved ones.
I liked that the show also includes 14 expert artists in the Thai music industry, who will present 13 songs that make up the Original Soundtrack, to tell the characters' feelings in their entirety. Tul and Vaidun are some of the guest singers.
For his part, M.R. Chalermchatri Yukol or Khun Chai Adam, the leader of "Bison Idea", presents the topic of infidelity between couples.
In this work by Viu Original, its director, whom we know from 'Remember 15' (2022), and as producer of 'Nha Harn' (2019), seems to have taken the pulse of telling complex stories, with striking underlines and highlights , in which each character will have their own plot, to convey a secret love story, which is both spicy and will attract the attention of the most demanding fans.
If the successful BL series 'KinnPorsche' (2022) opened the appetite of Thai drama fans for thrillers, 'The Outing' proposes not to disappoint them.

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