I Feel You Linger in the Air: Uncut Version (2023)

Cortisol, the Series

I like this drama. Theres a lot to love and a lot of things were done well. That said, there are some things I have to get out of the way before I start praising it:

THEY'RE SO DAMN STUPID OMFG
It doesnt seem like the story is going to punish the main couple's stupidity or at least if it does, it won't be punished too harshly, but their absolute refusal to be secretive in any single way had me more anxious than interested. Doors are ALWAYS left open. But, even if the doors were closed, don't worry, they're going to have their private conversations in the downstairs lobby. But, if they don't talk there, no worries, they'll kiss at the lake with 360 degree viewing angles from a mile away. But, don't worry, if that's too subtle, they'll chase each other out of a party in full view of all the guests because one of them got jealous that the other was within a meter of a woman. It never fucking ends omfgggg. I was on the edge of my seat FROM STRESS AND STRESS ALONE. Had me pausing every two business seconds to bemoan the dumbassery. Especially for Jom because he should know better, but also for Yai because HE SHOULD KNOW BETTER. He hears about a gay couple getting killed in the morning and minutes later he's backhugging Jom in public. Every single part of my body was clenched up like "this has got to be a tragedy because they really dont value life." It blows my mind that they don't get murked six ways from sunday because they're basically waving pride flags in 19-fucking-20 like bro please I'm trying to root for you. I've spent an entire episode just begging them to go inside. Is rain so nice to kiss in?? Just go inside, please. You dont even have to go into a room or close the door-- im reasonable, I can compromise, just, please, PLEASE go inside.

Around episode 9, my stress hit a critical point and I just sort of...stopped caring about the main characters because if they don't care anout themselves, why should I? I put down the series for nearly two months because I just couldnt take more anxiety disguised as cuteness. Like every time they had a heart to heart or romantic moment, I couldnt really get into it because all I was thinking was, "the door is open, isn't it?" (AND IT ALWAYS WAS. Which would prompt the thought, "these guys really wanna die, huh?" Because they MUST. Theres no other explanation.)

Much smaller gripe, but Jom losing his shit every time he sees himself or an image of the future really started grinding my gears. I can understand once or twice, but we're like 4 - 6 incidents deep and he still goes running and yelling after the image like he isnt aware every time it happens others can hear and see him running about like a chicken without a head. Like be chill, you already know you cant interact and you've literally experienced this all before??????? stfuuuu.

Ugh.
God.
Okay.

Lastly, the lack of consequence to any action (every action, really) took a lot of the tension out of this story. There's the romance between Jom and Yai for starters (I really relaxed after the father came to Jom to tell him to leave Yai alone because this is obviously set in 2028, not 1928), but it also goes for the lesbian CP, for Ming's decisions, for Fong Kaew's decisions, it's for servants speaking to masters like they're equals, it's for literally every single character. They'll do something that should have dire consequences and then they MAYBE get slapped for it. Maybe. Stern words and angry eyebrows do not build or deliver tension. The only consequences delivered are to a couple that's on screen once, for like three minutes. Very frustrating.


Now onto the good stuff:
The cinematography is beautiful, which I say as someone who does not care about cinematography or notice it unless it is insane. They did a good job making each scene very pleasing to the eye, this show is pleasant to watch. Even if you mute it, it will still grab your attention.

The music is great. It never felt unnecessary, overly loud or quiet, and more importantly, it never stole my attention from the show. A lot of times, unnecessarily sad music for shows can either irritate me or make me crack up, but each piece played fit the scene it was in.

The story is okay. I wasn't blown away by it like other reviewers, but I did enjoy the story once I released my hold on my disbelief and expectations. Without the expectation of too much realism, the story isdefinitely fun though it's not as nuanced as I'd thought it would be. I assume the book was better as shows usually have a hard time fitting a good story into 12 episodes while maintaining its quality.

Ignoring the depth of their stupidity, Yai and Jom's relationship was cute. They have great chemistry and really play off of each other well. I assume I'll enjoy the special episode more because my biggest problem with them was the time period. To the point that I did actual research on LGBT history in thailand, going as far as to find Thai resources, just to ensure I wasn't losing my mind and 1920 did indeed feel exactly what you'd expect for 1920 on LGBT issues. To put it more bluntly, neither couple would be alive, most likely, or at least out of jail, but ignoring that-- very cute couple.

I enjoyed the last couple episodes more than the first ten, the chemistry really is phenomenal and, when there's nothing else to worry about, it's positively showstopping. The music is occasionally overdramatic/mismatched but more often than not it's bangers after bangers (but in a classical sort of way.) I vivdly remember replaying a scene a few times (it was more of a transition, honestly) just for the music, so make of that what you will.

I'd definitely rewatch parts of this, but finally having finished it, it did not rock my world by a decent margin. Also, whatever accent it is that Yai has shows me the pearly gates every time he rolls an 'r' and that comprises of most of the parts I'd rewatch.



Today I learned that i cannot watch the special episode.

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