Prend un morceau (2021)

Beautiful But Disappointing

Note: This is a review of this series as a BL. More on that below.

This is a show I was more excited about than pretty much anything else this year. And when the first episode aired, I absolutely loved it - I was ready for it to be in my Top 3. But then the other episodes happened. I'll start with positives.

The cinematography is gorgeous. The food shots are amazing. The scenery is perfect, the way shots are framed communicates more than the actors do - it's probably the best I've seen in a BL. It's plain excellent by any standard.

Zung, who plays Chef Aue, is excellent. He has the most soulful eyes, he's totally beautiful, and his acting is excellent. Mark, who plays Aek, might be good too - it's hard to tell because of the writing and directing. I think I would say he's good.

The idea for this series is unusual, interesting, and personally appealing, and it avoids most BL tropes - the dumb ones that I find irritating, like tripping and being caught - and many characters use knives constantly and not one single person has cut him/herself, not even when picking up shards of glass and platewear. I've even stopped cringing when anyone picks up a knife. In any case, kudos for trying something different and pushing the boundaries of the genre.

But there area few issues. The direction calls for extremely wooden acting and strange, halting dialogue delivery. Zung is so expressive that I still feel what he's feeling, but I couldn't even tell you what Aek's character is - he's just... there.

There are a LOT of plot tropes. Some of that is unavoidable, because well, plots are tropey. But there are strange repetitions. For example, an evil chef is introduced in Ep 2 - fine, here's the villainess (always a woman, and jeaslous ex-gf, but never mind). Then there's a totally different evil chef introduced in Ep 7, out of nowhere. OK, it's not the first time there have been two villains. Batman movies usually have two. In Ep 8 a THIRD evil chef is introduced. The government should look into the cooking scene, because apparently Thai chefs are a nasty bunch! Fortunately evil chefs seem to be hot, so they're nice to look at.

The pace is glacial. That in itself isn't a problem - I like slow burn, and I like scenes that take their time to develop. But there isn't any content in the long scenes - they just have people staring blankly at each other for exceptionally long periods, and take a really long time to say anything. It's really odd and frustrating. The dialog itself is often unnatural, with people that don't appear to have any life experience pontificating on what love is and how one should pursue it and life in general, and all delivered with solemn placidity.

What was finally the deal-breaker for me was Ep 8. I want to say that characters acted out of character, but I can't really say that - one of them did, and the other doesn't really have a character - he's more of a plot device than a person. But even still, his behavior is not set up in any way, so it comes out of nowhere - all we've really gotten from him is blank stares (this is Mark - he's doing his best, and he does get his eyes to water, so you can see some repressed emotion, but we have no way of knowing what that emotion is because we've never had any insight into his feelings). Usually, one expects the main pair to have a relationship before they break up, but not here - especially frustrating after how slow the burn has been - and there has been zero between them except for the staring, For the breakup to involve violence and sexual violence is even more jarring.

This should not have been a BL - the production doesn't appear to be interested in this aspect, and it feels like a naked grab for a ready-made audience, and it has zero LGBTQ+ sensibility - it's hard not to feel exploited. To add insult to injury, there's a minor character straight couple that gets together simply and happily. In any case, I think it would have been a superior show if it had just been a drama about rival chefs.

There are people who like this show, so I'd watch it through Ep 3. If you're getting frustrated, it's not for you - because it will get much, much worse. If you like what you're seeing, it's probably worth watching, although I suspect most people's appreciation will end with Ep 8. Maybe it can redeem itself - I'll check back when it's over, and if everyone's lauding it, maybe I'll watch the rest.

Story: 4. I like the topic, the originality of the theme, and the lack of tropes. I don't like the lack of plot, stilted and unnatural dialog, and manufactured drama.

Acting: 7. Zung is fantastic, Mark is doing his best, a couple of the side characters are decent, but many are really flat. I'd probably rate the actors an 8, and the acting a 6, which disparity is the director's fault, so I'll settle on a 7.

Music: 9. I really like the music. The main drumbeat is fun, the music is never intrusive, and it's got a unique vibe to it - no complaints, and actually among the best I've seen in a BL.

Rewatch Value: 1. This is another one I'd have to be held at gunpoint to watch again, except for shirtless Zung scenes because I'm shallow and he's hot.

Overall: 6. It's not terrible - it's just very disappointing because this had the potential to be an 11 - I thought it was ITSAY-level after the first episode. As an aesthetic experience, this is probably more like an 8 - it's definitely beautiful. But it was sold as a BL, so that's what I have to rate it as.

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It Had So Much Potential But Fell Short

I did not intend to write a review but it just saddened and frustrated me that this show had so much potential yet it ultimately failed to deliver where it matters most, which is its story. There were a lot more bones and not a lot of meat to go on.

The story leaves a lot to be desired. It could have used some of its more slow-paced scenes to show more, depicting progression between the characters' relationships with each other or perhaps some development for some of the other characters. It's a slow-burn alright, but sometimes it just felt a little bit too slow I had to speed it up.

The finale definitely is the most flawed of them all. It felt like they dumped it on that episode all at once. Whatever needed tying, boom, it's there. We jumped into a time machine and fast-forwarded to the 2nd couple and the third emerging one. Suddenly there's a lot of exposition going on. Like, what???

There was little to go on with insofar as the 2nd couple's progress, relative to the previous episodes, not until this final episode which felt a little jarring to me. It felt like they were relegated to the sidelines much more than they should have.

Re: Aue's ex, I'm not sure scenes involving her fit squarely within this episode (Ep11) or were necessary or relevant anymore. Overall, the antagonists felt half-baked/not fully developed.

IMO, overall, they were able to deliver but I can't help but think that the show did not get to its full potential, it was very barely, barely enough, and might not be enough at all for some.

The chemistry is there, and the supporting characters ok. The cinematography is great (its sole saving grace) and the music is good but it felt that the writing is not quite at the same level. Really, I'm just going to say it again, it had so much potential but it ended up ruined somewhat.

This show has some critical flaws but did I enjoy watching it somehow? Yeah, you could say (but I can't tell for the others). Would I recommend this to friends, yeah maybe, but I'd include a very big, heavy disclaimer certainly.

TLDR: Story is stretched too thin and could be too slow for your own liking. If you like slow burns, you can maybe give this a try, or else go look for something else to watch.

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Good but not great

I loved the show, I actually enjoyed the slow pace. The details are so vivid and very lovely polished. The end (last few episodes) were forced and not so well executed. If felt a bit weird and the great chemistry that entered the story was somehow lost for a moment. Like the drama that should highlight the series was artificial and I didn’t like it.

It is 2021 people show affection with more than a hug, it felt a bit restricted. But this is my personal preference, I love besides chemistry a little bit of passion ?if you know what I mean. Overall undeniably chemistry between the leads from the start and very beautiful visuals execution of the story. Good but not great!

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Boring Snoring Watching Grass Grow Is More Exciting.

This Dreary, Snore Feast is Truly one of most Boring Watches Ever……..Move Over 2 Moons, you just got beat by Bite Me as the 100% Nothing TV Event. Dull, Boring and truly will put anyone to a rip van sleep. Everyone makes Cow Eyes at each other…….and Nothing Has Happen…and we all are in the Eighth Episode…and I still no nothing….Do You… ????? It looks good the Episodes, but truly nothing in the storyline!!! Watching a River Flow, Watching a Snail cross the yard…is more exciting. Bite Me has some wonderful Production Value. The Cooking Scenes are Truly Nice…If the Writers, Director and Producer had paid attention to the very boring and slow moving story line…That Truly never went past 1st Base. Bite Me is a true letdown, boring show.

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Mark and the food look good...

...but this series doesn't have much else going for it...

I think, like many others before me, the title mislead me. But that's because I thought the show was foremost a BL (Boy's Love). I realized from the first episode on that it was actually first a FL (FOOD's Love) and THEN a BL. "Bite Me" as in: "Don't you want to have a taste of this sumptuous food we are filming? Don't you feel like taking the phone and order something while watching our show?"

SYNOPSIS:

A cute boy (Mark) works for a company that delivers FOOD. One day, he goes to a new restaurant where a customer has ordered FOOD that he must deliver. The chef realises that this cute boy knows a lot about FOOD. So he decides to give him a job at his restaurant where they can make FOOD together. He falls in love with the boy and the show is about how they get together while making FOOD, entering contests about FOOD and, hopefully, they can make FOOD together for the rest of their lives...

STORY:

Paper thin. They devote so much time to plans about FOOD, that the rest doesn't get much chance te develop. Too many characters, not enough time to get to know them. The lead actor is the FOOD. The two would-be leads are the main couple and as much as we root for them because they're nice people who look good, we don't know much about what makes them tick. The payoff (if it can be called that) is there, but it doesn't feel deserved at all.
The secondary characters are so under developped that there's not much to say about them. There's even a secondary couple that you can find between plans of FOOD if you squint. They don't have much chemistry but they're there...

ACTING:

The FOOD is the star of the show. It always looks good and really knows how to work the camera.
The two leads are OK. Mark looks cute and can tear up when it's time to. I didn't feel much chemistry between him and Zung but they did look good together.
Aek's friends are all forgettable. I don't know much about the actors but they feel very green.
Aek's mum is a stand out for me.
The staff of the restaurant are equally forgettable. Not because of their acting but because we spend barely any time with any of them.

MUSIC:

I don't pay much attention to music in BL shows because I generally don't like it apart from a few exceptions. Here, it didn't bother me, so I guess that's good.

REWATCH VALUE:

This is a BL series with a beautiful cinematography and lovely plans about FOOD sprinkled with Mark cuteness but not much else. Tons of potential resulting in little more than a gigantic ad for Thaï FOOD. I like FOOD and I do think Mark is cute, but it's not enough for me.

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Food on BL

The story itself isn't that bad as it leans more into food more than the relationship itself. It focuses on the realization of dreams and aspirations as well as the importance of support on one's walk towards their dreams. The story centers more into the realization of being a chef more than anything else as well as an introduction into Thai cuisine.

It tells the story of a character's maturity, development, & realization of one's own self. BL-wise its not much except for the last few episodes. At the very start up to the point of the dinner it leaned more into bromance. It was a bit lackluster when it came to the character and relationship development and I don't recommend this to ultra BL fans as it does not really tell much on it other than the sequence of Love at first sight "Aek vs. Talent" ---> Friendship & Brotherhood (most of it) ---> failed confession ---> revelation ----> I guess being a couple.... You know what IDK.

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Remaining unsatisfied

... because I don't understand what is going on in Aek's brain ... The episode 8 was painful for that. Aek is totally opaque.
We can see the importance of his origins ( his hometown/region, his family, his mother and grandmother, two strong but loving women, the translation of these feelings in his cooking, ...), but for the rest, his sentimental life, his heart, it's foggier than the worst day in London ... He is mute, he does not communicate. He lives in his head, reading books and cooking. Even when he is with his close friends, he does not say anything, and the three friends are, on the other hand, pretty talkative, funny, expressive. In episode 8, there is a very good sequence to illustrate that: when, at the end of the contest, he learns he passed the first test and his buddies rush to him, congratulating him, wanting to hug him and to be hugged, he stays there, frozen, with no joy, no pride. It's terrible to have someone like that, you like. Mark, the actor playing Aek, is excellent: his face and eyes are blank and yet, Mark is very cute, his shy smile is to die for, but boy, was it painful to want to love him ... Poor Aue ... Aek's rejection of his feelings is so brutal, incomprehensible, almost mean... he even does not touch the dinner prepared lovingly by Aue. He is like a volcano: most of the time, silent, sleepy and suddenly there is an eruption that destroys everything around ...
And now, even if nothing has been resolved between Aek and Aue, Chef Viphob enters the game, obviously having a crush on Aek who called him after his fall to take him to the hospital ... What game is he playing? Is there a vicious evil behind the silent angel? The characters are piling up but nothing happens ... It's weird.
I don't care ( most of the time) about the very slow pace of the series because I like this type of cinema when not much happens not much is said but the characters generally have been well defined at the beginning of the story. Not here and it's where my dissatisfaction, my frustration lie in.

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Delicious visual and foods, and slow-moving romance, story, and everything!

Honestly, I don't think this show is that bad. At least, not for me. I like the characters, the visuals, the story, the romance, but the way they chose to tell the story hinders its ability to become a successful show. The pacing was, at times, too slow, and it didn't contribute much to the story/plot overall. And this is also a problem with the romance. It's like they have everything right at their disposal to create a fantastic show, but they didn't quite manage to get there.

Don't get me wrong, I like this show. I really do! It's a stunning show with good actors; the story just wasn't there. They needed more time to develop the story. Or maybe it was one of those experimental type of storytelling, which is good, because it's always good to have different type of storytelling. But this kind of story didn't really draw me in even though I wanted it to. And to this day. I still can't figure out what's missing, and that's the problem for me.

But sometimes, I found myself, wanting more in terms of storytelling, and not getting it. Instead, I get pretty visuals, which is nice, but I wanted more. That being said, I still think they have a decent story here, and it's a good show to watch to pass the boredom. I might not rewatch it (but I'm also someone who doesn't rewatch shows until years later no matter how much I like them).

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Awful, Banal, Monochromatic

Where to begin with this tedious series that went nowhere and said nothing. If this was supposed to be a BL, then the L was missing. Watching this series was like watching paint dry - slow, boring, tedious, I have never seen such portrayals of characters so wooden and stilted that it was hard to see them even as 2-dimenshilanal people, Yes, the cuisine looked good but the endless food preparations got to be too much. The ending made no sense at all. Honestly, this was awful and a waste of time to watch. Or perhaps, I just did not get it. And I honestly do not care if I did or not.

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poetic but kinda odd

I don't even know where to begin... okay, it started slow but enjoyable and I was looking forward to see the develop of the story but the more I saw the weirder it became. I'm not even talking about the story itself, that sometimes was hella confused, but the interactions and lines was SO weird. I don't think no one speaks like that in real life... it was poetic but sounded unrealistic and make all the charecters interactions look "not organic".

One think that probably made most viewers confused and maybe angry was the part where Aue confess his fellings to Aek but get rejected, but suprisedly I did understand that part. I mean, Aek was a young man that never has fallen in love before and was always trying to be a good boy to make her mother proud and suddendly recieve a love confession from his phi, that he admires more than all people(with who he was in love but until then had no ideia), that must be confusing and scaring. He suddently becomes aware of not only Aue fellings but his own and freak out, what was undestandeble in my point of views whereas that it's not only his first love but it also a same gender love, what problably make him fear to disapoint his mom and not be accepted. Aue reaction wasn't the best too because kissing someone against their will is always worng, doesn't matter the circumstances. But in the end Aek could accept and undersand his own fellings and after getting his mother approval, felt free to accept the love he felt and everything ended well.

The both men chef antagonists came and went with almost no explenation and it was weird too but okay. The female antagonist seen to accept that Aue doesn't love her and was paired up with Bie(I didn't see that coming).

The dessert couple was cute but interections was weird too but still cute haha.

In short, It wasn't good good but wasn't a bad story. It was beautiful sometimes and the thai dishes were beautiful but it was simply odd sometimes too.

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If you like slow series with an amateur plot-this is for you

Stunning food and very attractive main leads which were hindered by a poorly thought out slow moving storyline containing amateur dialogues. Taking things slow can some times work if it’s done right however Bite Me is a perfect example of when it doesn’t work. Also the chemistry between both the lead couple and side couple were blahhh, wouldn’t think about writing home about it, that’s for sure.

Would I recommend watching it - yes but only if you have nothing else to watch… it’s super boring! Especially the last 9 episodes ?the first 2 episodes were good!

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