I've written that Nuengdiao has grown into the (mafia) boss his parents wanted him to be, but I haven't fully appreciated how much Nueng AND Palm have grown around and because of each other.
And it cumulates around the drinking scenes:
The drinking scene at the dance resulted in a kiss in the next episode, then they had to run away. The next drinking scene resulted in them becoming boyfriends, then Mam' debtors showed up. The final drinking scene resulted in shared "I love yous," then Nueng left.
Hira and Kiyoi from My Beautiful Man 2 reminded me of something I noticed in Never Let Me Go - positioning of dominance.
Nueng and Palm are mostly seen as equal in scenes even with their tiny height difference. However, there are times when Nueng clearly is in the position of power.
Nueng tries to eliminate this power dynamic by bending down or demanding that Palm rise
But with others, he maintains that power imbalance
Yet once again, this power that Nueng has is natural to his and Palm's relationship because at its core, it's a relationship between a rich kid and his bodyguard. It exists regardless if Nueng wants it to or not, mostly with Palm.
Palm, even though he loves Nueng, still views him as a man to be revered. Palm inherently looks up to Nueng, figuratively and literally, and must maintain that order. There is only one time that Palm has allowed himself to hold power of Nueng, and that was when he was upset.
But when it comes down to it, Palm will always lower himself for Nueng. When he has a chance to exhibit power over Nueng when Nueng is out of his element or lost in his emotions...
He lowers himself and helps Nueng. Each and every time. Even in his grief, Palm tells Nueng to shower first. Palm worries about Nueng, even in the aftermath of his mother dying in front of him.
But Nueng has learned to do the same.
He understands that to truly help Palm, he can't command Palm's compliance. He must lower himself. He must show Palm that he cherishes Palm just as Palm admires him. He must take care of Palm in all the ways Palm has taken care of him.
*back to the drinking scenes*
Nueng doesn't want Palm to drink, but he won't demand that he doesn't. He won't order Palm to stay sober. Instead, he lowers himself and tells him he'll be there, not as a burden, but as a comfort. He is learning how to shape his power into a tool of love rather than dominance.
Palm, a boy who always lowers himself to show his love, told Nueng "no" without hesitation. He didn't leave it up for debate. He took the drink from Nueng, reminded him of the consequences, and told him he couldn't drink because he worries for Nueng. Palm is learning to shape his love into a tool of power instead of submission.
Both boys are learning and growing from each other and their mistakes. Both boys are learning they can't continue to treat each other the ways their parents treated them. Nueng's parents taught him that love was authoritative, while Palm's parents taught him that love was a weakness. These boys are learning that to love each other, they must see love as a gift of strength within themselves, not as a weapon to be used against someone.
Because the last time they tried to maintain the ways they exhibit love and power, it hurt them both.
Their love has made them stronger.
Even though the boys are separated, the lesson they have learned from each other will still resonate, and because of that, Palm will, hopefully, find the strength to say "No" just like he did on the beach when he saw Nueng close to hurting himself.
Because they are no longer a rich boy and his bodyguard. They are friends. They are family. They are soulmates. They are equal. They are powerful.
blakekathryn
annaxmalina
stormborns
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