The Outing – Series Review & Episode Guide

Anan is the owner of a top advertising agency. He runs the business with his friends, Taurus and Pupha. The three executives take their families and employees on a company retreat. The group, consisting of twenty-two people, will spend the next few days in a remote villa. Although this event is supposed to be a relaxing occasion, there are underlying tensions between many characters. Some share a complicated relationship history, while others are feuding.

Anan is married to Sirin, who comes from a wealthy family. Behind his wife's back, he hides a secret affair with his subordinate, Neree. Sirin's relatives may invest significant funds into the company, but Anan's business partners are still contemplating the pros and cons of the decision. The couple has three daughters: Ami, Atra, and Xena. The siblings pretend to get along, but they often compete and compare themselves against each other. Ami is dating Wiz, one of the company's employees. However, Atra and Xena also have secret feelings for Wiz.

Taurus is a single parent whose wife passed away. He entertains a casual flirtation with Jane, his star employee who organized the company outing. Taurus has a rocky relationship with his introverted daughter, Nalin. Although he tries reaching out to her, she has lost respect for him after discovering his affair with a married woman. Taurus' sister, Apa, also works for the agency. She brings Peng, her boyfriend and a new intern, to the retreat. Peng doesn't know that Apa used to have a romantic relationship with Pupha's sister, Tara.

Pupha is married to Cholly. The couple faces marital troubles and often quarrels. Cholly speaks bluntly and offends others with her remarks. She clashes with Sirin and Apa. Pupha has a well-behaved son, Sky. He is dating Mesa, her father's employee. Others in the company, especially Jane, wonder if Mesa receives preferential treatment due to her relationship. Sky is also friends with Nalin. However, he doesn't realize she has a secret crush on him. In addition, Pupha has two sisters, Ari and Tara. Ari is married to Natee, who works for the company.

During the retreat, the group has divided itself into several social circles. The management group includes Anan, Sirin, Taurus, Apa, Pupha, Tara, Ari, and Natee. The children group includes Ami, Atra, Xena, Nalin, and Sky. There are also the employees. The female staff includes Cream, Jane, Mesa, Neree, and Uma. Cream and Uma used to date, but they broke up amicably. The male staff includes Chess, Peng, and Wiz. Chess enjoys his single life and doesn't want a long-term relationship. He forms a friendship with Peng and helps the new intern get settled.

The Outing has many sordid storylines. During the company retreat, the characters cheat on their partners, lose their jobs, or destroy their families. Three sisters fall in love with the same guy. A married boss sleeps with his employees. That's only the tip of the iceberg as secrets unravel. The narrative switches perspectives every few episodes, allowing viewers to understand each protagonist's motivations in an interconnected plot. A sudden bombshell may surprise you, alter your perceptions, and unleash waves of drama.

Although the scandalous story sounds exciting in theory, The Outing is tedious to watch. The narrative progresses slowly, so hours may pass before a spicy confrontation occurs. Also, the series focuses excessively on sleazy affairs. Almost everyone seems to cheat on each other, creating a convoluted web of illicit love. Their dysfunctional relationship drama either bores me or aggravates me. When most of the conflicts arise from infidelity, these plots lose impact. The Outing lacks imagination and can't think of other ways to cause tension besides promiscuity.

The series has a large cast with twenty-two characters, which overwhelmed me initially. It took a long time to keep track of everyone and figure out their group dynamics. I wish the series gave better introductions in the first episode. A quick description of each person would clear so much confusion. Too many characters also means they get limited time in the spotlight, reducing the depth of their development. I eventually recognized everyone. However, I end up hating most of them. These liars and cheaters are despicable, offending me with their immoral behaviour.

The Outing has a BL couple as a minor subplot. Their romance emerges around the middle of the series, so you must wait for the flirtation to start. The pair hooks up passionately, providing a jolt of excitement in a monotonous narrative. However, they don't feature prominently. Their scenes seem like tiny droplets in a big pool of storylines. The characters are also detestable and have an unhealthy relationship. It's not worth watching this drama solely for the BL content. In addition, there are plenty of straight couples, but they annoy me with their heterosexual nonsense.

Despite the ugly relationship drama, at least the visuals are beautiful. The Outing takes place at a majestic resort with a rustic charm. The sleek production values capture every scene stylishly, from picturesque landscapes to intimate facial expressions. In addition, the series features an attractive cast. Everyone looks like fashion models, gracing the screen with natural elegance and sophistication. Their dramatic performances are also up to par. From subtle emotions to intense confrontations, they bring maturity and gravitas to elevate the pivotal scenes.

A few characters have happy endings, but other couples finish the series gloomily. Expect breakups, broken friendships, and bittersweet resolutions. Since I despise most of these sleazy scumbags, their comeuppance seems appropriate. However, I don't have strong feelings about anybody or anything. The tedious plot drained all interest long ago. I sigh and roll my eyes each episode, barely putting up with the relationship angst. Instead of a gritty and compelling story, The Outing is a bleak, joyless experience from start to finish. It is devoid of entertainment.