Vice Versa – Series Review & Ending Explained

Episode 1

Ocean Blue

What a fascinating idea for a BL drama. I love the concept of transporting to a parallel universe with quirky rules. The differences between the two worlds are fun, from small details like the number system to big changes like marriage equality laws. In retrospect, I wished Vice Versa had asserted itself further and highlighted more discrepancies. Show us a progressive Thailand where LGBT rights, among many societal values, are fully recognized. Create a utopia that will make Talay second-guess about returning to the real world.

Despite the creative premise, I don't think the first episode is the smoothest start to the series. The story spends too much time explaining how this alternate world works. Instead, it would've been entertaining if Talay could explore on his own. Let him go on adventures, get into hilarious hijinks, and make discoveries along the way. He's assuming a stranger's identity. In theory, it should be a chaotic experience for him. Having Dol as the friendly tour guide ruins the fun, reducing the mystique and adventure of this parallel universe.

Episode 2

Forest Green

Puen's actor (Jimmy) caught my eye in Bad Buddy, despite portraying an unlikable character. I'm glad to see him star in another BL series. Vice Versa is a solid showcase of his charisma, highlighting his endearing charm. I find Jimmy really adorable with his quirky expressions, impish smiles, and perky attitude. Also, the contrast between his boyish face and buff body makes an impression on me. With that physique, he makes wearing the simplest clothes look good.

Speaking of Bad Buddy, I like seeing various cast members from that series make cameos in Vice Versa. The stunt casting is cute, as if Tess & Tun are the alternate-world versions of Pat & Pran. However, I believe Tess and Tun should've been prominent characters in the plot. Imagine if we actually saw them living as Talay & Puen in the other world. Their unique experiences can juxtapose with the leads. Show us how Tess struggles with Talay's life, and vice versa. Instead, the characters only appear in a handful of episodes without maximizing their storytelling potential.

In each episode, Vice Versa dedicates a colour to represent its storytelling themes. I love this creative idea and how much the series commits to the stylish aesthetic. It references the colour scheme in overt and subtle ways, including wardrobe, props, lighting & locations. Even the smoothie in this episode is a "forest green". Although these little details are trivial, they make me appreciate the series more. The Vice Versa team has put much thought and care into elevating its presentation.

I love the final shot of this episode. The characters come out of a maze, surrounded by greenery. The imagery reiterates how the characters are lost in this complex labyrinth of a world. Despite their confusion and aimlessness, they have found each other. Puen and Talay are destined to navigate this strange parallel universe together.

Episode 3

Soft Blush

Episode 3 develops Talay and Puen's relationship meaningfully. Although their characters interacted previously, they were only casual acquaintances drawn together by circumstances. This episode actually begins their friendship. The leads hang out together, enjoying each other's company. I like when Talay & Puen stalk the dating couple, following them from the restaurant to the cinema. They unknowingly go on their first date together, enjoying the same activities as that other couple. It's a cute, cheeky way of advancing their relationship.

The signature colour in this episode is soft blush, a rosy hue that you'd associate with romance. It's an apt colour to describe Talay and Puen's budding relationship as they start falling in love. All their scenes in this episode are adorable, conveying how much they enjoy spending time together. I like how Vice Versa builds their romance, beginning with a friendship that naturally grows into an attraction. When the episode ends, I feel a tiny pang of excitement as Talay scribbles a cute message on Puen's helmet. Talay's feelings for Puen are turning into a crush.

OMG, that bathtub scene… The "soft blush" refers to me turning red in the face as I watch them bathe together. Excuse me while I attend to my nosebleed. 😳 The appeal of this scene is self-explanatory, right? Two naked guys in a bathtub is a sexy scenario, adding a dash of spiciness to the relationship. Yet, the moment is tastefully done without appearing too sleazy. I like how the series highlights their physical attraction, building on top of their emotional bond. Vice Versa is excellent at balancing the physical & emotional aspects of this romance.

Episode 4

Deep Magenta

My favourite moment in this episode is when Puen vandalizes the school with his love message. In real life, his gesture would be too over-the-top. However, I enjoy these grand displays of love in fictional works. Puen appeared so charming when he smiled through the window. The first time I watched that scene, I swooned. However, it's crappy of Puen to draw graffiti and not clean up afterwards. The poor custodian looked like he had trouble scrubbing away the mess!

I really enjoy Talay and Puen as a couple. They have a warm, vibrant relationship dynamic, enchanting me with their delightful rapport. Puen comes across as suave, confident, and charming when he flirts. Meanwhile, Talay is friendly and playful, although he doesn't always reciprocate his partner's advances. It's exciting when Talay lets his guard down and shows signs of romantic interest, which makes Puen bashful. Many of their interactions are super cute, satisfying the BL fan in me. 😚

Episode 4's signature colour is deep magenta, a much stronger hue than soft blush. The transition signifies the characters' feelings have deepened, at least for Puen. However, Talay isn't quite there yet emotionally. His character is reluctant to romance and doesn't respond well to Puen's advances. As Talay mulls over his feelings, the magenta colour appears prominently in the final stretch of the episode. In one scene, there's a beautiful shot of him in the rain, with purplish lighting cast over his face. Symbolically, Talay is opening up and letting love wash over him.

Episode 5

Winter White

My favourite line of the episode comes after Puen kisses Talay on the cheek. He says: "Your cheeks give me cute aggression." That remark is so adorable, hehe~ It's such a quirky way of phrasing his attraction to Talay. The flirty comment is playful and jovial, capturing the essence of Puen's personality.

Although Puen seems confident, he shows moments of insecurity. For example, he's self-conscious about reading shoujo stories. "Why are you so interested?" Puen responds defensively when Talay inquires about his hobby. I adore Talay's response: "I see you like it, so it has my attention." Puen was worried his friend will tease him, but that didn't happen. Talay's questioning stems from showing a genuine interest in him. He wants to know Puen better as an individual, a crucial part of courtship.

The shoujo scene parallels another secret that Puen hides about himself: his identity. Puen doesn't want Talay to know who he is in the real world. Talay is curious about his famous buddy. Yet, Puen doesn't reveal his name until Episode 10. Why is he secretive? Initially, the discretion comes from protecting his celebrity image. Over time, Puen is guarded because he doesn't want his fame to affect their relationship. He hopes Talay can know him as Puen the person, not Puen the superstar. Please understand me based on my inner character instead of my reputation.

I like the unusual phenomenon of snow in Thailand, where this kind of weather never happens. It adds to the surreal element of the fantasy romance, reminding us the leads live in another world. While the snow produced pretty visuals, I wish there were more substantial scenes highlighting the parallel universe. Many differences between the two worlds are cosmetic, so they don't significantly impact the characters. I want Talay and Puen to face challenges, complexities & consequences with their new lifestyles.

Vice Versa isn't pushing itself far enough creatively. The series is imaginative when it comes to aesthetics. Yet, it shows less inspiration with the plot and spends too much time on the filmmaking storyline. Honestly, I like the subplot of the characters making a movie. There are amusing scenes involving the lively supporting cast. This lighthearted narrative would work well in another BL drama. However, it isn't the right fit for Vice Versa, which has more urgent stories to tell. It's a narrow focus when Talay & Puen live in a fascinating world with boundless possibilities.

For example, this episode introduces a random character whose life was ruined after travelling between universes. His alter ego recklessly mishandled the guy's existing job and family. Wow, that's interesting! Why aren't we pursuing this plot more? In fact, why isn't this juicy story arc happening to the main characters? Talay and Puen should be the ones facing these types of challenges in their lives! Instead, they're worried about making a dud movie. Vice Versa is dealing with minor stakes when it has so much untapped potential.

Episode 6

Fire Yellow

When Puen buried his face into Talay's bucket of popcorn, I had a visceral reaction. His behaviour is such a turn-off. Excuse me, but don't put your nasty mouth into somebody else's food! How rude, not to mention really unhygienic! I won't hold this gross etiquette against Puen since it was just a fantasy sequence. Nonetheless, it was Puen's least attractive moment in the entire series. 

Thankfully, Puen's least attractive moment is followed by his most attractive appearance. Seeing Puen with bucketloads of shaving cream on his face makes me grin. Oh my gosh, he is precious. I don't know if I can explain the appeal, but this is what ~cute aggression~ looks like in human embodiment. Ugh, he's so adorable that it hurts! 😣

This episode's signature colour is fire yellow, a vibrant shade that looks slightly mature. You associate fire yellow with enthusiasm, sparks, and blazing flames. It's an apt colour to describe the characters' renewed creative passion. They have found their fire again, symbolized by Friends Credit lighting sparklers in the night. A part of me appreciates the uplifting themes of friendship, ambition, and perseverance after a failure. However, another part of me thinks: "C'mon, another movie? No offence, but can we see a new storyline?" 

Joob's death feels unexpected, but I suppose that's the point. It sucks she died, although I don't feel too attached. I wish Vice Versa explored the bond between Dol and Joob. The series could've highlighted their romantic tension instead of revealing it post-mortem. After the first episode, I thought Dol would be a key supporting character. Someone who spent eight years in a parallel universe must have fascinating experiences. Yet, Dol receives little focus and spends most scenes delivering exposition. What a disappointing lack of character development.

Episode 7

Sunset Orange

Talay's behaviour in this episode annoys me, although I understand his perspective. His character is frightened. Joob's passing reminds Talay that the parallel universe is risky because your fate is tied to a stranger's. On top of worrying about his safety, he fears losing Puen to sudden death. Talay pushes Puen & Pang together, believing they're each other's portkeys. It makes sense to test the theory, just in case. Maybe Pang can bring Puen home, keeping him safe from danger. 

Logically, Puen & Pang spending time together is the right thing to do. Emotionally, Talay can't control his jealousy toward their chumminess. He has a crush on Puen, so it sucks seeing him get closer to someone else. Talay seems upset about Puen and Pang hanging out, but the annoyance is directed at himself. His brain wants Pang to be Puen's portkey, yet his heart feels differently. This internal conflict sends Talay on a downward spiral as his insecurities and anxieties start snowballing. Eventually, the emotional turmoil leads to Talay's volatile response during the episode's climax.

Talay and Puen almost kiss in this episode. However, Puen hesitates and asks, "I can kiss you, can't I?" Partially, the question comes from respect since Talay seemed startled by their earlier intimate encounters. Also, Puen needs confirmation he's getting the right signals from his emotionally reserved partner. Talay's recent actions suggest he's pushing Puen towards Pang. From Puen's perspective, maybe Talay is doing this because he doesn't want a relationship.

Puen's hesitation feeds into Talay's insecurities. It's a sign of lingering doubt. From Talay's perspective, he thinks Puen feels uncertain about their relationship. Maybe this guy isn't committed to his feelings for me, especially now that Pang is in the picture. Admittedly, Talay misjudges the situation and overreacts. He hasn't been in the right headspace for the past few days, so his perception is skewed by anxieties. Thankfully, Pang puts Talay on the right track, easing his worries. The leads make up at the end of the episode, overcoming the first argument in their relationship.

Episode 8

Cloudy Gray

The filmmaking storyline is overtaking the entire narrative. Even though a few of the scenes are mildly amusing, I'm losing enthusiasm. Can we wrap things up and move on to another topic? Vice Versa has gone off-course, overindulging in a glorified subplot. Making a movie is a cute diversion, but it shouldn't be the main event. Let's steer the series back to its central concepts: alternate world, identity switch, and returning home.

This episode underwhelms me, but the kissing at the end redeems it. The leads already smooched in Episode 4. However, it's more impactful this time because Talay solidifies his feelings for Puen. As they kiss, a tear trickles down Puen's face. Wow, that's impressive! His crying is perfectly timed, making the romantic moment feel epic. I also admire what Talay says before the kiss. During the love confession, he says his feelings don't come from Puen's appearance or fame. Instead, their bond goes beyond the superficial, and Talay connects with Puen's inner self.

Episode 9

Midnight Black

OMG. That pillow scene is genuinely hilarious. I cracked up every time Puen put his face on that pillow. Teehee! 😆 Vice Versa is great at creating these funny scenarios highlighting the characters' charm. Likewise, the charismatic actors execute those moments adorably. That might be one of my favourite scenes in the series, achieving the perfect mix of playfulness and flirtiness. 

I enjoy the camaraderie between the four friends. Aou and Up are perky characters who bring lively, lighthearted energy to their scenes. Puen and Talay share fun chemistry with Aou and Up, so their group interactions are delightful to watch. Overall, Vice Versa has done a terrific job depicting their close bond. It saddens me Puen and Talay will never see their friends again when they return to the real world.

The leads have different opinions about their lives in the parallel universe, which presents an intriguing moral conundrum. Talay is adamant about going back to the real world. However, Puen enjoys his new identity since he has family, friends, and a fulfilling career. Talay becomes upset because Puen wants to claim Tun's life as his own. I'm fascinated by their differing views and understand both their perspectives. Thankfully, they reconcile. Surrounded by picturesque scenery, the couple communicates their concerns with each other before they find common ground.

Episode 10

Pink

My favourite scene might be when the characters fed each other snacks at the start of the episode. To preface, I think nibbling the crumbs off your boyfriend's face is unsanitary. Also, it isn't the first time Puen has shown gross eating habits, so I *am* judging him. Nonetheless, Puen and Talay's interactions are so adorable during this moment. I like the flirting in their weird, unhygienic way. It's one of those sweet, fluffy relationship scenes I love in BL dramas.

Wow, that bathtub kissing scene is HOT. The sexy imagery speaks for itself. Here are two bros chilling in a tub, sitting zero inches apart because they're gay. 😳 This series really loves bathtubs, huh? We've seen the characters lounge in the tub numerous times. Ordinary humans sit on chairs and sofas, whereas Vice Versa characters sit on bathtubs and their boyfriends' laps. After the leads discovered they were each other's portkeys, I was sure this bathtub would be their magic portal. Why are they going to a random island when they made all their memories in this tub!?

"Thank you for cleaning my face, and for cleaning off my dusty heart." Oh my god, I am GUFFAWING at this hilariously ridiculous line. Only a BL drama would be shameless enough to write something like this. I love how Aou & Up lampooned the situation afterwards. Also, I gotta give Vice Versa their props. This series knows how to turn blatant product placements into memorable romantic encounters. Some of Talay and Puen's sweetest exchanges are sponsored by a face cleanser company or a fried chicken franchise. Rake in the money, GMMTV! 💸

Okay, the next observation is trivial, but it needs to be said. Puen's arms are looking criminally fine in this episode. Those muscles and veins in his biceps are screaming for our attention. 💪🏻 Vice Versa has many shirtless scenes, showcasing the fit physiques of both leads. Jimmy's arms, chest, and body look phenomenal from every angle. 

Based on the overpoweringly romantic scenes earlier in the episode, I should've known there would be a sad ending. Everything was proceeding too smoothly for our protagonists, so I suspected something ominous would happen. I think it's a cool twist that only one of them is transported back to the real world. It creates compelling tension and unpredictability, not knowing what will happen to the couple. Honestly, I haven't felt enthusiastic about the plot since the start. This episode's twist ending is the first time in a long time I'm excited about the story.

Episode 11

Real Red

This episode is just okay for me. Considering the circumstances, the ensuing drama feels flat and uneventful. Talay mopes around sadly, waiting for Puen to reunite with him. Also, I find his scenes corny, especially when he's sitting on the beach at night and crying over an hourglass. The pacing picks up once Talay transports to the real world. I like that he focuses on rebuilding his career instead of obsessing over his relationship. Talay may miss Puen, but he doesn't base his entire self-worth on a guy.

I wish we could've seen what happened to Tun and Tess during their time in this world. We get a quick glimpse of Tess lazing around, but I want more details. Show us how the alter-egos adjusted to their new lives on the other side! It doesn't have to be thorough, but a few funny scenes can summarize their experiences concisely. Instead, the series glosses over Tun and Tess when their characters should be integral to the plot. It frustrates me Vice Versa maintains a narrow focus instead of expanding the story.

Episode 12

Crystal Clear

Overall, I like the lighthearted ending. Admittedly, the events don't feel realistic, and everything goes too smoothly for the protagonists. However, Vice Versa aspires to be an idyllic fairytale fantasy instead of a gritty love story. This cute BL series offers sweet romantic fluff over hard-hitting drama, and I've come to terms with it. Ultimately, I enjoy the adorable couple, their natural chemistry, and the many flirty interactions. I'm happy they found a way to make their relationship work in the real world.

The finale has two memorable lines that stood out to me. The first is when Puen tells Talay, "Thank you for taking away my fear of tomorrow." Oh, I love how that sounds. Puen and Talay lived with uncertainty in the parallel universe. Puen's statement highlights how they survived this scary experience by relying on each other for reassurance. I didn't feel afraid because I had you! The second iconic line comes from Gyo, who reacted cutely to her friend dating her celebrity crush. She says, "I'm his fan, not a master of his life." I love her enlightened views about star culture.

I like the clever twist that Talay's boss is a universe traveller. This revelation works on multiple levels. One, it explains why Talay secures the job after leaving on bad terms with the company. And two, I like how the leads share their stories with other victims and motivate them. The support group helped Talay adjust to the parallel universe, which was a big part of his journey. I'm glad he contributed back and helped others cope with similar experiences.

I'm SCREAMING at the proposal scene. Did Puen just propose to Talay with a bag of potato chips in his hand? LMAOOOOO. That's so funny to me. 🤣 Wow, Vice Versa pulled off a cynical next-level marketing tactic. Lays, you better pay up for your primetime product placement! My hot take is that the series has done an impressive job integrating the products into the story. From a fan's perspective, these aggressive advertisements are annoying. But from a commercial perspective, the Vice Versa team created memorable scenes that get people to notice the brands.