Fast paced, funny, silly, and romantic are a few words to describe Panyachon Kon Krua thus far. The weekend’s installment, although lighthearted, still offers an emotional ride as we watch our nang ek Amika, receive more than what she signed up for. Her goal is to gain research material to write a show stopping script for her drama competition and achieve her dream of studying in New York. It is an innocent desire, a little white lie that she deems will not hurt anyone. But she never imagined to change and be changed so much, by it all.

Amika turns the household and employers to her cast of characters, slowly peeling away their layers, revealing a pretty dynamic cast. There is depth, contradictions and characteristics that are more than meets the eyes.

The drama starts with negative connotations of being a maid- how could anyone possibly want this as a career? But Amika, as Cha-aim, discovers after interviewing Nark and observing the other maids, that they couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Especially Nark who has the financial savings to do what she wants, would prefer to be a maid. She can eat and live for free, while saving money, what more could she ask for? Is it because they’ve never done anything else? Is it because their options are slim? This lakorn shows the positive aspect of being a maid for a well to do family and that maids really are satisfied with their positions. Do you buy that propaganda? Unfortunately we are not given the other side of the coin. Even Tum advises Cha-aim to pursue other worthy endeavors when he learns that she is capable and smart. Although maids are treated well in this series, they are still looked upon as simply that- a maid, one of a lower social class.

Despite the perceived difference in social class, the romance between Cha-aim and Tum developed. He probably never imagined that he would fall for a maid- but there was something different about her. An air of intellect, he suspected she was hiding something. And he would be right, she is after all a socialite herself. Secretly they are suitable for each other in each and every way. I doubt he would even notice or fall in love with her if she is a real maid with no interesting characteristics. Which shows us that a maid has no place in high society.

Setting aside the connotations, I do believe that the writer wants us to instead focus on the dysfunctional household, the interactions of Cha-aim with them and how they directly affect each other for the better.

“All you need is love,” the Beatles croned. Amika learns that even socialites, with their wealth, still needs something as free as love. Take little Aoy for example, she fights with her sister Aon on a daily basis and thinks that her phone is the sole entity that will give her attention. As for her sister Aon, she has been managed by her mother from the get go that she can’t seem to think on her own or feel capable of succeeding in anything. Her friends are all finished with school and she has yet to start. Grandmother has Alzheimer’s but she still craves for attention from her offsprings. Khun Pae, the gay uncle always wanted to be a successful designer but so afraid of failure. While Khun Oreuthai is so possessive of her husband, and hates anyone who is prettier than her, she fails to see her own worth. No matter if the characters are rich or poor, are maids or masters, they are just human beings who have insecurities and crave for love. With the presence and help of Cha-aim, they come to realize what is truly important to them.

The romance between Cha-aim and Tum is another wonderful story altogether. He’s the person she thinks about when she is in trouble (he has this habit of rescuing her), and even if he is suspicious, he can’t help but be drawn to her. I love the fact that they have a lot of screen time together and allow yours truly to spasm over their many adorable scenes.

Amika never imagined that she would feel so attached to the household- her fellow maids, the owners and their immediate, large family and especially the ever present, suspicious nephew- nor the inevitable consequences that would follow should they discover the truth about her identity.

And to think after watching each episode, that producer Anne merely wants us to go to sleep with a smile.