What is apparent as we finish up the second episode of Buppae Sunniwas is its comedic relief. As Katesurang settles into Karakate’s life and realizes that she didn’t travel in time to live a leading lady’s life, but instead possessed the body of an infamous, well hated, villain’s body, she decides she’ll take the experience as a jaunt through the history books. From the get go, this show sets its own distinction from other time travel lakorns – we are not like Tawee Pope, nor do we strive to be like them.

I welcome that distinction, but I’m not going to lie that I don’t miss the wonderfully written hero of Tawee Pope’s past. Khun Luang, the man who as old fashioned as they come, was gentle natured, kind, forgiving, and a well-respected government employee. Most importantly, he always looked at our heroine as if she was the cutest thing he had ever seen. Her forward thinking, slightly misbehaving and mischievous twinkle in her eyes made him gravitate towards her even more.

Meanwhile our current hero, Khun Meun is disapproving and determined to see her fail. Granted, he hates her and believes her to be a murderer. But even on a character level, prior to Katesurang (in the body of Karakate) meets him, he’s the average male of his time (perhaps with above average looks). He enjoys gambling on chicken fighting, imbibing alcohol in town (to the point he’s drunk everyday) and wiles away his time writing poetries or practicing some sort of script with his manservant. Not our hardworking patriot of a hero that we’re used to. When I saw Khun Muen stumbling his way back to the boat – and the maids relenting that he’s like this everytime – I kinda like how flawed he is. Back then, if you’re rich, what else is there to worry about? For Khun Muen, his biggest concern is marrying someone he hates. So his goal is to undo that.

But let’s backtrack to why he hates her. In this episode, we get a flashback of when Khun Muen meets Karakate. Her family recently passed and Khun Muen’s dad takes Karakate under his wing and offers her a place to stay while they prepare for the nuptials. At first glance, Karakate decides Khun Muen is the perfect man for her (he’s rich and good looking). While Khun Muen starts to see Karakate’s evil streak and wants nothing to do with it, nor does his mother. Karakate abuses all servants in the house, and she’s just plain mean. She’s also possessive, once she sets her cap on something; she’s like a dog with a bone. For instance, Khun Muen happens to smile too much or seem too smitten with another woman (whom received an approval from his mother), Karakate determines that the other woman must go. Throughout this evil ordeal- such as ordering her maid to sabotage the boat and then a person ends up dying from that- Karakate never once regretted her choices. When the devil chased her and she realizes that it’s the end of the road for her, Karakate summons a plea for Katesurang to save her – to redeem her in everyone’s eyes.

This in and of itself is so out of character. Does death really make you pause and think about all of the bad things you did in life? If there is no such thing as evil people, only people who do bad things, then maybe Show would stand to have a better argument if they created a better backstory than simply using the time travel as a plot device.

Unless we’re going with this “fated couple” explanation. Buddhists believe that once you’re fated to be with someone, there’s no changing that, even if you’re existing in two different time periods. One way or another, fate will bring you back together, even if they have to kill off a villain so that you can live in her body. Whichever explanation you want to go with, it’s a challenge regardless. Katesurang decides that she will send Karakate’s soul off to rest in peace by doing good deeds for her. And no one said she couldn’t enjoy a bit of a field trip in this wondrous world of time travel. She just didn’t expect her reactions and behaviors would cause people to look at her like a crazy person.

The household attributes her “craziness” or out of character personality to the ritual they performed earlier. According to Khun Muen’s father, if she’s at fault for killing the servant by sabotaging the boat, than she would either die or go mad. Obviously the latter has them convinced that is the case. Not Khun Muen though. He has a better explanation. For the last few days since the ritual was performed, Karakate is jovial, kind, and behaves strangely. She asks questions about things she should already know, she uses strange words, and every little thing amazes her. Khun Muen confronts her one evening point blank, telling whatever is possessing Karakate’s body to leave. Lol. He’s totally serious which forced Katesurang to think quickly on her feet. If she has to stay in the past a little longer, she’s gonna need a place to stay, not to mention she has to do some merits for Karakate, so Katesurang sets out to ensure the household is convinced that she’s not a mad person, or a ghost (which she kinda is!)

At that note, episode two closes, leaving me wanting more. It’s the first time I thought a show provides a good cliffhanger. I’m enjoying all of Muen and Katesurang’s interactions so far, the pettiness, the awkward touches, and the competitive banter. Katesurang does keep Muen on his toes with all of her 900 questions, which I’m hoping will get the wheels turning in his head and convinces him to do something with his life. I don’t know, maybe be less angry and show us why you’re a hero in your own right.

Kudos to Broadcast, they’re masters at this period lakorn. So funny, so visually breathtaking. Wednesdays and Thursdays are getting so exciting.