It really does begin at the sea. His new name “Talay” derives from the sea, where Moya (Sammy Cowell) rescues him from the depths. His condition may have seen better days, as they surface for air, she could see the cuts and bruises, and the blood seeping from his facial wounds. Moya is an optimist, and a warm-hearted person, so she takes him to the shore of Nupda Island and her resort Plaifah, in order to save his life.

Just a moment before, “Talay” (Mik Thongraya) was Natee (or Tee), a man who recently returned to Thailand after his father threatened to cut ties with him, it is all too late (in cutting ties) because Natee’s father ends up dying from a car accident and leaving Natee to manage all of the affairs. Instead of being at the high-rise corporation overlooking Bangkok, Natee is on a boat cruising somewhere, when the men on the boat turned against him and he’s thrown into the pits of the sea. His mind and his memory shaken; its pieces scattered like seashells on the seashore.

Moya’s mom – Dao – and the resort employees all worry about this unknown person, since they don’t know if he’s a good or bad person. Saving a life is all good and fine, but taking him back to their home, where they are struggling to keep the resort afloat, her mom insists that they should hand him over to people who are in the position to help. But Moya is the boss, and a very kindhearted one at that, and she makes the decision to help him until the end – in that she would provide a safe place to heal and find his memory.

Even though Talay hates to be a burden, Moya reassures him that since she saved his life, the best way to repay her is to listen to her. Wow, even I am falling in love with her. How could you not? She’s sensible, she’s kind, and she’s gorgeous. It is no wonder Talay looks at her as if she is his whole new world. Because when he tries to recall his memories, the memories hurt his head too much. He would much rather be Khun Moya’s Talay than whomever he was before. Moya tells him that he will come to learn so much about the sea (and not just that the sea has seashells, which he initially wanted to name himself “seashell”), and she thinks he would fall in love with the sea just as much as she has. Talay gazes at her shiny eyes and bright smile, perhaps he would.

Because city life, or better yet his life doesn’t appear to be a happy one. He lived abroad for most of his life ever since his father remarried. Upon returning to Bangkok, he is met with a stepmom who wants him gone. He’s in the way of her biological son (Yodsakorn) taking over the business. Natee’s only ally is his father’s right-hand man, Prapat, who is now his right-hand man, and the only person who cares about him. Prior to taking to the sea, Natee was seen writing a happy birthday postcard to the man, who then sets out to the location of the postcard, in hopes to find Natee. Meanwhile the fate of the company rests in Yodsakorn’s hands, which is to say that everything is going according to the stepmom’s plans.

Maybe Natee and Moya are fighting the same villain after all, Thaneth desires Nupda Island and hopes to make Moya his Madam of the Island. His goal is to buy out both resorts: Praifah and Baihut (which is owned by Moya’s competitor, Chawin). Praifah is almost on its last leg since they struggle to keep the rooms booked. Thaneth needs both resorts to fail in order for him to take over Nupda Island, so he pits the two resorts against each other. Moya vows to make Praifah the number one resort again, to redeem its reputation and ultimately make her father proud. Praifah was successful under his watch, when it inadvertently collapsed due to the competition with Baihut. The two resorts used to be friendly with each other, but now it’s survival of the fittest.

Thaneth’s boat “Yuan Thip” had been the same boat Natee/Talay was on before he was tossed into the sea. Moya thinks the best way to rekindle those memories is to take him back there. Meanwhile Talay (and I) are still contemplating how much more fun it would be to just go seashell collecting. I like the scene contrast between the stark city and the dreamy sequences of the sea. The city is filled with hard glass and walls, while the island has endless water and horizon.

I’m looking forward to seeing the bumbling Talay getting to know the sea, falling ever in love with the Mistress of the sea, and helping her redeem Praifah resort. But the other cowardly part of me is keeping a close eye on when Talay finds his memories and whether we’re going to like Natee as much as Talay. But it’s just the beginning, and we’ve got some time yet at the sea, so let’s just soak up the sun.

You can watch Talay Luang at Ohsweethaven’s.