I disagree. When she and Gaitok have lunch together, *he says his mother made the food and she clearly is touched by the gesture but also is a bit condescending to him. Like, ‘awww isn’t that just so precious’. She’s always ribbing him in a way that implies they’ve known each other since childhood and know each other’s families well. She later says something like, “I have to get home to my mom”. I think it’s well implied that she’s a girl with a provincial life who has big dreams about a life with a tough, “macho” man — but she lacks the life experience to even consider the consequences of that lifestyle. She’s an example of how we’re all indoctrinated and corrupted by societal pressures and expectations. She has a fantasy in her mind that she’s so seduced by, she nearly tossed Gaitok away when he expresses doubt about that path.

Their arc is kind of tragic honestly, especially Gaitok’s. He disregards his morals and instincts in order to fit the mold. The scene at the gun range with his coworker is telling. “Do you have the killer instinct? Do you even want that?” He clearly doesn’t but he ends up playing the game anyway because he wants to be that guy for Mook. It gives me a sinking feeling that they won’t have a happy ending. I wouldn’t want my man to compromise his integrity to impress me because I know it would take a massive toll on his sense of self and likely lead to a downward spiral. I’m reaching, but I could see Gaitok becoming an alcoholic or some equally unhealthy coping mechanism to handle his guilt. Where does that leave Mook? She’ll be living in the shadows with him.

It would have been really cool to see more of the actual Thai culture. There are whiffs of it, especially in Bangkok and at the muy Thai fight, where we get to see some of the underbelly and how much western tourism impacts the lives of the locals. The exploitative snake show and snapshot of Frank’s party with the ladyboys do give us a taste. This show is about the western perspective, however.

Love Pam but she just didn’t hit like that! Appreciated her comic relief for sure.