Ready, Set, Love 1×02 “Cooking Run” was a perfect blend of reality TV and a layered dystopian conspiracy that keeps the elite in power. Personally, I can’t believe that this show has managed to find a balance between that, but here we are. And I keep being surprisingly charmed by all of these characters and the lead. Yes, it’s a little tropey, but it all works and I can’t help but have fun in this weird little show. This is coming from someone who has never watched a Thai drama but I’m very interested in seeing what is out there. Because we got a little bit of everything in this episode and even saw the introduction of the Thai equivalent of President Snow from The Hunger Games and a Head Gamekeeper who has a wife. So let’s dive right into “Cooking Run.”
Things start getting infinitely more complicated for Day as she arrives on The Farm. This is where they keep the elite “safe” and where the men are kept for “their protection.” Within these walls, the young women compete in games to win a date with The Gentleman. And like any tropey underdog kind of story, Day keeps herself in the competition by being unapologetically herself but then swerves into her trying to be someone who she isn’t. Let me explain. When she’s out on the field playing the game, she needs to be aggressive and she knows how to do that. It’s especially easy when she loves food which is always a mood. But when it comes to the date and something a little bit more intimate with Son, she can’t take chances. This isn’t a place to be aggressive and she knows it. And I can’t help but think of Katniss Everdeen and the internal battle to be herself but also mold herself so she can fit in and survive.
Talking about The Hunger Games, we got to meet Chanel’s mom Mrs. Kwan. She is clearly the equivalent of President Snow. She wants the Head Gamekeeper to keep the status quo and make sure that her daughter ends up married to Son. And these moments with the head of what I assume is the entire family in the upper crust, has this subtle menacing nature to her that I think in anyone else’s hands, she would just be another copy of Snow. But I’m hoping that she’s something more and that she sees that her daughter has found someone in the form of Max aka the one that likes taking off his shirt. It’s definitely going to break Chanel’s best friend Bovy’s heart. But I think these two are really bonding and I also think that Bovy has a cute spark with Paper too.
As for the main relationship of this show, Day and Son, I feel like the writers found a way of putting them in situations that open pathways between them to get to know each other while still keeping true to who they are. Day wants to do what she can to survive and she can’t afford to lose. And Son wants to keep his cards close to his chest because he’s kind of done with this place and feels like he can’t be himself because there is a predestined path already set for him. In a way, Day and Son are both trapped in a place where they’re not exploring this relationship because they want to. They’re being pushed to. But I’m hoping that with more episodes we get to see some of the walls break down and for them to get to know each other like the other couples have. But that’s of course if Almond doesn’t mess it up with his love for food and loveable smile.
Ultimately, I’m truly loving Ready, Set, Love and 1×02 in general because it feels like nothing I’ve seen before but also a balm to the ever-stressful modes of life. The show feels like an escape that isn’t too far from our truth in 2024 but also gives you enough room to breathe and enjoy yourself. And it’s the little things in life that you have to take hold of. And I’ve taken hold of this show as much as it has my curiosity while cashing in on the fact that I am a sucker for anything reality TV related because I like garbage. Fun garbage. And if you throw a little romance, comedy, and a big mystery surrounding one of the leads in there that feels real, I’m down.
And before you go, don’t forget to read our review for 1×01 here.
Ready, Set, Love season 1 is now available on Netflix.
