Flash Overview: Past Goodbye [Japan]

So right here’s the factor, my mates.

This was a present that I’d very a lot been wanting ahead to, from the very minute I first set my eyes on the trailer that Netflix launched – BUT. Because it seems, Present is under no circumstances what I’d anticipated it to be.

Discuss having the mistaken expectations! 😅

Did I nonetheless prefer it in the long run, and would I like to recommend it? I’m gonna hafta say that the reply is, that it’s difficult. 😅

WHAT I’D EXPECTED

Right here’s the primary teaser that I watched for this present, and watching this, my intestine had instantly stated that this present was vibing like First Love: Hatsukoi (assessment right here!), in that fantastically filmed, might effectively be impressed by a traditional kdrama type of approach.

Particularly, the synopsis jogged my memory of traditional Seasons kdrama Summer season Scent, which I’ve admittedly not watched, however which is a romance the place the (transplanted) coronary heart remembers, and I used to be fairly satisfied that we might get a equally themed romance, with this present.

One other fantastically filmed, potential tribute to a traditional kdrama, kinda-sorta within the vein of First Love: Hatsukoi? I couldn’t say ‘sure’ quick sufficient. 🤩

WHAT SHOW ACTUALLY SERVED UP

Um. It’s onerous to speak about what Present really served up, with out entering into spoilers, however suffice to say that this isn’t a romance. 😅

Moderately, it’s an exploration of humanity and morality, in addition to an exploration of affection – though I actually can’t categorize it as a romance.

I’d additionally say that I discovered the watch expertise considerably uncomfortable, at factors, and I’ll speak about why that was, within the subsequent part.

General, although, I did discover this thought-provoking and attention-grabbing, which I’ll additionally discuss extra about, in a bit.

[SPOILERS HENCEFORTH!]

IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE SHOW (& PLAN TO), COME BACK LATER!

STUFF I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH

There have been two primary issues that I didn’t take to, too effectively, throughout my watch. In fact, your mileage could effectively fluctuate; that is simply my private response.

1. When Present tries to painting “particular” and “sparkly”

The connection between our feminine lead Saeko (Arimura Kasumi) and her fiancé Yusuke (Ikuta Toma) is meant to be very particular, and that is essential to our story, for the reason that specialness of this relationship, is what makes Yusuke’s coronary heart keep in mind Saeko even in demise.

The issue for me, is that every time Present tried to painting Yusuke &/or this relationship as additional particular, it landed as fairly unnatural, pressured and fairly try-hard, to my eyes.

Yusuke simply appeared unnaturally smiley and energetic, and I discovered this fairly distracting, and never very useful, to be trustworthy. 🙈

The assorted encounters between Saeko and Yusuke additionally had an identical impact for me, and specifically, I discovered their first date fairly cringey, in how they find yourself in mattress collectively. 😅

Saeko’s preliminary encounters with Naruse (Sakaguchi Kentaro) additionally leaned sort of awkward and stilted to me, though they have been clearly speculated to be particular, and paying homage to Yusuke. 😅

This grew to become much less of a problem for me within the second half of my watch, principally as a result of I simply sort of bought used to the tone and really feel of “particular” and “sparkly” on this drama world.

2. The truth that Naruse is married

I completely hadn’t anticipated Naruse to be married, and the truth that he’s married, makes any potential romance with our feminine lead Saeko, not simply problematic, however taboo.

In actual fact, I felt actually sorry for his spouse, Miki (Nakamura Yuri), as a result of she’s carried out nothing however assist her husband unconditionally, by means of all of his coronary heart troubles, and now that he’s lastly acquired a brand new coronary heart, he begins creating emotions for another person?

Oh expensive. What had this poor girl carried out to deserve this, sure?

For what it’s value, I do assume that this plot level would possibly hit you with additional discomfort and poignance, in the event you your self occur to be a spouse.

THOUGHTS ON THE STORY 

General, I did recognize Present’s non-judgmental method, because it explores this very difficult, delicate state of affairs amongst our key characters.

A few of their actions may be questionable in the event you put it up in opposition to a strict ethical stance, however Present questions whether or not that strict ethical code is relevant, when you’ve got a state of affairs this distinctive and this difficult.

When Saeko feels drawn to Naruse, it’s as a result of he exhibits some stark similarities with Yusuke, from saying issues that Yusuke has stated to her earlier than, to having the ability to play the identical track on the piano that Yusuke had as soon as performed for her – though he himself has by no means realized to play.

When Yusuke had died so all of the sudden, whereas he and Saeko had been on the peak of their happiness as a pair, it’s onerous to begrudge Saeko the aid that she will get, from drawing close to to Naruse – not due to Naruse himself, however due to Yusuke’s coronary heart beating inside him.

Equally, when Naruse’s coronary heart begins craving for Saeko, it’s onerous to begrudge that craving as effectively, as a result of we all know that that’s not Naruse craving for Saeko, as a lot as it’s Yusuke’s coronary heart craving for Saeko.

On the identical time, we will perceive Miki’s rising sense of discomfort and unease, as Naruse turns into increasingly more completely different from the husband whom she’d recognized, pre-transplant.

It’s all very difficult, and I recognize that Present explores this with sensitivity and compassion.

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING 

In fact, issues get tougher and complicated, as this case wears on; it’s not sustainable for our characters

I recognize that Saeko is so satisfied that this has to cease, that she actually uproots herself from Niseko, and strikes to Hawaii, whereas slicing off contact with Naruse.

That’s no small deal, and I believe she deserves props for going so far as she does, with a purpose to do the appropriate factor.

On the identical time, Naruse’s burning want, to hunt out Saeko, would possibly appear like a really questionable factor, since he’s married and all, however my thought can’t assist going to that scene the place he asks Yusuke what Yusuke wish to do, with the restricted time that they’ve left.

He’s satisfied that, on condition that he has a restricted time earlier than Yusuke’s coronary heart stops working, Yusuke would wish to spend some high quality time with Saeko. And I’m certain he’s additionally considering that Saeko deserves the prospect to say a correct goodbye to Yusuke as effectively.

And on a private word, I get the sense that Naruse additionally feels that it’s his obligation; the least he might do for Yusuke, for the present of his coronary heart.

I’m certain that is very troublesome for Miki to grasp, particularly for the reason that complete factor has been so complicated for each Naruse and Saeko as effectively.

In any case, they’d gotten to the purpose the place they couldn’t inform who was craving for whom, ie, was it Yusuke craving for Saeko, or was it Naruse, and was it Saeko craving for Yusuke, or was she craving for Naruse?

The truth that Miki helps Naruse’s closing journey, though she has severe reservations about what would possibly occur between Naruse and Saeko, actually does present the selfless high quality of her love for him, I do assume.

That is his dying want, in a approach, and so she helps it, though it makes her unhappy and uncomfortable.

The farewell journey was poignant to witness, and I’m certain that Saeko’s tears should not only for Yusuke, whose presence on this world would finish with Naruse’s demise, but additionally, for Naruse himself; the connection between them has transcended the connection that had initially purely been about Yusuke’s coronary heart.

By way of all of it, I used to be holding my breath, hoping that Naruse would survive this farewell journey, and fortunately, he does, and even has what appears to be an excellent 6 months afterwards, which he spends at house in Niseko, with Miki and the remainder of the household.

It’s poignant to see him ultimately move away, whereas sitting  in his wheelchair, now gaunt and worn from the sluggish breaking down of his physique.

It’s unhappy that he couldn’t handle to reside the lengthy, well being lifetime of which he’d spoken, with Saeko, however it’s comforting to know that he’d managed to meet the final want, which I really feel was Yusuke’s in addition to his personal.

And it’s also comforting to see that he’d handed away peacefully, sitting within the sunshine, surrounded by nature and by the completely satisfied buzz of exercise, amongst his family members.

Yusuke’s coronary heart hadn’t managed to offer Naruse many extra years, as everybody had hoped, but it surely had actually given him extra amount and high quality of life, than if Naruse had by no means had the transplant, and that’s undoubtedly a silver lining. 🥲

In the long run, it looks as if a significant factor, that Miki would attain out to Saeko, and have Saeko come assist with the apple harvest, and even go as far as to say that she’s going to invite Saeko to take action, yearly – as a result of she needs to see her frequently.

Despite the fact that Miki says that it’s as a result of they want additional fingers and she or he determined to name on somebody who felt indebted to her, it lands far more, as an olive department.

It feels to me, like this annual custom, might be their approach of honoring Naruse’s reminiscence, collectively, as two individuals who genuinely treasured his presence on this earth, and I believe that may be a properly hopeful and life-affirming word, on which to wrap up our story. 🥲

THE FINAL VERDICT:

A bit ungainly in spots, however works out to be solidly thought-provoking.

FINAL GRADE: B+

TRAILER:

SUBBED SNIPPET:

WHERE TO WATCH:

Present is obtainable on Netflix.

Getting round geo-restrictions

For those who’re geo-restricted, a VPN service would enable you to get round that. Not solely does it present on-line security, it additionally offers you entry to numerous nice geo-restricted content material.

I personally use NordVPN. You will discover my assessment of NordVPN right here.

You should use my affiliate hyperlink (right here!) to get pleasure from as much as 74% off, plus 3 additional months, with costs beginning as little as US$3.09 per thirty days.

An article on why it’s not unlawful to make use of a VPN to entry authorized streaming content material could be discovered right here.

Associated