Category: First Impression

DryedMangoez First Impression Reviews written after a premiere episode or premiere week of a television series.

First Impression Review: Solid Start for GMA Network’s Visually Stunning “Pulang Araw”

First Impression Review: Solid Start for GMA Network’s Visually Stunning “Pulang Araw”

GMA Network’s Pulang Araw premiered its first episode on Netflix yesterday and within the first couple of minutes, you will find yourself stunned by some breathtaking and heartbreaking visuals and emotional moments before sort of reverting back to familiar teleserye dynamics. That will be the biggest challenge for this ambitious series, as it is for any Filipino teleserye. How to have the writing and story maintain the momentum from its strong start and be able to match the obviously meticulous production.

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First Impression Review: A Strong Start to Season 3 of “His Man”

First Impression Review: A Strong Start to Season 3 of “His Man”

Season 3’s first two episodes certainly give me great hope that the positive trend for His Man will continue. These were a strong two episodes, reminding me of what I enjoyed about the first two seasons and seeing nice possibilities to keep the format fresh.

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First Impression Review: Peacock’s “The Traitors” Returns for Season 2 with More Fun and More Polish

First Impression Review: Peacock’s “The Traitors” Returns for Season 2 with More Fun and More Polish

NBC/Peacock’s breakout reality-competition series The Traitors returned for its second season. And its first three episodes definitely deliver the same fun murder mystery shenanigans as its inaugural season. Maybe even more so.

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First Impression Review: “Single’s Inferno” Gets Much Needed Refresh for Season 3

First Impression Review: “Single’s Inferno” Gets Much Needed Refresh for Season 3

Thankfully, the first three episodes of season 3 show some interesting new twists that help to refresh what at its core is still a good premise.

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First Impression Review: GMMTV’s Thai Adaptation of “Cherry Magic” Off to a Sweet Start

First Impression Review: GMMTV’s Thai Adaptation of “Cherry Magic” Off to a Sweet Start

Cute. Sweet. Heartwarming. Three words that easily describe the first episode of GMMTV’s Thai adaptation of Cherry Magic (30 ยังซิง). A truly wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable premiere for the much-anticipated series.

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First Impression Review: Deserving Perth and Chimon Carry GMMTV’s “Dangerous Romance”

First Impression Review: Deserving Perth and Chimon Carry GMMTV’s “Dangerous Romance”

When GMMTV announced their 2023 series last November, I was most excited about Dangerous Romance (หัวใจในสายลม). And that’s mostly because its two lead stars were Perth Tanapon Sukumpantanasan and Chimon Wachirawit Ruangwiwat.

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First Impression Review: So Far, GMMTV’s “Only Friends” a Fun Soapy Ride

First Impression Review: So Far, GMMTV’s “Only Friends” a Fun Soapy Ride

If you want a soapy good time, GMMTV’s Only Friends (เพื่อนต้องห้าม) is just the show for you. It’s been a crazy, wild, scandalous and, most importantly, very fun ride so far.

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First Impression Review: Herlene Budol’s Endearing Charm and Its Fast Paced Story Power GMA Network’s “Magandang Dilag”

First Impression Review: Herlene Budol’s Endearing Charm and Its Fast Paced Story Power GMA Network’s “Magandang Dilag”

I’ve been meaning to write a review for GMA Network’s afternoon drama Magandang Dilag for a while now. But now’s as good a time as any. The ratings are surging and the story is kicking into high gear. And it’s not hard to see why. The perfect soapy plot, an endearing lead and a fast-paced story all make for a fun, not-so-guilty pleasure. That is a combination that is often attempted, but not often accomplished by other series. Yet Magandang Dilag shows that even the simplest stories can still captivate and capture the imagination of audiences.

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First Impression Review: ABS-CBN/GMA Network’s Paint-by-the-Numbers “Unbreak My Heart” is Still Somehow a Compelling Watch

First Impression Review: ABS-CBN/GMA Network’s Paint-by-the-Numbers “Unbreak My Heart” is Still Somehow a Compelling Watch

The ABS-CBN-GMA Network “collaboration” Unbreak My Heart may be historic in some ways, not so much in others. But debating that is for another time. What we’ll talk about today is how Unbreak My Heart so far is a very familiar, though still engaging soap opera ride. After watching the first eight episodes, Unbreak My Heart offers little in terms of out of the box ideas. But it really doesn’t have to. A charismatic lead quartet helps to elevate the typical sudsy storylines and character tropes of Filipino teleserye. But with the stunning Swiss landscapes and glossy urban Italy to add some extra seasoning, the series has managed to be a fun, juicy ride so far.

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First Impression Review: “Voltes V: Legacy” Off to an Exciting and Unexpectedly Emotional Start

First Impression Review: “Voltes V: Legacy” Off to an Exciting and Unexpectedly Emotional Start

I didn’t expect to get emotional. But as the end (opening?) credits rolled on the first episode of Voltes V: Legacy, I did. And this is me not having watched a single episode of the original series. If I felt this excited and hyped for the series, I can’t even imagine how it must feel for fans who grew up with the original series. Especially for Filipino fans who are seeing their childhood now in a live-action, locally produced series.

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