The Gifted Graduation Series: An Ode to Pang and Wave’s love
As much as I try hard not to fangirl in this blog, and try to focus on just analysis and theories when it comes to this show. This time I can’t help it, when it comes to this show I always wonder if I should call it a Thai bl? Or if I should just accept that it isn’t and move on, but then they give me these two’s interaction, and then I’m a mess screaming there’s no way Gifted is not a BL series. You don’t need kisses or explicit confirmations of love between two men for a show to be a BL for me; I call Great Man Academy a BL and it’s a gender bender, but it’s still a BL for me. Why can’t I do the same with Gifted the series? Because honestly the love of Pang and Wave may not be canon / confirmed as a romance, but for me, there’s nothing else to explain it? I’ve tried using the oh they’re best friends who are soulmates line, but like that’s even more of a reason why they’re in love, it’s not like they get mirror images to other BL couple scenes right? (but then we get the earphones sharing thing which was the same as Sarawatine in 2gether the series, PhuKao in oxygen the series), it’s not like they’re proclaiming out to each other how much they’d die for each other? (but then we have Wave going to sacrifice himself with a virus that could potentially kill him and take away his powers just so Pang stays safe and then Pang doing the same in order to protect him), it’s not like they tell each other every day how much the other person means to them (but then you have Wave saying he’s so stupid for never giving up on Pang) and it’s like wait for what? This has to be love, this has to be romantic love, I can have many best friends, but I don’t think I’d lean close to their face inches from kissing and say that I would gladly give everything, my life, my ideals, my hopes and dreams just so they can stay by my side forever maybe its cause I’m a lousy friend who knows?
But when I see that kind of soulmate, passionate and unconditional love my brain goes into overdrive. These two are made for each other if they were a boy and a girl (in this heterosexual forced society we’re in) this would be the ultimate power couple heck we’d have seen them already make out by now multiple times. So let me just have this okay? Let me just write an ode to one of the greatest ships in NON-Thai BL history, and let me explain to you why The gifted series is a BL to me even if Pang and Wave don’t end up on the rooftops telling each other how in love they are. I’m fine with that, in my head, they’ve already passed that stage and are lovers, on their way to defeating evil and saving the world and staying together for the rest of their lives. Let’s begin
Let’s look at episode 10-11 in the Gifted Graduation before I keep on writing essays about these two’s dynamic—the Virus.
You know what Pang and Wave have is special, and obvious when even the villain who is a psychopath can see that Wave is Pang’s weak link. Supot threatens the other students, so they don’t hide Pang’s whereabouts, but he ensures that he gives a long side-eye to Wave, he smirks like he already has a plan for him, like he already knows what’s about to happen, like he already understands that Wave is no longer the Wave in season 1 who’d sacrifice everything to ensure he’s safe and his powers are still intact, but Wave is now Pang’s ‘friend’, the Wave that will sacrifice everything even if it means he’s hurt for Pang. And low and behold Supot confirms this with glee later on. It wasn’t even a possibility for Wave to betray Pang. For Supot it was a done deal, that he had found a way to secure Pang under his control. That reason was Wave.
REASONS FOR WHY WAVE TOOK THE VIRUS:
Because he can’t betray Pang, that’s an apparent reason. But it’s more than that; at this moment Pang has shown that his idealism for the better world is a failure, he ended up doing the opposite and actually was the cause of Supot taking over the school system and being the messed up dictator that he is. Pang is the person who set his plans in motion. Wave should be furious, should be doubtful, should be tired, but no, one thing stays the same. He won’t give up on Pang no matter what. Don’t get him wrong he is furious, doubtful and annoyed, he even shouts to Pang this episode that he’s so stupid for never giving up on him, for always wanting to save him, for always wanting him to be right. And if you know Wave who is the very optimum of knowledge and logic, him choosing to go against everything that is presented in front of him just to keep on believing in Pang is insane, his undying love and loyalty for Pang can’t be broken. And he knows it, and he laments about it, but you know what he’s okay with it as long as Pang is safe.
Because he was guessing how Pang was feeling after everything that happened. He could already see what happens next; Pang would be so exhausted, mentally and physically drained, and probably on the verge of giving up and choosing to end all his hopes and beliefs. He knew precisely how Pang would feel, so he took drastic measures, the only thing that could bring Pang up to his feet was if someone he cared about was hurt or in danger of being hurt by Supot. He took the Virus so Pang will get up and stop moping and hiding and do something. He believed that what they had would cause Pang to switch on and be determined to help again. It was the only way he could do that. And for Wave, Pang’s spirit, idealism, and optimism were more needed than his own potential. Pang was his most trusted hope for the future, so he gave everything to ensure he didn’t lose that.
Because he trusts Pang will find a cure. Because it’s Pang. No matter what they’ve been through because Wave believes so much in Pang’s potential and power, he knows that they’d be fine. It doesn’t matter how many times they’ve failed before, it doesn’t matter if the world is cruel and manipulative, it doesn’t matter if people betray others, and change their philosophies, because, for Wave, Pang is his rock, Pang will keep fighting for what’s right and one day he’ll win because he’s right. Wave has watched Pang fail and fail time and time again, but he always believes that as long as they’re together, they’re still hoping, and they still care, they’ll be fine. Because Pang showed him why trust and unity are worth it. That’s why in episode 4 he doesn’t get shaken by Time betraying them he’s just like, but we’ll win. Because Pang is to him, his winner, if Pang cares and fights for it, Wave will be okay, and he’ll be cured again. Because it’s Pang, Pang will end up saving the world, and the gifted and Pang will be proven right. That’s why although he feels stupid, Pang is the only thing he can’t let go of in his mind otherwise his world would crumble; he’ll be broken down, and his hope will be shattered, and he doesn’t want to be that way like he was in Season 1. For him, Pang is his strength, so giving up his powers, his life, or his logic doesn’t faze him because he’ll be okay if Pang is still fighting for him to be.
THE REASON FOR PANG’S UNWAVERING FAITH
Let’s look at what Wave is to Pang because I’ve already been repeating over and over again what Pang is to Wave (his strength, trust, hope etc.). Before we do that, let’s analyse Pang’s relationships when it comes to his idealism for a better world. His anchors should I call it, the people who make him still want to fight for a better world etc.
His friends/colleagues: From season 1, Pang got to be close to everyone, he became a leader for all of the gifted students in his year. He was the one who managed to convince them to fight for what’s right. He had them as his team supporting and holding him up, and as we see in season 2, their hopes become frail, they become weak, and they can’t keep up with their optimism as the world seems so dim and bleak. His friends trust and hope in him is what makes him determined to be a good leader. It’s because of protecting them that he also gives into Supot this episode (after Wave) because he doesn’t want them hurt or controlled in that way. They’re his bargain chip for Supot. And luckily we see that because Pang is now weaker and controlled by Supot they’ve taken on the role to ensure that his vision for the world comes through, they’ve decided to trust no matter what in themselves and him to make sure his hopes comes through.
The students in danger: For Pang, he’s the reason why Supot regained his control, and it kills him inside, so he gives up to protect everyone. Pang cares so much about what’s right, and people. Equality for people is why he started his fight for a better system, and in this season seeing students be used as lab rats for a virus was very unsettling for him, it’s because of this he trusted Supot because he had a way to cure them. The students are his source of determination. he wants to protect everyone and ensure everyone is safe. But now it looks like he’s failed with that. However, I don’t think, so he probably is still determined now he has Wave by his side (haha) because they’re still being used and that’s not okay to him he’s just secretly looking for a new way to save them.
Grace, Third and Time: The next people that make him want to fight and stay true to his vision is the new generation of gifted who he’s come to have to protect as well. Grace, Third and Time represent Pang, Wave and the other gifted students, like Pang they’re determined to do what’s right, they’re optimistic. They don’t care about the system, they are willing to fight and advocate for justice and equality. And they look up to him so much, he’s their idol because he’s inspired them to take on the system and fight for their beliefs. That’s why we see them continue to keep on finding ways using their potentials to keep this vision alive. Grace doesn’t care about adults, she really appreciates and is grateful for Pang for fighting for all the students, she’s seen her friends (and thought one was dead) be used as experiments for this messed up system so yes she believes and wants Pang to be right. And Time started of doubting Pang’s ideals, but now he also sees that Pang was right Supot is insane and evil, so he’s even more determined to protect and help Pang to defeat Supot. Third likes doing what’s right so he also believes in Pang because he can see for now that what Supot is doing isn’t right. The new generation of gifted students is more determined now to keep Pang’s vision, especially when they now know that change is possible. I’m sure Grace has already convinced Pang and Wave of a new secret way to ensure they have their vision come through, we just won’t find out until the end when Supot is blindsided.
WAVE PANG’S FLOAT AND ANCHOR
And then finally there’s Wave: See he has his own category for Pang’s anchor. Wave is Pang’s most needed anchor. He represents Pang’s determination, loyalty, and faith in a better world, just like Pang’s unwavering loyalty to his idealism for change, Wave returns that back to Pang, he’s literally the symbol for Pang’s anchor to his idealism. He’s his biggest mission accomplice, his anchor when things seem stormy (the person who grounds him and wakes him up from giving up, so he starts finding a new solution, he’s the person who reminded Pang of who he was when he lost himself and his memories at the end of season 1, he’s the person who’s the most loyal to Pang this whole season no matter what happens and he’s the person who is determined to believe that they will succeed and fuels Pang with optimism).
He’s his float when Pang is drowning, he’s the person who reaches out to Pang as he finally wants to fall and give up, the person who gets Pang back up because of his actions, the person who Pang thinks of first when he’s being controlled or tempted by Supot, he’s Pang’s moral compass, a reminder to stay true to his path, and to keep fighting.
Wave is everything to Pang and more, he’s Pang’s truest source of hope and light when everything feels dark and impossible. He’s also Pang’s strength. And that’s why Pang runs to him every single time it’s time to do something for the mission (Wave thinks he’s just a tool but he doesn’t understand how much Pang needs him to just be there). And because of his knowledge as well he’s Pang’s guide, and logic because sometimes Pang can get too up in the clouds and so he needs someone to bring him back down. Wave does both, he calls out Pang when he’s too selfish and dreamy, and he pulls Pang up when he’s being too pessimistic and hopeless. He’s Pang’s steadfast anchor no other person will do. He’s his helper, his person, his confidant, his advice and his brains, no one else.
But there’s also a fated/destined vibe with these two. They’re fated to be together. Because in Gifted Graduation there’s the fated pairs, two people opposite and partners who want to bring a change to the world. We have Supot and Yuth, we have Chanon and Pom, we have Wave and Pang, and we have Time and Third. The similarities between the fated pairs is another post, but its there on purpose, and so is their different paths/changes that occur in their dynamics. Wave and Pang are the most robust destined pair. One of the teams has the brains, information, the logic and the other has the idealism, the idea, the vision, the hope—each pair start of trusting each other, loyal by default and sacrificial as well for the other.
For Supot/Yuth: Yuth believes wholeheartedly in his friendship with Supot, he stays hurt and abused so that his dreams and his revenge for Supot’s death isn’t wasted, he refuses to give up on his vision because he believed it was also Supots. So he’s delighted, and over the moon when he realises that Supot is alive, and he thinks its a sign that they’ll win. So these two represent Wave and Pang’s loyalty and belief in each other. The only issue is, Supot is a psychopath, unfeeling when it comes to his goals, so he ends up destroying his friend out of petty jealousy and also greed and ego.
Chanon/Pom: Chanon had hopes and ambition to push Pom to become a great teacher, to fulfil his biggest dreams, Channon was Poms inspiration and source of hope. Pom was Chanon’s confidant and partner in crime. So they represent Wave and Pang’s push, and inspiration to each other, except Pom, betrays Chanon when the world seems like its crumbling down. Chanon crosses Pom for revenge because of being traumatised by the world/Supot. Their trust and hope in each other are damaged. But Pang and Wave’s is never going to be damaged.
Third/Time: Our newbies, they also start off being under each other’s skin but automatically becoming each other’s best friend, once Third gets his hope of becoming in the gifted program (because of Time’s fight for it), he’s grateful and loyal. Time is also appreciative for Third because he does what’s right, but also he provides information (through his potential) to help their group survive. These two are just starting, but they represent the origins of Wave and Pang, that uncontrollable fate pulling them together to be a team no matter what. That destiny that ensures they find each other even if they hate each other to automatically start saving the world together no matter what.
WAVE AND PANG: PERFECTLY MATCHED
So Episode 10-11 Pang may be shattered right now with hope. Still, all the people he’s inspired, all his anchors and reason for fighting are about to help and bring his vision back, and they’ll finally show him how right he was to fight for them. How helpful he was to them and how he really did save all of them despite failing time and time again. But the funny thing is, it’s Wave who’s right there by his side as he’s broken down. They’re both right now sacrificing everything for each other.
Wave is holding Pang up as he is being under the director’s control; he’s the reason why Pang hasn’t yet given in to evil because he’s his moral compass in his head whenever he is being forced to do so. Pang and Wave stop each other from evil by just being there, they just need to show up by each other’s side for them to want to trust and hope again that things will be okay. They save each other time and time again.
They’re each other’s opposite; teaching what they need to know, perfectly matched to help them improve from their flaws, Pang teaches Wave to trust and be more open to caring about others than himself, he pushes his walls down to believe again in feelings. Wave helps Pang be grounded and come back to reality, to look after others properly and to be selfless and be a good leader. They’re logic and emotions a perfect match.
See why this is a BL? Why I’m shipping these two so hard. It’s enviable to see what these two have formed. It makes me so jealous but also so giddy and just grateful that we have a couple like them despite not being stated as one. For me, these two are in love, these two have a bond that is unbreakable, and these two are soulmates destined for each other. They’re the power couple who will save the world time and time again as long as they have each other, as long as they save each to other and as long as they keep on loving each other. As much as I couldn’t analyse anything else this episode but these two, I will say that I don’t believe these two have given up on their vision, they’re probably secretly up to something, or they’ll be pushed back to their hopes and idealisms next episode when they see all their peers fighting for them to trust again. As long as these two are together, they’ll be fine. And so will the ending of the show, Supot will be defeated, he just doesn’t know it yet.
