Series Review: Reset (2022)

Normally on this blog, I review music. However, I am an avid consumer of multiple other forms of entertainment and have long wanted to feature some of them on this blog. TV shows of any type are one of my favorite mediums of art, and when I find some words to write on the subject, you will surely hear from me.

Note: I will do my best to avoid any major spoilers, as I believe this series is best experienced blind

Imagine this: You are stuck on a bus, it will explode within a matter of minutes, and you need to save everyone on board. You also are stuck in a time loop, with no escape till your goal is accomplished. This is Reset's synopsis, and it would suggest a simple "whodunit?" Thankfully, Reset simply uses the time loop genre to explain several, much more complicated, themes within its narrative.

Perhaps Reset's strongest element is its direction. The drama was filmed at a ridiculously slow pace for C-Dramas, and it certainly paid off, each and every second in the drama is packed with details that either flesh out the characters or provide hints for major story elements to come. If you know what you are looking for, a major reveal in one of the final few episodes is teased early in the first episode.

This is all anchored by one of the best acting teams I have seen in a while. There isn't a single dud amongst the entire cast, and there are some A-grade performances from Bai Jing Ting, Zhao Jin Mai, Liu Yi Jun, Huang Jue, Zhang Xi Qian, and Leon Li. However, the easy standout is Liu Dan, who gives earnestly my performance of the year. Saying anything more would spoil large portions of the plot, but there is one scene with her and Huang Jue near the very end of the show, and that scene is pretty much pitch-perfect.

The most essential showcase of the actors, however, is how they interact with each other. This is where the heart of the drama is. Despite romance not being a major plot point within the story, I genuinely think the lead couple is one of the drama's best, as they genuinely feel like two separate individuals that actually have great charisma and relations with each other. With the exception of one scene in the final episode where one half of our lead couple is somewhat omitted, both have an equal-sized role, and that is certainly welcomed.

At its heart, however, Reset is a thematic drama. This somewhat fantastical story of time loops, thrill, and intrigue, is used to tell a story highlighting serious real-world topics, from victim-blaming and cyberbullying, to the danger of stereotypes and abuse. Most of these themes flow naturally into the narrative, and you are given pauses to think about these consequences.

Unfortunately, Reset somewhat collapses during its finale. By no means is the episode "bad", but it feels like the only one in the show written exclusively because it has to be. Almost all the other episodes have some central theme or growth, but the finale has none of that. Additionally, the actions of certain characters, such as the ones played by Liu Yi Jun and Liu Tao, feel inconsistent with those in the previous loops. Additionally, I felt that the final conflict should have involved Liu Dan's character in a much more crucial role, given how important she was. Almost as bad, I felt while the closure for our protagonists was great, maybe some additional facts about their lives outside the loop could be given.

That said, would I recommend Reset? Absolutely. With only fifteen episodes averaging roughly forty minutes, it is a short watch, and frankly, a great introduction to contemporary C-Dramas. It takes classic themes and reworks them into a fantastic new form. With strong performances and strong direction, what is not to love?

Watch and purchase Reset right here!

Rating: 8.6/10

(My series reviews are on a different scale than those for songs. A nine or higher means you are almost end-of-decade list worthy)

Image Source: Soompi