Netflixhas always seemed to have a keen eye when it comes to international selections and its latest drama — a Thai production — is no different. Created by producer-director-writer Kulp Kaljareuk,Master of the Housecomes across as more sadistic than any series you’ve probably already seen in this class-clashing genre. The seven-episode limited series which premiered on July 18th will easily shock American audiences with every entry. In the first episode alone, there is a surprise marriage between the patriarch Rungroj and the housekeeper Kaimook. In the usual jaw-dropping fashion though, things go awry when the very same senior figure (who is the president of the family-owned Theva Gems, by the way) mysteriously dies just a few minutes later.
Before the viewer can even ask questions about Rungroj’s demise though (played by Thai-British actor Bie Teerapong Leowrakwong), the family’s overall disdain of Kaimook and malicious control of the maids comes into the main spotlight. Even though one can consider the show to be a reel of shocking visuals when it comes to the abuse between the rich and those who serve them, there is no denying all of our hatred towards the characters of Mawin and Araya. While the former is just an evil individual who relishes the power that he now holds from his father’s will, the latter is his wife who sabotages Kaimook every step of the way.
Moving onto the maidservants, Bee and Kaew are two of Kaimook’s co-workers who are also tortured and traumatized. With so much resentment birthed behind the scenes and Rungroj’s two eldest sons (that being, Phupat and Mawin) feuding about who is their father’s successor, a long list of suspects is connected to the tycoon’s untimely demise. Who’s the real murderer here? Read on to find out.
Kaimook’s Grand Plan
Kaimook isthe mastermind behind everything, and the story begins and ends with her. Since the very first day that the main female character was employed by the Theva Gems family, she has either been witness to or victim of the sadistic nature of the top three males in the house, Rungroj, Mawin, and Phupat. A fellow maid committed suicide during Kaimook’s early days and she herself was the subject of some atrocious acts by Rungroj in the greenhouse.
As emotionally staggering as this drama is,Master of the Houseundoubtedly does a good job of distracting the viewer with Phupat and Mawin’s feud. There’s share-stealing, bribery, and an attempted murder plot aboard a boat. But Kaimook was always one step ahead, powered by revenge.
After Mavin dies in the ambulance and an enraged Phupat tells Araya to get out of the house after hearing about the fake will, he arranges with the lawyer to see the actual final testament.Through a video recording, he sees that his father signed everything over to Kaimook while he was still alive. While he is with the lawyer going over this new discovery, the episode ends with Kaimook in the office upstairs, carefully analyzing and dissecting a pinned moth.
As a final shot, she smiles at the camera.It is also revealed that it was Kaimook who committed the heinous act of spiking Rungroj’s drink on that fateful night when he fell from the second-floor balcony. She uses footage of Phupat being the last one to enter his office as another weapon in this plan.
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An Epic Showdown
The majority ofthe series finaleconsists of a flashback that shows how Kaimook came to be in such a romantic place with Rungroj. Visiting his outhouse, finding an interest in the butterflies and moths, becoming overwhelmedwith a sense of revengeafter being taken advantage of by the same man — it’s all revealed. Back in the present moment, Phupat launches forward to strangle Kaimook after meeting her face-to-face in the corridor. But the handmaiden even has this sequence planned out.
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Bee and the other co-workers suddenly come out of the shadows, with their phones out and recording the current unfolding. Phupat is tripped by one of those who has come forth, falls onto the floor and all the underlings start beating on him. With the Theva Gems family now fractured beyond repair and all of Rungroj’s fortune under Kaimook’s command, the evil lineage seems to have finally been stopped.
But as many viewers have pointed out, does the celebration and dancing at the end actually mean anything good? Or isMaster of The Housedestined to become synonymous with George Orwell’s timeless piece calledAnimal Farm?Are those who took over inevitably going to become like the same captors they escaped due to the power they now hold?Who really knows in this case, butthe ending is sweet nonetheless.
