Three GentleBros (3GB) is one of the better dramas to come out this year. From the beginning, I thought the concept was original, even if its execution wasn’t always so. While there is some heavy plot recycling throughout the series, I wasn’t as tired as I normally am after 18 episodes because having the three mini-stories kept me engaged.

Within each mini-story, there are essentially two plotlines going on: the budding relationship between the main couple and the tension between whichever son and the mom. The overall stories are pretty rinse and repeat and the synopsis is pretty much what happens each time. There is the added device of “my mom is trying to marry me off, let me pay a girl to fake date me.” However, there is enough individuality with how the relationships develop and the personalities of the sons that keeps it interesting. Additionally, I found each relationship development got better with each story, rather than worse.

Per usual, these are all seasoned actors and actresses who give very good performances; however, I’m going to only focus on the mom and sons. Mam did a very good job as Pim. Even though I detest Pim, the character required someone who balance between manipulative and well-intentioned. However, Pim never seems to learn her lesson and keeps making the same mistakes repeatedly, I’d much rather have seen the show try to justify her behavior towards her sons based on experiences from her past. I don’t care for Luke, I keep watching his shows and I never like him any better. Itch was ok, but for as much as he hates his mom, he’s the most like her and I don’t feel like his character grew all that much. Conversely, I liked Tay as Thames. I think Thames is a hard character to play because it runs the risk of a wooden performance. Thames is calculating but wants to feel a connection and that gives him a sense of sincerity when dealing with Nueng.

Frankly, I feel like this whole show was really about the final son, Arty. He not only appears in virtually all the episodes, but we see his growth throughout all of them. I admit, I was put off by him in the early episodes because he was so coddled. However, even in the first 12 episodes, we see the hold his mother has on him lessen. By the time we get to his story the stage is set for him to have some introspection and we see how much emotional trauma his mom has put him through and continues to put him through. By the end of the series, he is the one who has grown the most.

Overall, this show had an original concept, good acting, and some decent themes if you know where to find them. I wish the writing was just a bit better to gives us more unique stories between the brothers. If nothing else, watch the last 6 episodes to see Gun’s story arc, which I maintain is the best.