Entertainment Avenue: How To Ruin Love: The Lobola - Couple In Almost Breakup but Makeup and Reality Show Gold Standard Family Drama
Entertainment Avenue: How To Ruin Love: The Lobola - Desperate Deals, Cows on the Highway and on the loose, A Love that wins no matter what!
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| Promotional poster. / Netflix |
The first installment was a brilliant and unforgettable experience, love was in the air, there was family chaos, a lot of breaking the fourth wall to famous TV tropes done right.
We found ourselves rooting for Kagiso (Bohang Moeko) and Zoleka (Sivenathi Mabuya). Their story had so much depth, layers of complexity yet simplicity as in the we fight, break up just to makeup was beautifully executed.
The 2nd season however struggles to walk, it takes baby steps as in while it has effective and swoon worthy moments, there seems to be not much to tell this time around. It feels minimal, stripped as if it's toned down and the way everyone is scattered is alarming. It almost felt like a different show with its overall tone. Zoleka didn't become a meme (her running gag wasn't as out there as before) thankfully yet we love it when she wants to take control. This time around I thought Kagiso was the one ruining love, we'd get his point of view. His was more of a serious take, the man who makes sacrifices, typical gent who suffers in silence all for the sake of his loved ones, drowning in debt. It brought realness and a relationship looking glass to see into what couples go through. This was proper. Yet somehow the story just didn't feel strong enough.
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| Netflix |
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| Netflix |
Katlego Pathudi (Mapaseka Koetle) on the other hand found herself a good looking stranger who is quite familiar. On a no love just hookups tour, she met him and things changed after it dawned on her that her ex husband has finally closed their unfortunate chapter at getting back together. From jealousy to feeling easy to get over; she went through a series of emotions, please play Nickelback's This is how you remind me because she's been to the bottom of every bottle, drinking to numb a painful reality and Luyolo (Tembinkosi Ngcukana) is the sun she's not quite ready to bask in just yet; there's warmth and more than just a golden hour if you get what we mean. Their chemistry sets us on an expectation that they'll get their own show or the third season will focus on them alongside Zoleka and Kagiso, maybe a honeymoon themed season where both families somehow end up tagging along.
Zola Nombona is one of South Africa's best actresses, I first saw her on Single Girls, she has unmatched range and on here she felt miscast, plus her character was often given room where there it seemed clustered. Barely any space for her to shine, she was supposed to compliment, bring in the laughs yet often was out of place. Her scenes with Amo on the other hand were a glow up. They gave her something to work with, finally!
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| Netflix |
Luyulo also has screen presence, stepping in on the first episode with his uncle, you could tell he was going to be a fan favourite already. He wasn't swept aside just to be a lacky, he definitely stood out. Zoleka and Kagiso's chemistry was off the charts, their "baby let's fix it" moments are heart melting. They get each other. Their fights on the other hand? So intense at times it's as if there's no coming back from this.
Shout out to Dumisani Mbebe I absolutely loved how his drunk scenes showcased why he's an exceptional industry veteran who hones in beautifully. Meme Ditshego brought the heat as this vintage style lady with swag who became acquainted with the followed by a jinx couple, may her soul rest in peace.
Certain key characters took a backseat like Doreen, Mahlatse and the Uncle. Thando Thabethe as Beauty is a scene stealer, she portrayed elegance and sophistication with radiance. Absolutely loved her scenes. If only there was more weight to the actual plot.
Standout characters: Katlego Pathudi. Luyolo. Kagiso & Zoleka. Doreen.
We give it a 6/10
What we would've loved to see: Kat 2.0 antagonizing Katlego unless it's a save for later? Because they will make good dramedy.
How to Ruin Love is currently streaming on Netflix globally. Do check it out. Netflix Watch Link
Starring: Sivenathi Mabuya. Bohang Moeko. Marjorie Langa. Mapaseka Koetle. Zola Nombona. Ayanda Daweti. Dumisani Mbebe. Thando Thabethe. John Morapama. Sello Ramalahloane. Sandile Mahlangu. Tembinkosi Ngcukana. Tina Jaxa. Thabo Malema. Shoki Mmola. Nefisa Mkhabela
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Entertainment Avenue
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