The Judge Returns

Main Actor Saved It

I'm not saying that the story is bad, or it isn't worth it, it's not like that, but I think that Ji Sung saved the whole drama. I'm suspicious on saying that bc I really love this actor, but I think if it was not for him, I wouldn't watch even episode 3.
The drama takes a really slow turn, with things really happening on episode 3 at least, it isn't a bad thing tho, but you must be patient.
And we can laugh a bit after the main character returns, bc after that, the drama kinda turns more like a comedy one.
The story is good, but we don't have that "suspense" we like on policial plot, at least, not yet. The protagonist always remember the cases and how to solve them, so I hope we got to see him taking cases he doesn't know what to do, so we get that suspense we like so much.
anyway... it's worth it... but in my opinion, only bc of Ji Sung's work as a actor.

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A what if dream of someone taking his last breaths...The sweetest and most fragrant dream

"To me, justice is equity and common sense everyone knows in their heads" - Judge Lee Han Young. But what if that common sense ... and the majority's idea of equity is flawed?

Throughout the drama, I couldn’t stop thinking about the recent flood of leaked files shaking the internet. The truth lies right in front of us—documented, proven, undeniable. And yet, even after seeing it with our own eyes, we feel powerless. It almost feels like satire, like a story mocking us.
What happens when the system we trusted, the men we praised, and even the ground we stand on are exposed as corrupt and rotten?
It’s easy to prosecute one man, easy to fight a single crime—but what are we supposed to do when the criminal, the law judging him, the people enforcing it, and the very foundations of the system all seem rotten? Can we even respond?
If justice becomes whatever the majority believes—and the majority itself is corrupt—does that redefine justice? Are we expected to stay silent and follow along?
For centuries, the majority’s idea of “justice” for women was suppression. Being treated as property was normal; being treated as “precious property” was considered a privilege. That version of justice survived not because it was right, but because those in power declared it so. Power shaped morality. Wealth decided what was acceptable. And society followed—because the powerful said so.
I don’t have clear answers for the crises we face today. Every era needs reform, and sometimes curing one evil gives rise to another. Still, it’s terrifying to realise that the people we idolised—the ones we believed were shaping our future—may be devils wearing human skin.
Do we have the courage to question the beliefs we’ve lived by, to face the truth instead of ignoring it, to resist something that feels too big and too frightening to fight?
Or will it simply become the trend?
The way drinking and smoking become “cool” when a favourite actor does it, and clothes we’d never touch become fashion once luxury brands endorse them.
Will crimes once seen as shameless and inhuman become acceptable—fashionable—simply because the rich and powerful benefit from them?


⚖️THE REVIEW⚖️

Lights. Camera. Action.
Bang Bang Bang

First of all—that OST???
“I GOT IT~~~” is literally etched into my soul.
The moment it kicked in, you knew the scene was about to win.

Instant adrenaline rush.
Goosebumps every time.
Absolute hype fuel.

Is it just Ji Sung’s sheer on-screen charisma?
Is the entire cast radiating so hard that the screen itself feels like it’s glowing?

Watching this genuinely felt like sitting in a theatre, witnessing one relentless, action-packed sequence unfold without pause.
For me, action isn’t just violence or flashy, over-the-top stunts. Action is intelligence—planning, plotting, strategy—and that one perfectly timed, straight punch that makes your heart go boom boom. The kind of moments that keep you holding your breath in anticipation, waiting for the next move.

You stop caring about physics or logic entirely. You’re too absorbed in predicting what comes next, your senses on full alert, ready to take the hit alongside the characters. That’s exactly how every single episode felt.

🧑‍⚖️🧑‍⚖️
Ji Sung is the drama.
And the drama is Ji Sung.
🧑‍⚖️🧑‍⚖️

Bro had superb chemistry with literally every character on screen—from allies to villains to side characters… ig even the trees and bricks

⚖️⚖️Won Jin-ah / Prosecutor Jin-ah:⚖️⚖️
Up until episode 8, I’ll admit I was a little disappointed. Considering her powerful entrance in episode 1—an entrance that instantly grabbed my attention—her role didn’t leave much impact initially.Her storyline and screen presence initially struggled to stand beside Ji Sung’s manic energy and adrenaline-fueled dominance…Maybe

That said, her first episode was unforgettable. The sharp styling, the spontaneous genius of her move, overwhelming her enemies and securing evidence—and yes, that blood-clot-eating scene. Wow. Yesul-ida. That was art.

From episode 8 onward, though?
She becomes The Walking Menace. 💃 💃

As a prosecutor, Jin-ah is terrifying in the best way. She’s physically small, but the moment she walks toward her target, she bites—and she doesn’t let go. A relentless, feral kind of determination. She proves that intimidation isn’t about height or size or gender; it’s about attitude, grit, and sheer willingness to push forward no matter what. Won Jin-ah absolutely nailed this shift.






⚖️⚖️Ji Sung’s Best Friend: The Cheat Code⚖️⚖️
Ji Sung’s best friend feels like the ultimate cheat code—straight out of an isekai story. And honestly? Without him and the team, Ji Sung alone wouldn’t have even scratched his enemies.

If I’m being optimistic, maybe he could have survived. But realistically, without solid intel and backing, he would have failed badly. Being “isekai-ed” might grant foresight, but raw power and money still dominate the battlefield.

His best friend bridges that brutal gap. He’s the “Superman aid,” the backbone that turns Ji Sung’s charisma into something outstanding—and lethal.

He is like Doraemon~~
His scenes helping the part-time student and her grandmother! We all loved him!






⚖️⚖️The Grey Protagonist & the Second Chance⚖️⚖️
Ji Sung’s original character's first life is exactly the type that sparks endless debate online:

Should he be forgiven?
Did he deserve what happened to him?
What if he had chosen differently?

Some fans defend him as a tragic man who fell, repented, and paid the price. Others reject forgiveness altogether. The drama doesn’t offer easy answers—but it makes a bold choice: it gives him a second chance.
The difference between his first and second life is striking. It’s not inconsistency—it feels like hope and confidence were breathed back into his soul. After dying, losing everything, and suddenly being given it all back, change feels inevitable.
The rewind-for-the-villain trope isn’t new, especially in isekai stories. In his first life, he had only just begun to reform when it abruptly ended—right when he was starting to understand who he was and what truly mattered. That unfairness lingers.
This time, he rewrites his life not as a blank slate, but as someone carrying memory, regret, and consequence. And that’s why his change feels earned: he tries to do better not simply because he can—but because he knows the cost of failing to do so.

What Han Young did—and dared to do—was only possible because he had faced death and understood what truly matters. Unlike others who chase power, he chose something simple: reading case files, sharpening his pencil, and writing fair verdicts. Even when he could have gained everything by handing over the X-files, he refused. That quiet choice reveals his truth.

When others justify “necessary sacrifices” for the greater good—building empires on the bodies of the weak—Han Young asks the simplest, sharpest question: “And who agreed to those sacrifices? Nobody.”

What I admire most is his resolve. It’s hard to stand by your version of justice when the world debates and pressures you otherwise. But he does—and that certainty makes him powerful.


⚖️⚖️The Ensemble: Second Half Supremacy⚖️⚖️

The drama becomes twice as fun in the second half as the team slowly comes together.

Baek Yi-seok—uff.
The duo moments for Lee Han Young and the bald mentor? Ridiculously funny.
Park Chul-woo? Absolutely hilarious.

I also loved how multiple characters were given second chances, not just the lead. Initially, I suspected a forced love angle between Jin-ah and Han-young, but I’m so glad the drama stayed true to itself. The pairings felt organic, subtle, and respectful—letting married characters resolve their own issues rather than forcing romance between Jin Ah and Han Young only because they are the leads~~.

Jin Ah and Chul Woo were so cute ~~ i had an inkling from the start... and I was right!
See-he, especially, surprised me. I didn’t like her much in her first life, but her second-life version slowly grows on you—quietly, persistently—until she earns her place. An oddly adorable Little Red Riding Hood.
Judge Baek and the mentor uncle?

Cuties. Absolute cuties.
And Judge Baek’s actor once again proves he’s an all-rounder—you just trust him instantly when he plays good characters.







⚖️⚖️The Villains:⚖️⚖️

Kang Si-jin.
Uff. What a villain.

That food scene alone—every time he ate, it felt like we needed to run for our lives. Chilling, unforgettable, masterfully acted. I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever forget this character. His slurps and big mouth eating were messing with my OCD. I seriously considered watching his scenes on mute~~
We get to see his reasons, his past, his version of justice—what he believed in. I initially thought he was just plain evil. But he truly believed he was fighting for justice, which surprised me. Even Han Young used a few “cheat codes” (I prefer that over unfair means), but Si Jin openly admits he dirtied his hands to enter the system and reform it… and somewhere in between, he lost his way.
And his subordinate—the killer—felt less like a human and more like death itself. Overpowering, almost mythic. Pure fear. That hospital scene… uff… bang bang bang. No rage, no hesitation. Just cold indifference. Killing as casually as cutting veggies for lunch.







⚖️⚖️The Plot:⚖️⚖️
It’s fantasy, after all—a judge who returns from death and keeps winning, rarely failing. Is it realistic? Not really. But I honestly prefer it that way. Let heroes win for once—at least in dramas. Let them triumph. Let it be smooth, fun, and unapologetically thrilling, like a wild ride~~
The plot never gets boring. I watched some episodes at 2x, some at 1x, and enjoyed it either way. There’s no dull moment, and nothing feels overly complicated or hard to follow.
The portrayal of corruption hits hard because it feels uncomfortably real. Power, money, and influence operate above the law, while institutions meant to protect justice are hollowed out from within. What makes it chilling is how casually this corruption exists—normalised, protected, and hidden behind authority.
The weight of the corruption reaches us through the characters—their shock, fear, and disbelief—so the audience realises the depth of the rot alongside them, instead of brushing it off as normal. Because it’s not.


⚖️⚖️The conclusion:⚖️⚖️

For me, it was like a paradise experience, a dreamlike journey, a bed of roses. The heroes risking their life for it all, surviving and putting those cuffs on everyone..
The drama is great and, for the most part, a lot of fun—but it is a fantasy. And honestly, it has to be. If it weren’t, it wouldn’t be enjoyable at all. Real life is far messier, far sadder, and its struggles stretch not just over years, but across generations.

This is a drama where, as the audience, we are allowed to enjoy a victory. That in itself feels rare.

I don’t know how the real war unfolding in front of us will end, or how long it will take—whether for us, or for the “heroes” within the story. Reality doesn’t wrap things up neatly, and justice doesn’t arrive on cue. But at least here, in this one battle, in this first fight for independence, they have won. The fight and

And that matters.

Because the truth coming out—being exposed, documented, and visible for everyone to see—is already a step forward. Naming the truth is not the end of the war, but it is a battle won. It breaks silence. It cracks the illusion. One can forget.. One can forgive.. But once something is seen, it can never be completely unseen again.


⚖️⚖️An Alternate POV:⚖️⚖️
Since he is isekai’d back ten years after dying, I can’t help but wonder—what if it isn’t real time travel at all?

What if it’s the last gift of his mind… or a quiet mercy from God?

Perhaps, in his final moments, as his breath faded and regret closed in, his consciousness created a “what if” world—a softer ending. A second chance he never had in reality. Not a literal return to the past, but a final dream meant to comfort him as he lets go, allowing him to relive his life with awareness, courage, and the power to choose differently.

A peaceful illusion before everything goes dark.

Because sometimes, the cruelest part of death isn’t dying—it’s the weight of unfinished choices. And maybe this second life is his final comfort: a fragrant dream where justice wins, wrongs are righted, and he walks away redeemed.

Not reality.
But peace.


⚖️⚖️BIG TIME ENDING SPOILERRRRRRRRRRRR⚖️⚖️

In the middle u start to wonder if all the evil men of the past will get their karma or not..
Anyway, they wrapped it up beautifully—not a single loose screw, not a shred of unfinished karma left hanging. Every crime answered. Every thread tied.

Uff. The emotional punches and kicks this gave me—I’m still feeling them. Pure catharsis. Pure release. I’m genuinely floating on cloud nine right now.

However, though they seem to have won the battle, there is a bigger war waiting ahead.
Because like cancer, because like weeds, like rust ... corruption is not about the people or individuals involved alone.
You can polish the metal, but if the environment stays the same, decay resumes...
Tbh i felt so hopeless... and broken when i saw one face among the seats in the new suojae...but ig thats what u call reality of life..because even with luck, and tricks in our hands... with how much ever effort you remove the infected area or part of body ..cut it off.. the poison is already spread to the whole existence, cell, and blood.

But the drama doesn't end at this miserable truth scene. It ends with Han Young enjoying and feasting with his friends, family, and neighbours over the connections and experiences they have had over the past few episodes..

Life isn’t only about curing the illness.
Evil exists — it always will.
But so does good.

And sometimes, surviving, protecting your people, and finding moments of warmth despite the rot in the world… is its own quiet victory.

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Justice is blind, crooked & murderous!!

This series is so much better than you would be lead to believe if you read some of these harsh reviews. I found it to be extremely entertaining with some great story lines throughout. I would say, I did find a little off in the beginning and felt difficult to get hooked right away. Once I got well into episode 2, that's when it became a bit captivating. The rest of the series after that was truly great, well written and definitely well acted.
Ji Sung was simply fantastic. I find he always gives a strong performance no matter what role he's playing, so it's safe to say that he did not disappoint in this one either. He, along with a great supporting cast, really blended well together. Jin A & Hwang Hee were a big part of that as well.
This drama had pretty much everything you could ask for, bad guys turning good, good guys turning bad ... and several great antagonists that you really despised by the last episode. Hee Soon, without a doubt, would be at the top of that list. He shined fantastically as such an evil character, becoming more sadistic with each passing episode.
The only thing I found a bit puzzling was the very end. Not to give anything away, but we seem to have been left hanging with a couple of events, hinting at a season 2??? Really not sure.
All in all, a really enjoyable series that had it all.

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The best divorce in kdrama history.

Let's start from the not so nice part.

Look, i loved that the story focused on the parallels between Han Yeong and Sin Jin, his revenge, his close friendship bonds more. It was obvious that's what the story really wanted to tell. But, was the half assed romance truly necessary?

Se Hui barely has any character to herself, and the series failed to make any difference to that in all 14 episodes. Han Yeong barely cares about her in that way, at best, he tries to see her as his friend. Any feelings felt too rushed from her side. Cause of that, every romantic moment felt awkward at best, and like a complete nightmare at worst. It would've been better if they tried to build steady friendship in the first season, but nope.

Aside from that...I don't really have any complaints. Any platonic bond Han Yeong had felt natural. That, and the tension he had with his rival. The friendship/teaming part and the absolutely amazing tension with Sin Jin is undoubtedly the best part of the show.

The intensity with which Sin Jin desperately wanted to see Han Yeong as his confidant bleeds through the cracks more and more as the show progresses, which is really juicy. One of the best rival dramas there is.

It didn't feel too rushed, at least to me. The first episode was kinda slow and mediocre, but sitting through it was worth it in the end.

The black, white, and gray, all sides of justice. And Han Yeong is more gray than he thinks. I hope it will be explored more, but, who knows?

(The adverts were awful as hell tho never do that again.)

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Mixed Feelings

I think the story had great potential and the execution was impressive overall. However, the last two episodes didn’t quite live up to the expectations that the earlier episodes had built. The open ending left viewers with more questions than closure, and I’m not sure whether there will be a second season. The male lead truly carried the drama. The first eight episodes were well-paced and engaging, especially with the legal focus. But later, the storyline shifted heavily toward corruption and moved away from the legal cases. While I understand the intention behind that direction, I expected the other cases to continue running alongside the main plot.
It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s definitely a decent watch. I enjoyed following it weekly while it was airing. That said, I don’t think it has enough suspense or intensity to binge-watch in one sitting.

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Was justice really served ??

this drama has a great premise and a strong start yet lost its potential midway
first of all , all actors did a great job except for won jin a , I felt she had the same facial expressions throughout the series either she stares intensely or frowns , I didn't like her acting at all .

this drama starts as a dystopian drama set in year 2035 where it is said that poverty has been eradicated in the name of civilization and poor people had nowhere to go except tunnels and abandoned building , it gives the devil judge vibes so you would expected to continue that way but after han yeong gets a second chance it begins to tone it down nevertheless it was full of funny , action and thriller scenes , i really enjoyed watching han yeong making up for what he did in his past life.

that being said here is what what made it lose potential for me :
kang shin jin in the version of 2035 was this mysterious , powerful and merciless character , yet in 2025 version you see him less calculating and trusting han yeong easily till suddenly we see him taking han yeong to suojae and telling him all about his future plans , i didn't get that transition it was a bit rushed like when did shin jin trust han yeong that much and with someone as calculating and untrusting as shinjin he didn't have han yeong watched ??? he didn't know he was cooperating was the prosecution trying to sabotage his plans ? it didn't make sense for me /

sun won " shin jin thug" what made him serve shinjin with loyalty till the very end even after shinjin betrayed him and tried to kill him , what relationship did these two share ??

what kind of justice was kang shinjin talking about? after framing innocent people and killing witnesses just to let the rich ones off the hook , he wanted power so the rich won't get away with what they have done ? he was the one helping them get away in the first place . what kind of argument did this character have?

In the end after you think you know who is good and who is bad you just see another sujae is formed and this time with some new and some old people and we see beak i seok among them , so had he really gone bad?
and a cellphone was passed to kang shin jin so it isn't over yet ?

this was good in some points yet was still lacking .

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This drama revolves around a simple but powerful question: what if life gave you a second chance to fix the choices you once made? 👀
And honestly, watching the male lead make different decisions the second time around felt so… satisfying and relieving. Like finally seeing someone correct the mistakes we all wish we could undo.
The story is engaging, the characters are strong, and the drama blends politics, courtroom tension, action, a hint of romance, and even some light humor pretty well. It keeps things interesting without feeling too heavy all the time.
What I liked most is how it shows that one decision can change everything — and how courage to choose differently can actually rewrite your life.
If you’re into time-travel dramas with a legal/political twist, this one is definitely worth checking out. ⚖️✨
P.S. – This drama will definitely make you think: If I got a second chance… what would I change? 😌

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A decent series, could've been better!

The Judge returns is a good drama with an interesting premise of what if someone, a corrupted judge was given a second chance to redo his bad choices and live as a good guy, what will he do? how is he going to deal with situations he had already lived? and that's kind it.

The story as you can imagine already, is nothing new or spectacular but it was fun overall and an enjoyable experience to be honest with some issues here and there and around the ending which is why i'm saying it could've been better.

The acting as expected was good especially the ML and the antagonist Kang, the tension and everything between them was amazing, the action was also not that bad even though we only had few instances. The music in other hand was meh.

Now, if you're reading this review then let me tell you, the first 2 episodes are slow and boring with high intensity bg music, you feel like you're watching a cheap series. It's only after ep 4 that i started feeling interested, and i'm a person who don't give a chance like that, when i don't feel connected in the first 2 or 3 episodes, i drop the series and well, i didn't do that here and i wasn't wrong.
The thing that was never explained though was how the ML came back to life? I mean, how and why? and by 'WHY' i mean, why him exactly? what happened? I understand he was given a chance to redeem himself but It was never stated nor explained why he came back to life and especially 10 years in the past? This question was never answered.

I liked the tension between the ML and the antagonist but i felt like the ML was playing on easy mode as well as the rest of his friends. like you're telling me that these guys with all the power and money they had couldn't at least be a problem? be some kind of threat? I think this point really made risk/reward feel cheap and whenever you're watching, you just know that Judge Lee is having it figured out. It's fine though when the ML is smart and one step ahead, this is something we're used to in fiction in general but when there's no real threat that could seriously harm the protagonists then it's nothing really.

The ending was not really what i expected and it's directly connected to my previous point of threat. Kang (i'm sure he's coming back with more power) was presented as this evil person who trust no one and do everything to achieve his goals, something about that point was wrong because the ML met him, made him trust him and then knocked him out and that was so easy that you feel disappointed. 14 episodes building him up to just put him down in 2 episodes? like Come on.

The final thing that i want to address is why do we actually need a 2nd season? like, don't get me wrong, i might watch it when it comes out but why not just do something different and keep the antagonists down for good, why do we need to watch it happening all again?
I understand the financial reasons behind this move and also from a writing standpoint. You know that the antagonists were put down real quick, you know there was no real tension or serious threat, you know you heroes were going on easy mode but was it intentional or somehow you know you made lot of mistakes? Well, i don't know who can answer that question but as a viewer i already made my points clear.

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Solid show, but predictable and little to no tension.

I really like the main character, very easy to root for, simple redemption arc but nice that he attempts to achieve justice whilst taking care of those around him. However, does he really need to be a judge? Most of the time he acts as a prosecutor, why not just make him one? Him being a judge isn't really a focal point, bar him losing his life for a sentence, however being a prosecutor or investigator can achieve the same effect whilst being able to make more sense. Pro Bono presents this concept in a really nice fashion, a former judge to pro bono lawyer, allowing him to utilise his judge's knowledge whilst struggling as a pro-bono lawyer due to his lack of expertise, I believe Judge Returns could've done a similar concept given the lack of overall struggle within this show.

Throughout the show, the tension and struggle is near non-existent. If you enjoy revenge drama where the protagonist simply gets his revenge, then this is stellar. However, the MC has far too much of an upperhand with his knowledge of the future, and the main antagonists simply sit and watch, at most attempt to attack him but he is able to fight back now and at most leaves with a slice on the neck, which of course he will survive.

The actions of the MC felt kinda pointless when they just re-organised the group after he took down the main antagonist, with the justice friend he made now joining the group. I get they were trying to set up a sequel, but to leave this many things open is not needed, and just leaves season one as kinda pointless. You could've explored other avenues of justice, the group as a whole kinda of had their time already and should've been done. He already knows all the members too, what's stopping him from taking them down with ease? Just odd sequel bait, especially for an industry that is known for rarely doing season 2s.

The romance in this show is pointless to even get invested in. The MC's romance is unclear, does he like the prosecutor or the daughter of the law firm? The daughter of the law firm literally testified against him in the original timeline, and was barely actually interested in him bar for his power, so why do they pretend like it was different now? Her character as a whole is kinda just useless, she just comes and goes as she pleases and is too hesitant towards everything. As for the Prosecutor, they allude to them having ties together since the past, but nothing ever is even close to materialising. Even with her prosecutor buddy, its tame at best, why even bother with trying to develop romance if it won't happen, just use that time to further the story. Even the given layup, with the Angel and Reporter was barely done until the very end, and wasn't even confirmed confirmed or given any solid scenes together, very dissappointing overall.

The characters are nice though, not that multi-faceted but still very nice acting and easy to like characters, but nothing crazy.

Being reborn, especially as a judge, to enact revenge or justice, is a commonly done concept in dramas, and this one is just a solid getting revenge show, but doesn't really go deep into anything. It is a bit too tame and scared of action tension and loss, so if you want a feel good revenge show, this is the perfect show. However there is definitely better reborn/reincarnation/time travel shows present.

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What happens if you are given a second chance at life?

I loved the concept of the ML getting a second chance AND retaining all his memories. Some have said that by doing that it took out any drama. I don't agree. For me, the intrigue came by his thoughts and showing how he was going to manipulate what was supposed to happen. We were given the ML's voice over, explaining what had happened in the future. This whole thing reminded me of a game of chess - the strategy, the attack/counterattack.

The acting was excellent. Ji Sung never disappoints (Why did they spell his name Ji Seong in the credits?). The rest of the cast, as well. I love the actors that played his parents, they were so comforting to watch.

What stood out most to me was the concept of "found family". He finally appreciates his parents. He reconnects with a friend that he lost in his old life. He got to know the prosecutors and the reporter. When that group was together, they were the Scooby Gang! However, once they became friends, I spend the rest of the drama hoping that one of them wouldn't get killed off. I was especially drawn to his old friend. He works in gray areas but has a heart of gold. He and the ML taking the teenager under their wings and employing her and keeping her safe was a joy to watch. I was sad to see the outcome with wife, especially since they spent so much time leading us to believe that their story could change.

The only reason I didn't rate it higher was due to the plethora of bad guys. If he was a middle-aged man in a suit, he was a bad guy. It was so hard to keep the names and faces straight.

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