This review may contain spoilers
LGBTQ content +Lackluster & Disappointing on many levels
The strength of the series is in the medical mysteries & the lead's charms. For me, both were lacking in this season. Both leads spend what feel like endless moments staring wide eyed at each other as this season focuses on thier relationship. So much so, that it's actually boring it it's abundance of "ah we're having a moment" (s) scenes. The well fleshed out side characters from season 1 are turned into flat background scenery for the most part.
As in Season 1, where there was an abundance of focus on the plight of women, this season also high lights females females as down trodden (well it IS the Joseon era!) but still seemed a heavy emphasis- AND there is a medical mystery that revolves around two women lovers which has a modern solution.
It did seem that many plot devices went unexplained or were presented as difficult when there are easy solutions that are too often simply ignored. Examples:
male lead's bodyguard stays at the clinic (for no reason)-while his master goes out & faces dangerous situations. (totally avoidable IF servant was actually being a servant/bodyguard like he was in season 1)
Female lead's father inexplicably allows her to return to the clinic. (after insisting that she not do that as he had at the end of season 1)
When asked by the king, what the male lead wishes for as a favor, he somehow forgets to ask for the most important thing [his heart's desire-to marry female lead]
Later in the drama, we are reminded that the female lead actually cannot by law, marry or have children as she is a widow. ( if the leads left the country, problem solved & why the heck is the male lead pursuing her when he has NO plan for them to be together?)
A guy from the royal physicians group concocts a ruse to come to the clinic (spy on them) & they don't make him leave once he is healed, though they know he is not to be trusted & out to get them.
There is a happy ending, but we have to go through the obligatory trope of proof of love by pushing your lover away because despite them often proclaiming they would rather live without any & everything else BUT you, BUT you think they don't really mean it & feel you must step aside for them to be fulfilled through thier career.
So, yes, disappointing on many levels
As in Season 1, where there was an abundance of focus on the plight of women, this season also high lights females females as down trodden (well it IS the Joseon era!) but still seemed a heavy emphasis- AND there is a medical mystery that revolves around two women lovers which has a modern solution.
It did seem that many plot devices went unexplained or were presented as difficult when there are easy solutions that are too often simply ignored. Examples:
male lead's bodyguard stays at the clinic (for no reason)-while his master goes out & faces dangerous situations. (totally avoidable IF servant was actually being a servant/bodyguard like he was in season 1)
Female lead's father inexplicably allows her to return to the clinic. (after insisting that she not do that as he had at the end of season 1)
When asked by the king, what the male lead wishes for as a favor, he somehow forgets to ask for the most important thing [his heart's desire-to marry female lead]
Later in the drama, we are reminded that the female lead actually cannot by law, marry or have children as she is a widow. ( if the leads left the country, problem solved & why the heck is the male lead pursuing her when he has NO plan for them to be together?)
A guy from the royal physicians group concocts a ruse to come to the clinic (spy on them) & they don't make him leave once he is healed, though they know he is not to be trusted & out to get them.
There is a happy ending, but we have to go through the obligatory trope of proof of love by pushing your lover away because despite them often proclaiming they would rather live without any & everything else BUT you, BUT you think they don't really mean it & feel you must step aside for them to be fulfilled through thier career.
So, yes, disappointing on many levels
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