5
So much guilt. So many regrets.
I would be lying if I call this a fluffy rom-com. Forget about doubling down on angst. Our writer-nim quadruple it by having all the main characters simmering in an bubbling angst stew. It is seriously depressing. Definitely not a breezy weekend binge.
However, if you hang in there, it will draw you in as the story develops and characters grow and evolve. I hope you are prepared, it is going to be a bumpy ride.
It all starts with the family's matriarch suffering a serious injury in a car accident. She lost a foot and ends up spending the next 7 years guilt-tripping her family into a pit of despair. She withdrew into their family home and turned it into a prison, nay, a torture chamber for all who crosses its threshold.
To be honest, I don't understand why she did that. Her kids are decent people. Her husband is loyal and caring. She was in her (late) 40's when the accident happened. Options are there to achieve a good degree of mobility and independence. It is baffling why she chose such a destructive path.
By the time we enter the frame, their family cohesion is largely gone. Everyone is on edge around her. All it takes is the slightest provocation and it is on for young and old.
When she passed away suddenly, it triggers more guilty feelings and recriminations. Let's just say the first few eps should be avoided by anyone who is triggered by this type of events. Forget a storm cloud hanging over their heads. It is an extinction level event. Everything from shouting matches to stony silence are all weapon of choice.
Oddly enough, the breakthrough came when all three reach their nadir. They end up having to talk it out as none of them can claim the moral high ground. We finally have relative peace and a glimmer of hope around the halfway mark. The clock is ticking though.
It should come as no surprise when the angst train hit us several more times. It is a nonstop rollercoaster ride. It is a little less white knuckle with the passage of time.
I won't spoil the A-plot as a lot happened and much of it are interrelated. Some are tropey. They are all relatable. I just wish it wasn't so relentless.
Without going into specifics, the role of communication is front and centre. Some straight talking provided us with breakthroughs. Yet at other times, it would breakdown completely. The show is keeping it real. This is something we all need to work on.
From my perspective, the main theme boils down to the old adage, carpe diem. It is not a panacea though. It offers a path forward for those willing to help themselves and seize the day.
In terms of acting, the ensemble cast did good. There is nothing fluffy about any of the roles. The FL and her father are first amongst equals. The weakest link, for me, is the FL's brother. He plays the angry young man with a touch of toxic masculinity. It is a one trick pony though. The mother deserves a special mention. She has a smallish role, but a very challenging one.
Oh, I almost forgot, the local priest is a delight! He is a contemporary of the FL and definitely not your typical parish priest. He is fed up with his flock using the confessional as some kind of free life coaching/financial advice/relationship consultation. His hands-on approach is a breath of fresh air. ;)
Does the show have a happy ending? I won't go that far. It is more of a promising one. Life goes on. There will be trials ahead. Their revitalised family unit will give them strength. I wish them the very best. Hwaiting!
P.S. One thing has been bugging me. The FL should have told Daniel she will buy him a ticket back to Korea as soon as he turns 19. I think that would be a more satisfying way to conclude this major branch. Those who have finished the show will know what I am talking about. ;)
However, if you hang in there, it will draw you in as the story develops and characters grow and evolve. I hope you are prepared, it is going to be a bumpy ride.
It all starts with the family's matriarch suffering a serious injury in a car accident. She lost a foot and ends up spending the next 7 years guilt-tripping her family into a pit of despair. She withdrew into their family home and turned it into a prison, nay, a torture chamber for all who crosses its threshold.
To be honest, I don't understand why she did that. Her kids are decent people. Her husband is loyal and caring. She was in her (late) 40's when the accident happened. Options are there to achieve a good degree of mobility and independence. It is baffling why she chose such a destructive path.
By the time we enter the frame, their family cohesion is largely gone. Everyone is on edge around her. All it takes is the slightest provocation and it is on for young and old.
When she passed away suddenly, it triggers more guilty feelings and recriminations. Let's just say the first few eps should be avoided by anyone who is triggered by this type of events. Forget a storm cloud hanging over their heads. It is an extinction level event. Everything from shouting matches to stony silence are all weapon of choice.
Oddly enough, the breakthrough came when all three reach their nadir. They end up having to talk it out as none of them can claim the moral high ground. We finally have relative peace and a glimmer of hope around the halfway mark. The clock is ticking though.
It should come as no surprise when the angst train hit us several more times. It is a nonstop rollercoaster ride. It is a little less white knuckle with the passage of time.
I won't spoil the A-plot as a lot happened and much of it are interrelated. Some are tropey. They are all relatable. I just wish it wasn't so relentless.
Without going into specifics, the role of communication is front and centre. Some straight talking provided us with breakthroughs. Yet at other times, it would breakdown completely. The show is keeping it real. This is something we all need to work on.
From my perspective, the main theme boils down to the old adage, carpe diem. It is not a panacea though. It offers a path forward for those willing to help themselves and seize the day.
In terms of acting, the ensemble cast did good. There is nothing fluffy about any of the roles. The FL and her father are first amongst equals. The weakest link, for me, is the FL's brother. He plays the angry young man with a touch of toxic masculinity. It is a one trick pony though. The mother deserves a special mention. She has a smallish role, but a very challenging one.
Oh, I almost forgot, the local priest is a delight! He is a contemporary of the FL and definitely not your typical parish priest. He is fed up with his flock using the confessional as some kind of free life coaching/financial advice/relationship consultation. His hands-on approach is a breath of fresh air. ;)
Does the show have a happy ending? I won't go that far. It is more of a promising one. Life goes on. There will be trials ahead. Their revitalised family unit will give them strength. I wish them the very best. Hwaiting!
P.S. One thing has been bugging me. The FL should have told Daniel she will buy him a ticket back to Korea as soon as he turns 19. I think that would be a more satisfying way to conclude this major branch. Those who have finished the show will know what I am talking about. ;)
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