chillingindoors

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I know right. I've long back stopped looking at ratings on this site.

The movie is a prequel to the drama (if I am not wrong) but the subs haven't been released yet. Nonetheless, you won't miss anything if you watch the drama first.

Oh yeah URGH it doesn't look it will go away anytime soon :(

YEAP my heart definitely fluttered :)

What I liked
- The main characters, specifically Iruma and Chizuru. Their banter and chemistry is FIRE. Despite being of very different schools of thought, they clearly make a great team (CHEERED WHEN SHE CITED LEGAL JARGON TO THE JUDGE WHO SLAMMED IRUMA'S RULING hehe)
- The humour
- The way they use Iruma's nephew's question to frame an issue, and use the legal case to explore that question and find an answer. (That's clever writing. It brings a lot of perspective)
- the hints we get into Iruma's backstory (I'm curious because that has clearly shaped the way he looks at a case)

What I disliked (these concern mainly the case from my legal viewpoint)
- The fact that Iruma had to evoke his authority for basic facts to surface. The doctor's connection to the case should have been brought to light earlier. Same with the teacher's relationship with the Defendant, especially when the child was left in her care for hours each day. How could the Prosecution & Defence go to trial without knowing these basic facts?!
- The fact that they waited so long to subpoena the Doctor. That is the first thing judges do when they want to call upon a witness or 3rd party to the stand. They probably did it for dramatic effect (the whole last min warrant and running, but it fell flat for me and I was left feeling annoyed even though the running was hilarious)

What I find a mixed bag
I wish there was better courtroom decorum. But then again, Iruma is presented to be in trouble for that so I hope we'll get to see some action taken (rather than being told each episode that he'll face the displine committee).. some of the little things he does in the courtroom really bothers me. I have the same expressions Chizuru has. LIKE HOW CAN YOU DO THAT?! It definitely bothered me more this episode than it did in the first episode.

2 episodes in, I have a better idea of the direction this show seems to be taking. It appears to contrast the idealism Iruma holds as to what a judge should be like, versus the reality of how the legal system is often caught up by its decorum, irregularities and politics such that the very pursuit of justice has been re-defined. So far they're balancing these two aspects well & I think that's what makes this enjoyable for me. It is a pertinent question. I wonder, though, if they'll be able to do justice to this concept. I'm looking forward to the conclusions this show will draw.

On to the episode and what I liked / disliked below (in spoiler)

HAHAHAHAA the way they used the warrant as a baton that they kept passing to each other while running in E2. I freaking loved it LOL! That was so creative & fun (though unrealistic given that it is a court clerk's job)

I think last year wasn't too bad. BTW the J dramas this season are fantastic as well! So many of my fav actors are on screen. Do check them out :)

It was Satako who was abused, not Yuri. That's why the 15 years. Because she planned it and had a clear intention to kill. The law does not pardon someone with a malicious intention to kill. Had Satako been the one to kill her husband, it would count as self-defence and she would have gotten a reduced sentence.
Unfortunately, that's the price Yuri had to pay for her friendship.

Anyone that enjoyed this and is looking for something similar, I recommend watching this drama called Byakuyako.

Finally caught up with the whole series. This was FANTASTIC. There couldn't have been a better title than 'Influence' for this drama. Unlike sappy and positive stories of friendship, this was a twisted tale of friendship (and even love).
Well-rounded storytelling filled with complex and layered characters that kept my interest throughout. It was a great psychological mystery / suspense. Highly recommended for anyone who is into this genre. It will teach you a thing or two about the way our actions and decisions are often 'influenced' by the variables in our life (in this case it was friendship / love & society partly).

NOTE: To enjoy this, don't judge them from your moral compass or your understanding of what friendship is, & what is right / wrong.

My favourites from this year so far-

Nijiro Karute
Tengoku to Jigoku: 2 Psychos
Ore No Ie No Hanashi
Uchi No Musume Wa Kareshi Ga Dekinai
Shitteru Waifu
Run On

DAMNNNNN I didn't know so many of them had siblings in the industry. Thank you for sharing :)

I LOVED THAT OPENING XD
Got me hooked instantly!

I saw the first episode and loved it!

I completely agree! Despite their differences, both of them clearly did put in effort for each other, and that made it endearing. I definitely think they are a good couple.

Looking at his father, it's not surprising that Obara grew up so uptight. Nonetheless, he did try to change little things for her :)

LMAO I was too lazy to count! Can't blame him though. He was so sleepy!

Exactly. Also Eita and Keiko have chemistry! I hope they make use of that and give us a lot of romance hehe :)