"Jackpot" Episode 5 recap

Although there was a strong sense of the ridiculous in "Jackpot"'s fifth episode, there was a touch of realism as well. It could be because of Yeo Jin-goo's spot on acting or a bit of logical writing from Kwon Soon-gyoo. Jang Geun-seok does well with what he is given, but I think we'll see better from him once his character loses the hysterics.
Most of this episode centered around In-jwa physically and emotionally breaking Dae-gil in order to motivate him to change his path in life. He wants Dae-gil to use his grief and shape himself into a sharp tool for revenge rather than live as a delinquent and gambler. His methods were cruel and in terms of plot delivery, they were overkill. Dae-gil is stabbed three times in one episode and pushed off a cliff. And don't forget, he was stabbed once last episode, too. He was beaten up, had his limbs broken, and yet he still lives because he's lucky. I get that the show is trying to prove his destiny, but all of these antics made me laugh more than convinced me of Dae-gil's destiny.

Then we have Dam-seo, In-jwa's beloved pupil who's conscience doesn't leave her be as she watches her teacher literally torture Dae-gil. She's suffering an existential crisis as her thirst for revenge and her conscience battle. To compound her troubles, Yeoning is not the prince the world believes him to be, a drunkard and a womanizer. Instead, his has a cutting wit and a thirst to fix the wrongs he sees. His interactions with Dam-seo challenge her as well as incite some romantic reactions in both of them. I do like how they challenge each other's thought processes. Hopefully Dae-gil can join them soon. He just needs to stop flipping out, getting stabbed, and crying.
The episode lacked a lot, but it managed to make me eager for next episode. I want Dae-gil to change himself, find himself, better himself. I want to see Dam-seo take charge of her future instead of letting In-jwa and his ego dictate everything. I want to see Yeoning step forward and give In-jwa a run for his money. Until tomorrow!

Written by: Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'

"Jackpot" is directed by Nam Geon, written by Kwon Soon-gyoo, and features Jang Geun-seok, Yeo Jin-goo, Jeon Kwan-ryeol, Choi Min-soo, Lim Ji-yeon, and Yoon Jin-seo.

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