Things get too complicated for a series two thirds into its total
duration, with some changes making me wonder whether the creators had
been winging it by this point. We have a new pivotal character who turns
everything we have known upside down, Deuk-cheon's connection to
Seong-hoon is revealed and Seong Joon discovers some important
information about his memories as he walks right into the lion's den to
save Soo-yeon.
I am trying to wrap my head around the use this not-mommy issues
twist with our new scientist character has and I am having some
difficulty. Perhaps her function is to justify Seong-hoon's (Yang Se-jong)
behavior a bit more, since his turn to misunderstood, tortured soul has
been happening for a while now and Dramaland loves its pretty boy
villains with parental problems. It just feels like a jarring entry for
someone who has not been adequately teased before.
If she has been part of the series from the start then the creators
have done a poor job introducing it. Her character carries zero
emotional weight because the topic of family and the perception of
clones when it comes to loved ones have never been explored in this
series. It is too little too late to bring about the topic of family
into a series which has not really explored or developed its clones in
any significant way. At least not Seong-hoon and he is the one who has
clearly taken this to heart.
On the other hand, Seong-joon's ethics when it comes to Soo-yeon's (Lee Na-yoon)
safety and his responsibility in this mess have been developed a bit
more adequately and so his face off with Seong-hoon's masters carries
weight. Viewers would naturally worry about Soo-yeon, who is an innocent
child and we worry about Seong-joon, who is a lead we have seen
kindness from. The danger of his visit to the hospital matters because
the two characters who are in danger do.
The idea of the twins changing identities is not very surprising or
interesting, but it does bring about some laughter about how useless the
villains here are. Here they are thinking Lee Yong-seob's memories are
gone forever and the clone who has them was simply the wrong one. I can
see why Seong-hoon would be angry now, but I cannot see why he would be
angry at Seong-joon, unless he blames everyone willy-nilly.
As for Deuk-cheon (Jeong Jae-yeong)
and his connection, I sincerely hope there is more to Seong-hoon's hate
than the little snippet we see in this episode. Keeping silent for a
bribe is something worth holding a grudge for, but if a busy cop does
not buy an evil scientist story from a child on a late night, I cannot
exactly call them a traitor. I wish "Duel" will show focus and at least make its final stretch exciting.
"Duel" is directed by Lee Jong-jae, written by Kim Yoon-joo and features Jeong Jae-yeong, Kim Jung-eun, Yang Se-jong and Seo Eun-su.
Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'
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