"Save Me" Episode 12 recap

The efforts of our heroine, heroes and their allies are starting to bear fruit as they inch closer to Guseonwon's shady operations and more people are starting to hear about the cult. Detective Lee stumbles upon some very suspicious connections during a case, but will he take the matter seriously this time? A personal disappointment aside, I am ready for the final stretch.
I have been asking for official help to arrive for our heroes and it seems that the Dramagods are kinder than Baek's (Jo Sung-ha) twisted view of his own. Detective Lee (Jang Hyuk-jin) has been corrupt enough that I feel hesitant to trust him, but the glimpses of interest in something too big for him to ignore are there. Kudos to Jang Hyuk-jin for changing his demeanor so skillfully whenever Lee's detective sense tingles.

I do not expect Lee to arrive like a knight in shining armor, however, since "Save Me" has been very consistent with its characterization. I suspect that he may simply switch sides to Cheon Jae-soon (Son Jong-hak), who will probably be dying to take his superior and his new pet down in one go. Han Yong-min (Son Byung-ho) continues to be cruel, possibly revealing a personality disorder, Apostle Kang (Park Ji-yeong) becomes worse every day and so does Joo-ho (Jung Hae-kyun).
While I love the series greatly and I continue to be impressed by its consistency and quality, this is the first time "Save Me" has somewhat disappointed me. The last scene of the episode is highly problematic in its function, even if not in content. The threat of rape has existed for Sang-mi (Seo Ye-ji) since her very first contact with Guseonwon's leader. There is no issue there. After all, this is how our society often treats women and the subject should not be stigmatized, but have the appropriate exposure in media.

However, it is the fact that this threat is used as a cliffhanger that I find unfortunate. For one, the writer risks mirroring the very ideas their villains are being chastised for by dangling Sang-mi's sexual safety as bait for keeping viewers. It is also belittling for what is a traumatic, horrible experience to be insensitively teased as a transition to the next episode, rather than being given the gravity it deserves.
With the series close to its end, there are many things I am curious about. For example, I am running out of patience waiting for the narrative use of Joon-goo (Go Joon). I also want to see if Jeong-hoon's (Lee David) streaming will make a difference. Most of all, I want to see if all the clear signs pointing to Dong-cheol's (Woo Do-hwan) self-sacrificial death are truthful.
"Save Me" is directed by Kim Seong-soo, written by Jeong Sin-gyoo and Jeong I-do-I and features Taecyeon, Seo Ye-ji, Jo Sung-ha and Woo Do-hwan.
Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

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