The drama's intrigue was in its slow unravelling of the main character Seo Jae Won, and her unreliable narration. However, that ends by the tenth episode, and it morphs into a crime investigation that it did not build itself to be. That is where the drama loses its charm, and the sole driving factor becomes Jang Nara's performance as Seo Jae Won, and, for many, her dynamic with Yeon Te-Oh.

The first ten hours reel you into a world of suspects and tense confrontations, and I would be dishonest if I say the writing was not 8/10 in that timeframe. There was so much potential to build up on from that point onward. The exploration of Seo Jae Won's anxieties of not being a good mother and creating her a "happy ending", her relationship with herself as a result of her trauma, closure for what she experienced at the hand of those she trusted, and weaving it with the metaphor of the sea. As if there was no way out of the mess that had been created, the writing killed what potential this had. There was a beautiful family and psychological drama hidden in the layers of suspense, but it lost itself to a revenge thriller which does not have the satisfaction of one to give it merit.

All that said, the second half did have its moments, though they could have been delivered in a different setting altogether. Seo Jae Won works on herself, her relationship with her father becomes clearer and the best part of watching the drama, and her finding comfort and companionship in Te-Oh, within the plotting and scheming, was absolutely lovely to watch (despite what the comments may have you believe). I also want to appreciate that the plot moved ahead without beating the bush, which made it fast-paced, but also withholds enough to keep you guessing.

I already mentioned this, but what carried this drama was, quite simply, Jang Nara. Her portrayal of Jae Won in all her complexities was breathtaking. A worthy mention is Son Yi Hyun -- Yoon Jin's tantrums, as I would like to call them, made your blood boil, and we owe it to her for delivering that in earnest. Soon Young as a steadfast father and a vengeful husband would have been an image hard to swallow, but Son Ho Jun made that possible. He gave the drama a flavour you later come to appreciate. The acting was tight, given an experienced main cast and veteran supporting cast, so it makes you wonder how different the drama could have been had the writing not abandoned it so close to the end.

Despite my criticisms, I think I would rewatch the first half for its conspiracies. And the OSTs will be on repeat for sure.