We could all learn from Attorney Woo . . .
The premise of the show; 'maybe in the end, we all need Attorney Woo more than she needs any of us.' Each episode, we are treated to a new legal case where this premise is freshly tested.
While a bit simplistic and condescending (this is a premise often used for stories about pets and small children), there is an inherent truth and simple joy that is cathartic. Oftentimes, especially in the law, we deliberately make things excessively complicated to avoid our responsibilities to fairness, justice and equal application of the law. Sometimes, there really is a right side and a clear answer.
I will say the legal cases of the week, the legal problems and applications of the law were well researched and presented compared to most legal shows, and illustrated the spectrum of personalities attracted to the law extremely well.
Added secondary elements of romance and family drama kept the show interesting, as the initial simple premise wore thin.
The actors are all distinct, and I was attached to many of the secondary characters. The emotional range and depth was fairly shallow for all. The show often pulled its punches, and would open up difficult scenarios or questions only for things to resolve neatly with a bow, before anyone was too distressed. The music was fine, and I'm not sure if I'd rewatch.
I grade on other criteria:
Complex Themes: 7.5
The show opened up a lot of thorny ethical and moral problems: can someone non-autistic and someone autistic be in a relationship of equals? how will Attorney Woo handle morally ambiguous cases? why do people who feel righteous do immoral things? But then always takes the easiest way out - mainly by side stepping and dropping the issue entirely.
Character Growth: 5.0
There really isn't any, unless you count being more accepting of Attorney Woo
Complicated Women/Interactions between Women: 8.5
Featuring women in careers, esp. in higher power positions is always extremely welcome. Attorney Woo as a woman genius/savant/autistic already gains huge points for this section. She also has a growing and complicated friendship with her fellow female associate and old classmate. However, the touch points, for Attorney Woo are mostly men: her father, her boss/mentor at the firm, her romantic interest, and her nemesis at the firm.
Cinematography/Production Values: 9.0
The production team, directors, and cinematographer excelled in two areas. 1) in illustrating Attorney Woo's internal thought processes from the whales, to how her brain jumps to finding patterns no one else can see 2) in filming the numerous lengthy court scenes to make them engaging and exciting
Beyond that, it's the typical high standards of a modern K Drama.
The premise of the show; 'maybe in the end, we all need Attorney Woo more than she needs any of us.' Each episode, we are treated to a new legal case where this premise is freshly tested.
While a bit simplistic and condescending (this is a premise often used for stories about pets and small children), there is an inherent truth and simple joy that is cathartic. Oftentimes, especially in the law, we deliberately make things excessively complicated to avoid our responsibilities to fairness, justice and equal application of the law. Sometimes, there really is a right side and a clear answer.
I will say the legal cases of the week, the legal problems and applications of the law were well researched and presented compared to most legal shows, and illustrated the spectrum of personalities attracted to the law extremely well.
Added secondary elements of romance and family drama kept the show interesting, as the initial simple premise wore thin.
The actors are all distinct, and I was attached to many of the secondary characters. The emotional range and depth was fairly shallow for all. The show often pulled its punches, and would open up difficult scenarios or questions only for things to resolve neatly with a bow, before anyone was too distressed. The music was fine, and I'm not sure if I'd rewatch.
I grade on other criteria:
Complex Themes: 7.5
The show opened up a lot of thorny ethical and moral problems: can someone non-autistic and someone autistic be in a relationship of equals? how will Attorney Woo handle morally ambiguous cases? why do people who feel righteous do immoral things? But then always takes the easiest way out - mainly by side stepping and dropping the issue entirely.
Character Growth: 5.0
There really isn't any, unless you count being more accepting of Attorney Woo
Complicated Women/Interactions between Women: 8.5
Featuring women in careers, esp. in higher power positions is always extremely welcome. Attorney Woo as a woman genius/savant/autistic already gains huge points for this section. She also has a growing and complicated friendship with her fellow female associate and old classmate. However, the touch points, for Attorney Woo are mostly men: her father, her boss/mentor at the firm, her romantic interest, and her nemesis at the firm.
Cinematography/Production Values: 9.0
The production team, directors, and cinematographer excelled in two areas. 1) in illustrating Attorney Woo's internal thought processes from the whales, to how her brain jumps to finding patterns no one else can see 2) in filming the numerous lengthy court scenes to make them engaging and exciting
Beyond that, it's the typical high standards of a modern K Drama.
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