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  • Join Date: April 19, 2013

mysecretsoul

United States

mysecretsoul

United States
Jun 26, 2013

Worries washing away

The misgivings I had about the last episode are beginning to fade. Initially it felt the plot was going nowhere, but as of this one, we're beginning to see the conflict blooming in the background. The previous two apparently were part of a slow build, which is fine since it didn't last long.



Zhou Zhen and Xiao Shu are forming a bond in the mean time; their interactions are always a highlight. The sequence at the baseball match was so sweet and funny! But let's not forget the second male lead played by Lee Jack. He's already got a connection to Xiao Shu--and he's starting to be cute and interesting!
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Jun 19, 2013

Needs a bit more, but....

Love Around seems to rely on the main couple's chemistry, but will that work in the long term? We needed a plot hook this episode, and we didn't get one... despite being promised the shades of conflicts to come. If this drama wants to stay afloat, we'll need a bit more.



It was still a fun episode, but mostly during the scenes between Annie Chen and George Hu. Many supporting cast members had me cringing, especially Zhou Zhen's family during the hospital sequence. I could do with a lot less of them in the future, but I won't hold my breath. Xiao Shu's family, on the other hand, has potential...especially in the tragic history they seem to have experienced.

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Jun 19, 2013

Well then...

Though still solid, the weakest installment so far. Some momentum has been sacrificed for necessary transition; Soo Min and Shi Hyun need to start interacting more, so the plot cogs are turning in that direction. Hopefully these interactions will be stronger than they have been. This episode's car scene felt out of place and jarred me a little out of the action; would these two people act like this considering their circumstances? It might just take more time to even out though.



One thing I did like is the conflict between Soo and Jin Sook. It promises to reach boiling point soon and should put Doctor's Son into a very precarious situation. What will he do when two people he genuinely cares for are at each other's throats?

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Oct 18, 2013

Top Team, assemble!

Perhaps for-profit hospitals are a rising social issue in South Korea? This marks the second time I've seen it used as a plot point this year, though Medical Top Team handles the subject much more capably.



It was enjoyable to see more of Han Seung Jae and his motivations. He has more opposition than he knows, and his desire to see Top Team succeed is more complicated than we know. The budding tension with Tae Shin will certainly be interesting, though I still hope they'll respect one another.



Top Team is almost fully assembled, though the final seat is still in question. This aspect, along with the cliffhanger surgery, leaves a lot of room for interest. If they can just find a better balance between talking and operating, we're looking at a solid drama.

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May 7, 2014

New Connections, New Ambitions

Nobunaga turns his eye to the unification of Japan, sparking curiosity across the fractured land. It's interesting to note how certain individuals view his declaration (Kanbei with wonder, his lord with suspicion and distaste). Eguchi Yosuke continues to make the most out of short scenes, particularly when delivering grand lines. During the final subjugation of Mino: "Tear down this gate and let a new wind blow through my castle!" Perfect.



Now to Kanbei. Though I find the motion from Otatsu to Teru somewhat quick, it's nice that the characters were allowed to show their respect for her. What will happen now that Kanbei directly serves in place of his father? How will his new bride's family work with him? I'm curious to see.

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May 6, 2014

A flower's life is short....

Many exciting elements were featured in this episode, quite fitting for such a turbulent era. We rejoin Kanbei as he is sent to the castle to be "fostered" (held hostage, more like), learning how being used for truces and guaranteed loyalty must feel for men and women alike. A little later, Kanbei distinguishes himself in his first battle; this aspect is handled perfectly, showing his nerves and yet how sharp he can be under pressure. Using prior knowledge of the land, he saves the day and manages to gain some attention--positive and negative.



We also spend some time with Nobunaga, who encounters difficulty in his invasion of Mino. A short, yet poignant glimpse into his background fascinates ("You're a demon!"), airing a little humanity into this bombastic historic presence. Meanwhile, it becomes clear how brilliant the enemy strategist is; how great would it be if they had one of their own?

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"You can't drink bourbon without circular ice!"

This time around, we delve more deeply into the case introduced last episode. The investigation style becomes clear, too; it's very classic detective work, with plenty of shtick. I noticed an interesting trend: as our leads make a deduction, it's dramatized on screen. Whenever Ukai is speaking, the action is plausible and framed like a picture. If Akemi instead, it's surrounded by colorful blocks (and usually ridiculous). Ukai totally humors her though, which leads to fun exchanges.



And that denouement! Great explanation, quirky presentation, and even a little touching...much to my delight.



Katagiri Jin also makes a cameo in this episode, solidifying the idea of our leads as a comedy duo.

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"They call me the 'Black Jack' of the detective world!"

Very excited about this one! The episode structure utilizes a classic detective story format, with plenty of good-natured jabs at popular examples of the genre (including Galileo). Our first mystery is decent, though part of a two-episode arc.



What really impressed me? How funny the drama actually is. Tamaki Hiroshi plays Ukai big and hammy, but it's perfectly suitable; his facial expressions and physical movements are priceless. Gouriki Ayame isn't my favorite actress, but paired with Tamaki...it's like watching a well-attuned comedy duo. Their bird bit made me audibly cackle.
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May 17, 2014

Harima, Heshikiri-Hasebe, Hideyoshi

Friends and vassals wait with baited breath as Kanbei finally meets Oda Nobunaga. In those thrilling moments as our hero presents himself and speaks strategy against the Mouri, it appears unclear whether Nobunaga is impressed or will lop off his head. Luckily, when the warlord reaches for his sword, it is to offer it to Kanbei along with his blessing. For history nerds like me, this is the Heshikiri-Hasebe, supposedly Nobunaga’s favorite sword. With this lofty gift, he also sends Hashiba Hideyoshi, whom we get to know more intimately in a serious of heart-warming and funny scenes. Kanbe seems to have met a kindred spirit in this "Saru."



I wonder if Kanbei knows just how helpful his wife Teru is, though. With the lord at Himeji so easily manipulated, the Kodera might have lost everything. Thanks to some quick thinking by those at home, our hero’s efforts are not wasted.

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"Looks like twenty ronin will need to be arrested."

While the gang investigates an unusual injury, Akemi seems to have developed an interest in alien culture. The case is characteristically quirky and unusual, though I enjoyed the previous two much more. Still love the laughs, though some are silly; the writers seem to have pinpointed the long-running gags that work.



Plus, it's good to see Ryohei join Ukai and company for case-by-case misadventures. My only wish is that Gouriki tones Akemi back down; I've been fine until now, but her "kyah!" was a little out of control this time.
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Ikanga~

Ukai and Akemi run into a strange little murder case involving two squid-related shrines and one unpopular marriage. It continues to surprise me how well this drama balances investigation with comedy; the two are so well mixed together. I'm totally in love with the parody, fourth wall-breaking aspect too; for instance, our "Black Jack of the Detective World" even appears momentarily in cosplay as the doctor himself.



Also, whenever Ukai starts his final deduction, a character from the next case appears during the slides. A very cute way to tie things together, indeed. Poor guy just wants to hunt down lost dogs for rich ladies, but what can you do?

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