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[ASKKPOP] [Drama Review] 'Angel Eyes' - Episode 3

ANGEL EYES EPISODE 3


Finally we catch a glimpse of our couple as adults. To me, they look quite different. The teenage actors had such chemistry, and, while not missing, it's different here. If there's something to be said, it's their optimism. I like that in a drama. Although the defining events of these people's lives seem tragic,Dong JooandSoo Wanhave overcome adversity and have come fairly far in their lives.

Twelve years have passed sinceDong Joowas in Korea. We have no idea what happened during that time. What wereDong JooandSoo Wanthinking and feeling?  I'm guessing we'll get the full story eventually.

The episode starts out action-packed with an alarm bringing the engines screaming from the station and then getting caught in traffic. No one moves for the emergency vehicles. I thought this odd because in my community everyone has to yield to emergency vehicles. If they need to get by, you move over. There are state, county, and city fines that can be levied if you don't. It turns out it's a false alarm and some hooligans get taken to task for it.Soo Wanlays one of them out and it's back to the police station for her. Apparently, she beats up the citizenry on a regular basis.

I thought that was a bit of an odd character development. She goes from fiercely independent to...violent? I realize that's supposed to add some depth to her character, but I thought that was strange.

Dong Jooshows up in the ER, driving the doctors crazy with his advice until the Head Chief,Soo Wan'sfather, comes out to greet him. The Head Chief announces thatJoois the new Chief and tells everybody to listen to him. As if to prove himself,Dong Jooperforms an extremely risky operation and comes through with flying colors. I like that.This adds some color to what might ordinarily be bog standard introduction. He knows he belongs there and automatically outranks them. His scenes with the patient's little boy are charming, as well.

Soo Wanis told to take rookie rescue workerTeddy Seo(played byBig Bang'smaknae,Seungri) under her wing.Teddyis an eager recruit, who grew up in Texas and was taught Korean by his grandmother.Soo Wanis not happy about this.Seungriplays the fresh-faced, eager recruit here, and does a capable job. The interplay between the rookie and the other rescue workers, not to mentionSooWan, provides a nice, comedic element. The fact that he's able to be serious and competent when the situation warrants it helps lend verisimilitude.

We learn that apparentlyDong Joois a famous surgeon, and that having him there is an honor. The Director is not happy to have him there. But why? What's the problem? He practically begsDong Jooto go back to America; he had a post in Boston that no one else could get even if they asked for it. He is the best. So, if the best wants to be in your ER, is there really a problem? I think something else is going on here.

Soo Wan'sfather had been racked with guilt and drank to submerge the pain. Apparently, he hesitated trying to saveJung Hwa'slife, knowing that her death would mean a new pair of eyes for his daughter. The guilt over failing to do his best drove him into a bottle. He appears to be better now, though.

Soo Wanhas a set of tapes, a series of recordings ofJung Hwateaching her to cook. This is apparently her connection to the past. She plays the tapes as she cooks, following the instructions as ifJung Hwawere in the kitchen with her. The tapes have that distinctlyJung Hwapersonality about them, and made me miss her, too. That was a deft touch, something that makes this drama unique.

At the rescue workers' headquarters, they play pranks and banter back and forth until the alarm sounds and they leap into action once again. When he first catches sight of her,Dong JooknowsSoo Wan. He talks to her, but she doesn't recognize him at all. And why should she? When last they were together, she was blind. But he kinda falters, and just ends up asking directions to the observatory. Why dance around the topic? Why not just say, "You don't remember me, but..."

He ruminates on this, on how she didn't recognize his voice. He decides at last that he is going to introduce and reveal himself, except when the emergency team arrives at the hospital, a madman takes her hostage. When he saves her, a doctor,Kang Ji Woon, leads her off, arm around her. Obviously there's a relationship there, since he's the first one she called for after the incident. Dejected,Dong Joosits and broods. She finds him, leans over to talk to him, and the whistle that he gave her dangles in front of him. He reaches for it, she recoils, and then he grabs her arm.

I love the fact that she still wears the whistle he gave her. So she still remembers him, but we have no idea how she feels. Betrayed because he left her? Fond of him because she loves him? Obviously, she has no clue he's back.  Is he going to let her know, finally? And what happens if and when he does? Is there room for him now that she's built a life without him? And what of her andJiWoon?

I like where this is going. So this is the obstacle that stands in the way of their love. I was wondering how that was going to play out since the crux of a romance is something that gets in the way of a potential couple. And he still does not know thatSoo Wanreceived his mother's eyes. What will be his feelings when he realizes this? I know it was her dying wish, but there still is potential to hit a nerve there. And what about the criminals who killed his mother? Are they still around?  I see all sorts of plot threads they left dangling - let's hope they tie them neatly at the end!