The first few episodes were really good but it started falling apart a few episodes in when they tried to push the whole "humans are terrible" narrative while still needing to keep the main character as the exception. Protagonist plot armour was also really obvious which diminished the tension. You can pretty much guess who lives and who dies in each episode.
I was so excited to see Gong Yoo in the beginning and was almost expecting to see his face any time someone took off their masks and even the Frontman until it was super obvious a few episodes in that he was the officer's brother.
Anyway, this was a show I was only vaguely interested in watching but pushed it to the top of my to-watch list because all my friends were telling me to watch it. After binging it, I realised that it was definitely overhyped. All the friends who were recommending this to me should go watch Liar Game and Battle Royale instead. Pros I can think of are: characters who you either like or hate intensely, some interesting games. Cons are unnecessary side plots, certain actions from the characters not making sense or being inconsistent.
The ending was the worst part of the show. His mom dying felt like the writers piling on the main character without it really doing much. I'd have preferred to see him actually becoming a good son after everything made him realise what a POS he'd been. Why did he wait a whole year to fulfill his promise to Sang-Byeok? How did Sang-Woo's mom still have her shop? And who leaves a luggage case full of cash on the street for everyone to see to call after a guy with wine coloured hair? Was he really thinking about going after the squid game people and risk his future with his daughter? Last episode drops the rating a whole point by itself.
I enjoyed this show quite a bit though I would find myself looking away when some of the less interesting plotlines came into play. What I think it does well is using the setting to show us just how much progress we've made and at the same time also how little progress we've made since Dickinson's day. We're still struggling against racism and sexism today. I find it more than believable that even great poets could have been temperamental brats. I really like Hailee Steinfeld's portrayal of a spoilt young woman who is too brilliant and different for her own good. Even when I'm mad at Emily for some of her choices, I can't hate her.
Short and fluffy. Comfort food in TV form.
I hate when shows end on cliffhangers to basically force fans to campaign for a second season on their behalf. "Write to Syfy", "tweet about the show" uh, how about you make a good show that's worth renewing on its own merits? That said, I'm pretty happy it got renewed for a second season because while it isn't the greatest show ever, it is quite entertaining. I don't think they needed to throw in Waverly being possessed at the end. The fact that Bobo cast doubt on her parentage was plenty and that just felt like the show being desperate.
