Another great performance by a guest actor, I like it a lot how every mental condition it's being portrayed so far, there are other Kdramas that have failed completely to showcase this, they wether show it as something terrible or they make fun of it when it's neither one or the other, this dramas shows that every person can suffer from it.
Also director Lee Jae Kyu has giving us some impresive shoots this episode!
Being the first season after the movie, this season's felt like it's had something to prove, to bring on new viewers won from the movies and keep old viewers by showing the spark hasn't died so many seasons in. It's been a dang good run, but this episode in particular stands not just as the best of the season, or the best of the last few years, but one of its best period. It's funny, but more than anything it's overflowing with heart, it capitalizes on over a decade's worth of connection to this family and even minor characters like Gene's music teacher to show how much these characters have grown and how deep their love for each other runs.
Gene showing his music expertise and creativity to save his recital not just for himself but for his favorite teacher. Bob and Linda trying so hard to achieve the impossible. Louise exposing that beating heart and being that vulnerable kid who acts like she doesn't care because it makes things easier not just for her but everyone else too. And Tina seeing through it and having the maturity won over the series to know that some pageant doesn't matter half as much as being there for her sister. It all intertwines in a beautiful musical climax that honestly left me undone. I've been with this family for a decade, and episodes like these make sure I'll stay for decades more. This is an instant Christmas staple.
Looking forward to read the book after this series is finished, but I loved that Park Chan-wook has chosen another TV project right in the same wheelhouse as his last one (The Little Drummer Girl), concerning the real and the artifice of spy craft with the director's signature magnetic style. The premiere might come off information-overload on paper, but Park's crosscutting montages and transitions make the story go down smoothly with the characters' emotions and humanity intact.
honestly id be mad too if i was saito miu didnt even want to be here and she has no clue what shes doing like im rooting for her but also why are they doing this to her??????
