This season cemented the author Lee soo yeon’s credibility in writing complicated characters and plot lines. It’s so well done. I’ll be following her work religiously.
I was prepared for a slightly less entertaining season 2 because sequels don’t usually follow the brilliance of the first. But this season of stranger shone just as bright if not more on its own.
The story, albeit complicated to follow, is gripping. Many things happen at the same time, which might leave you wonder where the plot is going or if there is going to be one culprit to find amidst it all. You end up focusing on every detail because you never know who you might have to suspect. And it’s just seems scattered at first. But by the end of it, a larger picture emerges and it brilliantly grounded in philosophy and ethics of work and justice rather than actively being on the ground to pin it on the one culprit. This season is a lot less legwork and more battle of words and institutions that seemingly protect the society. It might be tedious for the less inclined but every episode makes you think on so many levels and that’s the brilliance of the story. The story wraps up in best and the most realistic way possible. It’s not a perfect ending like what most of drama watchers might be accustomed to but it’s perfect because it stays true to its characters and reality of the world we live in yet shines a light towards the good and the decent.
Characters:
Hwang shi mok has to be my favourite character of all time. For a person incapable or at least wary of showing emotions, he is just so endearing! He sticks out like a sore thumb but his work ethic parallels none. His sense or morality in not innate. He just seems to follow the law and all that it upholds to the letter. He is justice personified. Also, he smiles a lot more in this season which is like twice but I’m not complaining.
Han Yeo Jin: she is just the coolest person anyone can have the privilege of working with. She is righteous. She is fun. She is doggedly pursues truth and justice no matter the circumstance. She has the rare courage of standing up to authorities and hwang shi mok couldn’t have found a better friend or just a person he could trust.
Seo Dong jae : This guy. He is shady and always seems to be working in the shadiest ways but he is smart in a way that Shi Mok isn’t. Dong Jae is like a errant puppy. He will exasperate you but you’ll end up liking him nonetheless. Also, how exasperating does one have to be to make Hwang Shi Mok almost roll his eyes!?
Choi Bit: She is one badass woman. It’s great to see her just be ambitious and what it means to succeed as woman. She makes questionable choices to get to the top just as her male counterparts would and that’s what makes her so cool. She is flawed for sure but it’s just nice to see a woman who isn't painted black or white. She stands her own in this story.
Acting: Everyone from the previous season came back with their characters as their second skin. All the actors in this season deliver. Maybe except Yoon Se Ah. I don’t know why I just didn’t buy her story most of the time. It felt like a caricature portrayal of her character. But it’s minor.
Overall, I hope there’s season 3. If not, I hope the writer keeps writing brilliant characters and casting Cho Seung Woo, Bae Doo Na and Lee Joon Hyuk.