1
3
An interesting if marginally frustrating show. Let down by parts of the last few episodes
This is not for you if :1. You're looking for traditional thriller/mystery
2. Traditional heart warming sibling behaviour
Do watch if :
1. Looking for some unusual plot , and dont mind dialogue heavy drama
The drama has some incredible dialogue that feels like direct shots fired at society we are in today. The show felt less about a plot , and more about the journey each of the characters undergoes . The ways in which various situations change them for better/worse , the complexities of reltionships and imperfect family dynamics .
In different ways , each of the Oh siblings move from being in the sidelines to learning to own the space they occupy.
Given the unusual plot base , i actually enjoyed the blunders and struggles of the leads . The chaos felt very similar to have ordinary ,everyday people would react when faced with extraordinary/bizzare events.
The osts werent particularly memorable , then again it requires most of your focus to be able to follow the plot , so ill have to give them a zeperate listen.
Costumes and set design were actually really well done in setting the tone for the scenes we were dealing in. Actors did a decent job, and had you immersed in the story, which is q win for me.
Real gold goes to the writers who wrote some heart hurting zingers with the dialogue.
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More makjang than political thriller
In a line : closer to being a modern take on historical-melodrama-political [ saeguks??is that the term ?] than an actual political showI'll start with the strengths of the show :
An incredibly stellar cast of actors that deliver on the roles that have . A lot of it is understated , quiet performance. If you're looking for out and out dramatic dialogues this may not be the show .
The stunt co ordination , action ,vfx and the overall shooting ,landscape , wardrobe were well done and cohesive. Music was decent and added to the atmosphere, without taking away from the moments they framed.
The neutral :
I can respect the complexity of the theme they were attempting. Political plots are seldom easy to keep engaging , and this does that up untill episode 6. A leading politicians death [an assasination on this case] is layers of plot by itself - and here the cause that he stood for adds even more dimensions to the plot. It was interesting seeing the relationship between Minju and Park Sanho evolve and grow -the building tension , the subtle slow burn , and most importantly the events that allow them the space to become what they are to each other. That was well acted and reasonably written.
The falloff [ or why the show fell from an 8.3 to a 2.0 for me post episode 6]
There were too many layers ,unanswered questions, rushed plot lines shoved into an 8 episode plot. Given the calibre of the actors chosen , the layers the show hints at and the fact that this was a netflix production -this shouldve been at least 12 /14 episodes long ,if not a full classic 16. There are too many jump cuts between scenes , backstories reduced to 2 minute dialogues with dramtic scores and cinematography- leaving behind enormous plot not holes but craters . What was additionally upsetting , was the use of religious symbols throughout the show -that had next to no
purpose ,other than serving largely as an asthetic choice.
Lastly ,without dropping all my spoliers . Modern political heavy shows ,by virtue of the genre for me -require a degree of anchoring in reality. They can have impossible concepts , but must lead audience to believe on this seemingly impossible concept. This is where Tempest fails .
After episode 6, for me the show looses its grip on the many layers it is trying to cover. It attempted to be too many things at once and ,falls under this collective weight into a jagged unclear mess. Rather than the cutting sharp edged drama it aspired to be.
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