[HanCinema's Drama Review] "The Legend of the Blue Sea" Episode 12

"The Legend of the Blue Sea" is digging into the heart of the conflict, joining the past and present and their parallel happenings. Ma Dae-yeong and his Joseon incarnation are finally beginning to feel dangerous as they directly affect the well-being of Cheong and starry-eyed suitor.

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For the first time, the presence of a murderer has felt scary and for the first time the show has really made use of Sung Dong-il as an actor. Rather than skulking about the scenes he became actively dangerous, but then he ran off in fear and we heard nothing else from him. It's a strange utilization of a bad guy. Ji-hyeon's mother continues to be menacing as a serial poisoner. She is in the midst of trying to kill Joon-jae's father for his money. Even scarier than her murderous tendencies (this is the third husband she's axed, or tried to ax) is that she is teaching kind-hearted Ji-hyeon to be cruel as well. Police are cottoning onto the fact that there is a woman involved with Ma Dae-yeong, but the investigation currently feels like more of a way to garner reactions from our three conmen. Their brotherhood and relationships with Cheong is full of such levity and fun.

What is also amusing is the fact that Joon-jae can hear Cheong think and that it both thrills him and drives him crazy as she frets over how she feels about him and keeps him awake all night. This is the second during which he can hear her thoughts and he still hasn't admitted he could. While their cute couple quarreling is, well, cute, there is only so far this can take the show. It needs to end now. Joon-jae stopped them with a solid kiss at the end of the episode and I hope he speaks up and let's her know he can understand her mermaid's inner voice.

The presence of Ahn Jin-joo (Moon So-ri) and her husband seemed superfluous until this episode. So much time was spent on them because his mother works for them and Si-ah. But now the pair has proven an inextricable link to JI-hyeon's mother and her past. Ji-hyeon's mother stole her husband from Joon-jae's mother. We get a short scene of shocking realization where Joon-jae's mother sees her ex-husband for the first time. It's still unclear as to how they broke up and that needs to be remedied. Also, Joon-jae's relationship with JI-hyeon really needs to become a central source of conflict. It only receives a scene or two per episode and the two boys have a lot more baggage than that.

Si-ah still hasn't become useful as anything but "competition" for Cheong and since she's not really competition her presence is wasted space. Yes, she is funny when she bass in Tae-oh's crush, but as a person with direct physical connections to Joon-jae's past incarnation, it'd be great if she was looped in more.

I suppose the biggest thing is I want something to happen. Anything. The story is all setup and prep for the next step. I'd like the flood gates to open and for the characters to have to deal with it. The cute is cute, but we need more than that. Bring it next week, show. Give us some New Year's joy!

Written by: Lisa Espinosa AKA Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'

"The Legend of the Blue Sea" is directed by Jin Hyeok, written by Park Ji-eun, and features Lee Min-ho, Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Hee-jun, and Shin Hye-sun.

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