[HanCinema's Drama Review] "You're Surrounded" Episode 14

It's a sad episode for the good guys of "You're Surrounded" because they lose to money, power, and an imperfect system. On the other hand, Dae-goo finally gets to kiss the girl he's been hankering after and the detective team's newest case gave him his reason.

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Relationships develop further although the plot stagnates a bit. It feels like the show is ready to shift gears as it charges into the last quarter of its run, but hasn't quite done it yet. The bad guys come out on top, which gives the detectives an incentive to fight back, especially when Soo-seon's mother, the adopted group mother, is left unjusticed. The case of Dae-goo's attack and his mother's murder is also on a standstill because of Assemblyman Yoo's mechanizations. With all of his evil doings, and those of his daughter, watching him be brought to justice will be undeniably sweet.

In the mean time the show deals with all of the love lines tangling and crossing. Pan-seok and Sa-kyeong finally get some screen time again; this time to argue futilely about why he signed the divorce papers. She won't tell him why she gave them to him in the first place and it's frustrating to watch her string him along. People aren't mind readers and they have mouths for a reason. Communication is key, and Sa-kyeong isn't great at it. Their rocky romance did give Tae-il a cute scene with Pan-seok, which played on Pan-seok's jealousy and Tae-il's one-sided crush on Sa-kyeong. Ji Gook's crush on Soo-seon leads him to help her mother's case secretly behind the scenes, but he hasn't worked up the courage to confess to her.

The main romance between Dae-goo and Soo-seon has been developed mostly in Dae-goo's avoidance of his feelings for her. Soo-seon is a bit oblivious, which gives the relationship a sweet tension. It finally came to a head when Dae-goo was unable to avoid his feelings and he kissed her. Although the situation was very contrived, the kiss was a needed catalyst for their relationship. It will probably unlock Soo-seon's feelings as well, which will be great fun. They'll be awkward around each other while solving crimes. Not great for the crimes, but wonderful for the audience.

Chief Kang is also a character to watch. Her choices could turn everything around. She has let herself be used by Assemblyman Yoo in order to achieve her dreams for the police force. Soo-seon's refusal to listen to Kang's request and honor her mother by seeking justice seems to have made Kang think. Soo-seon refused to forsake her mother for the good of the police force. It is something Kang is now considering. That and the fact that Dae-goo is disappointed in her for going against what he believes to be her upstanding principles. He makes her feel shame that could possibly change her role in the story.

Some of the editing in this show is very choppy, especially with the inclusion of Tae-il, Sa-kyeong and Pan-seok romantic triangle. Mostly it doesn't get enough screen time and seems awkwardly edited in when the triangle does make its entrance. Also, when Soo-seon and Dae-goo go on an undercover mission as a couple, their stakeout van is in plain sight. It's small things that the show fails to address that weaken the plot. However, the van in plain sight also means very funny faces from the detective gang who gets to watch Dae-goo putting the moves on Soo-seon.

Written by: Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'

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"You're Surrounded"is directed by Yoo In-sik, written by Lee Jeong-seon and features Lee Seung-gi, Cha Seung-won, Go Ara, Oh Yoon-ah, Ahn Jae-hyun, Sung Ji-ru.