Pachinko
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That mode, as I have argued, suits the show well.
This weeks episode is almost fifteen minutes longer than last weeks, which was ten minutesshorterthan the one before.
1950
Its become almost a signature for an episode ofPachinkoto open on an inviting shot of a sumptuous meal.
This time, the occasion is Noas entrance into Waseda.
Together with friends, the family throws a party to celebrate his achievement.
Noa doesnt ask, Hansu doesnt explain, and Sunja looks concerned.
(I wonder how many times Ive written this sentence this season.)
For the first time, this image implies fortune rather than uncertainty, but Sunja is shaken anyway.
Mozasus heart-aching optimism moves the viewer and his brother, too.
But this is only the first of two big Mozasu moments in this episode.
The prayer is so good that it makes everyone emotional, including Noa himself.
As they begin to eat, Yoseb comes downstairs to ruin this nice moment for everyone.
He immediately starts complaining in an aggressive tone: Why wasnt he called down to eat with them?
Is a soup, which is too salty, all they could put together for Noas send-off?
Finally, Mozasu cant take it anymore.
Unexpectedly, the timid Noa takes his brothers side, wrapping a scarf around his uncles neck.
In the five years since Yoseb suffered the tragedy in Nagasaki, he hasnt left the house once.
The boys think its about time.
Yoseb resists, violently at first, but ultimately gives in.
They wind up at a little league baseball game.
Yosebs eyes well up.
But this bravery didnt just spring out of nowhere.
Sunjas quieter courage emerges in her conversation with Hansu, who comes to her for advice.
Sunjas advice is clear, direct, and mind-blowing: Just cut out the rot.
Hansu retreats into himself, thanks her, and leaves.
Sunja looks more nervous than Noa when they get there.
Sunja and I, on the other hand, are not very confused.
He raised Sunja to want to see the world and fly.
Its college, all right!
While Noa was exploring campus,the worst thinghappened in Osaka.
The repercussions of Mozasus encouragement are broader and deeper than he could have predicted.
Defeated, Yoseb tells Kim that Kyunghee deserves more than what he can give her.
If Kim stays, Yoseb will stand out of the way of his and Kyunghees happiness.
In an ecstatic state of disbelief, Kim runs through the streets of the neighborhood looking for Kyunghee.
When he finally finds her, Kyunghees reaction is far from what Kim hoped.
The friend turned out to be Yoshii, and the foe turned out to be his father-in-law.
1989
Heartbreak and front-stabbing (?)
are rampant in the more recent past, too.
Remember when things were that nice and hopeful?
This time, though, her plea isnt convincing.
She gets fired, and to Yoshiis pleasure, Tom is immediately able to call in Abes loan.
He asks her about Connecticut, and she describes it with fondness.
Kato is always going on and on about living life in the moment, so why not now?
Kato sees her and raises her: Well, why not go together?
Its not an idea that her son Mozasu might find prudent.
he hired reported that Kato lives alone, rarely sees his family, and has no assets or savings.
He wants her to know the truth.
Why is she not allowed a Japanese friend, especially when so many of her loved ones are gone?
With her classic unassuming defiance, later on, Sunja flips through travel brochures.
Yet, we have seen nothing of Hansus wife.
