Trolley: Episodes 3-4
by missvictrix
Though the suspense is dialed down a notch in our second week, Trolley continues to weave an interesting and carefully-told tale. It’s hard not to fall in love with our assemblyman and his wife — which makes me only more worried about what awaits them down the road. Because things aren’t staying quiet for long.
EPISODES 3-4 WEECAP
After hinting at it in our premiere week, Trolley opens this week with the eponymous “trolley problem” played out as we see Yoon-seo in class having to tackle this ethical problem. She seems disturbed — and she’s not the only one. The drama is doing such a fine job of building tension and setting up high and heart-wrenching stakes. One such setup is hinted at this week, too, when Joong-do is asked if he would choose his wife or his political career, if he could only have one. The question is left only vaguely answered, which draws more attention to it, and has me bracing for impact. That being said, this week’s episodes are a bit quieter than last week, and much more about the aftermath of what has already occurred. And there’s so much aftermath!
As our couple grieves the loss of their son, we get to know them a little more, but soon there’s grief added onto grief. Joong-do, and then Hye-joo, learn about the suicide of the medical student whose case Joong-do mentioned on TV, and they’re both heartbroken. Joong-do has to play by the book for his career, which he manages, but later in the day he turns up at his wife’s studio and breaks down. He cries in her arms, feeling responsible for the death of the student, which is doubling his own pain. It’s such a tender and touching scene.
As if I didn’t already fall in love with our devoted couple last week, this week makes it clear: they really do love each other that much. While Hye-joo is comforting her husband, we get a long and absolutely delightful flashback to when the two first met. They were both youths at the time, volunteering and helping in the neighborhood, and there was a certain ~something~ between them. But kudos to the drama for showing a deeper and soul-level connection too, on top of the attraction, because this flashback — and the next flashback of when Joong-do asked for her support to start a political career — shows us how true-hearted these two are.
But in case we needed more confirmation that Joong-do really is who he seems to be, we see him being generally wonderful, yet again — attentive and loving towards his wife, committed to doing good for the citizens, and even more committed to keeping his promises.
Joong-do has to deal with his grief and the pressures of the upcoming election, but Hye-joo has her own burdens as well. She, too, is grieving for Ji-hoon — but we also get a slow and careful cadence of hints as to her backstory (viz., why she wants to live a quiet life, and why Joong-do makes her a solemn promise that he won’t let the peace in her life be broken). The first hint comes from Perilla Grandma and a mention of Youngsan, which triggers flashbacks of young Hye-joo attending a funeral and getting screamed at. We were expecting it, but there’s surely a big mess of tragic and dangerous secrets lurking in her past.
In the middle of all this we are introduced to a new set of characters that soon prove to be intimately connected to the story: first, a woman named JIN SEUNG-HEE (Ryu Hyun-kyung) who’s returning to Korea after disappearing overseas for three years. Then there’s her estranged husband CHOI KI-YOUNG (Ki Tae-young), who has been living with his (awful) mother-in-law. She’s the real estate mogul of Youngsan, and the drama makes sure we know the reveal of this character is a big deal. The woman in question is LEE YOO-SHIN – and the fact that she’s played by Gil Hae-yeon, who is so good at being complicated and terrifying, tells us much of what we need to know about this character.
Circling back to the earlier idea of the aftermath of Ji-hoon’s death and the spiral around it — well, our couple’s grief and agitation and political consequences (however positive) aren’t the only things they have to deal with.
Thanks to a photo snapped at Ji-hoon’s funeral, a picture of both Joong-do and Hye-joo is now circulating on the interwebs. And apparently that’s not a good thing. Seung-hee, trying to sleep off her jetlag and deal with her horrible mother, recognizes Hye-joo right away. And so does her husband.
How does it all connect? We’ll have to wait and see next week, but the players are all in position: when our episodes end, Seung-hee has arrived on Hye-joo’s doorstep to confront her (using her real name), while Ki-young has set up a meeting with Joong-do, as his political dealings have gotten his mother-in-law in a huff.
We might not know how these interactions will go down, but what happened in the past is becoming a little more clear: the funeral that Hye-jo attended (or tried to), is likely that of Yoo-shin’s son JIN SEUNG-HO. We learn that he died twenty years ago. And we also learn that the family holds Hye-joo responsible.
Now, what we know about Hye-joo makes this virtually impossible, and I’m sure we’ll discover there is much more to what went down. But for now, we know that Hye-joo’s scars are real, and that frightens me a bit. For all her attempts to stay hidden, it looks like that’ll no longer be possible, and she and Joong-do might be heading from the pan to the fire.
Also woven through all this unfolding action is our mysterious and maybe-pregnant Soo-bin. She is even more sus than when we first met her, because in addition to her hidden cellphone and some morning sickness that I don’t know if I can believe, we see her being very calculated with her actions.
This is particularly important when it comes to Hye-joo — who’s uncomfortable around her, but trying to be caring. She even takes Soo-bin to her studio one day, explaining her work to her. Here, Soo-bin asks some pointed questions which made me more than a little worried — but more than the questions, it’s her statements. She’s pulled the old “Ji-hoon told me” card one too many times for my liking, and each of her statements has a way of cutting right into Hye-joo, however innocent they might seem. I don’t trust this chick one bit (nor her lip balm). And neither does Joong-do, who’s basically ignoring her. And neither does Woo-jae, who is mighty forceful with her in an attempt to get her to admit she’s a prostitute or something. Woo-jae is way too rough, but at least someone is keeping a watchful eye on her?
And I can’t close this week’s coverage without a word on the head of Joong-do’s party — CHAIRWOMAN WOO JIN-SEOK — who is played by the not-playing-a-mom Kim Mi-kyung! I love her in anything, but it’s quite fun to see her here so far, keeping a watchful eye on her political progeny, and being as sharp as ever. I love that she’s so strongly on Joong-do’s side, and I hope it stays that way. The same goes for the family friend and supporter Yeo-jin, and her troubling headaches. And also Woo-jae, who I desperately want to trust, but still kind of don’t. He watches Joong-do’s every move with such care — but it doesn’t seem good-hearted as much as it does calculating and motivated. I think Joong-do needs someone like Woo-jae on his side, but I’m not sure where this dynamic will take us.
In short, this drama has way too many excellent actors. It would be a treat to watch regardless, but Trolley’s plotting is so deliberate, and the characters so compelling, that I’m loving everything about it.
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Tags: Gil Hae-yeon, Jung Soo-bin, Ki Tae-young, Kim Hyun-joo, Kim Mu-yeol, Park Hee-soon, Ryu Hyun-kyung, Seo Jung-yeon, Trolley
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1 pohonphee
December 27, 2022 at 10:37 PM
If nothing bad happen along the way, Joong-do will be my K drama favorite husband
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️ Underpants buddies for life. 😎
December 27, 2022 at 11:44 PM
‘ If nothing bad happens along the way’ 👈 thanks for calling it; because we know it would be such a massive disappointment, that the likelihood for the story to go down that road is...
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jerrykuvira
December 28, 2022 at 12:06 AM
He's a breathe of fresh air and a loving far cry from our regular douchebag chaebol/political husband's.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️ Underpants buddies for life. 😎
December 28, 2022 at 12:11 AM
Exactly, that is why we are so scared because according to dramaland rules nice guys can’t succeed as politicians, chaebol’s or Ministers in Sageuks.
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pohonphee
December 28, 2022 at 1:39 AM
This really makes me anxious.
Do joon said: "Rules, there's no exception." cue truck of doom
😅
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2 Bunny Sonaki
December 28, 2022 at 1:28 AM
I binge-watched the first three episodes and got hooked almost instantly. Every character has more than meets our eye and that is what makes the ride more fun. Looking forward to watching the multi-layers if the characters get revealed.
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3 PYC
December 28, 2022 at 5:48 AM
I’m on the hunt for my next drama now that Reborn Rich is over. Tried Forbidden Marriage but fell into sleep half way through Ep 1…
This is it, I guess. Further, I’m a fan of KHJ and to a less extent, PHS.
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LaurenSophie
December 28, 2022 at 8:00 AM
It's definitely well done--you can see a great deal of care has been put into the production at every level.
When it comes to suspense, I feel like some want something explosive and exciting; this is more of a slow burn with a focus on the psychology of the characters. If you're ok with that, I think you'll enjoy "Trolley."
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PYC
December 28, 2022 at 7:19 PM
On paper, it sounds a bit like KHJ’s last drama “Undercover” but I trust it would be different. Look forward to starting it soon-ish.
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4 Kafiyah Bello
December 28, 2022 at 5:55 AM
I am only guessing, but maybe Hye Joo accidentally killed Seung Ho when he tried to sexually assault her. Hye Joo and Joong Do seem to have a lot of empathy for others. So that would be why she went to the funeral, she didn't want to kill him. She changed her name because they were a powerful family and that was the only way she could live a new life. Woo Jae and Soo Bin are the suspicious ones to. Anyway, this drama continues to be intriguing, even though I don't quite love it yet.
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5 LaurenSophie
December 28, 2022 at 7:19 AM
I'm really loving this drama so far. It's so well plotted and character-driven, to the point where even the quietest, most insignificant-seeming scene matters. The marriage at the heart of the show is sincere and loving, designed to withstand the pressures of everyday life, but clearly about to be put under extreme stress. Obviously, one aspect of the trolley problem about to unfold here is whether Joong-do should save "the one" (his marriage) or "the many" (the people he represents). I know things are about to get potentially very painful, but I trust this writer.
Some predictions: Soo-bin is Hye-Joo's daughter with Jin Seung-ho, and that ties into the great secret involving his death.
Also, Woo-jae is working his own angle, although I'm not sure yet if he'll betray his boss down the road or is already double dealing in some way. I like him, though. He's calculating without seeming to be amoral.
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hacja
December 28, 2022 at 8:50 AM
While I completely agree with you that the show might be setting up responsibility to the public vs. responsibility to marriage as the trolley problem, I hope there will be more to it than that, because that isn't a true trolley problem. The essence of the trolley problem is that someone is going to get killed, no matter what you do, and you have to actively decide whether to kill someone to stop the death of others (a "positive" murderous action), or just let the deaths occur (a "negative" murderous absence of action).
Whereas if a legislator who loves his wife decides to "kill" his marriage to help the public, he would be killing a real, already existing thing for something that is only potential, abstract, and diffuse. He might decide to do it, out of some noble idiocy, but it would be idiocy, since no matter how good a politician he is, there is no guarantee that he could make that much of a difference. Again, its not really a trolley problem.
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hacja
December 28, 2022 at 9:05 AM
Also, now that I'm thinking of it, the philosophical trolley problem, whether you should push the fat man off the bridge to stop the trolley from killing the four workers on the track assumes that you are the only person who is close enough to push the fat man, whereas it would be colossal egotism to assume you are the only politician around who can help his constituents. (Of course, colossal egotism is a characteristic of many politicians, but it doesn't make the dilemma of their public responsibility vs. their marriage a trolley problem.
Sorry for these boring philosophical musings! I really do like the show so far, though!
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emsel
December 28, 2022 at 9:27 AM
I do not see it as "public" vs "wife", but rather his "dream" vs "wife". In the first episode when Joong Do mentioned he was aiming for the Blue House, there was some shades greed in that ominous atmosphere. However, I agree it is really not a trolley problem if it is greed/ambition vs love. It is a problem of priorities.
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LaurenSophie
December 28, 2022 at 9:43 AM
That's a fair point. I, too, am very familiar with this philosophical and ethical conundrum and agree that if it only manifests as a personal/public sacrifice, it's not a true representation of the moral dilemma at the heart of the trolley problem. It may be that what starts out as conflict in a marriage centering on the idea of sacrificing one to save many then ripples out into society and takes on more explicit sacrifices. Clearly, we are just at the beginning of this problem playing out in these characters' lives.
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hacja
December 28, 2022 at 1:56 PM
@laurensophie, I hope you didn't think I was lecturing YOU on the true nature of the trolley problem, rather than just thinking out loud on the SHOW''s definition. I'm sure you are more astute in philosophical matters than myself, since I'm definitely no philosopher, unless you consider "emotionalism" a philosophy.
I just think it would be interesting, if more ominous, if the show approached a real trolley problem, rather than the more cliched love vs. public service ambition as @emsel aptly put it.
A fresh take on whether love must be sacrificial would be refreshing, since I know we are in the next couple of weeks going to get another love vs. the fate of (a mythical) civilization dilemma in a show both you and I are watching, and I'm already grumbling about how I think its going to be resolved. Maybe I'll be surprised, but as the great Yiddish thinker Benjamin Franklin put it, "A Kvetch in Time Saves Nine."
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LaurenSophie
December 28, 2022 at 2:43 PM
No worries--I did not take your explanation as a dig on my lack of deeper philosophical knowledge. I should say that although I had some familiarity with the trolley problem before I watched "The Good Place," I have to credit that show with filling in the many gaps in my memory of Intro. to Philosophy class, lol. So no offense taken.
I do think the show has exhibited enough hints at intelligent storytelling that we can feel fairly optimistic that we're going to get a deeper exploration of all the different moral underpinnings and outcomes at the heart of the trolley problem.
As for your fears about where both these shows that we're enjoying are going, and that heretofore undiscovered Benjamin Franklin chestnut (although I think it might have more aptly been "A kvetch before its time saves nine"), it is probably true that we are likely to end up at least somewhat frustrated and disappointed. But for now, at least both these sets of writers are tackling interesting themes. Maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised as to where that exploration ultimately ends up.
6 emsel
December 28, 2022 at 9:53 AM
I am suspicious of everyone in this drama, including the live-in Ajhumma Yeo Jin. Also, I am not buying the leads' perfect marriage because it is in stark contrast to the new couple. Although, Woo Jae seems suspicious, I am still on the fence about him because dramas always focus on misleading characters while hiding the culprit in the plain sight. Of course, it would be good if the show can continue in the route of circumstances putting a person in morally good or bad spot based off their decision/opinion because IMO, it would nicely tie up with the trolley problem. I am looking forward to the looming psychological warfare because the characters are all complex. However, I do wish the editing was better because the story feels chopped between scene transitions.
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7 korfan
December 28, 2022 at 9:25 PM
Well, this show is interesting and intriguing and I'm liking it! Everything is certainly not what it appears to be and every single person in this seems suspect.
I'm suddenly having the wacky idea, or perhaps not wacky, that our serious assemblyman might be the father of that young girl's baby (assuming she's really pregnant). But who knows.
This show is going to give us some surprises, I think, and I'm bracing for the fallout.
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