EMERGENCY COUPLE EPISODE 19

This episode focuses on rekindled romance and the role that gender plays in doctor-patient relations. Ah Reum takes care of a male patient who feigns pain in order to get her to feel him up. Chang Min treats another patient who accuses him of sexual harassment. Jin Hee tries to tend to a patient who has 2nd degree burns on his privates caused by his wife pouring hot water on him. Chang Min steps in to save Jin Hee from being embarrassed.

While the problems with gender and sexual harassment were amusing to be sure, they also felt a bit forced. Suddenly, everyone has a problem with it. All on the same shift. I feel they were trying for exposition and, while fun to watch, it fell a bit flat.

We see Jin Hee trying out a new role here, trying to act sexy and desirable. Maybe it works for some, but to me, it was hilarious. Applying lipstick, making kissy faces in the mirror, appearing before Chang Min wearing shades and carrying a rose in her mouth...over-the-top sexy attempts. Which is funny, because she obviously doesn't need it. Chang Min likes her, she likes him, there's very little standing in their way anymore.

Chang Min is now on top of everything - his confident attitude shines through with how he handles each incident. While it's nice to see him being more mature, there is one aspect that still bothers me: he teases Jin Hee mercilessly. Last episode, it was forgivable, because it led to a nice surprise. Here, it's just a little mean. He makes light of her gesture with the stethoscope and even goes so far as to suggest that she will not be the victim of sexual harassment because she doesn't have the right look. We almost see echoes of the old Chang Min and I despised him.   

Dr. Guk thinks and drinks, which is a bad combination. Images of Jin Hee keep flashing through his mind and he eventually ends up at Ji Hye's place, stinking drunk. She lets him crash on her crouch, cradling his head in her lap. And here we finally get a glimpse of what's going on in her head as she fantasizes about splashing him with water, screaming at him to wake up, and confessing her love for him. But, as tempting as the image is, it exists only in her head and she sits quietly as he sleeps. I've always thought they'd make a great couple. She knows a lot about what he's been through and she's been there for him. She cooks for him, buys him new socks, and is his closest confidante. The only thing stopping them is, well, them.  

Yong Gyu, who has apparently never seen a fortune cookie before (he eats one whole, paper and all), makes the decision to quit being an intern. He doesn't have the confidence to treat patients nor the fortitude to handle it when he fails. He decides on a career in music. I was hoping he would continue as a doctor, but it isn't meant to be. He finds that he and Kwang Soo both like indie music, so a team-up is apparently in the works. I'd like to see a spin-off with Jin Ae, Kwang Soo, and Yong Gyu all in the same band. Probably not going to happen, though. I hope we get to see Yong Gyu in the next couple episodes at least.

Sung Sook has become much less of a menace, much quieter in the wake of her husband's death. She still grieves deeply for him and is bedridden because of it. I have a feeling she doesn't act out because she's simply too weak to cause a scene. In some ways, it's nice because her shrieking and carrying on were exhausting for anyone watching, but in other ways it's sad, because you know why she's so calm. I'm hoping that the death of her husband hasn't robbed her of the strength to live. And what the heck does she want to talk to Jin Hee for? I have a feeling that it is to give her blessing -- she doesn't chide Chang Min anymore for his choice and even asks about how she is doing.  

And the high point this episode was watching Jin Hee and Chang Min babysit Little Guk. It was hilarious simply because they don't know what to do. Parenting never comes with an instruction manual, but they eventually get the hang of it and it becomes charming instead of merely hilarious. Once you get used to it, taking care of an infant is easy; keep him clean, fed, burped, and loved, and he's happy. The hardest part is the crazy hours and figuring out child care. Who stays home? Who stays up? And who can you leave him with if you're both busy?   

As the series draws to a close, we're seeing some interesting setups: Chang Min and Jin Hee together, Ji Hye and Dr. Guk (I hope), and I'm not sure about Yong Gyu and Ah Reum. Will Ah Reum finally realize that Yong Gyu is a sweet guy who loves her for who she is and not whose daughter she is?  Will Dr. Guk finally realize who's perfect for him? Will we have the answers to any of these questions? Let's watch together and find out.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I may not reply, but I read every one.

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