TRIANGLE EPISODE 7

Young Dal meets with Dong Soo to eliminate him under orders from Chairman Go, but his plans to have his gang jump Dong Soo go awry when Dong Soo mops the floor with them. Young Dal later tells Dong Soo that he needs to take him out to gain skunkhead's trust. Dong Soo resigns from his post as detective, which frees up Young Dal from having to kill him, as well as finally admits that he loves Shin Hye, leading to a touching embrace. Dong Soo is also hired by Chairman Yoon because he knows Chairman Go so well. Meanwhile, Chairman Go tries to blackmail Chairman Yoon into letting Go invest in his new casino, which Yang Ha overhears.  Yang Ha lets Chairman Go know that he's in charge and that he'll crush him if he gets in the way. He later watches with envy as a suited up, well-groomed Young Dal converses easily with a smiling Jung Hee. The two brothers, still clueless of their blood relations, end up in a micturating match as they are now on opposite sides. We end with a high-stakes poker game between our young thug and the chaebol where all their money is wagered on a single hand...

Chairman Go continues to be a major player. I don't know why, but all I see him as is a two-bit thug, especially in this episode. His blackmailing of Director Yoon was a bit much. Admittedly, the two men were partners 12 years ago, but now it sounds like the two men have gone their separate ways and it's been like that for awhile. Chairman Go in this episode almost seems more ridiculous than usual. He tries to extort his way into an investment deal, talks of getting rid of Young Dal once he does what he wants, and doesn't seem like an adversary to take seriously. He desperately needs a mustache to twirl.  


"All in."

I was a little surprised that Young Dal admitted to Dong Soo he know the thugs who jumped him, but I wasn't surprised that they were outclassed by a clearly superior opponent. I've seen every Bruce Lee movie known to man -- that story was played out 40 years ago. It was kinda cool to watch him kick ass even if you knew exactly how it was going to go down.

I have to give credit where credit is due for the camerawork this episode. If you've ever watched a real poker game on ESPN or some other sports network, you know how boring it can be. Poker as a spectator sport has less going for it than golf, and that's saying something. The director does his job well as camera angles and such make the spectacle interesting: long shots, tight shots, even a shot of Young Dal, his arms and hands seemingly gigantic and stretched as he pushes chips straight toward us. This is talent that should not go unrecognized.

In this episode, the writers have taken the rivalry between Young Dal and Yang Ha to the next level. This installment sees them taking sides as Young Dal allies himself with Chairman Go and Yang Ha clearly states, "Chairman Go is my enemy," and that if Young Dal chooses to side with the Chairman, Yang Ha may be forced to hurt him. Young Dal doesn't take this seriously, and I'm not entirely sure what a millionaire can do to a guy who's lived on the streets for much of his life -- at least physically. There are other weapons at a rich man's disposal, however. I loved this scene, because it showed us a sort of quiet intensity in both of these young actors. There weren't any antics or screaming, just posturing and silent menace. Each of them dismissed the others' threats easily. I'd like to see more subtle scenes like this.


Young Dal's new look

There's a touching scene between Shin Hye and Dong Soo here, initially done in a way I wouldn't expect: texting. In this episode they take their relationship far deeper. No more beating around the bush, Dong Soo finally takes her in his arms and embraces her, telling her in person exactly how he feels. It's one of those scenes you wait and wait for and keep hoping it's finally going to happen. Beyond the glitz of the casino and the flashing lights, there are human beings trying to make their way in the world, whose whole life doesn't revolve around the turn of a good card.

Triangle is making its way, slowly but surely. They've set up some great conflicts here, and they're starting to come to a boil. Chairman Go has given up trying to eliminate Dong Soo even as the former detective is hired by a rival to combat skunkhead. Shin Hye's husband won't simply divorce her and let her have her way, and no doubt this will lead to a showdown with Dong Soo. Young Dal and Yang Ha are destined to meet on the field of battle, and this contest of wills was only the beginning. The great thing is, I didn't have to wait a week. The next episode was just around the corner, so stay tuned for that review! :)

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