[Drama Review] 'Orange Marmalade' - Episode 6

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ORANGE MARMALADE - EPISODE 6

"Father, I swear it: This time I will pin the tail on the donkey!"

Jae Min gets the news that Shi Hoo is joining the military and is saddened that he won't see his friend often anymore. Ma Ri's father, taking a late night walk, is confronted by the matriarch of the Wonsangu vampire clan. She tells him his pacifist clan is doomed. The next evening, Jae Min's bride-to-be Ah Ra enters a secret spa run by the Wonsangu clan to be taught the secrets of beauty and love. She is offered a certain talisman if she will teach Ma Ri a lesson. The very next day, she sets a trap for Ma Ri, but Jae Min intervenes -- calling Ma Ri lowly and comparing her to a pig, not worthy of the noble family's notice.

Worst. Batman. Costume. Ever.

Despite being free from the trap, his words hurt Ma Ri. Shi Hoo tails her, and then challenges her to a friendly fight, admitting that it was him that put her father in danger (remember the prank with the tainted meat?). The bride's mother comes and talks to Ma Ri's family in the evening, trying to get them to get her to back off and leave Jae Min alone. Jae Min swears to join the military if his family calls off the arranged marriage. Later, the butcher is contracted to supply shark meat for the wedding. When Ma Ri arrives to deliver it, they trip her to humiliate her. Jae Min once again intervenes, but she ignores him and walks off. He becomes indignant and grabs her, yelling at her: "You told me that if you pass by things too quickly, you can't see the sincerity of creation. I have stopped walking here, to look into you. Why do you walk by me?!?"

Okay, I'm getting used to the Joseon format. Maybe I just needed to relax and enjoy it. But I like the characters better in this era. In the modern day sequence, Jae Min was kind of an arrogant jerk. Here, he's being tempered, slowly, by love and loss. Rather than having a loving, supporting family torn by divorce, he's driven by a merciless father. Rather than having any girl he wants, he's drawn to a woman that his station forbids any relationship with. He's just a more likable character here.

At that moment, Jae Min thought, "I'd give my big hat for a pack of marshmallows."

If there's one thing that I like almost as much as romance, it's bromance. Jae Min and Shi Hoo are inseparable here. We can see that. And it just resonates so much better than in the modern era. I still wonder a bit what this all has to do with everything in the 21st century, but that's a minor concern. It's great to watch scenes of them growing up and how they talk to each other. But they are in love with the same girl -- that's bound to be a bad rift that I hope they can bridge.

So how about that confession, huh? That's different. He even uses her own words to call out her actions. The only thing that could be better is a kiss, but I guess we still have to wait for that. I'm also on the edge of my seat to find out what her response will be, or how his bride's family is likely to react to this breach in protocol. I can totally understand Ma Ri's reaction. How do you apologize for calling a woman an animal?�

E.T. has nothing on these guys

But I'm totally on board here. I love the special effects they pulled out here, plus the machinations of the vampires. This is the way it's supposed to be. I wasn't really convinced by the VCS. I thought it underfed what was otherwise kind of a cool concept. But vampires in this era are what they're supposed to be: vicious, calculating, and pulling the strings behind the scenes. I have to wonder if Jae Min will get drawn into their fight.

I'm loving this so far, even though it totally morphed into another drama. What about you guys?

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