[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Duel" Episode 10

Things get too complicated for a series two thirds into its total duration, with some changes making me wonder whether the creators had been winging it by this point. We have a new pivotal character who turns everything we have known upside down, Deuk-cheon's connection to Seong-hoon is revealed and Seong Joon discovers some important information about his memories as he walks right into the lion's den to save Soo-yeon.

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I am trying to wrap my head around the use this not-mommy issues twist with our new scientist character has and I am having some difficulty. Perhaps her function is to justify Seong-hoon's (Yang Se-jong) behavior a bit more, since his turn to misunderstood, tortured soul has been happening for a while now and Dramaland loves its pretty boy villains with parental problems. It just feels like a jarring entry for someone who has not been adequately teased before.

If she has been part of the series from the start then the creators have done a poor job introducing it. Her character carries zero emotional weight because the topic of family and the perception of clones when it comes to loved ones have never been explored in this series. It is too little too late to bring about the topic of family into a series which has not really explored or developed its clones in any significant way. At least not Seong-hoon and he is the one who has clearly taken this to heart.

On the other hand, Seong-joon's ethics when it comes to Soo-yeon's (Lee Na-yoon) safety and his responsibility in this mess have been developed a bit more adequately and so his face off with Seong-hoon's masters carries weight. Viewers would naturally worry about Soo-yeon, who is an innocent child and we worry about Seong-joon, who is a lead we have seen kindness from. The danger of his visit to the hospital matters because the two characters who are in danger do.

The idea of the twins changing identities is not very surprising or interesting, but it does bring about some laughter about how useless the villains here are. Here they are thinking Lee Yong-seob's memories are gone forever and the clone who has them was simply the wrong one. I can see why Seong-hoon would be angry now, but I cannot see why he would be angry at Seong-joon, unless he blames everyone willy-nilly.

As for Deuk-cheon (Jung Jae-young) and his connection, I sincerely hope there is more to Seong-hoon's hate than the little snippet we see in this episode. Keeping silent for a bribe is something worth holding a grudge for, but if a busy cop does not buy an evil scientist story from a child on a late night, I cannot exactly call them a traitor. I wish "Duel" will show focus and at least make its final stretch exciting.

"Duel" is directed by Lee Jong-jae, written by Kim Yoon-joo and features Jung Jae-young, Kim Jung-eun, Yang Se-jong and Seo Eun-soo.

Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

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