Remember—Son’s War: Episode 19

by dramallama

It’s the beginning of the end for our baddies, and I am PUMPED. Jin-woo gets another chance at defending his father, which means we all get one more round of tears before the hysterical laughter that will accompany Gyu-man’s downfall. The episode’s full of my favorite moments from this show because it’s overflowing with what I’ve longed for since this show began: justice and sweet revenge. Oh so sweet.

 
EPISODE 19 RECAP

In-ha walks into the room to introduce herself as the prosecutor assigned to Gyu-man. President Nam and Prosecutor Hong look to Prosecutor Tak for an explanation, and he just shrugs that they requested a new prosecutor for the case. In-ah clarifies that this marks the end of Prosecutor Tak’s infiltration into Il-ho Group. The reactions are priceless.

Jin-woo walks in on Gyu-man’s tantrum, which confirms that he saw the video. Gyu-man angrily boasts that he’s been using the law to his favor thus far, but Jin-woo asserts that above all else is the truth. Trying to make himself feel better, Gyu-man tells Jin-woo that he’ll probably forget the truth during this trial. Jin-woo calmly responds, “Even if I forget who I am, I’ll never forget my father’s truth. See you in court, Nam Gyu-man!” Manic anger ensues.

President Nam seems confident sitting on his high horse, and he calls Prosecutor a clever guy. He wonders what repercussions he’ll face, if any, but In-ah and Prosecutor Tak are ready to charge him for all the hidden corruption.

Dong-ho seems relieved that Prosecutor Tak was on their side all along (same.), and they share a drink to celebrate his release from bondage.

Jin-woo asks In-ah how she feels about returning to her prosecutor job. She thinks back to her interaction with the Chief Prosecutor and his trust in her passion. She shrugs that she’s not too sure yet and gets some of her drink on her upper lip. Jin-woo wipes it for her and encourages her to give it her all.

Prosecutor Hong reports that there’s little they can do to manipulate the courts, especially after the spread of Gyu-man’s confession video. He recommends that President Nam personally intervene to win sympathy points from the public.

When Gyu-man walks through the company the next day, the employees show fearful respect as they try to avoid him. As he waits for the elevator, the employees standing in front of his discuss the video. The man scoffs that the video must be real, given Gyu-man’s infamously nasty personality. Ack, please stop.

Gyu-man begins to clap and confirms that he was the killer. He drags the trembling employee into the elevator and kicks him out when they exit. The employee begs for mercy, but that’s a foreign concept to Gyu-man. He tells the employee that he won’t have a problem beating him to death, since he’s already killed someone.

As warned, Gyu-man begins to kick the employee violently, and the surrounding employees record the scene. Just more evidence that this guy is off his rocker.

Team Jin-woo is in a celebratory mood, but they know they need another key witness in addition to Detective Kwak to bring down the Nams. Jin-woo suggests Secretary Ahn, and In-ah meets with Judge Seok-gyu to request this favor.

Seok-gyu acknowledges that getting Secretary Ahn on the stand won’t be easy, but he agrees to try anyway. When he calls his friend, however, he doesn’t pick up. That’s because he’s lying helplessly on the floor of the empty shipment container, hoarsely pleading for help through the small crack in the door.

The video of Gyu-man’s rage is online for the world to view, and Prosecutor Hong assures Gyu-man that he’s settled the case with the beaten employee, but the video could not be controlled. Gyu-man chides Prosecutor Hong for not doing his job, but Prosecutor Hong chides him for not being cautious. They’re doing their best but expecting the worst.

President Nam holds a press conference to apologize for his son’s foolishness and renounces all of his son’s claims in the company. Dong-ho applauds enthusiastically in the back and confronts him outside. He tells President Nam that it’s too late to save his burning company and mocks Prosecutor Hong for being the ever-faithful dog. *bark bark* Cheeky Dong-ho is back!

In-ah proudly returns to her parent’s pizza place as a prosecutor, but Mom seems dismissive. She tells In-ah that she can decide whatever job she wants, but Jin-woo won’t get her approval. She won’t approve of In-ah’s decision knowing that Jin-woo’s condition will only get worse.

Gyu-man whines to his father about his renouncement, but Papa Nam remains stern. With the trial out of their control, they’re preparing for Gyu-man to face the worst. Gyu-man lowers his head in defeat.

Prosecutor Hong visits Detective Kwak and offers him a quick release from prison. If he agrees to remain silent on the stand, President Nam will get him out. Detective Kwak seems to falter at the enticing offer.

Seok-gyu bursts into Gyu-man’s office and demands to know Secretary Ahn’s whereabouts. Gyu-man insists that Secretary Ahn resigned and left the country. But that’s hardly believable coming from Gyu-man, and Seok-gyu knows it.

Seok-gyu immediately notifies In-ah, and she relays the information to Jin-woo. He assigns their expert Gyu-man stalker, Lawyer Song, to find out Gyu-man’s recent activities, and Lawyer Song agrees, shaking his head that Gyu-man can’t stop causing trouble.

Sang-ho finds it strange that Secretary Ahn won’t pick up his calls, and Dong-ho deduces that it’s because of Gyu-man. Since Secretary Ahn is a valuable witness to Jin-woo, Gyu-man is undoubtedly the reason for his disappearance. Dong-ho orders Sang-ho to call the guys — he’s handling this his own way. He starts by with his trusty hacker to track down Secretary Ahn’s last location.

Meanwhile, Gyu-man visits Secretary Ahn and rudely wakes him up by pouring water on his face. Secretary Ahn begs to be released and promises to do everything Gyu-man wants. But Gyu-man knows that Secretary Ahn’s stubborn assertion wouldn’t change that easily and plans to keep him hostage as Jin-woo’s bait.

As he leaves the container, a car arrives with Dong-ho at the wheel. Gyu-man offers to send him along to his passed hyung-nim and a fight ensues. Dong-ho fends off the blows pretty well but eventually ends up on his knees.

Gyu-man tells him that he’s got a lot of pent-up anger toward Dong-ho and offers a large settlement for his upcoming beating. Dong-ho argues that he won’t settle — he’s doing everything by the law. That triggers Gyu-man to raise his stick, but Sang-ho arrives just in time with the gang.

The gangsters fight, and it’s clear that Dong-ho’s gang is defeating Gyu-man’s. “You’re all gangsters, but why are my gangsters losing to your gangsters?!” LOL. Gyu-man leaves with his chauffeur soon after that great outburst, surrendering Secretary Ahn to Dong-ho.

The bromance is strong between Sang-ho and Secretary Ahn, much to Dong-ho’s distaste (but my enjoyment). Sang-ho offers to house Secretary Ahn for safety, and Secretary Ahn thanks them for saving his life.

Prosecutor Hong tells Gyu-man that it’s game over as soon as Secretary Ahn opens his mouth in court. Gyu-man asks Prosecutor Hong to help him, and he agrees to do so under one condition: Put the California golf course under his name, without President Nam’s knowledge.

Gyu-man happily agrees to the petty request and asks about his plan. It’s corrupt and I hate it: “Die” before getting sentenced in court. Newly initiated spy Yeo-kyung eavesdrops the conversation from afar.

Jin-woo just begins his search for Secretary Ahn with his last known location, but he’s interrupted by Dong-ho, who’s already got the guy in their possession. Jin-woo meets with Secretary Ahn to request his testimony in court, but Secretary Ahn refuses. He admits that he’s scared, “After all these years of serving Gyu-man, I’ve learned that if you get on his bad side, you get killed.” As long as Gyu-man is alive, Secretary Ahn refuses to take the stand.

Gyu-man thinks back to Prosecutor Hong’s plan, which we hear in more detail now. Gyu-man can be sent out of the country and be declared “dead” before adopting a new identity. He can return home after some time, when people have forgotten his sins. UGH.

It’s D-Day, and Jin-woo prepares for court. He thinks back to his young self crying with his father when he was in prison. Dad apologizes for not being able to make more memories with Jin-woo and cries at the prospect of losing all his existing memories with him. But Jin-woo vows to remember all of the memories, for himself and for Dad. Present Jin-woo looks in the mirror and tells Dad that he’ll do well.

Jin-woo meets In-ah before entering the courtroom and thanks her for helping him to this point. She hugs him, and Dong-ho watches from afar. She cheers him on: “Lawyer Seo Jin-woo, your father will surely be watching. Tell the world what you’ve been wanting to say for so long.”

As the retrial begins, Jin-woo sits by an empty defendant chair and looks to Dong-ho, who gives him a silent fist pump of encouragement.

The first witness, Detective Kwak, is brought to the stand and introduces himself as the detective who received Dad’s confession. Jin-woo asks if he used any form of coercion for that confession, and Detective Kwak pauses.

After holding my breath and sending a quick prayer to the gods, Detective Kwak replies: “Yes. Seo Jae-hyuk did not confess to the crime, and I forced a confession.” The prosecutor objects that Detective Kwak’s testimony contradicts his previous one, and Detective Kwak acknowledges this. He came to claim his just punishment and apologize to Dad and Jin-woo.

Jin-woo asks if there was any key evidence in the initial investigation, and Detective Kwak mentions the opener knife of the corkscrew that was submitted as false evidence. Unfortunately, that cannot be proven now. Cue: Jin-woo’s reveal of the real corkscrew used to murder Jung-ah.

Jin-woo submits the knife along with the forensic analysis, which proves Jung-ah’s DNA as well as the imprints of the real murderer: Nam Gyu-man.

The prosecution argues that they cannot accept this as legitimate evidence without the witness who submitted it. Jin-woo argues that they cannot reveal the identity of this witness due to dire circumstances, but the judge rules that the evidence will not be considered without confirmation from the witness.

Just as hope seems to be lost, the door the courtroom opens, and Secretary Ahn enters. Jin-woo immediately registers him as a witness, and the judge approves after Secretary Ahn admits that he submitted the evidence.

On the witness stand, Secretary Ahn retraces his memory of Jung-ah’s murder. He was called by Gyu-man to get rid of the murder weapon, but he saved it because he was scared that Gyu-man would betray him. This is the real weapon; the one at the initial trial was fabricated.

Prosecutor Hong updates Gyu-man with the news of Secretary Ahn’s testimony. The trial is leaning heavily to Jin-woo’s favor. Gyu-man simmers with anger toward “that bastard” Secretary Ahn and decide that they’ve got to make moves in their plan.

Jin-woo brushes his hand along the empty defendant chair and faces the audience to make his closing statement.

Jin-woo: I am the defendant Seo Jae-hyuk’s son. Five years ago, Seo Jae-hyuk was framed with a murder he did not commit and recently passed away before he could prove his innocence. In every moment since, I have struggled to petition for this retrial and to prove my father’s innocence. I have learned in my battle against Il-ho Group and Nam Gyu-man that the truth does not speak for itself. In those five years, I have worked hard to remember every part of my father’s memory because I believed that was the only way to reveal my father’s innocence.

Turning to the judge, Jin-woo pleads that he give his father the innocence he deserves. Although he is no longer here, he wants the righteous law to reveal his father’s innocence.

The judge makes the final ruling: Defendant Seo Jae-hyuk is innocent. Jin-woo cries in relief and regret.

Dong-ho tells Jin-woo that he’s done well to prove his father’s innocence to the world. He comments on their intertwined fates, and Jin-woo has no words. Their fates are yet to be unwound, but they’re both relieved.

Jin-woo tells Dong-ho to live his own life now, but Dong-ho insists that this is his life. Paying back Jin-woo and repenting for his sins — this has become his life. Jin-woo smiles and leaves the courtroom.

Jin-woo returns to his old home and opens his father’s box of belongings. He apologizes for taking so long and looks through pictures. “Dad, you’re innocent.” He lets his tears fall freely.

Yeo-kyung searches through her brother’s room and finds his Chinese passport. Gyu-man comes in, and she confronts him about his plans. “If Papa Nam finds out…” But Gyu-man could care less and just wants to save himself. He takes the passport out of his sister’s hands and tells her to keep it a secret.

When In-ah storms into Gyu-man’s office to arrest him, he’s not there. In-ah calls Jin-woo and notifies of his disappearance, and he helps with the search. The officers arrive at the Nam residence and ask Yeo-kyung to cooperate. She responds by asking where In-ah is.

President Nam finds out about Gyu-man’s attempt to escape to China, and Prosecutor Hong feigns oblivion to this matter. President Nam is enraged by his son’s escape from responsibility after causing all this uproar, and he’s had enough.

Gyu-man is on his way to catch his plane, and he swiftly passes by the police stop. He arranged a car to decoy the policemen, so he zooms by as all the police officers crowd around his planted distraction.

In-ah arrives at the Nam residence, and Yeo-kyung tells her the information about her brother’s escape to China. In-ah wonders what her motive is for telling her, and Yeo-kyung admits that it’s her last job as a prosecutor and her apology for what her family has committed for the past five years. In-ah thanks her and runs out.

In-ah tells Jin-woo about Gyu-man’s attempted escape, which reminds him of the time that one of Gyu-man’s underlings had escaped out of the country via boat. He speeds on his way, as do Dong-ho and In-ah to their respective locations.

Dong-ho arrives at the port to stop the car, only to find another decoy. The police are right at his tail, but unfortunately Gyu-man isn’t in the car.

Gyu-man arrives at his company’s runway, where a helicopter is waiting for him. He heads towards the helicopter, but Jin-woo is right behind him. Jin-woo asks where Gyu-man is headed to, and Gyu-man turns around greatly annoyed by his presence. He bids Jin-woo farewell, but the helicopter begins to take off.

From the ground, Gyu-man yells at the helicopter to come back. In that time, In-ah arrives with the police to capture Gyu-man. Jin-woo and In-ah smile at their success, and Gyu-man still looks annoyed, almost sheepish.

 
COMMENTS

That was awesome. Definitely my favorite episode so far, and it was about time. No better time than finale week to give your audience the long overdue satisfaction. It’s like a whole series worth of gratification slammed into one hell of an episode, and I finally feel a sense of relief. I still feel a high from everything that went right in this episode, and I’m expecting it to continue as we further delve into the sweet revenge that is Gyu-man’s trial.

I love how everything is coming together, with that sweet romance as the cherry on top to get us a little giddy. But I’m mostly overjoyed by Dong-ho’s return from the dark side. Rejoice, the prodigal son has returned! I am so happy that we’re back to impish cheeky Dong-ho who captured me from the get-go. It’s been so long, and I am devastated that we only get this Dong-ho for another episode. Why must you do this to me, show?! You took the best parts of Dong-ho, squeezed the life out of them in the Il-ho machine, and then took forever to reassemble him to the amazing character he always was.

As much as I hate Gyu-man, let’s give credit where it’s due. Namgoong Min really stood out with his insanity, and I am amazed at how perfectly over-the-top mad he was. He was entertaining and despicable, but at the same time, he was such a likeable antagonist. The ones you love to hate are the greatest baddies, but Gyu-man was more. He was an entirely different creature. I wanted him to keep existing despite his crimes because he was just plain fascinating as a character. Blood-boiling yet amusing, scary yet likeable, human but actually a monster. I started out very disappointed that he didn’t have the dimension I was hoping for, but he ended up leaving such a lasting impression. Ironically, he’s probably the most memorable character for me.

Ugh, Yoo Seung-ho, you never fail to make me tear up. I thought we were done with father-son cry fests, but this show will never stop squeezing the tears out of our hero. I mean, I don’t blame you. He cries beautifully, with every tear packed with emotion. He was the emotional center of this show, and he proved it to me every time he cried or forgot. I would cringe and pause to collect myself before watching more because Yoo Seung-ho just has that effect. He played Jin-woo with beautiful vulnerability, a resilient passion for justice, and an undying love for his father. He just knows how to play with your heart.

This drama really was greater than the sum of Yoo Seung-ho’s tears, but I can’t help but feel a bit of regret for all the underutilized characters. In-ah, Dong-ho, Yeo-kyung, Seok-gyu… must I name them all? As much as I enjoyed Yoo Seung-ho really centering this show, I feel at loss for all the potential in our side characters. Yes, they were all ultimately vital to the outcome of the show, but I needed them to be integrated in the process. They all seemed like plot devices to build our sons’ stories.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the intertwined nature and overarching theme of the “Son’s War” because it had a subtle way of showing the complex relationship of father and son. The familial bonds that tied these sons to their father were all distinct but valid. The sons fought for their fathers, whether it be for their father’s approval, justice, or innocence. It just so happens that justice and innocence are more compelling reasons to fight for your father. So down with Gyu-man and his foolish war. You don’t deserve any bit of the approval you’re seeking. Merong~

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