EP9 Designated Survivor EP9 - Scandal Review
This episode is about Secretary Cha as much as it is about Park Mu Jin .
The question asked by last episode was "What is the scandal that could rock PMJ and the Blue House?" The audience could see the answer a mile away. But such questions are meant to draw out another issue - our characters resolve on unanswered issues.
The first arc is where Park Mu Jin admits that he has an affair and the son is born out of wedlock. Here, our Blue House staff is shown, in a series of whispers and swearing on keeping it secret - in a despairing mood (in a hilarious way).
But this is only the beginning of Secretary Cha’s despair and woes. In the second arc, an anxious first lady came and clarified that Park Mu Jin is not having an affair back then, she was divorced when they dated, and the eldest is his stepson.
In his excitement (he was evidently very happy when the first lady came in), he rushes to Park Mu Jin, asking him for his son’s DNA. To his disappointment, not only Park Mu Jin outright reject this option but also insists to be labelled as someone involved in the affair. He, a man of firm principles and love, wants to protect his family and especially his son to not get hurt (we get a wonderful flashback on a lovely courtship and proposal from Park Mu Jin, Sec Cha, take note). This disappoints Secretary Cha greatly.
Both Cha and PMJ shares same and different beliefs/goals. PMJ is a good man at heart, of which his principles are built upon it. He is too idealistic at times,not willing to compromise his beliefs, although being idealistic is not part of his criticism in EP9.
However at the same time, Advisor Han asks whether he is trying to escape from books? Also he reminds him that politics is choosing the lesser evil (while acknowledging his points) and that choices, even with limited options, has very short time duration:
Here, actor Heo delivers superbly. One of my favourite kdrama, Pride and Prejudice suffers from overacting from seasoned actors. Which does not happen here. He delivered the part of a disillusioned former government official well. Disillusioned yet pass down pearls of wisdom to his successors and mentee alike.
For Secretary Cha, he wants to be a good man idealistically and has very good principles at heart. He has similar views as Park Mu Jin, wants peace with North Korea, but recognises the dirty aspects of politics, albeit too much. In his conversation with Sec Jeong, he declares that politicians are willing to put their sons in military service despite being not able to - to escape criticism from citizens. He is willing to put his and the President’s hands in mud to get things done. This perhaps stems from disillusionment during Yang’s presidency. He used to find the ideal man in President Yang, however Yang is not being able to cope with the dirty reality and crumbles under low ratings from citizens.
So he resolved to find his King and be the person’s King maker In his excitement over Park Mu Jin’s growth, he rushes into it, not realising that Park Mu Jin does not agree with him. Its a matter of Secretary Cha getting too hot headed over this.
Earlier, I mentioned that this is a character arc for Secretary Cha. Is his choices valid? Is his judgement valid? He spends half of the episode demotivated and moping around.
I found it interesting that despite differences in some fundamental beliefs with him and Sec Jeong, its she and Han that understood him the best.The disillusioned Han acts as advisor for three different person this EP. Asking her to become Cha secretary - and she did it by sniping bullets and poison darts to Secretary Cha at every opportunity, but really, she is trying to make him to move and making decisions.
Secretary Cha tries to see whether there are other candidates - he knew Yun is out of question (when she is adamant on war/strict policies with NK) so he visits Mayor Kang (I think Ahn Nae Sung is quite relieved not being the main villain for once). Unfortunately he is very narrow minded, insisting on lowball political tactics, and most importantly to Cha - without firm principles of his own, wanting Cha to help him on this.
He seeks out Han, and Han provided him some fundamental advice (despite his disagreement with Cha’s assessment):
So he did. In a way Park Mu Jin fits his ideal candidate despite their differences. He has firm principles of his own, and not afraid to make unpopular moves. He is clever, learn fast, and can be deceptive, as he was reminded of him innocently flipped the dust contained bottles - but most of the all is he is a good person.
So how do him focusing on winning over the candidate? By doing the seemingly impossible - let the female reporter retract her statement, and of course, Sec Cha is the only one capable of doing it.
And of course Park Mu Jin finds it impressive, and not so adverse to his suggestions as to become the President. And boy he does finally admits his reason for choosing him - as he is a good person.
Other notes:
Secretary Cha saves PMJ a lot, even in this EP. But similarly to Park Mu Jin he does suffers from tunnel vision at times and not being able to see there are alternative ways other than direct reactionary tactics.
On another note, I am glad Yun does not resorted to low ball tactics. She is very intelligent to recognise that they could have been attacked in the future -as she aptly noted that the politicians in her Party hardly has any time for their children.
Also a reminder that a country leader is hardly standing on his or her own. Its made up with multiple minds behind it.
I wrote a lengthy commentary on Cha today as I found that the handling of Cha’s character arc is nothing short of amazing. Son Seok Koo handled the lows and highs of this character so well, understanding and portray his character’s almost manic enthusiasm, and his overall character growth. Heo also has the subtleness to act as a disillusioned advisor with grace and dignity.
And I am painfully aware that I have omitted to write about Park Mu Jin’s sweet romance arc. I don’t think I can do it justice in writing, on how sweet and natural both of their chemistry are, and how sincere and funny when Park Mu Jin thought his lady is married, so I leave you a screencap here:
