The advantage of ending the previous episode with such intensity is that this one begins on the same note. However, it didn't last long; and while it had a fairly interesting conclusion with one final dose of stress, the truth is that the rest of the episode was not particularly engaging. I think this is mainly due to the storyline of Hwang Jun-ho, the police officer whose brother is missing. On one hand, Wi Ha-joon didn't bring any distinctive qualities to his character, which is why it fails to evoke empathy, compassion, or any emotional connection. As a result, his story doesn't interest me much.
Additionally, the whole organ trafficking subplot feels absurd for a couple of reasons. For example, if the doctor is so important, why wasn't he incorporated as a 'circle' instead of a player? Or, if they're part of a mafia, why do all the members seem to be at odds with one another? In short, it all feels a bit forced, seemingly just to create a parallel storyline that isn't very compelling. In fact, it should have been a minor curiosity of the game, not the main focus for most of the episode.
I think Hwang Dong-hyuk made a mistake in this regard, although, knowing the quality of his work, it might be due to pressure from the production company or something similar. Until now, every narrative thread has had a deep backstory, with complex characters and fascinating dynamics. Therefore, it's hard for me to believe that Hwang Jun-ho's storyline is so devoid of emotion.
