Liar Game Episode 11: A matter of trust

This show is honestly going to be the death of me. Even as I (mentally) jump in joy at my wild theory on DJ having been at the orphanage being right, my brain crumbled when NDJ pointed that gun at HWJ.

But let’s backtrack for an instance to the very start of this episode. We see that NDJ actually did see HWJ ready to enter the café before the news broke, which I thought would ease things a little, seeing as the man was right in front of her eyes and she could demand her answers. And she does, being the rational person she is.

  

(Yeah, no I’m not sleeping tonight)

But it could honestly not have come at a worst time, as HWJ was still reeling from KDY’s pronouncement about the supposed true face of his mother. He literally started for an instant when NDJ tearfully asked him if it was true. But then he had to go all strong and brooding and admit it. Granted, he did try to take my advice (hold her and comfort her). Well sort of.

He made a step in that direction at any rate and even that is a big deal for HWJ. *weeps buckets at the missed opportunity for a hug*
But then he just sadly watches her while she cries, and I have this urge to break that mask of stone he keeps wearing around her. 

(This is where you hug her, damn it! You’re the psych professor here, you should know better.)

Things got even worse when there was no mention of CSJ, and that ominous gloved hand from the trailer showed up far too early in the episode. DJ’s dad had been kidnapped, there was no doubt about that. But then we cut to this strange scene where Director Jang asked this random older gentleman to meet the Chairmain. We’re then taken to this (actor whom I’ve seen in a billion other roles, though mostly sleazy dads) ‘Chairman’ which left me utterly baffled for an instant, as I wondered why on earth these random people were appearing in the final two episodes.

But that was made clear soon enough. Just when things couldn’t get worse, KDY turns out to be the real Chairmain, the CEO of Lloyd Capital, and I suspect, the second person behind the fall of L Company, which I’ll get to in a bit.

But firstly, let’s say farewell to the final of the three valiant traitors. BD and GIG, you will be missed (I think). While I did see a few comments on other threads on how the show spent too long on these characters and the reinstatement game, I’d like to disagree. We’ve seen them come a long way from the money-hungry grubbers they were. They’re trying to fight and use their brains (for once). I think we all knew from the start that it would be no contest as to who won, but it was rather nice to see BD and GIG being given their moment to concoct their own plans and defeat KDY. Even if said plans were extremely obvious and far from foolproof. BD’s fixation on the joker cost him, but I’m honestly glad that he won against KDY even if for two rounds. It was a fitting exit, and one quite true to their characters (you idiots).

(We really should have)

(Yeah, yeah we all know, it’s you)

One might wonder why HWJ didn’t bother trying to help BD and GIG. I mean this is HWJ, he’d have found a way. However, KDY predicted that from the start, and used NDJ’s father to lure HWJ away from the scene. And the fact that he sent a picture of this sort, which such a grin gives me the chills. It doesn’t help that I watched this between 12 – 2 in the morning (university? Who cares?)

(Texting 101: KDY style)

And can I squeal how HWJ reassuringly told NDJ he’d be right back, even during a time of such turmoil for them. It’s quite reminiscent of the old-school husband wife type interaction (“I’ll be right back, honey” HWJ called *goes off into imaginary world*)

(See? Even KDY has the feels)

I honestly love the camaraderie between HWJ and DG, whose mutual trust is beginning to rival (or has already beat out) NDJ and HWJ’s bond. But this moment, more than ever, demonstrates how far HWJ is willing to go for NDJ and how much he continues to care for her well-being (Just when I couldn’t love him more). Why on earth is he so good at expressing how he feels about her with people that are NOT HER? *cries*

Now I’m honestly beginning to regret watching this episode so early into the morning as: I won’t be able to properly function for the next 24 hours until the final (NO!!!) episode and I’m presently scared shitless at every small noise in this apartment. That painting, those eerie children, the well. No fair, show. No fair. But we finally the painting up close, and the final question is answered. What relation did DJ have to this? She was with them at the orphanage to begin with. HWJ, KDY, and NDJ comprise the three children in the picture, whoch shows them facing away from each other, standing at the points of a triangle. Only thing is KDY isn’t actually in the photo, only his shoes remain. HWJ clutches his head in agony, as his repressed memories flash back. Music fit for a horror soundtrack whispers insidiously until he screams (my poor baby!)

(Yeah no, not creepy at all)

(Is that an altar for this painting or something? *shudders*)
(Dead, officially dead)

(Oh gosh, the terror in his eyes)

(*screams with him*)

He too remembers the moment when DJ said that she found the orphanage familiar. I’d be more happy at the news that DJ and HWJ go way back if HWJ didn’t look so frighteningly rigid.

What on earth does he have to finish? What on earth did he remember? How has DJ repressed her memories for so long? Is her true nature what we’ve been seeing all along? (Please yes, THE ANSWER BETTER BE YES, SHOW! DJ can’t be some evil manipulative wench) But this certainly explains why all three of them know WJ’s mother’s last words so well. Perhaps it was a group motto, for whatever went down in the orphanage. Though whatever it is, definitely wasn’t good. Children don’t stand around a well like that for no reason.

I find that this show has been setup in cycles from the very beginning. Perhaps it’s the nature of the rounds such that the finale is always more exciting that the beginning, but every odd numbered episode (which always depicts the beginning of a round) has less twists and turns than the even numbered episodes (the conclusion of each round). The ratings for the show echo this cycle, peaking during the latter episodes and falling during the former. Today’s episode actually recorded the lowest rating yet (which blows my mind. Honestly, how can a drama of this calibre not be appreciated?).  Now I’m not complaining as these first episodes are what set us for the machinations of the finales. They contain the hints and clues, that all play out in the end. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This show builds off the small moments, the ones you think are unimportant, but have devastating value. All secrets have been revealed, HWJ’s memories are back, but all questions haven’t been answered. To quote KDY: “Having the answer, doesn’t mean you know the question.”
Well bully for you, seeing that we know neither. What on earth is episode 11 hiding?

And speaking of hiding, KDY definitely decides to stop doing so. That is, he goes fully mental out in the open. Plunging straight ahead when the odds are against you, is honestly what I expect of NDJ and HWJ. Not KDY, and I certainly didn’t expect him to succeed. Calm, calculated planning? As if. This is a man with a mission, and no amount of probability and careful calculation can stop that. I can’t fault HWJ for believing that KDY would follow the rules of probability here. KDY was honestly so calm, so collected throughout the entire process, with nary a hair out of place, that he seemed fully in control of his senses. It’s rather interesting to note that HWJ failed in predicting KDY’s behaviour for the same reason KDY failed in predicting NDJ’s behaviour. Emotion. It turns the wisest, most cunning of people into landmines. And KDY has just begun to explode.

During KDY’s attempt to sway NDJ with talk of her father, KDY spoke of how sad it was to have a parents leave one that way. HWJ then made the curious statement that KDY was speaking of his (that is Woojin’s) mother. Wait what? I thought KDY hated her. Is she or isn’t she evil? It appears that the answer lies in the next episode as well (SO MANY QUESTIONS!).

That video the fake Chairman showed Director Jang has me curious, as it focuses on an aspect I had long since forgotten: the rumour of the inflation of the price of L Company’s stocks. I’ve another theory I’m going to throw out there. KDY mentioned, upon meeting WJ for the first time, that L Company had been essentially nothing, by the time HWJ took it down. Then was their someone who took it down first? Come to think of it, who was it who spread the rumour that  stocks were going up soon and that people should invest? All HWJ did was bring it crashing down. Who did the inflating? KDY? Did the two of them unwittingly work together in bringing down the company?
And how are L Company and Lloyd Capital, linked? KDY can’t be the CEO of L Company. Didn’t HWJ kill him? Or was that another stand-in? *tears hair out in frustration*

And honestly how the hell did HWJ get his hands on a real gun? We SAW him hand that gun back to the police officer and it was before the start of the final round as well. How the hell does he have a real gun? And what is he planning to do with it? Are we going to see his hidden passionate nature unravel? (Yes please, but with kisses not bullets)

With our pools of contestants narrowing, we’re left with KDY, the always-beautiful Jamie, DG, NDJ and everyone’s favourite, HWJ. Gosh, could Jamie get any more beautiful. I love how she’s begun to depend on HWJ as well, and that she tries to cheer NDJ up as well( in her usual brash, honest manner).   As honest as ever. I love quickly she follows HWJ’s strategies as well. The two of them would make a startlingly interesting pair. Wouldn’t that be something now? (Though WJ definitely prefers his DJ).

DG is as awesome as ever and in full fighting form. I’m hoping that the utter breakdown of their strategy that he caused (in order to find NDJ’s father) is ultimately worth it, as it was technically his single decision to shoot that resulted in things turning out this way, with HWJ against NDJ and KDY.

Speaking of which, throughout this episode and the last one, we’ve seen everyone who believed in DY turn against him and fight back. CSJ, BD, GIG, Jamie, DG. The one person consistently by HWJ’s side was NDJ. So why NOW, of all times, is she choosing to betray him?

(Nobody loves you, Kang Doyoung)

The atmosphere was strained as is between our OTP. The awkwardness between them was palpable during their wait for the reinstatement round to begin, and during it as well. I thought things were going to be once when she behaved quite rationally and actually understood why he hadn’t told her. But something wasn’t right.

(Look at those turbulent, longing glances)

Much of the tension seemed to have dissipated when the final round began and I heaved a sigh of relief to her the audio clip that had been used in the teaser (“that won’t happen”) to hint that NDJ wouldn’t be following HWJ, to turn out be her speaking of not betraying him to KDY. She even shared a moment of victory with him and Jamie, a bright smile on her face. But things were going too well.

Jamie and DG’s exits were a shame, but were played out absolutely fantastically with DG retaining his usual carefree charm, and Jamie completely putting aside thoughts of betrayal and winning for a single goal. To stop KDY. (I honestly love her so much!)

Nevertheless, it was still two versus one. HWJ and NDJ versus KDY, until Director Jang’s conversation with NDJ in the bathroom. I have no doubt that he showed her the video we saw earlier in the episode. But what on earth is with DJ to fall for this so easily? Her father was one of many victims of the collapse of L company, Woojin did not target him specifically. Even the suggestion that HWJ and KDY are working together should not be fazing her. Yes, DG and Jamie did end up quitting leaving only the three of them left, but surely she can see that it was because DG purposefully didn’t follow HWJ’s orders. Why is her faith being shaken now?Was is her seeing this conversation between them, did she suspect that something was up?

She understood why HWJ didn’t tell her, he wasn’t after her father, and surely every single thing he’s done for her round after round should be more than enough proof of the fact that this man has ALWAYS been on her side. If NDJ was to crumble, she should have done so during Episode 9, not now. Not after seeing him take her approach to problem-solving, to dividing the winnings, to forgiving betrayal rather than punishing it. Why on earth is she crumbling now? What on earth did Director Jang show her in addition to that video to shake her faith so badly? Because, honestly, if all he showed her was that video and she broke that easily, then I’m going to be super disappointed. To pull a Woojin, Dajung-ah PLEASE COME TO YOUR SENSES. You can’t hurt your puppy this way! We’re almost at the end. Don’t do it!

But to be honest, this is also WJ’s fault. WHY THE HELL DIDN’T YOU TELL HER WHAT KDY WAS TRULY LIKE? I know, I know it was too much to handle on top of the sudden shock the broadcast brought upon her, but ugh. HWJ why on earth are you so enigmatic. Yeah, she gets you. But you also need to talk (hug and kiss) it out. Otherwise things build up over time and result in this.

I honestly don’t know what to expect of the final today. The preview does show DJ in tears, pleading that she wants to trust HWJ. Flashes of her father make it into the picture as well with her tearfully asking him if he’s okay. But perhaps most eerily, is KDY’s pronounciation: “Let’s take off our masks now”. Is it too much to hope that neither HWJ nor NDJ are wearing one? KDY most certainly isn’t, not anymore. HWJ also pleads with NDJ to trust him no matter what and in 19 hours, I’ll know just what choice she made (TRUST HIM!! Does this guy look trustworthy?)

(DO IT DAMMIT!)
I’m sure a hell of a number of twists and turns await us. But as long as this beautiful couple walks away with a happy ending (WITH EACH OTHER, show. WITH EACH OTHER) then I have nothing more to ask.

(Trust me, I won’t forget that in a hurry. I don’t think I ever will seeing as how it’s 4am and I’m still writing this. Sleep? Studies? Who cares when you’ve got HWJ?)

(You know what to do, show. You know what to do.)

Interestingly enough, the actors themselves also appear to want a second season. In the final BTS released today, all three leads state that they hope there will be a second season. Shin Sung Rok goes as far as to say that if things go well, “we’ll have a second season.” Kim So Eun hilariously asks for a love scene with Lee Sangyoon this time, as well (YES, YES, YES). Lee Sangyoon also mentions feeling a bit depressed that it’s over. To quote, he says that “it went by so quickly, it’s almost as though something’s not complete. It’s a different sort of sadness than the usual”. It’s great to see that they’ve been enjoying filming the show just as much as we’ve been enjoying watching it. Now who do I bribe to make this happen?

(Aww…you cuties)

The video in question: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1561537284079335&set=vb.1526718854227845&type=2&theater