Early Access: Happiness E8

E8. I've heard people say that this drama showcases a lot of people behaving badly, and while that's true, I find that, this episode, I'm quite fascinated by the idea that, even the people who'd started out seeming decent, are starting to show their not-so-nice sides now. As Andrew put it later in this episode, people are getting meaner.

I that really quite thought-provoking, because it's true that it's easier to be nice, when everything's normal. It's much harder to be kind and considerate, when your own survival is in question.

The cleaners at unit #201 embody that the most, I feel, this episode. For much of our story, they've come across as decent folks who just happened to be caught in a bad situation, and are trying to make the best of it. They were also among the brave ones who'd gone to the minimart to help gather supplies.

And yet, this episode, when push comes to shove, and it's uncertain how long this lockdown is going to last, they show the much more calculative, self-focused, and opportunistic sides of themselves. The thing is, I'm not sure I can even blame them, really, because I can't be sure that I wouldn't do something similar, if I were to find myself in their shoes.

And then there's Hyun Kyung, who's always come across as the honest type. This episode, she hides her brother, and even takes advantage of the passcode that she'd overheard, so that she could have a place to hide her brother.

Certainly, she's concerned for her brother's wellbeing, but at the same time, the fact that she hides him, despite knowing that he's been bitten and therefore is at high risk of being infected, is an example of her ignoring the interests of the larger group. In fact, by inviting her brother inside the building, when he could be infected, she's putting everyone at a huge risk - a risk that I'm sure other people in the building would be unwilling to undertake, if they'd known about it.

Again, it's hard to judge her harshly for it, because if I were in her shoes, I'm sure I would feel just as conflicted. It'd hard to ignore your loved one, even when it comes at the expense of betraying the interests of the larger group.

On a tangent, I'm suuper curious to know more about Andrew, and what lies beneath his mask - both literally and figuratively.

It feels like there's something about him, that causes the zombies to listen to him, and I want to know what that is. At the same time, the little nuggets of wisdom that he drops from time to time, make him appear more astute than one might first imagine.

Of course, there's live-streamer dude, whom I'm starting to think could actually be the worst of them all. I mean, how could he take all the food from the apartment, and go in search of a safer place to stay - leaving his own parents with no food?!?? What kind of person does that?? He really is the worst - and that's taking doctor-murderer into account.

Although, it really is a tough fight. The fact that doctor-murderer is so gleeful at how he's spiking all the drinks with Next (or so he thinks) is just utterly depraved. How could he do that to innocent people, and take pleasure in it? By his own admission, he doesn't even need them dead or anything. They have nothing to do with his murder charges. And yet, he's happy to infect them, almost as if it's for kicks. BLECH. 🤮

As always, Hyun and Sae Bom are the consistent brights spots of my watch.

I love that in their everyday interactions, it comes through that they really are friends with each other, who are able to talk about personal things with each other, easily and comfortably. And, I like that Sae Bom's able to tell Hyun about how she feels about seeing her mom again. The conversation between them just flows so effortlessly, like there's no exertion on either side, to spend time in each other's company.

I freaking love the reveal that we get, that Hyun had switched out the Next pills in the gym van, for his digestive pills! So.. nobody who's drunk the spiked water will be at risk of becoming a bloodthirsty zombie! They'll just all have.. excellent digestion?? PWAHAHAHA. It's the BEST PRANK EVARRR, and I LUFF Hyun, so much, for thinking to guard against doctor-murderer in this way.

My other favorite Hyun moment this episode, is when Sae Bom asks him about how he'd gotten through his difficult season, after finding out that he couldn't play baseball anymore.

The look in his eyes shifts noticeably, and the way he answers, "You," without much hesitation at all, is so breath-in-my-throat swoony. And then, the way he leans in to Sae Bom, makes me think that he might be about to kiss her, or at least, tell her how he feels about her. Ahhhhh!!!

If only the moment hadn't been cut short, by the arrival of doctor-murderer and con-woman apartment representative. Argh!! But.. I suppose, Hyun and Sae Bom can always continue this conversation another time..?

I feel bad for Jung Kook, because he truly seems anxious and troubled. He looks like the stress of this lockdown, combined with his worry for his sick wife, is going to make him physically sick.

Therefore, it's not surprising that the Con-artist Couple want to take advantage of his growing fears, and get him to use his gun to intimidate Sae Bom into being quarantined.

LTC Han continues to be a fascinating amoral character. I can't figure out how I feel about him.

The way he tells Ji Soo to leak the wrong information on the Number 13 trials to the higher ups, so that all the powerful infected people would use their money and influence to jump on Number 13 for themselves, so that they could then be used as his willing guinea pigs, is quite the evil genius move.

It feels like rogue justice, in a way, because the powerful and infected have shown themselves to be a horrible bunch of people, and they kinda deserve to be punished - Chairman Choi in particular.

At the same time, Han literally turns a normal healthy human being into zombie food, on purpose, in the process, and that definitely goes beyond the boundaries of rogue justice, at least to my eyes. It feels like this weird combination of compelling and repulsive. 🙈

But then again, when I remember how his wife has suffered, and how he's desperately trying to save her (and their baby?), I find myself hesitating to judge him so quickly, after all.

Next episode notes will be out on: Tuesday, 25 Jan 2022!