Early Access: Melancholia E2

E2. I actually really like this episode, except for one small thing that niggles at me, and which I'm trying to ignore, because, for now, at least, it feels more like an execution-related issue than an intrinsic narrative issue.

Essentially, I love the idea that Yoon Su is in love with math, and loves to inspire others to love math. I also love the idea that Seung Yoo is a disillusioned math prodigy, who basically needs someone to understand him and nurture him towards embracing his genius again.

We don't yet know what the events were, that led to Seung Yoo becoming so withdrawn and disillusioned, but judging from his interactions with his father this episode, I'm guessing that it was just too much pressure to excel, and not enough appreciation and encouragement, for the joy that math brought him.

On that note, I've been thinking about Dad and his approach towards Seung Yoo. On the one hand, he can come across as incredibly harsh, like in the scene where he grabs Seung Yoo and shoves him against the trophy cabinet, repeatedly, and shouts at him, insisting that Seung Yoo fill up that trophy cabinet.

I was pretty shocked by that, not gonna lie. I mean, up to that point, Dad had just appeared like an ordinary guy, running his cafe. His concern for Seung Yoo had seemed reasonable, given that Seung Yoo's been doing so poorly in school. I'd never imagined that we'd see him actually get violent. 😳

Later in the episode, we see that Dad talks to Seung Yoo about his future, and Dad expresses that he wants Seung Yoo to do all the math-related things that he might want; win a prize, be a professor, create a math institute and name it after himself - and Dad finishes his spiel, by telling Seung Yoo not to live like Dad himself. In this scene, Dad seems much more caring, in that his intentions do seem to stem from wanting Seung Yoo to live to the best of his potential, and have the best life possible.

Overall, I'm coming to the tentative conclusion that Dad is a mix of both these sides. What I mean is, I think that Dad does want Seung Yoo to live to his maximum potential and have the best life possible, but I also think that Dad's concept of a good life has to do with indicators of success, like Seung Yoo winning a global math prize, and having an institute named after Seung Yoo. Those are both things that Dad seems to want, as much for his own benefit as a parent, as for Seung Yoo's benefit.

I am guessing that Dad has felt the sting of Seung Yoo's fall from grace more than he'd like to admit, and in his eyes, this is the way to regain credibility, reputation and glory. It's a very flawed way of thinking about things, but I can see that this is also a very human way of thinking about things.

Also, I don't doubt that as a parent, Dad is concerned for Seung Yoo's future, and that's also driving his increasingly aggressive approach. Judging from the bits and pieces that Show has served up, I am guessing that both Dad and Mom have tried the gentle, understanding approach with Seung Yoo, to try to get him out of his shell. However, we've seen that Seung Yoo has been extremely unresponsive and reticent, so I can see how an exasperated parent, not knowing how else to get through to their child, might resort to anger and brute force.

Not that I think that Dad's methods are correct, to be clear. I'm just saying that Dad's not a monster, even though he's absolutely not actually being helpful to Seung Yoo's state of mind right now.

In terms of who or what would be helpful to Seung Yoo, I do think that Show's doing a solid job making the case that Yoon Su is the right fit for what Seung Yoo needs. Not only does she love math, she's thrilled by it, and I feel like perhaps that visceral joy that she gets from math, might be an infectious sort of thing, that would help Seung Yoo rediscover the joy that he once got from math.

Additionally, I like that Yoon Su isn't at all swayed by all the competition and achievement stuff. The fact that she declines to help Seung Yoo, when Dad first approaches her with the full story on Seung Yoo's background, tells us that she's wary of hothousing a kid.

In fact, in her desperate plea to Dad, when she tries to stop Dad from taking Seung Yoo away to get tested for the other school, sums it up perfectly; Seung Yoo needs to be set free, if he's ever going to spread his wings. I love that analogy, and I do think that Yoon Su's hit the nail on the head, whether she realizes it or not.

Seung Yoo needs to feel free to love and explore math, away from the pressure to perform as the best of the best. Regardless of the details of his journey, that performance pressure has definitely contributed to killing his joy, so consciously pushing that element out of his orbit would absolutely be on the right track.

All that said, I'm starting to get the feeling that Yoon Su's fiancé Sung Jae isn't as thoughtful or understanding as he'd first appeared. I mean, for one thing, his idea of a suitable way to deal with all of Yoon Su's father's math books, is to throw them away? That shows a fundamental lack of empathy for her love for math AND her love for her father. I mean, if he at least appreciates that her father and math in general are very important to her, then he wouldn't suggest throwing away those books, I feel. This is the biggest red flag, so far.

Another, smaller, red flag, is when Yoon Su's more focused on the math competition details, whereas Sung Jae cares more about the gossip around Director Noh. It seems like a small thing, but I feel like this could be an indication of bigger clashes to come.

There's an interesting idea forming here, about what you're born with, and whether that defines who you are and who you become. Seung Yoo's born with a strong affinity for math, while Ye Rin isn't.

Both Seung Yoo and Ye Rin are facing pressure to do well in school and climb to the top, but the difference is, Seung Yoo's fighting against that pressure while Ye Rin actually seems to want to please, by achieving that top ranking. Except, it seems beyond her means, because she's not born with the right qualities.

It's an exploration of nature vs. nurture, in a manner of speaking, but at the same time, we see that nature without nurture doesn't amount to anything either.

That's where Yoon Su comes in, for Seung Yoo. He's gifted, and she can nurture that gift, and has the empathy and shared love for math to do so in a way that helps him. I'm already convinced of the benefits of this connection, and am rooting for them to be given the space to share this math journey.

In terms of the thing that niggles at me, so far, that is the use of the soundtrack. I'm now fine with the pumping "math is magical and exciting" sort of music that comes on when Yoon Su and Seung Yoo are working out math stuff together. In fact, I wish Show would stick with that, because now Show has also started using love ballads for when Yoon Su and Seung Yoo are connecting over math, and I find it very weird and distracting.

I mean, I get that Show is mostly likely going to turn this relationship romantic at some point (let it be after the time skip PLEASEEE), but even so, it's way too early to be sowing those romance seeds with us as an audience, surely? At this point, while it's true that Yoon Su and Seung Yoo are drawn to each other, their connection doesn't have any shades of romance on either side, and would come across as purely platonic, if not for this very love ballady, inconveniently distracting music that Show insists on playing while they are together. I wish Show would stop, on this front.

Other than that, though, I'm happy with what Show is serving up. In particular, that final scene, where Seung Yoo shows up at the door of the hall, just as the math competition is about to start, and tells Yoon Su, with the widest, most genuine smile on his face, that he's solved the problem that they'd been working on. Ahh. That pure, unadulterated joy and excitement is so precious, and I'd love to see Seung Yoo experience more of that.

Next episode notes will be out on: Wednesday, 8 Dec 2021!