Highlights: "Heard It Through the Grapevine" Episode 2

We knew that In Sang’s parents wouldn’t react well to the news that they were becoming grandparents, but that doesn’t make their actions in the second episode of “Heard It Through the Grapevine” any easier to watch. They’re in full damage-control mode, but what they don’t seem to understand is that love can’t be controlled—and love truly is the force that surrounds the family unit of Bom, In Sang, and their child.

These were my five favorite scenes from “Heard It Through the Grapevine” episode 2:

1. Bom sees In Sang’s house for the first time

It turns out that In Sang hid the truth of his family situation from Bom (he tried to impress her by saying he was a scholarship student!), but the jig is up once she sees his impossibly lavish house. I love how this scene is filmed—at first, we slowly follow Bom and In Sang as they make their way through the foyer into the living room. The soundtrack is eerie, and a sense of dread pervades the atmosphere of the house. Then, the camera moves to Bom’s face, as she starts to take in just what she’s seeing, and a dolly zoom is utilized to emphasize the sense of unreality she is experiencing, as though the Han house is on another planet entirely.

2. A revelation, and labor

Every aspect of Bom’s introduction to the Han family is a treasure: In Sang’s hysterical explanation (“We made the seal of love!”); his parents’ equally hysterical reactions; the way that all of the household help gathers around to watch the spectacle; the fact that Bom is the only person present with a level head, and her determination to take responsibility for what’s happened (In Sang: “I couldn’t control myself.” Bom: “Me neither.”); the culmination of this entire horror show, in which Bom’s water breaks on the living room couch. It’s all fantastic, a perfect meld of great acting, writing, and directing.

3. A conversation with Bom’s family

Thank goodness for Bom’s family. They’ve made no secret of how uncomfortable Bom’s early, out-of-wedlock pregnancy makes them, but their love for their daughter has never been in doubt, and that love comes through in the phone call that Bom makes after delivering her son. Just as wonderful as their love for their daughter is their almost immediate acceptance of In Sang, whom Bom’s mother demands to speak to so that she can tell him that he did a good job too. His own parents treat the baby as a problem to be solved efficiently and impersonally, and refuse to so much as look at their new grandson, while Bom’s parents want to see photos. No wonder Bom grew up to be a clever, even-keeled girl, while In Sang is a nervous wreck.

4. “My charms don’t seem to work in this house.”

Young love! It’s great! I just love seeing how obviously In Sang adores Bom—and vice versa. They know that they have an uphill climb ahead of them (a very very steep uphill climb!), but they also know that they have each other. That’s so important, both to them as characters and us as viewers.

5. “I’ve overcome my shame.”

Seo Bom is the drama heroine we deserve! I am so glad that she recognizes Mom’s evil plan and is ready to stand up for herself. Bom has no illusions about what she’s done, or how others see her, but she’s moved on. She has other problems to deal with—chief among them, how to get her sort-of-mother-in-law out of the way so that she can take care of her son. I’m so excited to see Bom continue to stand up for herself and her family (including In Sang!).

What did you think of this episode? Let us know in the comments below!

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