[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Bad and Crazy" Episode 4

Last time, we saw Inspector Ryoo on his knees begging Assemblyman Doh for mercy and patience. This followed a setpiece wherein Inspector Ryoo's brother Dong-yeol (played by Kim Dae-gon) was menaced by thugs. The brothers have an interesting relationship. Inspector Ryoo was adopted, though the first couple of episodes gave no hint of this. Deep-seeded issues related to this adoption are implied to have something to do with K's sudden manifestation.

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This is despite Inspector Ryoo clearly loving his mother Seung-sook (played by Kang Ae-shim) and treating Dong-yeol with obvious brotherly annoyance. The discussion of the slush fund, and how Inspector Ryoo gets out of this crime he actually did, is both obvious foreshadowing but also a lot of fun because it's a showcase of the great chemistry of Lee Dong-wook and Wi Ha-jun. I have to keep reminding myself that their two characters are the same person, with the threats and violence they commit against each other being self-destructive by definition.

This isn't just true literally. Since K knows everything that Inspector Ryoo does, the alter ego is free to sabotage any of Inspector Ryoo's attempts to backslide into bad behavior. The whole conclusion to the Assemblyman Doh part of the story is excellent, because there's this constant tension of wondering when K is going to pop out and save the day. Inspector Ryoo is constantly his own worst antagonist, with K being the hero that brings him in line.

This episode also marks the return of Patrolman Cha after a two episode absence. I like how Patrolman Cha, and to a lesser extent Detective Lee, emphasize how it's perfectly possible for someone to be a good cop without being constantly bullied by their conscience. Patrolman Cha isn't very smart or very tough. But the kid is full of determination. His ability to force Inspector Ryoo into ethical dilemmas is a fantastic device for giving K an opportunity to force Inspector Ryoo into making the right choice.

So far Detective Lee doesn't have much else to do by comparison. She's still going over a lot of exposition from the first episode about Officer Tak's murder. He was the guy who might have been murdered by Officer Kim. Nothing is really clear yet, because despite Assemblyman Doh seeming like the big villain, we eventually see that behind him are other more dangerous people who are much better at threats and murder than he is.

Review by William Schwartz

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"Bad and Crazy" is directed by Yoo Seon-dong, written by Kim Sae-bom, and features Lee Dong-wook, Wi Ha-jun, Han Ji-eun, Cha Hak-yeon, Kang Ae-shim, Kim Dae-gon. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2021/12/17~Now airing, Fri, Sat 22:40 on tvN.