Lovecraft Country
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We first meet Ji-Ah (Jamie Chung) inside of a movie theater.
This cinematic version of a romantic, technicolor life is impossible in Ji-Ahs present.
Her life is not the same as those on screen.
This is Ji-Ahs episode, and by its end the teleplay has positioned her as integral to this story.
The change of pace is welcome.
And this episode, too, feels closest to a film.
While preparing kimchi, the two discuss whether theyll have enough food for the coming winter.
First: She has a penchant for the romance and novelty that the movies bring her.
Second: We learn the full extent of her kumiho ritual.
When she brings home a man from a bar (James Kyson, fromHeroes!
), tails emerge from Ji-Ahs orifices stabbing the man throughout his body.
She sees flashes of his whole life and internalizes his memories.
But Ji-Ah seems unsure this is what will happen, and unsure that shed want it to.
When the Summer of 1950 rolls in, so does the American military.
Refreshingly, the episode is critical of war and Americas place within it.
Ji-Ah is sitting in the movie theater about to watchEaster Parade, when things start to quake.
Outside, American soldiers roll by on tanks dropping fliers that read Theres nothing to fear.
The United States is here.
A soldier yells to the crowds, Do not be alarmed!
but this is very alarming!
The next scene shows Ji-Ah burning the American propaganda in the fire.
She and Ji-Ah bond over being different.
An American soldier shoots one of the nurses in the head when no one confesses.
His gun jams before he murders a second woman, andAtticusenters the stage.
He, without hesitation, shoots and kills her.
Its senseless killing; hes following orders.
Atticus points his gun at Ji-Ah and Young-Ja confesses to get to save her.
They drag Young-Ja away to be tortured.
This sequence comes after a man is hanged for potential communist ties.
The American soldiers look on (or away) with ease.
He sets up a secret date for them and they watchSummer Stocktogether, sharing a kiss.
After, Ji-Ah brings him back to her murder lounge and the two begin to have sex.
But Atticus, vulnerable after admitting this will be his first time says, Ive done some horrible things.
Things Ive tried to forget.
And when Im with you that seems possible.
Its an affection arrived at quickly, but his words resonate with Ji-Ah.
Before her transformation can begin, she ends their intimacy, yelling at him to leave.
Ji-Ah, wearing her powder blue coat over her nursing uniform, waits outside of the base for Tic.
Upon his arrival she yells, You killed my best friend!
She continues, Her name was Young-Ja, she was a nurse.
The two argue, dynamic and full of energy.
I was going to kill you, she tells him.
She has all the power here.
They kiss and then later have sex for the first time.
But in the Winter of 1950, Atticus has some news: He can go home.
Ji-Ah doesnt want to ask him to stay, so he asks her to come with him.
The pair begin to have sex again, but this time her tails begin to take over.
Ji-Ah pleads, Dont go home!
Youre going to die!
Its scary and thrilling.
Frightened, Atticus runs out.
She finally tells him what she is, but its too late for him to hear.
The answer is unclear.
Leftover Country
I would like to try the kimchi fermented with pumpkin broth.
Jamie Chung is a STAR and this episode seems built to let her be.
Her Starring billing in each episodes credits makes sense now.
With that being said, this makes me wish Rubys episode were less … fraught.
I think it helps that everyone else is also supernaturally involved.
Jamie Chung is so captivating that Im able to buy into it.
The extra nods to film and cinematics help this, too.
Fun fact: The director, Helen Shaver, voices Littlefoots mother inThe Land Before Time.
This was my favorite movie as a young kid.
Speaking of more movies, this is not Jamie Chungs first entry into horror.
I loved her inSorority Row.
