No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 4 Review: Unnecessary Subplot Detracts from the Thrill

No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 4 Review | Leisurebyte

Director: Choi Kook-hee

Date Created: 2024-08-07 12:30

Editor's Rating:
2.5

Disney+ Hotstar’s thriller series has made a striking debut with its high-octane action, but its latest episode, No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 4, has taken a disappointing turn. Instead of maintaining the suspenseful momentum, the episode is bogged down by excessive subplots and character agendas. The focus on the police’s attempts to protect Kim Guk-ho is overshadowed by a convoluted narrative that becomes mired in unnecessary drama. As a result, the episode feels dragged out and loses its initial intrigue, leaving viewers with a sense of dissatisfaction.

–Contains Spoilers –

No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 4 Recap

The episode begins with Mayor Ahn Myeong-ja being summoned by the prosecution. She had formed a partnership with a Hong Kong-based asset management company and created a suspicious investment fund using 280 billion won from Hosan City’s finances. Multiple civic groups in Hosan City reported to the prosecution that this asset management company is a shell company. As she enters the station, she states that she will fully cooperate, indicating public anger and a desire for more information about the case.

During her discussion with the prosecution, she attempts to strike a deal, but it fails. Her personality is revealed to be that of a corrupt politician, using everything for her gain. Despite facing losses due to this case, she is determined to retain her mayoral seat. When news breaks of a bomb blast in Kim Guk-ho’s locality that killed many people, she seizes the opportunity to portray herself as a savior who will remove Guk-ho from Hosan City. She plans and stages a public act, blaming Kim Guk-ho for the bomb blast, claiming that if he weren’t there, the tragedy wouldn’t have happened.

She promises the public that she will ensure Guk-ho leaves the city. She kneels on the road until Guk-ho talks to her, offering him 5 billion won to move. However, Guk-ho records their conversation, blackmails her for a higher amount, and she leaves when her manager suggests either paying or killing him. She reacts to this, stating it’s impossible since there are always people around his house.

Meanwhile, the police are still tracking the masked man. They finally locate him in a building opposite the police station. Inside the room, they find welcome banners, masks of the masked man, and a roulette wheel. As they start collecting evidence, Cho Jin-woong spins the wheel, and it lands on Guk-ho’s name with an amount of 20 billion and a task to kill. This result repeats two more times, confirming to the police that the wheel is being controlled. To uncover how this is happening, Cho Jin-woong checks the wheel and discovers a ticking timer. Is it a bomb or a controller? We will find out in the next episode.

No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 4 Review

No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 4 is disappointing, with too much unnecessary drama and a slow-moving story. Guk-ho’s behaviour is confusing and annoying. He’s a serial killer, yet the police are trying to protect him from the public. His desire to walk around freely feels pointless and drags the story down. The characters’ motives are clear but hard to sympathise with. Both the police and the hunters seem driven by greed, making it difficult to care about any of them. The episode lacks the action and suspense needed to keep viewers interested.

Lee Kwang-soo and Cho Jin-woong’s characters have very little screen time, which is disappointing. Their limited roles take away from the excitement of the chase between the police and the criminals. The masked man, who should add mystery and thrill, is also not interesting so far. The subplot with Mayor Ahn Myeong-ja adds some intrigue with her corrupt actions and manipulative tactics. Her response to the bomb blast and interaction with Guk-ho are interesting, but not enough to save the episode.

Overall, Episode 4 is bogged down by a slow plot, unlikable characters, and a lack of excitement. The pacing drags, making it difficult to stay engaged, and the characters’ actions and motivations feel uninspired and dull. This episode fails to capture the tension and intrigue that initially drew viewers in, leaving them yearning for the thrilling twists and dynamic storytelling that the series initially promised. Hopefully, future episodes will bring back the thrill that the series initially promised, reigniting the excitement and delivering the gripping narrative that fans have been eagerly awaiting.

Korean drama No Way Out: The Roulette is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

Also Read: No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 3 Review: Everyone Is Pursuing Money for Their Own Motives