The Sympathizer (2024)

The storytelling and visual presentation of this show are truly top-notch. The dialogue, colors, angles, and music are all done exceptionally well. The director's unique filming techniques and editing take the show to a new level. Despite the large number of characters and complex background, each character's appearance fully captures the audience's attention. Watching the entire series immediately reminded me of the discussions on ideology in "Poor Charlie's Almanack.”

It's not until the very last episode that we see some captivating audiovisual elements. However, the overall plot still feels dull and lacks tension. It fails to portray the agonizing identity crisis of being undercover, or the ups and downs typically seen in corporate espionage dramas. In the middle part of the series, the male lead mostly just observes the survival conditions of Vietnamese refugees in America and the various reactions of Americans. It's only towards the end that the male lead finally reveals his hopelessness.