D.P. Season 1 Episode 5 Episode 5
- August 27, 2021
The show D.P., or Deserter Pursuit, is a South Korean Netflix original series that follows a young army private named Ahn Jun-ho as he is assigned to a special task force tasked with tracking down and capturing military deserters. Season 1, episode 5 of D.P. is simply titled Episode 5.
The episode begins with Jun-ho and his partner, Park Beom-gu, receiving a new mission to track down a deserter named Kang Joo-hyuk, who was last seen in the mountains. During their search, the duo comes across a group of hikers who inform them that they have seen a man fitting Joo-hyuk's description hiking in the area. However, when Jun-ho and Beom-gu catch up to him, Joo-hyuk denies being a deserter and tells them that he has been living in the mountains for years. The encounter leaves Jun-ho feeling conflicted about his mission and the effectiveness of the army's procedures for dealing with deserters.
Meanwhile, Jun-ho's higher-ups are pressuring him to work quickly and efficiently to capture as many deserters as possible. They task him with helping to train new recruits in the art of deserter pursuit. However, Jun-ho struggles to be an effective teacher when he is still grappling with his own feelings about the morality of the task force's mission.
As the episode progresses, Jun-ho begins to build a relationship with Joo-hyuk, who opens up to him about his past and the reasons for his desertion. Jun-ho sees firsthand that not all deserters are the same and that there are often complex and nuanced reasons behind their decisions. This realization causes him to question the black-and-white mentality that the army has towards deserters.
In addition to the main storylines, Episode 5 also delves into the personal lives of some of the characters. Park Beom-gu struggles to balance his responsibilities as a soldier and a father to his young son. He turns to Jun-ho for advice and support, which helps to strengthen their partnership. We also see more of the relationship between Jun-ho and his childhood friend, Han Ho-yeol, who is serving time in a military prison. Jun-ho's interactions with both Joo-hyuk and his fellow soldiers underscore the importance of human connection and empathy in a system that often disregards individual stories and struggles.
Overall, Episode 5 of D.P. is a thought-provoking exploration of the morality of military desertion. It highlights the complexities of the issue and the importance of understanding and empathy in dealing with those who choose to leave the armed forces. With strong performances from its cast and sharp writing, D.P. continues to be an engaging and insightful show that sheds light on a little-discussed aspect of military life.