6.0/10 - Ah, poor Yan Zhen.

He's trying had to help Yan Zhen. While annoying the crap out of Xie Xiang still. I don't think even he knows what his feelings are towards her, or what he wants. But it's hilarious seeing him get so upset when she thinks the worse of him. I mean he's still bullying and harassing her. What does he think is going to happen! I feel bad that Yan Zhen's sister likes him now. Which leads me to weirdness. So Jun Shan killed that entire contingent of Japanese soldiers. I think Xie Xiang might suspect. She should! (Dramas above don't let the writers make her dumb too.) Yan Zhen's sister sees him kill those men. Instead of getting PTSD and being totally shocked by the horror of what she sees. Come on burning flesh smell! She's has the wear with all to follow the killer, but wait so that she can become his fan girl. She knows it's Jun Shan and boy is that one hard stare she gives him. I'm disturbed by how much blood everyone wanted. I like Jun Shan, but dude is a killer!Now enter the new head of the Japanese contingent. Oda Hiroshi / Jin Xian Rong she immediately gets her claws into Jun Shan. Meets his brother. Then goes to kill Sato and take over! Queen! I love her. Even while I know she's a villain. Oda is probably gonna some how threaten Yan Zhen's sister. Not to mention what's gonna happen when she realizes it's Jun Shan who murdered those Japanese men. Becasue there's no way even C-drama mindset can keep this girl from her goal! Double agent! Xie Xiang is clearly crushing on Jun Shan, but i don't think she's 100% aware yet. Yan Zhen is so we've got our love triangle there still. I want . . . a better plot with Xie Xiang. To be honest I actually like Man Ting more at this point. Not to mention that I just feel like Xie Xiang is being underdeveloped and left in boring plots. Especially as the scope of this story expands! I mean what are the writers doing?

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6.0/10

Hmmmmm. So they're adding a connection between Guo Shu Ting [Deputy Director, Tactics Instructor] and Man Ting. Is he her real dad or something? This episode was pretty fun and exciting! I spoke to soon about Yan Zhen as he rushes to walk Xie Xiang home. From there he continues to pester and look after her. Though he did really step up to protect her. He keeps coming out looking bad. Xie Xiang thinks Yan Zhen's harassment is going that extra step. But she has no clue about the real threat. That said. Xie Xiang is a woman posing as a man. Her only true skills so far have been combat. Though now I'm wondering if they let her have hand to hand. I thought it was mentioned, but we only saw her with a training sword. Still she has the courage to pose as a man in the military, there's no way she'd be that cringey and scared. Not to mention cold. She was wearing layers and a jacket! I thought the drama was doing a decent job until all that nonsense. We get to see Jun Shan be a good person. Xie Xiang is definitely looking up to him. Enough so that Yan Zhen is jealous. Who isn't quite sure what he wants from Xie Xiang. Jun Shan is facing the effects of his brother's gangster actions. Killing a poor sweet girl and 12 workers. Though I wonder why the girl didn't wake her mom.Overall a really fun episode and I did not feel compelled to speed anything up. Plenty of laughs and great character chemistry.

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6.0/10 - Not sure what love shape this is.

Well we left love triangle a while ago, blew past love square, and now I have no idea. But wow is this writer ambitious. This episode did two really great things. Setup romance plots like crazy. Ones I am digging. So bravo.To cement who Qu Man Ting is. She's really broken out of her stereotype. For some reason dramas in this era like a show girl like her, but they remain . . . fickle and annoying. Qu Man Ting is a modern woman in her mindset and desires. I feel like there's more to be found out about about her family and how the treat her. It's clear though that she doesn't want to be a prize. While I was still reeling in shock that Shen Ting Bai is kind of, well really, a gangster. She hit it on the nose. Shen Ting Bai wanting Man Ting is about his dignity. She wouldn't have been in danger if it hadn't been for him. He did save her, he attacked an enemy and saved his dignity. Smart girl. I respect her. So much. Gu Yan Zhen is making himself irresistible to Man Ting. But his threats of well . . . raping her or forcing himself on her are NOT APPEALING. Well. I guess that Xie Xiang still dislikes him and actually hates him. But like I said the writer is really setting things up. But Yan Zhen has everything figured out. About Xie Xiang / Xi Liang Chen. It was interesting seeing him worried about Xie Xiang walking home alone. This was a great episode in setting up so many things. Jun Shan saving Xie Xiang. Creating a joyful friendship there. The whole combat training was interesting and we got to see many character react and show their true colors. I really like how bold and ambitious the story is at this point. Not to mention how great the build up has been for the characters.

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5.0/10 - Oh, maybe a surprise?

So it's clear that Gu Yan Zhen is pretty positive that Xie Xiang is a girl. Man he put stuff together real fast after he heard a name once and a banquet. Wow! HOWEVER! Is Arsenal Military Academy actually gonna pull a fast one. Cause clearly Gu Yan Zhen and Qu Man Ting are being setup. That tango (most boring tango I have ever seen. There was no fire!! Passion! It was very clinical) and their talk about never being in love. It would be kind of cool if Yan Zhen and Xie Xiang end up being friends. Though I am totally team Man Ting and Shen Ting Bai. So sorry Yang Zhen. I don't want you to get the girl. Or girls . . . so far. Still I give mad props to the writer for all of these amazing character connections and plots. I will say I am bored to tears with this whole Guo Shu Ting [Deputy Director, Tactics Instructor]. It is so typical and boring! Ugh. I don't care about it, and I don't want it to eat up my screen time. So Xie Xiang has all the boys calling!! Yan Zhen runs of into the wood immediately after he suspects that jerk has done something to Xie Xiang to delay her meeting up with the team. Shen Jun Shan remains calm, but still seeks her out. So she's got to guys looking for her. I was really surprised that Jung Shan finds her! And that poor Yan Zhen ends up finding Man Ting. (Good for her, bad for him!) This turned into a pretty fun episode. There's still somethings stifling my enjoyment of the series. So far I'm in. I'm very curious to see who bold the writer is gong to get! Plus, I think the actor playing Jung Shan over road my love for the actor playing Yan Zhen. I'm not a traitor fan. No. Well. Maybe.

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5.0/10

Qu Man Ting and Shen Ting Bai actually do make a great couple. Shen Ting Bai is a great catch. Not just because of his wealth. Apparently Qu Man Ting loves her freedom, but apparently cant's see Shen past what everyone tells her she should do or want from him. What a shame because I think they're my favorite couple on this drama! Oooooo. Another episode where Xie Xiang has to dress up as a girl. Father's in town and of course she has to go to a fancy Banquet that her dad is going to thank Shen for clothing donation. Which Xie Xiang just happens to forget that Shen's brother Jun Shan will be there. *sighs* Though I can't fault the drama. It lead to a hilarious Mrs. Doubtfire moment where Xie Xiang gets cake frosting all over her face so that she won't be discovered. I do like that this drama does not assume that people won't recognize her as a girl. So Xie Xiang forgets that she is a dude and needs to act accordingly around Tan Xiao Jun. They ain't both girl friends. So Xie Xiang breaks up a flirtation between Tan Xiao Jun and Ji Jin. Which I am vibing!! Did anyone else just giggle and smile at these two together? Ahhhhhh! I'm all in for that! Can't wait to see what the drama has in store for them.Overall I do like where this drama is going. Plenty of build up. Though I feel like Xie Xiang's inspiring her to be in the army is weird. I mean there's idealism, but that's a huge leap for a girl of that time and place to make. There's more I'm sure. There was this whole tiring conformation with some "MEAN GIRLS" and Qu Man Ting that just bored the crap out of me. So, yuck.

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5.0/10

Oh, boy!!! Where establishing a lot of character connections! Fun! Fun! Gu Yan Zhen terrorizes Xie Xiang. Though I thought maybe Gu Yan Zhen was going to change. After their whole bonding thing when my girl comes back from carrying the log all by herself and Gu Yan Zhen is collapsed after the bath. I also thought he might be more serious. Though, I guess he was. He got up on time to splash water on Gu Yan Zhen. And has been training. So I guess he has, he's just a jerk.Oh, boy. I feel a second lead syndrome coming on!!! Jun Shan is pretty cool! This episode shows us how nice and cool Jun Shan is. But spends a lot of time making us laugh over Gu Yan Zhen and Xie Xiang fighting. At one point Jun Shan causally steps over a fighting Gu Yan Zhen and Xie Xiang as they tussle on the floor. Everyone keeps saying "they're fighting again!" I doubt Arsenal Military Academy is gonna give us a second lead romance. It feels odd that Xie Xiang keeps forgetting she's a dude when she's not with the boys. Like hugging her best friend so it looks like they're an item. She almost ran into Jun Shan and Xie Xiang as a girl as she needed to do that to stay at her friend's.I do have to commend the make up team. Her buy hair looks so good, and that wig for the long hair looked really great too!Now I"m off because the cliffhanger leaves us with Gu Yan Zhen asking Xie Xiang if she's a girl. I know it's way to early for anyone to officially know yet.

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4.0/10 - Building an emotional connection.

I definitely prefer this to a rushed and info dumped C-drama start. I'm getting a feel for the leads and characters. Right now I don't like ML Yan Zhen. Which sucks because I love him from The Legends. We're getting just enough flashbacks to build an emotional bond with Xie Xiang / Xi Liang Chen's brother. ( HEADS UP. I am only going to call Xie Xiang by her real name, since her other alias "Xi Liang Chen" is her brothers name. ) It's a smart choice so that we will have an emotional connection with Xi Liang Chen and it will hold more weight/impact when we find out how he died. More importantly why Xie Xiang is impersonating him. We get a peak at Liang Chen's sweet side as he gifts his sister a music box, and then the protector who loves his sister and inspires her. ;_; Well done. If the writing keeps gong this strong I'm hoping Yan Zhen is gonna grow up. Cause this whiny rich brat is getting on my last nerve. Mainly because his introduction in episode one was horrid!!! I'm still getting a feel for names. I believe the country bumpkin is Huang Song? I'm gonna really try to pick up the name next episode. I really enjoy his friendship and commendatory with Xie Xiang. She immediately had his back and became his friend, and he understands and appreciates her loyalty. Which makes me surprised he listened to her about going ahead. Also, who has the log?Jun Shan. Well not much to him. He's quiet and cold. But oddly the actor plays the role in a way that does not make him aloof or unapproachable. Jun Shan's friend Ji Jin is so cute!!!! Friendly and kind! I already adore him! It's speaks volumes to me that Jun Shan and Ji Jin decided to immediately sit at breakfast with Xie Xiang and Bumpkin (I'll get his name right darn it!).Guo Shu Ting [Deputy Director, Tactics Instructor] is so far a typical character. But one the writer is giving time to, so maybe in the next episodes he'll break out of his cliche stereotype. Yeesh. A much better episode than the last. Though I've always wondered when in these kind of training things they don't slowly build the strength up instead of running them ragged. I would think results would be better, but that's how it's done. I'm very curious to see what has happened to Xie Xiang! That is brutal training. Go girl! Go!

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3.0/10 - A quieter introduction.

I feel like most C-dramas can be hot messes in the first episode. So I have to give Arsenal Military Academy credit for taking it slow and simply showing us who the players are. The only flashback we get is Xie Xiang cutting her hair to become Xi Liang Chen. Hope I didn't get her boy and girl name mixed up there! That said this episode was slow. It was nice to get everyone's names and get some solid setup. But I still don't have strong emotions about it. Which is normal at this stage. Even with the episode taking a much quieter approach to the story. As the episode progressed I will say I started to get attached to the characters gradually. Which is something most C-dramas can have a hard time doing when setting up their story! So well done.By the end I was totally invested in Xie Xiang supporting her new country bumpkin friend (his name escapes me, but I say bumpkin with pride as I am one).I don't really have strong emotions at this point for the drama or an opinion. Not much happened. I will say I laughed a few parts, and rolled my eyes right a long with Xie Xiang.

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8.0/10 - The mystery is taking over a bit, but still nice touches of romance.

Ah, it’s so sweet that Yong Shik ignored Dong Baek’s reassurances that she’d be okay walking on her own. That she was okay all okay with everything. Instead he follows secretly so that he could see how terrified she was and come running to walk her the rest of the way home. >_<I’m wondering if Dong Baek’s mom is feeling regrets. By living with Dong Baek she substitutes Pil Goo for her daughter. Her dementia allowing her to do that so that she can atone. To be quite honest I am beyond intrigued to find out what happened to her mother to make her give up Dong Baek, and what happened with her life after. New family? Or just a hard life? What!!!!! Tell me! So this episode was very much setting up the mystery. We already know that Joker is someone who frequents often. So much so that Dong Baek knows this person, and even gave the person free peanuts. But this also confirms that they’ve been watching her for all those years. I’ve been wondering if there are two Jokers. The one that pulled the fire alarm to save Dong Baek and the second who wanted to kill her. Now the Joker who pulled the fire alarm either wants to kill her, or doesn’t know his partner is focused on her. Or both have decided it’s the ultimate hunt. Hmmmmm. I think they’ll start killing again to amp up Dong Baek’s fear. I’ve watched way too many crime and murder shows. This also tries to setup mystery around Dogn Baek’s mom. Who I believe will become a victim. I do wonder why she started to watch her daughter. But the biggest mystery for me is all the things mentioned above. If her mom really has a hard core connection to Joker I’ll truly be surprised. I like all the sweet personal touches tossed into the episode as Yong Shik begins his investigation and tries to figure out who panted the warning. He’s right. It’s always scary to find out that the people you think you know might be evil. Let alone serial killers. On a sidenote I really loved that Ja Young decided to try and drink at Camellia. I really would love it if Dong Baek and Ja Young could be friends!

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10/10 - Perfection!

So Dong Baek’s mom tries to give her money. Then Dong Baek hires her. Yep, I get the feeling that her mom is gonna get murdered. I mean they’re keeping the face of the real murder victim covered. It would be an epic twist if it really was Dong Baek. I was so worried about this episode. I just thought it was going to be about Dong Baek pushing Yong Shik away. Which she does attempt to do. She decided she’s too pitiful. She even convinces herself that he’s better off without.Her words about dating again when she can start anew with a man that knows nothing about her is impposible. She’d have to give up ties to her kid and live a lie. But she believes she doesn’t deserved to be loved by Yong Shik. Yong Shik’s romantic gesture after Dong Baek does what she can to get rid of him only proves how right he is for her. Dong Baek realizes that Yong Shik’s determination to make her feel proud of herself. To live with her head up not down is the kind of love you want. Someone who knows everything about you and thinks you’re amazing. This episode made so much progress. To Dong Baek coming in to defend Yong Shik, and in his words she “protects him.” That scene where they’re both crying at each other was beautiful. It’s also a relief that (no longer calling him Mr. No as my subtitles finally corrected themselves) Gyu Tae’s wife now knows that Dong Baek never had an affair. I hope she realizes that she’s got a pig sexual harasser on her hands. This episode was perfection for me!!!! Everything and all the key characters come to the perfect build and resolution!! Hyang Mi. That girl meant business. Idiot Gyu Tae never stood a chance. She saw him. Probably the smartest person there to know exactly what she needed to manipulate him. She better hpe Gyu Tae doesn’t take anymore of those pills and drink with his evil thoughts on her.

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8.0/10 - Okay, I love this drama! The two leads are so cute together!

Huh, so a mystery dementia lady. I want to guess she might be Dong Baek’s mom. Ah, so finally Duk Soon is realizing how hypocritical she is being. She says find a better man then my son, but that’s impossible. Because what she is saying is not my son, and every mom after might be like that. Speaking of I was right the lady is Dong Baek’s mom. I get that Dong Baek is so upset with her. It pains me to see her so mean to someone with dementia. But she’s still caring our Dong Baek. I wonder if it will occur to Dong Baek that maybe mental health had a hand in her giving up her daughter? The story Dong Baek told her mom about after having a child she couldn’t sympathize with her own mother for abandoning her any longer. Dong Baek even tries to abandon her multiple times. Dong Baek is too good of a person for that. I wonder who will come and get her. But there are to potential victims up if mom stays around. Mom and Hyang Mi. Yeah, Hyang Mi was no fool. When Mr. No was hoping that car hit her it was cruel! At this point I feel like Jong Ryul is a side character. He just popped up to maybe by the new lease. Yong Shik is actually earning points with the kid. Ah, it’s so sweet that Pil Goo loved being lifted like that!

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8.0/10 - Backstory, but the Joker story is really mixing in well.

Crap. His mom’s wish for him to leave her alone for 2 months and then she’ll approve ruins everything. You can already see the disappointment in Dong Baek’s eyes as he tries to explain it. Though I feel like it’s nothing to the disappointment I feel about Duk Soon. I really thought she’d be on Dong Baek’s side. That she’d be so happy to have Dong Baek and Pil Goo as family. She’s got two other sons to spread the family bloodlines out!! Also, I love how clever Hyang Mi is. I wonder if she suspects that Jong Ryul is the dad? Oh, yeah. She figured it all out. >_< You go girl! I think she was totally playing Mr. No from the get go. I just don’t think she anticipated his level of stupidity. I mean when he chased after Dong Baek he wanted her to hold his hand. Then when he goes for Hyang Mi it’s clear. This episode really building up the case and slowly revealing what happened to Dong Baek. It’s so sad that she had a friend, someone really cheering her on. The thought of being locked for 7 min and not knowing your friend was being murdered. Then to realize you were next! I get why there was speculation about an accomplice. I be there are two guys working. The killer and a look out. Maybe they take turns. The lookout realized that it was Dong Baek in there and he set the fire alarm off so she wouldn’t get killed. So that murder, or that Joker, is the one that’s after her now. I like my theory on this. Wow, I wasn’t sure how the whole serial killer story was going to fit into this. Dramas really surprise me about how well they can blend genres and ideas together.

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8.0/10 - So is it only okay for the wives to die!?

Well that happened fast. I like seeing the best parts of THE SCENE from last episode and their sweet walk together. Only for their romantic rain walk to be interrupted by Pil Goo. Who sheds light on why Yong Shik has to get lost if he likes his mom. Cause everyone who “likes” her doesn’t stick up for her and treats her bad. I like that Yong Shik was willing and ready to address it. Dong Baek doesn’t want him to. Yong Shik wisely backs off, but respects the kid. “A WISH, AN AFFAIR, AND TURMOIL” That is the title of the episode, I don't think Mr. No is gonna get a real affair though. Much like Hyang Mi I am also wondering what Mr. No thought all that was? He was basically setting up everything to be an affair. Clearly he know that he can’t have an affair, so he’s just been seeking a woman who could validate him. Sadly, his wife is gonna think it’s an affair. How can someone be this stupid. Really if he just talked to his wife, and took her jet skiing maybe they could like each other more? Hmmmm. The chief gave Yong Shik that case box on Joker. BUT he took one of the booklets out. Why? * Raises Eyebrow * The case notes thought there might have been an accomplice. So we’re finally peeking in a bit more into Dong Baek and Jong Ryul’s break up. Jong Ryul’s mother hated her. Mean. Cruel. Hate. Dong Baek says there were other things and she was waiting for the guy to “step up.” So clearly he wasn’t accepting/supportive. This is why it’s so devastating for Dong Baek to lose Duk Soon’s friendship. Because Duk Soon is the only mother figure that Dong Baek has had. The only one to take her side. Wait. So even Duk Soon, who likes both Dong Baek and Pil Goo, judges her for having a child. So if Duk Soon had wanted to marry she couldn’t have because she had three sons. I get that having heirs is a huge thing, especially to Asian families, but goodness. If Duk Soon, a woman who likes and understand Dong Baek’s plight, doesn’t want her own son to marry her how could Dong Baek ever get another sun. Are orphans that rare? Are families that lose a spouse rare? Is it only okay for the wife to die??!!!! Oh, Mr. No better look out!

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9.0/10 - Yong Shik! Wow!!! Just wow!!!!!!!!!

I am one of those cold hearted people who hates long crying scenes. This one. This one was gold. It was everything and I will forever love Yong Shik. * Standing Ovation * Huh, why doesn’t Yong Shik want Dong Baek to find out who his mom is. Or his mom to find out that he knows Dong Baek. Or both? And more? * wiggles eye brows * He-he. See Yong Shik is so smart though. Dong Baek wanted him to stay away from her at the market, but he proudly says that’s a way to start the rumors. If I just boldly and proudly say that I like you and I’m interested, that’s manners. That’s respect. He just earned major points with Dong Baek. As we see in the flashback with Dong Baek and Jong Ryul, that Jong Ryul kept her a secret. Okay, last episode I figured out that Dong Baek’s employee is the one that’s going to get killed. She’ll steal Dong Baek’s bracelet and now her budding relationship with Mr. No is going to make her a target. Because the killer already broke in and he knows both women. (From comments I’m not the only one thinking this!!) With Yong Shik boldly saying he likes everyone. Even telling Dong Baek that she’s acting like a fool letting those women bully her and then that he likes her. I love it when Dong Baek asks why he always ends with a a love confession. It’s only a matter of time before Yong Shik’s mom finds out the truth. I love that his mom finding out is also another epic love confession. But way would she not want to be friends with Dong Baek. That seems like something Duk Soon would be happy about!! So the viewers don’t know the hole truth about what happened between Dong Baek and Jong Ryul. It maybe sounds like she left Jong Ryul, and that’s why he spaced out and ruined the big game. What is clear to me is that Jong Ryul didn’t treat her how she deserved. How I want her to be treated. He was ashamed of her, and even now can’t understand her. He judges her for how she earns money. Yong Shik is more than willing to tell her how great she is. That she owns her own business and makes sure her son is fed. Raising a wonderful kid. Strongest person he knows. My final thoughts on this episode is that it’s a scandal if she is with a married man, but it’s also a scandal if she “seduces a baechler.” I thought Yong Shik’s mom said “She can get a single man too, she doesn’t need your husbands.” But basically she’s not supposed to date anyone. WTF. Updates while watching:
https://mydramalist.com/profile/silent_whispers/feeds/RJzkAiP
https://mydramalist.com/profile/silent_whispers/feeds/4Dd4qFA

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7.0/10 - Pacing issues, but tons of feels!! ;_;

Hold the freaking phone book!!!!!! Jung Hyuk’s brother did all that for the Wiretapper and HE STILL BETRAYED HIM! I mean the Lieutenant blackmailed the Wiretapper by threatening his mom, but still. The Wiretapper had to have other connections. He had to know that all the Wiretapper had to do was use the Lieutenant's own secrets and all the knowledge he got from spying against him. New who to send the secrets to! Ah, I didn’t even think about the watch having evidence. I didn’t think that the time period had that kind of technology. Oh, well. All right now that I’ve addressed the important stuff. Se Ri’s kissing Jung Hyuk in the most dramatic way ever and then boom she’s making her dramatic entrance. I would have liked a mini scene of how they found her. I feel like her dad was involved. So I guess this is gonna be a hidden scene for latter. To be quite honest in You Who Came From the Stars and Legend of the Blue Sea the writer’s talent was amazing to build up the suspense and make reality seem bent. Then boom! The lead one upped everyone! Oh, no the villain did this dramatic twist. It feels like this time around it’s ruining the pacing of Crash Landing on You. Okay, back to Se Ri’s comeback. I love that her little helper employee dude was so happy to see her and give her a hug. This is a wake up call for her indeed. To know who is her friend, even if she treated them poorly. Of course Jung Hyuk just can’t win! I mean why wouldn’t this snake Lieutenant have a backup plan!! I really wondered what he meant by Se Ri being in danger. Apparently my idea after escaping would be to run and live a happy life. Instead he wants to kill Se Ri! Which makes me wonder how on earth Jung Hyuk is going to get over the border. Another silly easy way? I mean Se Ri could have hopped the fence way before this! The guys guarding that probably wouldn’t have been that hard to fool. It’s ridiculous!!!! For a terrible moment I really thought the Wiretapper was gonna die! Then I saw the boys being rounded up by troops and I could breath easy. I just new he’d be okay. They wouldn’t kill the boys off! I love it they go South! Too funny.

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