REVIEW: ‘Trolley,’ Episodes 5-6 “Confrontation” And “Pain”

With several hints towards Kim’s past in previous episodes, Trolley Episodes 5-6 pull back the curtain on what tragic event led to her fleeing Youngsan and changing her name before settling into her current life. Now, with her past catching up to her, Kim must navigate a difficult path as she tries to balance her needs with her family’s future.

Since the first moments of this series, it was clear that Trolley was going to feature a strong focus on family struggles. Initially, this took the form of Kim and Nam’s struggles with their son and the potential of an unexpected grandchild. But as the series shifts its narrative to exploring Kim’s past, the focus on family expands to include others. However, this new family is a somewhat different breed than what we have seen of the show’s central characters.

We find this new family fractured and grappling with a loss from the distant past. I can’t go into details, as this family history is integral to the growing plot. It is easily one of the coldest and most unfeeling families I’ve seen. This lack of connection is mainly due to the past and the unwillingness to move one from losses.

As is often the case with family, the whys and hows that the various members feel towards each other in Trolley Episodes 5-6 are complicated. Lies and abuses make some members out to be complete villains, while others are granted some clemency due to the misleading actions that inform their opinions.

Through these complexities, the show does an excellent job of exploring the family and their varied outlooks while not miss focusing on where sympathies should lie. The sins of the past are never shown to be anything but that, and when the characters try to manipulate things for their purposes, the show never makes it out to be anything more than what it is. This is good, as some of the moments explored in these episodes would be done a great disservice if they tried to absolve the wrong parties of their parts in them.

Soo Bin is the element of Trolley Episodes 5-6‘s larger narrative that gets mainly left on the back burner for these episodes. As she continues to feel isolated in her new home, the show returns to her a few times to set up some future plot for her, but a slight motion occurs here. I honestly think this is good for the character, as the hard choices that are facing her are only added weight by seeing her left to linger in an uncomfortable position afforded her mainly through a sense of responsibility more than desire.

Trolley Episodes 5-6 deliver what is easily the show’s hardest-hitting moments so far. Builds up key characters’ back stories while effortlessly weaving them into the current situation faced by its cast. Ending on a cliffhanger, I’m eager to see what transpires when the show returns.

Trolley Episodes 5-6 are streaming now on Netflix, with new episodes airing on Mondays and Tuesdays.