Pachinko on Apple TV+ has been one of the most emotionally charged series, beautifully capturing the complexities of human life against the backdrop of historical turmoil.
With the second season now in full swing, Episode 3 delivers yet another powerful chapter as Sunja and her family deal with the consequences of the ongoing war and personal loss. Let’s dive into what went down in this episode—just a heads-up, there are some spoilers ahead!
A Mother and a Widow
The episode opens in the aftermath of the shocking death of Isak in Episode 2. Sunja, now a widow, faces unimaginable grief. The opening scene sets a tense, anxiety-ridden tone with sirens wailing and chaos erupting as bombs begin to drop. As Sunja clutches her son Mozasu, desperately searching for Noa, the danger feels incredibly real. Hansu shows up just in time to help them escape, and Sunja persuades her sister-in-law Kyunghee that they must flee with him to safety.
As the Americans begin their bombing campaign, Sunja, Kyunghee, and the children leave Osaka in Hansu’s car, witnessing the destruction from afar. Although they’ve physically escaped danger, their emotional pain—especially after Isak’s death—remains fresh. They haven’t even had a moment to properly grieve before they’re thrust into survival mode.
A Difficult Adjustment
Once they arrive at their new, seemingly safe destination, it’s far from the sanctuary they had imagined. Hansu insists one of his men, a complete stranger, stay with Sunja and her family for protection, adding another layer of discomfort. Sunja, now stronger and more independent, confronts Hansu, reminding him that she’s no longer the naive woman he once knew.
Fast forward to June 1945, and Sunja and Kyunghee struggle to fit into their new surroundings. They’re ostracized by the local women, who gossip about Sunja in Japanese. Even though the women are treated as outsiders, Sunja’s children seem to be adjusting a little better to their new lives. Meanwhile, Hansu attempts to form a bond with Noa, gifting the family a television, which only heightens Sunja’s suspicions of his growing influence on her son.
Solomon’s Desperation
The episode also jumps to the present timeline, where we see Solomon’s growing desperation in 1989. As he meets his old colleague Tom Andrews, it’s clear that the stakes are high for him as he tries to secure a crucial deal. This storyline provides a compelling contrast to the hardships Sunja and her family faced in the past, linking generations of struggles.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Pachinko Season 2 Episode 3 felt a bit like a transitional episode, with the main focus being on Sunja’s family adjusting to life after Osaka. While it might not have had the most action-packed moments, the character development continues to shine, especially as Sunja asserts her independence and strength. The backdrop of war and personal loss is still very much alive, and it will be interesting to see how these threads unfold in the coming episodes. Keep an eye out for our review of Episode 4!