"Chairwoman Park tells Austin that the reason capitalism works is that it emulates nature: 'It's a system of the self. Love lives in this system. All relationships exist in this system. They're all the same, another way to serve the self.'"
"The problem with basing a show on a critique of ruthless, self-serving capitalism is that it can be limiting. If Lee Sung Jin wants to be true to the notion that 'the system' has pushed people to the extremes of selfishness that they can't see anything but themselves, then his characters can't learn anything."
"In the finale, we get speeches like the chairwoman's 'system of the self' soliloquy from several characters; even Dr. Kim, who only features in two episodes, has his moment."
"Still, there were moving parts to this finale, particularly when Josh and Lindsay - knowing they are selfish, needy, and human - try to recenter each other."
Chairwoman Park articulates that capitalism mirrors nature, emphasizing self-serving relationships. This perspective leads to a critique of characters who cannot learn or grow, as it contradicts the show's premise. Comparisons are drawn to The White Lotus, which also critiques class divides but avoids overtly stating its arguments. The finale features multiple characters echoing the same sentiments, which can feel repetitive. However, moments of genuine connection between characters, like Josh and Lindsay, provide emotional depth amidst the overarching themes of selfishness.
Read at Vulture
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