Han Suk-kyu's Jang Tae-su is no longer a detective but a father
Last Updated: 09.27 PM, Nov 17, 2024
The psychological thrilled Doubt came to an end a few days back and most are trying to wrap their heads around the very last scene - what did the watch signify? Han Suk-kyu's Jang Tae-su gifted his daughter Ha-bin (Chae Won-bin) a watch. The scene has more meaning than one. Here's deciphering what the makers likely wished to convey...
In the very literal sense, the watch gifting would mean that Jang Tae-su, who was always busy solving cases, has now taken time off so he can spend the remaining days getting to know her daughter Ha-bin better. This is the most deciphered version of the scene and has a positive spin, but, like we mentioned, there's more than one meaning to it.
Even though Tae-su gifted a watch, the makers focused on the ticking clock. Throughout the series, we noticed Tae-su be suspicious about but trying to figure out his daughter. Even if precious, family is complicated. It is a ticking bomb (the runaway children being the prime example of that). Not everything will always be good between Tae-su and Ha-bin. There will come days when their bond will be tested again. Although they can live happily till then, is the happiness short-lived? Probably. If yes, that could make for a new season.
Even if he might be the best detective out there, Jang Tae-su's 'Doubt' costed him his whole family. Ha-bin was always a bystander in all the murders. It was a cruel co-incidence, at least that's what the series deciphered. Back when her little brother died, she was around. But it is touted to be an accident. Tae-su being the detective, she was also under his suspect list. This caused a doubt in his wife Yoon Ji-su (Oh Yeon-soo)'s mind. When she noticed Seung-hui dead and Ha-bin around her, Ji-su instantly thought that her daughter is a serial killer. Ji-su blamed herself and committed suicide. Being the 'man' of the family, Tae-su did not know how to handle his daughter without a mother. Thus, one would feel a constant drift between the two. Eventually though, Tae-su stepped up and the truth was revealed. Ha-bin is innocent and the makers beautifully narrowed the distance by showing them at the dinner table, seated next to each other rather than at each corner of the table. With that, Tae-su and Ha-bin ended up closer than ever and are ready to spend more time as a father and daughter.