Would you look at that, two dramas this season dealing with affairs! Riveting.
Taisetsu na Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta
Note to Shuji: Not only did you wake up in the morning with another woman that is NOT your fiancee, that “woman” just so happened to be a student. In your class. GOOD JOB A+ Honestly, Shuji and his fiancee have such a cookie cutter relationship that it’s almost painful to watch and that affair is probably going to be the most interesting thing to happen in Natsumi’s life. Seriously.
Utsukushii Rinjin
Note to Shinji: DANGER DANGER DANGER. You should probably stay away from this woman! But I know you won’t, you’ve already planned to meet her (while at home with your wife and son, by the way) and I spy hand holding in the fourth episode. Chiiiiiild…
Here’s the difference between Natsumi and Eriko: Eriko appears to have this picturesque family and life, but Dan Rei takes a layered approach that is easy for me to digest. Toda Erika’s a weak actress compared to the kind of electrifying Takei Emi (I mean, this girl just walks up to her teacher and says, “You changed me.” WOAH) and so I can’t find any compelling reason to root for her love. Cut your losses and move on, girl! It’s not worth it.
Anyway, I think Utsukushii Rinjin will actually turn out to be a good drama. Nakama Yukie is doing a stunning job as Saki; she’s clearly a little… off, and the way she treats Eriko’s son is very Single White Japanese Female. So creepy! Solid acting, plenty of surprises as we go along, I like what I’m watching!
Sidenote
Funny how our two male protagonists have almost similar sounding names!