The opening of Episode 1 of The Sympathizer introduces a map depicting the division of Vietnam into North and South, setting the backdrop of the Vietnam War. This conflict is outlined as a struggle between the communist-led North, who ousted the French colonizers, and the American-supported South. The overarching anti-war sentiment is highlighted with the poignant statement, "All wars are fought twice. The first time in the battlefield, the second time in memory."
We are swiftly transported into a wooden prison where Captain finds himself confined. A communist soldier instructs him to "start again – Restart, Recollect, Re-educate, Revolution and Rewrite." This scene reveals the attempt to indoctrinate Captain, as the soldiers mistrust his allegiance to communism. Consequently, Captain embarks on the task of revising and recounting his narrative.
In the winter of 1975, Captain awaits the arrival of CIA agent Claude outside a theater screening the film Death Wish. Once they convene, they enter the cinema hall, where an unusual spectacle unfolds—not a conventional performance, but rather an interrogation enacted with a communist spy suspended from the ceiling. This interrogation revolves around the alleged acquisition of highly classified documents detailing the personnel of Vietnam's counterintelligence force.
The complexities of the Captain's identity extend beyond mere nationality. Being half Vietnamese and half French becomes a constant source of debate wherever he goes. Questions arise about his authenticity to his mission and the depth of his sympathy. Moreover, his education in the United States has equipped him with flawless English skills. Will his affinity for American ideals and consumer culture, such as Coca-Cola, compromise his allegiance to his homeland's cause? As the Captain laments in the opening moments of The Sympathizer, “I was cursed to see every issue from both sides.”
The storyline maintains a gripping pace, enhanced by the intimate narrative voiceovers of Hoa Xuande's Captain, echoing the distinctive narrative voice of the original book by Viet Thanh Nguyen. The stylistic choice of interconnecting scenes through shared props is not only aesthetically pleasing but also showcases artistic mastery. Despite the non-linear storytelling, which jumps between different moments in time and space, there is a seamless continuity facilitated by these connecting sequences.
Every detail of each set is meticulously crafted, with both foreground and background elements harmoniously interacting, offering layers that can be dissected piece by piece. Despite its stylish presentation, episode one is not lacking in substance. It embodies a duality where neither aspect overshadows the other, leaving viewers with a profound sense of emptiness as the episode concludes. Much like many of Park's protagonists, the Captain's essence is inherently tragic. Pushed into a liminal existence devoid of belonging, he embarks on a journey to a destination he finds repulsive, navigating a landscape of both reality and fantasy entirely alone.
