'Drops of God' is gaining momentum: a new stage of the competition begins, and the main characters – Camille and Issei – face new trials in their personal lives and careers.
After the prolonged flashbacks and the 'shocking' ending of the last episode, an episode titled 'The Missing Link' brings viewers' attention back to the battle for the inheritance.
Camille (Fleur Geffrier) and Issei (Tomohisa Yamashita) receive information about the second trial and begin solving a new puzzle. Meanwhile, Issei searches for his father, and Camille is offered a grand new job.
Previous recaps:
Warning: spoilers for the fifth episode of the series 'Drops of God' follow below
The Essence of the Second Trial
The participants are shown a painting, the very one Alexandre Léger used in one of his university lectures. They are given one clue – the word 'link'. Now they have two weeks to find the correct wine that corresponds to the painting.
Issei's grandfather, Noboru Tomine, CEO of Tomine Diamonds, suddenly holds a press conference to voice his opinion on his grandson's competition. As we remember from previous episodes, in private Noboru was terrible to Issei, forcing him to withdraw from the contest. However, in public, Noboru is very gracious and wishes Issei all the best. Perfect family relations, indeed.
What Painting Was Given to the Participants?
Both contestants begin studying the painting – a still life titled 'Glass Dish with Peaches, Jasmine Flowers, and Apples' (actually quinces, not apples), painted by the Italian artist Fede Galizia.
Luca rightly believes that the wine they are looking for will be Italian, possibly from Milan or Lombardy. The aromas they should look for are those from the painting: peach, jasmine, and quince.
At the same time, Honoka finally gives in and shows her son a bag of Hirokazu's belongings. Issei reads a note left by his father, which says: 'Don't look for me.' The young man is shocked to learn that his father is missing. He wants to report it to the police, but his mother demands that he do nothing. She asks what Issei said to Hirokazu the last time they spoke. The young man is ashamed of his words about his father's cowardice.
Issei takes a photo from Hirokazu's office, one in which they are captured together. On his way out, he runs into Noboru in the elevator.
In private, the grandfather speaks more frankly again. Issei is no longer a welcome guest in the family. For his 'betrayal', he is now rejected.
Defying his family once again, Issei goes to the police, but they refuse to investigate Hirokazu's voluntary disappearance. Issei then decides to turn to the journalist we already know, Yurika Katase. He offers her an exclusive interview in exchange for a private investigation into his father's disappearance.
What Job is Offered to Camille?
Meanwhile, Camille tries all the wine she can drink before she vomits (it's become a habit!). The next day, she meets with Luca, who wants her to take over Alexandre's business of creating wine guides.
In the evening, Camille and Thomas go drinking (what else is there to do, right?). Thomas tells her that he has been with Juliette for seven years, and she even proposed to him. Later, drunk and bolder, Camille tries to kiss Thomas, but he rejects her.
Camille and Luca meet with the publisher Jacques Fuzier. He offers her Alexandre's old job. After some hesitation, the daughter accepts her father's legacy (not the inheritance yet!).
Thomas thinks this is a bad idea, as Camille is inexperienced and not ready for this prestigious role. After the attempted kiss, this argument, and Camille shouting at him to leave, Thomas decides to leave Tokyo.
The Search for the Father
Issei, along with the journalist, conducts his own investigation. He visits his parents' old university and inquires about their courses. The wine expert is told that Alexandre taught for a few months in 1991 and that his parents took a short course before the professor's dismissal. Issei gets the contact information for Alexandre's translator.
The journalist, in turn, finds CCTV footage showing Hirokazu at a train station. In exchange for this important information, Issei agrees to give a live interview.
During the interview, Issei is asked about the second trial, his relationship with Alexandre and his family. Yurika asks if Issei will go into the diamond business in the future. The young man replies no. At the end of the interview, Issei thanks his father. Then we see Hirokazu watching the interview while working at a diner. He is alive after all!
Who is Yoko Sawaguchi?
'The Missing Link' ends with Issei going to meet Alexandre's translator, Yoko Sawaguchi. She hands Issei a box of documents and then discusses her memories of those three months working with Alexandre Léger. Yoko remembers Honoka as an intense and demanding person, and Hirokazu as impulsive and deeply in love with his future wife.
During the conversation, Yoko finally reveals the truth about those eventful months. Hirokazu's jealousy, followed by his drinking, led to Alexandre's dismissal, and Honoka was clearly in love with Alexandre. Now Issei is rightly unsure if Hirokazu is his real father.
Back in the car, he decides to call Camille but then changes his mind. They have things to discuss in the future, but Issei is not yet ready for that conversation.
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