The Judge From Hell – K-drama Episode 14 Recap, Review & Ending Explained

Last Goodbyes

Episode 14 of The Judge From Hell begins with Daon paying his respects at Mija’s funeral. It seems she’s passed on, and Gabriel has returned to Heaven, her role done on Earth. As for Bitna, we cut back to the hospital and it seems she’s passed away. At least enough for a montage before the heart monitor picks up and there seems to be a pulse. But why?

Well, inside Hell, Bael is not happy with Bitna for disobeying him. The price for her disobedience is eternal death. However, Gabriel suddenly shows up on God’s behalf. God has decided that actually, Bitna is a good person now after changing due to her time on Earth. And as God’s rule is final, he overpowers Bael’s command and she gets another chance at life.

This contextualizes Mija’s death, and why she’s done this. This was her final test, to see if Bitna really was a just and good Demon, and in a way Mando was a foreshadowed glimpse of the goodness that can emanate from demons. They don’t have to remain evil for eternity, they can change and evolve over time.

Does Taegyu get what he deserves?

Anyway, Bitna awakens in hospital and she doesn’t even have any cuts now. She’s completely healed up. However, this obviously isn’t the end of things. Taegyu escaped last episode, and that note he received was all orchestrated to get him out of prison. He kills his accomplice, covering his tracks in the process, and armed with a fake passport and incoming shares, he heads out.

However, he’s called back by an urgent call by someone claiming there’s something wrong with the passport. This is Bitna’s doing, as she manages to lure him back to the vacation home. She intends to dish out a can of whoopass and that’s precisely what she does. Bitna goes all-out with her punishment. She hunts him for sport, has her father brought up from Hell to swordfight, and even chops him up with an axe.

Watching Taegyu beg for mercy is morbidly satisfying, and with him completely beaten and bloody, Bitna tells him he needs to prepare himself for what’s to come in Hell. She conjures the Hell blade, stabs Taegyu and sends the guy to Hell.

Taegyu’s body is obviously left behind, and Bitna makes a big show of it. 14 coffins are laid out on the front lawn, with Taegyu himself hanging from a wooden post. It’s actually a touching tribute, with Bitna returning the body parts he initially took for the secret room, and the evidence of Bitna being there all completely eradicated.

What happens in the aftermath of all this?

Arong and the Hell crew all join together and pay their respects to Mija, with Bitna even calling her a friend. And I guess, in a roundabout way, that’s what they ended up becoming in the end. As for Bael, he speaks to Bitna outside and congratulates her for completing her mission on Earth. She can now return to Hell and remain loyal and subservient to him. She agrees… but on one condition.

Bitna gets 3 years on Earth to make the most of her life before returning to Hell. Bitna also decides to leave town, wanting to make a fresh start of it and actually live the life of a real judge. So no Hell killings it seems! Bitna also leaves the Vila too, so she has her goodbyes with all the residents before heading off in her flashy red car.

How is everyone doing after 2 years?

We then cut forward 2 years later. Bitna is still a judge and hanging with Daon too. He admits it’s okay for her to be selfish here given she always has been. Just before the pair kiss, Bitna receives a call. She’s being transferred back to Seoul Central Court! This means she needs to pack up and head back home. So how is everyone doing?

Well, we get a lovely montage of all the different survivors and cases we’ve followed throughout the season. I won’t list them all here but suffice to say it’s a beautiful way of tying up loose ends and giving the fans some little easter eggs. Bitna even hears about Mando too, who’s fully onboard with his spiritual journey and up at a temple.

The biggest change here though is Myeongsook. Seonho’s letter has really helped her journey of recovery, and her house is so much brighter now. There are pictures of Yechan up on the walls, lots of laughter and happiness. It’s the perfect remedy to years of suffering.

How does The Judge From Hell end?

The mood in town is surprisingly jubilant. There are signs outside welcoming her back, and everyone inside the courthouse all greet her too. It’s certainly a far cry from the hostility she’s been facing all that time. Of course, there is a bittersweet tinge to everything, given we know she’s on borrowed time. Oh and remember Na? He’s done well on YouTube, and there’s even a reunion with Gabriel too, who is back in another body.

Bael shows up to see Bitna though with a proposition from Lucifer. If she kills 10 sinners in the next year, she’ll be able to live as a human. She speaks to Daon about her choice and he leaves it up to her. He’s confident she’ll do what’s right and use her best judgment to decide. Some of the cases she has really try her patience, but it does seem like she’s going to do what she can to stay on the straight and narrow. At least for now anyway.

Outside the courtroom, she ends up finding a bunch of kids in front of the Justitia statue. Just like at the start of the season, Bitna speaks to them about what the Goddess stands for and tells them she’s not a good or bad judge… she’s a judge from Hell. Hey, that’s the name of the show! But that is precisely where the series comes to an end.

The Episode Review

Well, we finally come to an end and honestly, I wish this one was a bit longer, or at least coming back for a second season. The intentionally ambiguous ending is a smart choice because it kinda does leave that door open, but it simultaneously concludes a lot of the arcs here too. I’ve said earlier in the season that this show has comparisons to both The Devil Judge and Taxi Driver, and here we see both of those influences bleeding through.

Furthermore, seeing all of the cases wrapped up in that manner, and paying homage to the different people Bitna has overseen is a really nice way of giving closure to everything.

The reason for Bitna returning to Earth is a bit contrived if I’m honest, especially as she ends up just killing right away anyway, but it’s a suitable enough explanation. I personally would have liked to see Mando learn of his fate, whether he’s going to heaven or still in Hell, but the closure we get for Myeongseok is arguably the best out of everyone we see, with the little visual cues working wonders to showcase this.

The show has been a good watch and while some have been put off by the contrivances, The Judge From Hell brings it all together in a very satisfying way at the end, making for an enjoyable ride overall.