The One Series Kate & Sophia Couple Review

『Science That Believes in Fate, Love That Shakes Belief』

🎥 Series Overview

🎬 Title: The One (2021)
🌍 Country: 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🎞️ Genre: Sci-Fi / Thriller / Romance
🗓️ Production & Release: Netflix, Season 1 (8 episodes)
📖 Based on: John Marrs’ novel of the same name
📺 Platform: Netflix

👩‍💼 Cast: Zoe Tapper – Kate
Jana Pérez – Sophia

🧩 Story Deep Dive (Spoilers)

🧬 A Meeting Decided by DNA

The DNA matching technology that promises to find one’s “perfect match” is science answering humanity’s timeless longing. Kate, a rational police investigator, entrusts her fate to this system. Her match is a woman living in Barcelona, Sophia. Even before meeting her, Kate already believes she is her destiny and falls in love.

💥 The Tragedy of Their First Meeting

The long-anticipated encounter collapses due to an unexpected accident. On her way to meet Kate, Sophia falls into a coma after a car accident, while Kate waits for hours. Kate rushes to the hospital and devotes herself to caring for Sophia upon their first meeting, telling her friend:
💬 “I don’t know her well, but I love her.”
Though contradictory, the words are sincere.

🕊 Hidden Truths and Shaken Identity

While Sophia remains in a coma, secrets surface. She is already married and living estranged from her family. All of this stems from guilt over her mother’s death. Haunted by a past accident, Sophia punished herself and concealed the truth from Kate.

Meanwhile, Kate, though identifying as heterosexual, believes her love for Sophia to be destiny. At the same time, she feels conflicted emotions toward Sophia’s brother Sebastian, deepening her turmoil.

🔍 Investigation, Ethics, and the Conditions of Love

As Kate investigates disappearances and murders linked to The One company, she uncovers the ethical limits and commercial manipulations of DNA matching. The mystery surrounding the discovery of Ben’s remains, Rebecca’s former partner, reveals the dark truth hidden behind the promise of perfect matches.

Eventually, viewers learn that DNA can match siblings to the same person. This exposes the company’s claim of “only one true love” as a marketing lie.

🦋 Emotional Resonance and Meaning

🧠 The Dilemma of Genetic Determinism

The most compelling aspect of The One begins with a fascinating premise: “What if a genetically perfect match truly existed?” Beyond romance, this concept raises philosophical and social questions.

• Redefining relationships: The collapse of many marriages and partnerships as people seek out their “match” questions whether love is emotional or merely a biological reaction.
• The cost of perfection: Characters who were happy in their marriages are shaken by the existence of a true “One,” or feel disillusioned when their match does not meet expectations. The show illustrates how perfect love can become the seed of unhappiness.

🎭 A Mystery-Driven Narrative

Detective Kate investigates Ben’s murder while being matched with Sophia in Barcelona. As Sophia falls into a coma, her wife and brother Sebastian (who himself feels drawn to Kate) enter the picture, causing personal emotional confusion. This dynamic explores the true meaning of “match” and delivers the most compelling emotional conflict in the series.

🎥 Weaknesses

Difference from the novel: While adapted from John Marrs’ book of the same name, the drama integrates multiple character-driven thriller elements into a single mystery storyline. In doing so, some argue it loses the richness and complexity of its characters.

Lack of sci-fi depth: Although the idea of “DNA matching” is captivating, the show focuses more on murder mystery than on exploring the broader social, cultural, and ethical impacts of the technology, which many critics saw as a missed opportunity.

🎯 Personal Rating

💕 Love Scene Intensity: ♥♥
⭐ Overall Rating: ★★★★☆