The second episode of The Manipulated commences with a poignant portrayal of Tae-joong's daily grind in prison, where his struggles are a constant companion. Enter Kim Sang-rak, a determined public defender who arrives with a sense of purpose, claiming to have uncovered inconsistencies in Tae-joong's case and promising to be his advocate. In return, Tae-joong confides that he recalls dropping his bracelet in Tae-jin's room, a detail that sparks Sang-rak's interest and prompts him to visit Tae-jin.
As Tae-joong continues to weather the storm of his incarceration, he finds himself at the mercy of the prison's ruthless hierarchy, including a confrontation with the prison's tyrannical boss, Yeo Deok-su, and brutal assaults from fellow inmates. Sang-rak's return brings devastating news: Tae-jin has taken his own life, leaving behind a note detailing the unbearable weight of his struggles. Tae-joong is left reeling, attempting to find solace in failed suicide attempts.
In a moment of hope amidst despair, Noh Yong-sik, a fellow inmate and the prison's church's alter server, offers a beacon of light. He urges Tae-joong to keep busy and find a way to survive, which sparks a transformation. Tae-joong embraces a new routine, hitting the gym, studying diligently, and even tending to a garden. A montage showcases the relentless bullying and beatings that continue but also Tae-joong's growth and resilience. His studies yield numerous certificates, and he even begins to delve into the Bible.
The scene shifts five years into the future, introducing An Yo-han, a mysterious figure with a setup reminiscent of Professor X, granting him access to thousands of security cameras. Over the phone, he vows to "take care" of a situation, hinting at his role in Tae-joong's future.
In prison, a kind guard strikes up a conversation with Tae-joong and even entrusts him with caring for one of his plants. Noh Yong-sik arrives with goodbyes, giving Tae-joong back his bracelet and some cake before departing. As Yong-sik prepares to leave the prison that day, both men express gratitude for the support they've given each other.
Tae-joong takes on Yong-sik's role as the alter server in the prison's church. When a new inmate arrives, battered and bruised, Tae-joong offers him cake and the Bible that Yong-sik had given him. The boy's story spills out, eerily similar to Tae-joong's own tale: finding a phone, trying to return it, and being framed for a crime he didn't commit. His mother's suicide was also confirmed by a public defender who had reached out to him. Tae-joong is consumed by thoughts of this newcomer's plight, reflecting on the cycle of injustice and despair that seems all too familiar.
In the dawn's hush, the young man is discovered lifeless, his final act a poignant testament to self-suffocation with the sacred pages of a Bible. Tae-joong, with a feigned air of newfound knowledge, reaches out to the public defender Kim Sang-rak, setting the stage for a confrontation that soon unearths the lawyer's confessions of murdering not just Tae-jin but also the other inmate's mother. As Kim Sang-rak departs, his phone rings with a whispered directive: "We need a clean-up."
Later, Tae-joong's words to the prison's priest resonate with an underlying sorrow as he reveals that he can no longer serve as his alter server. The scene is punctuated by a stark image: him extracting a nail from one of the church's pews, a physical act that mirrors the emotional dismantling of trust and hope within the sacred space.
