Post by ajk on Jul 1, 2018 1:42:20 GMT -5
Another pretty good episode for the most part. The series has stayed entertaining and we’re getting far enough into it that it probably isn’t a fluke so far. Lots of fiction but still enjoyable.
As usual, a trash-taking that didn’t work. The opening scene here wasn’t as bad as most of the trash-talking scenes in historicals but it still wasn’t good. Two old guys swinging swords at each other and talking smack about the kingdom, no I don’t think so. It was beneath both of them to act that way. And it went on too long. Oh and then BJ hits Biryu hard three times. Those are gonna leave marks, aren’t they? Even if Biryu dies they’ll still see the marks on his body and know that somebody attacked him. And nobody would have seen BJ show up and go into the shrine? Yecch.
Have to say, sure did like the guy playing Biryu. He was a great choice for the part. Nice piece of casting. He’ll be missed.
“I cannot allow that. I shall never acknowledge that!” Wow that was quite a moment, with the crown prince holding his father’s hand and refusing to accept his dying wish.
The royal physician. “It is poison. May you slay this humble servant.” Geez, the guy didn’t even get there until after Biryu was dead! And he still feels like has to take responsibility for it? Once again, proving the ironclad rule of Korean historical dramas: being a royal physician totally sucks.
Wow they shot arrows right over stuntmen on horses in that invasion scene. No special effects there; that was real. Obviously they hired some experienced archers. Very nice.
The narrated text:
That was quite a piece of information that got just casually dropped in there by Sayu, about the Goguryo Empress being in the Yan (Xianbei) Chinese capital as a hostiage. According to Wikipedia this is based in truth; the Xianbei invaded Goguryeo in 342 and captured Sayu’s mother and concubines.
“There is no way!” Whoops, a surprising slip from Yeohwa. Surprising and revealing.
The confrontation scene at the end was really, really good...and then in a heartbeat it turned really, really silly. The two princes standing there just glaring at each other while a sword battle is going wild right there in the room with them? They should have set that up differently. Great stuff from the crown prince in this one but it got lost in all of the nuttiness that followed.
So a couple of rough spots at the beginning and the end, but the rest of it continued to tell what’s been a pretty good story so far. And it’s nice to have so many new faces in one drama—especially since it’s been a good cast so far.
As usual, a trash-taking that didn’t work. The opening scene here wasn’t as bad as most of the trash-talking scenes in historicals but it still wasn’t good. Two old guys swinging swords at each other and talking smack about the kingdom, no I don’t think so. It was beneath both of them to act that way. And it went on too long. Oh and then BJ hits Biryu hard three times. Those are gonna leave marks, aren’t they? Even if Biryu dies they’ll still see the marks on his body and know that somebody attacked him. And nobody would have seen BJ show up and go into the shrine? Yecch.
Have to say, sure did like the guy playing Biryu. He was a great choice for the part. Nice piece of casting. He’ll be missed.
“I cannot allow that. I shall never acknowledge that!” Wow that was quite a moment, with the crown prince holding his father’s hand and refusing to accept his dying wish.
The royal physician. “It is poison. May you slay this humble servant.” Geez, the guy didn’t even get there until after Biryu was dead! And he still feels like has to take responsibility for it? Once again, proving the ironclad rule of Korean historical dramas: being a royal physician totally sucks.
Wow they shot arrows right over stuntmen on horses in that invasion scene. No special effects there; that was real. Obviously they hired some experienced archers. Very nice.
The narrated text:
The year 344. Baekje’s eleventh ruler King Biryu meets his demise. Inheriting the throne from King Bunseo of the Goyi line, his reign lasted for forty-one years. During his reign, Biryu made strenuous efforts to increase Baekje’s influence. He repelled the last Han Commandery, Daifang, along with Goguryeo’s King Micheon, with the goal of expanding Baekje’s territory all the way to the Yeseong River. Internally, he attempted to bring an end to the century-long strife between the Goyi and Chogo royal lines, and in turn strengthen the king’s authority. But ultimately he failed to achieve such goals. With internal strife still ravaging Baekje politics, the future King Geunchogo was left with two exacting dilemmas: bringing unity to Baekje and vanquishing Goguryeo.Wow the blood note from Jin Jeong! Nice that this was brought back. A sign of good writing.
That was quite a piece of information that got just casually dropped in there by Sayu, about the Goguryo Empress being in the Yan (Xianbei) Chinese capital as a hostiage. According to Wikipedia this is based in truth; the Xianbei invaded Goguryeo in 342 and captured Sayu’s mother and concubines.
“There is no way!” Whoops, a surprising slip from Yeohwa. Surprising and revealing.
The confrontation scene at the end was really, really good...and then in a heartbeat it turned really, really silly. The two princes standing there just glaring at each other while a sword battle is going wild right there in the room with them? They should have set that up differently. Great stuff from the crown prince in this one but it got lost in all of the nuttiness that followed.
So a couple of rough spots at the beginning and the end, but the rest of it continued to tell what’s been a pretty good story so far. And it’s nice to have so many new faces in one drama—especially since it’s been a good cast so far.