Post by ajk on Jul 7, 2019 16:51:25 GMT -5
Note: This thread is strictly for Episode 60. I’ll started a separate thread shortly to share final thoughts about the entire series.
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I don’t think there’s ever been a final episode that I went into with less interest. Sayu’s dead and this whole which-prince-which-princess stuff has seemed pretty pointless. But considering what had to be resolved, the writers made the best of a tough situation and I thought the episode was actually pretty good for a final episode. Particularly the lighter tone of it—after so much conflict and bickering and tension throughout the series, it was nice to end the series more peacefully.
Excellent opening credits! Specially made for the final episode, with little glimpses of many characters from the series. Nice touch.
Dugo: “The soldiers aren’t the problem—you’re the problem, Eoraha...How long do you intend to sit on a horse and fight?” He really has grown in intelligence and leadership throughout the series. A brave thing to say, directly challenging the king like that.
As tired as I am of Yeogeun/Yeogusu, Yeogeun slipping his brother a Mickey was awfully funny.
“My son’s a greater person than I am...How can a mother not abide by her son’s wishes?” The sequence with designating the crown prince—the buildup to it and the scene in the council hall—was very, very well written. For the queen it was probably her best scene of the whole series, the way you could see her struggling so hard with her emotions. It’s too bad that we didn’t get more of the aftermath of it so we could hear more reactions from more characters.
And wow, Yeogwang gave a heck of a good answer when the king put him on the spot and asked him what power was. That was impressive.
“This book records the 400 years of Baekje history.” And he’s giving it as a gift? Putting that book together is Ko Heung’s job! Why is he giving his work product as a birthday gift? Geez what a cheapskate.
That “Chiljodo” sword that was presented to KG—let’s give the writers credit for bringing it in because yes it’s the real deal:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven-Branched_Sword
Yeogeun: “We started to subjugate the (Japanese) islands under the name of Yamatai.” Now wait just a darned minute here...The whole rationale for naming Yeogusu crown prince is supposedly that he’s a warrior who can cope with conquering Goguryeo, and Yeogeun is the academic who can’t. But if Yeogeun is actually helping conquer Japanese statelets—and from what I understand they could be vicious fighters—doesn’t that sort of undermine the whole argument? Yecch. That premise never seemed to make much sense anyway; whoever is the king, it would be a national effort and Yeogeun is smart enough to listen to Yeogusu and everybody else. Just one more reason to not get into this multiple-prince stuff in the first place.
“So mother, please like your daughter-in-law a bit more now.” Good line and she’s right.
Kind of disappointed that when Biryu reappeared, it wasn’t KG’s death scene. It would have been appropriate to have him visited by his father and led away. But what they chose for his death was good too. Especially his clutching Yeohwa’s ribbon, what a beautiful gesture--and a reminder of what should have been and what he probably wanted even after it became impossible.
The final narrated text:
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I don’t think there’s ever been a final episode that I went into with less interest. Sayu’s dead and this whole which-prince-which-princess stuff has seemed pretty pointless. But considering what had to be resolved, the writers made the best of a tough situation and I thought the episode was actually pretty good for a final episode. Particularly the lighter tone of it—after so much conflict and bickering and tension throughout the series, it was nice to end the series more peacefully.
Excellent opening credits! Specially made for the final episode, with little glimpses of many characters from the series. Nice touch.
Dugo: “The soldiers aren’t the problem—you’re the problem, Eoraha...How long do you intend to sit on a horse and fight?” He really has grown in intelligence and leadership throughout the series. A brave thing to say, directly challenging the king like that.
As tired as I am of Yeogeun/Yeogusu, Yeogeun slipping his brother a Mickey was awfully funny.
“My son’s a greater person than I am...How can a mother not abide by her son’s wishes?” The sequence with designating the crown prince—the buildup to it and the scene in the council hall—was very, very well written. For the queen it was probably her best scene of the whole series, the way you could see her struggling so hard with her emotions. It’s too bad that we didn’t get more of the aftermath of it so we could hear more reactions from more characters.
And wow, Yeogwang gave a heck of a good answer when the king put him on the spot and asked him what power was. That was impressive.
“This book records the 400 years of Baekje history.” And he’s giving it as a gift? Putting that book together is Ko Heung’s job! Why is he giving his work product as a birthday gift? Geez what a cheapskate.
That “Chiljodo” sword that was presented to KG—let’s give the writers credit for bringing it in because yes it’s the real deal:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven-Branched_Sword
Yeogeun: “We started to subjugate the (Japanese) islands under the name of Yamatai.” Now wait just a darned minute here...The whole rationale for naming Yeogusu crown prince is supposedly that he’s a warrior who can cope with conquering Goguryeo, and Yeogeun is the academic who can’t. But if Yeogeun is actually helping conquer Japanese statelets—and from what I understand they could be vicious fighters—doesn’t that sort of undermine the whole argument? Yecch. That premise never seemed to make much sense anyway; whoever is the king, it would be a national effort and Yeogeun is smart enough to listen to Yeogusu and everybody else. Just one more reason to not get into this multiple-prince stuff in the first place.
“So mother, please like your daughter-in-law a bit more now.” Good line and she’s right.
Kind of disappointed that when Biryu reappeared, it wasn’t KG’s death scene. It would have been appropriate to have him visited by his father and led away. But what they chose for his death was good too. Especially his clutching Yeohwa’s ribbon, what a beautiful gesture--and a reminder of what should have been and what he probably wanted even after it became impossible.
The final narrated text:
In 375 AD, King Geunchogo passed away. During the 30 years of King Geunchogo’s reign, he conquered Mahan, Gara and Liaoxi. And he spread Baekje’s culture to Wae and established a basis to influence Wae. King Geunchogo also achieved innovative developments for internal affairs. He strengthened central power through many reforms. Plus, what made King Geunchogo great was his dream to unify the peninsula and his efforts to make that dream come true. King Geunchogo tells us, Unify the people and spread out in the world with joined forces. The dream he couldn’t achieve has become our task.Hmmm, whose task? Bit of a political message there? Oh well. Overall this one was a pleasant surprise.
