Post by ajk on Jan 18, 2020 17:51:12 GMT -5
WG’s mother: “It is an irreversible decision made by your father.” This is really pissing me off. The idea that depriving WG of his bride-to-be is necessary for him to become a great leader, just stop it already. Now WG can’t even marry her after Ryung is dead? Blecch. I don’t mind a romantic storyline at all, but they’ve tried too hard to create heartbreak and drama around this one. Needed a better backstory to sell it better.
Why did Yunhwa bow to Goongyae later than everyone else in her group? A rare moment of phoniness from the series. Poor direction there.
Yunhwa: “I am prepared to face the consequences. What are you afraid of?” OUCH. Yeah okay, by now it probably is too late, and when WG says “He is the king and I am his subject,” you can see his side of it. But if she’s willing to die for him and all he can do is stand there and stare at his feet...this is the great hero they’re trying to build up? Yikes. This is the same situation as in GOW when the woman Kim Jun fell in love with was given to his overlord for his stable of women. Kim was his overlord’s best, most trusted servant but he never had the cojones to simply ask him for her. He came off pretty badly there, just like WG here. The guy just blew his entire family’s fortune to build Goongyae a palace. Does he not think he can even ask for one little thing in return? Well maybe not tiny-tiny little...but whatever, obviously he doesn’t think enough of her to put himself on the line for her like she is for him. The way she looked at him at the end of the episode, it sure wasn’t a look of respect.
Goongyae: “I am well aware that any women of mine are fated to be unhappy.” But then he caves and says he’ll make Yunhwa the empress? Without even talking to her? Who cares how she feels. Geez, between Yunhwa and Mihyang the two of them are being treated like hunks of meat.
The one narrated text:
The death of Wang Ryung...It was on the 11th year of Queen Jinsung’s reign, A.D. 897, Year 3230 Tangun Era. Wang Ryung held Shilla’s official governing position as the lord of Song-ak. He was a wealthy overseas trade merchant who fathered Wang Guhn. Ensuring Master Dosun’s prophecy, he had turned his attention to nurturing his son, then succumbed to Goongyae’s power and became the governor of Geumsung only to die a year later. He is memorialized as an honorary King Sae-Jong when his son Wang Guhn later erects Koryo. About this time, Kyun-hwon of Mujinju focused his attention to stabilizing his territory in the southwest coastal region, and did not engage in warfare after subduing Wansanju.
And as usual, a terrific montage of images to go with the narration, including that striking funeral procession. Real nice work there.
“She has overheard our conversation!” Yeah that never happens in these shows. Ugh.
Two attractive young women riding around the countryside alone at nighttime? Yes, beating a dead horse at this point, I know....
Maybe the best scene in this one was when Mihyang showed up and showed some spine to her husband. Good for her. I liked how Bok Jikyum showed up right on cue as soon as we started to think about what was going to happen to her. Remember this was a deal-breaker issue he raised with Goongyae when he agreed to work for him. Excellent scene.
“This could be a seed of trouble. They know she is engaged, yet they force an imperial wedding causing her to rebel. How could this be a good thing?” Hey that Mrs. Kang is a sharp one! Certainly moreso than her husband.
The end scenes with Yunhwa were very effective--they kept going back to her as she sat alone and you could see the weight growing and growing on her each time.
The music was outstanding in this one, beginning to end. A little too much of it at times but nicely written stuff. Certainly has improved as the series has continued.