Post by ajk on Mar 25, 2009 13:11:18 GMT -5
The two girls ascend the steps, bow to the king, and the marriage ceremony takes place.
That evening, we see them in their villa, both looking very world-weary and unhappy. Their grandmother comes in and talks to them, telling Su (now Queen Hunae) that she's counting on her to shape the king up, an assignment that Hunae accepts as graciously as possible. It will be a tough life, the empress dowager cautions, because "watchful eyes" and enemies are everywhere in the palace. But you've had privileged lives, she tells them both, and there are responsibilities that go with that. And she apologizes for not being able to give them carefree lives. With that, she leaves the villa...
...just in time to see the king approaching. He's furious to find her there; the nerve of her to come and say goodbye. Acting like a complete jerk. And he tells her never to come to the palace again: "I don't want to see your face until your funeral. Remember, grandmother, your granddaughters are my hostages." Don't make trouble or they've had it. With that, he walks away from her and goes inside. So which one to “visit” first? He goes into Hunae's chamber and sits down to drink. Surprisingly, he confesses to feeling a bit sorry for her: "Your grandmother's greed has ruined your life. You don't belong here." She's quiet, almost somber, and he asks why. She tells him she knows his story, that the empress dowager told her about his mother's death, and how there was a huge misunderstanding that led to such bloodshed in the palace. "Don't let the past ruin you," she tells him; get past your anger. But he takes this as evidence that she's acting as a spy for her grandmother, and trying to seduce him as a spy. He overturns the food table and is in full paranoia. You want to seduce me? Fine--get your sister in here and let's make it a threesome! She begs him to leave Seol, now queen Hunjeong, alone because she's still a child. But he tells her that "You're both just toys for me to play with. And you dare try to lecture me?" Now he's a screaming lunatic; he grabs her and shakes her violently, as we see Hunjeong listening in terror in the next room....
The next morning: Hunae looks almost shellshocked. Her sister comes in to see her and cries on her shoulder, terrified for her sister's safety and crushed by their plight. Then their attendant, Escort Yun, cautions them about not speaking and acting freely any more about their complaints now that they're queens.
Next the new queens meet the two existing queens, Hunsook and Hunui. "Whether you like it or not," they tell the sisters, "you are in the same boat with us now." Hunsook and Hunui are older, cynical, and a bit shrewish. They express surprise that the empress dowager would send someone as young as Hunjeong to be married: "I don't know if it's greed or senility." Probably both, they agree. The sisters sit there and take it, undoubtedly seething.
Outside, the king is blindfolded and frolicking with maidens again. Narration informs us that after the previous night he never again visited the two new queens, and that while Hunae did indeed try hard to shape up the king, he only became all the more stubborn. And at one point even confined the sisters to their villa for three months straight.
Wang Chi (Prince Hwangjuwon) finds out about the confinement from a letter that Seo Hui has brought him. He's furious. He wants something done because the king is "mentally ill" and his sisters will end up dead. Seo and the empress dowager caution him, because he could end up being charged with treason.
Outside of Myeongbok Palace: Gang Jo is overseeing a martial arts session. Gang Gamchan is there watching. The empress dowager comes out with Seo Hui and introduces Seo to Gamchan (remember, Gamchan had asked her to introduce him around). Turns out, their fathers were quite close; Seo is happy to meet Gang.
Prince Gyeongjuwon is visited by Choe Sum, who's trying to talk him into seeking the throne. But the prince isn't interested, and besides says that Hwangjuwon (Wang Chi) is more qualified. And he adds, Hwangjuwon isn't Shillan--is that your problem with him? He sees just what Choe and the former Shillan group is up to: "Ultimately what you want is to resurrect Shilla within Goryeo. And I will not be involved in such a dangerous game." Leave me alone or I'll go to the king with this. Choe Ryand is there too, and begs Choe Sum to reconsider his opposition to his pupil Hwangjuwon and at least meet him and give him a chance.
Seo Hui and Gang Gamchan are discussing the Khitan situation. Eventually, Gang argues, the Khitans are going to come after us, and when they do, we'll the Balhae refugees, because they know the territory and the enemy. They'll be an asset. And he has a plan for them, too: the government can settle them just to the south of the Yalu River, in largely unsettled territory. Help them settle there, and also give them the military responsibilities to protect the land. Seo is impressed by Gang's ideas, so impressed that he offers him a position in government service. "No, I wouldn't think of it," he says, very possibly still bitter about his father’s death. Seo understands but tactfully tells Gang that he believes everyone with talent should serve the country. Does it work?
Evening: Gamchan tells Prince Gyeongjuwon how impressed he was with Seo Hui, that he was nothing at all like the type of person he’s cynically come to believe is in government. The prince encourages him to accept the offered post. Gang says, Only if you take interest in the throne, too, but the prince brushes that idea off: "I am too indifferent to be a sovereign ruler." His malaise has even reached the point where he doesn’t play the flute any more.
But look who does play now: Hunjeong! Wonder where she got that idea. (Have to say, the actress does a terrible job of faking the fingerings to the music. The director should have caught that.) Then she starts crying, she wants out so badly. It’s news to her sister, but she admits she’s in love with Gyeongjuwon. She cries, and Hunae hugs her and she cries too.
Choe Ryand tells his pupil Prince Hwangjuwon that he wants him to met with the former Shillans. The same people who apparently had tried to kill him once before. Face your enemy, Ryand encourages. "And to catch a tiger you must go to the tiger's den." The prince is concerned that this would seriously anger his grandmother if she finds out about it, but Choe pointedly asks him, "Do you want the cycle of bloody revenge to continue?" Then And he tactfully points out that the empress dowager is an old woman and that Wang needs to think of the longer future. "What kind of country to you want Goryeo to be?"
At Choe Sum's manor: the former Shillan group is talking again. Same old thing, worried about "the enemy" clan from Hwangju controlling the throne and frustrated that Prince Gyeongjuwon has no interest. Suddenly Choe Ryand enters, and Wang Chi is with them! This is a surprise visit, and the group is certainly surprised. The prince is cordial and tells them he’s come seeking their guidance.
Foreman Jeon (Jo?) is with Kim Wonsoong, who’s moaning about the succession situation...but then Kim starts to think that even if the Shillans fail and Hwangjuwon reaches the throne, it still might be better than the crazy king we have now.
Choe Sum, Choe Ryang and Kim Wonsoong speak frankly and openly with Hwangjuwon about Shillan animosity towards the Hwangju line and its past recriminations against Shillans. The prince acknowledges that he seeks the throne, so the group asks him what he’ll do for them if they agree to support him. All of that stuff is in the past, the prince says; "I will not dwell on the skirmishes of the past. I will create a future of peace and harmony." Not good enough; they’re apprehensive, they say, and need more to put their minds at ease. What if the empress dowager should oppose us too strongly—-would you turn your back on her? Without naming her, he answers, I want to build a prosperous, peaceful kingdom and won't let anyone stand in my way. They press him: Will your kingdom be Confucian? The empress dowager is a devoted Buddhist. Will you abolish the Palguanhwe and Lantern Festival ceremonies? (Remember, we saw the Palguanhwe taking place in Ep2.) I hate those ceremonies, the prince says; they’re an embarrassment. He assures the men that he can be trusted. They tell him they’ll support him if he keeps his word, "but if you betray us, we will fight you to the end. And if that happens, this country will be torn in two." The prince assures them that no Shilla-descent officials will be sacrificed by his order. And that’s enough to make the group ecstatic; Choe Sum kneels before the prince and offers his loyalty, and Kim orders food and drink for a celebration.
Nighttime: The king is sleeping but very restlessly so, sweating and obviously having a nightmare. He wakes up paranoid and screaming, and tells his eunuch Go Hyun that we was dreaming about "the dead that died on account of Revenge Policy."
Narratino tells us that the Revenge Policy was formulated by the survivors of King Gwangjong’s massacre (the one we learned about in Ep4, that was triggered by the anonymous letter), to take revenge on those who incriminated them. And its emotional impact on Gyeongjong made him all the more unstable.
Inside a room somewhere: Prince Hwangjuwon wakes up. We’re not sure where he is, but he apparently got drunk and passed out after his meeting with the Shillans. A young woman is in the room with him and brings him something to drink (presumably non-alcoholic). It’s Kim Wonsoong’s daughter! She’s identified as Buyoung. He looks at her and realizes she's beautiful. He kisses her, etc. etc.....
The next morning: The prince is outside in a courtyard; he asks a man identified as Escort Jo where the gisaeng is who was with him last night. This is not a gisaeng house, Jo tells him. And then Kim Wonsoong comes out to greet him. This is his house! The prince realizes he’s made a huge drunken mistake--he thought the woman was a gisaeng. But Kim confesses to him, "I want to make an empress of my daughter. And you are our future emperor. I've decided to wager everything I have on you. I hope you will not reject my intentions." The prince is dumbfounded.
Back at the palace, the king is outdoors watching an elaborate dance, drinking and bored as usual. Then he spots Queen Hunjeong walking along a side building with her attendant. He orders her to stop, goes over to her and wants to know who she is (he didn’t even recognize her) as she stands there terrified. The attendant slips away and runs to tell Hunae what’s happening.
Hunae runs toward the scene.
Still in the courtyard, the king is glaring across his dining the table at a shaking Hunjeong. "So? It's the emperor's order and you say no?" She begs him to back off. "You're just like your sister. Defiant. Like grandmother, like granddaughters. Take off your clothes now if you don't want to die. If you won't do it, I’ll do it for you.” He grabs her and starts shaking her around. Hunae runs in and separates them, and gives him a good talking-to: "Aren't you ashamed in front of all these pepole?" Are you crazy?, he asks her angrily; the emperor can do no wrong. But she continues: "When will you stop acting like a street thug? Do you know how pathetic you are? Please snap out of this!" And in the process she turns over his table in anger. Now he's shaking with rage. He raises his hand to strike her, suddenly has a violent coughing fit, and then orders his guards to kill Hunae right on the spot. Then he changes his mind and decides he won't make it so easy on her. Instead he orders her locked up and starved until she begs for mercy.
Ministers are meeting about the episode. Han Ungong wants Hunae deposed. Park Yangyu wants her executed. Choe Sum is oddly quiet.
Prince Hwangjuwon returns to Myeongbok Palace; he’s been away for five days. Yu Jujeong has been frantically waiting for him, because something has happened that’s so serious, the empress dowager has gone to the capital (despite her banishment from the palace).
We briefly see Hunae in a jail cell, unconscious. Outside of Gyeongjong’s quarters, Seol is on her knees calling loudly for the king to spare her sister. The king emerges and orders her back to her chambers. She begs him; it’s been six days now. The king hadn’t realized so much time had passed. "And she still hasn't said she's sorry? Stubborn wench." Then even Go Hyun speaks up, fearing for Hunae’s health and asking the king to show mercy. "All right, all right. She won! How can I win when she's prepared to die? What’s so hard about saying I'm sorry to the emperor? Why does she always have to have the last word? Audacious wench! I don't care any more so release her if you wish." And he storms back inside. Go Hyum immediately goes to Hunae; she’s in bad shape and he summons physicians.
We see physicians tending to an unconscious Hunae in her bed.
Back inside, an enraged Gyeongjong is drinking more. Suddenly he starts coughing up blood. He quickly hides the blood as a panicked Go Hyun enters. Hyun is in such a state that it surprises the king. He realizes what might be happening and asks, "She's not dead, is she?"
That evening, we see them in their villa, both looking very world-weary and unhappy. Their grandmother comes in and talks to them, telling Su (now Queen Hunae) that she's counting on her to shape the king up, an assignment that Hunae accepts as graciously as possible. It will be a tough life, the empress dowager cautions, because "watchful eyes" and enemies are everywhere in the palace. But you've had privileged lives, she tells them both, and there are responsibilities that go with that. And she apologizes for not being able to give them carefree lives. With that, she leaves the villa...
...just in time to see the king approaching. He's furious to find her there; the nerve of her to come and say goodbye. Acting like a complete jerk. And he tells her never to come to the palace again: "I don't want to see your face until your funeral. Remember, grandmother, your granddaughters are my hostages." Don't make trouble or they've had it. With that, he walks away from her and goes inside. So which one to “visit” first? He goes into Hunae's chamber and sits down to drink. Surprisingly, he confesses to feeling a bit sorry for her: "Your grandmother's greed has ruined your life. You don't belong here." She's quiet, almost somber, and he asks why. She tells him she knows his story, that the empress dowager told her about his mother's death, and how there was a huge misunderstanding that led to such bloodshed in the palace. "Don't let the past ruin you," she tells him; get past your anger. But he takes this as evidence that she's acting as a spy for her grandmother, and trying to seduce him as a spy. He overturns the food table and is in full paranoia. You want to seduce me? Fine--get your sister in here and let's make it a threesome! She begs him to leave Seol, now queen Hunjeong, alone because she's still a child. But he tells her that "You're both just toys for me to play with. And you dare try to lecture me?" Now he's a screaming lunatic; he grabs her and shakes her violently, as we see Hunjeong listening in terror in the next room....
The next morning: Hunae looks almost shellshocked. Her sister comes in to see her and cries on her shoulder, terrified for her sister's safety and crushed by their plight. Then their attendant, Escort Yun, cautions them about not speaking and acting freely any more about their complaints now that they're queens.
Next the new queens meet the two existing queens, Hunsook and Hunui. "Whether you like it or not," they tell the sisters, "you are in the same boat with us now." Hunsook and Hunui are older, cynical, and a bit shrewish. They express surprise that the empress dowager would send someone as young as Hunjeong to be married: "I don't know if it's greed or senility." Probably both, they agree. The sisters sit there and take it, undoubtedly seething.
Outside, the king is blindfolded and frolicking with maidens again. Narration informs us that after the previous night he never again visited the two new queens, and that while Hunae did indeed try hard to shape up the king, he only became all the more stubborn. And at one point even confined the sisters to their villa for three months straight.
Wang Chi (Prince Hwangjuwon) finds out about the confinement from a letter that Seo Hui has brought him. He's furious. He wants something done because the king is "mentally ill" and his sisters will end up dead. Seo and the empress dowager caution him, because he could end up being charged with treason.
Outside of Myeongbok Palace: Gang Jo is overseeing a martial arts session. Gang Gamchan is there watching. The empress dowager comes out with Seo Hui and introduces Seo to Gamchan (remember, Gamchan had asked her to introduce him around). Turns out, their fathers were quite close; Seo is happy to meet Gang.
Prince Gyeongjuwon is visited by Choe Sum, who's trying to talk him into seeking the throne. But the prince isn't interested, and besides says that Hwangjuwon (Wang Chi) is more qualified. And he adds, Hwangjuwon isn't Shillan--is that your problem with him? He sees just what Choe and the former Shillan group is up to: "Ultimately what you want is to resurrect Shilla within Goryeo. And I will not be involved in such a dangerous game." Leave me alone or I'll go to the king with this. Choe Ryand is there too, and begs Choe Sum to reconsider his opposition to his pupil Hwangjuwon and at least meet him and give him a chance.
Seo Hui and Gang Gamchan are discussing the Khitan situation. Eventually, Gang argues, the Khitans are going to come after us, and when they do, we'll the Balhae refugees, because they know the territory and the enemy. They'll be an asset. And he has a plan for them, too: the government can settle them just to the south of the Yalu River, in largely unsettled territory. Help them settle there, and also give them the military responsibilities to protect the land. Seo is impressed by Gang's ideas, so impressed that he offers him a position in government service. "No, I wouldn't think of it," he says, very possibly still bitter about his father’s death. Seo understands but tactfully tells Gang that he believes everyone with talent should serve the country. Does it work?
Evening: Gamchan tells Prince Gyeongjuwon how impressed he was with Seo Hui, that he was nothing at all like the type of person he’s cynically come to believe is in government. The prince encourages him to accept the offered post. Gang says, Only if you take interest in the throne, too, but the prince brushes that idea off: "I am too indifferent to be a sovereign ruler." His malaise has even reached the point where he doesn’t play the flute any more.
But look who does play now: Hunjeong! Wonder where she got that idea. (Have to say, the actress does a terrible job of faking the fingerings to the music. The director should have caught that.) Then she starts crying, she wants out so badly. It’s news to her sister, but she admits she’s in love with Gyeongjuwon. She cries, and Hunae hugs her and she cries too.
Choe Ryand tells his pupil Prince Hwangjuwon that he wants him to met with the former Shillans. The same people who apparently had tried to kill him once before. Face your enemy, Ryand encourages. "And to catch a tiger you must go to the tiger's den." The prince is concerned that this would seriously anger his grandmother if she finds out about it, but Choe pointedly asks him, "Do you want the cycle of bloody revenge to continue?" Then And he tactfully points out that the empress dowager is an old woman and that Wang needs to think of the longer future. "What kind of country to you want Goryeo to be?"
At Choe Sum's manor: the former Shillan group is talking again. Same old thing, worried about "the enemy" clan from Hwangju controlling the throne and frustrated that Prince Gyeongjuwon has no interest. Suddenly Choe Ryand enters, and Wang Chi is with them! This is a surprise visit, and the group is certainly surprised. The prince is cordial and tells them he’s come seeking their guidance.
Foreman Jeon (Jo?) is with Kim Wonsoong, who’s moaning about the succession situation...but then Kim starts to think that even if the Shillans fail and Hwangjuwon reaches the throne, it still might be better than the crazy king we have now.
Choe Sum, Choe Ryang and Kim Wonsoong speak frankly and openly with Hwangjuwon about Shillan animosity towards the Hwangju line and its past recriminations against Shillans. The prince acknowledges that he seeks the throne, so the group asks him what he’ll do for them if they agree to support him. All of that stuff is in the past, the prince says; "I will not dwell on the skirmishes of the past. I will create a future of peace and harmony." Not good enough; they’re apprehensive, they say, and need more to put their minds at ease. What if the empress dowager should oppose us too strongly—-would you turn your back on her? Without naming her, he answers, I want to build a prosperous, peaceful kingdom and won't let anyone stand in my way. They press him: Will your kingdom be Confucian? The empress dowager is a devoted Buddhist. Will you abolish the Palguanhwe and Lantern Festival ceremonies? (Remember, we saw the Palguanhwe taking place in Ep2.) I hate those ceremonies, the prince says; they’re an embarrassment. He assures the men that he can be trusted. They tell him they’ll support him if he keeps his word, "but if you betray us, we will fight you to the end. And if that happens, this country will be torn in two." The prince assures them that no Shilla-descent officials will be sacrificed by his order. And that’s enough to make the group ecstatic; Choe Sum kneels before the prince and offers his loyalty, and Kim orders food and drink for a celebration.
Nighttime: The king is sleeping but very restlessly so, sweating and obviously having a nightmare. He wakes up paranoid and screaming, and tells his eunuch Go Hyun that we was dreaming about "the dead that died on account of Revenge Policy."
Narratino tells us that the Revenge Policy was formulated by the survivors of King Gwangjong’s massacre (the one we learned about in Ep4, that was triggered by the anonymous letter), to take revenge on those who incriminated them. And its emotional impact on Gyeongjong made him all the more unstable.
Inside a room somewhere: Prince Hwangjuwon wakes up. We’re not sure where he is, but he apparently got drunk and passed out after his meeting with the Shillans. A young woman is in the room with him and brings him something to drink (presumably non-alcoholic). It’s Kim Wonsoong’s daughter! She’s identified as Buyoung. He looks at her and realizes she's beautiful. He kisses her, etc. etc.....
The next morning: The prince is outside in a courtyard; he asks a man identified as Escort Jo where the gisaeng is who was with him last night. This is not a gisaeng house, Jo tells him. And then Kim Wonsoong comes out to greet him. This is his house! The prince realizes he’s made a huge drunken mistake--he thought the woman was a gisaeng. But Kim confesses to him, "I want to make an empress of my daughter. And you are our future emperor. I've decided to wager everything I have on you. I hope you will not reject my intentions." The prince is dumbfounded.
Back at the palace, the king is outdoors watching an elaborate dance, drinking and bored as usual. Then he spots Queen Hunjeong walking along a side building with her attendant. He orders her to stop, goes over to her and wants to know who she is (he didn’t even recognize her) as she stands there terrified. The attendant slips away and runs to tell Hunae what’s happening.
Hunae runs toward the scene.
Still in the courtyard, the king is glaring across his dining the table at a shaking Hunjeong. "So? It's the emperor's order and you say no?" She begs him to back off. "You're just like your sister. Defiant. Like grandmother, like granddaughters. Take off your clothes now if you don't want to die. If you won't do it, I’ll do it for you.” He grabs her and starts shaking her around. Hunae runs in and separates them, and gives him a good talking-to: "Aren't you ashamed in front of all these pepole?" Are you crazy?, he asks her angrily; the emperor can do no wrong. But she continues: "When will you stop acting like a street thug? Do you know how pathetic you are? Please snap out of this!" And in the process she turns over his table in anger. Now he's shaking with rage. He raises his hand to strike her, suddenly has a violent coughing fit, and then orders his guards to kill Hunae right on the spot. Then he changes his mind and decides he won't make it so easy on her. Instead he orders her locked up and starved until she begs for mercy.
Ministers are meeting about the episode. Han Ungong wants Hunae deposed. Park Yangyu wants her executed. Choe Sum is oddly quiet.
Prince Hwangjuwon returns to Myeongbok Palace; he’s been away for five days. Yu Jujeong has been frantically waiting for him, because something has happened that’s so serious, the empress dowager has gone to the capital (despite her banishment from the palace).
We briefly see Hunae in a jail cell, unconscious. Outside of Gyeongjong’s quarters, Seol is on her knees calling loudly for the king to spare her sister. The king emerges and orders her back to her chambers. She begs him; it’s been six days now. The king hadn’t realized so much time had passed. "And she still hasn't said she's sorry? Stubborn wench." Then even Go Hyun speaks up, fearing for Hunae’s health and asking the king to show mercy. "All right, all right. She won! How can I win when she's prepared to die? What’s so hard about saying I'm sorry to the emperor? Why does she always have to have the last word? Audacious wench! I don't care any more so release her if you wish." And he storms back inside. Go Hyum immediately goes to Hunae; she’s in bad shape and he summons physicians.
We see physicians tending to an unconscious Hunae in her bed.
Back inside, an enraged Gyeongjong is drinking more. Suddenly he starts coughing up blood. He quickly hides the blood as a panicked Go Hyun enters. Hyun is in such a state that it surprises the king. He realizes what might be happening and asks, "She's not dead, is she?"