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Post by ajk on Jun 17, 2009 15:56:41 GMT -5
Anybody else a little troubled by this week's episodes? They weren't totally awful but they were probably the weakest ones yet. And they had some disturbing parallels to the DJY episodes where that series slumped into its worst points. Right down to the title character coming face to face with the scheming enemy empress. IE hasn't been exactly stellar so far but it's at least been tolerable, despite the historical liberties. If it starts going downhill from where it is, things could get very, very frustrating.
Also, know that we have the scoop on Chiyang and his plans, I don't understand why he thinks Hunae is going to be any help to him. Considering how dedicated she is to preserving all of Taejo's Goryeo, she certainly isn't going to want to see Shilla revived. What am I missing here?
None of this is an invitation for a spoiler. Just wondering what anybody else's impressions are, if you're at #29.
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Ken
Junior Addict
Posts: 197
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Post by Ken on Jun 17, 2009 16:58:09 GMT -5
You're exactly right, we're back in DJY territory. We've been there ever since the introduction of the unbelievably irritating cowardly Commander (now Captain) Yi. The worst thing about it all is that is doesn't even make any sense: the Khitans threatening Hunae right after agreeing to a treaty with Minister Seo and establishing friendly ties? Asking her to write a letter urging the king to surrender? What?? They're not even keeping their slow-moving fiction logically consistent.
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Post by mikey on Jun 17, 2009 17:15:24 GMT -5
How funny, beause in the “Cheon Chu is Tanking” thread, I expressed EXACTLY the same opinion you just did! And since that time (I just finished episode #33 last night) IE has continued to maintain this unfortunate level of mediocrity.
The explanation I heard is that when the actor who plays Chiyang got injured, the writer had to scramble to (let’s face it) whip up a bunch of tripe to keep the series afloat while the actor recovered.
I don’t know if that’s true - but I sure am looking forward to Hunae breaking free of those goofy Khitans and (hopefully) getting the series moving forward again.
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Post by MTR on Jun 18, 2009 18:50:41 GMT -5
Oh don't worry if you think 28/9 is bad wait until you guys get to 32/33 . Still the HUMAN RUGS/DOORMAT'S were a hoot all beer bellies and man boobies face down in the mud . Also we have" Khitan (Kitten )With A Whip" and her twin (not by birth just dress and actions ) Anyway from what i have heard as Mikey said this is all a script rewrite due to the car accident ,things are meant to get back on course by the 40's (Damn thats such a loooonnng way off )
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Post by ginnycat5 on Jun 18, 2009 18:58:18 GMT -5
There was a historical spoiler in the subtitles, too. They compared the Chinese empress with Sundeok [ETA: Hunae??], both had husbands die, both were regents (?? that wasn't in the story I'm watching, king stole her son!), and both took younger lovers. Phooey, I hope it isn't the scheming guy she's with, but it looks as if she'll be spending a lot of time with him and he just confessed he loves her, to cover his fevered raving. blast! There's a perfectly good man who's been devoted to her for a long time. He should be her lover, IMO. (sorry, don't know names, but he was drunk the other night)
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Post by MTR on Jun 18, 2009 19:05:08 GMT -5
It was strange to see Hunae compared to the Khitan Empress because that Lady was closer to Empress Wu . The the real Hunae had the" Reign Of Terror "thing going on but lacked the political savvy of the two Ladies i mentioned .
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Post by ajk on Jun 19, 2009 11:22:12 GMT -5
mikey, you're right, I should have remembered that! Didn't mean to step on you. Ep29 had so much content to wrestle with and post, everything else just drained from my head.
And ginnycat, yeah that was a historical spoiler. They do toss those in every so often; not too often, fortunately. Generally when they do it, it's information that's pretty widely known in Korea, so for them it's more commentary than spoiler. Still, it would be better if they'd save that stuff until the character leaves the series, rather than while he/she is still part of the storyline.
And I had the same thought about Empress Wu, dyc. She popped back into my head because obviously the IE writers were channeling DJY! She was a good character in that series.
P.S. Khitan with a whip - that's a great one, wish I'd thought of it!
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Post by mikey on Jun 19, 2009 13:32:17 GMT -5
mikey, you're right, I should have remembered that! Didn't mean to step on you. Oh my, there was absolutely no "stepping on" going on here. I was just a little gratified that others were coming to the same conclusion that I'd reached a few weeks ago when I saw those same episodes!
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Post by Ducky on Jun 22, 2009 16:35:54 GMT -5
Today (5/22) we get to see the last "healthy" Chiyang episode. Tomorrow (5/23) we get crippled Chiyang... Did KBS learn their lesson about filming so close to the air date? No... From KBS Entertainment News: "In a location shoot in Danyang, South Chungcheong Province on June 4, the... "
This episode was aired in Korea on June 6...
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Post by ajk on Jun 23, 2009 10:54:48 GMT -5
Yeah, mikey, that's what I meant--when somebody says something insightful that I agree with, I always try to acknowledge it.
Anyway, I gotta say, we're halfway through now (if 60 is the final episode count) and after watching #30 I'm starting to get a little bored. Not even so much annoyed by all the fiction, just not very wrapped up in what's happening. It all just has a been-there-done-that feel to it. Anybody else feel the same way, or feel differently?
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Post by simisteve on Jun 23, 2009 23:44:07 GMT -5
ajk, you are not alone. If you can hang in there till about #38, it does get better......"better" being a relative term.
And yes, the leads are very uninspired. The supporting cast is holding this show together.
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Post by ajk on Jun 24, 2009 11:56:14 GMT -5
Thanks, simisteve, we'll grit our teeth until then and see what happens. Seven more episodes of gritting, though? Ugh.
By the way, does anybody happen to know for certain what the final episode count will be? The last I had heard was that it wouldn't likely go past 60. Has the network decided one way or another for certain?
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Post by MTR on Jun 27, 2009 18:13:51 GMT -5
No extension (phew !!!!!)
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Post by simisteve on Jun 29, 2009 22:37:22 GMT -5
The pace of the show has really quickened now, I get the feeling they are racing towards the finish to get it over with (we still have about 18 eps to go, i think).
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Post by mikey on Jun 30, 2009 7:40:21 GMT -5
Another "for what it's worth" comment: I just saw ep. #36 last night, and it's WAY improved over the late 20's/early30's episodes that everyone (including myself) complained about.
While it's still not exactly matching GKS or IYSS, I did enjoy watching the show last night. That's something I haven't said in quite a while.
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