Post by ajk on Jun 24, 2009 19:42:22 GMT -5
Hunae and the masked Chiyang duel. Chiyang is stronger and gradually wears her down and Hunae looks in bad shape, but then she gets a fortunate turn--or was it deliberate on Chiyang's part?--and manages to skewer him in the stomach. Chiyang goes down, Hunae takes off the mask, and holds Chiyang in her arms. The empress dowager, now bored from watching them, orders Hunae taken back to her cell. An enraged Hunae charges the empress, but a whip from an attendant trips her up (same old Hunae). As she's taken away, Yelu Wuji begs the empress dowager for a chance to fight Hunae himself and settle an old score. This makes her angry--to her it's backtalk--and a subordinate named Yelu Pennu gives Wuji a beating on the spot to teach him a lesson.
Chiyang is being treated by Khitan physicians; he's pretty messed up, though. Then the Khitan prime minister Han Derang comes in to check on him. The head physician tells him, "I do not think even you could fix him with your magical Hua Tuo hands, sir." But Han, who apparently is a physician himself, thinks he can do it--with a blood transfusion. And he asks the lead physician to be the blood donor! Hopefully the types will match (which is NOT a good bet if you consider the odds, but of course this is TV, right?).
Gamchan tells Gang Jo that he and his companions will be added to the diplomatic mission after all. But I'm coming too, he says, because I'm worried about you doing something foolish.
Queen Munhwa has come to her husband to ask for her father's arrest! (So she DID get mad at him. I just knew she couldn't let that go.) She tells him the whole story about Wonsoong's war profiteering, and says this is necessary to maintain the public's trust in the court. Wow.
Soldiers led by Dae Dosu enter Wonsoong's compound, rough up Jo Du and some workers (a totally unnecessary scene), enter Wonsoong's manor and place him under arrest.
Back in the Liao palace: PM Han and ED Xiao are dining together. Han had to repair Chiyang's perforated intestine and apparently it went well, but he tells her he still isn't sure if Chiyang will pull through. Then he smiles and says that Chiyang reminds him of himself at a younger age. Xiao smiles and says the same about Hunae. They seem happy and comfortable together, a side of Xiao we're not used to.
Hunae is taken from her cell and brought to Chiyang's bedside. Xiao has allowed her to be there in case Chiyang doesn't make it. Certainly a nice gesture. Chiyang is unconscious but Hunae holds his hand and begs him to pull through. And then confesses, "I have feelings for you, too."
So what will be done with the two of them? Xiao tells Han that she had planned to use them to make a deal with the Goryeans, "but now I want to tame them and make them mine." She wants to break Hunae like a wild horse, basically. But enough talk; Xiao is starting to feel the wine from dinner, so Han picks her up and carries her to their bed. As they lie down, she tells him, "If she refuses to be tamed, she will die. But if she surrenders, she will have the world like you do." And then they start, well,....
Narration fills us in on Han Derang: A grandson of a former Chinese POW named Han Zhigu. He won the trust of the Liao Taizu (emperor) Yelu Abaoji and became a Khitan senior minister. His father Han Kuangsi was also a high minister. He was influential in emperor Shengzong's ascension to the throne after the death of Yelu Xian (the empress dowager's husband) and became prime minister of "both south and north privy councils, unique in Khitan history" (whatever that means). He was the empress dowager's lover, and supposedly Shengzong looked up to him as a father. Also, Liao history records say that Han and his father both were talented physicians.
Ministers are finding out about Wonsoong's arrest. The sentiment is that he got what he deserved and this is a good thing for the country. Yi Jibaek even reminds them that Wonsoong's false treason-plot accusations led to Seol's death, and argues for his exile from the country. But Seo is concerned about the queen....
Wonsoong is pacing back and forth in a jail cell. Jo Sun and Jo Du come to see him and give him the scoop on why he was arrested. We learn that yes, they did give the grains away as promised. But the king found out, and that's why he was arrested. Who squealed on me?, Wonsoong shrieks--the northerners, the Shillans? They tell him and it staggers him.
At Choe Sum's manor, the Shillans are discussing Wonsoong's fate. Do they want to help him? The consensus is no. Even if they wanted to, they have so little standing right now that they wouldn't have much chance of success. And we learn that the consort who was brought into the court at the Shillans' insistence, well, the king doesn't go anywhere near her. Then Choe is told that the queen's attendant has arrived. Why?
Munhwa has summoned Seo Hui, Choe Ryang and Choe Sum. A powerful group, and unusual to see these three together. She asks them if they'd work together to secure her father's release. But not too quickly. "My father will need time in confinement to reflect on his mistakes," she says. They're surprised to find out that she was the one who reported him. Seo asks a good question: "May I ask why you are playing this game of hurt and heal with him?" She explains, this the only way to both punish him and mend his relationship with you ministers. Help him and I believe he'll repay you with loyalty. She even gets on her knees. "Please. As a daughter, I want my father to feel remorse, and as a queen, I want harmony in the court. I beg you." (Seeing the queen her on her knees was a moving moment, I have to say. Why isn't this series about HER?)
The diplomatic mission departs. Gang Jo, Hyangbi, Sa Gamun and Sa Illa are all in the party.
Chiyang awakens. Hunae is in a chair, sleeping at his bedside. She's happy and relieved that he's still alive. She tells Chiyang she knows that he drew his sword back and allowed her to strike the blow, and asks, Why didn't you just kill me to save yourself? He tells her, If you die, I die. And by the way, that stuff I said the other day is still true. And he holds her hand.
Hunae is brought before the empress dowager. She's made an offer: "Why don't you become my vassal? I like you. It's been a long time since I met someone that I like as much." I'll build you a big palace and you can live there with Chiyang. And I can grant you a distinguished Khitan surname like Xiao or Yelu. Of course Hunae refuses, but Xiao tells her, if you decline, Chiyang dies, "and you will suffer humiliation worse than death." I can't forsake my country, Hunae says; would you do it if you were prisoner? Good point. But Xiao is going to make her change her mind.
Goryean POWs are about to be sent to be slaves in the iron mines. Hunae is brought out to join them; she's to go there too.
Chiyang is told of this by an attendant. And she tells him, "That place is swarming with men who haven't seen a woman in years;" just think how they'll react to Hunae! With that, Chiyang staggers to his feet....
As the slaves depart, Chiyang runs outside and labors over to her. "Submit to her, my lady. You must submit to Empress Dowager Xiao." No, she says, and if I die, "at least I'll die a Goryean." He appeals to her to consider her son Gaeryeong, but no luck. Chiyang is shoved aside and the slave party departs.
Chiyang goes to see the empress dowager to beg for Hunae's release. Release all of the POWs, he says; it will be much more profitable to Khitan to do so. They smile at the absurdity of this, but Chiyang has a great argument: if you send Hunae back, she'll return a war hero and it will stir up discord in the royal court. "It might even break Goryeo in two." Xiao ponders this and then says, "It's not entirely unconvincing, but no." Hunae refused to submit to me, and for those who do so, there's only death. "That is my way." Then send me to the mines too, Chiyang says. She agrees and Chiyang is taken away. She and PM Han and her son Emperor Shengzong discuss this new angle. It's at least worth investigating, Han says, since it could bring down Goryeo without bloodshed.
Choe Sum and Choe Ryang are before the king, appealing for clemency for Wonsoong. "You have married a very wise and compassionate woman, your highness." They tell him that Seo Hui is persuading the other ministers on Wonsoong's behalf. We can see that the king is moved.
"How could you turn me in?" Munhwa is in jail visiting her father. It was for your own good, she says. You wanted to control the country, but you did it with money rather than by winning people's trust and winning "the hearts of your peers." You must learn humility and "become a new man. That's the only way for you and I both to survive." She's glares at him sternly; she means business.
Prince Gaeryeong has summoned Seo Hui because no one will give him a straight answer about his mother's fate. Don't give up hope just yet, Seo tells the boy; we're looking into the Khitan hostage possibility.
A Khitan guardsman happens to recognize Gang Jo as a Balhaean general. Turns out, he's a former subordinate of his father Gang Mu. When Balhae fell, he explains, I did what I had to do to survive, so I joined the Khitan army because they don't racially discriminate. Interesting....
Then Gang Jo is summoned to see Gamchan. Gamchan has bad news. Hunae was indeed brought here as a prisoner, but was shot and killed trying to escape. And he has her armor there to prove it. Xiao Sunning told him this, and told him that she was cremated. Gang Jo flies into a rage and demands to see Sunning. He runs out of the room. Outside, Hyangbi, Sa Illa and Sa Gamun manage to stop him momentarily and calm him down a bit. Hyangbi has a good idea: Find the Balhaean we just met; maybe he can tell us for certain.
The former Balhaean takes the four to the straw hut where Hunae and Chiyang were cornered trying to escape in Ep29. Inside, Gang Jo finds a headband which apparently was Hunae's, and he concludes that it must be true; she must be dead. He falls to his knees and cries. Behind him, Sa Illa cries silently for Chiyang.
At the iron mines: The newest slaves are brought in. A general named Gang Shin is in charge of the place; he's swilling wine. The slaves are to be branded. Hunae is to be branded first, because a woman will cause distraction and interfere with work. So she's to be branded on the face! As the hot branding iron is brought towards her, the other POWs try to surround Hunae to protect her. Gang Shin watches this and decides it would be entertaining to watch the Goryeans fight for their lives. He orders them unchained and given weapons....
Chiyang is being treated by Khitan physicians; he's pretty messed up, though. Then the Khitan prime minister Han Derang comes in to check on him. The head physician tells him, "I do not think even you could fix him with your magical Hua Tuo hands, sir." But Han, who apparently is a physician himself, thinks he can do it--with a blood transfusion. And he asks the lead physician to be the blood donor! Hopefully the types will match (which is NOT a good bet if you consider the odds, but of course this is TV, right?).
Gamchan tells Gang Jo that he and his companions will be added to the diplomatic mission after all. But I'm coming too, he says, because I'm worried about you doing something foolish.
Queen Munhwa has come to her husband to ask for her father's arrest! (So she DID get mad at him. I just knew she couldn't let that go.) She tells him the whole story about Wonsoong's war profiteering, and says this is necessary to maintain the public's trust in the court. Wow.
Soldiers led by Dae Dosu enter Wonsoong's compound, rough up Jo Du and some workers (a totally unnecessary scene), enter Wonsoong's manor and place him under arrest.
Back in the Liao palace: PM Han and ED Xiao are dining together. Han had to repair Chiyang's perforated intestine and apparently it went well, but he tells her he still isn't sure if Chiyang will pull through. Then he smiles and says that Chiyang reminds him of himself at a younger age. Xiao smiles and says the same about Hunae. They seem happy and comfortable together, a side of Xiao we're not used to.
Hunae is taken from her cell and brought to Chiyang's bedside. Xiao has allowed her to be there in case Chiyang doesn't make it. Certainly a nice gesture. Chiyang is unconscious but Hunae holds his hand and begs him to pull through. And then confesses, "I have feelings for you, too."
So what will be done with the two of them? Xiao tells Han that she had planned to use them to make a deal with the Goryeans, "but now I want to tame them and make them mine." She wants to break Hunae like a wild horse, basically. But enough talk; Xiao is starting to feel the wine from dinner, so Han picks her up and carries her to their bed. As they lie down, she tells him, "If she refuses to be tamed, she will die. But if she surrenders, she will have the world like you do." And then they start, well,....
Narration fills us in on Han Derang: A grandson of a former Chinese POW named Han Zhigu. He won the trust of the Liao Taizu (emperor) Yelu Abaoji and became a Khitan senior minister. His father Han Kuangsi was also a high minister. He was influential in emperor Shengzong's ascension to the throne after the death of Yelu Xian (the empress dowager's husband) and became prime minister of "both south and north privy councils, unique in Khitan history" (whatever that means). He was the empress dowager's lover, and supposedly Shengzong looked up to him as a father. Also, Liao history records say that Han and his father both were talented physicians.
Ministers are finding out about Wonsoong's arrest. The sentiment is that he got what he deserved and this is a good thing for the country. Yi Jibaek even reminds them that Wonsoong's false treason-plot accusations led to Seol's death, and argues for his exile from the country. But Seo is concerned about the queen....
Wonsoong is pacing back and forth in a jail cell. Jo Sun and Jo Du come to see him and give him the scoop on why he was arrested. We learn that yes, they did give the grains away as promised. But the king found out, and that's why he was arrested. Who squealed on me?, Wonsoong shrieks--the northerners, the Shillans? They tell him and it staggers him.
At Choe Sum's manor, the Shillans are discussing Wonsoong's fate. Do they want to help him? The consensus is no. Even if they wanted to, they have so little standing right now that they wouldn't have much chance of success. And we learn that the consort who was brought into the court at the Shillans' insistence, well, the king doesn't go anywhere near her. Then Choe is told that the queen's attendant has arrived. Why?
Munhwa has summoned Seo Hui, Choe Ryang and Choe Sum. A powerful group, and unusual to see these three together. She asks them if they'd work together to secure her father's release. But not too quickly. "My father will need time in confinement to reflect on his mistakes," she says. They're surprised to find out that she was the one who reported him. Seo asks a good question: "May I ask why you are playing this game of hurt and heal with him?" She explains, this the only way to both punish him and mend his relationship with you ministers. Help him and I believe he'll repay you with loyalty. She even gets on her knees. "Please. As a daughter, I want my father to feel remorse, and as a queen, I want harmony in the court. I beg you." (Seeing the queen her on her knees was a moving moment, I have to say. Why isn't this series about HER?)
The diplomatic mission departs. Gang Jo, Hyangbi, Sa Gamun and Sa Illa are all in the party.
Chiyang awakens. Hunae is in a chair, sleeping at his bedside. She's happy and relieved that he's still alive. She tells Chiyang she knows that he drew his sword back and allowed her to strike the blow, and asks, Why didn't you just kill me to save yourself? He tells her, If you die, I die. And by the way, that stuff I said the other day is still true. And he holds her hand.
Hunae is brought before the empress dowager. She's made an offer: "Why don't you become my vassal? I like you. It's been a long time since I met someone that I like as much." I'll build you a big palace and you can live there with Chiyang. And I can grant you a distinguished Khitan surname like Xiao or Yelu. Of course Hunae refuses, but Xiao tells her, if you decline, Chiyang dies, "and you will suffer humiliation worse than death." I can't forsake my country, Hunae says; would you do it if you were prisoner? Good point. But Xiao is going to make her change her mind.
Goryean POWs are about to be sent to be slaves in the iron mines. Hunae is brought out to join them; she's to go there too.
Chiyang is told of this by an attendant. And she tells him, "That place is swarming with men who haven't seen a woman in years;" just think how they'll react to Hunae! With that, Chiyang staggers to his feet....
As the slaves depart, Chiyang runs outside and labors over to her. "Submit to her, my lady. You must submit to Empress Dowager Xiao." No, she says, and if I die, "at least I'll die a Goryean." He appeals to her to consider her son Gaeryeong, but no luck. Chiyang is shoved aside and the slave party departs.
Chiyang goes to see the empress dowager to beg for Hunae's release. Release all of the POWs, he says; it will be much more profitable to Khitan to do so. They smile at the absurdity of this, but Chiyang has a great argument: if you send Hunae back, she'll return a war hero and it will stir up discord in the royal court. "It might even break Goryeo in two." Xiao ponders this and then says, "It's not entirely unconvincing, but no." Hunae refused to submit to me, and for those who do so, there's only death. "That is my way." Then send me to the mines too, Chiyang says. She agrees and Chiyang is taken away. She and PM Han and her son Emperor Shengzong discuss this new angle. It's at least worth investigating, Han says, since it could bring down Goryeo without bloodshed.
Choe Sum and Choe Ryang are before the king, appealing for clemency for Wonsoong. "You have married a very wise and compassionate woman, your highness." They tell him that Seo Hui is persuading the other ministers on Wonsoong's behalf. We can see that the king is moved.
"How could you turn me in?" Munhwa is in jail visiting her father. It was for your own good, she says. You wanted to control the country, but you did it with money rather than by winning people's trust and winning "the hearts of your peers." You must learn humility and "become a new man. That's the only way for you and I both to survive." She's glares at him sternly; she means business.
Prince Gaeryeong has summoned Seo Hui because no one will give him a straight answer about his mother's fate. Don't give up hope just yet, Seo tells the boy; we're looking into the Khitan hostage possibility.
A Khitan guardsman happens to recognize Gang Jo as a Balhaean general. Turns out, he's a former subordinate of his father Gang Mu. When Balhae fell, he explains, I did what I had to do to survive, so I joined the Khitan army because they don't racially discriminate. Interesting....
Then Gang Jo is summoned to see Gamchan. Gamchan has bad news. Hunae was indeed brought here as a prisoner, but was shot and killed trying to escape. And he has her armor there to prove it. Xiao Sunning told him this, and told him that she was cremated. Gang Jo flies into a rage and demands to see Sunning. He runs out of the room. Outside, Hyangbi, Sa Illa and Sa Gamun manage to stop him momentarily and calm him down a bit. Hyangbi has a good idea: Find the Balhaean we just met; maybe he can tell us for certain.
The former Balhaean takes the four to the straw hut where Hunae and Chiyang were cornered trying to escape in Ep29. Inside, Gang Jo finds a headband which apparently was Hunae's, and he concludes that it must be true; she must be dead. He falls to his knees and cries. Behind him, Sa Illa cries silently for Chiyang.
At the iron mines: The newest slaves are brought in. A general named Gang Shin is in charge of the place; he's swilling wine. The slaves are to be branded. Hunae is to be branded first, because a woman will cause distraction and interfere with work. So she's to be branded on the face! As the hot branding iron is brought towards her, the other POWs try to surround Hunae to protect her. Gang Shin watches this and decides it would be entertaining to watch the Goryeans fight for their lives. He orders them unchained and given weapons....