Post by ajk on Jul 8, 2009 15:05:09 GMT -5
Gamchan tells Hunae that the king is considering reaching out to Song again, and that the Shillans' are prodding him to do so. She's frustrated that Sungjong once again is trying to rely on Song rather than building up Goryeo's own military. Then Yelu Wuji enters and tells her she's been summoned to see the empress dowager.
Outside, Hunae and Wuji pass by Dokyun, who's surprised because she has no knowledge of Hunae being summoned. Then she starts hitting on Gang Jo—-that's right, she likes his fighting skill and she hits on him--"What are you doing tonight?"--which pisses off Hyangbi, which gets Dokyun's knife pointed in Hyangbi's face--"Be careful. I don't like women"--which pisses off Gang Jo--"Do you have a death wish?"--which makes Dokyun smile--"You can tackle me any time." Seriously. Then Hyeolmae shows up and tells Dokyun that ED Xiao has just summoned Hunae. Uh-oh, what's going on with Wuji?
Wuji is leading Hunae into a wooded area, and Hunae gets suspicious. But before she can react, it's an ambush and she's surrounded by a dozens of what look to be criminals from the same gang we first saw in Ep1. Then Wuji advances on her, intent on taking out her eye as revenge. To start with. But just in the nick of time, a knife comes flying at him and thwacks him in his bad eye, and he falls screaming. Gang Jo, Hyangbi, Dokyun and Hyeolmae swoop in and chase the criminals away.
Inside a jail, Wuji is being lashed by Hyeolmae (as punishment, that is!). ED Xiao and Yelu Dilie are there and want an explanation from him. "You had no authority to engage the criminal brigade," Dilie says (so they're for hire?!); now you better come clean. Wuji confesses that this was all Yelu Pennu's order.
Pennu is kneeling before ED Xiao. Yes, I did it, he says. She threatens him with death right then and there--"How dare you defy my order!"--but then emperor Shengzong shows up and confesses to giving Pennu the order himself! He tells his mother he was unhappy with her decision to let "the audacious wench go free" rather than executing her and invading Goryeo with the entire Khitan army. Xiao stands up and nearly bites his head off--"Do you know the humiliation and disgrace I endured in order to put you on the throne!?"--and proceeds to give him an angry lecture about avoiding war when the same objectives can be accomplished through other means. He promptly kneels next to Pennu and begs forgiveness for acting in haste and without vision. She is very, very pissed at him and just keeps glaring and glaring.
Narration explains that the Khitans were able to build a powerful state not only through military gains but through a non-discrimination policy against conquered peoples. But the conquered peoples were ruled separately, through the South Privy Council, while the Khitans maintained their racial purity and were ruled through the North Privy Council.
A farewell banquet is held for the Goryeans. Food, entertainment and good wishes from ED Xiao, who even expresses her regret to Hunae for what she went through. Park Yangyu then looks to Hunae to stand up and speak for the Goryeans, but Hunae only shakes her head no (typical, but I gotta give her this one; you can understand her not feeling all that cordial). So Park stands up and offers proper good wishes. The entertainment resumes, and Dokyun actually starts dancing up to Gang Jo! He quickly snubs her and leaves the room.
Outside, Hunae consoles Gang Jo on the loss of his brother; Gang Jo says he still is happy to be able to serve her. And then she tells him she's going to dethrone Sungjong and put her son Gaeryeong on the throne! I have to do it, she says, because I'm afraid of ED Xiao like no one else I've ever met. Even physically, labored-breathing scared. And Xiao is capable of squashing Goryeo if she wants to, Hunae thinks. "There is no way my brother can contend with that woman." Gang Jo offers her his total support. She touches his arm and thanks him for the strength he gives her...and we hear his thoughts: "Only as your subordinate?" Aaaaaand there we have it; he hopes for more. From a distance, Hyangbi watches them silently.
Evening: Xiao and Han are talking; she's disappointed because her son is 24 years old now but "still thinks like a child." Have patience, Han counsels, he's just young and hot-blooded; "he will mellow out in due time." In the meantime, we'll conquer Song.
Chiyang goes to visit Hunae. She drops a bomb on him. "I want you to forget about what's happened between us....I made a mistake." The situation has changed now, with us going back to Goryeo, and we can't have a relationship. Chiyang points to Xiao and Han's relationship; Why can't we be like them?. But that won't work in Goryeo. "I've risked my life for this love," Chiyang pleads, but Hunae is preparing herself for a rebellion and can't be distracted. She dismisses him and he leaves, although he tells her he won't give her up and intends to talk to her about this further. And then in her thoughts we hear her admit that she's still drawn to him.
Goryeo state meeting: Sungjong announces that he's sending an envoy to Song after all. Seo Hui is astounded and many ministers object strongly, since it violates the treaty with Khitan and could trigger another war. The king becomes infuriated and, jumping to his feet, loudly insists the decision is final. His anger overwhelms him physically and he passes out.
The queen rushes to the king's bedside. The physician tells him that this is still an effect of that poisoned arrow he took way back in Ep14. There is still poison in his system, and it's effects can only be controlled by keeping his blood pressure low.
ED Xiao gives Hunae a gift--a very fancy bow made by the Khitans' best bowmaker. And she again apologizes for her treatment of Hunae, saying that she harbored no malice towards her but only wanted to "test your potential." And they actually smile at each other.
Chiyang and PM Han are playing a game of go. Chiyang asks Han for exclusive trading rights with Liao; It will give us the money we need to oppose King Sungjong. Han recognizes the shrewdness of the idea and agrees. And he even offers Chiyang his coach to travel home in. Just don't betray me, he warns again. The game continues and Han is winning, and as it continues we hear Chiyang's thoughts: "This is the last time you'll compete against me and win." And you'll be sorry you let me live. Hmmm....
The Goryeans offer their formal goodbyes to Emperor Shengzong and prepare to leave.
The future consort Xiao Zanli is getting a briefing from ED Xiao (apparently she's to follow the diplomatic mission and arrive in Goryeo separately). Xiao tells her, "You will be marrying a man you must regard as an enemy" and it will be a stressful life. I can endure it for Great Liao, Zanli replies. Xiao instructs Hyeolmae and Dokyun to give Zanli instruction in martial arts, memorization techniques, and the use of poison. Yikes. And also, teach her "everything you know about physical intimacy." This will get king Sungjong under your control. (And it'll fix those low ratings, you can bet that!)
Gang Jo scatters his brother's ashes along the Yalu river. Hunae promises him that she'll conquer Khitan and restore the former Balhaean lands to Goryeo.
Prince Gaeryeong is shooting arrows again, with Yi Hyunoon hovering over him and being annoying again. (Seriously, what is Hyunoon doing there?) We learn that the boy isn't properly attending to his studies; he just wants to shoot. Queen Munhwa arrives, takes him inside, scolds him and grounds him from the archery range. I won't obey you, he says shockingly; archery is the only thing that makes my happy since my mother's death. They really go at it, an argument we don't expect from either of them, and the boy finally dumps it all out: you're not my mother, I'll do as I please, and I don't want to be the heir to the throne! "Please leave me alone!" And then suddenly his eyes roll back and he collapses into another seizure.
Escort Jo comes running to the king's chambers to summon the royal physician. The king hears why, and drags himself form his own sickbed to go check on the boy.
They physician has examined the boy. It's epilepsy. The king learns only now that this wasn't Gaeryeong's first seizure. And from his symptoms, the seizures are likely to get worse. He may not be fit to inherit the throne, the physician ventures. This news staggers the already laboring king and he collapses right onto Gaeryeong's bed.
Later, taken back to his own bed, the king revives. The physician says he needs at least a month of absolute rest and treatment to cleanse himself of the poison once and for all. And no state affairs. He tells Munhwa, "I need you to attend to state affairs for me." I'll do it, she says; just worry about getting better.
Outside, she has a quiet discussion with the physician, Escort Jo, and the king's eunuch Go Hyun. You must keep the prince's condition a secret, she tells them, "or else the king's men will rise up like a swarm of bees to name a successor." And that can't happen. So..."If one of you talks and word gets out, all three of you will die by my hands." Wow, she means business; good for her.
A state meeting, with Munhwa on the throne! She tells the ministers of the king's need for a month of rest, and that it's the king's order that she be there. The physician is there too, and explains the king's condition. Yi Jibaek innocently asks why Prince Gaeryeong isn't stepping in for the king instead of her, but it's generally agreed that he's still too young. I'll need all of your help, Munhwa says, because "I am lacking in many ways," but with your help we can pull through.
Seogyeong, the northern capital: Hunae is given a hero's welcome.
Munhwa and the ministers are given the news that Hunae is returning home--alive. And she's bringing all of the POWs back with her. This should be great news, but Munhwa looks concerned, like this will be a dangerous complication. She puts on a poker face, though, and accepts the news appropriately. But this is not the time to tell the king, she insists. Seo Hui says it will make the king very happy, but she knows that any kind of big news like this is dangerous to his health: "Good news or bad, all emotional excitement is to be avoided."
Hunae returns to Myeongbok Palace, where an ecstatic staff greets her. Then she goes to the ancestral shrine, and asks her grandmother and late husband to watch over her and forgive her while she does what the has to do to strengthen the country.
Evening: Queen Munhwa has summoned Choe Sum. She asks, Do you think Hunae's return is good news? No, Choe answers, it "will bring huge turmoil and disorder." The king is incapacitated and she's coming back a hero, with the POWs. She fears that if the king should die, the country will become hers, "and if it does, you and my father will be the first to eliminated." I was relieved to hear of her death, Choe Sum admits. And he tells Munhwa that he and the Shillans no longer have the power in the court take any real action on any of this, at least not right now. So what to do? Choe tells her, You'll have to meet with her yourself; that's the first step. Meet with her and feel her out. "And if you determine there is no compromise...We have to go to war. Us or them, one side has to go down."
Hunae reaches the capital and enters the palace, triumphant. The ministers all receive her. Choe Ryang informs her of the king's condition.
Inside, a nervous Munhwa sits on the throne and formally receives Hunae. Hunae smiles and treats the queen with respect, which visibly calms her.
Outside, Hunae and Wuji pass by Dokyun, who's surprised because she has no knowledge of Hunae being summoned. Then she starts hitting on Gang Jo—-that's right, she likes his fighting skill and she hits on him--"What are you doing tonight?"--which pisses off Hyangbi, which gets Dokyun's knife pointed in Hyangbi's face--"Be careful. I don't like women"--which pisses off Gang Jo--"Do you have a death wish?"--which makes Dokyun smile--"You can tackle me any time." Seriously. Then Hyeolmae shows up and tells Dokyun that ED Xiao has just summoned Hunae. Uh-oh, what's going on with Wuji?
Wuji is leading Hunae into a wooded area, and Hunae gets suspicious. But before she can react, it's an ambush and she's surrounded by a dozens of what look to be criminals from the same gang we first saw in Ep1. Then Wuji advances on her, intent on taking out her eye as revenge. To start with. But just in the nick of time, a knife comes flying at him and thwacks him in his bad eye, and he falls screaming. Gang Jo, Hyangbi, Dokyun and Hyeolmae swoop in and chase the criminals away.
Inside a jail, Wuji is being lashed by Hyeolmae (as punishment, that is!). ED Xiao and Yelu Dilie are there and want an explanation from him. "You had no authority to engage the criminal brigade," Dilie says (so they're for hire?!); now you better come clean. Wuji confesses that this was all Yelu Pennu's order.
Pennu is kneeling before ED Xiao. Yes, I did it, he says. She threatens him with death right then and there--"How dare you defy my order!"--but then emperor Shengzong shows up and confesses to giving Pennu the order himself! He tells his mother he was unhappy with her decision to let "the audacious wench go free" rather than executing her and invading Goryeo with the entire Khitan army. Xiao stands up and nearly bites his head off--"Do you know the humiliation and disgrace I endured in order to put you on the throne!?"--and proceeds to give him an angry lecture about avoiding war when the same objectives can be accomplished through other means. He promptly kneels next to Pennu and begs forgiveness for acting in haste and without vision. She is very, very pissed at him and just keeps glaring and glaring.
Narration explains that the Khitans were able to build a powerful state not only through military gains but through a non-discrimination policy against conquered peoples. But the conquered peoples were ruled separately, through the South Privy Council, while the Khitans maintained their racial purity and were ruled through the North Privy Council.
A farewell banquet is held for the Goryeans. Food, entertainment and good wishes from ED Xiao, who even expresses her regret to Hunae for what she went through. Park Yangyu then looks to Hunae to stand up and speak for the Goryeans, but Hunae only shakes her head no (typical, but I gotta give her this one; you can understand her not feeling all that cordial). So Park stands up and offers proper good wishes. The entertainment resumes, and Dokyun actually starts dancing up to Gang Jo! He quickly snubs her and leaves the room.
Outside, Hunae consoles Gang Jo on the loss of his brother; Gang Jo says he still is happy to be able to serve her. And then she tells him she's going to dethrone Sungjong and put her son Gaeryeong on the throne! I have to do it, she says, because I'm afraid of ED Xiao like no one else I've ever met. Even physically, labored-breathing scared. And Xiao is capable of squashing Goryeo if she wants to, Hunae thinks. "There is no way my brother can contend with that woman." Gang Jo offers her his total support. She touches his arm and thanks him for the strength he gives her...and we hear his thoughts: "Only as your subordinate?" Aaaaaand there we have it; he hopes for more. From a distance, Hyangbi watches them silently.
Evening: Xiao and Han are talking; she's disappointed because her son is 24 years old now but "still thinks like a child." Have patience, Han counsels, he's just young and hot-blooded; "he will mellow out in due time." In the meantime, we'll conquer Song.
Chiyang goes to visit Hunae. She drops a bomb on him. "I want you to forget about what's happened between us....I made a mistake." The situation has changed now, with us going back to Goryeo, and we can't have a relationship. Chiyang points to Xiao and Han's relationship; Why can't we be like them?. But that won't work in Goryeo. "I've risked my life for this love," Chiyang pleads, but Hunae is preparing herself for a rebellion and can't be distracted. She dismisses him and he leaves, although he tells her he won't give her up and intends to talk to her about this further. And then in her thoughts we hear her admit that she's still drawn to him.
Goryeo state meeting: Sungjong announces that he's sending an envoy to Song after all. Seo Hui is astounded and many ministers object strongly, since it violates the treaty with Khitan and could trigger another war. The king becomes infuriated and, jumping to his feet, loudly insists the decision is final. His anger overwhelms him physically and he passes out.
The queen rushes to the king's bedside. The physician tells him that this is still an effect of that poisoned arrow he took way back in Ep14. There is still poison in his system, and it's effects can only be controlled by keeping his blood pressure low.
ED Xiao gives Hunae a gift--a very fancy bow made by the Khitans' best bowmaker. And she again apologizes for her treatment of Hunae, saying that she harbored no malice towards her but only wanted to "test your potential." And they actually smile at each other.
Chiyang and PM Han are playing a game of go. Chiyang asks Han for exclusive trading rights with Liao; It will give us the money we need to oppose King Sungjong. Han recognizes the shrewdness of the idea and agrees. And he even offers Chiyang his coach to travel home in. Just don't betray me, he warns again. The game continues and Han is winning, and as it continues we hear Chiyang's thoughts: "This is the last time you'll compete against me and win." And you'll be sorry you let me live. Hmmm....
The Goryeans offer their formal goodbyes to Emperor Shengzong and prepare to leave.
The future consort Xiao Zanli is getting a briefing from ED Xiao (apparently she's to follow the diplomatic mission and arrive in Goryeo separately). Xiao tells her, "You will be marrying a man you must regard as an enemy" and it will be a stressful life. I can endure it for Great Liao, Zanli replies. Xiao instructs Hyeolmae and Dokyun to give Zanli instruction in martial arts, memorization techniques, and the use of poison. Yikes. And also, teach her "everything you know about physical intimacy." This will get king Sungjong under your control. (And it'll fix those low ratings, you can bet that!)
Gang Jo scatters his brother's ashes along the Yalu river. Hunae promises him that she'll conquer Khitan and restore the former Balhaean lands to Goryeo.
Prince Gaeryeong is shooting arrows again, with Yi Hyunoon hovering over him and being annoying again. (Seriously, what is Hyunoon doing there?) We learn that the boy isn't properly attending to his studies; he just wants to shoot. Queen Munhwa arrives, takes him inside, scolds him and grounds him from the archery range. I won't obey you, he says shockingly; archery is the only thing that makes my happy since my mother's death. They really go at it, an argument we don't expect from either of them, and the boy finally dumps it all out: you're not my mother, I'll do as I please, and I don't want to be the heir to the throne! "Please leave me alone!" And then suddenly his eyes roll back and he collapses into another seizure.
Escort Jo comes running to the king's chambers to summon the royal physician. The king hears why, and drags himself form his own sickbed to go check on the boy.
They physician has examined the boy. It's epilepsy. The king learns only now that this wasn't Gaeryeong's first seizure. And from his symptoms, the seizures are likely to get worse. He may not be fit to inherit the throne, the physician ventures. This news staggers the already laboring king and he collapses right onto Gaeryeong's bed.
Later, taken back to his own bed, the king revives. The physician says he needs at least a month of absolute rest and treatment to cleanse himself of the poison once and for all. And no state affairs. He tells Munhwa, "I need you to attend to state affairs for me." I'll do it, she says; just worry about getting better.
Outside, she has a quiet discussion with the physician, Escort Jo, and the king's eunuch Go Hyun. You must keep the prince's condition a secret, she tells them, "or else the king's men will rise up like a swarm of bees to name a successor." And that can't happen. So..."If one of you talks and word gets out, all three of you will die by my hands." Wow, she means business; good for her.
A state meeting, with Munhwa on the throne! She tells the ministers of the king's need for a month of rest, and that it's the king's order that she be there. The physician is there too, and explains the king's condition. Yi Jibaek innocently asks why Prince Gaeryeong isn't stepping in for the king instead of her, but it's generally agreed that he's still too young. I'll need all of your help, Munhwa says, because "I am lacking in many ways," but with your help we can pull through.
Seogyeong, the northern capital: Hunae is given a hero's welcome.
Munhwa and the ministers are given the news that Hunae is returning home--alive. And she's bringing all of the POWs back with her. This should be great news, but Munhwa looks concerned, like this will be a dangerous complication. She puts on a poker face, though, and accepts the news appropriately. But this is not the time to tell the king, she insists. Seo Hui says it will make the king very happy, but she knows that any kind of big news like this is dangerous to his health: "Good news or bad, all emotional excitement is to be avoided."
Hunae returns to Myeongbok Palace, where an ecstatic staff greets her. Then she goes to the ancestral shrine, and asks her grandmother and late husband to watch over her and forgive her while she does what the has to do to strengthen the country.
Evening: Queen Munhwa has summoned Choe Sum. She asks, Do you think Hunae's return is good news? No, Choe answers, it "will bring huge turmoil and disorder." The king is incapacitated and she's coming back a hero, with the POWs. She fears that if the king should die, the country will become hers, "and if it does, you and my father will be the first to eliminated." I was relieved to hear of her death, Choe Sum admits. And he tells Munhwa that he and the Shillans no longer have the power in the court take any real action on any of this, at least not right now. So what to do? Choe tells her, You'll have to meet with her yourself; that's the first step. Meet with her and feel her out. "And if you determine there is no compromise...We have to go to war. Us or them, one side has to go down."
Hunae reaches the capital and enters the palace, triumphant. The ministers all receive her. Choe Ryang informs her of the king's condition.
Inside, a nervous Munhwa sits on the throne and formally receives Hunae. Hunae smiles and treats the queen with respect, which visibly calms her.
by her own portrait next to her sister's but nothing. Hadn't she been declared dead and even mourned with a funeral ceremony? I think the writers missed a good opportunity for a little irony there, but probably weren't allowed any license since this is such a historically accurate drama. 