Post by ajk on Mar 15, 2013 22:23:02 GMT -5
"And what are you doing here?" Good question. Alcheon asks Bidam as he storms out of Mishil's room. Deokman follows, and tells Yushin to catch Bidam because she wants to talk to him. Bidam gets on a horse and rides away, so Yushin gets on another horse and follows him.
Deokman puts Jujin in charge of the Daeya troops, and puts Seohyeon in charge of surrounding checkpoints. Chunchu, she asks him to stay here in Daeya and handle things with Jujin. "There might be remnants left," she fears. As for Deokman, suddenly she's all concerned about needing to talk to Bidam.
Yushin manages to head Bidam off at a shortcut. They dismount, and pretty soon they're having a fistfight. Bidam manages to grab a sword...but just then Deokman shows up. Umm, how did she know where they were headed? She accuses Bidam of lying to her, and demands to know what his relationship is with Mishil. He snubs her and walks away.
It's left to Chunchu to break the news about Mishil to Sejong, Hajong, Misaeng and Bojong. Hajong completely freaks out. A more grown-up display of sadness from the others.
Deokman chases after Bidam and stops him. "You were shedding tears over her dead body," she points out; explain it all to me or our relationship is over. Then she actually grabs him and starts shaking him...like that's gonna work? Hey, it does! "My mother."
Uh-oh, didn't Chilsuk and Seokpum get the message? Apparently not; they still haven't disarmed the troops they're commanding nearby. It's left to one of Seohyeon's subordinates to have to break it to them. Some of the troops fall to their knees in tears; Chilsuk and Seokpum are dumbfounded. But then Chilsuk whips out his sword and kills the subordinate! "I will not follow such orders!" (Don't shoot the messenger--but go ahead and stab him?)
Bidam tells Deokman what he knows about being born to King Jinji and Mishil, and then being abandoned. "Without remorse." How Munno raised him. And how "to her very last breath, she never acknowledged me as her son." It brings him to tears. And admits he doesn't understand why, on the day of her insurrection, Mishil tried to simply send him away rather than kill him. "I would have never felt so confused." (Is this so complicated? She'd have had to kill him otherwise. Why doesn't he understand this?)
"For the first time, I shall defy Her Highness's orders!" Chilsuk has gone bonkers. Says he's going to kill Deokman now! Well, even the troops who were crying, they don't seem too comfortable about that. Neither does Seokpum, frankly. Chilsuk tells Seokpum to take the troops back to their base. "This is the right time for me to die. I shall not lose this opportunity. I must take this country on my shoulders. It is Chilsuk's uprising." Seokpum says no..."it is Chilsuk's and Seokpum's uprising--we shall do it together!" They don't have enough troops for any kind of successful uprising, though.
With Deokman's odd past, she says she can sympathize with Bidam's not wanting to talk about his. She wipes a tear off his face, puts her hand on his shoulder and hugs him. "It must have been hard on you...so hard..." Quite a sympathetic gesture from a royal. Gently, carefully he puts both of his hands around her and hugs her back.
Now what's this! A wild battle! Seokpum has taken those troops to Daeya and has attacked the fortress. Alcheon and Wolya look to be in charge of the Daeya troops on the scene, but they can't stop the chaos from breaking out. And now Alcheon and Seokpum are dueling. Seokpum shouts about being willing to die with honor for Mishil. Soon Alcheon gets the better of him and gets his sword up to Seokpum's throat, and with that, his troops drop their weapons and surrender. But where's Chilsuk? Alcheon looks around and realizes that Chilsuk isn't here. "This is where my role ends," Seokpum says...He grabs Alcheon's arm and slashes the sword across his own throat, and falls dead to the ground. Realizing that Deokman may be in grave danger, Alcheon rushes off.
Deokman and Bidam have left Yushin a ways behind and are walking down a path together when who should come galloping towards them at top speed but Chilsuk. Swinging his sword! The pair dive off the path and Chilsuk misses, but in the next moment he's off the horse and goes flying at Bidam. Manages to knock Bidam down, if only out of sheer surprise, and now approaches Deokman with murder in his eyes. But Yushin must have heard the commotion, because he's jumped on his horse and is on the scene now. He fires an arrow at Chilsuk, who deftly deflects it and manages to trip Yushin's horse, sending it sprawling and sending Yushin to a hard fall. But Yushin gets right up, and now Bidam is up again, and it's two against one. Chilsuk does remarkably well, and briefly even gets the best of both of them. But eventually they all tie up swords together and Chilsuk gets a slash to the neck...and then to the chest..and again to the chest...and now he's staggering. And now a double-slash to the chest. Sheer anger (or madness?) is keeping him alive...but now he falls to his knees. "At last...it's the end. In the end...Deokman...I...Sohwa..." and with that he drops dead. Interesting last word.
Finally, things settle down. Deokman is meeting with her people to wrap things up in Daeya. But suddenly, a frantic attendant runs in. So much for settling down. Is that the king's lead attendant?
Must be bad news; Deokman rushes back to Seorabeol...
...and finds her father on what looks to be his deathbed. Hopefully not, but he looks to be in really, really bad shape. As Maya looks on, he reaches up to take Deokman's hand. "I leave the world of the mortals in your hands," he says, gasping for breath. "I will have to contend with Mishil in the netherworld. I will find Cheonmyeong as well. Forgive me...You must fulfill...that impossible dream. You can do it...rule the Three Kingdoms." And with that, Jinpyeong dies. Geez, they're dropping like flies in this one.
Now we see a funeral ceremony being performed. Incense is burned before the king's body inside...
..and elsewhere, outside somewhere, a similar rite is held for Mishil. Not before her body, but before a memorial plaque. Sejong, Seolwon, Misaeng and Bojong step forward to burn incense. Misaeng in particular is having a hard time with it all. Sejong wonders what will happen to them. And Hajong, he's not even there...
...he's inside, clutching Mishil's table mirror and weeping inconsolably. Couldn't even show up for the ceremony.
Seohyeon and Yongchun tell Deokman that her coronation will be one week after the king's funeral rites are over. But first, they advise her, "you must deal with Mishil's clan." The assumption is that they'll all be executed quickly. But Deokman surprises them by telling them she won't have that. "They shall not be executed."
Bidam has come to visit Hajong, who doesn't receive him kindly. Actually he's come to pay his respects to the ceremonial plaque. Seolwon escorts him there...
...and as they arrive, Seolwon tells Bidam that Mishil actually wanted him to have the Jinheung written edict about killing Mishil. That's why she didn't destroy it--she wanted him to have it. He doesn't understand why (and we never have) and angrily asks why. "So that she could pass on her same principles to you. So that you could achieve meritorious service. She made up her mind even before the first insurrection. She knew what to do, in case things went wrong." Bidam sneers. "So what she wants from me is to deal with what my mother couldn't achieve in life?" Well now THAT'S interesting. Seolwon takes exception to it and grabs Bidam by the jacket. "Do not besmirch her intentions! Her highness bestowed the mandate of heaven upon you, and took her life. She endured all this humiliation so that you...You!...Could gain the throne." Me?, Bidam wonders; why me? Seolwon answers, "For the same exact reason why you didn't reveal that edict, I trust." (I don't get that.)
"They are traitors! How could you spare their lives?" Good question, Maya. Deokman makes a good point: it's not just about Mishil's cabal, it's about everyone allied with the cabal. Execute the cabal and you have to execute "thousands, maybe tens of thousands." But Chunchu doesn't like it either: "If you wish to close this chapter of our history, it is something you must deal with." But Deokman says she wants to try to gain their trust! Good luck with that. "Wouldn't the efforts to earn their trust be much more valuable than those it would take to quell their rancorous grief?" Yeah, but is it even possible?
"Mishil accepted my proposal of an alliance, and that is why her entire forces surrendered without resistance." Has Deokman gone nuts?! She's telling this to Yushin, Alcheon and Wolya, all of whom know darned well the truth. "Proclaim this as Chilsuk and Seokpum's uprising," she says, and now we see what's going on. Simple revisionist history. Or more like, history is written by the winners. "Then, that would eliminate any reason to punish Mishil's followers." Well, it's an interesting idea, have to give her that.
Bidam is back before Mishil's plaque, more confused than ever.
Now Chunchu, Seohyeon and Yongchun are with Deokman and the three Hwarang, and they too are urging Deokman to execute the cabal. "They might put our country in peril once again," Wolya points out. But Deokman has had about enough of listening to this. Nobody resents Mishil's conduct more than I do, she says, reminding them about how her life was completely disrupted from birth, how her adoptive mother died, and her sister too. "You think I would not want to avenge them?" But Mishil is dead now, and now it's about Shilla. This is the same thinking we saw out in the grassland, and certainly it's commendable and shows maturity in her. Either way, she's irritated enough by now that nobody wants to argue with her any further.
Evening: Sejong, Hajong, Seolwon, Misaeng and Bojong are all in prisoner's white, standing and awaiting judgment. Deokman arrives and stands before them. "You are traitors who endangered the royal family and our country's future." She looks at them with some contempt (but not nearly enough!). Tells them that their weapons, private guards and some or all of their landholdings (not clear on that) will be confiscated. "Also, for the next decade, the military will continue observing your clans' every movement." Now the five start looking at each other, wondering what's going on. This doesn't sound like the death sentence they were assuming, does it? "But I shall spare your lives." Doink! They all react with surprise, all except Seolwon (who probably is surprised too but just has that good poker face). "We will gibbet Chilsuk's and Seokpum's heads," she explains, and blame this all on them. (Note: "Gibbet" means to publicly display as a warning, specifically to display the head or body of a criminal. See link in info thread.) Pledge the rest of your days to this nation, and thus repay your crimes." And at that, Seolwon actually kneels. The others look at him, not entirely sure what to do, but they figure better safe than sorry so they also do it. Seolwon speaks up. "I shall devote my life to repay your boundless benevolence." Yeah, we'll see...That fist he's clenching there by his waist, it doesn't exactly scream sincerity, does it.
Yeom Jong has come to visit Chunchu. Points out that so much of all this has hurt Chunchu: his mother's death, and the loss of the throne. But Chunchu doesn't see it that way: "For me, this is the true beginning." Huh? Yeom Jong chuckles, but then wonders.
Uh-oh, it's Santak the Annoying Hwarang! He's alone, in the shrine room with the memorial plaques of all of the deceased Hwarang. He's actually snuck in there to add a plaque for Seokpum! Really? Seokpum will be declared a traitor and Santak thinks the plaque won't be tossed out of there as soon as it's found? Duh...And it's already been found, because he didn't sneak in successfully. Jukbang, Godo, Daepoong and Goksaheun have trailed him in there and surprised him. "You're a traitor, nothing but." Arrest him, Jukbang says...but now Santak starts moaning and crying about how proud Seokpum was to be a Hwarang and how he always wanted to have his plaque here someday. Oh boy, so annoying...Jukbang gives him a little head-slap. "Wake up, you idiot! Is this the right time for a blunder like this? This could get you killed!" The other three DFers are more sympathetic, though, and suggest to Jukbang that they just forget the whole thing. And now Santak is crying again.
Seolwon is revealing to the rest of the cabal, at long last, what Mishil's intentions were for Bidam. "Her Highness knew that Princess Deokman would spare us." Misaeng gets it: So if we managed to survive, we'd follow Bidam?" Well, one of them has had enough. Sejong says he's going back to his hometown. Doesn't want to be here any more after how badly things ended for Mishil. Tells Seolwon, "I leave the fulfillment of Her Highness's final wishes to you."
Evening: Bidam has come to see Deokman; she had summoned him. Asks about that written edict. Did you give it to her, or at least show her you had it? He doesn't answer, which obviously is enough of an answer for her. "That is what caused Mishil's change of heart," she concludes. "Thank you. I believe you did it for me. I am grateful." Pained as he is, he sort of smiles at the genuine expression of gratitude.
Next day: "I plan to establish a Royal Inspectorate." Deokman makes the announcement of the idea she had shared with Bidam previously. "It will be a new apparatus inspecting all other offices. And it will be directly under my authority." This, she says, is how she'll start to get control of things away from Mishil's people. And who's going to lead this new inspectorate? We need the most capable people possible, she says: "Seolwon, Bojong, Hajong, Yeom Jong--they all shall be proclaimed as officers of this new inspectorate." What?! Alcheon rightly asks, How can you trust them? "I have a trustworthy leader in mind," Deokman says. Meaning, Bidam.
But Bidam has Seolwon's words echoing in his head: "For your sake, she endured all this humiliation, so that you...You!...could gain the throne." Also is remembering Deokman's promise about the important role she has for him. And now Mishil's words about love--"taking without reserve. If you truly love Deokman, that is what you must do." And now suddenly his eyes brighten and he's full of energy--as though his path has suddenly become clear.
Yeom Jong is sitting with the cabal, minus Sejong. Hajong makes some disparaging comment about working with "a lowly merchant" as they await their new boss. They don't know who the boss is. Then Bidam walks in. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am your new commissioner." None of them is quite sure what to make of this.
And neither are Yushin and Alcheon and Chunchu. "If he is Mishil's son, all the more reason you shouldn't entrust him with such a paramount task." Deokman says it's a way to placate all of Mishil's people. "And the second reason is that only Bidam can effectively control them." He's a blood relative, after all. She reminds them about how he stood by her side through everything, and asks them sternly, "Are you suspicious of Bidam's fealty?" Nobody answers. "And the last reason," she continues..."Never you mind."
Bidam gives the group their first set of instructions. And when Hajong invokes his mother's name in the midst of some grumbling about the situation, Bidam orders him, "You will never say the word 'Mishil' again in my presence." Seems kind of harsh, doesn't it? "From here on in, you do not follow Mishil, but me, Bidam. Only my ways, my wishes, just me! Is that clear?" Wow, the tone and the extra Is-that-clear, some of mom coming out in him.
Evening: "She is trying to empower Bidam." Chunchu is certain that's the third reason, the one Deokman wouldn't fess up to. And he tells Yushin that. "You, I, Alcheon--she is trying to keep our influence in check." Yushin is skeptical--"Does she want us to compete?"--and again doubts she can trust Bidam. But Chunchu doesn't think she trusts Bidam either. "Now she trusts no one," Chunchu says, and speaks with surprising admiration. "The path of a true ruler has opened for her." "How pitiful" if that's true, Yushin answers; it will be difficult for Deokman to isolate herself like that, the kind of person she is.
Next day: Maya goes to visit her daughter. It's the day before the coronation. She brings news: She's decided to leave the palace and "retire to a life of prayer." It's to give her husband companionship, she says. "Nobody is left to protect you now," she says. "You must protect this country, and your people. Nobody will be able to fight or suffer on your behalf. You can neither trust nor mistrust anyone. Will you be able to?" Deokman says yes, she will. She obviously isn't happy about this news, though. Maya hugs her.
Evening: Deokman is alone, thinking about advice Mishil gave her way back in Episode 16 as a scared young Hwarang in Ep16: "I might exploit the heavens, but I never let them daunt me. I know how cruel a world we live in, but I never let it afflict me. I might rule and care for people, but never lean onto them for support." Do I really have to be like that?, Deokman wonders; "Must I really walk along this path all by myself" and trust no one? She doesn't look too happy about the possibility.
Next day: Bang the big drums--it's coronation day! Drummers, flag-wavers, martial artists, dancers, the whole nine yards. Everybody's present. Yongchun makes the introduction: "Her Majesty graces you all!" And here comes Deokman, and can you believe it, she has the crown on. How about that. No, we're not seeing things. Climbs the stairs and sits on the throne. "I hereby introduce the new light kindling our nation's future, Her Majesty!" Cheers and shouts of joy all around. Deokman raises her right hand; the cheering quickly stops and everyone present kneels (except for Maya and Chunchu). We hear Yushin think to himself, "Your Majesty--I shall give you my all without reserve." And then we hear Bidam think to himself, "Your Majesty--I shall take everything away from you, without reserve."
Deokman puts Jujin in charge of the Daeya troops, and puts Seohyeon in charge of surrounding checkpoints. Chunchu, she asks him to stay here in Daeya and handle things with Jujin. "There might be remnants left," she fears. As for Deokman, suddenly she's all concerned about needing to talk to Bidam.
Yushin manages to head Bidam off at a shortcut. They dismount, and pretty soon they're having a fistfight. Bidam manages to grab a sword...but just then Deokman shows up. Umm, how did she know where they were headed? She accuses Bidam of lying to her, and demands to know what his relationship is with Mishil. He snubs her and walks away.
It's left to Chunchu to break the news about Mishil to Sejong, Hajong, Misaeng and Bojong. Hajong completely freaks out. A more grown-up display of sadness from the others.
Deokman chases after Bidam and stops him. "You were shedding tears over her dead body," she points out; explain it all to me or our relationship is over. Then she actually grabs him and starts shaking him...like that's gonna work? Hey, it does! "My mother."
Uh-oh, didn't Chilsuk and Seokpum get the message? Apparently not; they still haven't disarmed the troops they're commanding nearby. It's left to one of Seohyeon's subordinates to have to break it to them. Some of the troops fall to their knees in tears; Chilsuk and Seokpum are dumbfounded. But then Chilsuk whips out his sword and kills the subordinate! "I will not follow such orders!" (Don't shoot the messenger--but go ahead and stab him?)
Bidam tells Deokman what he knows about being born to King Jinji and Mishil, and then being abandoned. "Without remorse." How Munno raised him. And how "to her very last breath, she never acknowledged me as her son." It brings him to tears. And admits he doesn't understand why, on the day of her insurrection, Mishil tried to simply send him away rather than kill him. "I would have never felt so confused." (Is this so complicated? She'd have had to kill him otherwise. Why doesn't he understand this?)
"For the first time, I shall defy Her Highness's orders!" Chilsuk has gone bonkers. Says he's going to kill Deokman now! Well, even the troops who were crying, they don't seem too comfortable about that. Neither does Seokpum, frankly. Chilsuk tells Seokpum to take the troops back to their base. "This is the right time for me to die. I shall not lose this opportunity. I must take this country on my shoulders. It is Chilsuk's uprising." Seokpum says no..."it is Chilsuk's and Seokpum's uprising--we shall do it together!" They don't have enough troops for any kind of successful uprising, though.
With Deokman's odd past, she says she can sympathize with Bidam's not wanting to talk about his. She wipes a tear off his face, puts her hand on his shoulder and hugs him. "It must have been hard on you...so hard..." Quite a sympathetic gesture from a royal. Gently, carefully he puts both of his hands around her and hugs her back.
Now what's this! A wild battle! Seokpum has taken those troops to Daeya and has attacked the fortress. Alcheon and Wolya look to be in charge of the Daeya troops on the scene, but they can't stop the chaos from breaking out. And now Alcheon and Seokpum are dueling. Seokpum shouts about being willing to die with honor for Mishil. Soon Alcheon gets the better of him and gets his sword up to Seokpum's throat, and with that, his troops drop their weapons and surrender. But where's Chilsuk? Alcheon looks around and realizes that Chilsuk isn't here. "This is where my role ends," Seokpum says...He grabs Alcheon's arm and slashes the sword across his own throat, and falls dead to the ground. Realizing that Deokman may be in grave danger, Alcheon rushes off.
Deokman and Bidam have left Yushin a ways behind and are walking down a path together when who should come galloping towards them at top speed but Chilsuk. Swinging his sword! The pair dive off the path and Chilsuk misses, but in the next moment he's off the horse and goes flying at Bidam. Manages to knock Bidam down, if only out of sheer surprise, and now approaches Deokman with murder in his eyes. But Yushin must have heard the commotion, because he's jumped on his horse and is on the scene now. He fires an arrow at Chilsuk, who deftly deflects it and manages to trip Yushin's horse, sending it sprawling and sending Yushin to a hard fall. But Yushin gets right up, and now Bidam is up again, and it's two against one. Chilsuk does remarkably well, and briefly even gets the best of both of them. But eventually they all tie up swords together and Chilsuk gets a slash to the neck...and then to the chest..and again to the chest...and now he's staggering. And now a double-slash to the chest. Sheer anger (or madness?) is keeping him alive...but now he falls to his knees. "At last...it's the end. In the end...Deokman...I...Sohwa..." and with that he drops dead. Interesting last word.
Finally, things settle down. Deokman is meeting with her people to wrap things up in Daeya. But suddenly, a frantic attendant runs in. So much for settling down. Is that the king's lead attendant?
Must be bad news; Deokman rushes back to Seorabeol...
...and finds her father on what looks to be his deathbed. Hopefully not, but he looks to be in really, really bad shape. As Maya looks on, he reaches up to take Deokman's hand. "I leave the world of the mortals in your hands," he says, gasping for breath. "I will have to contend with Mishil in the netherworld. I will find Cheonmyeong as well. Forgive me...You must fulfill...that impossible dream. You can do it...rule the Three Kingdoms." And with that, Jinpyeong dies. Geez, they're dropping like flies in this one.
Now we see a funeral ceremony being performed. Incense is burned before the king's body inside...
..and elsewhere, outside somewhere, a similar rite is held for Mishil. Not before her body, but before a memorial plaque. Sejong, Seolwon, Misaeng and Bojong step forward to burn incense. Misaeng in particular is having a hard time with it all. Sejong wonders what will happen to them. And Hajong, he's not even there...
...he's inside, clutching Mishil's table mirror and weeping inconsolably. Couldn't even show up for the ceremony.
Seohyeon and Yongchun tell Deokman that her coronation will be one week after the king's funeral rites are over. But first, they advise her, "you must deal with Mishil's clan." The assumption is that they'll all be executed quickly. But Deokman surprises them by telling them she won't have that. "They shall not be executed."
Bidam has come to visit Hajong, who doesn't receive him kindly. Actually he's come to pay his respects to the ceremonial plaque. Seolwon escorts him there...
...and as they arrive, Seolwon tells Bidam that Mishil actually wanted him to have the Jinheung written edict about killing Mishil. That's why she didn't destroy it--she wanted him to have it. He doesn't understand why (and we never have) and angrily asks why. "So that she could pass on her same principles to you. So that you could achieve meritorious service. She made up her mind even before the first insurrection. She knew what to do, in case things went wrong." Bidam sneers. "So what she wants from me is to deal with what my mother couldn't achieve in life?" Well now THAT'S interesting. Seolwon takes exception to it and grabs Bidam by the jacket. "Do not besmirch her intentions! Her highness bestowed the mandate of heaven upon you, and took her life. She endured all this humiliation so that you...You!...Could gain the throne." Me?, Bidam wonders; why me? Seolwon answers, "For the same exact reason why you didn't reveal that edict, I trust." (I don't get that.)
"They are traitors! How could you spare their lives?" Good question, Maya. Deokman makes a good point: it's not just about Mishil's cabal, it's about everyone allied with the cabal. Execute the cabal and you have to execute "thousands, maybe tens of thousands." But Chunchu doesn't like it either: "If you wish to close this chapter of our history, it is something you must deal with." But Deokman says she wants to try to gain their trust! Good luck with that. "Wouldn't the efforts to earn their trust be much more valuable than those it would take to quell their rancorous grief?" Yeah, but is it even possible?
"Mishil accepted my proposal of an alliance, and that is why her entire forces surrendered without resistance." Has Deokman gone nuts?! She's telling this to Yushin, Alcheon and Wolya, all of whom know darned well the truth. "Proclaim this as Chilsuk and Seokpum's uprising," she says, and now we see what's going on. Simple revisionist history. Or more like, history is written by the winners. "Then, that would eliminate any reason to punish Mishil's followers." Well, it's an interesting idea, have to give her that.
Bidam is back before Mishil's plaque, more confused than ever.
Now Chunchu, Seohyeon and Yongchun are with Deokman and the three Hwarang, and they too are urging Deokman to execute the cabal. "They might put our country in peril once again," Wolya points out. But Deokman has had about enough of listening to this. Nobody resents Mishil's conduct more than I do, she says, reminding them about how her life was completely disrupted from birth, how her adoptive mother died, and her sister too. "You think I would not want to avenge them?" But Mishil is dead now, and now it's about Shilla. This is the same thinking we saw out in the grassland, and certainly it's commendable and shows maturity in her. Either way, she's irritated enough by now that nobody wants to argue with her any further.
Evening: Sejong, Hajong, Seolwon, Misaeng and Bojong are all in prisoner's white, standing and awaiting judgment. Deokman arrives and stands before them. "You are traitors who endangered the royal family and our country's future." She looks at them with some contempt (but not nearly enough!). Tells them that their weapons, private guards and some or all of their landholdings (not clear on that) will be confiscated. "Also, for the next decade, the military will continue observing your clans' every movement." Now the five start looking at each other, wondering what's going on. This doesn't sound like the death sentence they were assuming, does it? "But I shall spare your lives." Doink! They all react with surprise, all except Seolwon (who probably is surprised too but just has that good poker face). "We will gibbet Chilsuk's and Seokpum's heads," she explains, and blame this all on them. (Note: "Gibbet" means to publicly display as a warning, specifically to display the head or body of a criminal. See link in info thread.) Pledge the rest of your days to this nation, and thus repay your crimes." And at that, Seolwon actually kneels. The others look at him, not entirely sure what to do, but they figure better safe than sorry so they also do it. Seolwon speaks up. "I shall devote my life to repay your boundless benevolence." Yeah, we'll see...That fist he's clenching there by his waist, it doesn't exactly scream sincerity, does it.
Yeom Jong has come to visit Chunchu. Points out that so much of all this has hurt Chunchu: his mother's death, and the loss of the throne. But Chunchu doesn't see it that way: "For me, this is the true beginning." Huh? Yeom Jong chuckles, but then wonders.
Uh-oh, it's Santak the Annoying Hwarang! He's alone, in the shrine room with the memorial plaques of all of the deceased Hwarang. He's actually snuck in there to add a plaque for Seokpum! Really? Seokpum will be declared a traitor and Santak thinks the plaque won't be tossed out of there as soon as it's found? Duh...And it's already been found, because he didn't sneak in successfully. Jukbang, Godo, Daepoong and Goksaheun have trailed him in there and surprised him. "You're a traitor, nothing but." Arrest him, Jukbang says...but now Santak starts moaning and crying about how proud Seokpum was to be a Hwarang and how he always wanted to have his plaque here someday. Oh boy, so annoying...Jukbang gives him a little head-slap. "Wake up, you idiot! Is this the right time for a blunder like this? This could get you killed!" The other three DFers are more sympathetic, though, and suggest to Jukbang that they just forget the whole thing. And now Santak is crying again.
Seolwon is revealing to the rest of the cabal, at long last, what Mishil's intentions were for Bidam. "Her Highness knew that Princess Deokman would spare us." Misaeng gets it: So if we managed to survive, we'd follow Bidam?" Well, one of them has had enough. Sejong says he's going back to his hometown. Doesn't want to be here any more after how badly things ended for Mishil. Tells Seolwon, "I leave the fulfillment of Her Highness's final wishes to you."
Evening: Bidam has come to see Deokman; she had summoned him. Asks about that written edict. Did you give it to her, or at least show her you had it? He doesn't answer, which obviously is enough of an answer for her. "That is what caused Mishil's change of heart," she concludes. "Thank you. I believe you did it for me. I am grateful." Pained as he is, he sort of smiles at the genuine expression of gratitude.
Next day: "I plan to establish a Royal Inspectorate." Deokman makes the announcement of the idea she had shared with Bidam previously. "It will be a new apparatus inspecting all other offices. And it will be directly under my authority." This, she says, is how she'll start to get control of things away from Mishil's people. And who's going to lead this new inspectorate? We need the most capable people possible, she says: "Seolwon, Bojong, Hajong, Yeom Jong--they all shall be proclaimed as officers of this new inspectorate." What?! Alcheon rightly asks, How can you trust them? "I have a trustworthy leader in mind," Deokman says. Meaning, Bidam.
But Bidam has Seolwon's words echoing in his head: "For your sake, she endured all this humiliation, so that you...You!...could gain the throne." Also is remembering Deokman's promise about the important role she has for him. And now Mishil's words about love--"taking without reserve. If you truly love Deokman, that is what you must do." And now suddenly his eyes brighten and he's full of energy--as though his path has suddenly become clear.
Yeom Jong is sitting with the cabal, minus Sejong. Hajong makes some disparaging comment about working with "a lowly merchant" as they await their new boss. They don't know who the boss is. Then Bidam walks in. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am your new commissioner." None of them is quite sure what to make of this.
And neither are Yushin and Alcheon and Chunchu. "If he is Mishil's son, all the more reason you shouldn't entrust him with such a paramount task." Deokman says it's a way to placate all of Mishil's people. "And the second reason is that only Bidam can effectively control them." He's a blood relative, after all. She reminds them about how he stood by her side through everything, and asks them sternly, "Are you suspicious of Bidam's fealty?" Nobody answers. "And the last reason," she continues..."Never you mind."
Bidam gives the group their first set of instructions. And when Hajong invokes his mother's name in the midst of some grumbling about the situation, Bidam orders him, "You will never say the word 'Mishil' again in my presence." Seems kind of harsh, doesn't it? "From here on in, you do not follow Mishil, but me, Bidam. Only my ways, my wishes, just me! Is that clear?" Wow, the tone and the extra Is-that-clear, some of mom coming out in him.
Evening: "She is trying to empower Bidam." Chunchu is certain that's the third reason, the one Deokman wouldn't fess up to. And he tells Yushin that. "You, I, Alcheon--she is trying to keep our influence in check." Yushin is skeptical--"Does she want us to compete?"--and again doubts she can trust Bidam. But Chunchu doesn't think she trusts Bidam either. "Now she trusts no one," Chunchu says, and speaks with surprising admiration. "The path of a true ruler has opened for her." "How pitiful" if that's true, Yushin answers; it will be difficult for Deokman to isolate herself like that, the kind of person she is.
Next day: Maya goes to visit her daughter. It's the day before the coronation. She brings news: She's decided to leave the palace and "retire to a life of prayer." It's to give her husband companionship, she says. "Nobody is left to protect you now," she says. "You must protect this country, and your people. Nobody will be able to fight or suffer on your behalf. You can neither trust nor mistrust anyone. Will you be able to?" Deokman says yes, she will. She obviously isn't happy about this news, though. Maya hugs her.
Evening: Deokman is alone, thinking about advice Mishil gave her way back in Episode 16 as a scared young Hwarang in Ep16: "I might exploit the heavens, but I never let them daunt me. I know how cruel a world we live in, but I never let it afflict me. I might rule and care for people, but never lean onto them for support." Do I really have to be like that?, Deokman wonders; "Must I really walk along this path all by myself" and trust no one? She doesn't look too happy about the possibility.
Next day: Bang the big drums--it's coronation day! Drummers, flag-wavers, martial artists, dancers, the whole nine yards. Everybody's present. Yongchun makes the introduction: "Her Majesty graces you all!" And here comes Deokman, and can you believe it, she has the crown on. How about that. No, we're not seeing things. Climbs the stairs and sits on the throne. "I hereby introduce the new light kindling our nation's future, Her Majesty!" Cheers and shouts of joy all around. Deokman raises her right hand; the cheering quickly stops and everyone present kneels (except for Maya and Chunchu). We hear Yushin think to himself, "Your Majesty--I shall give you my all without reserve." And then we hear Bidam think to himself, "Your Majesty--I shall take everything away from you, without reserve."