Post by ajk on Oct 29, 2017 20:14:48 GMT -5
Have to give the writers some big-time credit here right off the bat. The kind of plot that unfolded with Yakson getting framed, way too often these kinds of conspiritorial things in historicals aren't all that convincing and they have holes in them and they just don't sit right. But this one, by the time all the cards were laid on the table it was entirely plausible. There were enough angles and details laid out in the writing that you can absolutely accept the idea that so many people would buy into the lie that Yakson was plotting an overthrow. And different characters for different reasons. It was thoroughly and carefully presented.
The only thing that's sort of tough to swallow right now is the idea that the testimony of one aide has so much weight. Yes there's "circumstantial evidence" that supports his story, but everybody's giving him all of the benefit of the doubt (unless those looks from KJ were looks of uncertainty) and he's only an aide. That will have to be addressed in the next episode or it will leave a stench over the whole thing.
"Leave that to me. I ask only for your approval." Really Songi? You're not even gonna ask him for specifics? That's not like you.
"I know you and Kim Dokmyong helped Choe Hyang." Well shame on me, didn't recognize the fortune teller being the same guy we saw way back in Episode 2. And okay, so we finally got some payoff on the whole fortune-teller angle. But it still was weak. Going to the overlord and portending doom, that should have been a much more dramatic, intense moment than it was. I mean, we got more intensity from psycho-Chunsim about Wola. This whole thing was mishandled.
The narrated text:
nw.newsworld.co.kr/cont/article2011/05/20110521936.html
But you have to appreciate their tossing this into the story. Another interesting historical detail that they didn't have to include but it's great that they did.
"People make foolish choices in a crisis. Without meaning to." Great observation. That Choe is a smart guy.
"I subsist on pine needles and water." Not for long, pal.
"It's your business. What would I know about it?" Wow that sure sucked the air out of the room! But you know what, Yakson--get off your butt and go to work once in a while and you'd know about this stuff. Otherwise no complaining allowed.
"You're unlettered. Not so Kim Jun." Okay, now that was useful. Choe flat-out said why KJ has a more prestigious position than Yangbaek. Certainly Yangbaek can't argue with that, so hopefully from now on when he starts drinking he doesn't start grumbling about being jealous of KJ. (Although Choe saying "Use your eyes, not your brain" came off a little harsh, didn't it?)
Another good performance by the guy playing the king. He's really grown into the part.
"There's no other way to see it. My own wife framed me." That was a great moment. You could see the light bulb go on in Yakson's head. Very effective.
Looks like bigger things are going to start happening now; hard to believe Yakson can survive this. Frankly it's about time; just twenty episodes left and a lot of things to cover even before KJ reaches his peak, not to mention what he does there. And the Mongols were barely even mentioned in this episode. It's been an excellent series and I hope they can keep it up and not rush through important historical events going forward.
p.s. As soon as the closing credits kick in, they have to revert to pop music even if it's completely inappropriate for the ending of the episode. Every single time they do this. Sometimes it's jarring, like it was in this one. Wish they'd stop it...but at least they're keeping it out of the episodes themselves for the most part, so I'm certainly thankful for that.
The only thing that's sort of tough to swallow right now is the idea that the testimony of one aide has so much weight. Yes there's "circumstantial evidence" that supports his story, but everybody's giving him all of the benefit of the doubt (unless those looks from KJ were looks of uncertainty) and he's only an aide. That will have to be addressed in the next episode or it will leave a stench over the whole thing.
"Leave that to me. I ask only for your approval." Really Songi? You're not even gonna ask him for specifics? That's not like you.
"I know you and Kim Dokmyong helped Choe Hyang." Well shame on me, didn't recognize the fortune teller being the same guy we saw way back in Episode 2. And okay, so we finally got some payoff on the whole fortune-teller angle. But it still was weak. Going to the overlord and portending doom, that should have been a much more dramatic, intense moment than it was. I mean, we got more intensity from psycho-Chunsim about Wola. This whole thing was mishandled.
The narrated text:
Gulpo River. A small tributary to be expanded by human hands. At the time goods were transported via shipping routes. of these, Taean, Fort Sondolmok and Cape Jangsan were the most treacherous. Gulpo was designed to help Koryo on Ganghwa Island.From what I've found, this project wasn't actually done at that time, only proposed, and in fact it wasn't completed until just recently:
nw.newsworld.co.kr/cont/article2011/05/20110521936.html
But you have to appreciate their tossing this into the story. Another interesting historical detail that they didn't have to include but it's great that they did.
"People make foolish choices in a crisis. Without meaning to." Great observation. That Choe is a smart guy.
"I subsist on pine needles and water." Not for long, pal.
"It's your business. What would I know about it?" Wow that sure sucked the air out of the room! But you know what, Yakson--get off your butt and go to work once in a while and you'd know about this stuff. Otherwise no complaining allowed.
"You're unlettered. Not so Kim Jun." Okay, now that was useful. Choe flat-out said why KJ has a more prestigious position than Yangbaek. Certainly Yangbaek can't argue with that, so hopefully from now on when he starts drinking he doesn't start grumbling about being jealous of KJ. (Although Choe saying "Use your eyes, not your brain" came off a little harsh, didn't it?)
Another good performance by the guy playing the king. He's really grown into the part.
"There's no other way to see it. My own wife framed me." That was a great moment. You could see the light bulb go on in Yakson's head. Very effective.
Looks like bigger things are going to start happening now; hard to believe Yakson can survive this. Frankly it's about time; just twenty episodes left and a lot of things to cover even before KJ reaches his peak, not to mention what he does there. And the Mongols were barely even mentioned in this episode. It's been an excellent series and I hope they can keep it up and not rush through important historical events going forward.
p.s. As soon as the closing credits kick in, they have to revert to pop music even if it's completely inappropriate for the ending of the episode. Every single time they do this. Sometimes it's jarring, like it was in this one. Wish they'd stop it...but at least they're keeping it out of the episodes themselves for the most part, so I'm certainly thankful for that.