Post by ajk on Feb 5, 2018 4:07:20 GMT -5
Another outstanding episode, incredibly well put together. Didn’t have the one amazing scene in it like the previous episode did, but wow it had probably the second-best cliffhanger ending I’ve ever seen in a historical.
The narrated text:
Kojong on the guard corps: “The Mongols have marched through the western capital and they sit and talk?” That actor really has turned out to be an excellent casting decision. Doing excellent work; just the right tone and demeanor for a powerless emperor.
Some terrific stunt work in the two short battle scenes. Plus the falling boulders looked more realistic than before; maybe it was just me but it seemed like a noticeable improvement. And how about those pronged sticks pushing the ladders backwards! What a great idea—how come we’ve never seen that before? So simple and sensible. The only thumbs-down is for the flaming boulders. Why set them on fire? What possible value would that add to them as a weapon? Nope, would never happen. Looks good on TV, okay there we have it.
Other than that, about the only real negative in this one was some evil laughter from Mongol marshals. Not the first time in this series, either. Stop that right now!
In the middle of that high council scene with Choe Hang ranting and raving and having no clue about what to do, a great moment when we see Yi Jangyong sitting there staring at KJ like, Are you gonna do something about this guy or what? That wasn’t just an incidental shot; it was a critical part of the scene. That kind of subtlety, you just don’t get that in a lot of historicals. Loved it.
“Can I rely on you?” “You knew the answer before you sent for me.” What a terrific angle, turning to Gannan and putting the entire country’s fate in the hands of one servant woman. And she played it perfectly; part fear, part determination. ”I have my own score to settle.” And then they end the episode?!? What an agonizing cliffhanger!! I nearly shouted at the screen. The tension is off the charts right now. They’ve kept Gannan visible throughout the series, just enough so we wouldn’t forget about her but not enough to give her a backstory or a husband or any such thing. Well now we know why they did it. This is her moment, the reason she’s been around. How great is it for a series to nurture a minor character for fifty episodes before the payoff. Just more evidence that smart people wrote this thing.
I sure hope the remaining six episodes are in the same ballpark with 49 and 50 quality-wise because both of these have been a joy to watch. I’ve even stopped caring that we obviously won’t be seeing much of KJ as the top guy. Who cares when the episodes are this good.
The narrated text:
So it was. On July 3, 1253 the Mongols once again crossed the Yalu River. They had demanded the capital return to Kaegyeong and Kojong bow before the Khan. But the Choe Hang regime vacillated and ignored them. Mongke Khan sent his uncle Yeku, son of Genghis Khan’s elder brother Khasar. With him rode Amukan and the Koryo traitors Hong Bokwon and Yi Hyon. And the Duke of Yongyong, a hostage who had married a Mongol princess. With the Khan’s own family involved this war was different than any that came before it.That general Yeku, where have we seen that guy before? It’s driving me nuts. I know he’s been in at least one previous historical, and playing a simiar role.
Kojong on the guard corps: “The Mongols have marched through the western capital and they sit and talk?” That actor really has turned out to be an excellent casting decision. Doing excellent work; just the right tone and demeanor for a powerless emperor.
Some terrific stunt work in the two short battle scenes. Plus the falling boulders looked more realistic than before; maybe it was just me but it seemed like a noticeable improvement. And how about those pronged sticks pushing the ladders backwards! What a great idea—how come we’ve never seen that before? So simple and sensible. The only thumbs-down is for the flaming boulders. Why set them on fire? What possible value would that add to them as a weapon? Nope, would never happen. Looks good on TV, okay there we have it.
Other than that, about the only real negative in this one was some evil laughter from Mongol marshals. Not the first time in this series, either. Stop that right now!
In the middle of that high council scene with Choe Hang ranting and raving and having no clue about what to do, a great moment when we see Yi Jangyong sitting there staring at KJ like, Are you gonna do something about this guy or what? That wasn’t just an incidental shot; it was a critical part of the scene. That kind of subtlety, you just don’t get that in a lot of historicals. Loved it.
“Can I rely on you?” “You knew the answer before you sent for me.” What a terrific angle, turning to Gannan and putting the entire country’s fate in the hands of one servant woman. And she played it perfectly; part fear, part determination. ”I have my own score to settle.” And then they end the episode?!? What an agonizing cliffhanger!! I nearly shouted at the screen. The tension is off the charts right now. They’ve kept Gannan visible throughout the series, just enough so we wouldn’t forget about her but not enough to give her a backstory or a husband or any such thing. Well now we know why they did it. This is her moment, the reason she’s been around. How great is it for a series to nurture a minor character for fifty episodes before the payoff. Just more evidence that smart people wrote this thing.
I sure hope the remaining six episodes are in the same ballpark with 49 and 50 quality-wise because both of these have been a joy to watch. I’ve even stopped caring that we obviously won’t be seeing much of KJ as the top guy. Who cares when the episodes are this good.
