Post by ajk on Sept 8, 2019 0:34:29 GMT -5
Very nice episode. Some interesting characters—the queen, Wi Hong, Goongyae all had their moments--and some good scenes showing the countryside and giving us the bigger picture. Obviously if we’re headed for a three-headed storyline for a while we won’t get bogged down in one palace, but at least the three heads have moved apart now so that’s an improvement. And the relaxed pace is sooo enjoyable—there’s no hurry to tell the story.
That early scene with Goongyae and Wi Hong was excellent (and Kim Joo Young did really well—this PM is not the kind of character we’re used to seeing him in but he’s playing it well). But what happened to all of that noble sentiment from Goongyae about forgiving the people who he came to Seorabeol to see? He sure wasn’t in a forgiving mood there. Not that he didn’t have good reason to criticize Wi Hong, but still...it hasn’t been clear so far whether or not he’s had any sort of calculating self-interest underneath all of his noble talk, but in this scene we saw a first glimpse of a darker side.
The conversation between the two guards was an unusually long one for such minor characters. That’s a great sign.
The main narrated text:
Queen: “Just what do you want me to do?” I’m sure everyone in that room could give her an idea or two.
“Please give heed, your majesty!” That minister Choe was a brave guy, sticking his neck out like that. Especially because after he finished, you expected the rest of the ministers to repeat his final plea in unison like we always see in these kinds of scenes...but no, they stood there like wussies and played statue.
Hey that’s a juryeonggu! How about that!! The 14-sided die that they were using for the drinking game. It showed up in QSD, anybody remember? Here’s the brief narrated text about it:
Geez the queen didn’t even open her gift package from Wang Ryung. You’d think she’d want to know what’s inside. What the heck?
“Oh, I’m drunk....” Well there ya go.
Once again we see public officials trying to dance and showing us why they shouldn’t quit their day jobs. The momentarily stunned expression on the young WG’s face was awfully funny, intentional or not.
“You told me to take the throne, so I obeyed you.” That was another well-written scene. It really gave us some insight into the queen and showed why she’s the way she is.
That was quite a cliffhanger. And of course if he dies right there it sort of brings up the old joke about how the coroner couldn’t wipe the smile off the guy’s face. But we’ll hold off on that for now....
That early scene with Goongyae and Wi Hong was excellent (and Kim Joo Young did really well—this PM is not the kind of character we’re used to seeing him in but he’s playing it well). But what happened to all of that noble sentiment from Goongyae about forgiving the people who he came to Seorabeol to see? He sure wasn’t in a forgiving mood there. Not that he didn’t have good reason to criticize Wi Hong, but still...it hasn’t been clear so far whether or not he’s had any sort of calculating self-interest underneath all of his noble talk, but in this scene we saw a first glimpse of a darker side.
The conversation between the two guards was an unusually long one for such minor characters. That’s a great sign.
The main narrated text:
Marketplace: History of [the] Korean Marketplace originated in the Shilla period. To circulate goods throughout the city of Surabul, the first Marketplace was established in the 12th year of King Soji, and further developed by later Kings Jijeng and Hyogong. They also created “Shijun,” a centralized office that oversaw the activities of the markets that were strategically placed throughout the city. Thus at the later stages of Shilla, the marketplace culture is assumed to have been at its height. An Arab literature describes Shilla of that time like this: “It is a land of many mountains and gold. Many merchants who travel there become enchanted with the delightful environment and do not return.The visuals of the marketplace activity that accompanied the narration were wonderful. And probably not cheap, either. This is a real highlight of the first episodes; they’re doing a beautiful job on the narration sequences.
Queen: “Just what do you want me to do?” I’m sure everyone in that room could give her an idea or two.
“Please give heed, your majesty!” That minister Choe was a brave guy, sticking his neck out like that. Especially because after he finished, you expected the rest of the ministers to repeat his final plea in unison like we always see in these kinds of scenes...but no, they stood there like wussies and played statue.
Hey that’s a juryeonggu! How about that!! The 14-sided die that they were using for the drinking game. It showed up in QSD, anybody remember? Here’s the brief narrated text about it:
Dice game: This was one of Shilla’s pastime activities. This game is said to have originated at a pond tavern. Although a thousand years have passed, the form of the game has remained virtually unchanged....which doesn’t get into the details very much, so I’ll start a separate thread for it because I got totally fixated on the thing and don’t want to clutter this thread with a tangent.
Geez the queen didn’t even open her gift package from Wang Ryung. You’d think she’d want to know what’s inside. What the heck?
“Oh, I’m drunk....” Well there ya go.
Once again we see public officials trying to dance and showing us why they shouldn’t quit their day jobs. The momentarily stunned expression on the young WG’s face was awfully funny, intentional or not.
“You told me to take the throne, so I obeyed you.” That was another well-written scene. It really gave us some insight into the queen and showed why she’s the way she is.
That was quite a cliffhanger. And of course if he dies right there it sort of brings up the old joke about how the coroner couldn’t wipe the smile off the guy’s face. But we’ll hold off on that for now....