Post by ajk on Mar 1, 2020 17:13:50 GMT -5
As boring as the previous episode was, this one was just the opposite. Lots of good stuff that reminded you how terrific it is to watch a well-done traditional historical.
Whoa, Kyun-hwon’s the real deal now! Everything so far with his new kingdom has felt sort of in-progress, but this was a big-time ceremony in the new capital. And the new meeting hall with the council, this is a fully-grown kingdom. It’s been a great story, watching his rise.
Several narrated texts in this one:
The training exercise on the Song-ak docks was impressive, especially since most of it was as a background. A lot of time and and effort and expense went into that for just a brief scene.
Just two quibbles with the episode. One, everybody was so blown away because WG gobbled up thirty villages in one month...but we were told right up front that these were historical allies of Song-ak. So it’s not like this would have been any great accomplishment. WG said it himself: “They were all our friends at sea in the past. Reasoning with them will be more productive than fighting them.” So the whole thing was oversold. I mean, good for him for getting it done but they probably welcomed him in, especially since he was Ryung’s son.
The other, speaking of overselling, was Goongyae continuing to lay it on too thick: “You’re my most trusted general. You’re the warrior of warriors.” etc. etc. I don’t believe the real Goongyae would have been gushing about the fighting skills of someone with almost no fighting experience. Yes they’re trying to show us how favored he was but that wasn’t written well.
Must say, though, so far I’ve been pleased and very relieved with Choi Soo Jong. Reason with them rather than fight with them, that’s a much more suitable role for him than he’s had in the other series we’ve done here. Still not a fan, and the character is going to change greatly in ways that don’t favor him, but for now this is working reasonably well.
Sorry, one other quibble—another awkward situation with WG and Yunhwa in front of Goongyae. We get it, okay? Enough.
Goongyae was supposed to inspect the navy. He comes out into a courtyard to receive dozens of officers...on horses. Huh? Are they sea horses? No wait, they’re trying to play water polo and nobody told them the rules, is that it?
Mihyang: “Goodness. That is why the empress’s face is always under a cast of shadow. Poor thing.” Hmm, you think she’ll be the one to spill the beans?
“He took away my child, he ignores me, and wants to kill my father. He is my family’s enemy. And yet I love him...How could that be?” Well maybe you need a little therapy...but actually that was a well-written scene with those two. The writers continue to do good work on the female characters.
“Those bastards are ignoring my authority!” HA! Absolutely love the guy playing Yangil. Just the right combination of authority figure and half-ignorant boob. He’s doing great and they’re writing the character well.
“We cannot fight him. I am who I am because of his help. We had no choice but to fight him last time since he invaded us, [but] we have provoked him this time. Is there any way we can bypass Jukju?...I must resolve this personally, since this is a personal vendetta against me.” This right here is terrific stuff. Getting backed into a moral corner, and trying to resolve it honorably, this is what makes a character deep and interesting and makes the story interesting. Wonderful ending to an excellent episode.
Okay, so now when does Wang Guhn turn into a zombie?
Uh wait...I may be getting confused....
Whoa, Kyun-hwon’s the real deal now! Everything so far with his new kingdom has felt sort of in-progress, but this was a big-time ceremony in the new capital. And the new meeting hall with the council, this is a fully-grown kingdom. It’s been a great story, watching his rise.
Several narrated texts in this one:
Kyun-hwon was 27 years old when he subjugated Mujinju and became a king. At the ripe age of 35 he relocated his capital to Wansanju. At last he had established a solid government structure, and officially declared his state Later Bekjae. This was on the 4th year of King Hyogong’s reign in Shilla.Explicitly stating that they’ve made a conjecture and it’s not 100% correct for certain, good for them for being honest and setting the record straight. Bravo.
Park Young-kyu is the progenitor of the Park Clan of Soonchun, and a future son-in-law of Kyun-hwon. Later he is noted for aiding Wang Guhn in the early states of Koryo. What’s most intriguing is that fact that he was a descendant of of Shilla’s King Kyung-myung. In other words, a royal of Shilla had submitted himself to Kyun-hwon. It is clearly evidence of Kyun-hwon’s power at the time.
Later Bekjae’s Kyun-hwon adminstration was organized into 14 offices. It was mostly arranged for expedience in warfare. This is a postulation [based on] historical references, not a documented fact. Nonetheless, Kyun-hwon’s most loyal retainer Neunghwan begins to reveal his name in history like this.
The training exercise on the Song-ak docks was impressive, especially since most of it was as a background. A lot of time and and effort and expense went into that for just a brief scene.
Just two quibbles with the episode. One, everybody was so blown away because WG gobbled up thirty villages in one month...but we were told right up front that these were historical allies of Song-ak. So it’s not like this would have been any great accomplishment. WG said it himself: “They were all our friends at sea in the past. Reasoning with them will be more productive than fighting them.” So the whole thing was oversold. I mean, good for him for getting it done but they probably welcomed him in, especially since he was Ryung’s son.
The other, speaking of overselling, was Goongyae continuing to lay it on too thick: “You’re my most trusted general. You’re the warrior of warriors.” etc. etc. I don’t believe the real Goongyae would have been gushing about the fighting skills of someone with almost no fighting experience. Yes they’re trying to show us how favored he was but that wasn’t written well.
Must say, though, so far I’ve been pleased and very relieved with Choi Soo Jong. Reason with them rather than fight with them, that’s a much more suitable role for him than he’s had in the other series we’ve done here. Still not a fan, and the character is going to change greatly in ways that don’t favor him, but for now this is working reasonably well.
Sorry, one other quibble—another awkward situation with WG and Yunhwa in front of Goongyae. We get it, okay? Enough.
Goongyae was supposed to inspect the navy. He comes out into a courtyard to receive dozens of officers...on horses. Huh? Are they sea horses? No wait, they’re trying to play water polo and nobody told them the rules, is that it?
After Kyun-hwon established his capital in Wansanju, Goongyae began north and south territory expansion. He assigned Hwan Sungil and his troops to subjugate a large neutral zone between Parhae and Song-ak, and sent Wang Guhn to the south to capture the Hanju region which is now Seoul. With great speed Wang Guhn advanced through Yaesung River, Kanghwa, Han River, Suwon, Ansung, and Chungju. Wang Guhn was met with very little resistance as these were places that were under his influence in the past. He subjugated 30 counties and villages in less than a month into his crusade. It was a dull war, but with amazing accomplishments. Meanwhile, the news of Wang Guhn’s rapid southward advancement has reached Kyun-hwon.“Your majesty, Lord Park is offering you a concubine as a symbol of his loyalty.” And wow, she sure looked happy about it, didn’t she. But then when Kyun-hwon started squirming--“The empress will not be pleased with this”—she almost laughed out loud, in front of her king. That was a funny scene. Well done, and another reason to like KH. And you know what, if I were married to his wife I sure wouldn’t be itching for a concubine either. Easy on the eyes and she’s obviously a smart person too--I like how she’s around so much of the time in her husband’s meetings. She makes a terrific queen.
Mihyang: “Goodness. That is why the empress’s face is always under a cast of shadow. Poor thing.” Hmm, you think she’ll be the one to spill the beans?
“He took away my child, he ignores me, and wants to kill my father. He is my family’s enemy. And yet I love him...How could that be?” Well maybe you need a little therapy...but actually that was a well-written scene with those two. The writers continue to do good work on the female characters.
“Those bastards are ignoring my authority!” HA! Absolutely love the guy playing Yangil. Just the right combination of authority figure and half-ignorant boob. He’s doing great and they’re writing the character well.
“We cannot fight him. I am who I am because of his help. We had no choice but to fight him last time since he invaded us, [but] we have provoked him this time. Is there any way we can bypass Jukju?...I must resolve this personally, since this is a personal vendetta against me.” This right here is terrific stuff. Getting backed into a moral corner, and trying to resolve it honorably, this is what makes a character deep and interesting and makes the story interesting. Wonderful ending to an excellent episode.
Okay, so now when does Wang Guhn turn into a zombie?
Uh wait...I may be getting confused....