Post by ajk on Feb 13, 2022 18:34:57 GMT -5
You think they spent a few bucks on this one? Wow.
Two battle scenes, neither of which involved Koryo so they could have skipped them if they had chosen to, and they were both excellent. The opening sequence was very good, as long as you set aside the annoyance of all of the needless flaming arrows, makes no sense using them in this situation. Terrific stunt work with all of that fire, and it sure did look like the actual crown prince actor rolled himself out of the way of that flaming log, no stunt guy. And then just when you thought it was over, the oil and the guys set on fire, wow what a sight...and then the defenders trash-talk Bekjae into coming back at them...so they can inflict a bit more damage and then retreat, just to stick one final knife into the whole thing. Really well done.
And not only that, we got some explanation afterwards that made it more plausible. Turns out it was Neunghwan’s call--“Prime minister is getting old and incapable! How could he make this hideous mistake?”—and not the crown prince’s. And they did send out scouts after all. I’d like to have heard more about how they failed beyond “They must have been negligent in their duties” because that was the key to the whole thing. So that left an empty feeling...but otherwise it was very good.
I sort of figured Neunghwan was a goner when he took that arrow. Going home to face the music, he may wish it had killed him.
Shin Guhm: “We should not have sent that report. Father must be furious by now.” That occurred to me too...you shouldn’t send bad news to an army that’s getting fired up for a huge attack.
Then we move to Daeya. The one problem here was a similar one: How did Yae Sul get into the rear of the fort? Even with this battle as a side story, you can’t just toss that out there and not explain it. We got some references to a “stealth operation” and that he had infiltrated the fort some time ago, but it should have been explained in much more detail.
But again, otherwise amazing stuff. More outstanding work by the stuntmen. There were guys standing on that ledge right in the face of arrow fire taking tumbles. Even the rocks and the logs looked convincing. And the flaming arrows, here’s the one situation where they make sense (not that many, but some) for both sides. The attackers, trying to start fires inside, and the defenders lighting up oil and wood. Shooting them at people is a ridiculous waste, but we’ve beaten that drum in this forum over and over again and it’s just empty noise, unfortunately.
I was thinking as the fort was falling that it’s a shame we didn’t know the names of the Shilla generals. They must have fought with great courage in the face of almost certain defeat. The death scene we got of the leader, of course it probably didn’t happen exactly that way but it was one of the best military suicides we’ve ever seen here. Some of them can seem sort of over-the-top but I was left with nothing but admiration for the guy. Sure wish we knew more about the real commander.
The mention of Shilla’s “flower knights” was a big surprise—those are the Hwarang who we saw a great deal of in QSD. That goes back more than 300 years from this story, so it gives you an idea of what a big deal they were for a long time.
Unfortunately they spoiled this earlier in the series, I think after the first attempt. There was no need for that.
So another wonderful episode, very strong. And yet WG still is not the big story, not even after we pass the 2/3 point. Certainly not complaining; don’t fix what ain’t broke.
Two battle scenes, neither of which involved Koryo so they could have skipped them if they had chosen to, and they were both excellent. The opening sequence was very good, as long as you set aside the annoyance of all of the needless flaming arrows, makes no sense using them in this situation. Terrific stunt work with all of that fire, and it sure did look like the actual crown prince actor rolled himself out of the way of that flaming log, no stunt guy. And then just when you thought it was over, the oil and the guys set on fire, wow what a sight...and then the defenders trash-talk Bekjae into coming back at them...so they can inflict a bit more damage and then retreat, just to stick one final knife into the whole thing. Really well done.
And not only that, we got some explanation afterwards that made it more plausible. Turns out it was Neunghwan’s call--“Prime minister is getting old and incapable! How could he make this hideous mistake?”—and not the crown prince’s. And they did send out scouts after all. I’d like to have heard more about how they failed beyond “They must have been negligent in their duties” because that was the key to the whole thing. So that left an empty feeling...but otherwise it was very good.
I sort of figured Neunghwan was a goner when he took that arrow. Going home to face the music, he may wish it had killed him.
Shin Guhm: “We should not have sent that report. Father must be furious by now.” That occurred to me too...you shouldn’t send bad news to an army that’s getting fired up for a huge attack.
Then we move to Daeya. The one problem here was a similar one: How did Yae Sul get into the rear of the fort? Even with this battle as a side story, you can’t just toss that out there and not explain it. We got some references to a “stealth operation” and that he had infiltrated the fort some time ago, but it should have been explained in much more detail.
But again, otherwise amazing stuff. More outstanding work by the stuntmen. There were guys standing on that ledge right in the face of arrow fire taking tumbles. Even the rocks and the logs looked convincing. And the flaming arrows, here’s the one situation where they make sense (not that many, but some) for both sides. The attackers, trying to start fires inside, and the defenders lighting up oil and wood. Shooting them at people is a ridiculous waste, but we’ve beaten that drum in this forum over and over again and it’s just empty noise, unfortunately.
I was thinking as the fort was falling that it’s a shame we didn’t know the names of the Shilla generals. They must have fought with great courage in the face of almost certain defeat. The death scene we got of the leader, of course it probably didn’t happen exactly that way but it was one of the best military suicides we’ve ever seen here. Some of them can seem sort of over-the-top but I was left with nothing but admiration for the guy. Sure wish we knew more about the real commander.
The mention of Shilla’s “flower knights” was a big surprise—those are the Hwarang who we saw a great deal of in QSD. That goes back more than 300 years from this story, so it gives you an idea of what a big deal they were for a long time.
■ Subjugation of Daeya Fort...In October of year 920 AD, Kyun-hwon finally succeeds in conquering Daeya Fort. He had failed [in] his first attempt at age 35, then again at age 50. On his third attempt, at age, 54, he finally succeeded. One can only imagine his joy.
Unfortunately they spoiled this earlier in the series, I think after the first attempt. There was no need for that.
■ Kyun-hwon’s southern conquest...Once he captured Daeya Fort, Kyun-hwon began to sweep through Shilla like a storm. He anticipated the late arrival of Koryo forces, and attempted to make full use of the small window of time. And he began to flaunt his strength capturing Sangsung, Hamyang, Guhchang, Sungjoo, Andong, and other border territories.
So another wonderful episode, very strong. And yet WG still is not the big story, not even after we pass the 2/3 point. Certainly not complaining; don’t fix what ain’t broke.
