Post by ajk on Mar 12, 2022 19:09:56 GMT -5
I watched most of this one a second time, it was so much fun. The three meetings WG had, that sequence goes on the short list of the best stuff in the series.
WG: “But he should have considered the voices of others as well.” Park Sulhee’s gonna get in trouuuubllllle hee he hee
Wasn’t real thrilled to see Master Dosun again and I sure hope they don’t get back into more of that prophecy stuff. But we may have a record here: the flashback reminded me that we saw Kyungbo before, all the way back in episode 6. This may be a record for longest gap between appearances in a KHD. 131 episodes, how about that.
“We just wanted to inquire after your health.” And then 26 seconds of silence...with the skunk-eye...
(click for full size)
...I was laughing so hard I had to stop the stream. It was classic. What series would even attempt such a thing today? Watching the three brothers squirming and nobody says a word, and it goes on and on. LOVED it. And then another way-back flashback, this one from episode 25...“We were all without self-interest back then.” Back then? “You came to assert your opinions again, not to see how I am!” And he slaps the table. This actually is a major turning point in the series, right here. For the first time WG is showing some serious cojones, even enough to dress down his closest allies when they need it. He’s shown some determination before in council meetings, but nothing like this with his closest supporters. And the best part was we didn’t see it coming at all. He said he’d meet with the guys and you figured he might admonish them some, but this? The shocked looks on their faces showed the message got through. Wonderful scene.
And then he lets the two generals have it too. That took even more cojones—those guys are the seniormost high generals, they could kick him out just like they kicked out the other guy.
“Oh dear, I’ve let your teas get cold. How rude of me.” And then he even admonished the high councilors, this was where things got a little less black-and-white. Most of them have absolutely no personal interest in the heir issue whatsoever; maybe they were a bit out of line but they didn’t start it. So their intentions for weighing in maybe aren’t the basis for suggesting they should resign...and to tell the two fathers-in-law that this is a family matter and they should stay out of it, well aren’t fathers-in-law family? But once again he got the message through that they’re working for him and they need to watch their p’s and q’s. A huge step-up moment for WG--none of those guys will look at him the same way ever again. And he was very savvy about how to deliver the message. A lighter touch with the senior officials and more stern talk to the military guys. Writing, acting, directing, all top-notch. Great stuff.
And to top it all off, there was even some liquid in WG’s cup this time, yay! You could see that he sipped something real.
The one thing I keep wondering in all this is how it only involves two kids. We know WG has plenty of other wives by now. Aren’t there any other kids who would be in the conversation? You can sort of understand for TV story-telling reasons how it’s become just the two wives, but we saw a whole group of other wives being herded around the palace a while back so it just seems like there would be other kids at this point.
“The baby prince is burning up? What’s wrong with him?” Gee maybe the five frantic women panicking and pulling him in every direction has something to do with it. Sheesh.
So Doyoung goes to a temple and prays for her self-interest, and ten monks are giving her a private musical accompaniment. Even if she is one of the big man’s wives, seems sort of self-entitled. She should be asking them to pray with her and not look like a prima donna. Maybe it’s all very routine, just saying it doesn’t give a good look.
Park Yu to Commander Chang: “HIs majesty requested I find a special trainer for Prince Mu.” Umm, he’s already doing this, right here in front of us. Are the writers trying to tell us that Chang is in fact the official trainer? I think so, just surprised at how clumsy this was. (BTW this commander Chang, I don’t think we’ve seen him since episode 73 so another long callback. About time they gave him a first name.)
KH: “I want you to have confidence and determination. A man is better off dead than without it.” Not to neglect the Bekjae stuff, that was excellent too. It’s hard to see this journey ending well for KH but the scenes of it were beautiful and well-written. And Choi Seung Woo got in some high praise for Neunghwan in front of their boss, so hopefully that stops Neunghwan from complaining about him.
“It will be me. Emperor Kyun-hwon of Bekjae will be the great hero.” He was overshadowed by Goongyae for a long time, but he’s every bit as interesting of a character and the guy playing him has done just as good a job. Another fortunate casting choice that turned out great.
WG: “But he should have considered the voices of others as well.” Park Sulhee’s gonna get in trouuuubllllle hee he hee
Wasn’t real thrilled to see Master Dosun again and I sure hope they don’t get back into more of that prophecy stuff. But we may have a record here: the flashback reminded me that we saw Kyungbo before, all the way back in episode 6. This may be a record for longest gap between appearances in a KHD. 131 episodes, how about that.
“We just wanted to inquire after your health.” And then 26 seconds of silence...with the skunk-eye...
(click for full size)
...I was laughing so hard I had to stop the stream. It was classic. What series would even attempt such a thing today? Watching the three brothers squirming and nobody says a word, and it goes on and on. LOVED it. And then another way-back flashback, this one from episode 25...“We were all without self-interest back then.” Back then? “You came to assert your opinions again, not to see how I am!” And he slaps the table. This actually is a major turning point in the series, right here. For the first time WG is showing some serious cojones, even enough to dress down his closest allies when they need it. He’s shown some determination before in council meetings, but nothing like this with his closest supporters. And the best part was we didn’t see it coming at all. He said he’d meet with the guys and you figured he might admonish them some, but this? The shocked looks on their faces showed the message got through. Wonderful scene.
And then he lets the two generals have it too. That took even more cojones—those guys are the seniormost high generals, they could kick him out just like they kicked out the other guy.
“Oh dear, I’ve let your teas get cold. How rude of me.” And then he even admonished the high councilors, this was where things got a little less black-and-white. Most of them have absolutely no personal interest in the heir issue whatsoever; maybe they were a bit out of line but they didn’t start it. So their intentions for weighing in maybe aren’t the basis for suggesting they should resign...and to tell the two fathers-in-law that this is a family matter and they should stay out of it, well aren’t fathers-in-law family? But once again he got the message through that they’re working for him and they need to watch their p’s and q’s. A huge step-up moment for WG--none of those guys will look at him the same way ever again. And he was very savvy about how to deliver the message. A lighter touch with the senior officials and more stern talk to the military guys. Writing, acting, directing, all top-notch. Great stuff.
And to top it all off, there was even some liquid in WG’s cup this time, yay! You could see that he sipped something real.
The one thing I keep wondering in all this is how it only involves two kids. We know WG has plenty of other wives by now. Aren’t there any other kids who would be in the conversation? You can sort of understand for TV story-telling reasons how it’s become just the two wives, but we saw a whole group of other wives being herded around the palace a while back so it just seems like there would be other kids at this point.
“The baby prince is burning up? What’s wrong with him?” Gee maybe the five frantic women panicking and pulling him in every direction has something to do with it. Sheesh.
So Doyoung goes to a temple and prays for her self-interest, and ten monks are giving her a private musical accompaniment. Even if she is one of the big man’s wives, seems sort of self-entitled. She should be asking them to pray with her and not look like a prima donna. Maybe it’s all very routine, just saying it doesn’t give a good look.
Park Yu to Commander Chang: “HIs majesty requested I find a special trainer for Prince Mu.” Umm, he’s already doing this, right here in front of us. Are the writers trying to tell us that Chang is in fact the official trainer? I think so, just surprised at how clumsy this was. (BTW this commander Chang, I don’t think we’ve seen him since episode 73 so another long callback. About time they gave him a first name.)
KH: “I want you to have confidence and determination. A man is better off dead than without it.” Not to neglect the Bekjae stuff, that was excellent too. It’s hard to see this journey ending well for KH but the scenes of it were beautiful and well-written. And Choi Seung Woo got in some high praise for Neunghwan in front of their boss, so hopefully that stops Neunghwan from complaining about him.
“It will be me. Emperor Kyun-hwon of Bekjae will be the great hero.” He was overshadowed by Goongyae for a long time, but he’s every bit as interesting of a character and the guy playing him has done just as good a job. Another fortunate casting choice that turned out great.
