Post by ajk on May 29, 2022 14:24:48 GMT -5
This has gotten SO WEIRD!
(click for full size)
Even just two episodes ago, who would have expected anything like this? We could really use a narrated text at this point to know how much of this is real and how much isn’t. Maybe it all is, who knows...but it is very, very weird. It’s so bizarre that you almost have to think it really happened, because who would actually try to create and sell a story this outlandish.
KH: “We are brothers. We can resolve many issues without hostile conflict. Let us both do our best to compromise. Bekjae and Koryo are brother countries...Let us live in harmony...Let us be good to each other.” He’s totally sincere about this...but where did it come from? He never mentioned any ideas about a peaceful relationship with Koryo, temporary or otherwise. Everything has been about him being the one to unite the three kingdoms, just as it’s been with WG. This actually was a very good episode, with all of the tension and the encounter we’d never have expected, but the problem with it is that nothing was ever done previously to set up the idea that KH would ever accept a friendly-relations setup with Koryo. Give him credit, he’s being extremely statesman-like about the whole thing—he could have trashed the Koryo army and claimed the fort with no problems. (In fact some of his men were probably unhappy with him for not doing so!) But it feels almost implausible because of how quickly this happened and with no previous hint that KH would even consider it, much less be so pleased about it.
Other than that, there was some excellent writing in this one, particularly for WG. “Adversity demands sobriety. Calling the enemy by an honorific title and getting what we need in return is a business deal. The issue is profit. I have chosen profit over honor. Do not overlook this.” Exactly what needed to be said. His subordinates were all complaining about capitulation, but of course it isn’t. WG made a deal and this is his part of it. For most of this episode he was a much better leader than he was in the previous one...
...Of course at the end that went right out the window, the way he let KH control the conversation and pretty much the entire situation. Didn’t it feel like he was in over his head? Yes he had to formally show submission to KH but after the bow he pretty much just sat there like a lump. He should have made sure to be as charismatic and decisive as KH. But he very much came off as a lesser leader. And I’m not criticizing the writers for portraying it this way, not at all. You can totally believe that the real KH must have been an intimidating person. It’s just interesting that WG wasn’t more astute in this situation about how he’d be perceived.
Wang Shin: “Please stop, General Yu. His Majesty’s pain is worse than yours. He makes this decision because there is no other alternative.” Okay yes he’s WG’s cousin and family should have your back, but once again this guy shows how valuable he is. Cuts through the noise and ends the discussion instantly. What a shame he has to be the Bekjae hostage because he’s been a star lately.
And on that subject, the un-star of this one was Choi Ung. Everyone on the Koryo side feels bad enough about what’s happened, how does Choi think that banging his head on the ground until it bleeds is going to make things better? It had some of the same vibe about it that the eyeball scene had a few episodes ago. Everyone’s looking at Choi like Here is one of our very best and he does THAT? You could feel the life get sucked out of that room, what little there was left in it.
Yeom Sang: “We all share the same sentiment, but history must be kept honest. Both proud moments and embarrassing moments must be recorded as they are.” Kim Lak: “Truths must not be shrouded so that our descendants may learn from [them] and avoid repeating our mistakes. That is what records are for.” And they convince everyone else to change their minds. Loved that. Well said.
One other thing I liked was KH bringing up that business about his father stiffing him and going to live in Koryo. The funny thing about that is, Koryo won that one because they got lucky and found the medicine...but this time the other guys got lucky and found the medicine.
Yaesul making fun of Park Sulhee: “Do you dare think of women with a face like that?”
Yaesul
(click for full size)
Dude...seriously? Do I really have to say it?
The music as the two kings were meeting was very nice music...but it was odd to hear those triumphant flourishes while the entire Koryo delegation was standing there with sour pusses and skunk-eyes. Maybe not the best choice for that scene.
“Once the Three Kingdoms are unified, we must advance to China and make the entire universe ours! That is our calling.” Was WG having flashbacks right then? Is KH turning into another Goongyae? What a strange turn we’ve taken....
(click for full size)
Even just two episodes ago, who would have expected anything like this? We could really use a narrated text at this point to know how much of this is real and how much isn’t. Maybe it all is, who knows...but it is very, very weird. It’s so bizarre that you almost have to think it really happened, because who would actually try to create and sell a story this outlandish.
KH: “We are brothers. We can resolve many issues without hostile conflict. Let us both do our best to compromise. Bekjae and Koryo are brother countries...Let us live in harmony...Let us be good to each other.” He’s totally sincere about this...but where did it come from? He never mentioned any ideas about a peaceful relationship with Koryo, temporary or otherwise. Everything has been about him being the one to unite the three kingdoms, just as it’s been with WG. This actually was a very good episode, with all of the tension and the encounter we’d never have expected, but the problem with it is that nothing was ever done previously to set up the idea that KH would ever accept a friendly-relations setup with Koryo. Give him credit, he’s being extremely statesman-like about the whole thing—he could have trashed the Koryo army and claimed the fort with no problems. (In fact some of his men were probably unhappy with him for not doing so!) But it feels almost implausible because of how quickly this happened and with no previous hint that KH would even consider it, much less be so pleased about it.
Other than that, there was some excellent writing in this one, particularly for WG. “Adversity demands sobriety. Calling the enemy by an honorific title and getting what we need in return is a business deal. The issue is profit. I have chosen profit over honor. Do not overlook this.” Exactly what needed to be said. His subordinates were all complaining about capitulation, but of course it isn’t. WG made a deal and this is his part of it. For most of this episode he was a much better leader than he was in the previous one...
...Of course at the end that went right out the window, the way he let KH control the conversation and pretty much the entire situation. Didn’t it feel like he was in over his head? Yes he had to formally show submission to KH but after the bow he pretty much just sat there like a lump. He should have made sure to be as charismatic and decisive as KH. But he very much came off as a lesser leader. And I’m not criticizing the writers for portraying it this way, not at all. You can totally believe that the real KH must have been an intimidating person. It’s just interesting that WG wasn’t more astute in this situation about how he’d be perceived.
Wang Shin: “Please stop, General Yu. His Majesty’s pain is worse than yours. He makes this decision because there is no other alternative.” Okay yes he’s WG’s cousin and family should have your back, but once again this guy shows how valuable he is. Cuts through the noise and ends the discussion instantly. What a shame he has to be the Bekjae hostage because he’s been a star lately.
And on that subject, the un-star of this one was Choi Ung. Everyone on the Koryo side feels bad enough about what’s happened, how does Choi think that banging his head on the ground until it bleeds is going to make things better? It had some of the same vibe about it that the eyeball scene had a few episodes ago. Everyone’s looking at Choi like Here is one of our very best and he does THAT? You could feel the life get sucked out of that room, what little there was left in it.
Yeom Sang: “We all share the same sentiment, but history must be kept honest. Both proud moments and embarrassing moments must be recorded as they are.” Kim Lak: “Truths must not be shrouded so that our descendants may learn from [them] and avoid repeating our mistakes. That is what records are for.” And they convince everyone else to change their minds. Loved that. Well said.
One other thing I liked was KH bringing up that business about his father stiffing him and going to live in Koryo. The funny thing about that is, Koryo won that one because they got lucky and found the medicine...but this time the other guys got lucky and found the medicine.
Yaesul making fun of Park Sulhee: “Do you dare think of women with a face like that?”
Yaesul
(click for full size)
Dude...seriously? Do I really have to say it?
The music as the two kings were meeting was very nice music...but it was odd to hear those triumphant flourishes while the entire Koryo delegation was standing there with sour pusses and skunk-eyes. Maybe not the best choice for that scene.
“Once the Three Kingdoms are unified, we must advance to China and make the entire universe ours! That is our calling.” Was WG having flashbacks right then? Is KH turning into another Goongyae? What a strange turn we’ve taken....
