Post by ajk on Sept 18, 2022 1:46:47 GMT -5
Geez what a pity party the first half of this one was. But the second half sure got interesting, didn’t it? There were several questionable judgment calls made by the writers in this one, and it's too bad because they detracted from a surprising turn of events that took place.
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Finally WG seems understand and accept proper blame for his mistakes. But has he gone overboard? Blaming himself for the Jomul defeat, that was simply the epidemic and bad luck.
Why isn’t Park Sulhee wearing a helmet like everybody else? Shame on him.
But why the blood from the mouth all of a sudden? Even if the historical record gives some mention of physical weakness, I don’t think blood from the mouth was the right choice to convey it. Not at all.
But at least the rainstorm was a nice touch.
Why did they rerun that whole five-minute scene with Shin Seungkyum at Mt. Gong? This was another strange decision by the writers. We just saw this five episodes back so it’s not like we needed a lot of reminding.
Park Sulhee, on the local lords: “They vowed loyalty when the left their families at the capital.” So that’s the deal, that’s why those family members were in the capital in the first place. Frankly I’m surprised more of them didn’t flee for their lives long before the police arrested them.
Choi Ung is Employee of the Month for being right twice. First explaining how WG had no choice but to execute the relatives of the lords who switched sides. Then being the one to say out loud that “his majesty was blinded by the desire for revenge” and that’s what caused the defeats at Mt. Gong and Samnyun. Exactly right both times, and give him credit for speaking up and saying what needed to be said.
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Yeah it really is! Especially bringing out the iron ball flails—whatever you want to say about the decision to execute, that was really laying it on heavy.
The little kid begging for his life, that was too much. It never would have happened that way in real life, and as I’ve said many times here, using suffering little kids to amplify the sense of drama is just plain weak and lazy. That wasn’t necessary at all. Find a better way.
“Take them out and leave the bodies for the ravens to scavenge!” There ya go, that was plenty right there.
WG: “In the past, I had privately condemned the deposed King Goongyae for his merciless executions. But now I know how he must have felt. This reverse has taught me that it is the subject that makes the master gentle or harsh. Do not repeat this mistake….Death is the only punishment! Death!” It’s a shame that the narrated text said this was only a one-time thing, because the way these events so resembled Goongyae’s style, you had to start wondering if WG was going to start losing his judgment like Goongyae did. Kind of a spoiler there.
(click for full size)
Finally WG seems understand and accept proper blame for his mistakes. But has he gone overboard? Blaming himself for the Jomul defeat, that was simply the epidemic and bad luck.
Why isn’t Park Sulhee wearing a helmet like everybody else? Shame on him.
■ 3261 Tangun Era, 928 AD, in the 11th year of his reign, Wang Guhn would taste the third big defeat of his life. Only a year after the battle of Mt. Gong, Wang Guhn found himself frantically running for his life once again. Had Yu Geumpil not come to his aid, he could have easily been killed. Weakened and demoralized, Wang Guhn retreated to his capital of Gaekyung.
But why the blood from the mouth all of a sudden? Even if the historical record gives some mention of physical weakness, I don’t think blood from the mouth was the right choice to convey it. Not at all.
But at least the rainstorm was a nice touch.
Why did they rerun that whole five-minute scene with Shin Seungkyum at Mt. Gong? This was another strange decision by the writers. We just saw this five episodes back so it’s not like we needed a lot of reminding.
Park Sulhee, on the local lords: “They vowed loyalty when the left their families at the capital.” So that’s the deal, that’s why those family members were in the capital in the first place. Frankly I’m surprised more of them didn’t flee for their lives long before the police arrested them.
Choi Ung is Employee of the Month for being right twice. First explaining how WG had no choice but to execute the relatives of the lords who switched sides. Then being the one to say out loud that “his majesty was blinded by the desire for revenge” and that’s what caused the defeats at Mt. Gong and Samnyun. Exactly right both times, and give him credit for speaking up and saying what needed to be said.
(click for full size)
Yeah it really is! Especially bringing out the iron ball flails—whatever you want to say about the decision to execute, that was really laying it on heavy.
The little kid begging for his life, that was too much. It never would have happened that way in real life, and as I’ve said many times here, using suffering little kids to amplify the sense of drama is just plain weak and lazy. That wasn’t necessary at all. Find a better way.
“Take them out and leave the bodies for the ravens to scavenge!” There ya go, that was plenty right there.
■ The gentle king Wang Guhn’s rage…Out of all the records about Wang Guhn, this is the only account of cruelty. The chronicles record the incident like this: “When Later Bekjae invaded Koryo’s Ogok Fort and killed 1,000 soldiers, six (local) generals including Generals Yangji and Myungshik surrendered to Bekjae. Upon hearing this, Wang Guhn assembled his soldiers and executed their families. It illustrates Wang Guhn’s frustration and struggle through years of continuing defeat.
WG: “In the past, I had privately condemned the deposed King Goongyae for his merciless executions. But now I know how he must have felt. This reverse has taught me that it is the subject that makes the master gentle or harsh. Do not repeat this mistake….Death is the only punishment! Death!” It’s a shame that the narrated text said this was only a one-time thing, because the way these events so resembled Goongyae’s style, you had to start wondering if WG was going to start losing his judgment like Goongyae did. Kind of a spoiler there.
