Post by ajk on Jan 30, 2023 2:20:01 GMT -5
Terrific episode. Right from the beginning, following along with Kyun-hwon’s thoughts, really well put together sequence in every aspect. And the clips that were sprinkled in, nice touch there (the first one went all the way back to episode 14 when he seized Mujinju Fortress).
Although I certainly could have done without the you-know-what from Geum-kang, sure was not asking to see THAT again...and yet it seems to be what put Geum-kang over the top in KH’s mind for once at for all. We still need to get a narrated text to legitimize that, but maybe it really was as meaningful as they’re showing it to be here.
And then with Choi Seung Woo’s thinking too, another terrific sequence.
(click for full size)
She has quite the glare of her own! But she sure didn’t handle this very well. Things like, “Has it slipped your mind or have you gone senile?”, ugh you had to cringe. Okay sure she’s frustrated but that’s not how to persuade anybody of anything.
Choi: “And when they walk in, kill them without warning.” DOINK! Wow that is about the last thing you’d ever have expected Choi of all people to say.
(click for full size)
I never really thought that this Bekjae situation would take the violence/bloodshed turn that we’ve seen so frequently in other series. Kyun-hwon was always too respected and accepted for anybody to go to such lengths. And here it’s his brother who first raises the idea, it seemed incredible at first. Seriously? His own brother? But yeah it makes perfect sense; he’s the one guy who’d be the most logical, just because it becomes more about which family members get to hold power. We’re hearing more about that from Madame Kobe than anybody else, and maybe the writers should have had the other side talking about it sooner, but there’s a ton at stake for the other side’s family too so this does make sense. And of everyone in the court, he's the one person who would think of KH partly as an equal brother and not just as a ruling king.
Although I certainly could have done without the you-know-what from Geum-kang, sure was not asking to see THAT again...and yet it seems to be what put Geum-kang over the top in KH’s mind for once at for all. We still need to get a narrated text to legitimize that, but maybe it really was as meaningful as they’re showing it to be here.
And then with Choi Seung Woo’s thinking too, another terrific sequence.
(click for full size)
She has quite the glare of her own! But she sure didn’t handle this very well. Things like, “Has it slipped your mind or have you gone senile?”, ugh you had to cringe. Okay sure she’s frustrated but that’s not how to persuade anybody of anything.
Choi: “And when they walk in, kill them without warning.” DOINK! Wow that is about the last thing you’d ever have expected Choi of all people to say.
■ Prince Tae Kwang-hyun of Parhae…Parhae is a state established by Koguryo general Tae Cho-yang. With a 230-year history, it was once referred to as “the prosperous country of the East.” But weakened by fierce infighting and confusion, it collapsed in a mere 15-day period by Khitan forces in 925. Ten years after its fall, Prince Tae would come under Wang Guhn with tens of thousands of his people. Wang Guhn welcomed him by bestowing the royal surname of Wang and recording his name in the royal ancestral register. He also granted government positions, lands and homes to Tae’s accompanying high subjects. Population was power. And Tae and his large group provided added strength to Koryo.
■ Unju battle renewed Wang Guhn’s confidence. While war with Bekjae continued, he nurtured the economy by maintaining active trading with Tang, and he frequently toured the countryside comforting his supporters. Records also document numerous visits to the West Capital. He had shifted his focus to strengthening the public confidence while the battles were scarce. Moreover, he faithfully looked after Shilla, and consequently Shilla had become completely dependent on Koryo.
(click for full size)
I never really thought that this Bekjae situation would take the violence/bloodshed turn that we’ve seen so frequently in other series. Kyun-hwon was always too respected and accepted for anybody to go to such lengths. And here it’s his brother who first raises the idea, it seemed incredible at first. Seriously? His own brother? But yeah it makes perfect sense; he’s the one guy who’d be the most logical, just because it becomes more about which family members get to hold power. We’re hearing more about that from Madame Kobe than anybody else, and maybe the writers should have had the other side talking about it sooner, but there’s a ton at stake for the other side’s family too so this does make sense. And of everyone in the court, he's the one person who would think of KH partly as an equal brother and not just as a ruling king.
