Post by ajk on May 12, 2009 15:59:41 GMT -5
Wonsoong feigns ignorance, but Hunae presses, accusing him of the murder attempt. And then she bluffs: "Your subordinate Jo Sun confessed to everything." No, Wonsoong says, I never ordered such a thing; if he did it then he did it on his own. And why would I want the prince dead? My daughter loves him like a son. "I know you're lying," Hunae tells him. She says, "I'll let it go this once." But try it again and I'll kill you, and the queen (threatening the queen? Not a good idea!) and your entire family. And she leaves, with Gang Jo picking the knife up off the table and carving up a flower for dramatic effect. Wonsoong staggers...and runs screaming into Jo Sun's room. Jo Sun, recovering from his ordeal, tells Wonsoong he never mentioned his name. "Lock what they did to me, but I didn't give you up." "Oh no," Wonsoong realizes. "They fooled me!" (But he didn't fess up. Weird.)
Outside: Hunae is convinced from Wonsoong's nervousness that it was him. Gang Jo agrees. But will he get the message, she wonders, or will it put the prince in even more danger. Gang Jo thinks it worked and was a good idea (but I gotta say, I don't think so).
Prince Gyeongjuwon and Choe Sum are by a brook, talking. Choe asks the prince if he has any more interest in the throne than he used to. "Please think it over for the future of this kingdom." But the prince isn't interested and begins to leave. But then: "My prince, did you get married?" Uh-oh. He was buying herbs at the pharmacist for his wife. Busted. Congratulations, Choe says, and who's the bride? It's private, Gyeongjuwon says, and Choe doesn't ask any further.
Out front of their home, Gyeongjuwon tells Seol that have to pack and leave ASAP. Just then, Hunae arrives to see her sister. The prince tells her that Choe Sum was here and may be back again.
Kim Chiyang is still distressed about Gang Jo investigating his background. Why not just kill him?, Sa Gamun suggests. But Chiyang doesn't like that idea at all. Too dangerous. And he's counting on Sa Illa to "get the job done."
Evening: Mr. Chu, the man doing the investigating for Gang Jo, is back at Choe Sum's home, and now Choe has returned. Chu introduces himself as being from Myeongbok Palace...Suddenly a metallic object goes whooshing through the air, appears to graze Chu's neck, and flies off. Chu grabs his neck; whatever it was, it delivered a lethal blow. He falls to his knees and, struggling to speak, manages to say "Han...gae...Temple..." and then dies right there on the spot. Then on a neighboring building we see Sa Illa holding a round metal object; she jumps off the roof and runs away.
Hunae has returned home, and Gyeongjuwon and Seol are with her. Gamchan is there and greets them with kind words and congratulations on the pregnancy. Inside, Hunae tells him about Choe Sum showing up. He realizes what Choe must be up to--putting a Shillan on the throne whatever it takes. Hunae says the couple will stay there with her until the birth and then go to live far away. And she asks him to deliver a note she's written to her son, which he'll do.
The next day: Sa Illa returns with the report of a successful mission. But she thinks Chu may have spoken something as he died.
Prince and Seol are taken to the guest quarters. Hunae tells this to the staff and orders them to keep quiet about it. Lots of puzzled mumbling, but that's the deal.
Early the next morning: Choe Sum tells his fellow Shillans Kim Shimun and Yi Yang that he'll keep leaning on Gyeongjuwon until he relents. Then they discuss the consort issue. Shimun has identified a good candidate, the daughter of Choe Hangun, an accomplished official. Then Wonsoong shows up, wondering why the early meeting. "Is it about a royal consort?" They deny it, and he reminds them of his warning not to pursue that. And then he tells Choe Sum about Hunae's surprise visit. He wonders how Hunae could have figured it all out. He asks Choe, half-suspiciously, "Could it have leaked from our end?" Of course not, Choe says. And then Choe recounts the strange incident from last night. And then Seol Shinyu comes in and tells them that Gyeongjuwon has disappeared! One weird thing after another. And it's getting Wonsoong extra-edgy; he thinks his friends are up to something: "What are you people cooking up behind my back?!"
Later, Kim Wonsoong wonders to himself if there's a connection between Gyeongjuwon's disappearance and Hunae. Something's going on, he's convinced. He orders Jo Du to begin surveillance on Myeongbok Palace. And says, Look carefully for anything involving Gyeongjuwon.
The sisters are together, enjoying being with each other. Hunae cautions Seol to stay inside and not be seen; all of the king's Confucianists will try to hurt you if they find out you married Gyeongjuwon. And her child, by his lineage, will be a threat to the king as well.
Yi Sulhwa is at the training ground. Sa Gamun finds her and asks about her wrist. It's fine, she says, barely able to talk because seeing him winds her up so tightly. Then he puts something into her hand; a perfume case that women in his tribe carry. What does he want? She can't figure it out and she couldn't be more visibly uncomfortable. "I just want to give you nice things," he tells her, and leaves.
Prince Gaeryeong receives the note from his mother. He reads it; it's typical mother stuff--be strong, I love you, take care of yourself, remember our commitment to the northerners (okay, maybe that last one isn't so typical)--and it makes him happy.
The king and queen are dining together. He delicately brings up the consort issue. Apparently it's all been worked out and she's on her way. The queen puts on a brave face; It's a good thing, she says, that a woman from a reputable clan is joining the royal house. She's trying to be an awfully good sport about it, but her face shows hurt. And then she admits to feeling jealousy over it all. But, she says through tears, It's part of my duty as queen to accept this. She tells the king she understands this is all about procreation. But "you must give your heart to me and me only. I refuse to share your love with anyone." "My heart is yours only," he tells her, "so don't let anyone come between us." He's clearly unhappy about all this too. (Shouldn't he be able to do something about this? He is the king, right?)
The next day: The king and ministers are meeting. Preparations are almost finished for the attack on the north; and an emissary to Song China has been selected to convey the message that this is not the start of a broader conflict. Then Park Yangyu asks about the consort. Yes, she's been chosen, the king confirms; Lady Yunchang will be her name. Completely blindsided, Wonsoong just about has a coronary right then and there. This surprises the king because he thought that there had been unanimous agreement about it.
Later, the ministers are finalizing the details for the consort's acceptance. Wonsoong will make a stink about this, they fear. And right on cue, a very drunk Wonsoong stumbles in and gives them the business about "putting a dagger through my daughter's heart." He's trying to let them have it but the alcohol is messing him up. Keep our dignity, Yi Jibaek tells him, but there's no stopping him. "Do you really think you can stab me in the back and get away with it!?", he tells them all. And then to Choe Sum: "My enemy was right under my nose?"
Then he goes to his daughter and whines at her. Why didn't you stop this, you're still young and beautiful, they'll pay for this, etc. She wants him to calm down, which only frustrates him all the more: "You always talk like Buddha" and should be more selfish. At that she reminds him, I'm the queen, I have the king in the palm of my hand (she doesn't say that ominously, just as a matter of fact), and when Gaeryeong rises to the throne, I'll be the queen mother. You wanted to be the merchant who trades in kingdoms, well look what we've accomplished. That's her point, and she wants him to realize it. So go home and sleep it off, she tells him. This calms him down a lot. He still has a puss on his face, but he's much calmer.
Escort Jo has come to visit her brother Jo Sun. Sun is feeling visibly stronger, and is livid about the "Jurchen" attack on his caravan. He wants revenge.
Myeongbok Palace: Hunae tells Chiyang about the punitive expedition against the Jurchens. The objective isn't to kill them, she assures him, just move them out of Goryeo territory. She's telling him this so that he can warn his tribe to stay clear and stay safe. Then a visitor arrives outside.
The man introduces himself as Steward Mun, from Choe Sum's manor. He's brought back Mr. Chu's body. (Not clear how he knew to bring it to Myeongbok.) Hunae is puzzled by this. Hyangbi is there and recognizes Chu as a resident of the Balhaean village. Then the steward tells Hunae that the man was killed by a bladed boomerang that came seemingly from nowhere. And he says that Chu had introduced himself as her subordinate at Myeongbok. Suddenly Gang Jo is on the hot seat; he's fidgeting nervously. Hunae sternly asks him what this is all about. I don't know, he replies, not very convincingly.
Later, Hyangbi asks her brother how it happened. It was Chiyang and his subordinates, Gang Jo says; he's positive of it. He knows that Sa Illa uses the bladed boomerang, and there's just no way it's a coincidence. She advises him to tell Hunae, but he says he needs more proof first. And he still doesn't know Chiyang's motive for being here in the first place (join the club, pal). But I'll figure it out, he tells her, and "I'll pay him back for what he did to Chu."
We see Chu's funeral pyre. Gang Jo, Hyangbi and a monk are there; no one else. It's good that Gang Jo arranged for this but it's a lonely scene and a sad ending to a man's life.
We Sa Illa stickfighting a palace guard; she defeats him. None of the other guards wants to challenge her. Then Gang Jo walks into the yard and says he'll do it. She's no match for you, Sa Gamun readily tells him, so Gang says, Then I'll take you both on. So they grab sticks and it's on. And in about ten seconds Gang has knocked them both down like he's shooing flies. He glares at Sa Illa and says, "You can use your bladed boomerang if you want." The two get up and rearm themselves, and he quickly takes them down again. And he's really roughing them up; he's going way beyond what a practice match should be. He holds his stick over a beaten Sa Illa and demands, "Why did you kill him? If you want to live, talk." She denies everything. He rears back to strike...and Chiyang grabs his arm. They glare at each other, both pulling at the stick...which breaks in half, and they wield the halves at each other...and then Hyangbi shows up and breaks it up. Everybody stands there for the longest time just staring angrily at each other (seriously, it was getting ridiculous; it just went on and on and on). And then the three Jurchens walk away together.
We see Lady Yunchang entering the palace on a palanquin. Narration explains that this is the future queen Wonhwa, the daughter of Choe Hangun, who placed first in the civil service exam in the second year of King Gyeongjong's reign. We also learn that the punitive expedition against the Jurchens was launched and that it succeeded in pushing the Jurchens north of Mt. Baekdu. Apparently the success was short-lived, though, because Jurchens were sighted further south not long afterwards.
Myeongbok Palace: Time has passed and Seol is now eight months pregnant. Gamchan has brought another letter for Hunae from her son. Hunae is happy about the expedition's success, and gives her brother high marks for how he's running the state. Then Escort Yun enters, concerned about Seol having swollen feet due to lack of exercise. She suggests at least letting Seol walk around inside the palace complex at night; the exercise will be good for her. Hunae agrees.
Nighttime: Seol and Gyeongjuwon are walking through the grounds. She's so happy to be outside after so long. She feels the baby kicking. As the couple enjoys their time together, we see a face peering out from a bale of hay, watching them....
Jo Du has reported back to Wonsoong. That was his face in the hay. Wonsoong just can't believe that Gyeongjuwon and Seol would be together and having a child. You must be wrong, he says. But Jo Du is positive; he had heard a rumor about it and was staking out the palace for two months to try to confirm it. (Question: How would he know what Seol looks like? I think this may be a continuity error.) Wonsoong immediately starts to ponder how to play this to his advantage. He thinks he can use this not only to bring down Hunae and the northern faction, but "I can make those backstabbing confederates pay for what they did to me as well. If I play it just right...."
We see Wonsoong enter the palace and go to the throne room. The king is alone and receives him. "Your highness, I've come to report a plot that will shake this entire kingdom!" Hunae and Choe Sum, he says, "are plotting high treason against you!" The king stands up, wide-eyed with surprise.
Outside: Hunae is convinced from Wonsoong's nervousness that it was him. Gang Jo agrees. But will he get the message, she wonders, or will it put the prince in even more danger. Gang Jo thinks it worked and was a good idea (but I gotta say, I don't think so).
Prince Gyeongjuwon and Choe Sum are by a brook, talking. Choe asks the prince if he has any more interest in the throne than he used to. "Please think it over for the future of this kingdom." But the prince isn't interested and begins to leave. But then: "My prince, did you get married?" Uh-oh. He was buying herbs at the pharmacist for his wife. Busted. Congratulations, Choe says, and who's the bride? It's private, Gyeongjuwon says, and Choe doesn't ask any further.
Out front of their home, Gyeongjuwon tells Seol that have to pack and leave ASAP. Just then, Hunae arrives to see her sister. The prince tells her that Choe Sum was here and may be back again.
Kim Chiyang is still distressed about Gang Jo investigating his background. Why not just kill him?, Sa Gamun suggests. But Chiyang doesn't like that idea at all. Too dangerous. And he's counting on Sa Illa to "get the job done."
Evening: Mr. Chu, the man doing the investigating for Gang Jo, is back at Choe Sum's home, and now Choe has returned. Chu introduces himself as being from Myeongbok Palace...Suddenly a metallic object goes whooshing through the air, appears to graze Chu's neck, and flies off. Chu grabs his neck; whatever it was, it delivered a lethal blow. He falls to his knees and, struggling to speak, manages to say "Han...gae...Temple..." and then dies right there on the spot. Then on a neighboring building we see Sa Illa holding a round metal object; she jumps off the roof and runs away.
Hunae has returned home, and Gyeongjuwon and Seol are with her. Gamchan is there and greets them with kind words and congratulations on the pregnancy. Inside, Hunae tells him about Choe Sum showing up. He realizes what Choe must be up to--putting a Shillan on the throne whatever it takes. Hunae says the couple will stay there with her until the birth and then go to live far away. And she asks him to deliver a note she's written to her son, which he'll do.
The next day: Sa Illa returns with the report of a successful mission. But she thinks Chu may have spoken something as he died.
Prince and Seol are taken to the guest quarters. Hunae tells this to the staff and orders them to keep quiet about it. Lots of puzzled mumbling, but that's the deal.
Early the next morning: Choe Sum tells his fellow Shillans Kim Shimun and Yi Yang that he'll keep leaning on Gyeongjuwon until he relents. Then they discuss the consort issue. Shimun has identified a good candidate, the daughter of Choe Hangun, an accomplished official. Then Wonsoong shows up, wondering why the early meeting. "Is it about a royal consort?" They deny it, and he reminds them of his warning not to pursue that. And then he tells Choe Sum about Hunae's surprise visit. He wonders how Hunae could have figured it all out. He asks Choe, half-suspiciously, "Could it have leaked from our end?" Of course not, Choe says. And then Choe recounts the strange incident from last night. And then Seol Shinyu comes in and tells them that Gyeongjuwon has disappeared! One weird thing after another. And it's getting Wonsoong extra-edgy; he thinks his friends are up to something: "What are you people cooking up behind my back?!"
Later, Kim Wonsoong wonders to himself if there's a connection between Gyeongjuwon's disappearance and Hunae. Something's going on, he's convinced. He orders Jo Du to begin surveillance on Myeongbok Palace. And says, Look carefully for anything involving Gyeongjuwon.
The sisters are together, enjoying being with each other. Hunae cautions Seol to stay inside and not be seen; all of the king's Confucianists will try to hurt you if they find out you married Gyeongjuwon. And her child, by his lineage, will be a threat to the king as well.
Yi Sulhwa is at the training ground. Sa Gamun finds her and asks about her wrist. It's fine, she says, barely able to talk because seeing him winds her up so tightly. Then he puts something into her hand; a perfume case that women in his tribe carry. What does he want? She can't figure it out and she couldn't be more visibly uncomfortable. "I just want to give you nice things," he tells her, and leaves.
Prince Gaeryeong receives the note from his mother. He reads it; it's typical mother stuff--be strong, I love you, take care of yourself, remember our commitment to the northerners (okay, maybe that last one isn't so typical)--and it makes him happy.
The king and queen are dining together. He delicately brings up the consort issue. Apparently it's all been worked out and she's on her way. The queen puts on a brave face; It's a good thing, she says, that a woman from a reputable clan is joining the royal house. She's trying to be an awfully good sport about it, but her face shows hurt. And then she admits to feeling jealousy over it all. But, she says through tears, It's part of my duty as queen to accept this. She tells the king she understands this is all about procreation. But "you must give your heart to me and me only. I refuse to share your love with anyone." "My heart is yours only," he tells her, "so don't let anyone come between us." He's clearly unhappy about all this too. (Shouldn't he be able to do something about this? He is the king, right?)
The next day: The king and ministers are meeting. Preparations are almost finished for the attack on the north; and an emissary to Song China has been selected to convey the message that this is not the start of a broader conflict. Then Park Yangyu asks about the consort. Yes, she's been chosen, the king confirms; Lady Yunchang will be her name. Completely blindsided, Wonsoong just about has a coronary right then and there. This surprises the king because he thought that there had been unanimous agreement about it.
Later, the ministers are finalizing the details for the consort's acceptance. Wonsoong will make a stink about this, they fear. And right on cue, a very drunk Wonsoong stumbles in and gives them the business about "putting a dagger through my daughter's heart." He's trying to let them have it but the alcohol is messing him up. Keep our dignity, Yi Jibaek tells him, but there's no stopping him. "Do you really think you can stab me in the back and get away with it!?", he tells them all. And then to Choe Sum: "My enemy was right under my nose?"
Then he goes to his daughter and whines at her. Why didn't you stop this, you're still young and beautiful, they'll pay for this, etc. She wants him to calm down, which only frustrates him all the more: "You always talk like Buddha" and should be more selfish. At that she reminds him, I'm the queen, I have the king in the palm of my hand (she doesn't say that ominously, just as a matter of fact), and when Gaeryeong rises to the throne, I'll be the queen mother. You wanted to be the merchant who trades in kingdoms, well look what we've accomplished. That's her point, and she wants him to realize it. So go home and sleep it off, she tells him. This calms him down a lot. He still has a puss on his face, but he's much calmer.
Escort Jo has come to visit her brother Jo Sun. Sun is feeling visibly stronger, and is livid about the "Jurchen" attack on his caravan. He wants revenge.
Myeongbok Palace: Hunae tells Chiyang about the punitive expedition against the Jurchens. The objective isn't to kill them, she assures him, just move them out of Goryeo territory. She's telling him this so that he can warn his tribe to stay clear and stay safe. Then a visitor arrives outside.
The man introduces himself as Steward Mun, from Choe Sum's manor. He's brought back Mr. Chu's body. (Not clear how he knew to bring it to Myeongbok.) Hunae is puzzled by this. Hyangbi is there and recognizes Chu as a resident of the Balhaean village. Then the steward tells Hunae that the man was killed by a bladed boomerang that came seemingly from nowhere. And he says that Chu had introduced himself as her subordinate at Myeongbok. Suddenly Gang Jo is on the hot seat; he's fidgeting nervously. Hunae sternly asks him what this is all about. I don't know, he replies, not very convincingly.
Later, Hyangbi asks her brother how it happened. It was Chiyang and his subordinates, Gang Jo says; he's positive of it. He knows that Sa Illa uses the bladed boomerang, and there's just no way it's a coincidence. She advises him to tell Hunae, but he says he needs more proof first. And he still doesn't know Chiyang's motive for being here in the first place (join the club, pal). But I'll figure it out, he tells her, and "I'll pay him back for what he did to Chu."
We see Chu's funeral pyre. Gang Jo, Hyangbi and a monk are there; no one else. It's good that Gang Jo arranged for this but it's a lonely scene and a sad ending to a man's life.
We Sa Illa stickfighting a palace guard; she defeats him. None of the other guards wants to challenge her. Then Gang Jo walks into the yard and says he'll do it. She's no match for you, Sa Gamun readily tells him, so Gang says, Then I'll take you both on. So they grab sticks and it's on. And in about ten seconds Gang has knocked them both down like he's shooing flies. He glares at Sa Illa and says, "You can use your bladed boomerang if you want." The two get up and rearm themselves, and he quickly takes them down again. And he's really roughing them up; he's going way beyond what a practice match should be. He holds his stick over a beaten Sa Illa and demands, "Why did you kill him? If you want to live, talk." She denies everything. He rears back to strike...and Chiyang grabs his arm. They glare at each other, both pulling at the stick...which breaks in half, and they wield the halves at each other...and then Hyangbi shows up and breaks it up. Everybody stands there for the longest time just staring angrily at each other (seriously, it was getting ridiculous; it just went on and on and on). And then the three Jurchens walk away together.
We see Lady Yunchang entering the palace on a palanquin. Narration explains that this is the future queen Wonhwa, the daughter of Choe Hangun, who placed first in the civil service exam in the second year of King Gyeongjong's reign. We also learn that the punitive expedition against the Jurchens was launched and that it succeeded in pushing the Jurchens north of Mt. Baekdu. Apparently the success was short-lived, though, because Jurchens were sighted further south not long afterwards.
Myeongbok Palace: Time has passed and Seol is now eight months pregnant. Gamchan has brought another letter for Hunae from her son. Hunae is happy about the expedition's success, and gives her brother high marks for how he's running the state. Then Escort Yun enters, concerned about Seol having swollen feet due to lack of exercise. She suggests at least letting Seol walk around inside the palace complex at night; the exercise will be good for her. Hunae agrees.
Nighttime: Seol and Gyeongjuwon are walking through the grounds. She's so happy to be outside after so long. She feels the baby kicking. As the couple enjoys their time together, we see a face peering out from a bale of hay, watching them....
Jo Du has reported back to Wonsoong. That was his face in the hay. Wonsoong just can't believe that Gyeongjuwon and Seol would be together and having a child. You must be wrong, he says. But Jo Du is positive; he had heard a rumor about it and was staking out the palace for two months to try to confirm it. (Question: How would he know what Seol looks like? I think this may be a continuity error.) Wonsoong immediately starts to ponder how to play this to his advantage. He thinks he can use this not only to bring down Hunae and the northern faction, but "I can make those backstabbing confederates pay for what they did to me as well. If I play it just right...."
We see Wonsoong enter the palace and go to the throne room. The king is alone and receives him. "Your highness, I've come to report a plot that will shake this entire kingdom!" Hunae and Choe Sum, he says, "are plotting high treason against you!" The king stands up, wide-eyed with surprise.