Post by ajk on Jul 28, 2009 12:16:44 GMT -5
Sungjong does indeed remember the name Yi Hyunoon: "He was reduced in rank for his cowardly actions in Anyoongjin." He's obviously making all this up to get back at Hunae for that, the king says. No, the queen protests; the information is true. She begs him to investigate further, but he accuses her of trying to slander his sister and angrily tells her to knock it off.
Hunae goes to see her son, who's just now coming to terms with the news of his epilepsy. The boy doesn't think he can take the throne now; his mother insists otherwise and assures him she'll guide and protect him. She comforts him and then leaves his quarters...and runs right into the queen and her retinue. The queen offers Hunae condolences on the news of Gaeryeong's epilepsy, but Hunae puts on a poker face and calmly reminds the queen that it's not true, that the queen herself assured her it's not true, and that those responsible for spreading false rumors will have to be punished. She goes to the king's chambers...
...and we see her inside with the king, crying over her son's epilepsy. She's devastated: "It's over for [him]. He could never rule the kingdom now." Sungjong assures her otherwise, but she's inconsolable--or at least is putting on a great show of it for the king's benefit.
Dae Dosu and his subordinates bring the protesting scholars a message from the king: the epilepsy rumor is false, and that the protest must disband. The scholars refuse, so guardsmen rough them up and bounce them from the palace.
Hunae is positive: "The queen is behind this" because Choe Ryang is too old and infirm to have plotted such a thing. She's talking to Gang Jo; she asks him to return to the royal palace and protect her son. He starts to leave but then stops. He has a question for her. Hesitatingly, gingerly, he asks her, "By any chance, do you have feelings for Foreman Kim?" Uh-oh. She wavers and dodges, but he wants an answer. It's been distracting him, he confesses, and he needs to know the truth.
Jurchen territory: Chiyang has returned home, and is leading a ceremony at his grandfather's grave. He swears to resurrect the Shillan empire and "drive the Goryean royals out of the palace." (But the Goryeo royal palace isn't in Shillan territory; why would he even care about that palace? I don't get it. Does he want to turn Goryeo into greater Shilla?)
"I do have feelings for Foreman Kim." Hunae explains that he risked his life for her repeatedly, but Jo is aghast: "He's not right for you" and he can't be trusted. "I love him. Is it that hard to accept?" Yes it is: "There are plenty of better men out there." Hunae answers, "There is no man better in my eyes right now." OUCH. (Dude, you gonna take that? After all of the dedication you've shown her?) I don't plan to marry him, she says; "I just want to cherish the love in my heart right now. You understand, don't you?" No, I don't, he says, and storms out, half devastated and half furious. Outside, a puzzled Yi Hyunoon watches Jo as he physically struggles with his overwhelming emotions.
Chiyang tells his tribal leader, For now we need a small part of our army, disguised as merchants so that they can enter Goryeo. "We'll ultimately have to drive Lady Sungdeok and her son out as well," and that's when we'll need the entire army. Uh-oh.
The queen and Choe Sum are concerned because Hunae is obviously covering up her son's illness. This is a dangerous situation because she has the king's trust. They need to increase surveillance and prepare countermeasures.
Dae Dosu's subordinates have come to see Gang Jo; they're prepared to join an overthrow action. Dae is "too strait-laced and by the book" to support such a thing, they feel, but they're sure he'll get on board after it's done and over with. The plot is still on schedule, to occur in six days.
Choe Sum asks his steward about Gang Jo's visit in Ep19. We know him as Steward Mun, but he's now identified as Mun Inui—-the same person who had the mysterious conversation with Chiyang in Ep36. So now we make the connection that they're the same person. (Maybe we were supposed to make it in Ep36 by recognizing Mun when we saw him talking to Chiyang. But I didn't recognize him.) Choe remembers that Jo was asking about a man named Kim Chiyang. He knows about Hunae's reported involvement with a Kim Chiyang and wonders if this is the same person. He tells Mun to investigate this further. Mun will do so, but he also asks Choe, By the way, where did you get your information? Never mind, Choe says, and Mun doesn't push it, but for just a moment there's a strange look on Mun's face, almost a look of distrust. Which makes sense now that we know Mun is secretly on Chiyang's side.
In the north: Gamchan is awakened and told that Ahn Pae has ordered troops out on a nighttime mission. And it's true: The troops have gone to the isolated village we saw in the previous episode, to wipe out the inhabitants--including Yang Kyu. Yang fights flawlessly until Ahn threatens to kill some helpless villagers. Yang has to drop his spear, and the troops move in for the kill..."Stop!" Seo Hui and Gang Gamchan have arrived, just in time, with other troops (I suppose their own troops).
Back in the fort, Ahn tries to argue that the people were "mountain bandits" and that Yang Kyu is a deserter who stole food and injured other soldiers. But Yang explains that the people are refugees from the foundry, forced to flee because of inhumane treatment. A village elder speaks up and defends Yang; "His only offense is treating us like humans when no one else would." Seo orders them both arrested while he sorts this out.
Narration tells us that Yang Kyu was a hero of the second Goryeo/Khitan war; not much is known about his background or origin, but at this point in history he presumably was a low-ranking officer.
At the Khitan capital: "Suspicious activities at the Song Chinese border?" Prime Minister Han tells Empress Dowager Xiao that there are disturbing troop movements, and that at least 100,000 troops are on the border now. I'd better go myself and investigate, he says; my presence will make a strong statement. Xiao decides she'll go with him! We're growing old, she says, and people die, so we shouldn't be separated if something should happen to one of us. Wow, what a touching sentiment from her.
Xiao goes to tell her son the emperor of her upcoming journey. Shengzong is surprised, like we are, but she tells him, "I'm trying to give you some breathing room." I know you squealed to the Goryean envoy about why I released Hunae, she says, but I won't make an issue out of it. "Think of it as a test and rule as you wish while I'm gone." (Which may have allowed certain muscles of his to unclench for the first time in days.) And she explains to him that she wants to conquer Song not only to gain territory but to secure peace so that the Khitans can stop being a nomadic, fighting race, and instead can settle, learn agriculture and have peace. She seems a bit different now; calmer, a bit more introspective.
Myeongbok Palace: Sa Gamun has arrived from Khitan. Dokyun is with him. As he goes inside, Steward Yi tries to smile at Dokyun, but she shoots him a glare that frightens him. Inside, Sa Gamun tells Hyangbi and Yi Sulhwa about Wonsoong now knowing the reason for Hunae's release from Khitan. This could alter the big plan; Hunae must be informed immediately. Back outside, now we see the merchant Yi. He's looking over the trading goods that Sa Gamun brought back from Khitan. Then he sees Dokyun. "Now here is a fine piece of merchandise!" Don't talk to me, she snarls; you're old and scrawny. And when he won't let up, she knocks him down. "I hate weak men," she says, flashing a knife at him. (Wow, are you ever in the wrong series, sister.)
Mun Inui is meeting with Chiyang, to warn him that Choe Sum is asking about him.
Prince Gyeongjuwon, his young son Prince Daeryang, and Sa Illa are in a village. It's the pottery-making village that we saw Gyeongjuwon living in way back in Ep9. He's brought his son to the village chief. He tells the chief that Daeryang is a boy who lost his parents and has no name; he asks the chief to take him in. Of course, the chief says. Tears in his eyes, Gyeongjuwon bids farewell to his son, and he and Sa Illa start to leave. Suddenly the boy starts to wail for his father. Gyeongjuwon runs back and hugs his son one more time. "Please live a good long life," he tells the toddler, sobbing; "When I see your mother, I'll tell her how sorry I am." This was terribly, terribly painful to watch (I had to turn away from it), and on top of it are we about to lose Gyeongjuwon now?
Jo Sun and Jo Du arrive at the capital, and immediately give the queen the scoop about Xiao releasing Hunae to incite trouble. Munhwa trembles with anger. Jo Sun urges her to tell the king ASAP, but Munhwa knows that he won't listen if she tries. "I need help," she realizes.
Sa Gamun and Hyangbi have traveled to Sungdeok Palace and tell Hunae the scoop. Turns out, Hunae didn't know! "Now that I think of it, that's why she let me go," she realizes. "It wasn't just generosity." But I can't run, she knows; it will only make me look bad. And the king trusts me, so we'll hang in there for these last few days.
"Now you're bringing the Khitans into this?" Munhwa has brought Choe Ryang with him to try to persuade the king. Choe urges him to take this seriously, and calmly lays out the facts, but Sungjong says he trusts his sister and won't tolerate any more of this kind of talk. At that, Choe falls to his knees and begs the king to at least have Hunae and her men watched carefully: "This is your old and ailing mentor's last wish." And he breaks into tears.
Sa Gamun has brought a note from PM Han to Chiyang. Whatever it said, it wasn't very encouraging because it makes Chiyang unhappy. And now this business about Hunae's release being exposed as a Khitan plot. It's all making things dangerously complicated. Maybe we should change plans, Chiyang says.
Nighttime: "May I leave a letter behind?" Gyeongjuwon tells Sa Illa he wants to leave a letter stating that he lost his son and is taking his own life. "Then no one will suspect you, and this will be all over." And more importantly, it also will seal off the trail back to his son. A bit later (apparently having written the letter, although we didn't see it), Gyeongjuwon is kneeling atop a slight rocky bluff. with Sa Illa standing over him. The prince reflects on his life, and speaks slowly, mournfully to his dead wife. "I ran away as far as I could, but the yoke of royalty is truly cruel. I could not break from it, and now I will join you. I am happy that we will be together again, but how will our son survive in this cruel world alone? Please watch over him, so he may live free like a bird unbound by the yoke of royalty." And with that, he unsheathes a knife and takes his own life. Just like that. As his body goes lifeless, Sa Illa watches, and then she starts to cry: "I'm sorry...I'm sorry." Another painful, tragic scene; it really was pathetic to see Gyeongjuwon die in such lonely circumstances. (Give big-time credit for some terrific music in this scene. Absolutely perfect).
Wonsoong has arrived back in the capital with the rest of the diplomatic mission. Yelu Dilie and the consort-to-be Zanli are with him.
Gang Jo has brought Prince Gaeryeong to Sungdeok Palace to see his mother. Chiyang sees Jo and says he wants to talk, so they go elsewhere and talk. Chiyang wants to change plans--and asks Gang Jo to assassinate the king! "So you want to change plans only three days before the big day?" Jo is radiating cynicism and distrust. "I really have a bad feeling about this," Chiyang says sincerely, but Gang Jo categorically refuses. The plan stays the same, he says, and if you're scared, "cop out." (What did Chiyang think he'd say. What a stupid request.) But now there's BIG trouble, because Yi Hyunoon is still spying on Gang Jo and he heard the whole exchange. He stands there wide-eyed: "Three days at the royal shrine...."
Hunae tells her son she's going to depose the king in three days and put him on the throne. "I didn't want you to be shocked," she explains, possibly to head off his having a seizure over it (although I'm entirely unconvinced that handling it this way is any better. This just seems like a bad idea). "That's why I'm telling you in advance, to be prepared." The boy takes it all in, looks at her and says, "No. I can't let you." Doink! Surprise, mom, didn't see that one coming, did you? Don't be foolish, she tells him; the fate of the country is at stake. But he wants no part of it: "I will not take the throne this way," and how could you do such a thing to your own brother? "I'll do anything for this country," she answers, "so just do as I say. You must."
Hunae goes to see her son, who's just now coming to terms with the news of his epilepsy. The boy doesn't think he can take the throne now; his mother insists otherwise and assures him she'll guide and protect him. She comforts him and then leaves his quarters...and runs right into the queen and her retinue. The queen offers Hunae condolences on the news of Gaeryeong's epilepsy, but Hunae puts on a poker face and calmly reminds the queen that it's not true, that the queen herself assured her it's not true, and that those responsible for spreading false rumors will have to be punished. She goes to the king's chambers...
...and we see her inside with the king, crying over her son's epilepsy. She's devastated: "It's over for [him]. He could never rule the kingdom now." Sungjong assures her otherwise, but she's inconsolable--or at least is putting on a great show of it for the king's benefit.
Dae Dosu and his subordinates bring the protesting scholars a message from the king: the epilepsy rumor is false, and that the protest must disband. The scholars refuse, so guardsmen rough them up and bounce them from the palace.
Hunae is positive: "The queen is behind this" because Choe Ryang is too old and infirm to have plotted such a thing. She's talking to Gang Jo; she asks him to return to the royal palace and protect her son. He starts to leave but then stops. He has a question for her. Hesitatingly, gingerly, he asks her, "By any chance, do you have feelings for Foreman Kim?" Uh-oh. She wavers and dodges, but he wants an answer. It's been distracting him, he confesses, and he needs to know the truth.
Jurchen territory: Chiyang has returned home, and is leading a ceremony at his grandfather's grave. He swears to resurrect the Shillan empire and "drive the Goryean royals out of the palace." (But the Goryeo royal palace isn't in Shillan territory; why would he even care about that palace? I don't get it. Does he want to turn Goryeo into greater Shilla?)
"I do have feelings for Foreman Kim." Hunae explains that he risked his life for her repeatedly, but Jo is aghast: "He's not right for you" and he can't be trusted. "I love him. Is it that hard to accept?" Yes it is: "There are plenty of better men out there." Hunae answers, "There is no man better in my eyes right now." OUCH. (Dude, you gonna take that? After all of the dedication you've shown her?) I don't plan to marry him, she says; "I just want to cherish the love in my heart right now. You understand, don't you?" No, I don't, he says, and storms out, half devastated and half furious. Outside, a puzzled Yi Hyunoon watches Jo as he physically struggles with his overwhelming emotions.
Chiyang tells his tribal leader, For now we need a small part of our army, disguised as merchants so that they can enter Goryeo. "We'll ultimately have to drive Lady Sungdeok and her son out as well," and that's when we'll need the entire army. Uh-oh.
The queen and Choe Sum are concerned because Hunae is obviously covering up her son's illness. This is a dangerous situation because she has the king's trust. They need to increase surveillance and prepare countermeasures.
Dae Dosu's subordinates have come to see Gang Jo; they're prepared to join an overthrow action. Dae is "too strait-laced and by the book" to support such a thing, they feel, but they're sure he'll get on board after it's done and over with. The plot is still on schedule, to occur in six days.
Choe Sum asks his steward about Gang Jo's visit in Ep19. We know him as Steward Mun, but he's now identified as Mun Inui—-the same person who had the mysterious conversation with Chiyang in Ep36. So now we make the connection that they're the same person. (Maybe we were supposed to make it in Ep36 by recognizing Mun when we saw him talking to Chiyang. But I didn't recognize him.) Choe remembers that Jo was asking about a man named Kim Chiyang. He knows about Hunae's reported involvement with a Kim Chiyang and wonders if this is the same person. He tells Mun to investigate this further. Mun will do so, but he also asks Choe, By the way, where did you get your information? Never mind, Choe says, and Mun doesn't push it, but for just a moment there's a strange look on Mun's face, almost a look of distrust. Which makes sense now that we know Mun is secretly on Chiyang's side.
In the north: Gamchan is awakened and told that Ahn Pae has ordered troops out on a nighttime mission. And it's true: The troops have gone to the isolated village we saw in the previous episode, to wipe out the inhabitants--including Yang Kyu. Yang fights flawlessly until Ahn threatens to kill some helpless villagers. Yang has to drop his spear, and the troops move in for the kill..."Stop!" Seo Hui and Gang Gamchan have arrived, just in time, with other troops (I suppose their own troops).
Back in the fort, Ahn tries to argue that the people were "mountain bandits" and that Yang Kyu is a deserter who stole food and injured other soldiers. But Yang explains that the people are refugees from the foundry, forced to flee because of inhumane treatment. A village elder speaks up and defends Yang; "His only offense is treating us like humans when no one else would." Seo orders them both arrested while he sorts this out.
Narration tells us that Yang Kyu was a hero of the second Goryeo/Khitan war; not much is known about his background or origin, but at this point in history he presumably was a low-ranking officer.
At the Khitan capital: "Suspicious activities at the Song Chinese border?" Prime Minister Han tells Empress Dowager Xiao that there are disturbing troop movements, and that at least 100,000 troops are on the border now. I'd better go myself and investigate, he says; my presence will make a strong statement. Xiao decides she'll go with him! We're growing old, she says, and people die, so we shouldn't be separated if something should happen to one of us. Wow, what a touching sentiment from her.
Xiao goes to tell her son the emperor of her upcoming journey. Shengzong is surprised, like we are, but she tells him, "I'm trying to give you some breathing room." I know you squealed to the Goryean envoy about why I released Hunae, she says, but I won't make an issue out of it. "Think of it as a test and rule as you wish while I'm gone." (Which may have allowed certain muscles of his to unclench for the first time in days.) And she explains to him that she wants to conquer Song not only to gain territory but to secure peace so that the Khitans can stop being a nomadic, fighting race, and instead can settle, learn agriculture and have peace. She seems a bit different now; calmer, a bit more introspective.
Myeongbok Palace: Sa Gamun has arrived from Khitan. Dokyun is with him. As he goes inside, Steward Yi tries to smile at Dokyun, but she shoots him a glare that frightens him. Inside, Sa Gamun tells Hyangbi and Yi Sulhwa about Wonsoong now knowing the reason for Hunae's release from Khitan. This could alter the big plan; Hunae must be informed immediately. Back outside, now we see the merchant Yi. He's looking over the trading goods that Sa Gamun brought back from Khitan. Then he sees Dokyun. "Now here is a fine piece of merchandise!" Don't talk to me, she snarls; you're old and scrawny. And when he won't let up, she knocks him down. "I hate weak men," she says, flashing a knife at him. (Wow, are you ever in the wrong series, sister.)
Mun Inui is meeting with Chiyang, to warn him that Choe Sum is asking about him.
Prince Gyeongjuwon, his young son Prince Daeryang, and Sa Illa are in a village. It's the pottery-making village that we saw Gyeongjuwon living in way back in Ep9. He's brought his son to the village chief. He tells the chief that Daeryang is a boy who lost his parents and has no name; he asks the chief to take him in. Of course, the chief says. Tears in his eyes, Gyeongjuwon bids farewell to his son, and he and Sa Illa start to leave. Suddenly the boy starts to wail for his father. Gyeongjuwon runs back and hugs his son one more time. "Please live a good long life," he tells the toddler, sobbing; "When I see your mother, I'll tell her how sorry I am." This was terribly, terribly painful to watch (I had to turn away from it), and on top of it are we about to lose Gyeongjuwon now?
Jo Sun and Jo Du arrive at the capital, and immediately give the queen the scoop about Xiao releasing Hunae to incite trouble. Munhwa trembles with anger. Jo Sun urges her to tell the king ASAP, but Munhwa knows that he won't listen if she tries. "I need help," she realizes.
Sa Gamun and Hyangbi have traveled to Sungdeok Palace and tell Hunae the scoop. Turns out, Hunae didn't know! "Now that I think of it, that's why she let me go," she realizes. "It wasn't just generosity." But I can't run, she knows; it will only make me look bad. And the king trusts me, so we'll hang in there for these last few days.
"Now you're bringing the Khitans into this?" Munhwa has brought Choe Ryang with him to try to persuade the king. Choe urges him to take this seriously, and calmly lays out the facts, but Sungjong says he trusts his sister and won't tolerate any more of this kind of talk. At that, Choe falls to his knees and begs the king to at least have Hunae and her men watched carefully: "This is your old and ailing mentor's last wish." And he breaks into tears.
Sa Gamun has brought a note from PM Han to Chiyang. Whatever it said, it wasn't very encouraging because it makes Chiyang unhappy. And now this business about Hunae's release being exposed as a Khitan plot. It's all making things dangerously complicated. Maybe we should change plans, Chiyang says.
Nighttime: "May I leave a letter behind?" Gyeongjuwon tells Sa Illa he wants to leave a letter stating that he lost his son and is taking his own life. "Then no one will suspect you, and this will be all over." And more importantly, it also will seal off the trail back to his son. A bit later (apparently having written the letter, although we didn't see it), Gyeongjuwon is kneeling atop a slight rocky bluff. with Sa Illa standing over him. The prince reflects on his life, and speaks slowly, mournfully to his dead wife. "I ran away as far as I could, but the yoke of royalty is truly cruel. I could not break from it, and now I will join you. I am happy that we will be together again, but how will our son survive in this cruel world alone? Please watch over him, so he may live free like a bird unbound by the yoke of royalty." And with that, he unsheathes a knife and takes his own life. Just like that. As his body goes lifeless, Sa Illa watches, and then she starts to cry: "I'm sorry...I'm sorry." Another painful, tragic scene; it really was pathetic to see Gyeongjuwon die in such lonely circumstances. (Give big-time credit for some terrific music in this scene. Absolutely perfect).
Wonsoong has arrived back in the capital with the rest of the diplomatic mission. Yelu Dilie and the consort-to-be Zanli are with him.
Gang Jo has brought Prince Gaeryeong to Sungdeok Palace to see his mother. Chiyang sees Jo and says he wants to talk, so they go elsewhere and talk. Chiyang wants to change plans--and asks Gang Jo to assassinate the king! "So you want to change plans only three days before the big day?" Jo is radiating cynicism and distrust. "I really have a bad feeling about this," Chiyang says sincerely, but Gang Jo categorically refuses. The plan stays the same, he says, and if you're scared, "cop out." (What did Chiyang think he'd say. What a stupid request.) But now there's BIG trouble, because Yi Hyunoon is still spying on Gang Jo and he heard the whole exchange. He stands there wide-eyed: "Three days at the royal shrine...."
Hunae tells her son she's going to depose the king in three days and put him on the throne. "I didn't want you to be shocked," she explains, possibly to head off his having a seizure over it (although I'm entirely unconvinced that handling it this way is any better. This just seems like a bad idea). "That's why I'm telling you in advance, to be prepared." The boy takes it all in, looks at her and says, "No. I can't let you." Doink! Surprise, mom, didn't see that one coming, did you? Don't be foolish, she tells him; the fate of the country is at stake. But he wants no part of it: "I will not take the throne this way," and how could you do such a thing to your own brother? "I'll do anything for this country," she answers, "so just do as I say. You must."