Post by ajk on Nov 16, 2012 21:30:50 GMT -5
Bidam looks at the gathered Hwarang with an almost disdainful smirk. He doesn't lack confidence, you have to give him that...
Deokman is getting all upset about this piece of news. Not sure why; Bidam told her point-blank that he was going to do it. Didn't she believe him?
Mishil and the cabal are together, and Hajong is trying to poke at Seolwon about whether or not Bojong can lose the competition. Jealous, jealous....now Misaeng runs in and gives Mishil the news about Bidam. Surprisingly, we learn from Seolwon that "He has the right as the field marshal's disciple" to enter! Hwarang or not. Really? Well, Seolwon would know. Mishil is oddly stone-faced. What's she thinking?
Bidam tells an annoyed Ho Jae what Seolwon just told us. He knows it's his right to enter. And with the weird-guy smile back, he says with mocking politeness that "I request that you accept my application to participate." Interesting seeing Chilsuk watching this; not only is he not surprised but he almost looks like he half-expected this and is looking forward to it. Now Ho Jae brings up the sticking point: the bracket is full. 32 slots, 32 participants. "Whatever your qualifications, you're too late." And a Hwarang we haven't seen before, wearing pinkish accents for a corps we aren't familiar with, steps forward and backs Ho Jae up. "Exactly--he's out of line. The 32 of us won qualifying matches to get here." News to us...but he turns to Bidam and continues. "On top of that, you SAY you're the field marshal's student." Turns back to Ho Jae. "Maybe it's true, but he's still out of line." Uh-oh, now Bidam is looking at him like the dude took his chicken. Yushin knows what's coming and cringes (very, very funny). Bidam smiles, walks up to him and spits on the ground next to him. Which gets a shove and a sword-draw out of him. He thinks Bidam is insulting the Hwarang as an institution, and screams, "Defend yourself!" This is getting out of hand and Ho Jae needs to stop it...Too late. One flying kick later, the pink guy is flat on his back, writhing in pain. Bidam calmly steps forward to Ho Jae and gestures to the guy. "He's a bit indisposed. May I take his place?" Ho Jae flips out and starts screaming: "You pick a fight HERE?" But Bidam fires right back, "You saw what happened--he drew on ME." Which is true, but still....
Jukbang and Godo have snuck away in the middle of all this, to tell Munno about the interloper they don't recognize who claims to be his disciple.
Chilsuk steps forward. "Are you really a disciple of the field marshal?" No need to answer, because now here's Munno showing up (That was fast--ugh). Chilsuk and Ho Jae ask him to confirm Bidam's story. Bidam glares angrily at Munno, who looks him right through, visibly angry himself but probably not about to do anything unethical (not Munno)...and then confirms it. "Yes, he's my student." So Ho Jae announces, "Sunggo of the 32 Hwarang chosen to participate will be replaced by Bidam the unknown." Hopefully Sunggo immediately goes looking for legal representation, while Ho Jae continues. "The 32 contestants' matches have been selected. The first will begin here at noon."
Misaeng actually had other news before this Bidam stuff distracted him. Specifically, that Daenambo will be arriving "directly." Mishil wonders what's taken him so long; Misaeng has no clue. Now a Hwarang runs in (that annoying guy we've seen quite often--don't think we've ever gotten his name) and tells everyone what happened with Bidam. Hajong is all upset about it, jealous jealous, and thinks Munno is trying to pull something. Seolwon tells him it isn't Munno's style to do that, but he'll check the situation out.
Now Jukbang and Godo have gone to Deokman to tell her what happened with the weird guy who she already knows all about.
Dukchung and Bakui are leaving the grounds, talking about this new guy who obviously has skills but is "a rude little turd." But in the next moment, here's Bidam running up to them, putting an arm around each of them and being all weird-guy happy on them. Which freaks them both out...and reminds Bidam to check the bracket and see who he's fighting. (Yes, we'd all like to see the bracket and find out who's in which half!) Bidam leaves them with some weird-guy stuff about "smooshing your tushies" if he has to fight either of them. (Obviously he's not a trash-talk disciple.) Dukchung watches him leave. "He's really nuts, don't you think?" Gee, what tipped it off.
Is Yushin worried? As he sits quietly, trying to clear his thoughts, Jukbang and Godo are talking to him like they sense concern. "Nobody can beat a guy who cracks a rock," they tell him." "All of the Hwarang say you're not the old weak worthless Yushin like you used to be." "You just go kick some Bakui." They're trying, but Yushin just brushes them off and walks away. Maybe he really is worried...
...or maybe he's just all business. Outside he comes across Alcheon, and this time there are no smiles or pleasantries. Nothing but mutual glares. Prospective opponents, and they've both got their game faces on. Interesting--there are no friends today.
Bojong sits down across from Seokpum, who looks more than a little worried. We know he drew #31...well, guess who drew #32: that Sunggo guy, who just got replaced by Bidam! "I saw what he can do in Iseo," Seokpum says, and Bojong knows it too. Seokpum says he'll do his best to keep Bidam from advancing "to fight you" (so does this mean Bojong drew #29 or #30? Show us the bracket!)...and in the next moment, here's Bidam running into the room and razzing both of them. They don't like it and Seokpum starts yelling at him, which of course only encourages Bidam, and very quickly Seokpum is totally unhinged. Mission accomplished.
Now he's even pestering Imjong! Bidam doesn't know him well but knows that his corps uses Munno's sword techniques. So if we meet up, he tells Imjong, "it'll be two old-school Munno fighters, huh?" But, he adds, you never actually trained under Munno, did you? "So how about after you lose, you make me leader of your corps?" At that moment, Deokman happens to be passing by. And is NOT pleased at Bidam's behavior...So she brings him inside and gives him a scolding about showing respect for the competition and the competitors. He admits to trying to play mind games but says it's a fair part of the competition...and then tells her again that if it's Yushin she wants to win, that's what she's going to get. (As in, he's going to throw a match? A dangerous tightrope, that is....)
Mishil and Munno are talking. Mishil is half-sure Munno is up to something, letting Bidam enter the competition, and we're not sure if she believes him when he says (or at least implies) that he didn't tell Bidam to enter. "I've always respected you," Mishil tells Munno, "since the day we met." He's told her he'll be impartial, but she's concerned nonetheless. "I trust you'll always be worthy of my respect."
Whoops, we're late! The competition has started already. A few moments of highlights of various matches, beginning in the first round:
--Bidam fighting Seokpum
--Yushin fighting Bakui
--Bojong taking down an unfamiliar Hwarang who has a weird but weak kicking style
--Alcheon defeating another stranger
Now into the second round:
--Bojong again, defeating a slightly tougher opponent
--Yushin again, with a bout-ending kick to the head of an opponent who left himself open to it
--Bidam (obviously he beat Seokpum) having a little trouble with an opponent with some sort of bolo-ball lasso weapon, but then getting the hang of it and knocking him down
--Alcheon taking some kicks from a worthy opponent
Now the quarterfinals:
--Yushin knocking down his opponent with a straight sword-blow--it's Piltan, another of the Ten Elites
--Bojong facing, ummm, is that Dukchung? Moving so fast, we can't tell for sure
Yongchun reports to the king on the matches. Then the king's attendant enters to tell him that the envoy from Hangzhou is here. Great news! That means Chunchu's here right? Uh-oh, the attendant is stuttering...tells the king that Mishil sent her own people to get Chunchu. Not good news; so where is he? Is Mishil holding him hostage or something? Better look into it, Jinpyeong says.
One of Daenambo's subordinates has been sent ahead; he tells Sejong and Misaeng that Chunchu will be arriving shortly. The trip was hard on him, the Hwarang reports, so he stopped along the way to rest for a while. And on top of that, it's taken even longer because the guy can't ride a horse--which sets Misaeng and Hajong laughing like crazy. "What kind of man can't ride a horse?" And then Misaeng has to admit that he can't either--but "I'm a gifted talent" in other areas, he says. Whatever...you'd assume they put Chunchu in a gama, but even with a gama it's taken way longer than it should have. What's the problem?
A-ha, that's the problem. We're out in the countryside now with the procession, making its way to Seorabeol. Daenambo has to stop the procession, checks the gama and finds an obviously motion-sick Chunchu inside. The young man steps out and we get our first good look at him since babyhood (subtitling reminds us that he's the future King Muyul). He sits in a plain wooden chair that's been put out for him, obviously not for the first time. He's given a wet washcloth, which he puts over his face like he's at home in bed! Daenambo is being admirably patient with him but suggests that they resume since they're very near the capital. "The palanquin wears me out," he complains; "I can't move." And he's in no hurry to go anywhere. Okay, he's motion-sick, you have to feel for him...but he also seems like kind of a wussy.
Back to the competition: We've got our semifinalists. Yushin, Alcheon, Bojong, and Bidam. No surprises there. Certainly better news for Deokman than for Mishil, we can say that much...and Bojong will have to fight Bidam next. Which means, a tough-to-watch match is coming between friends Yushin and Alcheon.
Yushin goes into a private area to rest. Uh-oh, he's favoring his right arm...and yikes, he pulls back his shirt and there's a monster bruise all over his shoulder. Somebody delivered him a nasty blow and it's hurting him. Wolya and Seolji come in to check on him. "The others are in the same shape," he tells them, and maybe so. The two Gayan leaders are counting on him to win, and they remind him of that, as though he needs more pressure right at the moment.
Well, Alcheon has his own issues, we can see that. Or at least one nasty issue--a huge, terrible bloody gash across his right palm. His subordinate helps him bandage it up, and while doing so asks Alcheon if he and Yushin have cooked something up for this situation. Alcheon takes great offense at the suggestion that either of them would ever compromise the integrity of the competition.
Bojong, he has his own welts and bruises but he looks to be in better condition than the other two. He's even doing a few push-ups to work out the kinks. Seokpum comes to see him and apologizes for failing against Bidam. "Not at all," Seokpum answers; "Bidam's tough." Seokpum advises Bojong to try to overpower him quickly; he suspects Yushin/Alcheon collusion and thinks Bojong will need as much strength as possible for the final match. And one other piece of news: Bidam has an injured ankle. "He'll favor his right foot when he leaps." That's potentially very useful information.
Bidam, he's in another private room...napping! His ankle is wrapped and he has it propped on a chair, but he's out like a light, with a goofy smile on his face. Geoksaheun and Daepoong come in, to bring him some water, and notice his ankle. "Imjong hit him a good one," they observe, answering the question about who eliminated Imjong.
Misaeng brings the latest update to Mishil: Chunchu is very close, but still not here. More embarrassment about just who can't ride a horse--Why does Misaeng keep bringing it up?--but in any event, still no Chunchu.
And back with the procession...Chunchu is still sitting there with that wet cloth on his head. Daenambo is politely trying to move him along, and even encouraging him to try horseback--"It's actually a lot of fun"--and it at least gets the cloth off of Chunchu's face. I tried it once, he says, and it wasn't fun. But he's willing to let Daenambo teach him and give it another try. Hey, progress! They've got a horse ready and waiting for him...Okay, he gets up on the horse just fine, real smooth, no problems. Wait--problem. "It's scary. I'm getting down." He does, and now he's so tired that he wants to find an inn and rest for a while. Well, if nothing else, this will teach Daenambo never to go behind Mishil's back again.
Deokman is headed out to see the final matches, but Munno has come to talk to her. Specifically, to find out if she ordered Bidam to enter the contest. A logical possibility from his point of view, but she didn't and she tells him that.
Okay, time for the semifinals. From what we can tell, Bojong looks like he's in the best shape of the four, but nobody is 100 percent at this point so it's anybody's ballgame. And of course, Bidam's ankle, who really knows how he'll deal with it. First up is Yushin vs. Alcheon. Neither of them are happy about it, but they're both in it to win it. The gong sounds, and it's on. A lot of early movement but little contact; the contact seems to cause them both pain, so they're being cautious. (This tournament really should be done over multiple days! Both contestants are seriously beaten up and it shows in the fighting.) Now they're starting to trade stick-blows more substantially...but they're both totally gassed. They charge at each other now, they both connect, and they both go down hard. And Yushin took the worst of it; Alcheon gets to his feet while Yushin still staggers and looks out of it. But wait--as Yushin finally gets upright, Alcheon's eyes roll back and he drops! At the exact 2:00 mark, the gong sounds and Yushin is awarded the victory. Seemed like it was more luck than anything else, and it was a pretty poor excuse for a semifinal, but it's done. The DFers celebrate; all Yushin wants to do is go over and help his friend up to his feet. Which he does, and then Alcheon holds Yushin's hand up in victory. Class gestures by both of them. And they hug.
Now the DFers are bringing Yushin back to his rest area, and he's really hurting. But now Alcheon is brought into the same rest area. Tense? Maybe a little, but it goes away. They compliment each other, and Alcheon tells Yushin he needs to win it all now.
Outside, some rather classless gloating from Jukbang and Godo; Goksaheun and Daepoong are more understanding about the good competition and sportsmanship we've seen from two friends.
The procession made it to an inn, where Chunchu is resting. Daenambo knocks on his door; it's time to go. No answer. Again knocks, and calls out. No answer. So he goes in. Chunchu ditched him? Where the heck did he go?
The second semifinal. Bidam sees Bojong staring at his wrapped ankle--a mistake by Bojong, tipping off strategy. Bojong charges and is getting the better of it all, and he's managing to get some kicks and stick-blows on the injured ankle. But Bidam ties him up in a clench, long enough to knock both their sticks away, and now it's more Bidam's kind of fight...Now their arms are locked test-of-strength style, and Bojong is bulkier so maybe not good for Bidam...Bojong gets a good kick in on the ankle and sends Bidam spinning to the ground. Bojong's experience in these kinds of bouts is starting to show. The ankle is really bad, and Bojong dusts himself off and walks away like he thinks it's over. But Bidam gets up and refocuses himself, and goes back at it--and now he's got some nifty arm-chops--in an almost acrobatic style that he can do off of one leg--that send Bojong reeling. Have not seen this from him before! He looks at Munno, as in, here's something I learned without you...A flashback, to Bidam begging Munno to accept him as his student. Munno turned him away before and angrily does so again--something about watching and stealing other people's techniques. But Bidam implores him to teach him everything he knows...Flashback ending, Munno is thinking about the very same moment. "I didn't teach him that," he acknowledges to himself; "did he learn just from watching?" However he learned it, it was valuable knowledge; those blows hit Bojong hard and he's clutching his midsection, in obvious pain. He charges anyway (maybe should go on defense for a minute?) but he's not moving well--a core injury will do that--and Bidam dodges the attack and sends him to the ground again with more of the arm-chops. And that's it! Bojong is in too much pain in his midsection to be able to get up. The gong sounds, and at 3:32 elapsed time the match goes to Bidam. Gotta say, a mild upset--or else maybe Bojong was more injured in his core than we could see. Either way, wow. And Munno looks to be more amazed than anybody else. Then Ho Jae steps forward and announces that darkness is approaching so the final round will be tomorrow morning. To which Bidam angrily protests; he wants to fight Yushin right now! A better-rested Yushin--really? Not wise strategy...but he's on a roll, maybe he thinks it's now or never. So Ho Jae calls Yushin forward and asks him if he'll accept the final bout now. "If that's what he wants," Yushin says, "I don't mind." A very sporting gesture from a competitor who certainly could use the rest. So Ho Jae announces that the final bout will be tonight at 7:00.
Yongchun updates the king. And gives us important new information that we should have been given a lot earlier. "If Bidam wins," he explains, "he, Yushin and Bojong will be tied. The grand marshal will be decided by vote." Which means that Bojong will probably win.
An irritated Hajong (who's never liked Bojong anyway) delivers the bad news to Mishil and Sejong. Mishil gets up and immediately leaves the room. No talk; just gets up and walks out. Not like her.
Bojong did get hurt--badly. He has some sort of terrible huge gash going right up his chest. It's not bleeding badly but it looks incredibly painful. We didn't see it earlier, and it doesn't look like the kind of thing Bidam's arm-blows would have caused initially, but if nothing else they made it much, much worse. Doesn't really matter; he's out, that's the bottom line. He's sitting in his rest area; now Mishil and Seolwon arrive to see him. Chilsuk is with them. It's painfully awkward; a long, uncomfortable silence as Bojong stands there almost in tears. "I'm ashamed," he says, finally breaking the silence. Mishil stares...and then smiles a bit. "You did well," she said. She drapes his shirt over his shoulders, and then hugs him. "You fought well...my son." They stand there hugging each other, and you can hear in her voice how genuinely heartbroken she is for her son. Still doesn't excuse her giving Yushin advice just to try to befriend him...but it's still a stunning scene. The way she immediately went to be with him and comfort him, with no criticism or second-guessing, we never expected it. The first time we've seen her acting like a caring mom to one of her sons.
Here we go. The ground is lit by torches and cauldrons, and everyone is here for the final match. Yushin and Bidam are standing there, sizing each other up. Yushin is blinking his eyes like he might be woozy, or having trouble seeing in the dim light, either one of which is big trouble. But neither of them seems to be moving at all. They're just standing there, sticks poised, but not moving. And the crowd is buzzing. It's been 15 minutes of this! Snide remarks--"Is it a staring contest?" "What kind of fight is this?"--but the consensus seems to be that they're just too tired to fight. Deokman sees it differently, though...and remembers her conversation with Bidam. More of which we see now in flashback. "If you're thinking what I think you're thinking...don't." As in, don't throw the bout. "Yushin would never stand for it." And she's right, of course...But is that what's going on? Wait a minute, maybe not; Yushin has finally made the first move, and it's on. Well, "on" is a stretch. It's not very good at all. In fact, it's lousy. Neither one of them has the energy left to do much more than bang sticks without much force. And there's Yushin blinking his eyes again, like something is really wrong. They clench momentarily: "Why aren't you fighting?!", Yushin whispers angrily. With a bit of his goofy smile, Bidam says he is fighting--but obviously Yushin thinks he's just toying with him. They clench again. "Fight back or I'll kill you. What are you up to?" "Think of the future," Bidam whispers back; "What's a contest compared to what you and the princess will do?" "Don't dishonor this contest," Yushin growls back, and shoves him away. They bang sticks for a bit--and what's this, Bidam goes down? Seemed like he went down way too easy. Suddenly, a shout: "Cheats!!" It's Chilsuk. He angrily stands up and walks into the combat square. "You call yourselves Hwarang, and yet try to throw this honored competition?" Mishil thinks back...Flashback of an earlier conversation with Seolwon and Chilsuk, just after Bojong's loss; Seolwon surmising that Munno may have planted Bidam to beat Bojong to clear Yushin's path. Which she had already considered herself, of course. It's not a realistic concern because the bracket was drawn randomly--but the point here is to plant the idea into Chilsuk's mind, and the idea makes Chilsuk angry enough that we know it worked. And Mishil tells him, "it would make our job that much easier."...Flashback ending, Mishil speaks up and shamelessly prompts him: "Hwarang master, what are you saying? You think they're cheating?" "I've spent my life handling the sword," he announces. "If I'm imagining things; if my accusation is unjust...I'll tear out my own eyes." (Which may not be much of an offer, the way he takes care of them.) He wheels around to face Munno: "Field marshal! What is your opinion? Would you say this is a genuine duel?" Silence. "If you do...then the way of the Hwarang is dead." As this is all unfolding, Jukbang is in the crowd watching, but now some guy behind him starts pestering him with questions about who won and who the non-Hwarang guy is. The guy is so annoying that Jukbang spins around to give him a good smack. It's Chunchu. Jukbang sees the strangers fancy duds and wisely holds off on the smacking. Chunchu introduces himself to Jukbang and smiles at him.
Deokman is getting all upset about this piece of news. Not sure why; Bidam told her point-blank that he was going to do it. Didn't she believe him?
Mishil and the cabal are together, and Hajong is trying to poke at Seolwon about whether or not Bojong can lose the competition. Jealous, jealous....now Misaeng runs in and gives Mishil the news about Bidam. Surprisingly, we learn from Seolwon that "He has the right as the field marshal's disciple" to enter! Hwarang or not. Really? Well, Seolwon would know. Mishil is oddly stone-faced. What's she thinking?
Bidam tells an annoyed Ho Jae what Seolwon just told us. He knows it's his right to enter. And with the weird-guy smile back, he says with mocking politeness that "I request that you accept my application to participate." Interesting seeing Chilsuk watching this; not only is he not surprised but he almost looks like he half-expected this and is looking forward to it. Now Ho Jae brings up the sticking point: the bracket is full. 32 slots, 32 participants. "Whatever your qualifications, you're too late." And a Hwarang we haven't seen before, wearing pinkish accents for a corps we aren't familiar with, steps forward and backs Ho Jae up. "Exactly--he's out of line. The 32 of us won qualifying matches to get here." News to us...but he turns to Bidam and continues. "On top of that, you SAY you're the field marshal's student." Turns back to Ho Jae. "Maybe it's true, but he's still out of line." Uh-oh, now Bidam is looking at him like the dude took his chicken. Yushin knows what's coming and cringes (very, very funny). Bidam smiles, walks up to him and spits on the ground next to him. Which gets a shove and a sword-draw out of him. He thinks Bidam is insulting the Hwarang as an institution, and screams, "Defend yourself!" This is getting out of hand and Ho Jae needs to stop it...Too late. One flying kick later, the pink guy is flat on his back, writhing in pain. Bidam calmly steps forward to Ho Jae and gestures to the guy. "He's a bit indisposed. May I take his place?" Ho Jae flips out and starts screaming: "You pick a fight HERE?" But Bidam fires right back, "You saw what happened--he drew on ME." Which is true, but still....
Jukbang and Godo have snuck away in the middle of all this, to tell Munno about the interloper they don't recognize who claims to be his disciple.
Chilsuk steps forward. "Are you really a disciple of the field marshal?" No need to answer, because now here's Munno showing up (That was fast--ugh). Chilsuk and Ho Jae ask him to confirm Bidam's story. Bidam glares angrily at Munno, who looks him right through, visibly angry himself but probably not about to do anything unethical (not Munno)...and then confirms it. "Yes, he's my student." So Ho Jae announces, "Sunggo of the 32 Hwarang chosen to participate will be replaced by Bidam the unknown." Hopefully Sunggo immediately goes looking for legal representation, while Ho Jae continues. "The 32 contestants' matches have been selected. The first will begin here at noon."
Misaeng actually had other news before this Bidam stuff distracted him. Specifically, that Daenambo will be arriving "directly." Mishil wonders what's taken him so long; Misaeng has no clue. Now a Hwarang runs in (that annoying guy we've seen quite often--don't think we've ever gotten his name) and tells everyone what happened with Bidam. Hajong is all upset about it, jealous jealous, and thinks Munno is trying to pull something. Seolwon tells him it isn't Munno's style to do that, but he'll check the situation out.
Now Jukbang and Godo have gone to Deokman to tell her what happened with the weird guy who she already knows all about.
Dukchung and Bakui are leaving the grounds, talking about this new guy who obviously has skills but is "a rude little turd." But in the next moment, here's Bidam running up to them, putting an arm around each of them and being all weird-guy happy on them. Which freaks them both out...and reminds Bidam to check the bracket and see who he's fighting. (Yes, we'd all like to see the bracket and find out who's in which half!) Bidam leaves them with some weird-guy stuff about "smooshing your tushies" if he has to fight either of them. (Obviously he's not a trash-talk disciple.) Dukchung watches him leave. "He's really nuts, don't you think?" Gee, what tipped it off.
Is Yushin worried? As he sits quietly, trying to clear his thoughts, Jukbang and Godo are talking to him like they sense concern. "Nobody can beat a guy who cracks a rock," they tell him." "All of the Hwarang say you're not the old weak worthless Yushin like you used to be." "You just go kick some Bakui." They're trying, but Yushin just brushes them off and walks away. Maybe he really is worried...
...or maybe he's just all business. Outside he comes across Alcheon, and this time there are no smiles or pleasantries. Nothing but mutual glares. Prospective opponents, and they've both got their game faces on. Interesting--there are no friends today.
Bojong sits down across from Seokpum, who looks more than a little worried. We know he drew #31...well, guess who drew #32: that Sunggo guy, who just got replaced by Bidam! "I saw what he can do in Iseo," Seokpum says, and Bojong knows it too. Seokpum says he'll do his best to keep Bidam from advancing "to fight you" (so does this mean Bojong drew #29 or #30? Show us the bracket!)...and in the next moment, here's Bidam running into the room and razzing both of them. They don't like it and Seokpum starts yelling at him, which of course only encourages Bidam, and very quickly Seokpum is totally unhinged. Mission accomplished.
Now he's even pestering Imjong! Bidam doesn't know him well but knows that his corps uses Munno's sword techniques. So if we meet up, he tells Imjong, "it'll be two old-school Munno fighters, huh?" But, he adds, you never actually trained under Munno, did you? "So how about after you lose, you make me leader of your corps?" At that moment, Deokman happens to be passing by. And is NOT pleased at Bidam's behavior...So she brings him inside and gives him a scolding about showing respect for the competition and the competitors. He admits to trying to play mind games but says it's a fair part of the competition...and then tells her again that if it's Yushin she wants to win, that's what she's going to get. (As in, he's going to throw a match? A dangerous tightrope, that is....)
Mishil and Munno are talking. Mishil is half-sure Munno is up to something, letting Bidam enter the competition, and we're not sure if she believes him when he says (or at least implies) that he didn't tell Bidam to enter. "I've always respected you," Mishil tells Munno, "since the day we met." He's told her he'll be impartial, but she's concerned nonetheless. "I trust you'll always be worthy of my respect."
Whoops, we're late! The competition has started already. A few moments of highlights of various matches, beginning in the first round:
--Bidam fighting Seokpum
--Yushin fighting Bakui
--Bojong taking down an unfamiliar Hwarang who has a weird but weak kicking style
--Alcheon defeating another stranger
Now into the second round:
--Bojong again, defeating a slightly tougher opponent
--Yushin again, with a bout-ending kick to the head of an opponent who left himself open to it
--Bidam (obviously he beat Seokpum) having a little trouble with an opponent with some sort of bolo-ball lasso weapon, but then getting the hang of it and knocking him down
--Alcheon taking some kicks from a worthy opponent
Now the quarterfinals:
--Yushin knocking down his opponent with a straight sword-blow--it's Piltan, another of the Ten Elites
--Bojong facing, ummm, is that Dukchung? Moving so fast, we can't tell for sure
Yongchun reports to the king on the matches. Then the king's attendant enters to tell him that the envoy from Hangzhou is here. Great news! That means Chunchu's here right? Uh-oh, the attendant is stuttering...tells the king that Mishil sent her own people to get Chunchu. Not good news; so where is he? Is Mishil holding him hostage or something? Better look into it, Jinpyeong says.
One of Daenambo's subordinates has been sent ahead; he tells Sejong and Misaeng that Chunchu will be arriving shortly. The trip was hard on him, the Hwarang reports, so he stopped along the way to rest for a while. And on top of that, it's taken even longer because the guy can't ride a horse--which sets Misaeng and Hajong laughing like crazy. "What kind of man can't ride a horse?" And then Misaeng has to admit that he can't either--but "I'm a gifted talent" in other areas, he says. Whatever...you'd assume they put Chunchu in a gama, but even with a gama it's taken way longer than it should have. What's the problem?
A-ha, that's the problem. We're out in the countryside now with the procession, making its way to Seorabeol. Daenambo has to stop the procession, checks the gama and finds an obviously motion-sick Chunchu inside. The young man steps out and we get our first good look at him since babyhood (subtitling reminds us that he's the future King Muyul). He sits in a plain wooden chair that's been put out for him, obviously not for the first time. He's given a wet washcloth, which he puts over his face like he's at home in bed! Daenambo is being admirably patient with him but suggests that they resume since they're very near the capital. "The palanquin wears me out," he complains; "I can't move." And he's in no hurry to go anywhere. Okay, he's motion-sick, you have to feel for him...but he also seems like kind of a wussy.
Back to the competition: We've got our semifinalists. Yushin, Alcheon, Bojong, and Bidam. No surprises there. Certainly better news for Deokman than for Mishil, we can say that much...and Bojong will have to fight Bidam next. Which means, a tough-to-watch match is coming between friends Yushin and Alcheon.
Yushin goes into a private area to rest. Uh-oh, he's favoring his right arm...and yikes, he pulls back his shirt and there's a monster bruise all over his shoulder. Somebody delivered him a nasty blow and it's hurting him. Wolya and Seolji come in to check on him. "The others are in the same shape," he tells them, and maybe so. The two Gayan leaders are counting on him to win, and they remind him of that, as though he needs more pressure right at the moment.
Well, Alcheon has his own issues, we can see that. Or at least one nasty issue--a huge, terrible bloody gash across his right palm. His subordinate helps him bandage it up, and while doing so asks Alcheon if he and Yushin have cooked something up for this situation. Alcheon takes great offense at the suggestion that either of them would ever compromise the integrity of the competition.
Bojong, he has his own welts and bruises but he looks to be in better condition than the other two. He's even doing a few push-ups to work out the kinks. Seokpum comes to see him and apologizes for failing against Bidam. "Not at all," Seokpum answers; "Bidam's tough." Seokpum advises Bojong to try to overpower him quickly; he suspects Yushin/Alcheon collusion and thinks Bojong will need as much strength as possible for the final match. And one other piece of news: Bidam has an injured ankle. "He'll favor his right foot when he leaps." That's potentially very useful information.
Bidam, he's in another private room...napping! His ankle is wrapped and he has it propped on a chair, but he's out like a light, with a goofy smile on his face. Geoksaheun and Daepoong come in, to bring him some water, and notice his ankle. "Imjong hit him a good one," they observe, answering the question about who eliminated Imjong.
Misaeng brings the latest update to Mishil: Chunchu is very close, but still not here. More embarrassment about just who can't ride a horse--Why does Misaeng keep bringing it up?--but in any event, still no Chunchu.
And back with the procession...Chunchu is still sitting there with that wet cloth on his head. Daenambo is politely trying to move him along, and even encouraging him to try horseback--"It's actually a lot of fun"--and it at least gets the cloth off of Chunchu's face. I tried it once, he says, and it wasn't fun. But he's willing to let Daenambo teach him and give it another try. Hey, progress! They've got a horse ready and waiting for him...Okay, he gets up on the horse just fine, real smooth, no problems. Wait--problem. "It's scary. I'm getting down." He does, and now he's so tired that he wants to find an inn and rest for a while. Well, if nothing else, this will teach Daenambo never to go behind Mishil's back again.
Deokman is headed out to see the final matches, but Munno has come to talk to her. Specifically, to find out if she ordered Bidam to enter the contest. A logical possibility from his point of view, but she didn't and she tells him that.
Okay, time for the semifinals. From what we can tell, Bojong looks like he's in the best shape of the four, but nobody is 100 percent at this point so it's anybody's ballgame. And of course, Bidam's ankle, who really knows how he'll deal with it. First up is Yushin vs. Alcheon. Neither of them are happy about it, but they're both in it to win it. The gong sounds, and it's on. A lot of early movement but little contact; the contact seems to cause them both pain, so they're being cautious. (This tournament really should be done over multiple days! Both contestants are seriously beaten up and it shows in the fighting.) Now they're starting to trade stick-blows more substantially...but they're both totally gassed. They charge at each other now, they both connect, and they both go down hard. And Yushin took the worst of it; Alcheon gets to his feet while Yushin still staggers and looks out of it. But wait--as Yushin finally gets upright, Alcheon's eyes roll back and he drops! At the exact 2:00 mark, the gong sounds and Yushin is awarded the victory. Seemed like it was more luck than anything else, and it was a pretty poor excuse for a semifinal, but it's done. The DFers celebrate; all Yushin wants to do is go over and help his friend up to his feet. Which he does, and then Alcheon holds Yushin's hand up in victory. Class gestures by both of them. And they hug.
Now the DFers are bringing Yushin back to his rest area, and he's really hurting. But now Alcheon is brought into the same rest area. Tense? Maybe a little, but it goes away. They compliment each other, and Alcheon tells Yushin he needs to win it all now.
Outside, some rather classless gloating from Jukbang and Godo; Goksaheun and Daepoong are more understanding about the good competition and sportsmanship we've seen from two friends.
The procession made it to an inn, where Chunchu is resting. Daenambo knocks on his door; it's time to go. No answer. Again knocks, and calls out. No answer. So he goes in. Chunchu ditched him? Where the heck did he go?
The second semifinal. Bidam sees Bojong staring at his wrapped ankle--a mistake by Bojong, tipping off strategy. Bojong charges and is getting the better of it all, and he's managing to get some kicks and stick-blows on the injured ankle. But Bidam ties him up in a clench, long enough to knock both their sticks away, and now it's more Bidam's kind of fight...Now their arms are locked test-of-strength style, and Bojong is bulkier so maybe not good for Bidam...Bojong gets a good kick in on the ankle and sends Bidam spinning to the ground. Bojong's experience in these kinds of bouts is starting to show. The ankle is really bad, and Bojong dusts himself off and walks away like he thinks it's over. But Bidam gets up and refocuses himself, and goes back at it--and now he's got some nifty arm-chops--in an almost acrobatic style that he can do off of one leg--that send Bojong reeling. Have not seen this from him before! He looks at Munno, as in, here's something I learned without you...A flashback, to Bidam begging Munno to accept him as his student. Munno turned him away before and angrily does so again--something about watching and stealing other people's techniques. But Bidam implores him to teach him everything he knows...Flashback ending, Munno is thinking about the very same moment. "I didn't teach him that," he acknowledges to himself; "did he learn just from watching?" However he learned it, it was valuable knowledge; those blows hit Bojong hard and he's clutching his midsection, in obvious pain. He charges anyway (maybe should go on defense for a minute?) but he's not moving well--a core injury will do that--and Bidam dodges the attack and sends him to the ground again with more of the arm-chops. And that's it! Bojong is in too much pain in his midsection to be able to get up. The gong sounds, and at 3:32 elapsed time the match goes to Bidam. Gotta say, a mild upset--or else maybe Bojong was more injured in his core than we could see. Either way, wow. And Munno looks to be more amazed than anybody else. Then Ho Jae steps forward and announces that darkness is approaching so the final round will be tomorrow morning. To which Bidam angrily protests; he wants to fight Yushin right now! A better-rested Yushin--really? Not wise strategy...but he's on a roll, maybe he thinks it's now or never. So Ho Jae calls Yushin forward and asks him if he'll accept the final bout now. "If that's what he wants," Yushin says, "I don't mind." A very sporting gesture from a competitor who certainly could use the rest. So Ho Jae announces that the final bout will be tonight at 7:00.
Yongchun updates the king. And gives us important new information that we should have been given a lot earlier. "If Bidam wins," he explains, "he, Yushin and Bojong will be tied. The grand marshal will be decided by vote." Which means that Bojong will probably win.
An irritated Hajong (who's never liked Bojong anyway) delivers the bad news to Mishil and Sejong. Mishil gets up and immediately leaves the room. No talk; just gets up and walks out. Not like her.
Bojong did get hurt--badly. He has some sort of terrible huge gash going right up his chest. It's not bleeding badly but it looks incredibly painful. We didn't see it earlier, and it doesn't look like the kind of thing Bidam's arm-blows would have caused initially, but if nothing else they made it much, much worse. Doesn't really matter; he's out, that's the bottom line. He's sitting in his rest area; now Mishil and Seolwon arrive to see him. Chilsuk is with them. It's painfully awkward; a long, uncomfortable silence as Bojong stands there almost in tears. "I'm ashamed," he says, finally breaking the silence. Mishil stares...and then smiles a bit. "You did well," she said. She drapes his shirt over his shoulders, and then hugs him. "You fought well...my son." They stand there hugging each other, and you can hear in her voice how genuinely heartbroken she is for her son. Still doesn't excuse her giving Yushin advice just to try to befriend him...but it's still a stunning scene. The way she immediately went to be with him and comfort him, with no criticism or second-guessing, we never expected it. The first time we've seen her acting like a caring mom to one of her sons.
Here we go. The ground is lit by torches and cauldrons, and everyone is here for the final match. Yushin and Bidam are standing there, sizing each other up. Yushin is blinking his eyes like he might be woozy, or having trouble seeing in the dim light, either one of which is big trouble. But neither of them seems to be moving at all. They're just standing there, sticks poised, but not moving. And the crowd is buzzing. It's been 15 minutes of this! Snide remarks--"Is it a staring contest?" "What kind of fight is this?"--but the consensus seems to be that they're just too tired to fight. Deokman sees it differently, though...and remembers her conversation with Bidam. More of which we see now in flashback. "If you're thinking what I think you're thinking...don't." As in, don't throw the bout. "Yushin would never stand for it." And she's right, of course...But is that what's going on? Wait a minute, maybe not; Yushin has finally made the first move, and it's on. Well, "on" is a stretch. It's not very good at all. In fact, it's lousy. Neither one of them has the energy left to do much more than bang sticks without much force. And there's Yushin blinking his eyes again, like something is really wrong. They clench momentarily: "Why aren't you fighting?!", Yushin whispers angrily. With a bit of his goofy smile, Bidam says he is fighting--but obviously Yushin thinks he's just toying with him. They clench again. "Fight back or I'll kill you. What are you up to?" "Think of the future," Bidam whispers back; "What's a contest compared to what you and the princess will do?" "Don't dishonor this contest," Yushin growls back, and shoves him away. They bang sticks for a bit--and what's this, Bidam goes down? Seemed like he went down way too easy. Suddenly, a shout: "Cheats!!" It's Chilsuk. He angrily stands up and walks into the combat square. "You call yourselves Hwarang, and yet try to throw this honored competition?" Mishil thinks back...Flashback of an earlier conversation with Seolwon and Chilsuk, just after Bojong's loss; Seolwon surmising that Munno may have planted Bidam to beat Bojong to clear Yushin's path. Which she had already considered herself, of course. It's not a realistic concern because the bracket was drawn randomly--but the point here is to plant the idea into Chilsuk's mind, and the idea makes Chilsuk angry enough that we know it worked. And Mishil tells him, "it would make our job that much easier."...Flashback ending, Mishil speaks up and shamelessly prompts him: "Hwarang master, what are you saying? You think they're cheating?" "I've spent my life handling the sword," he announces. "If I'm imagining things; if my accusation is unjust...I'll tear out my own eyes." (Which may not be much of an offer, the way he takes care of them.) He wheels around to face Munno: "Field marshal! What is your opinion? Would you say this is a genuine duel?" Silence. "If you do...then the way of the Hwarang is dead." As this is all unfolding, Jukbang is in the crowd watching, but now some guy behind him starts pestering him with questions about who won and who the non-Hwarang guy is. The guy is so annoying that Jukbang spins around to give him a good smack. It's Chunchu. Jukbang sees the strangers fancy duds and wisely holds off on the smacking. Chunchu introduces himself to Jukbang and smiles at him.