Yeon Hwa’s *really* relieved when Ta Hwan leaves. And, "sure," she almost was a concubine with how she acts. She announces that it’s time to get back to it. She orders Seung Nyang stripped. And I am still not sure why Seung Nyang hasn’t brought the pain yet. Finally. She must have heard me. One by one, servant girls try to subdue Seung Nyang and are thrown to the ground. Hong Dan isn’t one of them, though. She glares at Yeon Hwa and walks menancingly toward the bully. Yeon Hwa tries to strike Seung Nyang with the whip she’s holding, but Seung Nyang grabs it and pulls Yeon Hwa close, grabbing the bully by the throat. She tells Yeon Hwa that she’s killed for less than this and demons fear her name. Seung Nyang tells Yeon Hwa not to bother her again because she would hate to hurt her friends. Then she throws Yeon Hwa and the whip to the ground and walks off. After she leaves, Seung Nyang looks freaked out.
Next day, Seung Nyang’s in washing clothes with Hong Dan, who introduces herself. She’s really impressed with what Seung Nyang did. Seung Nyang asks if Hong Dan’s ever seen the Emperor – I wonder if she’s trying to figure out how likely she’ll be to be discovered. When Hong Dan says she has, Seung Nyang asks what Ta Hwan is like. Hong Dan replies that he’s a hard worker. Super hard. So we know she’s lying. Shots of Ta Hwan being fed, half-asleep, in bed and Gol Ta protesting that it’s nearly noon when Ta Hwan falls asleep again. Hong Dan declares that Ta Hwan gets up with the roosters, prays in the temple and then tends to affairs of state. As Hong Dan says that Ta Hwan reviews each issue with great care, we see Ta Hwan acting as the puppet for El Temur.
Hong Dan says that at 4 o'clock, Ta Hwan trains in combat, which Seung Nyang can’t believe at all. Ta Hwan ‘training’ with Gol Ta, as he flicks the poor eunuch on the forehead and laughs. They seem to be playing a game where when someone loses a stone, they flick each other on the forehead. Gol Ta won’t because it’s *the Emperor.* Seung Nyang knows she’s full of it, or at least that the image that Ta Hwan is projecting is full of it, and she asks what Ta Hwan does at night. Hong Dan replies that he studies late at night in his den. Scene of Ta Hwan eating walnuts when he should be studying.
Seung Nyang declares that she understands. Hong Dan adds that lately Ta Hwan’s been getting pillow training, giggling and embarrassed. Seung Nyang doesn’t understand what she means, so Hong Dan explains that Ta Hwan will be getting married soon. Seung Nyang asks if they’ll be attending and finds that it’s only the staff heads that might go. I wonder what she’s thinking. Yeon Hwa enters. The minute she sees Seung Nyang, she acts nicer. Seung Nyang asks to speak with her.
Outside, Seung Nyang asks about going to the wedding. Yeon Hwa thinks it’s because she wants to get noticed by Ta Hwan, since getting noticed can mean becoming a concubine. Yeon Hwa tells her to forget it (because she’s not pretty enough). Yeon Hwa says that she’ll put in a good word. When she hesitates, Seung Nyang menacingly spins around and orders Yeon Hwa just to do it. Scared, Yeon Hwa agrees. Seung Nyang tells her ‘thanks’ and then walks off. Yeon Hwa puts her index and middle finger in a V and hexes at Seung Nyang. It’s just karma!
Seung Nyang’s working in the kitchen and manages to take a knife. She thinks of Wang Yoo begging her to stay alive. Looking at the knife, she tells him to forgive her because she means to disobey. So is she planning on killing Ta Hwan? Hmm….
The Border. Ja Hae’s ordering Baek Ahn to make sure that Wang Yoo’s taken care of. Baek Ahn grumbles about having to clean up their messes. Ja Hae is almost irritated as he stresses that this won’t come back to hurt Baek Ahn, so what’s the problem? And it must be really cold in there, because you can see their breath.
Wang Yoo and his Mighty Men – which includes Bool Hwa, I’m happy to see – go to visit the Koryeo soldiers he’s been placed in charge of. They’re a pathetic, smelly lot. Byung Soo comes in and gloats a bit. After Byung Soo leaves, the guy in charge of the group asks which one of them is the king. Moo Song wants to know how these guys knew the king was here. I love him. In response, all the men bow respectfully at Wang Yoo’s feet. Wang Yoo tells the centurion to rise. He does, shocked that he’s going to looking face-to-face with his king.
Wang Yoo asks Centurion how many from Koryeo are there. About half the labor force. Man, that’s a lot… that Baek Ahn’s been starving. Wang Yoo asks how they ended up like this. Centurion sadly says that at first they fought the Turks, but after the camp lost weapons and provisions, they were forced to become laborers. Another man stands and declares that they’re treated like animals. Another man says that just today, two of them were killed for desertion. Jeom Bak can’t believe it! The men beg Wang Yoo to help them. A man appears and blows a whistle. As the men in the tent hurry out, Centurion tells Wang Yoo that this is the signal to fall in and they aren't fed if they’re late.
Outside, a man beats a big drum. Wang Yoo and the Mighty Men survey the sad scene. Baek Ahn, Tal Tal, Ja Hae, Byung Soo and Cham appear. Drumming stops. Wang Yoo practically glowers at them defiantly. Baek Ahn nods. The guy beats the drum again. All the men, except Wang Yoo and his Mighty Men fall to their knees immediately. Because they know that this is what they have to do to live/eat. Crossbows drawn. The Mighty Men defensively stand around Wang Yoo. Centurion begs Wang Yoo to kneel. Bool Hwa begs him to as well. Wang Yoo proudly does. Even though he only drops to his knees rather than fall prostrate. The Mighty Men follow their king’s example. Byung Soo, Cham and Ja Hae smirk but Baek Ahn and Tal Tal aren’t so smug.
Drums beats again and all the men stand. Drum – kneel. Drum – stand. Drum – kneel. Shin Woo weeps and Moo Song glowers and Jeom Bak glower looks like he’s about to explode. Which is why I love them so! Their loyalty! Centurion can’t believe that Wang Yoo is humbling himself like this. I think his face is saying that he’s amazed at how humble Wang Yoo is, that he’s sacrificing his honor for his men.
Baek Ahn announces to Ja Hae that these Koryeo men are easy to train. Ja Hae gloats and says that it does his heart good. Baek Ahn tells Byung Soo that the Koryeo men are his responsibility. Wow, Baek Ahn really is cold blooded, because he knows what kind of man Byung Soo is. Byung Soo is thrilled at this responsibility. Wang Yoo glares fiercely and hardly represses a sneer.
Baek Ahn in his tent, planning battle strategy. Wang Yoo is brought before him. And they don’t even give him the dignity of being able to walk in there; they have to drag him in by his arms. Baek Ahn announces that he has to rout the Turks and secure the Silk Road. To do that, he has to whip this rabble into shape. His point? A warning that if Wang Yoo causes problems, he’s dead. Wang Yoo replies that he'll do whatever Baek Ahn asks to survive this place. Baek Ahn stands and tells him that he’s dreaming if he thinks they’re going to survive. It's impossible to kill all the Turks. And that is the only way out of here… for either of them. Wang Yoo processes what he’s saying.
Daidu. El Temur’s with Danashiri and Ki Se. Tomorrow’s her wedding day. Danashiri’s prideful as usual and certain of her influence over Ta Hwan. Ki Se presents her with a box of the finest musk, which makes men drunk on the scent of it. Wow, there’s a present to give your sister. Not at all creepy. ‘Here, sis, happy wedding night.’ Danashiri shoves the box back and confidently declares that Ta Hwan will be drunk on *her.* El Temur laughs but tells her to make certain that first night, since her place will be set once she’s pregnant. And we all know *that’s* not going to happen, given the incense the Empress Dowager has given her to sniff. Danashiri’s actually a little embarrassed but confidently replies that El Temur should leave it to her.
Ki Se tells Danashiri that her wedding cups will be steeped in mimosa. Which, when I looked it up, is good for depression, hemorrhoids, cramps, arthritis and parasitic worms. It’s also considered an aphrodisiac. But she should only have him drink *3* cups to get him short of breath and flushed. He puts the musk back in front of her. She protests and Ki Se declares that Ta Hwan is a callous one. Danashiri still thinks that she does need any of it. As she stats to preen herself, she declares that he has eyes; it’s all she needs. El Temur laughs.
Ta Hwan is watching some servant girls as Gol Ta tells him that where the heart goes, the eyes follow and where the eyes go, the body follows. After which, one thing follows another. What an uncomfortable thing to talk about. And how does a eunuch know, anyway? Ta Hwan declares that his heart won't budge! Gol Ta can’t understand why not, since Ta Hwan is perfectly healthy. Ta Hwan replies that when he looks at Danashiri, all he sees is El Temur. Gol Ta tells him not to think about it but instead to just purse his lips and let nature take over... Ta Hwan hits Gol Ta and tells him that he’s disgusting. Like a eunuch knows anything. Gol Ta protests that he wasn't *born* like this. And that back in the day…
Gol Ta gets a hold of himself and asks Ta Hwan if there’s ever been something he’s wanted just from the sight of it? Ta Hwan thinks of Seung Nyang – who he still thinks is a man – and declares that there was someone, when he was in Koryeo. Gol Ta happily tells him to think about *that* when the time comes. Ta Hwan then motions Gol Ta close and whispers that it was a man. Gol Ta is horrified. Ta Hwan sighs, tortured and says that when he thinks of that man, his heart pounds and his face gets flushed… he doesn't know what to do. Gol Ta whines, begging Buddha preserve them all. Because his Emperor is gay!
Ki Se comes across Dok Man and asks him why he made Seung Nyang a servant. Dok Man replies that he followed his conscience. Ki Se laughs and declares that his baby sister will be Empress. Doesn’t Dok Man understand what that means? Dok Man is supposed to make Seung Nyang suffer, but not kill her. So that she’ll beg to see him. Which we know isn’t gonna happen. Does Dok Man understand? Dok Man nods and sighs.
Preparations for the wedding… and Seung Nyang is one of the girls with a fan. Dok Man points out where Ta Hwan be standing and Seung Nyang thinks that it’s about thirty paces away. Later, out in the woods, she’s counting out 30 paces to see if her plan will work. It’s not going to. But she can kill a snake. She decides to paint the knife with snake venom, so that even if she can’t pierce him heart, the venom will kill him.
Wedding day. Servants dressing Ta Hwan. He looks happy. Gol Ta tries to get Ta Hwan to act excited. Ta Hwan just makes a face. And Danashiri is practically crooning as she gets ready. Her maid declares that Ta Hwan won't be able to stop staring. Danashiri scoffs and declares that his eyes will pop out of his head. Not prideful at all. But she does take the musk.
El Temur and Empress Dowager wait, each one’s face reflecting their opinion about this event. Ki Se takes note of Seung Nyang and smiles as he looks at her. Probably thinking about how she’s going to come begging at some point. Ta Hwan arrives. Danashiri arrives in hand carriage. Ta Hwan yawns and looks over at El Temur. Then he quickly runs down to get his bride. Wide angle of the square. Ta Hwan moves closer and Seung Nyang wills him to draw just a little closer. Dramatic music plays.
Seung Nyang starts to reach for her knife and go in for the kill, when she’s stopped with a hand on her shoulder. It’s Ki Se. He again repeats his ‘offer’ to be his concubine. Her chance slips away. And why she doesn’t just stab *him* now I don’t know. Ki Se walks off and Seung Nyang is foiled. Ta Hwan and Danashiri drink their ceremonial tea. She’s smug and drinks in the ‘hail’ to the Empress. Seung Nyang shakes with anger and cries a bit.
Later Seung Nyang, Hong Dan and Yeon Hwa are back at their quarters. Yeon Hwa is complaining about her legs and Hong Dan offers to rub them. Suck up! Yeon Hwa almost takes her up on it, but a glance at Seung Nyang stops her. She declares that she has to go to the palace to help decorate the nuptial suite. When Seung Nyang hears this, she sees another chance. Turning away, her knife flops to the floor. Hong Dan quickly tries to hide it, but Yeon Hwa’s seen it. Yeon Hwa excuses herself – most likely to rat Seung Nyang out. Hong Dan declares that Seung Nyang is nuts, carrying a knife, but doesn’t think Yeon Hwa saw it. When Hong Dan asks *why* Seung Nyang’s carrying a knife, Seung Nyang just tells her that she didn't see anything. She thinks that tonight Ta Hwan gets his.
The Border. Cham is beating the laborers. What are they laboring for, anyway? Shin Woo falls down and is immediately whipped by Byung Soo. Wang Yoo glares at Byung Soo, but Byung Soo’s full of his power and tells them to get moving. Shin Woo declares that one day, he’s going to rip Yom the Scum’s heart out; he swears it! Wang Yoo can do nothing but watch his people be beaten mercilessly.
Ja Hae, Baek Ahn and Tal Tal are watching Wang Yoo and the Mighty Men from a distance. Ja Hae wonders how long Wang Yoo will be able to last. Baek Ahn orders Tal Tal to work the Koryeo men day and night from now on. Ja Hae wants to know why Baek Ahn hasn’t send Wang Yoo and the Mighty Men off to slaughter yet. Baek Ahn wants to know if Tal Tal has news from their spies. On the Turks or the men from Koryeo? Ja Hae takes this as Baek Ahn ignoring him and gets pissed. Baek Ahn replies that he’s not the least bit interested in killing Wang Yoo; he has stopping the Turks to worry about. And it Ja Hae gets in the way and he’ll have to deal with Baek Ahn. Ja Hae glowers at that insult and declares that they’ll see about that one. He stalks off. Tal Tal warns Baek Ahn to be careful, since Ja Hae will be the Emperor’s brother-in-law. Baek Ahn replies that Tal Tal should give the same advise to Ja Hae.
Now it’s night and Byung Soo is continuing in his role as slave driver. The Mighty Men are ticked at all this. Bool Hwa sees something. Cham declares that it’s time to eat! Everyone goes running for the food… We see what Bool Hwa was sensing: a sneak attack by the Turks. Eating. Jeom Bak is ticked at what they’re being given to eat. Myung Soo and Shin Woo try to give their food to Wang Yoo, who refuses. Centurion and a group walk by and Wang Yoo invites them to eat with him. Centurion replies by spitting. So he *doesn’t* get what Wang Yoo is doing. Idiot. The group walks away. Jeom Bak wants to teach them a lesson but Wang Yoo stills him by sadly saying that the group is disappointed. Shin Woo explains that the men thought things would get better with Wang Yoo there. Myung Soo tells Wang Yoo to ignore it because Wang Yoo’s safety is all that matters.
Bool Hwa comes running up and announces that something isn't right. He heard sounds of men in the woods. Right then, the Turks attack. Poor laborers. Slaughtered because they have no weapons. Byung Soo runs away after telling Cham that he’ll bring reinforcements! The Mighty Men are surrounding their king. Wang Yoo’s tortured over the slaughter of their brothers! He orders his men to arm themselves and then they go to work on the invaders. Wang Yoo rocks as a fighter. Wang Yoo screams for his people to take up arms and stop them! And his face his splattered with the enemy’s blood.
The battle is now over. Baek Ahn is there surveying the carnage. Twelve Yuan are dead and about a hundred or so Koryeo men. Wang Yoo sees them. He’s ticked. He approaches Baek Ahn, who tells his men to do nothing. Baek Ahn and Wang Yoo fight. Which the men from Koryeo see. Stalemate. Wang Yoo declares that Baek Ahn did this, killed them. Tal Tal puts a sword to Wang Yoo’s throat and Byung Soo takes the sword. Ja Hae’s about to strike Wang Yoo dead when Baek Ahn stops him and orders Wang Yoo brought to his quarters. The face on Centurion is different now. So are you going to apologize for the spitting?
Baek Ahn’s Tent. Wang Yoo declares that those men should have been armed. If they’re short of arms, then the Yuan soldiers should protect them. He’s spitting again which means he’s really pissed. The blood of the innocent is on Baek Ahn’s hands. Calmly Baek Ahn asks if Wang Yoo think the laborers are poorly used. Wang Yoo declares that Baek Ahn *knows* they are. Baek Ahn admits that Wang Yoo’s right, but it won’t make any difference. War without purpose is lost. And he won't give weapons to men that care only for themselves. In the end those types of men will all be dead. Wang Yoo declares that he’ll make them a force to be reckoned with, so give him command.
Ja Hae orders Wang Yoo to shut up! Byung Soo protests that *he’s* their commander. Wang Yoo just looks at Byung Soo and tells him that he ran when the fighting came. Byung Soo replies that he went to get help! Wang Yoo growls that he’s had enough of Byung Soo’s whining. Ja Hae tells Baek Ahn that Wang Yoo can't be allowed a victory! Tal Tal pipes up that a defeat may mean Wang Yoo’s neck; he’s in favor of the idea. Ja Hae orders Baek Ahn to keep Byung Soo as the men’s commander. Baek Ahn looks between Ja Hae and Tal Tal and declares that Wang Yoo and Byung Soo should fight it out; he'll use the winner. Wang Yoo don’t blink as he agrees. Baek Ahn turns to Byung Soo, who declares that Wang Yoo was living the high life while his hands bled from training. Which I totally don’t believe that you ever worked that hard in your entire life… Constantly playing the victim in your own life… Wang Yoo just looks at him. You can tell that Wang Yoo knows that Byung Soo is CLUELESS.
Daidu. Eight o'clock. Danashiri preparing for the wedding night. She applies a little musk, smug in how Ta Hwan is going to fall all over her. Gol Ta tells Ta Hwan it’s time to join his bride. Ta Hwan is *really* not looking forward to it. The Empress Dowager arrives. She orders Gol Ta out. Once Gol Ta is gone, she tells him she understands what he’s going through, but he needs to to Danashiri to ensure peace in the palace. Ta Hwan sighs that she’s right. Then Empress Dowager declares that Danashiri cannot be allowed to conceive. El Temur is old and doesn't have long. She declares that no heir will give his supporters less support. Ta Hwan asks her if they can really undermine El Temur’s influence. Empress Dowager declares that they must and they’re finding a concubine for him even as they speak.
On the way to Danashiri, Ta Hwan stops the hand carriage, a burdened look on his face.
Water maids sleeping. Seung Nyang opens her eyes and after seeing that everyone’s asleep, she gets up to leave the room. But not everyone *is* asleep – Yeon Hwa is not. Dok Man walking with purpose. He enters just as Seung Nyang is about to leave and orders Seung Nyang searched. They find the knife. Dok Man’s pissed. They drag Seung Nyang away and Dok Man gives Yeon Hwa a look. After he leaves, Yeon Hwa sighs triumphantly.
Ta Hwan arrives at the bridal suite. Maids undress him. Man, I can’t believe how being this lazy is considered okay. Danashiri declares that Ta Hwan is late. He apologizes. She tells him to sit and she’ll pour him a drink. She’s totally sure he’s in her thrall. He chugs her tea. She smiles, smug at how sexy she is.
Dok Man with Seung Nyang. He has a switch. He orders her to tell him why she had the knife. She declares that it’s for personal protection, because of Ki Se. He declares that she’s lying! He's the brother of the Empress. What servant girl would refuse his favors? She’s up to something. He orders her taken away. Desperately, she declares that Ki Se killed her mother. How could she sleep with him just to make her life easier? Dok Man nods and the men let Seung Nyang go.
Seung Nyang declares that if defending her virtue is a crime, Dok Man should kill her now! He educates her how life in the palace is: One wrong word, dead. A hair in the food, dead. Too friendly with a eunuch, dead. A hundred other reasons and she’s dead with none the wiser. After all, what's one life more or less? But she’s not just risking *her own life.* A wrong word and anyone that heard it dies. Too friendly and his whole family dies. That's why discipline is so strict. He tells her that she broke the rules and must be punished for it. The punishment? Holding a bowl of water over her head while Dok Man canes her. Lose one drop and they start over. Dok Man makes her count off the licks. She grimaces at first but then blocks out the pain as she counts.
Danashiri is lying on the bed. Ta Hwan’s still drinking. She’s getting quite frustrated. Ta Hwan demands more wine. Outside, Gol Ta tells him he has to consecrate the wedding. Now Danashiri’s sure that he’s crawling into her web. Ta Hwan drunkenly gets up and goes over to the bed. He declares that she’s very beautiful. She thinks, “Dork. You just noticed?” She opens her arms and tells him to come and bury himself in her arms because his Empress is waiting. He sighs and lays down with his head on her chest. She declares that her heart and body are his. Wow, has she been reading too many romance scrolls. She tells him to do as he pleases, which he answers with a snore. Heh. She tries to wake him but he’s out. She shoves him off, pissed, and goes to the table. She demands more wine!!! Outside, Empress Dowager’s lady smiles triumphantly.
Lady reports to Empress Dowager about Danashiri failing in her wifely duty. Empress Dowager is practically gleeful as she orders Lady to spread the word, discreetly. If it comes out that he wasn't interested, Danashiri won't be able to show her face. She giggles, delighted. Ta Hwan arrives. Empress Dowager asks why Danashiri isn’t with him. He declares that she’s not coming. Empress Dowager is ticked at the insult. Wasn’t Danashiri taught properly?!
Lady’s in front of Danashiri now, who can’t believe that Empress Dowager is ordering an inquiry. After all, *she’s* the Empress now! Lady declares that because Danashiri didn’t call on the Empress Dowager this morning, the transition is not complete. Danashiri doesn’t care about tradition. Danashiri says that she’s exhausted, from all the imperial favors she experienced the night before. Exiting, Dok Man intercepts Lady and asks that Lady put in a good word for Danashiri. Lady hesitates and Dok Man’s worried about the power struggle getting taken out on the servants. Lady isn’t swayed. Danashiri’s Maid comes out and tells Dok Man that Empress Dowager has ordered an inquiry.
I guess that means that Danashiri’s going to have to put up with more training. Danashiri’s now in front of a bunch of tutors introducing themselves. She stops them and declares that she can't be expected to remember all of them. Maid smiles, encouraged by what a great Empress she serves. Danashiri goes down the line and makes up insulting names for all of the servants: Dogface, Battleaxe, Porker. Ways to win friends and influence people. Dok Man is insulted for all of them. He tries to admonish her but she calls him Frogface. Danashiri makes Dogface declare that she loves her new name. Then Danashiri declares that the Empress Dowager does not rule the Inner Court, *she* does. This girl is clueless. She’s in for a rude awakening once Daddy dies.
Empress Dowager and Danashiri run into each other on a bridge. Defiant, confident stare from Empress Dowager and glare from Danashiri. Danashiri then forces a smile and bows. She asks why the Empress Dowager is there. Empress Dowager replies that she’s there for a visit. Danashiri tries to blow her off by saying she’s going to call on Ta Hwan. Empress Dowager smiles and replies that she thought Danashiri might be wanting to see her, since Ta Hwan didn't lay a hand on her last night. That drained the smug smile right off Danashiri’s face. Empress Dowager sighs and declares this a palace first. Isn’t Danashiri curious as to how to win his heart? Danashiri replies by asking Empress Dowager why she didn’t shaves her head and enter a monastery when her Emperor died. Empress Dowager outright asks if Danashiri wants her to leave. Danashiri replies that Empress Dowager is so big on tradition, but what good are traditions if they aren't followed. She smugly smiles and bows and saunters away, sure she’s won.
Instead Empress Dowager gets on with the concubine selection. Poor girl. I definitely wouldn’t want to be in her position. Dok Man declares that the girl, Eo Jin is the pick of the concubines and has been properly trained. Empress Dowager declares that Ta Hwan will be calling on her tonight and orders Dok Man to give Eo Jin some ladies to attend to her. And who does Dok Man select? Seung Nyang, of course.
Border. Byung Soo is preparing for his battle with Wang Yoo. Cham declares Wang Yoo formidable, but Byung Soo’s not worried. Because he’s an idiot. He declares he has a secret weapon – the wooden sword is filled with lead. Byung Soo declares that Wang Yoo’s sword *and head* will shatter. He gleefully laughs.
Another tent, Bool Hwa’s filling in Wang Yoo on Byung Soo’s skills. He’s not to be underestimated. Myung Soo declares that no one in the palace could beat Wang Yoo. Before Wang Yoo goes to fight, Centurion and his lackeys arrive to pledge their allegiance; he needs to lead them!
Yuan soldiers are cheering Byung Soo. Koryeo men are pleading with Wang Yoo, wishing him good luck and victory! Tal Tal declares that this is a fight to the finish… until one yields. Or dies. Byung Soo steps forward and cockily tells Wang Yoo to yield now if he doesn't want to get hurt. Wang Yoo, without dignifying Byung Soo with a look, declares that that won't happen. Fighting begins.
Seung Nyang approaches the bridal suite. She’s brought Angelica tea. Eo Jin asks if she’s Seung Nyang is from Koryeo. But before the tea is drunk, Ta Hwan arrives. Dok Man hurries in to tell Seung Nyang to get out of there. As she goes, she comes face to face with Ta Hwan. Horrified, she drops the tea cup off the tray. His face reads astonished. She drops to her knees and begs to be killed. Gol Ta tries to hurry Ta Hwan along, but Ta Hwan silences him with a hand gesture. Ta Hwan orders Seung Nyang to stand up and let him look at her. She knows the jig is up and hesitates. When she looks up, he leans over and can only sputter “You!”
Thoughts
I’m really surprised that they didn’t drag it out longer (Seung Nyang and Ta Hwan running into each other. But does he *really* recognize her, since she’s a woman. At least not Gol Ta won’t have to pray to Buddha anymore about his Emperor being gay. And how is Ta Hwan going to make it up to Seung Nyang, since she was ready to assassinate him, sacrificing her life in the process. Unless he tells her why he did it, I can’t see her relenting in her hatred of him.
Most of this episode focused on Danashiri’s arrogant surety at her own comeliness. I wonder what she’s going to do when Ta Hwan’s attentions are firmly fixed somewhere else. If she was nicer, I actually might feel sorry for her, but I don’t. I don’t like any of El Temur’s kids and think that they all deserve what they get. It’s interesting to see how they just think that all this influence they have will continue once Daddy’s gone.
Seeing how it’s playing out, I think that Dok Man’s going to become more and more Seung Nyang’s ally in the palace, since he already holds her in high regard and only punished her because he *had* to when he discovered her with the knife. I wonder why Seung Nyang just let Yeon Hwa get away with squealing on her like that. Another person I don’t like. I wonder if the actress can do anything but be an evil second lead – that’s all she’s played up until now, it seems.
Wang Yoo’s honorable character is making friends and influencing people. I already know that Byung Soo is going to fail because cheaters never win… And he really is a pathetic weenie. I really do hope that Shin Woo gets to rip his heart out one day.
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