Thirty Nine.
Mom’s reading that letter from the Director. Why the Director didn’t make things right a long time ago… I don’t think God’s going to be too happy with how the Director let things continue until she wouldn’t have to deal with the blow back of everything being revealed. Director hopes that Mom will confess her sin and gain some peace. It’s the Director’s final gift to Mom. Mom doesn’t see it as a gift and declares that the Director is really cruel. Mom immediately calls the orphanage and is told that the nun with the diary has gone off to a retreat for a month and can’t be reached at all.
Oma’s delighted at Se Yoon’s news. Se Yoon turns down the offer for tea. He almost leaves but then turns around and tells Chae Won to see him in her dreams. Dirty bird! Chae Won laughs. Oma tells him she heard him! He invites Oma to join them and Oma tells him she’s not clueless. Oma is so happy for Chae Won! And that’s a load off Oma’s mind since Mom’s not going to be causing Chae Won problems.
Mom is drinking brandy. Se Yoon arrives home and Mom hides the glass. She starts to ask if he went to see that woman, but corrects herself to call Chae Won by her name. Se Yoon happily says yes. Mom thinks Chae Won must have been very happy. Se Yoon adds that Oma was as well. Mom tells him to go up and go to bed but before he does, he thanks her and tells her that he loves her. Once he’s gone, Mom breaks down.
Appa can’t believe it. And he’s happy. He tells Chae Won that she has to do her best.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
100 Year Inheritance Episodes 37-38 Recap
Thirty-Seven.
Mom slaps Oma. Oma almost slaps her back. Chae Won and Se Yoon come outside. They don’t see the incident. Mom wants to drag her away. Oma doesn’t want to but Mom drags her anyway.
At the café, Mom accuses Oma of following her. She asks why Oma is trying to strangle her, dry up her blood. Instead of answering, Oma asks Mom what she’s hiding. Mom won’t admit it. Chae Won on the phone. Oma answers and tells Chae Won and Se Yoon to go to lunch together because Oma ran into a friend from childhood. Oma decides not to tell Mom about Chae Won being her daughter, although she describes Chae Won as being upright and kind. Mom almost starts to catch on, but Oma declares that she was there because of the noodle competition. Oma demands to know what Mom’s problem is. Mom declares that after *the incident 30 years ago,* Mom provided for Oma so she could live. That’s the only sin Mom’s committed! Oma agrees that because of Mom, *she went abroad and started a new life.* Mom calls Oma ungrateful. Mom tells Oma again not to appear around her again! And stalks out. Oma mutters that Mom was so nice to her 30 years ago. Why did she change? Oma worries what Mom’s going to do when she finds out that Chae Won is her daughter.
EMIL’s at work. Joo Ri calls and tells her to go visit Mom. Because the head of a major corporation can just drop everything to do that. Joo Ri mentions that Mom was cold to her so Mom must be upset over EMIL slapping Se Yoon. EMIL grumbles, Mom is overreacting. Although she would be worse if someone hit Chul Kyu like that.
EMIL heads over to Mom’s, where EAIL is hanging out. EAIL lets her in and EMIL doesn’t remember her. She thinks EAIL’s there as a maid. EMIL’s all nice since she’s Chae Won’s aunt.
Mom slaps Oma. Oma almost slaps her back. Chae Won and Se Yoon come outside. They don’t see the incident. Mom wants to drag her away. Oma doesn’t want to but Mom drags her anyway.
At the café, Mom accuses Oma of following her. She asks why Oma is trying to strangle her, dry up her blood. Instead of answering, Oma asks Mom what she’s hiding. Mom won’t admit it. Chae Won on the phone. Oma answers and tells Chae Won and Se Yoon to go to lunch together because Oma ran into a friend from childhood. Oma decides not to tell Mom about Chae Won being her daughter, although she describes Chae Won as being upright and kind. Mom almost starts to catch on, but Oma declares that she was there because of the noodle competition. Oma demands to know what Mom’s problem is. Mom declares that after *the incident 30 years ago,* Mom provided for Oma so she could live. That’s the only sin Mom’s committed! Oma agrees that because of Mom, *she went abroad and started a new life.* Mom calls Oma ungrateful. Mom tells Oma again not to appear around her again! And stalks out. Oma mutters that Mom was so nice to her 30 years ago. Why did she change? Oma worries what Mom’s going to do when she finds out that Chae Won is her daughter.
EMIL’s at work. Joo Ri calls and tells her to go visit Mom. Because the head of a major corporation can just drop everything to do that. Joo Ri mentions that Mom was cold to her so Mom must be upset over EMIL slapping Se Yoon. EMIL grumbles, Mom is overreacting. Although she would be worse if someone hit Chul Kyu like that.
EMIL heads over to Mom’s, where EAIL is hanging out. EAIL lets her in and EMIL doesn’t remember her. She thinks EAIL’s there as a maid. EMIL’s all nice since she’s Chae Won’s aunt.
100 Year Inheritance Episodes 35-36 Recap
Thirty Five
EMIL’s in the factory begging for Chae Won to forgive her and get back together with Chul Kyu. Chae Won isn’t buying it. Because she’s not *that* stupid. Besides, she’s got a much better man now who is *not* a Mama’s boy by any stretch of the imagination. EMIL says that she’s regretted it since it happened, that she was greedy and selfish. She weeps over Chul Kyu’s depression. Chae Won tells EMIL that it has nothing to do with her and EMIL should leave. EMIL declares that the only one who can save Chul Kyu is her. Then she bad-mouths her current daughter-in-law. Chae Won can’t believe what she’s hearing. At one point EMIL declares that *she’s being sincere.* Sure she is… She takes Chae Won’s hand and asks Chae Won to start over. Chae Won snatches her hand away and asks EMIL how she can say that after all that EMIL’s done to her. EMIL cuts her off and tries to play the Chul Kyu card again. Chae Won declares that he has nothing to do with her anymore and EMIL should please leave. Chae Won leaves the factory. EMIL mutters that Chae Won is strong-willed.
EMIL chases after Chae Won and blocks her path. She tells Chae Won that they aren’t done talking. Chae Won again says that she has nothing to do with Chul Kyu. EMIL tries to use guilt. Ooo, yes! Oehalmeoni and Oma just happen to come outside at that moment. Go get the flour and the salt! EMIL is all polite *now.* She calls Oma her in-law. Oma can’t believe that. EMIL keeps going, asking them to take Chul Kyu back. Oma can’t believe what’s coming out of her mouth. Chae Won tells them that she has no intention of doing it, so they don’t have to worry. Where’s the salt and flour?! EMIL keeps going. Oehalmeoni mentions the flour and declares that there’s no one there who wants to listen to EMIL’s nonsense. And EMIL’s sure that they’re going to cave.
Inside, Oehalmeoni just makes sure that Chae Won’s not considering going back to Chul Kyu. Oma declares that if EMIL comes back again – bucket of salt.
EMIL’s in the factory begging for Chae Won to forgive her and get back together with Chul Kyu. Chae Won isn’t buying it. Because she’s not *that* stupid. Besides, she’s got a much better man now who is *not* a Mama’s boy by any stretch of the imagination. EMIL says that she’s regretted it since it happened, that she was greedy and selfish. She weeps over Chul Kyu’s depression. Chae Won tells EMIL that it has nothing to do with her and EMIL should leave. EMIL declares that the only one who can save Chul Kyu is her. Then she bad-mouths her current daughter-in-law. Chae Won can’t believe what she’s hearing. At one point EMIL declares that *she’s being sincere.* Sure she is… She takes Chae Won’s hand and asks Chae Won to start over. Chae Won snatches her hand away and asks EMIL how she can say that after all that EMIL’s done to her. EMIL cuts her off and tries to play the Chul Kyu card again. Chae Won declares that he has nothing to do with her anymore and EMIL should please leave. Chae Won leaves the factory. EMIL mutters that Chae Won is strong-willed.
EMIL chases after Chae Won and blocks her path. She tells Chae Won that they aren’t done talking. Chae Won again says that she has nothing to do with Chul Kyu. EMIL tries to use guilt. Ooo, yes! Oehalmeoni and Oma just happen to come outside at that moment. Go get the flour and the salt! EMIL is all polite *now.* She calls Oma her in-law. Oma can’t believe that. EMIL keeps going, asking them to take Chul Kyu back. Oma can’t believe what’s coming out of her mouth. Chae Won tells them that she has no intention of doing it, so they don’t have to worry. Where’s the salt and flour?! EMIL keeps going. Oehalmeoni mentions the flour and declares that there’s no one there who wants to listen to EMIL’s nonsense. And EMIL’s sure that they’re going to cave.
Inside, Oehalmeoni just makes sure that Chae Won’s not considering going back to Chul Kyu. Oma declares that if EMIL comes back again – bucket of salt.
100 Year Inheritance Episodes 33-34 Recap
Thirty-Three.
Director calls Mom a thief. Oma immediately tells Director that she’s confused. Director remembers Mom very well. Mom’s Christian name is Agnes. Director tells Mom that she can deceive everyone in the world, but she can’t deceive God. Why doesn’t she know that? Mom declares that she thinks Director is very ill, indeed. Director has a hacking fit. Oma’s weeping. Mom’s crying because of what Director said.It’s now raining. Mom’s freaking. Oma leaves the orphanage. Mom jumps down her throat about lying about going to the States. Oma can’t believe Mom’s being so mean. But then she stops and asks if Mom is hiding something from her. Mom answers that with a question – which is what people do when they’re lying. Oma declares that there’s no other reason why Mom would hate her staying in Korea. Mom avoids the question by accusing Oma of lying. Oma declares that she was planning on leaving but ended up marrying the man she loves. Period. Why should she have to report to you, anyway, Unni?! It’s not like she’s raised *your* child or anything. Mom can’t believe Oma got married. Oma snarks about Mom being upset that she wasn’t invited. When Mom can’t believe it, Oma snarks about having to ask Mom permission. Mom tells Oma that now that she’s married, they won’t have any reasons to meet in the future. Which is just cold. May the Director’s last words haunt you until you confess!
Oma starts to bring up Chae Won and Se Yoon’s relationship but Mom interrupts her, declaring that once the Director dies, she’s never coming back to the orphanage. She’s going to forget about the past (and the people in it), so Oma shouldn’t look for her. They should never have *anything* to do with each other again. And Mom walks off. Oma can’t believe she talked like that… How could she be like that? Oma sighs, frustrated that she has to hold her tongue for Chae Won’s sake. Oma can’t believe how Mom’s acting when the Director treated her so well. Appa appears. He was doing some maintenance work on the orphanage.
100 Year Inheritance Episodes 31-32 Recap
Thirty-One.
Ji locks Chae Won in – even though it’s impossible to do *in the front seat.* Again, Chae Won doesn’t immediately get out of the car but asks what Joo Ri’s doing. If she can’t have Sunbae, she can’t let him be stolen by a girl like Chae Won! Joo Ri starts the car and drives off with Chae Won. Without adjusting the seat at all, because her legs are *just* as long as Se Yoon’s are. He runs after the car and gets a taxi. Joo Ri has lost it and Chae Won pleads with her to stop. Car swerving. Se Yoon is calling. He's freaking out. Flashbacks of the accident with Eun Seol probably. Cruel to do that to Se Yoon. Joo Ri answers and he pleads with her to pull over. When he asks Chae Won if she’s okay, Joo Ri totally loses it – because he cares about Chae Won instead of her! Just like last time – and car accident. Se Yoon and the taxi driver rush up to the car. Chae Won’s head is bleeding because the air bags didn’t go off. Even though it's a newish car. Se Yoon pleads with her to open her eyes. He’s totally freaked and I love how that vein bulges in his forehead when he gets really upset. Joo Ri wakes to see Se Yoon pleading with Chae Won and not looking at her. Chae Won opens her eyes and Se Yoon tells her that he’s by her side, so she doesn’t need to worry about anything. He picks her up out of the car and Joo Ri cries.EMIL’s looking for Joo Ri. Chul Kyu doesn’t think anything of Joo Ri being gone. Hong Joo emerges from the kitchen wearing an apron. He asks her if she ate something wrong, because she's acting wifely. She tells them dinner is ready. They’re weirded out. EMIL is complimentary of her cooking. She made a salad. Chul Kyu declares he’s not going to eat her grass! Hong Joo declares that his attitude makes him cute. He rolls his eyes. EMIL gets the call that Joo Ri was in an accident.
Empress Ki Episode 14 Recap
Seung Nyang’s better. Or at least she’s awake. I don’t think she’s heard about Wang Yoo yet. Dok Man arrives and tells her that the royal physician cared for her and that Ta Hwan came and visited her often while she was sick and unconscious.
Ta Hwan’s thinking about Soon Yong’s news: that Wang Yoo led his men to a resounding victory against the Turks. He’s annoyed. Seung Nyang arrives. He tells her to go to her quarters and get some rest. When she protests, he tells her it’s an order and she shouldn’t budge from the palace until he says so! So it’s going to be like that, then. She’s going to hear, stupid. You should be the one to tell her. This will make you look petty. She’s confused but obeys. And I think she was starting to soften towards you, dude. You should have capitalized on that. After she leaves, he throws down his cup in frustration.
Danashiri’s hearing about Wang Yoo’s arrival. Maid reports that he’s a wild man with wanton desires. Danashiri’s not impressed. Maid declares that they’ll have to watch their girls. This exchange makes me laugh because I think about how the victors (which would be the Yuan) make the history, so this whole idea of Wang Yoo has a lecherous rapist could all be Yuan spin… Nice. Danashiri wants to send Seung Nyang, so that she can get hers.
Wang Yoo and the Mighty Men arrive at the palace. All the Koryeo girls are there and they drool over how handsome their king is. Yeon Hwa is particularly impressed. Wang Yoo proudly walks, eyes straight ahead. Myung Soo declares that he doesn’t see Seung Nyang. And Wang Yoo’s peripheral vision must be fantastic because he declares that he doesn’t see her, either. And the Mighty Men are now calling her a her, so they must have had that conversation. Shin Woo doesn’t understand why she’s not there. Jeom Bak protests that she must not *know*!
Ta Hwan’s thinking about Soon Yong’s news: that Wang Yoo led his men to a resounding victory against the Turks. He’s annoyed. Seung Nyang arrives. He tells her to go to her quarters and get some rest. When she protests, he tells her it’s an order and she shouldn’t budge from the palace until he says so! So it’s going to be like that, then. She’s going to hear, stupid. You should be the one to tell her. This will make you look petty. She’s confused but obeys. And I think she was starting to soften towards you, dude. You should have capitalized on that. After she leaves, he throws down his cup in frustration.
Danashiri’s hearing about Wang Yoo’s arrival. Maid reports that he’s a wild man with wanton desires. Danashiri’s not impressed. Maid declares that they’ll have to watch their girls. This exchange makes me laugh because I think about how the victors (which would be the Yuan) make the history, so this whole idea of Wang Yoo has a lecherous rapist could all be Yuan spin… Nice. Danashiri wants to send Seung Nyang, so that she can get hers.
Wang Yoo and the Mighty Men arrive at the palace. All the Koryeo girls are there and they drool over how handsome their king is. Yeon Hwa is particularly impressed. Wang Yoo proudly walks, eyes straight ahead. Myung Soo declares that he doesn’t see Seung Nyang. And Wang Yoo’s peripheral vision must be fantastic because he declares that he doesn’t see her, either. And the Mighty Men are now calling her a her, so they must have had that conversation. Shin Woo doesn’t understand why she’s not there. Jeom Bak protests that she must not *know*!
Empress Ki Episode 13 Recap
Ta Hwan is tortured, thinking about Seung Nyang and how she must hate him now. He declares that he wishes he was dead. Seung Nyang is there, so he’s talking to her. He tells her that he wishes he’d died on Daechong. He wants to know why she’s there… to laugh at him? She looks at him, shocked. To tell him he brought it on himself? To tell him that this is what he gets for betraying her? He yells at her to go ahead and laugh. Just like in Koryeo. She should just tell him he’s a fool and worthless! She replies that he shouldn’t get his hopes up, since she’s going to do *nothing* for him. He just sadly looks at her. Gol Ta arrives to call him to the inquisitor's office. They're planning the examination. So did Eo Jin lose the baby?
Maid arrives at Eo Jin’s quarters to drag off Eo Jin. And inquisition. Danashiri gloats in Empress Dowager’s direction. Empress Dowager just smiles coldly and walks on. Danashiri declares to her brother that Empress Dowager will get hers… and she’s be a nun with a shaved head yet!
Courtyard. Eo Jin’s examination IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. Ta Hwan arrives and demands to know why it’s out in public! El Temur declares that a fake pregnancy cannot be investigated in private. He declares that they’ll learn who put Eo Jin up to it, even if it means skinning her alive! The royal physician takes her pulse and starts to sputter. Other doctors take her pulse. They declares that she is with child. Haha! Ki Se is livid and Yeon Hwa can’t understand how it happened, since she took both the powder *and* the tonic.
Seung Nyang smiles to herself. Flashback to her telling Dok Man to take the licorice out of the tonic. She explains that Eo Jin is urinating way too much and it might be from laurel powder. Dok Man knows what that means: Danashiri is trying to cause a miscarriage! When the pharmacist leaves, Dok Man removes the licorice. Eo Jin faints and when they have her in bed, Dok Man declares that the baby is well. Seung Nyang is relieved. Dok Man orders Seung Nyang to tell them that they agree to the examination. Seung Nyang wants him to wait, since this is their chance to have Danashiri fall into her own trap. And the plan – Seung Nyang hides under the covers and the physician feels Seung Nyang’s pulse.
Maid arrives at Eo Jin’s quarters to drag off Eo Jin. And inquisition. Danashiri gloats in Empress Dowager’s direction. Empress Dowager just smiles coldly and walks on. Danashiri declares to her brother that Empress Dowager will get hers… and she’s be a nun with a shaved head yet!
Courtyard. Eo Jin’s examination IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. Ta Hwan arrives and demands to know why it’s out in public! El Temur declares that a fake pregnancy cannot be investigated in private. He declares that they’ll learn who put Eo Jin up to it, even if it means skinning her alive! The royal physician takes her pulse and starts to sputter. Other doctors take her pulse. They declares that she is with child. Haha! Ki Se is livid and Yeon Hwa can’t understand how it happened, since she took both the powder *and* the tonic.
Seung Nyang smiles to herself. Flashback to her telling Dok Man to take the licorice out of the tonic. She explains that Eo Jin is urinating way too much and it might be from laurel powder. Dok Man knows what that means: Danashiri is trying to cause a miscarriage! When the pharmacist leaves, Dok Man removes the licorice. Eo Jin faints and when they have her in bed, Dok Man declares that the baby is well. Seung Nyang is relieved. Dok Man orders Seung Nyang to tell them that they agree to the examination. Seung Nyang wants him to wait, since this is their chance to have Danashiri fall into her own trap. And the plan – Seung Nyang hides under the covers and the physician feels Seung Nyang’s pulse.
Empress Ki Episode 12 Recap
We start the episode right where we left off: Seung Nyang calmly working in the cup room, cleaning the cups. Ta Hwan bursts into the room, fuming, ticked and hurt all at the same time. She can tell something’s up but respectfully bows and averts her eyes. All he can do is say “You…” She looks at him, obviously worried. Does he know? Ta Hwan thinks about being out on the bridge and her telling Wang Yoo she misses him. And his hurt face hurts me all the more. He wonders if it’s Wang Yoo that she was yearning for.
Seung Nyang drops her gaze and asks what he needs and Eo Jin is in her chambers. His expression doesn’t change but there’s a slight nod and he thinks, “Fine, act like you don't know me. Ignore me… and I'll ignore you right back.” But he doesn’t say anything and his eyes are a little wet. He stalks out of the room without a word. Seung Nyang can tell that he knows something.
Ta Hwan is practicing the split arrow. He’s gotten really good, hitting the bulls eye every time. He sigh and moans that it’s no fun; nothing is anymore. Gol Ta mentions that Empress Dowager has requested he come to the Pavilion of Women. What does she want? He thinks of Seung Nyang being there and refuses. Gol Ta urges him to go since Eo Jin is ill. It’s not like he love Eo Jin… Ta Hwan yells at him about nagging him.
Pavilion of Women. Ta Hwan is visiting with Eo Jin and Empress Dowager. Seung Nyang is serving the food. Even though there’s a bunch of other maids in the room, she has to do it… To torture Ta Hwan no doubt. Empress Dowager practically tries to play matchmaker between the two and Ta Hwan’s uncomfortable because the real object of his affection is standing right next to him. When Eo Jin helps him by wiping him chin – this poor girl. I do not envy her at all – he looks up at Seung Nyang, pained, and she sees it. They both look away. And Empress Dowager is definitely playing matchmaker, telling them they look lovely together. Why would she do that? It’s not like he can just kick Danashiri to the curb…
Seung Nyang drops her gaze and asks what he needs and Eo Jin is in her chambers. His expression doesn’t change but there’s a slight nod and he thinks, “Fine, act like you don't know me. Ignore me… and I'll ignore you right back.” But he doesn’t say anything and his eyes are a little wet. He stalks out of the room without a word. Seung Nyang can tell that he knows something.
Ta Hwan is practicing the split arrow. He’s gotten really good, hitting the bulls eye every time. He sigh and moans that it’s no fun; nothing is anymore. Gol Ta mentions that Empress Dowager has requested he come to the Pavilion of Women. What does she want? He thinks of Seung Nyang being there and refuses. Gol Ta urges him to go since Eo Jin is ill. It’s not like he love Eo Jin… Ta Hwan yells at him about nagging him.
Pavilion of Women. Ta Hwan is visiting with Eo Jin and Empress Dowager. Seung Nyang is serving the food. Even though there’s a bunch of other maids in the room, she has to do it… To torture Ta Hwan no doubt. Empress Dowager practically tries to play matchmaker between the two and Ta Hwan’s uncomfortable because the real object of his affection is standing right next to him. When Eo Jin helps him by wiping him chin – this poor girl. I do not envy her at all – he looks up at Seung Nyang, pained, and she sees it. They both look away. And Empress Dowager is definitely playing matchmaker, telling them they look lovely together. Why would she do that? It’s not like he can just kick Danashiri to the curb…
Empress Ki Episode 11 Recap
The episode begins with Danashiri declaring that Eo Jin got knocked up so Seung Nyang should give her this powder they’ve hidden in a secret compartment. Seung Nyang is shocked. Danashiri asks if she’s scared. Seung Nyang fears it will put Danashiri in a bad position. Danashiri assures her that the laurel extract will be fatal for the baby only. Danashiri promises that she’ll get Seung Nyang out of the palace if she’s successful, but Seung Nyang will leave as a corpse if she fails. Leaving, Seung Nyang concludes that she’s Ki Se’s sister all right.
Yeon Hwa spots Seung Nyang leaving and wonders if she’s working for the Empress.
Ta Hwan’s thinking, wondering whether Seung Nyang is *a girl.* He sighs and shakes his head, telling himself that she can’t be because she’s a better archer, a better rider. He lost to a girl? But still… dress Seung Nyang up as a girl... Very nice. He laughs at the thought of it, Seung Nyang as a girl smiling at him. Gol Ta interrupts his thoughts so Ta Hwan slaps him and tells him to go away. And the poor guy was just doing his job. Gol Ta tries to ignore what Ta Hwan has said but Ta Hwan chastises him and walks off.
Seung Nyang is standing on a bridge, thinking about her dream conversation with Wang Yoo. She declares that she is dying on the inside. And Ta Hwan spots her on the bridge. Just as he declared to himself that he can think about Seung Nyang all he wants now. He watches her look at the sky. It’s snowing now. He decides to approach her and is about to touch her when she whispers that she misses Wang Yoo and wonders where he is. Hurt he pulls away his hand and asks who she’s missing. He demands to know who has her pining away like this? She squirms and doesn’t answer. He wants to know if it’s some guy or other. She declares it’s not. Gol Ta arrives and Seung Nyang excuses herself. Gol Ta asks if Ta Hwan came to see her. Ta Hwan responds by asking how the search for Seung Nyang is going in Koryeo. Gol Ta replies that it’s just been a few days… Ta Hwan sighs.
Yeon Hwa spots Seung Nyang leaving and wonders if she’s working for the Empress.
Ta Hwan’s thinking, wondering whether Seung Nyang is *a girl.* He sighs and shakes his head, telling himself that she can’t be because she’s a better archer, a better rider. He lost to a girl? But still… dress Seung Nyang up as a girl... Very nice. He laughs at the thought of it, Seung Nyang as a girl smiling at him. Gol Ta interrupts his thoughts so Ta Hwan slaps him and tells him to go away. And the poor guy was just doing his job. Gol Ta tries to ignore what Ta Hwan has said but Ta Hwan chastises him and walks off.
Seung Nyang is standing on a bridge, thinking about her dream conversation with Wang Yoo. She declares that she is dying on the inside. And Ta Hwan spots her on the bridge. Just as he declared to himself that he can think about Seung Nyang all he wants now. He watches her look at the sky. It’s snowing now. He decides to approach her and is about to touch her when she whispers that she misses Wang Yoo and wonders where he is. Hurt he pulls away his hand and asks who she’s missing. He demands to know who has her pining away like this? She squirms and doesn’t answer. He wants to know if it’s some guy or other. She declares it’s not. Gol Ta arrives and Seung Nyang excuses herself. Gol Ta asks if Ta Hwan came to see her. Ta Hwan responds by asking how the search for Seung Nyang is going in Koryeo. Gol Ta replies that it’s just been a few days… Ta Hwan sighs.
Empress Ki Episode 10 Recap
Episode begins with Danashiri’s complaining to Ta Hwan. About what I’m not sure. Something to do with Eo Jin, though. Empress Dowager argues that Eo Jin’s bearing the imperial heir, a concubine of the fifth rank is barely enough. Ta Hwan’s not listening, but thinking of Seung Nyang fainting into his arms. He wonders if she will be all right. They’re asking for his decision and he’s just thinking about her being okay.
Empress Dowager asks Ta Hwan if he’s listening. He replies that of course he is… What does she suggest? She replies that they’re awaiting his decision. He tells them that they can decide the matter. They protest and he calls out, asking for something cold to drink. Danashiri tells him that she would rather go blind! She stalks out. Empress Dowager steps up and urges him to make Eo Jin an official concubine.
Walking away, Danashiri declares that she’s not a joke and Empress Dowager has underestimated her. They’ll see who cries blood! Empress Dowager is also leaving the meeting with Ta Hwan grumbling about the insolent girl lecturing her! She'll be begging for mercy soon enough!
Ta Hwan’s moaning to Gol Ta about the two women. Gol Ta suggests a tonic. Ta Hwan waves that off and asks him to instead find out about Seung Nyang. Gol Ta asks him if he’s *fond* of the girl. Probably hoping that she caught his eye, since he’s been talking about being in love with a man. Ta Hwan protests that of course he’s not! It’s just that she’s so much like the man who saved his life in Koryeo. He feels better when he sees her. Gol Ta suggests that they permanently transfer Seung Nyang to his entourage. Ta Hwan isn’t sure, but Gol Ta says that everyone wants to work there because of the light workload and high pay. They get paid? He sighs, wheels turning. She would like that. Gol Ta declares that she will be overwhelmed with gratitude! He relishes her fawning with her gratitude and declares for Gol Ta to make it so!
<!--more->Ta Hwan smiles as he imagines Seung Nyang rushing up, gushing with gratitude. He asks her if she has the little nothing he gave her. She does! And she will cherish it until her bones are bleached and dry! While do they both imagine Seung Nyang all cutesy and flirty when they think of her? It's so not her personality. He asks her if it’s just until they're bleached and dry. She shakes her head earnestly and declares that it’s until they turn to dust and her life is his! He heartily laughs and ospiciously declares that he prefers her life while she’s still intact. She gushes and smiles after him adoringly as he walks away, happily swinging his arms.
Back in reality, he’s smiling, gushing to himself at the idea of being her dream man. He sighs, wishing that she really *was* Seung Nyang. He hopes that Seung Nyang is all right.
Seung Nyang is unconscious with fever. Do Han is nursing her. Dok Man arrives and asks if there’s improvement. Not really. Dok Man declares that failing to care for oneself is also disloyal! So no one ever catches a cold except when it’s on purpose? Really? He wants to be told when she wakes up. Seung Nyang is delirious, worried about Wang Yoo.
Back to Wang Yoo declaring that Batolu’s head is his. He shoots the flaming arrow, sending a signal to Bool Hwa and Myung Soo. They’ve been impatiently waiting. Wang Yoo and his men charge out of the fort. Where’s the Yuan forces? Batolu and the Turks fall back, chased by Wang Yoo and his men. Wang Yoo has them slow down, so the plan can work.
Turks fall into the tiger trap. They go a different direction to get nailed by falling boulders. And then struck down by Myung Soo and his men. Another direction and Bool Hwa is there, carrying battering rams. It’s a Turk slaughter.
Baek Ahn and the Yuan men run to the gates of the fort. A battle? But whose screams? Cham thinks that Wang Yoo gave chase and fell into an ambush. Or not. Ja Hae smiles and declares that blind ambition got Wang Yoo killed. Or not. And Byung Soo’s followed Wang Yoo to make sure that he ends up dead. But Byung Soo is tied up and gagged in a tent somewhere.
Wang Yoo lies in wait with Shin Woo and Jeom Bak. Here come the remainder of the Turks and Batolu. They attack, after Wang Yoo declares that Batolu’s head is his! Epic battle between Batolu and Wang Yoo, with lots of spinning and swinging. They both strike a blow at the same time.
Next morning, Byung Soo’s leading the hunt. They come across a massacre of Turks. And her comes Wang Yoo and his forces. They have a horse – it’s Batolu. Baek Ahn if Batolu is dead. She’s not. At least, his daughter, Onbisu, who’s been pretending to be Batolu, isn’t.
They get back to camp. Byung Soo asks where Jeom Bak is. Myung Soo says that he died with honor. No! Not Jeom Bak! I can’t believe he died. Byung Soo and Cham laugh that Jeom Bak is dead.
Ki Se’s visiting Ta Hwan. Ta Hwan asks him about Seung Nyang. Is he married? Where is he? What's he doing? Ki Se lies and says that Seung Nyang’s living with his brothers in his hometown. Ta Hwan’s practically disappointed at that news. Ki Se asks why Ta Hwan’s wondering, since he's His Imperial Majesty and Koryeo is best forgotten. Ta Hwan says there’s no reason, just curiosity. Ki Se thinks to himself that he has to get Seung Nyang out of the palace before Ta Hwan notices her.
And Seung Nyang’s up and about. So, Ta Hwan casually goes to find her. He calls her over – which she tries to ignore at first. He leans in and asks if she has the little nothing he gave her. His face is priceless when she replies that she lost it. Gol Ta starts to chastise her, but Ta Hwan waves him silent. He orders her to bring his tea.
And that took a long time to brew since it’s now dark outside. She fixes the tea. He tries to act all casual as Gol Ta asks her about whether she knows that he selected her as a palace maid. She says that she does and Ta Hwan smiles to himself, waiting for the gushing to start. Shocked that this is all she says, he asks her if that's it. Gol Ta starts to prompt her, but he waves Gol Ta quiet. Ostentatiously he tells her to just say the word and he’ll get her anything she needs. And then she tells him she prefers the Pavilion of Women. Slam! The hurt is evident on his face as he asks her if she doesn't like it in the palace. She replies that she prefers serving there.
Ta Hwan sighs and disgustedly sips the tea. Then he calls it crud and declares that it’s cold! She apologizes and says she will bring him some more. She just tells her to take it away. She does and he asks Gol Ta to explain *that* reaction. She’s supposed to be overwhelmed! Gol Ta calls her dense which gets him another slap from Ta Hwan for insulting her.
And now Seung Nyang is part of the group that’s come to groom him. Flashback. He sends the other maids out and makes Seung Nyang do it. Pleased as punch, he smiles as she ties the napkin around his neck. Like before, she’s annoyed that he has to pamper him like this. She roughly washes his face throws the cloth over his eyes. Then she roughly scrubs his face while Gol Ta looks on shocked. And I am rolling. Finally it’s so rough that Ta Hwan pulls the cloth off with a tut-tut! She respectfully bows and declares it’s time for the royal lotion. He sighs contentedly as she rubs his face. She pinches his cheeks and Gol Ta can’t believe how rough she is being! And I am laughing! He has no idea about their history at all. She is being nice. Seung Nyang starts slapping his face and he protests that it hurts.
Now Seung Nyang’s washing his feet. Ta Hwan lifts a foot up into her face and demands that she massage it. She won’t look at him. He thinks of Seung Nyang and that time he was bathing and declares that she’s so much like him! She clears her throat and looks down. He asks her why she doesn’t like it in the palace? It's less work, more pay. Why does she want to leave? She tweaks his toes and he protests that it hurts! Gol Ta tries to get his attention. She asks Ta Hwan to kill her now. He whines about how a girl can be that strong! Gol Ta chimes in that a beating will straighten her out. He waves Gol Ta quiet and tells Seung Nyang to leave. She goes and Ta Hwan smiles to himself as she does. Gol Ta asks if Ta Hwan will send her away and he sighs that she’s *just* like Seung Nyang. He declares that there's a way to handle these types. Because it worked for you last time…
Ta Hwan’s having her fan him. And complaining the whole time. It’s either too hot or too cold. She finally slams down the fan. As she glares at him she thinks that not killing him is like torture! He clucks at her for glaring. She replies that her eyes are always like this. He tells her she needs to laugh. Reluctantly she ha-ha-ha’s. He tells her it has to be more: smiling and pretty and such. She grimaces and clears her throat. She bares her teeth in a smile and he bursts out laughing. Gol Ta arrives to declare that El Temur is there. Seung Nyang sees his scared reaction.
Time to sign more documents. No discussion, just terse thrusting of papers in front of Ta Hwan and his stamping them. El Temur reads one and angrily tosses it in the trash. Ta Hwan asks what it said. El Temur snaps at him, asking if he fancies himself a ruler now. Ta Hwan naturally sputters that El Temur’s the ruler, of course. El Temur declares that Ta Hwan cannot make that girl a concubine. Tonight he will stay with the Empress. The court has noticed how Ta Hwan don't spend time with her. Ta Hwan won’t embarrass him like this. When Ta Hwan sputters that he will, El Temur sighs, disgusted. And Ta Hwan sighs, hating this.
Danashiri has been preparing for his arrival. She orders all the maids out. Ta Hwan won’t meet her eyes. She starts to undress him and then stops, mentioning it. He looks at her and she tells him that he can undress her. He slides off her robe. Now they’re lying on the bed. She reaches over to hold him and he tells her to blow out the candles. When she just sits there, he does it himself and then lies down and goes to sleep. The next morning, she’s upset as she thinks that what held her last night wasn't a man but an empty shell. She throws a fit.
Empress Dowager goes to asks Ta Hwan about the night before. He can’t even speak, he feels so repulsed. She assures that Danashiri will never bear him a child. She made sure of it. He interrupts her, not looking at her, and asks what kind of man he is. Turn to her, her starts yelling at her: What does he do here in the palace? Why does he eat, sleep, breathe? Why is he alive? Calmly she tells him that he lives to wait. He waits for his chance. And waiting takes courage. That's all she can tell him. He hates himself and his life.
Seung Nyang enters his rooms with Ta Hwan’s tea. He tells her he knew someone that looked like her. That man hated him, he supposes. He sighs as he declares the man his only friend. He tells her about when they were being chased and were cornered on a cliff. She asked him what he’s done to be the Khan, that they needed to jump. And he jumped! A first. He begs her to be like that man, give him courage. Be Sungnyang for him and help him. She replies that it’s not his place. Sorrowful, he looks away and agrees; she’s right. She’s no Seung Nyang. He’s just been kidding himself. Wow, he’s really discouraged. I feel so bad for him! He yells out to Gol Ta and when Gol Ta comes in, he tells Gol Ta to send her back to the Pavilion of Women. Seung Nyang is actually bothered by how upset Ta Hwan is.
The Border. Baek Ahn’s treating Wang Yoo to a feast. Wang Yoo declares that he didn’t do it alone so Baek Ahn tells Tal Tal to prepare wine and meat for his men. Wang Yoo doesn’t really say anything else. Onbisu – heck, I’m just going to keep calling her Batolu because that’s who she really is in the story – declares to her men that the Yuan have a tactician. Baek Ahn’s a brave man, but he's no thinker. Someone suggests Tal Tal, but Batolu doesn’t think so, because the guy who attacked them was a foreigner and if it was Tal Tal's plans, Baek Ahn would have been close. She declares that whoever he is, he can't possibly know our plans.
Wang Yoo’s riding her horse. Myung Soo and Bool Hwa are watching, proud of their king. Ja Hae arrives and declares they should race. Wang Yoo replies that he saves things like that for his enemies. Ja Hae gets ticked and smacks his horse. It immediately rears and throws Ja Hae from the saddle. And I’m worried for the poor horse, because Ja Hae is ticked. Myung Soo declares that Mongols are said to eat and sleep on horseback… and Ja Hae got thrown just like that. Wang Yoo contemplates what that means, since it’s not just Ja Hae that it’s happened to.
Byung Soo arrives with two Turks in tow, not prisoners. Byung Soo is meeting with Baek Ahn, Tal Tal, Wang Yoo and Ja Hae. He declares that their spies have returned. They’ve brought a map of the enemy camp. It’s in a narrow ravine with mountains on three sides. There are over 5,000 men, more than Baek Ahn anticipated. He tells Wang Yoo that they need bait to draw them out – meaning Wang Yoo. And the Turks are back.
Wang Yoo surveys the scene and declares that something is not right. She declares that this is where the bloodbath begins. Noise and a horse is bucking around. Wang Yoo remembers Ja Hae getting thrown and realizes: the noise just wasn’t for the people, but to disturb the horses and keep them sleep deprived. He realizes that Batolu will launch a mounted attack. He tells Myung Soo not to tell anyone what he’s realized.
Ki Se’s delivering the pregnancy news to El Temur, who is furious! Danashiri is there, humiliated. She declares that she can’t show her face in the palace now! El Temur declares he won't stand for it! Ki Se declares that he has a plan. He’ll use a spy, one of the girls in Eo Jin’s entourage. Ki Se thinks that they can get rid of the Pak girl and the Dowager at the same time. Ki Se directs Danashiri to test the girls to find the exact right one.
Danashiri tells Maid to bring her a girl who can read from among the Koryeo girls. Seung Nyang’s in working. Do Han us sympathetic, since Seung Nyang got sent away from the palace. Yeon Hwa demands to know Seung Nyang’s connections. How else would she get assigned to the palace?! Maid enters and asks for Yeon Hwa and brings her before Danashiri. They present her with a message. Danashiri declares that one of the girls has been carrying on, so Yeon Hwa needs to take the name to the captain of the guard. It's a matter of life and death. She declares that no one can know she’s involved, which is why Danashiri’s sending her. Danashiri strongly tells Yeon Hwa Not to read the name inside. As they leave Danashiri, Yeon Hwa asks about what will happen to the girl who gets killed… will a new spot open (for her)? Maid assures her that if she delivers that message, Yeon Hwa just might be appointed.
Yeon Hwa goes to carry out her job. Danashiri declares that it’s only natural to want to see what you should not. Yeon Hwa decides to read the paper and is terrified at what it says. Panicking, she jumps in the pond. She returns to Danashiri and declares that she fell in. Danashiri asks whether Yeon Hwa read the letter and she denies doing it. Danashiri orders her to take another letter. Yeon Hwa begins begging to be spared. Danashiri knows she’s not the one and tells Yeon Hwa to go back to her quarters and not tell anyone, or else Yeon Hwa is dead. Onto the next girl!
Border. Yes, Jeom Bak’s alive! He’s been out scouting, hehe! Wang Yoo sighs and tells Shin Woo and Jeom Bak that the time has come. They bear the heaviest burden. Scenes of what’s happening as Wang Yoo narrates: Shin Woo and Jeom Bak will follow Batolu's mount. It will lead them back to Batolu’s camp. Wang Yoo declares that his fight isn’t with the Turks, but with Baek Ahn. Jeom Bak isn’t sure that the Turks will trust them, but Wang Yoo tells them that they’ll be fine if they follow his instructions.
Jeom Bak and Shin Woo arrive at the Turk fort, with Shin Woo on horse back. Shin Woo declares he’s there to speak with Batolu. And, again, I’m wondering where they stashed this really nice fancy red robe that Shin Woo’s wearing. The Turks rough them up. Batolu decides to see them. Shin Woo is ‘meditating.’ She asks why they’ve come. Jeom Bak declares that Shin Woo doesn’t talk with lackeys. Heh. They want to talk with General Batolu. Batolu declares she’s on his staff. Shin Woo starts to moan about just wanting to serve the king, studying and he was even castrated! How his life has been wasted! Batolu wants to know how they can trust them. Shin Woo moans some more. Batolu leaves and tells her man that they can always kills the pair after they check their story.
Seung Nyang with laundry. Ki Se’s come to visit. He strokes her face so she dumps the laundry on him. Ta Hwan’s walking and sees them. He thinks to himself that Ki Se’s surprised too, but then he’s surprised at how she grabs the laundry and stomps off, while Ki Se laughs at her. He’s not surprised. Why? Ta Hwan goes to where Seung Nyang is doing laundry and spies on her. When she starts to leave, he calls out Seung Nyang. She stops and turns to look at who called her name. Busted. But he’s hiding.
Now Ta Hwan’s freaking out. Is it Seung Nyang? It can't be. Seung Nyang is a man and he’s in Koryeo. Gol Ta asks if he’s okay. He orders Gol Ta to send a man to Koryeo and bring Seung Nyang back.
Seung Nyang is working. Maid and Dok Man arrive. He declares that she’s the only Koryeo maid who can read. He’s curious what it’s about, but Maid is shifty and denies there’s any real reason. Seung Nyang’s brought to Danashiri and Danashiri recognizes Seung Nyang as the maid she slapped. Danashiri gives her the test. Maid declares that if she does well, she might serve the Empress. Seung Nyang declares she’s not interested in that, which gets Maid’s attention. Seung Nyang asks to get out of the palace altogether. Seung Nyang goes on her way. Danashiri doesn’t like Seung Nyang at all. She’s certain Seung Nyang will chase after Ta Hwan. Maid mentions Seung Nyang’s request which surprises Danashiri. Danashiri’s sure that Seung Nyang will read the letter.
And sure enough, Seung Nyang does read it. It says to kill the bearer of the letter. Seung Nyang freaks for a second or two but then realizes that it’s a test. Danashiri has no reason to kill her, and Maid was hopeful that maybe they can trust her. It's definitely a test. Muttering, she decides to deliver the letter. Danashiri is shocked that Seung Nyang delivered the letter, but then she declares that Seung Nyang won’t pass the second test! We all know she does because Seung Nyang becomes Empress. Wait… I’m spoiling the dramatic tension!
Seung Nyang is taken in front of the Captain of the Guard, who demands to know who sent the letter. She says she doesn’t know. He declares that it's a plot to burn the palace. Seung Nyang definitely knows it’s a test now. Danashiri’s now watching as Captain holds his sword to Seung Nyang’s throat and demands she tell him who sent the letter. Seung Nyang still plays dumb. He swings and cuts off some of her hair. Next time it will be her head! As he goes to strike, Danashiri stops him.
Back in Danashiri’s room, she asks Seung Nyang why she didn’t say who sent the letter. Seung Nyang replies that she was just following Danashiri’s orders. Danashiri thinks her obedience is odd. Seung Nyang answers that it’s just how she was taught and disobedience is the odd thing. Danashiri asks why she wants to leave and concludes that it’s a lover, of course. Danashiri promises she’ll see him again, if she obeys. Maid steps forward and pours out some powder. Danashiri declares that that tramp Eo Jin got herself knocked up and Seung Nyang should give her this. Seung Nyang looks at Danashiri, shocked.
Closer to Ta Hwan realizing that she’s Seung Nyang. Maybe next episode? And it almost seems like Seung Nyang’s forgiven him because she understands just how scary and dangerous the Palace really is. I actually really like Ta Hwan, I think a little more than Wang Yoo, because he’s this frightened man that you just want to comfort and give strength to. Wang Yoo, he’s strong already. He doesn’t need anyone but Ta Hwan needs a woman, Seung Nyang, to be the man that he’s destined to be. And what woman *doesn’t* find that attractive, that you’re *that* necessary. Besides, he’s genuinely caring, when he realizes that it’s warranted.
I do really like their dynamic, how she gets so annoyed at having to cater to him that she lashes out in some way (whether physically or verbally). I love, too, that he gets ticked but doesn’t retaliate more than to just yell indignantly at her, like he knows that he’s going too far and should be chastised. Given the politics going on, it’s really going to get interesting when he does finally figure it out, because it means that he’ll want Seung Nyang with him and that will mean protecting her from Danashiri.
I wonder if Danashiri is ever going to be likeable? I doubt it. She’s too egotistical for that.
Since we’re spending so much time on Seung Nyang and Ta Hwan’s relationship, it makes me wonder who the lead really is? Because they both seem to be the lead, him and Wang Yoo. Like I said, I think I like Ta Hwan just a little more because he *is* less perfect. Neither of them is the typical arrogant lead; Ta Hwan can be that way, but that’s just because no one’s pointed out to him that his expectations aren’t realistic. It’s not like he knows it’s ridiculous and demands it anyway.
I have to say, I love the costumes in this show. One of the reasons I love saeguks: the costumes. Although it’s the second time where the costuming has pulled me out of the story. Fancy attire on a concubine march and now fancy attire at a poor border camp that is underfunded and manned in a battle for the spice road. Come on. I know it’s a saeguk, but just a little more realism, please!
I do have to say that I love that Wang Yoo’s a stud. Where did he get all his training, though, since he’s a prince and all? It’s so crazy how this character is *so* not who Wang Yoo is recorded as being in history. The Wang Yoo of record is more the depraved king in ‘Faith,’ who drunkenly kills Chan Young’s mentor after ordering one of his loyal subjects to strip naked in front of him just for his jollies. But who wants to root for that? And why would *that* be a sad love story, when he’s a scumbag who likes to abduct, rape and kill women. And El Temur, historically, died *before* Ta Hwan ascended to the throne. And Tal Tal actually turned on his uncle, Baek Ahn, to oust him from power and worked for a long time with Ta Hwan. Baek Ahn is quite blood thirsty and despotic, too. Interesting article: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2013/11/148_145578.html This all goes back to what I was saying just a little bit ago, about how dramas tend to be polarized in their depictions, particularly of the bad guys. And really, I’m not going to root for Wang Yoo at all if they show him as the scumbag piece of garbage that history records him as. I’d much rather root for the butt-kicking Wang Yoo that I’m watching now. Yes, it’s fiction, but it’s engaging fiction. Cue the dramatic music and the tragic love story! And go, Ta Hwan!
Empress Dowager asks Ta Hwan if he’s listening. He replies that of course he is… What does she suggest? She replies that they’re awaiting his decision. He tells them that they can decide the matter. They protest and he calls out, asking for something cold to drink. Danashiri tells him that she would rather go blind! She stalks out. Empress Dowager steps up and urges him to make Eo Jin an official concubine.
Walking away, Danashiri declares that she’s not a joke and Empress Dowager has underestimated her. They’ll see who cries blood! Empress Dowager is also leaving the meeting with Ta Hwan grumbling about the insolent girl lecturing her! She'll be begging for mercy soon enough!
Ta Hwan’s moaning to Gol Ta about the two women. Gol Ta suggests a tonic. Ta Hwan waves that off and asks him to instead find out about Seung Nyang. Gol Ta asks him if he’s *fond* of the girl. Probably hoping that she caught his eye, since he’s been talking about being in love with a man. Ta Hwan protests that of course he’s not! It’s just that she’s so much like the man who saved his life in Koryeo. He feels better when he sees her. Gol Ta suggests that they permanently transfer Seung Nyang to his entourage. Ta Hwan isn’t sure, but Gol Ta says that everyone wants to work there because of the light workload and high pay. They get paid? He sighs, wheels turning. She would like that. Gol Ta declares that she will be overwhelmed with gratitude! He relishes her fawning with her gratitude and declares for Gol Ta to make it so!
<!--more->Ta Hwan smiles as he imagines Seung Nyang rushing up, gushing with gratitude. He asks her if she has the little nothing he gave her. She does! And she will cherish it until her bones are bleached and dry! While do they both imagine Seung Nyang all cutesy and flirty when they think of her? It's so not her personality. He asks her if it’s just until they're bleached and dry. She shakes her head earnestly and declares that it’s until they turn to dust and her life is his! He heartily laughs and ospiciously declares that he prefers her life while she’s still intact. She gushes and smiles after him adoringly as he walks away, happily swinging his arms.
Back in reality, he’s smiling, gushing to himself at the idea of being her dream man. He sighs, wishing that she really *was* Seung Nyang. He hopes that Seung Nyang is all right.
Seung Nyang is unconscious with fever. Do Han is nursing her. Dok Man arrives and asks if there’s improvement. Not really. Dok Man declares that failing to care for oneself is also disloyal! So no one ever catches a cold except when it’s on purpose? Really? He wants to be told when she wakes up. Seung Nyang is delirious, worried about Wang Yoo.
Back to Wang Yoo declaring that Batolu’s head is his. He shoots the flaming arrow, sending a signal to Bool Hwa and Myung Soo. They’ve been impatiently waiting. Wang Yoo and his men charge out of the fort. Where’s the Yuan forces? Batolu and the Turks fall back, chased by Wang Yoo and his men. Wang Yoo has them slow down, so the plan can work.
Turks fall into the tiger trap. They go a different direction to get nailed by falling boulders. And then struck down by Myung Soo and his men. Another direction and Bool Hwa is there, carrying battering rams. It’s a Turk slaughter.
Baek Ahn and the Yuan men run to the gates of the fort. A battle? But whose screams? Cham thinks that Wang Yoo gave chase and fell into an ambush. Or not. Ja Hae smiles and declares that blind ambition got Wang Yoo killed. Or not. And Byung Soo’s followed Wang Yoo to make sure that he ends up dead. But Byung Soo is tied up and gagged in a tent somewhere.
Wang Yoo lies in wait with Shin Woo and Jeom Bak. Here come the remainder of the Turks and Batolu. They attack, after Wang Yoo declares that Batolu’s head is his! Epic battle between Batolu and Wang Yoo, with lots of spinning and swinging. They both strike a blow at the same time.
Next morning, Byung Soo’s leading the hunt. They come across a massacre of Turks. And her comes Wang Yoo and his forces. They have a horse – it’s Batolu. Baek Ahn if Batolu is dead. She’s not. At least, his daughter, Onbisu, who’s been pretending to be Batolu, isn’t.
They get back to camp. Byung Soo asks where Jeom Bak is. Myung Soo says that he died with honor. No! Not Jeom Bak! I can’t believe he died. Byung Soo and Cham laugh that Jeom Bak is dead.
Ki Se’s visiting Ta Hwan. Ta Hwan asks him about Seung Nyang. Is he married? Where is he? What's he doing? Ki Se lies and says that Seung Nyang’s living with his brothers in his hometown. Ta Hwan’s practically disappointed at that news. Ki Se asks why Ta Hwan’s wondering, since he's His Imperial Majesty and Koryeo is best forgotten. Ta Hwan says there’s no reason, just curiosity. Ki Se thinks to himself that he has to get Seung Nyang out of the palace before Ta Hwan notices her.
And Seung Nyang’s up and about. So, Ta Hwan casually goes to find her. He calls her over – which she tries to ignore at first. He leans in and asks if she has the little nothing he gave her. His face is priceless when she replies that she lost it. Gol Ta starts to chastise her, but Ta Hwan waves him silent. He orders her to bring his tea.
And that took a long time to brew since it’s now dark outside. She fixes the tea. He tries to act all casual as Gol Ta asks her about whether she knows that he selected her as a palace maid. She says that she does and Ta Hwan smiles to himself, waiting for the gushing to start. Shocked that this is all she says, he asks her if that's it. Gol Ta starts to prompt her, but he waves Gol Ta quiet. Ostentatiously he tells her to just say the word and he’ll get her anything she needs. And then she tells him she prefers the Pavilion of Women. Slam! The hurt is evident on his face as he asks her if she doesn't like it in the palace. She replies that she prefers serving there.
Ta Hwan sighs and disgustedly sips the tea. Then he calls it crud and declares that it’s cold! She apologizes and says she will bring him some more. She just tells her to take it away. She does and he asks Gol Ta to explain *that* reaction. She’s supposed to be overwhelmed! Gol Ta calls her dense which gets him another slap from Ta Hwan for insulting her.
And now Seung Nyang is part of the group that’s come to groom him. Flashback. He sends the other maids out and makes Seung Nyang do it. Pleased as punch, he smiles as she ties the napkin around his neck. Like before, she’s annoyed that he has to pamper him like this. She roughly washes his face throws the cloth over his eyes. Then she roughly scrubs his face while Gol Ta looks on shocked. And I am rolling. Finally it’s so rough that Ta Hwan pulls the cloth off with a tut-tut! She respectfully bows and declares it’s time for the royal lotion. He sighs contentedly as she rubs his face. She pinches his cheeks and Gol Ta can’t believe how rough she is being! And I am laughing! He has no idea about their history at all. She is being nice. Seung Nyang starts slapping his face and he protests that it hurts.
Now Seung Nyang’s washing his feet. Ta Hwan lifts a foot up into her face and demands that she massage it. She won’t look at him. He thinks of Seung Nyang and that time he was bathing and declares that she’s so much like him! She clears her throat and looks down. He asks her why she doesn’t like it in the palace? It's less work, more pay. Why does she want to leave? She tweaks his toes and he protests that it hurts! Gol Ta tries to get his attention. She asks Ta Hwan to kill her now. He whines about how a girl can be that strong! Gol Ta chimes in that a beating will straighten her out. He waves Gol Ta quiet and tells Seung Nyang to leave. She goes and Ta Hwan smiles to himself as she does. Gol Ta asks if Ta Hwan will send her away and he sighs that she’s *just* like Seung Nyang. He declares that there's a way to handle these types. Because it worked for you last time…
Ta Hwan’s having her fan him. And complaining the whole time. It’s either too hot or too cold. She finally slams down the fan. As she glares at him she thinks that not killing him is like torture! He clucks at her for glaring. She replies that her eyes are always like this. He tells her she needs to laugh. Reluctantly she ha-ha-ha’s. He tells her it has to be more: smiling and pretty and such. She grimaces and clears her throat. She bares her teeth in a smile and he bursts out laughing. Gol Ta arrives to declare that El Temur is there. Seung Nyang sees his scared reaction.
Time to sign more documents. No discussion, just terse thrusting of papers in front of Ta Hwan and his stamping them. El Temur reads one and angrily tosses it in the trash. Ta Hwan asks what it said. El Temur snaps at him, asking if he fancies himself a ruler now. Ta Hwan naturally sputters that El Temur’s the ruler, of course. El Temur declares that Ta Hwan cannot make that girl a concubine. Tonight he will stay with the Empress. The court has noticed how Ta Hwan don't spend time with her. Ta Hwan won’t embarrass him like this. When Ta Hwan sputters that he will, El Temur sighs, disgusted. And Ta Hwan sighs, hating this.
Danashiri has been preparing for his arrival. She orders all the maids out. Ta Hwan won’t meet her eyes. She starts to undress him and then stops, mentioning it. He looks at her and she tells him that he can undress her. He slides off her robe. Now they’re lying on the bed. She reaches over to hold him and he tells her to blow out the candles. When she just sits there, he does it himself and then lies down and goes to sleep. The next morning, she’s upset as she thinks that what held her last night wasn't a man but an empty shell. She throws a fit.
Empress Dowager goes to asks Ta Hwan about the night before. He can’t even speak, he feels so repulsed. She assures that Danashiri will never bear him a child. She made sure of it. He interrupts her, not looking at her, and asks what kind of man he is. Turn to her, her starts yelling at her: What does he do here in the palace? Why does he eat, sleep, breathe? Why is he alive? Calmly she tells him that he lives to wait. He waits for his chance. And waiting takes courage. That's all she can tell him. He hates himself and his life.
Seung Nyang enters his rooms with Ta Hwan’s tea. He tells her he knew someone that looked like her. That man hated him, he supposes. He sighs as he declares the man his only friend. He tells her about when they were being chased and were cornered on a cliff. She asked him what he’s done to be the Khan, that they needed to jump. And he jumped! A first. He begs her to be like that man, give him courage. Be Sungnyang for him and help him. She replies that it’s not his place. Sorrowful, he looks away and agrees; she’s right. She’s no Seung Nyang. He’s just been kidding himself. Wow, he’s really discouraged. I feel so bad for him! He yells out to Gol Ta and when Gol Ta comes in, he tells Gol Ta to send her back to the Pavilion of Women. Seung Nyang is actually bothered by how upset Ta Hwan is.
The Border. Baek Ahn’s treating Wang Yoo to a feast. Wang Yoo declares that he didn’t do it alone so Baek Ahn tells Tal Tal to prepare wine and meat for his men. Wang Yoo doesn’t really say anything else. Onbisu – heck, I’m just going to keep calling her Batolu because that’s who she really is in the story – declares to her men that the Yuan have a tactician. Baek Ahn’s a brave man, but he's no thinker. Someone suggests Tal Tal, but Batolu doesn’t think so, because the guy who attacked them was a foreigner and if it was Tal Tal's plans, Baek Ahn would have been close. She declares that whoever he is, he can't possibly know our plans.
Wang Yoo’s riding her horse. Myung Soo and Bool Hwa are watching, proud of their king. Ja Hae arrives and declares they should race. Wang Yoo replies that he saves things like that for his enemies. Ja Hae gets ticked and smacks his horse. It immediately rears and throws Ja Hae from the saddle. And I’m worried for the poor horse, because Ja Hae is ticked. Myung Soo declares that Mongols are said to eat and sleep on horseback… and Ja Hae got thrown just like that. Wang Yoo contemplates what that means, since it’s not just Ja Hae that it’s happened to.
Byung Soo arrives with two Turks in tow, not prisoners. Byung Soo is meeting with Baek Ahn, Tal Tal, Wang Yoo and Ja Hae. He declares that their spies have returned. They’ve brought a map of the enemy camp. It’s in a narrow ravine with mountains on three sides. There are over 5,000 men, more than Baek Ahn anticipated. He tells Wang Yoo that they need bait to draw them out – meaning Wang Yoo. And the Turks are back.
Wang Yoo surveys the scene and declares that something is not right. She declares that this is where the bloodbath begins. Noise and a horse is bucking around. Wang Yoo remembers Ja Hae getting thrown and realizes: the noise just wasn’t for the people, but to disturb the horses and keep them sleep deprived. He realizes that Batolu will launch a mounted attack. He tells Myung Soo not to tell anyone what he’s realized.
Ki Se’s delivering the pregnancy news to El Temur, who is furious! Danashiri is there, humiliated. She declares that she can’t show her face in the palace now! El Temur declares he won't stand for it! Ki Se declares that he has a plan. He’ll use a spy, one of the girls in Eo Jin’s entourage. Ki Se thinks that they can get rid of the Pak girl and the Dowager at the same time. Ki Se directs Danashiri to test the girls to find the exact right one.
Danashiri tells Maid to bring her a girl who can read from among the Koryeo girls. Seung Nyang’s in working. Do Han us sympathetic, since Seung Nyang got sent away from the palace. Yeon Hwa demands to know Seung Nyang’s connections. How else would she get assigned to the palace?! Maid enters and asks for Yeon Hwa and brings her before Danashiri. They present her with a message. Danashiri declares that one of the girls has been carrying on, so Yeon Hwa needs to take the name to the captain of the guard. It's a matter of life and death. She declares that no one can know she’s involved, which is why Danashiri’s sending her. Danashiri strongly tells Yeon Hwa Not to read the name inside. As they leave Danashiri, Yeon Hwa asks about what will happen to the girl who gets killed… will a new spot open (for her)? Maid assures her that if she delivers that message, Yeon Hwa just might be appointed.
Yeon Hwa goes to carry out her job. Danashiri declares that it’s only natural to want to see what you should not. Yeon Hwa decides to read the paper and is terrified at what it says. Panicking, she jumps in the pond. She returns to Danashiri and declares that she fell in. Danashiri asks whether Yeon Hwa read the letter and she denies doing it. Danashiri orders her to take another letter. Yeon Hwa begins begging to be spared. Danashiri knows she’s not the one and tells Yeon Hwa to go back to her quarters and not tell anyone, or else Yeon Hwa is dead. Onto the next girl!
Border. Yes, Jeom Bak’s alive! He’s been out scouting, hehe! Wang Yoo sighs and tells Shin Woo and Jeom Bak that the time has come. They bear the heaviest burden. Scenes of what’s happening as Wang Yoo narrates: Shin Woo and Jeom Bak will follow Batolu's mount. It will lead them back to Batolu’s camp. Wang Yoo declares that his fight isn’t with the Turks, but with Baek Ahn. Jeom Bak isn’t sure that the Turks will trust them, but Wang Yoo tells them that they’ll be fine if they follow his instructions.
Jeom Bak and Shin Woo arrive at the Turk fort, with Shin Woo on horse back. Shin Woo declares he’s there to speak with Batolu. And, again, I’m wondering where they stashed this really nice fancy red robe that Shin Woo’s wearing. The Turks rough them up. Batolu decides to see them. Shin Woo is ‘meditating.’ She asks why they’ve come. Jeom Bak declares that Shin Woo doesn’t talk with lackeys. Heh. They want to talk with General Batolu. Batolu declares she’s on his staff. Shin Woo starts to moan about just wanting to serve the king, studying and he was even castrated! How his life has been wasted! Batolu wants to know how they can trust them. Shin Woo moans some more. Batolu leaves and tells her man that they can always kills the pair after they check their story.
Seung Nyang with laundry. Ki Se’s come to visit. He strokes her face so she dumps the laundry on him. Ta Hwan’s walking and sees them. He thinks to himself that Ki Se’s surprised too, but then he’s surprised at how she grabs the laundry and stomps off, while Ki Se laughs at her. He’s not surprised. Why? Ta Hwan goes to where Seung Nyang is doing laundry and spies on her. When she starts to leave, he calls out Seung Nyang. She stops and turns to look at who called her name. Busted. But he’s hiding.
Now Ta Hwan’s freaking out. Is it Seung Nyang? It can't be. Seung Nyang is a man and he’s in Koryeo. Gol Ta asks if he’s okay. He orders Gol Ta to send a man to Koryeo and bring Seung Nyang back.
Seung Nyang is working. Maid and Dok Man arrive. He declares that she’s the only Koryeo maid who can read. He’s curious what it’s about, but Maid is shifty and denies there’s any real reason. Seung Nyang’s brought to Danashiri and Danashiri recognizes Seung Nyang as the maid she slapped. Danashiri gives her the test. Maid declares that if she does well, she might serve the Empress. Seung Nyang declares she’s not interested in that, which gets Maid’s attention. Seung Nyang asks to get out of the palace altogether. Seung Nyang goes on her way. Danashiri doesn’t like Seung Nyang at all. She’s certain Seung Nyang will chase after Ta Hwan. Maid mentions Seung Nyang’s request which surprises Danashiri. Danashiri’s sure that Seung Nyang will read the letter.
And sure enough, Seung Nyang does read it. It says to kill the bearer of the letter. Seung Nyang freaks for a second or two but then realizes that it’s a test. Danashiri has no reason to kill her, and Maid was hopeful that maybe they can trust her. It's definitely a test. Muttering, she decides to deliver the letter. Danashiri is shocked that Seung Nyang delivered the letter, but then she declares that Seung Nyang won’t pass the second test! We all know she does because Seung Nyang becomes Empress. Wait… I’m spoiling the dramatic tension!
Seung Nyang is taken in front of the Captain of the Guard, who demands to know who sent the letter. She says she doesn’t know. He declares that it's a plot to burn the palace. Seung Nyang definitely knows it’s a test now. Danashiri’s now watching as Captain holds his sword to Seung Nyang’s throat and demands she tell him who sent the letter. Seung Nyang still plays dumb. He swings and cuts off some of her hair. Next time it will be her head! As he goes to strike, Danashiri stops him.
Back in Danashiri’s room, she asks Seung Nyang why she didn’t say who sent the letter. Seung Nyang replies that she was just following Danashiri’s orders. Danashiri thinks her obedience is odd. Seung Nyang answers that it’s just how she was taught and disobedience is the odd thing. Danashiri asks why she wants to leave and concludes that it’s a lover, of course. Danashiri promises she’ll see him again, if she obeys. Maid steps forward and pours out some powder. Danashiri declares that that tramp Eo Jin got herself knocked up and Seung Nyang should give her this. Seung Nyang looks at Danashiri, shocked.
Thoughts
Closer to Ta Hwan realizing that she’s Seung Nyang. Maybe next episode? And it almost seems like Seung Nyang’s forgiven him because she understands just how scary and dangerous the Palace really is. I actually really like Ta Hwan, I think a little more than Wang Yoo, because he’s this frightened man that you just want to comfort and give strength to. Wang Yoo, he’s strong already. He doesn’t need anyone but Ta Hwan needs a woman, Seung Nyang, to be the man that he’s destined to be. And what woman *doesn’t* find that attractive, that you’re *that* necessary. Besides, he’s genuinely caring, when he realizes that it’s warranted.
I do really like their dynamic, how she gets so annoyed at having to cater to him that she lashes out in some way (whether physically or verbally). I love, too, that he gets ticked but doesn’t retaliate more than to just yell indignantly at her, like he knows that he’s going too far and should be chastised. Given the politics going on, it’s really going to get interesting when he does finally figure it out, because it means that he’ll want Seung Nyang with him and that will mean protecting her from Danashiri.
I wonder if Danashiri is ever going to be likeable? I doubt it. She’s too egotistical for that.
Since we’re spending so much time on Seung Nyang and Ta Hwan’s relationship, it makes me wonder who the lead really is? Because they both seem to be the lead, him and Wang Yoo. Like I said, I think I like Ta Hwan just a little more because he *is* less perfect. Neither of them is the typical arrogant lead; Ta Hwan can be that way, but that’s just because no one’s pointed out to him that his expectations aren’t realistic. It’s not like he knows it’s ridiculous and demands it anyway.
I have to say, I love the costumes in this show. One of the reasons I love saeguks: the costumes. Although it’s the second time where the costuming has pulled me out of the story. Fancy attire on a concubine march and now fancy attire at a poor border camp that is underfunded and manned in a battle for the spice road. Come on. I know it’s a saeguk, but just a little more realism, please!
I do have to say that I love that Wang Yoo’s a stud. Where did he get all his training, though, since he’s a prince and all? It’s so crazy how this character is *so* not who Wang Yoo is recorded as being in history. The Wang Yoo of record is more the depraved king in ‘Faith,’ who drunkenly kills Chan Young’s mentor after ordering one of his loyal subjects to strip naked in front of him just for his jollies. But who wants to root for that? And why would *that* be a sad love story, when he’s a scumbag who likes to abduct, rape and kill women. And El Temur, historically, died *before* Ta Hwan ascended to the throne. And Tal Tal actually turned on his uncle, Baek Ahn, to oust him from power and worked for a long time with Ta Hwan. Baek Ahn is quite blood thirsty and despotic, too. Interesting article: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2013/11/148_145578.html This all goes back to what I was saying just a little bit ago, about how dramas tend to be polarized in their depictions, particularly of the bad guys. And really, I’m not going to root for Wang Yoo at all if they show him as the scumbag piece of garbage that history records him as. I’d much rather root for the butt-kicking Wang Yoo that I’m watching now. Yes, it’s fiction, but it’s engaging fiction. Cue the dramatic music and the tragic love story! And go, Ta Hwan!
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