Welcome to the Open Thread, everybody! Thanks for becoming a member of in on this group watch of this very particular present! ❤️
As I discussed in my announcement submit, these are my notes, precisely as they seem on Patreon.
ZERO SPOILER POLICY
We will probably be adopting a ZERO SPOILER POLICY for this Open Thread, aside from occasions which have occurred within the present, up up to now.
This contains, however isn’t restricted to, how characters &/or relationships develop, later within the present.
The spoiler tags don’t work in electronic mail notifications, due to this fact, please take be aware that WE WILL NOT BE USING SPOILER TAGS FOR THIS OPEN THREAD.
We have to shield the harmless! 😉
With out additional ado, listed here are my reactions to this set of episodes; have enjoyable within the Open Thread, everybody! ❤️
My ideas
Episode 13
E13. Oof. The angst. I undoubtedly really feel it, this episode.
Earlier than I get into that, although, I needed to simply speak a bit bit about how time passes, in our drama world.
I really feel prefer it’s turn out to be startlingly clear to me, this episode, that Present is taking a really selective method, when it comes to what it desires to spend time on, and what it doesn’t need to spend time on.
This episode, it seems like Present zooms in on chosen moments which can be related to our OTP, and glosses over different issues which can be much less related.
For instance, all the concubine choice course of is handled like a form of spotlight reel, virtually.
One minute, we see Deok Ro’s sister coming into the palace for the choice course of, after which earlier than we all know it, she’s not solely been chosen, she’s been formally put in, and by the tip of the episode, San has gone to spend the evening at her quarters.
Clearly, this all would have taken time to occur; it didn’t simply happen in a matter of some brief days.
However Present isn’s all for exhibiting us the choice course of, or how a lot time has handed, earlier than she’s of age for the royal consummation. All of it simply occurs, virtually on the periphery, as a result of this actually is all considerably peripheral, to our story.
Present solely zooms in on the bits which can be of specific significance and relevance to our OTP, and whereas this may really feel a bit bit.. unusual, for these of us who’re extra used to a extra chronological, step-by-step method to storytelling, I feel I do desire this method, total.
For one factor, we don’t expend display screen time on issues that aren’t of nice consequence to the main focus of our story.
I really feel like if Present had needed to deal with all the things equally, this may have been extra like a 50-episode epic, than a shorter mini-series.
And for one more, this manner, our focus isn’t diluted by different issues, like Deok Ro’s sister, now-Queen Wonbin, and the way she feels about coming into the palace, and the way she feels about San himself.
There are different issues as effectively, that Present doesn’t go into element about, like what precisely occurs to Princess Hwawan’s adopted son Baek Ik, and the way he’d been despatched into exile, and the way he’d been executed in his mom’s stead.
I suppose the underside line is, I’ve some curiosity round how these particulars play out, however they aren’t vital to my engagement with our story.
I’m totally cognizant of the truth that our story is about San and Deok Im, and I’m even midway grateful, that Present is actively working to maintain me centered on them, relatively than get distracted by different characters and their happenings.
That is additionally my cue to deal with the political goings-on with a relatively free hand. Coz the concept I’m getting is, I don’t have to know or understanding all the things, as a way to totally recognize the story that Present desires to inform.
That’s basically the blurry lens I’m utilizing for the entire insurgent factor, the place Wol Hye and her fellow insurgent court docket maids stage an assault on San.
I imply, the entire thing feels fairly random, in that I hadn’t anticipated them to aim something, after what had occurred to Head Courtroom Woman Jo.
This assault feels sudden and relatively foolhardy, actually, and I do surprise if that is simply writer-nim’s manner of wrapping up the entire thing with Gwangan Palace, in order that we are able to transfer on to different issues.
I did just like the beat on the jail, the place Deok Im visits Wol Hye, and asks why Wol Hye had saved her.
I discovered the deep sense of connection and mutual regard between them, that transcends the truth that Wol Hye had been actively concerned in insurgent actions, actually fairly touching.
I additionally loved the spirit behind the stone-skipping scene. The comedy round Deok Im attempting to sabotage San by giving him a big stone, was low-key form of amusing, however the factor that actually will get me within the coronary heart, is how San places Deok Im’s pleasure earlier than his personal.
Your complete deal had been made, as a result of San desired to listen to Deok Im’s reply to his request, that she turn out to be his royal concubine.
However when he realizes what Deok Im’s request, that her buddy Bok Yeon be allowed to return to work on the palace, means to her, he cedes the sport to her – despite the fact that he might have simply received, and gained the reply which he’d wagered.
I like that. I discover it actually touching, that San constantly desires Deok Im to be pleased, and prioritizes her happiness, even when it implies that it places a damper on his personal happiness.
On a frivolous tangent, I can’t assist getting a little bit of a fangirl thrill, that San is so good at skipping stones, despite the fact that he hasn’t had a lot observe, and despite the fact that Deok Im provides him a extremely giant stone that’s utterly the mistaken form, for his or her goal. 😁
The scene the place a drunken San comes again to his quarters, actually hits me within the coronary heart too.
At first, it appears like he’s simply playing around, portray random little traces, dots and swirls for Head Guard, Courtroom Woman Website positioning and Deok Im. However then, we see that he’s truly wiping away tears, in between portray these little trifles.
Within the context of the truth that he’s simply spent the day eliminating people who find themselves his family members, as a result of they’re deemed to be rebels, that is totally heartbreaking. 😭
Poor San. He have to be feeling so conflicted, and at odds with himself. He’s all the time been so righteous and upright, that it should disturb him tremendously, that he’s taking away the lives of people that rely as his household.
I believed that Junho did a extremely wonderful job delivering this scene, as a result of the adjustments within the nuances of San’s drunken laughter, happen so seamlessly.
They’re slight sufficient, that you simply don’t truly discover it begin to occur. However, the change can also be so clear, you could’t miss how San’s laughter ultimately appears and sounds strained, as he wipes away his tears. Actually fairly masterful, I believed.
San’s tipsy confrontation with Deok Im, over how she’s been avoiding him, feels uncooked and trustworthy.
It actually seems like San places away his royal identification, and easily talks with Deok Im as an equal, as he complains of her avoiding him, and talks about how he’s afraid of himself, as a result of he’s a person who’s killed his personal brother.
There’s a forlornness in his eyes, and resignation and bitter plaintiveness in his voice, as he asks why Deok Im appears at him the best way she does.
Whereas I utterly consider Deok Im when she talks about how her coronary heart aches for the truth that San’s by no means regarded comfy ever since he took the throne, I additionally perceive San’s frustration, that she’s evading his emotions for her.
A part of my mind is disturbed by the truth that San principally threatens to rape her, proper there after which, however the different a part of my mind rationalizes that:
1, this isn’t truly out of the bizarre, for kings who want their court docket maids, and
2, that is probably San drunk-talking and spilling his emotions with out filter or decorum.
He’s principally saying that he desires Deok Im, and is resentful of the truth that she retains pushing him away.
Plus, there’s how he says all of it, which I feel makes a distinction. He’s not truly very aggressive, as he says all this.
In reality, it seems like he’s half-hypnotized, as he whisper-mutters his phrases to Deok Im. This does make the second really feel much less threatening, in its execution, no less than by a bit, I feel.
Sure, I’m leaping by way of psychological hoops, as a way to discover a technique to not be disturbed by this scene. And once more, I feel it goes again to the concept that San actually does have the facility to do that, if he wished.
Like that point within the library, the place he grabbed Deok Im by the neck, and reminded her that her life was in his palms. Importantly, although, he doesn’t, so there’s that.
Additionally, I’m of the opinion that, if sober, San would by no means have even threatened Deok Im, not to mention get near finishing up his risk.
I feel that’s proven very clearly, in how San reacts, when he finds out that his mom had requested Deok Im to be his royal concubine, and Deok Im had declined.
He’s clearly upset, and confronts Deok Im to inform her so, however he doesn’t drive her within the matter – despite the fact that he might have.
Because the Queen Dowager put it, he can actually choose any lady he desires, to be his royal concubine, as a result of there isn’t anybody who ought to have the ability to flip him down.
He has the facility to drive Deok Im into changing into his royal concubine, however he refuses to make use of it. It’s vital to him, that Deok Im involves him willingly, and that’s why he delays his request, despite the fact that it upsets him to take action.
Whereas I don’t know if San totally understands Deok Im’s cause, when she explains why she doesn’t need to be a royal concubine, I get the sensation that he desires to grasp, and that’s vital.
I feel Deok Im places it fairly poignantly this episode:
“If I turn out to be your royal concubine, I want to offer all the things to you… and I’ll don’t have anything.
All people are the identical. In case you give all the things to somebody, it would be best to obtain all the things as effectively. However you’re a one that can’t do this.
To you it’s simply including… an unimportant lady to your each day life, however my entire petty life will change. I won’t be able to return to my outdated life ever once more. I’m afraid… of dropping.”
“I’m afraid of dropping myself.”
It is sensible to me, that, as a result of Deok Im loves San a lot, she’d need him to offer her all the things too, in a love relationship. In any case, who would need to share the person they love, with an entire legion of different girls?
However inevitably, due to the harem system, she can be however one in every of many ladies in his life. That’s laborious to just accept, and I can perceive Deok Im’s pondering round this.
Nonetheless, the choice, of ready on him and for him, as he continues to satisfy his royal duties together with his concubine(s), is presumably simply as laborious, it appears like. 💔
Augh. The angst. San pines for Deok Im, and Deok Im in flip pines for him too, however they really feel to date aside proper now. 😭
Episode 14
E14. What an intense, absorbing episode this was. It’s to Present’s credit score, that despite the fact that I’d initially balked on the 1.5-hour size, I didn’t truly find yourself feeling this episode going into additional time, in any case.
Ultimately, it felt like this episode was the correct and wanted size for this arc of the story. Rather well carried out, I believed, notably for an episode with such an extended operating time.
One of the vital noticeable issues this episode, is how intense San is.
From the start of the episode, the place I first discover the trace of snarl about his lips when he talks, his depth grows increasingly more obvious, until he’s actually filling up the display screen together with his royal fury.
I feel it makes narrative sense, which I’ll speak about in a bit, however first, I simply needed to say that it was actually fairly thrilling, from a fangirl perspective, to see Junho on this area.
This diploma of glower and the smolder is a brand new look on him – no less than, for me it’s – and I get a thrill from seeing this a part of his vary, which Present has solely given glimpses of, to date.
Plus, there’s one thing inexplicably horny in regards to the smolder, I’ve to confess. Typically it messes with my mind a bit bit, which I’ll about later.
For now, simply know that I just about defaulted to stars in my eyes each time Junho crammed my display screen with intense smolder, this episode. 🤩😍
And that’s ranging from our opening scene, the place the digicam pans from Deok Im’s face to indicate us that San is sitting subsequent to her, and her head is resting on his shoulder.
Even the best way he silently sits there, and appears at her by way of lowered lids, whereas she involves herself, is so horny. To my eyes, it seems like all of his emotions – his love, want and frustration – is oozing out of his very pores, as he appears upon her. Rawr.
I do love that Deok Im’s first response to San, after getting over the preliminary shock that this isn’t a dream, and he’s truly there, is to ask him if one thing unhealthy has occurred, as a result of he appears sad.
As a lot as Deok Im denies that she loves San, her concern for him says loads, about how tuned in to his moods and facial expressions she is, and the way her first intuition, is to guarantee that he’s okay.
I’ve to confess, I like how San tells Deok Im so truthfully, even with lashings of frustration coming by way of in his voice and his expression, that he can’t cease fascinated about her, even when he’s imagined to be working. I kinda love how perplexed and aggravated San is, by Deok Im, and but, how, within the midst of his annoyance, he nonetheless wishes to be trustworthy together with her, and inform her how he feels.
There’s no decision to San’s thrumming frustration across the scenario with Deok Im, and that units the tone for all the remainder of his interactions together with her, going ahead, this episode.
Not solely is that frustration all the time there, it grows in depth over the course of the episode, till San seeks launch for his anger, later within the episode.
I’ve to say, I like how Present is cautious to set the tone early, such that by the point San explodes at Deok Im later, it seems like one thing that’s been organically brewing within the background, for a very long time. I like that focus to element.
And, I’ve to confess that I personally loved seeing proof of San’s rising frustration. Does that make me sadistic? 😅
Like, the scene the place he summons Deok Im to see him within the personal backyard, and asks her why she had been coming from Queen Wonbin’s quarters.
When Deok Im goes into Dutiful Mode and advises him to spend extra time with Wonbin, and be nicer to her, San’s overt irritation and resentment, and the distinct plaintiveness in his voice, at the truth that Deok Im is attempting to ship him into the arms of one other lady, is kind of thrilling to me.
I suppose I simply love the concept that San desires Deok Im be jealous over him.
In a roundabout form of manner, it registers to me, as San desirous to belong to Deok Im alone, and I discover {that a} fairly darn thrilling thought, notably for a King who can actually have 1000’s of girls at his beck and name.
There are legit notes of worry and fear in San’s face, as he asks Deok Im if she doesn’t see him as a person anymore, and that simply makes my coronary heart exit to him.
He’s being so trustworthy with Deok Im, together with his emotions, and Deok Im retains refusing to acknowledge her personal emotions for him, in return.
To San’s credit score, he does preserve attempting to specific his coronary heart to Deok Im and search her acknowledgement of her personal emotions for him, this episode, first on the prime of the episode, after which right here within the backyard.
I feel this does add some vital context that helps our closing scene to land higher – which I’ll speak about later.
“Do you not care about how I really feel? Do you… not see me as a person anymore? You might be merely a court docket maid, and also you bragged about defending me.
Till the day I die, I shall shield you. You sacrificed your self to guard my life. How can I presumably… not love such a lady?
I’ve all the time thought… that you simply even have emotions for me. That you simply love me… as a lot as I like you. If that isn’t true, inform me proper right here, proper now. Do you… actually don’t have any emotions for me?”
Augh. San is so.. plain, about how he feels about Deok Im, and I like it.
The OTP-rooting fangirl in me is considerably disillusioned that Deok Im refuses to confess that she loves San too, however I’ve to confess that I recognize the place Deok Im is coming from.
She’s already advised San – and us – why she doesn’t need to be a royal concubine.
And to be truthful to Deok Im, she doesn’t particularly say that she doesn’t love San; she merely states that she’s by no means needed to be his lady, which is principally the identical as saying that she’s by no means needed to be a royal concubine.
I can respect that she chooses to like San from afar, as a result of she doesn’t want to share him with different girls, and doesn’t want to reside the burdensome lifetime of a concubine.
Whereas it’s uncomfortable, I do suppose it’s practical, for Present to allow us to see that San is considering whether or not or not he ought to take Deok Im by drive.
Like I’ve talked about earlier than, that is the truth of the occasions during which our story happens. The King can actually order any lady in all the nation, to sleep with him, or be his concubine, if he needs. And importantly, that is broadly accepted as his proper.
If San have been to take Deok Im by drive, whether or not by raping her, or by ordering her to be his concubine, he can be broadly considered merely doing what a King does.
Due to this, it truly feels extra true to the occasions, that San would no less than entertain the concept, notably after being thwarted in his romantic advances to Deok Im, so constantly, for therefore lengthy.
In any case, even the Queen Dowager had inspired him to take action, in an earlier episode.
It’s to San’s credit score that he even asks Courtroom Woman Website positioning for her opinion, and I do suppose it’s to his credit score, that Courtroom Woman Website positioning can in truth say that this isn’t the form of man, or King, that he’s.
The opposite main factor that feeds into San’s anger and frustration this episode, is the factor with Deok Ro.
Once we start the episode, we be taught from Head Guard’s dialog with Deok Ro, that he’s bribed and manipulated the employees from the remark facility, and that San has chosen to not punish him – however is, at coronary heart, nonetheless offended with him.
We all know that this has been brewing for fairly some time now, so it makes narrative sense, that it might all come to a boil, this episode.
I used to be truthfully relatively bowled over from Queen Wonbin’s sudden dying, and the royal doctor’s hapless assertion, that he doesn’t know why she died, however I acknowledge that that is however a plot gadget, designed to impress Deok Ro into doing extra shady issues, within the curiosity of “avenging” his sister’s dying.
On that be aware, I form of hope that Present offers some form of perception into Wonbin’s dying in a while, even when it’s a fleeting point out, as a result of in any other case, it might really feel relatively like lazy writing.
Like, we’d like one thing to make Deok Ro do one thing actually horrible, so let’s kill his sister off, by no means thoughts in regards to the precise reason behind dying. 🤷🏻♀️
I do perceive although, that the principle focus this episode, so far as Deok Ro is worried, is his rising vanity, when it comes to his private standing with San.
Plus, there’s the factor, that other than mourning the dying of his sister, Deok Ro can also be thwarted in his plans for his personal future, by her dying.
That doubles his anger and frustration, which, I suppose, does assist to clarify (although not justify) his actions this episode, of kidnapping the court docket maids, and torturing / forcing them to implicate Queen Kim, in Wonbin’s dying.
As our two foremost arcs collide this episode, San’s glower and smolder explodes to an entire different stage, and I discover myself simply lapping all of it up with glee.
I imply, I sympathize together with his frustration round Deok Ro, nevertheless it actually is time for him to do one thing concrete about Deok Ro. And, in terms of Deok Im, I simply love having San present his emotions for her, even when it’s not his will to take action.
Like when he spies Deok Im bounce into the lake to retrieve the fragrance sachet, and thinks that Deok Im’s attempting to kill herself.
The best way he rushes to her, grabs her, and shouts at her, is such a plain expression, for all to see, of simply how vital she is, to him. Not gonna lie; that offers me a thrill. 🤩
After which when she will be able to’t cease the tears from falling, as she later explains her actions to him, I do love how frank he’s, even in entrance of Deok Ro, “Cease crying. If you cry, I turn out to be powerless.”
Augh. That’s an trustworthy assertion of vulnerability, isn’t it?? And it feels notably important, spoken by a King to a court docket maid?
Seeing how issues play out with regard to Deok Ro and the kidnapped court docket maids, I do suppose that Deok Im is true in stating, later within the episode, that as King, San calculates all the things, whereas for her, she’s merely terrified that Kyung Hee would possibly die, earlier than being rescued.
Deok Im’s not mistaken. And, San’s not mistaken in making these calculations both; that’s principally a part of his job, as King, isn’t it?
Due to this fact, I can perceive why Deok Im would danger San’s wrath, to contain the Queen Dowager. To Deok Im, it is a life and dying scenario. Whereas, to San, Deok Im’s motion implies a scarcity of belief in him.
I’ve to say although, I cheered – and swooned, too – when Deok Im’s being threatened by Deok Ro, in Gwangan Palace, and San comes thundering into the place, ordering Deok Ro to let go of Deok Im, RIGHT NOW!
Ahhh!! What a hero second!! 😍😍
Plus, the best way San glowers so fiercely, as he slo-mo walks into the center of Gwangan Palace, is so cool. 🤩🤩
At this level, I’d wish to say that whereas I don’t suppose San’s method in direction of Deok Ro’s wrongdoings – of turning a blind eye, solely to let all of it explode, when Deok Ro reaches a horrible pinnacle of badness – is definitely an excellent or useful technique, I do suppose it rings true for what most benevolent individuals of energy would are inclined to do, throughout these occasions.
Or no less than, that’s the impression I get, from the assorted sageuks that I’ve watched.
I do suppose it might have served San loads higher, to have taken Deok Ro to job a lot earlier, and both reduce him off early, or assist him reform his methods, however I get that his long-term tolerance, is his manner of giving Deok Ro area to comprehend the mistaken of his methods, on his personal.
I gotta say, I do love the best way the confrontation scene is delivered.
Junho delivers San’s fireplace towards Deok Ro with such a variety of expression, from a loud shout, to a growl-whisper, as he bites out his phrases. I discover myself fairly mesmerized by it.
I don’t know if I purchase Deok Ro’s declare, that other than his sister, San had been his cause for residing.
I truthfully doubt that? From what we’ve seen of Deok Ro, he’s been self-serving this entire time, and I’d wager that any allegiance he’d proven to San, had been together with his personal eventual acquire in thoughts.
Credit score to Head Guard, although, for selecting up on the truth that San doesn’t truly need to kill Deok Ro, regardless of Deok Ro’s horrible crimes.
San’s pained, conflicted bellow, with tears streaming down his face, completely confirms how tough that is, for him.
As a result of, apart from all of Deok Ro’s horrible crimes, San does look upon him as a buddy and brother. And, it’s inside San’s nature, to not need to kill others, notably those that are pricey to him.
It seems like an excellent compromise, to have Deok Ro resign and depart the palace, although I truthfully suppose San lets him off straightforward.
I’ve to wonder if and the way Deok Ro will re-enter our story, in our closing stretch, as a result of a clear exit like this, feels relatively too straightforward. Possibly he’ll come again and show his loyalty to San later, thus proving that San’s mercy on him was worthwhile..?
In our closing scene of the episode, when San summons Deok Im to the library, it’s telling of how effectively Deok Im understands him, when she factors out the true cause San didn’t need the Queen Dowager to be concerned; as a result of he wouldn’t have been capable of spare Deok Ro’s life.
Deok Im’s plain assertion of the uncomfortable information, her insistence that her manner of seeing issues is simply as legitimate, and her blunt stating that he had identified the reality, however had lied to her, brings San’s anger to a boil, as the principle uncomfortable reality between them will get laid naked: she is however a court docket maid, and he can have her killed, if he doesn’t like her.
The facility imbalance now turns into the important thing focus within the room, and all of San’s futile efforts to get Deok Im to acknowledge her emotions for him, is, I feel, what culminates in that kiss.
Particularly since, Deok Im as soon as once more, for the third time this episode, denies San’s efforts to succeed in her coronary heart, by telling him this time, that she’s by no means beloved him, and can by no means beloved him.
Oof. That’s gotta damage.
I really feel that it’s basically San invoking that energy imbalance, to check Deok Im’s emotions for him.
I want to suppose that if Deok Im had actually protested this kiss, and hadn’t kissed him again, San would have stopped.
However.. once more, that’s my fangirl coronary heart attempting to rationalize that that is nonetheless a swoony romance, despite the fact that San is proven forcing himself on Deok Im, no less than for some time.
I suppose the vital factor is, we all know that Deok Im does love San, and has been denying her emotions as a matter of precept.
And whereas that’s completely official, I do suppose that in selecting to kiss him again – versus pushing him away – Deok Im is lastly giving in to her emotions for him, and likewise, giving San the affirmation that he seeks.
She does love him, and that is her, lastly permitting herself to indicate it.
Ahhh. Is it too early to squee?
Ultimate Open Thread will probably be up on: Saturday, 24 August 2024!
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