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 publish, these are my notes, precisely as they seem on Patreon.
ZERO SPOILER POLICY
We shall be adopting a ZERO SPOILER POLICY for this Open Thread, aside from occasions which have occurred within the present, up so far.
This contains, however will not be 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 word that WE WILL NOT BE USING SPOILER TAGS FOR THIS OPEN THREAD.
We have to shield the harmless! 😉
With out additional ado, listed below are my reactions to this set of episodes; have enjoyable within the Open Thread, everybody! ❤️
My ideas
Episode 9
E9. Ahhh. What a terrific episode this turned out to be. I used to be glued to my display, you guys. GLUED. And, within the second half, with my coronary heart in my throat, no much less. SO good. 🤩
To begin with, let me simply say that I’m so happy with Present, for making the preliminary beat with the sign kites an precise essential plot level.
It had felt a bit random within the introduction, however Present turned proper round, when it turned the crux for a way Deok Im is ready to save San from the treasonous plans of Gwangan Palace. I really like that.
Okay, however let me backtrack a bit, to return to the start.
I’m not shocked that Deok Im pulls again from that embrace that we ended the final episode on. In any case, she’s determined that there can’t be any romantic developments between her and San.
The truth that she’d hugged him again, for that one superb, treasured second, was purely an instinctive response to the conclusion that he had been the boy who had gone together with her to pay his respects to Princess Younger.
Due to this fact, it is smart to me, that she would pull again, and be all cheerful, nothing-happened-what-are-you-talking-about decorum, as quickly as she got here to her senses.
I really feel unhealthy for San, however his disgruntled, sad expression is tremendous cute, and his grumpy response to her pledge to guard him, amuses me. It’s simply that rather more entertaining, figuring out precisely why San is grumpy, ha.
I do recognize what San says, about how he’d missed Deok Im, and longed for her, after they’d parted methods all these years in the past. It sounds quite a bit much less like a pressured childhood connection, when he places it into context.
For a younger Crown Prince with the burden of the world on his shoulders, she had been a supply of solace, consolation and encouragement, with out judgment for his station as Crown Prince.
That should have been very treasured to him, and so, I can consider that he would lengthy to see her once more, due to it.
I like how Present paints that in for us, as a result of that is far more plausible and compelling, than, say, some random run-in on a bridge after they had been children, and made eye contact, like another reveals may serve up.
I’ve to wonder if the King’s resolution to present San the navy token was a keenly lucid one, disguised as an outdated man’s scattered ideas?
I imply, the King’s positively given me pause for thought, with a few of his actions previously, the place it seems like he’s appearing like he’s bought dementia, greater than he truly has it.
Maybe that is his approach of utilizing his advancing dementia, to his benefit?
Like, maybe he may sense that his reminiscence was deteriorating, and fairly than enable it to run its course and rob him of private company, he pretended to be farther alongside than he truly was, in order that he may form the best way issues panned out?
If that’s the case, then maybe he knew all alongside, that Gwangan Palace existed, and he knew that they might oppose San’s ascension to the throne.
And due to this fact, maybe he purposely created a state of affairs the place San would be capable to defeat them and show his price, and that’s why he made positive to present San the navy token, for “simply in case”?
That is all hypothesis on my half, as a result of – to date anyway – it doesn’t seem to be Present’s given a transparent indication of the King’s true state. However I have to say that this idea intrigues me.
Truthfully, the best way Gwangan Palace is portrayed feels fairly out of step with the remainder of Present’s tone; once we get scenes of Head Court docket Girl Jo commanding her minions by flickering firelight, it at all times seems like I’ve momentarily moved into a distinct drama world.
Nevertheless, I do recognize the best way Court docket Girl Search engine optimization describes it to Deok Im, as a result of it’s fairly plausible, when she explains that it had first been began as a strategy to shield the court docket women, after which the court docket women had mainly gotten drunk on energy, which has led to Gwangan Palace changing into the darkish shadow group that it’s now.
On condition that court docket women are historically anticipated to don’t have anything of their very own – not even their very own opinions or wishes – I can see, in idea, how they may get sucked into this example, the place the sense of energy and management mainly seems like a drug to them.
Okay, so from the second Court docket Girl Search engine optimization instructs Deok Im to heat the bedding for the Crown Prince as a result of the ground heating’s damaged, it’s tremendous simple to see the place Present’s going to go together with this.
As a result of, in fact Deok Im’s going to go to sleep, since she’s so drained. And naturally San goes to return upon her, asleep in his royal mattress.
BUT, I lapped all of it up anyway. I recognize that Present does a stable job of laying the groundwork, in order that it makes narrative sense for Deok Im to be drained, and for the heating to be damaged.
Due to this fact, despite the fact that it leans predictable, it nonetheless feels natural, and that’s essential.
I really like, love, LOVE the best way San appears to be like at her, when he comes upon her sleeping in his mattress.
I really like that each one the stress that San had been feeling, over the petition in regards to the disappearing kids, and likewise, over Deok Ro’s persevering with disturbingly heartless misjudgments, simply melts away, on the sight of Deok Im.
The way in which he places apart the papers in his hand, to only sit by her aspect; the best way he pretend-touches her face, in order that he received’t wake her; the best way his gaze turns so tender; the best way he smiles that fast, gratified little smile.
AUGH. I adore it, a lot. Soften. Meltmeltmelt.
How very candy, that San truly takes himself out of the room, after which instructs that the room be strictly guarded, simply in order that Deok Im can have relaxation. Aw.
On a tangent, I’m happy to see that San is absolutely conscious that Deok Ro isn’t fairly correctly his individual. That offers me a measure of peace of thoughts, instantly.
Which means that he received’t blindly settle for something that Deok Ro says, and that’s an enormous aid in and of itself. And naturally San is sensible and sharp sufficient to see by means of Deok Ro. I ought to’ve had extra religion in him.
It was arduous to observe Wol Hye and her fellow murderer court docket women put together for the revolt, however I used to be so, SO glad that Deok Im’s fast to piece issues collectively after they discover the soaked gunpowder sacks, and makes use of her new data of sign kites, to let San know.
Ahhhh!! I cherished this element, a lot.
Plus, it’s fairly shifting, actually, the best way she and Court docket Girl Search engine optimization begin operating again to the non permanent palace, despite the fact that it’s a really lengthy journey.
It’s a 4-hour journey on foot, so I’m guessing that she should have sprinted for not less than 2 hours, in her desperation to warn San.
I really like that San’s so sharp, that he would instantly think about the potential of the enemies being from inside, than solely from with out.
That’s so key to his protection technique, and I simply.. LOVE that each San and Deok Im are so good! 🤩
It’s a little tropey, sure, that each tumble that San takes whereas combating the assassins, is mirrored by a tumble that Deok Im experiences, whereas operating again to the palace.
However, I do just like the symbolism of all of it; that they’re every combating by means of this, as a lot as the opposite; that they’re each on this collectively, and are equally invested, and are dealing with obstacles and taking setbacks equally.
That sense of equality and togetherness, is unquestionably price a little bit of tropeyness, I believe.
I believe the battle scenes had been rather well achieved, in that Present had me on the sting of my seat the entire time, despite the fact that I knew that San would make it out of this alive.
And, when the the troopers of Sueocheong arrive, and Present first unveils their presence to us, it legit gave me chills. It simply feels very shifting, to see all these troopers, gathered and able to shield San.
Final however completely not least, I really like the ultimate scene, of San’s reunion with Deok Im, a lot.
The way in which he spots her from a distance, as she runs in the direction of the palace, and acknowledges her instantly; the best way he runs to her, despite the fact that that is positively not inside royal decorum to run, and particularly not in the direction of a court docket maid.
The way in which he instantly takes her into his arms, and kneels to the bottom in a single fluid movement, as Deok Im collapses from sheer exhaustion; the best way he instinctively cradles her head along with his hand, at the same time as he holds her.
Augh. My knees. They’re toast.
After which there’s the best way he appears to be like at her, fully moved, as he tearfully tells her that he did see the sign kite, and that he’d recognized instantly that it was her. And likewise, the best way he hushes her and tells her to only relaxation, proper then and there, in his arms.
As Deok Im falls asleep from the exhaustion and aid of all of it, there may be a lot tenderness and tearful emotion in his face and in his voice, as San cradles Deok Im in his arms, and whispers,
“After I noticed that kite, I knew that it was you. It may solely be you. After I thought that I may die, your face got here to thoughts. I prayed to the heavens for yet another likelihood… to see… your face… Deok Im-ah.”
And the way stunning, that as he sits there and permits the tears to fall, a single tear falls from his face, to path down Deok Im’s cheek.
Ahhh. The poetry of all of it, is so, so beautiful. ❤️
Episode 10
E10. Effectively. This present positive is aware of find out how to maintain me on the sting of my seat, constantly!
I’d imagined that with San having averted catastrophe with Deok Im’s assist, that he’d be within the clear. In any case, individuals had plotted to kill him. And but, Head Court docket Girl Jo manages to be extra devious than I’d imagined.
She’d actually plotted treason, and now that she’s failed, she’s turning round and pointing the finger at San, saying that he’s plotting treason towards the King, and that’s why he’s using round with this fleet of troopers – when he’d needed to activate these troopers, whereas combating for his life.
DANG.
That’s so devious, and but, I’ve to grudgingly admit, actually fairly intelligent, too. Sigh. I suppose it makes the drama extra attention-grabbing, to have a sensible villain, however it’s nonetheless arduous, as a result of I really feel so unhealthy for San! 😭
The opposite factor that strikes me instantly, this episode, is simply how eyeroll-worthy Deok Ro is.
I imply, simply have a look at how offended he will get, when San says that it was Deok Im who had saved him. I’m so shocked, that Deok Ro’s first response is to mainly say (and I paraphrase),
“However what about me?!?? I saved you too! I rode alllll evening, despite the fact that it was reaaally arduous. How may you neglect about meeee?!???”
Pfft. Dude. That’s so infantile and immature, on the coronary heart of it.
And, I’d have anticipated somebody with as a lot alleged intelligence as he, to know what San means, when he says that Deok Im had saved him.
I imply, if nobody had flown the sign kite to warn San, how would he even know, to ship Deok Ro to activate the troops, proper?
It’s most likely factor for him, that San is just too preoccupied with protecting his promise to Deok Im, that he doesn’t cease to admonish him for his outburst.
However, I have to say that it gave me a number of gratification, when, later within the episode, after Deok Ro blurts out that San ought to simply mattress Deok Im and get it over with, San orders him to not communicate of Deok Im, interval.
YESS. It’s so clear that San’s had it with Deok Ro and his bigoted opinions, notably when these opinions should do with Deok Im.
I really feel unhealthy for San, who’s in a really tough place. It’s arduous to be a Crown Prince, actually.
The King needs you to be glorious, so that you just’ll be worthy of the throne, however if you find yourself truly glorious, like San is, the King can also’t assist but additionally really feel threatened by your excellence. It’s like a damned if you happen to do, and damned if you happen to don’t form of deal.
And on high of all this, San’s bought this different factor working towards him – the truth that he’s his father’s son, and folks can’t assist however surprise if he’ll go made like his father did – that he can’t do something to vary. Poor San.
This context makes his reference to Deok Im all of the extra treasured, as a result of that is the one channel of respiratory area that he’s discovered.
I really like that scene within the library, the place Deok Im goals of San, and reaches out to the touch him in her dreamscape, solely to get up to comprehend that he’s not there, and that she misses him.
The tear that she sheds, feels so organically poignant, and it’s all of the extra significant, once we understand later, that San had seen all of it.
It’s identical to San to fake that he hadn’t seen it, however nonetheless check Deok Im on the tears on her cheek, and it’s additionally identical to Deok Im, to cross off her tears as a aspect impact of a yawn, coz she’d been dozing off on the job.
These two. They make me chuckle, with their efforts to behave like every part’s superb and regular, and but, it’s so clear to see, that there’s a lot extra happening beneath the floor.
I truly actually just like the dynamic of San getting extra overtly smoldery round Deok Im, at the same time as she tries to talk evenly.
Like when she teases San that he sounds as if he’d do something for her, when she asks for a reward, and as a substitute of flinching in any approach, he appears to be like proper at her, and says severely, “I’ll… do something for you.”
Dang. That’s swoony.
After which there’s how Deok Im makes an attempt to maintain factor playful, whereas she exams out the telescope. And as a substitute of reprimanding her for being rude, he simply retains taking a look at her, with that considerate gaze.
He’s so gently severe, as he asks, “Deok Im-ah. Who did you miss within the library earlier? That made you cry.”
After which, with a quiet sense of constructing urgency, he simply retains his intent gaze locked on her, as he says, “Deok Im-ah. Deok Im-ah. I can not fake anymore. And I don’t wish to. If… you are feeling the identical approach I do… So what I wish to say is… I… assume…”
Omona. My coronary heart felt prefer it was about to burst with anticipation of San’s love confession – till Deok Im cuts him off, and pleads with him to not say it.
I’m guessing that Deok Im finds it arduous to articulate why she can not become involved with San, notably with the entire Gwangan Palace factor within the image. And, there’s presumably her household background too?
No matter it’s, it’s clear to see from her expression, that she cares about him, however doesn’t really feel in a position to acknowledge these emotions.
And, I’m touched that San seems to get the place her coronary heart is coming from.
At first, it seems like he’s disillusioned, as he turns to stroll away, however he hears Deok Im’s naked whisper, to, “Please be secure,” and I really feel like that’s when he realizes for actual, that she does really feel the identical approach, however is holding again.
It seems like there may be a lot happening that’s left unsaid, as San turns to stroll in the direction of Deok Im, and, greedy her shoulders gently, leans in and slowly kisses her on the brow.
Ahhhh!!! This seems like such a major milestone, despite the fact that there may be little or no that’s mentioned out loud.
It’s like, Deok Im’s whispered emotions (that are solely tangentially clear) have discovered their strategy to San’s coronary heart, and he accepts these emotions as they’re.
He accepts that she doesn’t really feel in a position to speak in regards to the emotions between them, however as a result of he’s heard her coronary heart now, there may be an acknowledgment between them now – which he expresses in that kiss.
Their regard for one another goes deeper than the relative frivolity of “I such as you;” they every sincerely and deeply look after the opposite individual’s wellbeing, and are able to be sacrificial about their emotions, if it means having the ability to maintain the opposite individual secure.
That’s what I really feel is being expressed on this fantastically understated scene, and I discover it altogether shifting. ❤️
Head Court docket Girl Jo lastly will get her reply as to why the King had chosen Consort Yeong as a substitute of her, and y’know, I can’t blame the King.
He says that Coronary heart Court docket Girl Jo is rather like him, which I take to imply, that she’s as artful and shrewd as him. That’s all superb and good, so long as she’s on his aspect.
However think about if she’d borne him a son. She may then use that craftiness to poison him, to be able to make her son King, no? I imply, that’s like Court docket Politics 101, nearly. In fact the King felt safer with Consort Yeong.
I do surprise how this new info will have an effect on Head Court docket Girl Jo. The King asks her to place apart all of the issues that had upset her previously, however.. someway, I don’t assume that shall be sufficient, to get Head Court docket Girl Jo to cease in her treasonous plans.
Additionally! How deviously shrewd of Head Court docket Girl Jo, to makes use of the King’s promise of a home in Bukchon, to push Princess Hwawan’s sore nerve, about having to depart the palace, as soon as San turns into King.
Argh. I hate (however kinda love?) that she’s this good.
I used to be on the sting of my seat, when Deok Im and Court docket Girl Search engine optimization search Head Court docket Girl Jo’s room, and discover the key passageway to Gwangan Palace. I stored worrying that they’d get caught, so PHEW that they didn’t.
Once more, this entire factor feels prefer it got here out of a distinct drama altogether, AND, there’s suspension of disbelief required, as a result of simply how did Deok Im and Court docket Girl Search engine optimization handle to get Court docket Girl Park out of the palace, in that state?
Wouldn’t they’ve needed to discover an alternate approach out of Gwangan Palace, AND a strategy to get previous any guards? And the way did they’ve the time to decorate neatly in non-court girl garments, whereas attempting to make their getaway..?
Within the meantime, I positive hope that the King is definitely faking his dementia, and is definitely working to guard San, whereas making ready him for the throne, as a result of Princess Hwawan’s ploy, of attempting to border San with serving the King meals that suggests treason, is horribly sneaky (once more, because of Head Court docket Girl Jo and her unreasonably sharp instincts).
At this second, it actually seems like San wants the King to be on his aspect, if he’s to get by means of this newest entice that his enemies have set. 🙈
Subsequent Open Thread shall be up on: Saturday, 10 August 2024!
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