Welcome to the Open Thread, everyone! Thanks for joining in on this group watch of this very special show! ❤️

As I mentioned in my announcement post, these are my notes, exactly as they appear on Patreon.

ZERO SPOILER POLICY

We will be adopting a ZERO SPOILER POLICY for this Open Thread, except for events that have happened in the show, up to this point.

This includes, but is not limited to, how characters &/or relationships develop, later in the show.

The spoiler tags don’t work in email notifications, therefore, please take note that WE WILL NOT BE USING SPOILER TAGS FOR THIS OPEN THREAD. 

We need to protect the innocent! 😉

Without further ado, here are my reactions to this set of episodes; have fun in the Open Thread, everyone! ❤️

My thoughts

Episode 9

E9. Ahhh. What a great episode this turned out to be. I was glued to my screen, you guys. GLUED. And, in the second half, with my heart in my throat, no less. SO good. 🤩

First of all, let me just say that I’m so pleased with Show, for making the initial beat with the signal kites an actual important plot point.

It had felt a little random in the introduction, but Show turned right around, when it became the crux for how Deok Im is able to save San from the treasonous plans of Gwangan Palace. I love that.

Ok, but let me backtrack a bit, to go back to the beginning.

I’m not surprised that Deok Im pulls back from that embrace that we ended the last episode on. After all, she’s decided that there cannot be any romantic developments between her and San.

The fact that she’d hugged him back, for that one glorious, precious moment, was purely an instinctive reaction to the realization that he had been the boy who had gone with her to pay his respects to Princess Young.

Therefore, it makes sense to me, that she would pull back, and be all cheerful, nothing-happened-what-are-you-talking-about decorum, as soon as she came to her senses.

I feel bad for San, but his disgruntled, unhappy expression is super cute, and his grumpy reaction to her pledge to protect him, amuses me. It’s just that much more entertaining, knowing exactly why San is grumpy, ha.

I do appreciate what San says, about how he’d missed Deok Im, and longed for her, after they’d parted ways all those years ago. It sounds a lot less like a forced childhood connection, when he puts it into context.

For a young Crown Prince with the weight of the world on his shoulders, she had been a source of solace, comfort and encouragement, without judgment for his station as Crown Prince.

That must have been very precious to him, and so, I can believe that he would long to see her again, because of it.

I like how Show paints that in for us, because this is much more believable and compelling, than, say, some random run-in on a bridge when they were kids, and made eye contact, like some other shows might serve up.

I have to wonder whether the King’s decision to give San the military token was a keenly lucid one, disguised as an old man’s scattered thoughts?

I mean, the King’s definitely given me pause for thought, with some of his actions in the past, where it feels like he’s acting like he’s got dementia, more than he actually has it.

Perhaps this is his way of using his advancing dementia, to his advantage?

Like, perhaps he could sense that his memory was deteriorating, and rather than allow it to run its course and rob him of personal agency, he pretended to be farther along than he actually was, so that he could shape the way things panned out?

If that’s the case, then perhaps he knew all along, that Gwangan Palace existed, and he knew that they would oppose San’s ascension to the throne.

And therefore, perhaps he purposely created a situation where San would be able to defeat them and prove his worth, and that’s why he made sure to give San the military token, for “just in case”?

This is all speculation on my part, because – so far anyway – it doesn’t seem like Show’s given a clear indication of the King’s true state. But I must say that this theory intrigues me.

Honestly, the way Gwangan Palace is portrayed feels rather out of step with the rest of Show’s tone; when we get scenes of Head Court Lady Jo commanding her minions by flickering firelight, it always feels like I’ve momentarily moved into a different drama world.

However, I do appreciate the way Court Lady Seo describes it to Deok Im, because it’s reasonably believable, when she explains that it had first been started as a way to protect the court ladies, and then the court ladies had basically gotten drunk on power, which has led to Gwangan Palace becoming the dark shadow organization that it is now.

Given that court ladies are traditionally expected to have nothing of their own – not even their own opinions or desires – I can see, in theory, how they might get sucked into this situation, where the sense of power and control basically feels like a drug to them.

Ok, so from the moment Court Lady Seo instructs Deok Im to warm the bedding for the Crown Prince because the floor heating’s broken, it’s super easy to see where Show’s going to go with this.

Because, of course Deok Im’s going to fall asleep, since she’s so tired. And of course San is going to come upon her, asleep in his royal bed.

BUT, I lapped it all up anyway. I appreciate that Show does a solid job of laying the groundwork, so that it makes narrative sense for Deok Im to be tired, and for the heating to be broken.

Therefore, even though it leans predictable, it still feels organic, and that’s important.

I love, love, LOVE the way San looks at her, when he comes upon her sleeping in his bed.

I love that all the tension that San had been feeling, over the petition about the disappearing children, and also, over Deok Ro’s continuing disturbingly heartless misjudgments, just melts away, at the sight of Deok Im.

The way he puts aside the papers in his hand, to just sit by her side; the way he pretend-touches her face, so that he won’t wake her; the way his gaze turns so tender; the way he smiles that quick, gratified little smile.

AUGH. I love it, so much. Melt. Meltmeltmelt.

How very sweet, that San actually takes himself out of the room, and then instructs that the room be strictly guarded, just so that Deok Im can have a good rest. Aw.

On a tangent, I’m pleased to see that San is fully aware that Deok Ro isn’t quite properly his person. That gives me a measure of peace of mind, right away.

This means that he won’t blindly accept anything that Deok Ro says, and that’s a huge relief in and of itself. And of course San is smart and sharp enough to see through Deok Ro. I should’ve had more faith in him.

It was hard to watch Wol Hye and her fellow assassin court ladies prepare for the revolt, but I was so, SO glad that Deok Im’s quick to piece things together when they find the soaked gunpowder sacks, and uses her new knowledge of signal kites, to let San know.

Ahhhh!! I loved this detail, so much.

Plus, it’s quite moving, honestly, the way she and Court Lady Seo start running back to the temporary palace, even though it’s a very long journey.

It’s a 4-hour journey on foot, so I’m guessing that she must have sprinted for at least 2 hours, in her desperation to warn San.

I love that San’s so sharp, that he would immediately consider the possibility of the enemies being from within, than only from without.

That is so key to his defense strategy, and I just.. LOVE that both San and Deok Im are so smart! 🤩

It is a little tropey, yes, that every tumble that San takes while fighting the assassins, is mirrored by a tumble that Deok Im experiences, while running back to the palace.

But, I do like the symbolism of it all; that they are each fighting through this, as much as the other; that they are both in this together, and are equally invested, and are facing obstacles and taking setbacks equally.

That sense of equality and togetherness, is definitely worth a bit of tropeyness, I think.

I think the battle scenes were really well done, in that Show had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, even though I knew that San would make it out of this alive.

And, when the the soldiers of Sueocheong arrive, and Show first unveils their presence to us, it legit gave me chills. It just feels very moving, to see all these soldiers, gathered and ready to protect San.

Last but absolutely not least, I love the final scene, of San’s reunion with Deok Im, so much.

The way he spots her from a distance, as she runs towards the palace, and recognizes her immediately; the way he runs to her, even though this is definitely not within royal decorum to run, and especially not towards a court maid.

The way he immediately takes her into his arms, and kneels to the ground in one fluid motion, as Deok Im collapses from sheer exhaustion; the way he instinctively cradles her head with his hand, even as he holds her.

Augh. My knees. They’re toast.

And then there’s the way he looks at her, completely moved, as he tearfully tells her that he did see the signal kite, and that he’d known immediately that it was her. And also, the way he hushes her and tells her to just rest, right then and there, in his arms.

As Deok Im falls asleep from the exhaustion and relief of it all, there is so much tenderness and tearful emotion in his face and in his voice, as San cradles Deok Im in his arms, and whispers,

“When I saw that kite, I knew that it was you. It could only be you. When I thought that I could die, your face came to mind. I prayed to the heavens for one more chance… to see… your face… Deok Im-ah.”

And how beautiful, that as he sits there and allows the tears to fall, a single tear falls from his face, to trail down Deok Im’s cheek.

Ahhh. The poetry of it all, is so, so lovely. ❤️

Episode 10

E10. Well. This show sure knows how to keep me on the edge of my seat, consistently!

I’d imagined that with San having averted disaster with Deok Im’s help, that he’d be in the clear. After all, people had plotted to kill him. And yet, Head Court Lady Jo manages to be more devious than I’d imagined.

She’d literally plotted treason, and now that she’s failed, she’s turning around and pointing the finger at San, saying that he’s plotting treason against the King, and that’s why he’s riding around with this fleet of soldiers – when he’d had to activate those soldiers, while fighting for his life.

DANG.

That’s so devious, and yet, I have to grudgingly admit, really quite clever, too. Sigh. I guess it makes the drama more interesting, to have a smart villain, but it’s still hard, because I feel so bad for San! 😭

The other thing that strikes me right away, this episode, is just how eyeroll-worthy Deok Ro is.

I mean, just look at how offended he gets, when San says that it was Deok Im who had saved him. I’m so surprised, that Deok Ro’s first reaction is to basically say (and I paraphrase),

“But what about me?!?? I saved you too! I rode alllll night, even though it was reaaally hard. How could you forget about meeee?!???”

Pfft. Dude. That’s so childish and immature, at the heart of it.

And, I’d have expected someone with as much alleged intelligence as he, to know what San means, when he says that Deok Im had saved him.

I mean, if no one had flown the signal kite to warn San, how would he even know, to send Deok Ro to activate the troops, right?

It’s probably a good thing for him, that San is too preoccupied with keeping his promise to Deok Im, that he doesn’t stop to admonish him for his outburst.

But, I must say that it gave me a lot of gratification, when, later in the episode, after Deok Ro blurts out that San should just bed Deok Im and get it over with, San orders him not to speak of Deok Im, period.

YESS. It’s so clear that San’s had it with Deok Ro and his bigoted opinions, particularly when those opinions have to do with Deok Im.

I feel bad for San, who is in a very difficult position. It’s hard to be a Crown Prince, honestly.

The King wants you to be excellent, so that you’ll be worthy of the throne, but when you are actually excellent, like San is, the King also can’t help but also feel threatened by your excellence. It’s like a damned if you do, and damned if you don’t sort of deal.

And on top of all this, San’s got this other thing working against him – the fact that he’s his father’s son, and people can’t help but wonder if he’ll go made like his father did – that he can’t do anything to change. Poor San.

This context makes his connection with Deok Im all the more precious, because this is the one channel of breathing space that he’s found.

I love that scene in the library, where Deok Im dreams of San, and reaches out to touch him in her dreamscape, only to wake up to realize that he’s not there, and that she misses him.

The tear that she sheds, feels so organically poignant, and it’s all the more meaningful, when we realize later, that San had seen it all.

It’s just like San to pretend that he hadn’t seen it, but still test Deok Im on the tears on her cheek, and it’s also just like Deok Im, to pass off her tears as a side effect of a yawn, coz she’d been dozing off on the job.

These two. They make me chuckle, with their efforts to act like everything’s fine and normal, and yet, it’s so clear to see, that there is a lot more going on underneath the surface.

I actually really like the dynamic of San getting more overtly smoldery around Deok Im, even as she tries to speak lightly.

Like when she teases San that he sounds as if he’d do anything for her, when she asks for a reward, and instead of flinching in any way, he looks right at her, and says seriously, “I will… do anything for you.”

Dang. That’s swoony.

And then there’s how Deok Im attempts to keep thing playful, while she tests out the telescope. And instead of reprimanding her for being impolite, he just keeps looking at her, with that thoughtful gaze.

He’s so gently serious, as he asks, “Deok Im-ah. Who did you miss in the library earlier? That made you cry.”

And then, with a quiet sense of building urgency, he just keeps his intent gaze locked on her, as he says, “Deok Im-ah. Deok Im-ah. I cannot pretend anymore. And I do not want to. If… you feel the same way I do… So what I want to say is… I… think…”

Omona. My heart felt like it was about to burst with anticipation of San’s love confession – until Deok Im cuts him off, and pleads with him not to say it.

I’m guessing that Deok Im finds it hard to articulate why she cannot get involved with San, particularly with the whole Gwangan Palace thing in the picture. And, there’s possibly her family background too?

Whatever it is, it’s clear to see from her expression, that she cares about him, but does not feel able to acknowledge those feelings.

And, I’m touched that San appears to get where her heart is coming from.

At first, it feels like he’s disappointed, as he turns to walk away, but he hears Deok Im’s bare whisper, to, “Please be safe,” and I feel like that’s when he realizes for real, that she does feel the same way, but is holding back.

It feels like there is so much going on that is left unsaid, as San turns to walk towards Deok Im, and, grasping her shoulders gently, leans in and slowly kisses her on the forehead.

Ahhhh!!! This feels like such a significant milestone, even though there is very little that’s said out loud.

It’s like, Deok Im’s whispered feelings (which are only tangentially clear) have found their way to San’s heart, and he accepts those feelings as they are.

He accepts that she doesn’t feel able to talk about the feelings between them, but because he’s heard her heart now, there is an acknowledgment between them now – which he expresses in that kiss.

Their regard for each other goes deeper than the relative frivolity of “I like you;” they each sincerely and deeply care for the other person’s wellbeing, and are ready to be sacrificial about their feelings, if it means being able to keep the other person safe.

That’s what I feel is being expressed in this beautifully understated scene, and I find it altogether moving. ❤️

Head Court Lady Jo finally gets her answer as to why the King had chosen Consort Yeong instead of her, and y’know, I can’t blame the King.

He says that Heart Court Lady Jo is just like him, which I take to mean, that she’s as crafty and shrewd as him. That’s all fine and good, as long as she’s on his side.

But imagine if she’d borne him a son. She might then use that craftiness to poison him, in order to make her son King, no? I mean, that’s like Court Politics 101, almost. Of course the King felt safer with Consort Yeong.

I do wonder how this new information will affect Head Court Lady Jo. The King asks her to put aside all the things that had upset her in the past, but.. somehow, I don’t think that will be enough, to get Head Court Lady Jo to stop in her treasonous plans.

Also! How deviously shrewd of Head Court Lady Jo, to makes use of the King’s promise of a house in Bukchon, to push Princess Hwawan’s sore nerve, about having to leave the palace, once San becomes King.

Argh. I hate (but kinda love?) that she’s this smart.

I was on the edge of my seat, when Deok Im and Court Lady Seo search Head Court Lady Jo’s room, and find the secret passageway to Gwangan Palace. I kept worrying that they’d get caught, so PHEW that they didn’t.

Again, this whole thing feels like it came out of a different drama altogether, AND, there’s suspension of disbelief required, because just how did Deok Im and Court Lady Seo manage to get Court Lady Park out of the palace, in that state?

Wouldn’t they have had to find an alternative way out of Gwangan Palace, AND a way to get past any guards? And how did they have the time to dress neatly in non-court lady clothes, while trying to make their getaway..?

In the meantime, I sure hope that the King is actually faking his dementia, and is actually working to protect San, while preparing him for the throne, because Princess Hwawan’s ploy, of trying to frame San with serving the King food that implies treason, is horribly sneaky (again, thanks to Head Court Lady Jo and her unreasonably sharp instincts).

At this moment, it really feels like San needs the King to be on his side, if he’s to get through this latest trap that his enemies have set. 🙈

Next Open Thread will be up on: Saturday, 10 August 2024!