The Great Seer Ep.19&20

So as I said, I'll continue sticking with this show for the actors because I don't want their efforts to go in vain. As episode 19 continues, I'm not sure if this was before the dispute or after, but I'll assume before. The whole episode was choppy and draggy but they at least accomplished one major event: King Gongmin's assassination.
(Although I still think they wasted a lot of time coming to this point...)

Episode 19

 The real points in this episode are Ji Sang and Hae In want to get married, but Hyo Myung opposes with a reason he can't disclose for now (but we all know why). Up to this point, I've got to accept their relationship despite it being badly written. Luckily, Ji "Sung" and Kim  So Yeon make it bearable with their superb acting skills.

Next really is a whole bunch of little sub plots like Ban Ya trying to get the Queen to accept the prince, Lee Sung Gye trying to sneak into the palace to see the King (which basically took up 3/4 of the episode!), and conflicts between Young Ji and her sons. Uh, and Jung Geun asking Hae In to marry him, because he's losing too much to Ji Sang.

And can I just make one more point? After 19 episodes, Young Ji finally gets a wardrobe change! I swear, the men get more wardrobe changes than the woman (besides the E.P of course, she gets the honor of changing into many pretty clothing).

The end of King Gong Min

Ryu Tae Joon was just amazing in this scene. His portrayal of the delirious, delusional, and falling King was impressive. Especially the part where Lee Sung Gye confronts him and there's one moment where he falls onto the floor and angrily shouts at all the problems surrounding his nation. In this state, we see a brief moment of clarity and consciousness in him and we see how much he's suffering carrying the role of the leader of a nation. Maybe he would've been much happier as a commoner  maybe he wouldn't have turned out this way (as I'm sure most King's wish for if not for power...).

As for this Lee Sung Gye, this also brings on a major turning point in him. Up till now, he still kind of believed in the King. But this confrontation led him to state that the nation "has no King anymore". He's finally going to take things into his own hands, make strong allies, gather strength! And then wait 20 years for his time to come...

 Hong Ryun and his boys are sent to kill Gongmin to save their own-selves  so they unwillingly set out to the task. I have to say, the guy acting Hong Ryun was quite good despite the short screen time he had. You could feel he did not hate the King, and maybe possibly did 'like' him. I mean, he did shed sincere tears before killing him.

And so, they think they'll be safe with the help of Lee In Im, but everybody knows that once they've done their deeds Lee In Im simply would dispose of them because dead people are the best secret-keepers.

Want to know more details about Gongmin's death? Then go here.

The reign of evil is approaching! Brace! Brace! Brace!


Episode 20

Nearly had a heart attack when Lee In Im's crew was chasing Ji Sang and Woo Ya Sook! Luckily they had gun-powder.

This might be the last chance we get to kill Lee Sung Gye (after our so many attempted fails). We must kill him! 

This eunuch has been bothering me ever since he 'suddenly' started helping the bad guys. I thought he was loyal to the King! What is this two-faced back-stabbing servant!? Karma's going to bite back at you! Hmph.

Phew. Smart Ji Sang notices something's amiss and alerts the General. Death, escaped.

 The only thing I'm interested in is how Lee In Im is going to succeed to putting Ban Ya's son on the throne when the Queen is so adamant not to. What evil schemes does he have up his sleeve?

 Behind a successful man is always a woman. This phrase is so appropriate for Lee In Im. If he didn't have E.P and her smart brains and resources, would he have come this far? Too bad (?), I have a feeling she might get discarded later...

Oh ho, E.P has her connections but so does Gisaeng Bong Choon. But it seems Lee Sung Gye isn't so warm about the idea of threatening people. Too much against his morals.

But you have to play dirty and cheap sometimes, says Moo Hak. And he's totally right.

 So with the information in their hands, the evil one who's used to all this 'threatening' is all smooth sails. But over on the other hand, it's a question for Lee Sung Gye. Will he cheat his conscience and go the dirty route, or will he stick with his principles?

And he scraps the earlier idea and refuses to turn back on himself. Yes, that's the righteous Lee Sung Gye! But ...how far will you be able to go if you keep doing this?

.....

Really now, everything is just preparing itself for the next 'era' and that is when Lee In Im places Ban Ya's son on the throne, but everyone knows he's just really inching toward his goal of becoming "King". Preparing for another time jump...