The Rebel Princess (Monarch Industry)
impressions by Syl, Jan 15, 2022
68 episodes, now showing on PBS, KCTS Channel 9 from Seattle. If you are a subscriber, you too can watch all 68 episodes! $120 a year for KCTS Passport, great deal. Public Television.
Now we have only four episodes left to watch. Up in the air:
Will Zitan ever admit to his treachery in killing (or having killed) his brother Zilong, Emperor?
What will happen with Count Suri (General Song, 2nd in command to Lord Yuzang) who has just now killed Madame Xu, in order to carry out the plot hatched by the Old Master (Wang Lin) who isn't dead at all, for him to get crowned emperor.
Poor brother Wang Su, who just admitted to his father that he understands the the Gu family is on the decline, and that a marriage with the daughter (Guline) is not advisable.
And what of Jing, the baby of the dead emperor and empress, who had to be buried with the emperor at his request.
At least Helan Zhan is now dead, no more trouble from him. But the Empress Dowager remembers what Zitan told her, how he was going to do whatever he wanted in order to be the next emperor. And he's the craziest of all - smitten by forsaken love for Awa, he never gives up on the idea that he can still have her somehow, and his every move in life is aimed to that end. How can he be so blind, so infatuated, as her father laughs.
Are some of these tragic figures? No, not really. They are just examples of people stuck in their ways - well some of the women have to die tragic deaths. The mother, Eldest Princess Jinro -- who kills herself in public trying to influence her husband not to go against authority. And just now madam Xu, who has always be totally loyal, a second mother to Awa, the most trusted servant of two generations. That's tragic. How can that possibly ever be accepted by Awa and the Lord? It can't be. Count Suri (and his hidden jewels and misplaced affections) will probably die, along with the father in the next coup attempt.
But the brother, Wang Su, Lord Jing - yes a tragic figure. He is trying to do the right thing by his father, by his family. But what a mess he's in now!
Four more episodes. At least Awa and Xiao Qi now have two children, the little girl and her big brother who witnessed the horrific battle, caused by Prince Helan to destroy the Nish army and Lord Y, Xiao Qi. Probably they will get to raise Jing as well, and who knows, she may end up being able to get pregnant and have healthy child after all. The totally happy ending, which is what I think they are heading for, for those two at least.
Su Jiner will probably die, either in childbirth, or be killed once its found out that her child is not the emperors. The little maid, wife of Huain, Count Suri, she's to give birth soon aslo -- what of her -- she will be another woman who's life and happiness is sacrified because of what her husband does, is tempted to do.
Probably she will live. As will the sister of Huo, soldier killed.
Will they ever get out of the capitol, to the happy life in the little cabin out in the open air? What they dreamed of when out on the range with the horses, just after the encounter with the country people, the loyal peasant maid Arima, her husband, and people.
Who else is left to be concerned about? The common people. Somehow they have to be lifted out of their poverty and woe, as they are in due to the greed of the nobles. About class struggle, the so strong pull of tradition and the royal blood line. Not so different from what goes on these days in some monarchies.
Belief in lies, failure to question rumors, lack of investigation, lies, conspiricies, greed for wealth, for personal power.
Music in the series is excellent. Horses play starring roles. Sweep of the landscapes and buildings is incredible. Slow, yes, but that's ok. And the method of slowing down certain critical scenes - battles, fights, revelations.
Characters
from wikipedia - 2021
Xiao Qi, the General of the Ningshuo Army
→ the Prince of Yuzhang → the Prince Regent
==========The Imperial Family
the late Empress Dowager Xiaomu
Ma Yao, the Emperor
Wang Huanxi, the Empress → the Empress Dowager
Wang Lin's younger sister; the mother of the Crown Prince
Noble Consort Xie --Xie Yuan's younger sister; the mother of Zitan
Ma Zilong, the Crown Prince → the Emperor
The eldest son of the Emperor by Empress Wang
Xie Wanru, Princess Yifang → the Crown Princess → the Empress
The daughter of Xie Yuan
Ma Zilü, the second prince
The second son of the Emperor by a lowly consort
Ma Zitan, the third prince → the Prince of Anping
The third son of the Emperor by Noble Consort Xie
--------------------
The Wang clan of Langya
Wang Lin, the Duke of Jing; the Prime Minister
Wang Xu
Wang Lin's younger brother
Ma Jinruo, Princess Jinmin
The Emperor's younger sister; Wang Lin's wife; the mother of Wang Su and Princess Shangyang
Wang Xuan (Awu), Princess Shangyang → the Princess Consort of Yuzhang
The daughter of Wang Lin and Princess Jinmin
Wang Su, the heir to the Dukedom of Jing → the Prince of Jiangxia
The son of Wang Lin and Princess Jinmin
Princess Huan Mi, the heiress consort of Jing
The daughter of Huan Changde; Wang Su's wife
Wang Qian-- Wang Xuan's cousin - young woman who causes so much trouble
Su Jin'er, Princess Shangyang's maid → Noble Consort
Xiao Yuxiu, Princess Shangyang's maid → the Countess of Suyi
Pang Gui - trusted servant, bodyguard
------------The Imperial Court
Marquess Xie Yuan - (never seen this character on screen, or did we)
Wen Zongshen - later prime minister, former love of the old Empress
Huan Changde, the Duke of Jingyuan
Song Huai'en, a lieutenant in the Ningshuo Army → the Count of Suyi
Hu Guanglie, a lieutenant in the Ningshuo Army
Hu Yao, a lieutenant in the Ningshuo Army
Hu Guanglie's younger sister
Tang Jing, a lieutenant in the Ningshuo Army
Mu Lian
===========Hulan
Helan Zhen
The illegitimate son of the King of Hulan
Helan Tuo
The nephew of the King of Hulan