Song of Phoenix Episode 25

Episode 25: Qu Yuan is targeted--AGAIN

This episode deals with Qu Yuan being set up for embezzlement. Yup. Here we go.

1. The episode begins with the Grand Adviser (Uncle) essentially revealing, as a result of Judge Chen's questioning, that he switched out the jade because it is a sacred treasure and he did not trust the chancellor

2.The emperor orders him to be executed immediately. Ministers speak up for him citing that the Grand Adviser was not wrong to want to protect such an important treasure and also, as Lord Qu reminds him, Qin would have found another reason to go to war with them. The king decides to let him go, and has him lose a year of pay.

3.Afterwards, the king has a private audience with his uncle and relates to him a tale of a subject who broke the rules by impersonating the king to save his life, and died by assassins. He then tells his uncle that while he broke the rules, he believes him to be a loyal subject. (I think he is saying that he likes that his action gave him an opportunity to show that he won't let an act go on unpunished BUT is also able to be benevolent)

4.Back in Quan county, the same three guys YET AGAIN scheme to take out Qu Yuan (this is a tired old plot device I hope this is the last time). They essentially blackmail a guy who has helped them steal treasury money, a guard, to change the books and set Qu Yuan up for embezzlement (this is like saying you are going to frame Mother Theresa for murder)

5.The plot is carried out. Judge Chen is shocked to see that the books are not right, and immediately investigates where a guard confesses that Qu yuan made him change the books and they find gold bars in Qu Yuans room. Somehow I like to think that if Qu Yuan was committing a crime he would know how to not get caught. he's supposed to be a genius.

6.Qu Yuan is enraged as he is arrested. Later, his servant tries to help him escape and Qu Yuan AGAIN gets on his soap box and insists that he is a servant to the people and will not hide from the law.

7.Back at the capital, Judge Chen reveals his findings and the emperor is not happy, because it makes him look bad since he decided to appoint someone so young. Lord Jing wants him killed, and Lord Qu and Lord Zhao try to plead on his behalf. The king orders a second investigation.

8.(It should be noted that prior to this the king continued to express regret about his sister being in Qin and how he feels bad for betraying her and the Queen and his mother try to tell him to get over it that this is the world they live in) Anyways the Queen Dowager visits her son and reminds him that while he likes and respects Qu Yuan and feels betrayed, killing him could be bad for the military since they are preparing for war and his father is the leader of the troops

9.Meanwhile, Mo Chou learns that Qu Yuan is facing death and shows that she cannot stay away--answering the lingering question of the last episode. She returns, organizes, and sets up a petition to beg for Qu Yuan's life.

10.Judge Chen meets with the King and says 'hey, I think it's kind of strange how clumsy this looks--why would someone as smart as Qu Yuan commit a crime and not even try to conceal it? hmmm. sounds like a set up'

11.The king decides to visit the province in question, and his palanquin is stopped by a bunch of people kneeling in white, Mo Chou in front, and they all plead to for Qu Yuan's life.

Conclusion: It does not bother me if a show is predictable. But I thought this was pure filler. The only new piece of information we learned is they emphasize the dynamic of carrying out justice: if Qu Yuan had indeed committed the crime, then he should be punished but his status as the military leader's son adds a new angle. It emphasizes yet again that not everything is as black and white as Qu Yuan sees it. Justice is not clean cut. The emperor could punish him, but he hesitates because he cares for him. He should declare war, but he cares about his sister and what that means for her. Qu Yuan doesn't care if he dies because of his pride. He won't have his name blackened.

So in some ways this episode is important--but it dragged a lot.

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