The Princess's Gambit Episode 2

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t

The princess ingeniously got herself out of a precarious situation. She manages to find a solution that pleased the emperor and kept her alive from her prison guards at the palace. It is hard to decide which country is the most cruel hers or the new one. She was forced to take a poison pill prior to leaving to keep her in line. If she passes on the required intel she gets the antidote and she and brother get to live another month. Her fake hanging has the chancellor intrigued but also alert she might be trouble for him. He therefore determines she deals with whatever his harem dishes out. This is the second drama I have watched with Meng ZiYi. She has done an incredible job of running through a gamut of emotions these two episodes. She knows the emperor will never allow her to marry the prince so she bargains for the chancellor. She even agrees to be his concubine. I liked how she corrected the pretend seamstress. This one will deliver the antidote on a regular schedule. The princess responds to great incivility with calmness and cool demeanor. She remains courteous and respectful while holding a line that lets them know there is a point she will defend herself. When presenting the toasts to the harem she performs admirably. The first concubine could not complain of wedding gown color or name addressed and I smiled when she failed to upset cup for serving. The third trial of kneeling was rather cruel. Nails were hid in the pillow and they mocked her for trembling so early. I would have been screaming by that point. She knows that she must find a painting that has a map everyone wants. The chancellor is also trying to track it down. He sees that she is going through the hazing better than expected and he is intrigued but on guard. He has no intention of trusting or making things easy on her. She is still kneeling on nails when episode ends.This was also a very eventful episode. Well done.

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