The Princess's Gambit Episode 36

Episode 36 (Finale): In the Heat of Battle the Seed Can Bloom

That's how I see this episode. An episode full of battles, of the will to survive. Of sacrifice by all involved. The biggest sacrifices of this episode were Jiang Tao Hua's master and Shen Zai Ye's sacrifice.
The Empress being deceived by the plan devised by Shen Zai Ye. The traps one by one being efficient, but still the villain gaining momentum to harm the heroes. In the end, Jiang Tao Hua was saved by the sacrifice of two men (one died on the spot, due to the empress's wickedness). The other, Shen Zai Ye (until the last moment, he sought the cure for Jiang Tao Hua). He, even in the fire, managed to rescue leaves from the antiduct flower, and even a seed (which served for his remaining cure), because the tea from the antiduct flowers (he had taken an incomplete cup), preferring that the full cup be taken by Jiang Tao Hua. In the end, his preventive thought of taking the seed (served also to save his life). He was in a coma for a while, but he woke up (although we were not shown him waking up). But.... This is not implied, no, folks. He woke up and went to meet Jiang Tao Hua who was near the peach tree. Why does this moment seem like a dream? Because it's a special moment (it's like a miracle happening). But the whole episode shows all the time that this miracle was going to happen. That seed blooming in the moon light (in a dark cave), the only place where it can bloom (it even seems like a metaphor), for the main couple and for Shen Zai Ye's life that was struggling to survive (but the fact that he was able to take half of the antiduct), this already showed a great possibility of him surviving. And then there was the seed of the healing flower (and the seed bloomed and there was time for him to drink it a second time, but now the antiduct in the full amount needed). This all showed that he would survive.
PS: I liked to see Shen Zai Ye dressed in his black outfit, his exotic braids and fighting with his sword as a heroic warrior. (I always enjoy these moments). And I also appreciated that the master, (it was like an older brother), he was there saving Jiang Tao Hua and Shen Zai Ye as well. At that moment there was a friendship between these two men for the sake of this woman, Jiang Tao Hua. Do you know that this was beautiful to see? Without any rivalry (and we saw that the feelings there of each one were well defined).
Ps: yes, I miss that there wasn't a proper kiss. A kiss of love between the two, without being forced. Without her imposing a kiss on SZY or SZY imposing a kiss on JTH and without there being any misunderstanding between them. Couldn't there have at least been a kiss of this kind between them in the drama?
(And yet another thing I miss. I have to say this. There was no deep conversation about love between the two. (And even the conversation between Jiang Tao Hua and the master, her tears fell naturally, as she and he talked.) Whereas for Jiang Tao Hua and Shen Zai Ye, there was no such moment. There wasn't. In that sense: Kill Me Love Me gains points over "The Princess Gambit," But in relation to victory over enemies (TPGambit) it was better in that regard. Indeed it's not a bad ending.)
And I wish, in the final moment, to have seen the color of his clothes (blue) and hers (pink) which is the cover of the book (him waiting on the stairs, Jiang Tao Hua, who runs to him). They modified it a little, he is the one who comes close to her (looking like a dream) to pick the peach blossom that is on the tree. She smiles in surprise (as if to say: You are alive. And they hug each other). The ending was good, because it was positive. There was a happy ending, yes. Hopes were not unfounded, they flourished. And it was an episode, where the two of them worked together all the time. That was very good.
So, despite pros and cons, this ending is an ending with many satisfying elements.

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Mixed feelings

This episode brought many things full circle for the Beiyuan prince and Princess. We saw the return of the rightful heirs hinted at and a happy conclusion hinted at. It is the first time Princess could enjoy the peach blossoms without feeling dread of poison. At the end I am thinking the chancellor showed up right on cue as he always does because he is too stubborn to die. I want their cases to be the first of many and the poison soldiers cured and forbidden to be created in future. We did not need the empress’ ‘poor me’ diatribe at the end. We just needed to see her die. It would have been preferable for her to have been made a test subject for cure. That would have been an equitable service for the people as penance for her misdeeds. The official gave his all to make amends for his failure of kindness. He recognized what he did and was relieved they survived with moral compasses intact. What we should have seen was a marriage of 4th prince and sis since a romance was pushed on us to watch. There should have been a proposal from the aide to bodyguard. We should have seen chancellor and princess with Lian in tow as part of their family. The Prince taking the throne in Beiyuan and Ms Meng turning her criminal family around. This would have brought the people we wanted to see full circle. This is what the writer owed the viewers. I am not sorry I watched this and I think it’s worth watching. But I am disappointed the author and director did not prioritize the events in the last half better. I find that I am ok with the ending, but I do think that what started as a masterpiece ended up a shadow of what it could have been.

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