Definitely the best episode of the series, and suitably so. The finale provided the best bits of the series, and was also game-changing enough for us to want more in the next series. I sensed a slight change in tone with this series as soon as I watched the Scholar's Pen. Whilst, at first, the series was promising, nothing remotely exciting had unfolded, but for some odd scenes here and there. What the last four episodes did was give us a padded peak at how Mongols waged war.
Obviously, the best bits were the battle scenes, and Jia Sidao's demise which was monumentally done by Hundred Eyes. In addition, Kublai Khan's dramatic change from distraught and worried to content in the walls of the Song Dynasty was great to see, and the final scene between Mei Lin and Ahmad was a haunting conclusion that left a lot to be asked.
One main problem that I've had with the entire series as a whole is its romantic relationships, whether important or not, they've all been a bit half-hearted, especially Marco Polo's fancy to the Blue Princess, which has no electricity whatsoever in my eyes - mainly because we haven't see much of their relationship develop. Also, Byamba's relationship with Khutulun may be worthy of its existence, but again it's a little too hazy to really understand the qualities and quantities and where it could possible go in the future.
Nevertheless, I was truly satisfied with this conclusion, and it highlighted how great this series is as a fantasy-historical. The performances may have started out weak, but as their characters developed, so did their understanding of their portrayals. With the right foot on the ground, this show could become an instant hit with the second series.
8.9/10
P.S. I don't understand the negativity towards this show with critics. Perhaps they just don't like giving praise.
Obviously, the best bits were the battle scenes, and Jia Sidao's demise which was monumentally done by Hundred Eyes. In addition, Kublai Khan's dramatic change from distraught and worried to content in the walls of the Song Dynasty was great to see, and the final scene between Mei Lin and Ahmad was a haunting conclusion that left a lot to be asked.
One main problem that I've had with the entire series as a whole is its romantic relationships, whether important or not, they've all been a bit half-hearted, especially Marco Polo's fancy to the Blue Princess, which has no electricity whatsoever in my eyes - mainly because we haven't see much of their relationship develop. Also, Byamba's relationship with Khutulun may be worthy of its existence, but again it's a little too hazy to really understand the qualities and quantities and where it could possible go in the future.
Nevertheless, I was truly satisfied with this conclusion, and it highlighted how great this series is as a fantasy-historical. The performances may have started out weak, but as their characters developed, so did their understanding of their portrayals. With the right foot on the ground, this show could become an instant hit with the second series.
8.9/10
P.S. I don't understand the negativity towards this show with critics. Perhaps they just don't like giving praise.
