I was impressed that Gye-won seems to have let go of his plans to control Jung by threats and blackmail. He seems to have realized he can achieve his goal of avoiding tyranny just by making her queen and protecting her. Her good judgment and her good influence are enough. "She is the queen we need."

I actually would not be surprised if he ends up dying intentionally to protect her. It would be poetic justice.

I continue to be impressed by all aspects of this drama. PGW could have been a typical sageuk villain, but he’s so much more. Yoo Jung is awesome, and I’m glad that PGW considers her his Queen. I love that most of the characters are three dimensional. Poor Lee Joon though. He’s very talented but his character hasn’t been given interesting material like the others. Lee Tae really is like a typical weepy, ineffectual, lovestruck female lead.

The Queen Dowager is over it lol. The monk really got into her head, and I wonder if he has an agenda. I kind of hope he is working with Lee Tae because I’d like him to actually be a player.

Cho Yeon-hee is in over her head.

There was a shot where Lee Tae was looking at the stones on the board and it changed to an overhead shot of the officials that was really cool.

PGW has issues with all the women in his life. Consort Jung, Madam Yoon, the Queen Dowager.
That confrontation between the last two women...Madam Yoon loosing her cool on PGW might spell a certain kind of doom.
I think Cho got into PGW's head. The option of saving Queen Dowager or Jung wasn't there at all, it didn't fit. So I was surprised when PGW felt defeated in that instance. Perhaps because that was the two eventualities dealt him.
Talking about the Dowager, this woman has seen enough from the hands of men. Her seat is threatened by the presence of her stepson. She can't be with the actual love of her life. And now, this love of her life wants to relegate her to the background. Her insecurities is well founded. I don't know if burning the palanquin was her last stand against PGW, but it is a turning point in PGW's power hold. And I want to see more of her opposing sides. Chunk by chunk, he's loosing a lot by supporting Jung. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned so this downward spiral better bring its disaster-coaster of events. Would she finally be tempered by Consort Jung, as Tae and PGW are?

If only this people(Cho and Queen Dowager) know what is involved in uncovering Yoo Jung's identity. The surviving Sarim scholars wouldn't let them kill off the only surviving soul of their leader. But of course, save the best opposition for last.

It's not a surprise at this point but the King is basically useless which is why I am deep down hoping that he's working with that monk and that this is his master plan all along (sigh...i may be giving him too much credit here).

The monk just popped out of no where and I think we all know that one of the only way if not the only way to actually give a blow to PGW would be through his relationship with the Queen Dowager... Someone's is definitely pulling some strings except is the monk is the Queen Dowager long lost love/relative who she doesn't remember 😂😂.

I have never been this close to actually rooting for an antagonist. PGW is just brillant and it's nice to see him acknowledge that Jung might just be the kind of influence he needs in the Palace/Inner court despite his twisted justification for his actions. It looks like he will get his redemption arc just like we were discussing in last week's weecap.

The Queen Dowager has been through her fair share but I can't really pity her that much after she told PGW's wife that power can make your romantic rival bow to you. Did she really have to say that? Which now makes me wonder which of them was "first" in his life?
However, PGW's wife was really reckless during her confrontation with the Queen Dowager. How can she be counting her chicks and declaring war when her eggs haven't even hatched?

Ps: Give Jung the Crown 😆

The King really didn't do much about the fallout from his decision. I actually felt bad for Lady Cho, she got played and knows it. What a mess. The love story between the King and Lady Jung would be sweet if the King was playing chess instead of checkers. That being said Lady Jung continues to be smart and fab. As for her stupid maid, girl be gone. I knew she was going to mess something up as soon as she didn't stop speaking after saying she didn't know the merchant. First rule of lying is the best lies are the simplest ones. Fool girl.

When Yoo Jung vowed to make Tae a capable King, I glanced at the episode number thinking there are not enough episodes to show that. However, I was reminded this show isn't about Tae to begin with. It's about crowning the Queen and there are more than enough episodes to show that. This drama has always been about Yoo Jung and how these two men who respect her will get her to her throne, her rightful position. Totally delighted by the change in PGW. Come to think of it, all he has is power, he isn't known as someone corrupt but he wants the king to rule according to his will. Jung as we know can help him get where PGW wants to see a King of Joseon, and if not Tae, then she can raise a son with those principles.

Minister Cho is smart but gosh his daughter is so annoying. Like the The King's Affection, her chaarcter is used for the king too. But they made Jung Chaeyeon's character so adorable in TKA that you couldn't help feel bad for her. Minister Cho's daughter has been played and her anger is justified but she's naive and cunning at the same time. In fact, she tries to be usually smart but is impulsive and impatient, and that kind of person has no place in this show at least. She didn't look far into how her scheme could harm herself and that's what's annoying about her. Her father though , is smart to not bring any objections to the king yet and i think he'll be the next one to find about Jung's parents and identity.

I agree with what Queen Dowager said to PGW, this isn't sth that big of a deal that he can't cover up. He clearly took sides there, realizing that Jung is more important to them now. And her confrontation with Madam Yoon, I thought she was simply thinking but well, she said all of it. Too much for a mere taunt.

As everyone has already said, I really hope Tae smartens up too. He was smart for 4 episodes but ever since Jung is in the palace, he has toned down. Maybe that's his way of protecting Jung too. It will be nice if the monk is serving under his orders.

Right now I think the show is headed towards making Yoo Jung the Queen while PGW sacrifices his life for her in the process. This show is so delicious , it's getting everything right bit most importantly how every action the characters take is justifiable for their sake and survival but gives others the short end of the stick. So you don't even resent them for taking those actions. PGW was cleaned this episode.