Marco Polo Recap 'Feast'

Image from Marco Polo, streamed via Netflix

Season 1 Episode 3

For the second episode in a row, Marco's words got someone killed. In the second episode, Marco's enthused description of how a tribe creatively pays their taxes exposed Sanga's corruption, and led to his death. Here, Marco painted a pretty picture of the feast Kublai's cousin Kaidu (who inherited Ariq's lands and army) threw for the Khan. Kublai knew Marco's words to be lies, for an emotional Jingim already came to him to complain. For the sin of hearing Marco's lies, the servant who stood nearby got his head bashed in. Marco did not escape unscathed, for as he rode out with his guilt, he investigated the tree where the Blue Princess has been leaving trinkets, and got himself bitten by a vicious looking snake.


Guilt was carried throughout this episode by Kublai --- guilt over his brother's death --- along with concerns over his fragile hold of power. He was already challenged by one vassal, and with Hundred Eyes's version of comforting words, he knew he could very well face other challengers. He was in this frame of mind when his son and heir Jingim confronted him for making him go to the feast on his own. Kaidu took the Khan's absence as an insult, and through the night insulted young Jingim, whose generalship ended in the slaughter of many at Wuchang. It was not just gout that hobbled the Khan, it was guilt, and the man who learnt to be strong to keep his strength threatened his heir's life if he could not do the same.

Image from Marco Polo, streamed via Netflix

Mei Lin has arrived in Cambulac, along with other young women who were taken in for the Khan's pleasure. Those chosen would live in comfort in the Hall of Five Desires, the rest would be sold off to members of the Court, and whomever was left would be offered to brothels. The wise Lady Chabi took care not to choose Mei Lin, but before she could be sent off to auction, Jia Sidao's sister scarred one of the chosen girls, creating a vacancy for herself. When next the Lady Chabi joined her husband, it was Mei Lin nestled on top of him.

Whilst Mei Lin strove to complete her task, her taunting words before she left appeared to ring in her brother's ears. With the Chinese army in attendance, Jia Sidao asked for the superior fighter amongst it ranks. The soldier made the mistake of admitting that other soldiers thought of Jia Sidao's praying mantis games as a "curious little hobby." Showcasing an elegant, assured fighting style, Jia Sidao easily beat the soldier, and killed him.

If Hundred Eyes could see Jia Sidao fight, I wonder if the wise mentor would think the Cricket Minister possessed Kung fu. Kung fu, Hundred Eyes explained to Marco, meant supreme skill from hard work, be it fighting, or cooking, or painting, or being a servant. As Hundred Eyes spoke of Kung fu, we see Ahmad supervising the beginning of a wall painting, and Za Bing, Princess Kokachin's protector and servant. I am glad I am writing this recap after having seen the rest of the series (most of it, anyway). I am able to pick out the small, brilliant touches the show did. Supreme skill from hard work. The wall being painted. Ahmad. Ah, Marco Polo. And others gave you rough reviews.

Image from Marco Polo, streamed via Netflix

Strays

■ Kaidu urged an attack against the Chinese in retaliation for Wuchang. The silent dissenter at Court is Vice Chancellor Yusuf. Remember this, because this little detail pays off poignantly later on.

■ Jia Sidao tasked one of Mei Lin's fellow concubines, Jing Fei, to be a companion of Sunflower, Mei Lin's daughter, after thoroughly insulting her.

■ Kaidu's daughter Khutulun is a peerless wrestler whose virginity is promised to whomsoever may beat her.

■ I check my Twitter feed when Marco and Kokachin are on screen. Their yet to be fulfilled romance is still boring.