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| Image from Marco Polo, streamed via Netflix |
When Hundred Eyes and Marco went on a perilous journey to attempt to assassinate Jia Sidao, Hundred Eyes correctly read that Marco had begun to identify with the empire that held him captive. 'I fear your mind has followed your body into bondage', Hundred Eyes told his erstwhile pupil. Had Marco truly begun to believe in the righteousness of the Khan's cause? Or had he almost unwittingly begun to view the Khan as a father after his own father sorely disappointed him?
It was Empress Chabi who talked the Khan out of executing Mei Lin and sending a massive army to wipe out the Song Dynasty. 'Do not use a battering ram when an arrow will do', the Empress counselled. Using information from the captive Mei Lin, the Khan devised a plan to use Jing Fei to lead Hundred Eyes to Jia Sidao. Whilst Hundred Eyes was busy with his task, Marco was to gather information on the defense of the Song.
The assassination attempt coincided with what should have been a transfer of power from Jia Sidao and the Dowager Empress's champion Fang Zhen. Jia Sidao, however, could not bring himself to let go of power. He and Fang Zhen were already fighting by the time Hundred Eyes arrived. Despite Hundred Eyes's skills, Jia Sidao not only survived the assassination attempt, he also managed to kill Fang Zhen. With blood still on his face, Jia Sidao walked into the coronation of the boy emperor, still the Song Dynasty's most powerful figure.
Their journey may not be for naught. Marco spotted what he thought was a weakness in the walls of the Song, a section that was in the process of being repaired, but which could be a way in for the Khan's army. Marco showed his drawings to the Khan, who ordered a march of his massive forces. In his quest to please the Khan, the lives of hundreds if not thousands of Mongol warriors were now on the line because of his word, his plan. From Marco's naive point of view, he was only trying to help. He had no inkling of the suspicion and jealousy he has roused, not the least from Prince Jingim himself, with Ahmad whispering in his ear.
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| Image from Marco Polo, streamed via Netflix |
Strays
■ Though Jing Fei gave Ling Ling over to Marco and Hundred Eyes, she chose to remain at Court as ally of the Dowager Empress.
■ Nergui knew that Empress Chabi wanted her to wed Prince Jingim. She tried to send Tulga away. Perhaps Nergui knew there was no way for her and Tulga to escape the forces of the Khan. Perhaps, as on the night she assumed Kokachin's identity, Nergui chose what she viewed as an easier life, a life as a princess hostage (and eventually, wife of the future khan) rather than the uncertain and dangerous life of a peasant on the run.
■ Mei Lin was now being held at Ahmad's quarters.
■ Jing Fei lied to Jia Sidao and told him Mei Lin was successful in assassinating Empress Chabi. Jing Fei confessed her deceit to the Dowager Empress.
■ Khutulun wanted to marry Byamba.
■ Hundred Eyes: 'What one chooses to believe in and what one is compelled to believe in, there is a difference.'
Director: David Petrarca
Writer: Michael Chernuchin
Original Release Date: 12 December 2014
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