Marco Polo Recap 'Hug'

Season 2 Episode 2

Image from Marco Polo, streamed via Netflix.

How much of his conquest did the Khan truly understand? Did he really think the people of South China viewed him as a liberator rather than a conqueror? Or was he simply spewing propaganda even whilst speaking to his heir and two men he considered his sons?

Kublai may allow himself flights of Khan-esque fancy, but he was at his core a realist. When the boy emperor innocently climbed to his golden throne in front of the whole court, he followed the Empress's lead and laughed it off, though it was clear in his eyes that he recognised the danger. The Song Dynasty lived in the body of that little boy. For as long as he lived, there was a figure South China could rally around as they tried to reclaim their freedom from their Mongol overlords.

So, though it was Ahmad who pushed for the boy's death, it was likely that the thought had already crossed the Khan's mind. Marco naively believed that the man he looked upon as his surrogate father would not murder a boy. Prince Jingim soundly rejected the idea of killing a child. Empress Chabi offered to take the boy herself to a monastery the Khan did not know of; there, the boy could grow up, and his memory of his past as an emperor would fade.

The Khan was surrounded by people who knew him, but there was only one Khan. He knew his rule was not secure. He listened to Marco's report of South China. The boy was a boy now, but eventually he would grow up. In the end, the Khan decided to kill the boy before he got past the age of fear and tears.

Yet, what the Khan traded off was the possibility of danger in the future when or if the boy grew old, versus the near certainty of outrage over the boy's murder. In case the feelings of the people of South China were not sufficiently inflamed, Ahmad had a contact amongst the Song to prod them into whichever direction he wanted.

Meanwhile, Kaidu was gathering allies to his cause. He hosted a hunt for chieftains and tried to gain the allegiance of Kublai's uncle Prince Nayan. Though the Prince met with Kaidu after Kaidu swallowed his pride and went to the Prince's camp, Prince Nayan knew that Kaidu had no time for his Christian faith. Kaidu may not have won Prince Nayan as an ally, but Kaidu remained a formidable foe, if only because his challenge to Kublai was done under the laws of their land. No one could claim that Kaidu tried to wrest power underhandedly; he declared his intentions and made no effort to hide his moves.

Image from Marco Polo, streamed via Netflix.

Strays

■ Kaidu's mother lived alone and remained bitter over what he believed was a stolen Khanate from her bloodline.

■ The chieftains at the hunt were ones who once received favour from the House of Ogodei, Kaidu's House.

■ Kaidu's son Orus was short tempered and full of himself. Khutulun was a much more suitable heir.

■ Khutulun believed her father will support Kublai if he won fairly.

■ Michelle Yeoh's still unnamed character was able to keep up with Marco and Mei Lin, though they had horses and she did not. Later, Marco told Hundred Eyes that during their fight, she hesitated when she recognised his technique.

■ Empress Chabi continued to be the voice of reason to the Khan.

■ Jingim now considered Marco a brother, and had no idea of the past between him and Kokachin. Marco told Kokachin that he did try to look for her when he got back from Xiangyang (after the battle of the first season finale) but she had already left.

■ Khutulun was distraught when she saw that she was still not pregnant. Jingim was kind to her and appeared to genuinely like, even love, his new wife.

■ Ahmad to his spy: 'Unhinge the gates of hell.'

■ Ahmad promised Mei Lin he would allow her to see her daughter if she brought back the boy emperor. He has not yet made good on this promise.

Director: David Petrarca
Writer: Patrick Macmanus
Original Air Date: 1 July 2016