Episode 8 of Queen Wu begins with a haunting flashback that plunges us deep into a bygone era 18 years ago. It depicts a critical moment when King Go Na-mu, in a cruel and calculated act, cuts off his brother's nose, sparing his life but sending a chilling message to all would-be traitors. information. Now the crown prince, driven by his relentless ambition to regain the throne, has formed an alliance with Balki, and his return stirs the already turbulent waters in the palace.
Within the palace walls, Mochi stood firm and his loyalty to the queen was unwavering. He refused to accept any reward and vowed to defend her honor with his life, a decision that deeply touched her heart. She in turn grants him a rare pardon, allowing him to reintegrate into the Royal Party, an elite group of warriors. They work together to firmly advance their strategies and are not afraid of hardships.
Eul Pa-so, their trusted advisor, harbors doubts about their chances of victory, but the queen's resolve is unshakeable. She is prepared to go to any lengths, even forsaking the capital itself, if it means safeguarding her beloved people.
Mu-gol, a strategic mind, proposes a swift campaign to secure the allegiance of the five influential clans. The queen, ever resourceful, dispatches ancestral swords, symbols of loyalty once pledged to King Chu-mo, to each clan. She appeals to their sense of honor, urging them to uphold the vows of their forefathers and stand united.
In a deft political maneuver, she reaches out to the Jwa family, revealing the tragic news of their daughter's demise at the hands of Bal-ki. This revelation strikes a chord of empathy and solidifies their allegiance to her cause. Furthermore, she garners the support of the Eastern families, led by the ambitious Seol-joo, who aligns with the queen solely because she harbors hopes of a union with Yeon-woo. Her actions, fueled by personal motives, suggest that she might have been the mysterious accomplice of Sa-bi.
Upon learning of Sa-bi's demise, Seol-joo acts swiftly, ordering her men to retrieve the body for a discreet burial. Her ruthlessness extends further, as she also commands the elimination of Sa-bi's father, sealing the fate of those who dared to cross her path. The intricate web of alliances and betrayals continues to tighten its grip on the kingdom, setting the stage for an epic confrontation that will shake the very foundations of power.
Tragically, Bal-ki manages to garner the allegiance of the mounted warriors, alongside the steadfast support of the Hae clan and the Crown Prince. Yet, the majority of his subjects flee to the heart of the capital, seeking refuge under the Queen's protective shield.
Yeon-bi, cautious by nature, opts to play the waiting game, holding her allegiance in suspense until the war's clarion call echoes. One tribe, astute in self-preservation, steadfastly refuses to take sides, hoping to remain unscathed amidst the chaos.
The Queen, meanwhile, rallies the hearts of her citizens, who willingly don the armor of war, men and women alike harnessing their prowess in swordplay and archery to fortify the capital's defenses.
Go Gye-su remains true to his pledge to his beloved brother Na-mu, standing guard over their homeland. Despite his personal resentment towards the Queen's levirate marriage with Yeon-woo, which he perceives as a dishonor to his brother's memory, he reluctantly aligns with her, swayed by the Queen's revelation that it was the late King's final wish. His unwavering support proves to be a pivotal factor, tilting the scales in favor of the Queen's victory.
No-eum, betraying his own loyalties, returns to the stronghold, snatching Gye-su's wife and family as pawns in his twisted game. The thoughtless abandon with which Yeo-woo abandons his own kin staggers belief. No-eum presents these captives to Bal-ki as a token of allegiance and a gesture of peaceful intentions, but Bal-ki's fury knows no bounds upon learning of the Queen's escape. In a fit of rage, he slays one of the revered White Tigers, leaving No-eum to suppress the urge to strike him down then and there. Ultimately, they both succumb to Bal-ki's call to arms, united in their crusade against the Queen.
Eul Pa-so receives a chilling revelation: Song-woo might be conspiring with Bal-ki. Without hesitation, he apprehends the suspected traitor, vowing to unravel the truth through relentless interrogation. It transpires that even before the King's untimely demise, His Majesty and the Queen had their suspicions about Song-woo's loyalty. As a precaution, they enlisted Mil-woo's aid to keep Song-woo under close watch and subtly manipulate him into believing they shared a common cause. Their awareness of his treachery ran deep, yet they remained silent, plotting their next move.
The Queen, initially convinced of Eul Pa-so's guilt in the King's death, was relieved to discover her mistake. She extends an olive branch, inviting him to join her crusade for a reborn Goguryeo. Eul Pa-so, recognizing the queen's unwavering resolve, swiftly aligns himself with her, ready to march into battle by her side. He realizes that despite his opposition to war, her warrior's spirit burns bright, fueled by a lifelong dream that the King himself had vowed to fulfill. Tragically, it was the King's passing that finally unlocked her destiny.
As Bal-ki and the Crown Prince prepare for the inevitable clash, their alliance with the Hwa family is fraught with distrust. The Crown Prince, scarred by past betrayals at the hands of the Hwas, harbors thoughts of vengeance post-war. Meanwhile, they receive unexpected reinforcement from unlikely quarters, adding an unpredictable element to the impending conflict.
Queen Woo, having a heart-to-heart with her father, finally shatters the confining shell he had unwittingly constructed around her. She declares her intention to fight and shield her people, fearless of the societal norms that have long relegated women to passive roles. Fed up with being a pawn in a game dominated by men, she explains her choice of Yeon-woo: a partner who will not stifle her aspirations.
The series culminates with Queen Woo, armed with the bronze sword restored by a skilled blacksmith, marching into battle alongside her soldiers. Echoing the victorious echoes of the war's prologue from the first episode, we can confidently surmise that she emerges victorious, her legacy as a warrior queen forever etched in history.
