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Marco Polo - A tale of power, adventure, betrayal & lust - Netflix - spoilers for S1
- Thread starter RatskyWatsky
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Just finished this last night and I really enjoyed it. The ultra-serious political intrigue transitioning into fantastical kung fu action is a strange mix, but it worked for me. The final fight scene was trope city but still badass. And the reveal at the end wasn't too surprising, but sets up season 2 nicely.
Not surprised the critics shit on it. They shit on almost all the Netflix shows because the release-all-at-once strategy renders episodic recaps worthless. Without episodic recaps, TV critic's web hits and general relevance will decrease a lot.
Not surprised the critics shit on it. They shit on almost all the Netflix shows because the release-all-at-once strategy renders episodic recaps worthless. Without episodic recaps, TV critic's web hits and general relevance will decrease a lot.
I'm sorry but was this not obvious for awhile now I mean every time he was on screen I knew he was up to no good I mean he was like the Marco Polo version of Littlefinger.
David Incorporated Esq.
Member
Most people need someone relatable for them to be engaged in the story, and it gives the writers a pathway for exposition.
So that ending was pretty dumb and I'm tired of the blind guy being a walking cliche, even if he's an otherwise good character. I love, love, love Kublai's actor, though, dude absolutely nails every scene.
PS seriously who's doing the writing for this it's usually atrocious.
PPS and why the hell didn't Sifu kill Sidao when he first had the chance? What the fuck happened in that one scene?
I think when they snuck in, it was implied that 100 Eyes couldn't beat Sidao and retreated. They show a scene or two after where he is training by himself. Then in the final battle you see that 100 eyes has mimicked Sidao's mantis style of fighting to beat him.
The way it was shot was still fucking stupid 100 Eyes kills Sidao's guards while he's still in the room and then the next scene Sidao is walking into the throne room and the next episode offers no explanation what so ever.
David Incorporated Esq.
Member
It looks like they cut a scene. It's plausible Sifu lost but the writers would never leave that to the imagination.
EastOfEden
Member
Didn't Sifu get knocked to the ground/almost knocked out? I can't really remember the scene that well atm but at the time it was obvious to me that Sifu couldn't beat Sidao.
Thought it was a decent watch. Not one of the best shows right now but I would still recommend it. Certainly surprised at the difference between critic and audience reception. Felt the writing was pretty tame but certain characters really elevated the show (Kublai, Chabi, Sidao, Khutulun), largely due to the actors who play them. Marco himself is basically the Luke Skywalker mold, where he's the character used to introduce yourself into this exotic world and get familiar with the political intrigue and customs. Once you become familiar though, that character takes a backstep to the rest of the characters unless they do something interesting with him and I never really felt that they did that with Marco. Like everyone's already said, the Marco/Blue Princess relationship was never justified.
Was initially super disappointed that Episode 8 ended the way they did. All that buildup to the battle and all that was shown was a short montage. But ultimately it was made up for and understood when the last episode came round.
That final revelation though is just so stupid. Clear evidence of treason displayed within the Khan's courts for...what? For someone as keen as Ahmed, why would he take the risk? It was a bad note to end on and felt it could have been handled better.
Will be interested in Season 2 for sure.
Was initially super disappointed that Episode 8 ended the way they did. All that buildup to the battle and all that was shown was a short montage. But ultimately it was made up for and understood when the last episode came round.
That final revelation though is just so stupid. Clear evidence of treason displayed within the Khan's courts for...what? For someone as keen as Ahmed, why would he take the risk? It was a bad note to end on and felt it could have been handled better.
Will be interested in Season 2 for sure.
williamsan
Member
I liked the show, but I've got a question: how does Jia Sidao paralyze people by punching them in the neck? I mean, besides the normal devastation a punch to the neck would bring it looks like they went down because of some..special...kung-fu? Or was it made up?
Dubbedinenglish
Banned
*grunts*
AcademicSaucer
Member
I no other show have the sex scenes felt so unnecesary for me like in this one .
aronnov reborn
Banned
Just binged watched this over the past 5 days or so and I really enjoyed it.. the only issue i had was the painting at the end... that's just up out in the open?
And this. completely unnecessary.
And this. completely unnecessary.
LifEndz
Member
Just finished the first season. The costumes, set design and location are just amazing. So interested in the historical accuracy of the characters that I spent 30 minutes after each episode reading up on Mongolian history. Prior to this, I'd say half of what I knew about this period comes from that city wok South Park episode.
Feet binding and being trampled by horse...wow. Can't wait for season 2.
Feet binding and being trampled by horse...wow. Can't wait for season 2.
I didn't get that either. How can he have that up???
Delta Assault
Member
I believe that's called a Vulcan nerve pinch.
WesternHeretic
Member
there's a podcast called hardcore history there is like a good 6 to 10 hours of info on the Mongols if you want to take a listen. Doesn't really touch in kubalai more on ghengis.
Did the warrior woman whose name I can't remember actually have sex with Marco? Or were the just dry humping? Either way, it's always kinda bugged me how they just drop that plot point. They do something, it's mentioned that she'll only have sex with the first person to beat her in that wrestling thing, Marco finds out she's the daughter of the leader of that tribe and then...nothing.
Am I just missing something?
Am I just missing something?
EastOfEden
Member
They fucked. That was her father that promised the man to beat her would get her hand in marriage/get to take her virginity. The joke was that she's obviously screwing men behind her father's back (and also it's revealed that she lost on purpose to the guy she ends up marrying). It wasn't the beginning of a side plot per se, they just had a one night stand in order to show she was in control of her sexuality (and also to establish Marco as a bit of a ladies man).
RustyNails
Member
How do we ascertain how much money this show (or House of Cards for that matter) made for Netflix?
Dictator93
Member
Yes, a good set of scenes.
I enjoyed this first season, I look forward to the next.
I feel like they rushed the story, they could've very well gotten another season out of Yusuf, Sidao, and the whole attack on Xiangyang.
Yusef had no purpose anymore, basically he was there to serve the Khan, but he didn't believe on him or his dream anymore. He wanted to though.
Like he said, essentially Marco's problem was that he was becoming too much like him.
Its a secret mission, kill the current chancellor to stop war.
Target is strong and is putting up a fight.
He gets found, guards start showing up
You really don't need an explanation to know that the monk escaped without finishing the target.
open to who though?
The Khan rarely comes out of his quarters
Jingim thinks of him as a brother even though Ahmad tries to distance himself from him (emotionally that is)
The queen thinks of him as a son, not only that, but she seems to trust her the most (what she is doing with Mei Lin, and with the Blue Princess)
The 3 that would actually catch him:
Yusuf; Dead
Byamba: Away with his girl that isn't welcomed back in Kublai khan's kingdom
Marco: He wouldn't dare go in Ahmad's personal quarters alone, as a matter of fact, all their meetings have been at his workplace or the court.
Yusef had no purpose anymore, basically he was there to serve the Khan, but he didn't believe on him or his dream anymore. He wanted to though.
Like he said, essentially Marco's problem was that he was becoming too much like him.
Its a secret mission, kill the current chancellor to stop war.
Target is strong and is putting up a fight.
He gets found, guards start showing up
You really don't need an explanation to know that the monk escaped without finishing the target.
open to who though?
The Khan rarely comes out of his quarters
Jingim thinks of him as a brother even though Ahmad tries to distance himself from him (emotionally that is)
The queen thinks of him as a son, not only that, but she seems to trust her the most (what she is doing with Mei Lin, and with the Blue Princess)
The 3 that would actually catch him:
Yusuf; Dead
Byamba: Away with his girl that isn't welcomed back in Kublai khan's kingdom
Marco: He wouldn't dare go in Ahmad's personal quarters alone, as a matter of fact, all their meetings have been at his workplace or the court.
Eh, I guess. It just seemed really abrupt.
He is. He gets a little better towards the end, but he is the least interesting character.
Definitely. I just like to think of it as a show about Kublai Khan with Marco Polo in the background.
WesternHeretic
Member
I hope this is the direction they take.
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
Season 2 is coming next summer.
I wish they had been more authentic with language on the show. It's such an important part of the Marco Polo story. It's obvious they had a huge production budget for costumes, props and set design.
So if they're going to throw language authenticity out the window and go with an all english speaking cast, why would they hire an actor who struggles speaking english for the role of Marco? It was really weird during key scenes, particularly towards the end of the season, where the cast members playing Mongol and Chinese roles spoke much better english than Marco.
So if they're going to throw language authenticity out the window and go with an all english speaking cast, why would they hire an actor who struggles speaking english for the role of Marco? It was really weird during key scenes, particularly towards the end of the season, where the cast members playing Mongol and Chinese roles spoke much better english than Marco.
Hopefully the Hundred Eyes solo special shows that they recognize he is the coolest mofo on that show and season 2 is really a stealth Hundred Eyes show.
YES
Lee Chaolan
Member
shadow_shogun
Member
Quite short, but still enjoyable. Also Michelle Yeoh was in it.
Darth Pinche
Member
Love the title!
Cornballer
Member
Dooooo it!
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
Go for it!
ShadowSwordmaster
Banned
Perfect.
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