The Final Choice
Yoon’s mother is called on to answer for her actions, and the scholars are adamant that she must be punished no matter what. Yoon is left feeling betrayed and abandoned, and the episode ends with her mother being taken into custody.
What is Yoon’s favour?
Hwa-Ryeong speaks to Yoon outside the palace, far away from Kwon’s body. She tells Yoon that her plan has failed, given that Kwon is dead. “I do not care, for I no longer have a reason to live.” She says sadly. However, when Hwa-Ryeong points out that Prince Uiseong is still alive and that gives her something to hold onto. ..
Yoon remembers the debt Hwa-Ryeong owes and reveals it now. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep Prince Uiseong alive, even if that means her debt is cleared. That’s her favour and it’s something she wants to keep in mind no matter what.
The Crown Prince Taein has a few things he can use to get the King out of trouble. Unfortunately, the Queen Dowager has her way with him and so he can’t use them.
The Gajangsacho is still on the table to use. This includes the circumstances of poisoning and Seongnam suggests using this. However, the Queen Dowager has her own plans. She knows the Gajangsacho could be used and as such, decides to go for her alternate plan, pointing out the “weaknesses” of the Queen’s children.
What happens with Muan? Is he kicked out the palace?
The physician seems to confirm that Cheong-Ha has miscarried and there is no way she will be able to conceive again. ..
Dowager’s maid is worried that she has seen Muan and Cho-Wol together and their child. She rushes back to the Dowager, who inevitably brings them all before the King. Muan immediately steps up and decides he wants to protect his family and will even step down as grand prince or marry Cho-Wol if need be. Both options are shut down by Dowager. For now, the King decides to mull over what to do with them.
Muan is told to leave by the royal physician, who immediately points out that Muan had been ordered to poison Cheong-Ha. Hwa-Ryeong questions why he hasn’t been using the ingredients Dowager gave. Well, he refused to compromise his own position and let a child die. Furthermore, Cheong-Ha’s child is absolutely fine without any complications, according to the physician. Dowager is outed but she’s still brazen in her approach and will do whatever she can to cling to power.
Hwa-Ryeong confronts her in confidence and the pair end up at a stand-off, with both refusing to budge and wanting to protect their loved ones in their own way. Hwa-Ryeong enlists Royal Physician Yoo to testify on her behalf. Hwa-Ryeong points this out to the king, who is hesitant but supportive. She knows what he’s sacrificed and done for his country, but also knows that he’s been a wise and just king. ..
Does the King do the right thing?
The Crown Prince Taein and late Crown Prince were both poisoned. The King decides to do just that, in doing so punishing his own mother.
The King has had enough. He’s determined to put an end to this and won’t stand for any more people being sacrificed. Dowager, of course, tries to play the emotional blackmail card, asking if he can really punish his own mother. “Yes,” he says finally embracing his role as King. As he leaves, Dowager sheds bitter tears, it seems her reign of dominance is coming to an end. ..
The King of Korea gathers all the subjects and informs them of the gansu poisoning. He reveals everything, including the true version of events and how Sang-Uk has testified to these version of events. Despite all the scholars asking him to reconsider, he refuses, wanting to do what’s right regardless of how hard that may be.
While this is going on, Seongnam heads off to go and see Sang-Uk, asking him about the medicine. “Be it medicine or power, everything should be used to save people.” He says. As he walks away, Sang-Uk’s honour remains intact. Seongnam has finally done enough and has also honoured his brother’s memory. Hwa-Ryeong has also done enough and takes a long, dreamy look to the heavens.
Does the Dowager pay for her sins?
Meanwhile, the King appoints Park Gyeong-U as the head of the Office of Sillok, with instructions to add an appendix to the sillok of the late King. He’s also reinstated the deposed Queen Yoon, mother of Crown Prince Taein of course, to her rightful royal status. The Queen Dowager is confined to her quarters for now, and everyone is banned from seeing her, so she’s basically deposed now. However, Dowager takes the cowardly way out and commits suicide.
Hundreds of people, including Hwa-Ryeong, show up to pay their respects to the deceased. Hwa-Ryeong knows that she is wicked and has committed many violent and cunning deeds, but she hopes that her death now means that she is freed from those sins. ..
We follow Seongnam and Cheong-Ha as they continue to work on their relationship, and see how their relationship has improved since the island. Seongnam is now holding her hand, and she seems to be getting along better with Cheong-Ha.
Meanwhile, Uiseong is living with Consort Hwang outside the palace walls, Hwa-Ryeong shows up to see him and continues to keep an eye from afar, keeping Yoon’s promise to watch over him. She doesn’t trust him but has made a promise to make sure he’s okay. Hwa-Ryeong also tells him not to abandon Hwang. Yoon though is another that’s suffered and she unfortunately ends up eating alone.
What happens to the other Princes? What does Gyeseong decide to do?
The tone of this story changes abruptly as we jump to happy celebrations. Muan is happy with A-Ra’s progress and believes the little princess is going to be super intelligent and clever. Prince Simso also has happy news, as he’s actually expecting a child of his own!
That night, Cheong-Ha and Seongnam end up seeing a shooting star and both make a wish. The Crown Prince brings her close and kisses his Princess, revealing that actually he does remember what happened between them that night but stayed quiet all the same.
Grand Prince Gyeseong decides he wants to leave the palace and explore more of the world. The day she took him beyond the palace walls and saw herself in her portrait was the happiest day and he wants to experience more. Hwa-Ryeong has trouble letting go but her son holds her hands. As a result of this decision, all the Princes bid their farewells to their brother. Although Ilyoung suggests he come back once a year, his look very clearly hints that he’s not going to do that.
How does Under the Queen’s Umbrella end?
Hwa-Ryeong received a package of pictures from Gyeseong, but was surprised when Ilyoung tried to fly his kite again. She ended up chasing after him and they had a fun time together. ..
As the episode comes to a close, we see Hwa-Ryeong outside the palace in the rain. Seongnam arrives with an umbrella and shields herself from the rain, symbolically hinting that she’s there to protect her now and ready to take the next step in protecting the kingdom. ..
The Episode Review
Under the Queen’s Umbrella is a surprisingly well-done drama that is the work of Park Ba-Ra, a new writer to watch. It is surprising that this is her first drama, and it is definitely worth watching. ..
This period drama has been well written across the board, with plenty of intriguing characters and excellent acting from start to finish. What’s particularly good here though is how well written Hwa-Ryeong is as a character. She’s strong, virtuous and incredibly fair. She’s also stern when she needs to be but simultaneously level-headed in everything she does. And of course, she always does what needs to be done to protect her children.
The Dowager Empress deserves some mention here, and she’s played to perfection by Kim Hae-Sook, who masterfully grows into the role the longer this series progresses.
This drama is definitely one of the better ones this year and I would be surprised if it doesn’t win some Baeksang awards next year. It’s a must-watch for period drama fans.
