Gō: Hime-tachi no Sengoku [Episode 2 recap]

A few years after the fall of Odami castle and the death of Ichi's husbands Azai Nagamasa, She and her three daughters live with her other brother Nobukane in Ise-Ueno Castle. The daughters are all grown up now.

They receive an invitation from Nobunaga to go to Azuchi Castle. Gou seems very excited to see her uncle, but the rest of her family are more reserved. Apparently she hasn't been told how her father died yet... 



 Though the opening credits are long (about three minutes) it is very pretty. 

Gou tries on new clothes and wonders why her sisters ain't as enthusiastic about this invitation as she is. When they arrive it doesn't take long for Gou to leap out of her palanquin and start exploring the city. Each member of her family is taken with the grander of the newly completed Azuchi Castle.

Ichi meets with Akechi Mitsuhide and it is reveled that Nagamasa took his own life after defeat of Omi (i guess seppuku?).

The three sisters explore the catsle and come to a balcony view where they realise it has been built on the opposing side of lake biwa to Odani (Omi), they pray to their father.

They also have been set up with some cute page boys, Hatsu can't hide her pleasure about this.

I have to say I prefer traditional Korean hairstyle better though...

When Ichi sees her brother again the icy hostility is very clear. He Addresses ChaCha and Hatsu, but not Gou. When he finally glances at Gou, who looks as if she is about to burst, he remembers her as that baby born in 1573. The temperature drops to a metaphorical below zero.

He stabs his knife into the tatami and luckly the tension is released by the interruption of Hashiba Hideyoshi. (aka monkey from the previous episode where he commented if Ichi's husband could be uglier than a monkey like him). For coming back Nobunaga gives him a beating for which Monkey thanks him. that's not healthy. Also because he is a guy who cannot keep his mouth shut, he mentions that he was the one who forced Nagamasa to commit suicide.

Gou is told of the events of the previous episode that took place before her birth. She now realises that the uncle she was so keen to meet was actually her father's enemy. As her family are traitors of Nobunaga, Gou now knows the heavy burden that the rest of her family lives with.

Hatsu vents her fear and anger on Gou, saying that Nobunaga used their fathers skull to drink out of, but is slapped down by Chacha. Later that evening, while others are asleep, Gou looks for Lord Tokugawa and comes across Monkey and attacks him. lol.

Gou tells him that if he is truly remorseful he will take her to her Uncle. Monkey is reluctant, but Tokugawa agrees.

She is about to open the door when this happens...
Nobunaga then opens the door, she enters and asks of how her father died. Nobunaga admits he was the one forcing him to commit seppuku.

However he also tells her that Nagamasa was a proud and strong warrior. He gives her advice to believe in herself and only herself. Their meeting rounds off with Gou's lasting question about her fathers skull. Which Nobunaga clarifies only a rumour that stemmed from covering Nagamasa's head in gold dust as part of duty to the dead.

Nobunaga tells Gou that she will be a great person someday while walking towards her with a staff lol. Chacha and Hatsu walk in on this ready to attack. thankfully their mother who is full of reason walks in and the whole thing is sorta laughed over...

before they leave he tells that Bomaru and Rikimaru's (the two page boys) father  and older brotherwas killed in the war opposing their father. So that if Nobunaga is their enemy, then they are too. Stating Friends and enemy's change all the time 'It's not a Samurais duty to hate his enemy'... Chacha doesn't understand. Nobunaga  says that only men must understand battles, but Ichi declares that women have battles of their own; loosing her husband, becoming an traitor, her broken home, never knowing what the future might bring.

The next morning Gou has disappeared again, going to view Nobunagas military meeting. They have an invisible bond between them, an understanding, coming from their such similar personalities.

Comments?

A lot more photos this episode as there are actually scenes to screen shot. The number of characters is still confusing me but I'm  sure by the end I'll know them all.
and yeah nah... Will continue with this.

Gō: Hime-tachi no Sengoku [Episode 1 recap]

Well though it is a bit late, I thought I would catch on to the Tagai drama for 2011 and hopefully follow it throughout the year.

The 50th NHK  Tagai Drama is about Gou who becomes the wife of the second Tokugawa shogun Hidetada. 

A bit of background from  wikipedia: Oeyo, also known as Ogō  (Gou), was the third and youngest daughter of the Sengoku period daimyo Azai Nagamasa. Her mother, Oichi was the younger sister of Oda Nobunaga. Toyotomi Hideyoshi became the adoptive father and protector of Oeyo in the period before her marriage.Oeyo's oldest sister, Yodo-dono, also called Cha-Cha as a child, was the second wife of Hideyoshi and mother of Toyotomi Hideyori.Oeyo's middle sister, Ohatsu was the wife of Kyōgoku Takatsugu and the mother of Kyōgoku Tadataka.

Gou is very quickly introduced as being very free spirited and lively, stealing steam buns and taking off on her horse.

 Already this drama is confusing as we flash back to Gou’s mother (Ichi) sent to the Ōmi Province to marry Azai Nagamasa by her brother Oda Nobunaga. This marriage will allow Nobunga to obtain political power in Kyo. (I think)

In order to check if the rumors about her being beautiful are true or not Nagamasa insists on seeing her even though it is against the rules. He then swiftly takes Oichi hime to see lake Biwa. The couple hit it off well. She asks him to promise not to ever keep anything from her and she in return promises to love Omi.

A few months later Nobunaga comes to Omi castle. Upon paying respects they are interrupted by Ashikaga Yoshiaki, younger brother of lord Yoshiteru, former Shogun. His older brother (the shogun) and younger brother were murdered and he was made prisoner. He has made plans with Nobunaga to go to Kyo and become the next shogun. Yoshiaki appears to be a bit senseless and being used to Nobunaga’s advantage to take kyo without military force.

In October 1568 Yoshiaki becomes the 15^th Shogun. Nobunaga refuses any position put to him by the Shogun (Yoshiaki). He only asks that Saki of Izumi, Otsu and Kusatsu of Omi be governed by the Oda clan.

And we get some heavy rock music…

In Omi Ichi has her two daughters Chacha and Hastu in 1569 and 1570 respectively. However in 1570 Nagamasa is told by Lord Asakura to help him overthrow his borther in law, Nobunaga as since appointing Yoshiaki as shogun he has taken to governing power by himself. Nagamasa declines but as due his promise tells Ichi everything. Due to the Asakura clan Omi province is able to live in peace. He explains to her his dilemma; to help his people or his brother (in-law). He tells her he will  betray Nobunaga and follow Asakura’s cause, but she is free to notify her brother.

She decides not to tell her brother, she would rather be Nagamasa’s wife than Nobunaga’s brother. 

Asakura attacks Nobunaga and conflict lasts for three years.

1571 Nobunaga burns down Enryakuji Temple at Mt Hiei as they were alleys of Azai and Asakura. Nobunaga attacks Omi next. For a year the castle is surrounded and for the past three months Ichi has been hiding her pregnancy, fearful that in defeat her child will be killed.

She plans to take medicine in hopes of aborting the baby, however her two daughters have other plans saying that if she kills this baby they will kill them selves (they are like four?). Ichi manages to free the knife they has and convinced by her daughter, she will keep her baby.

Yoshiaki attacts oda, but ends up being banished from kyo. The Muromachi Shogunate that had lasted 230 years came to an end. Later that year the Asakura clan also falls. Meanwhile during an attack on Omi castle, Ichi is in the process of giving birth. A girl, Gou, is born.

Battle continued until finally Oda launches an all on attack on Omi…

Questions, Queries, Comments, Musings?

Though the first episode was all background information, covering the historical bases, it was enjoyable and well put together. However it was a lot of information to take in and I’m sure eventually I will get lost in all the politics.

Still I want to see more and I will hopefully continue the recaps. 

The only problem with...

The only problem with Historical Dramas is that you can too easily find out how they end. I blame Wikipedia.

...and as history often goes, its not so much of a happy ending, more like life's a bitch.

I am unsure if I will make it to the end of Queen Seon Deok At episode 39 I've passed the halfway point and in for the home stretch, but considering what's left is the equivalent of an entire drama series I am not so willing to invest my time when I know the harsh reality.

Ok so the ending isn't actually bad * spoiler* she becomes Queen ( as in * spoiler* Edward is a vampire) but the thing is WHY YUSHIN RANG WHY?!?...

and I am getting a bit sick of Mishil, why can't they just assassinate her already?

Hurr Durr... well I knew what I was getting into with the 62 episodes.

Here's a video of Al Cheon <3 the only thing getting me through the boring parts...

Add puzzles to the list

When my internet capped on Monday I ended up venting all my drama cravings into a puzzle, and I got pretty far... halfway through the 750 (minus the missing pieces). However looking at the puzzle on my floor earlier on this evening was just depressing and I had to brake it all up into little pieces again. But it was not for nothing as I came to a solid conclusion that I don't think its the dramas, maybe I just have an addictive personality type. Seriously, all the past three days have to show for themselves in terms of productivity is this stupid puzzle. Its not so far from a drama as you might think. I mean it had its moments filled with dramatic tension and frustration and a release of endorphins as I finally found the happy ending to the sky line, in other words the piece with the bird on it i spent half an hour searching for... and this puzzle thing has gone to far.

This blog is another example of how uncommitted I am after realising what hard work recapping is... but hopefully I will focus on overall drama reviews and post something after My Princess and Dream High has finished.

I am also wondering whether to continue Queen Seon Deok after stopping at the halfway point. Maybe my love for Lord Al cheon wil keep me going. I don't know why but I prefer him a lot more as a character than Yu Shin who gets on my nerves.

Bizzarly today I was in a chain store 'Cotton on' for those who know it, and they were playing 'Hoot' By SNSD (Girl's Generation, video above) it was surprising...

naneum shoot shoot shoot, thats all

and yes I do realise I basically talking to myself (^-^)

Glee Episode 12: Silly Love Songs Recap

We see puck lost in though as he monologues about his new crush on Lauren Zizes (the latest addition to New Directions) apparently ever since sectionals, where he promised that if she joined that he would give her ‘seven minutes of heaven’. However upon conducting this, Lauren calls him out as ‘scrawny’ and ‘not very good at this’. Her rejection shocks Puck and he starts to feel attracted towards her.

Finn struts down the school corridors enjoying his revived popularity and adoration since winning the championship game last episode. Even getting a valentine’s offer from Becky as she hands him a candy heart, which he adds to the bucketful collection in his locker.

However out of all his valentine’s day offers he has set his sights on the (taken) Quinn, who with he shared a kiss at the end of last week’s episode. Its now ‘game on’.

Blane and Kurt debate about the ethics of Valentine’s Day in a cafe. Kurt states it as an excuse to buy cheap candy and paper cards, while Blane expresses how it’s his favourite holiday because it encourages people to ‘lay it all out on the line’ and confess.

Blane also tells of how he wants to confess his feelings to a guy, asking ‘if it is too much to sing to a guy on Valentines Day?’ Sparking hope in Kurt. That is further flamed up when Blane takes charge at the cashier reciting Kurt’s coffee order and paying before Kurt can make an objection.

In glee club Mr. Schuester writes ‘LOVE’ in a big heart on the white board and announces they will sing to a partner what they consider to be the best love song.

Finn proclaims that since winning the football championship he is the closest thing that glee club has to a celebrity and he wishes to give back to charity (like a celebrity). His method will be to set up a kissing booth at $1 a kiss and give the proceeds to Glee club. All a tactic to get Quinn to kiss him again. Lol

Santana insults Finn by saying that she’s kissed him and it isn’t worth a dollar, whereby she is called out as a bitch. A round of bitching ensues, but Rachel takes its too far when she infers that all Santana will become is a poll dancer. Santana subsequently storms out. Aww where is the love?

Puck invites Lauren out to bread sticks to dinner, but she refuses not letting him have it that easy. ‘I spell woman Z-I-Z-E-S and I need to be wooed’.

Blane announces at a warblers meeting that he is in love and asks help from the warbles so he can ‘serenade’ that person. Kurt is all aflutter thinking it’s him.

However Blane causes outrage when he requests do perform off campus, something they never do. Kurt sticks up for Blane convincing them to do the performance. Where? At the gap. Why? Because the guy he likes is a junior manager. Poor Kurt.

The guys in glee club accompany Puck as he sings ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’ to Lauren for his valentine’s glee project. However Lauren is not impressed.

At the kissing stall Quinn catches on to Finns idea, but Sam does too. Sam states that if there is nothing going on between them what would be the problem with kissing Finn? Quinn says that she will kiss Finn then.

Rachel approaches Finn saying that she is over him and happy on her own. However after only getting a kiss on the cheek confesses that she is still in love with him. He gives her a star necklace he was planning on giving her for Christmas before they broke up. Finn thinks that its best for her not to be with anyone at the moment.

Mike and Artie ponder on how they came to date two of the coolest chicks in school. Artie ‘because we’re dope’ They sing P.T.Y (well Artie sings and Mike dances).

Santana and Lauren get into a bitch fight over Puck. Santana on the loosing side. However Lauren still won’t go out with Puck.

Quinn kisses Finn at the booth and literally fire works happen, (while Sam insists on watching lol) as they leave she runs back and tells him to meet her at the auditorium after school.

Kurt is with Blane at Gap checking out his crush ‘if we were to get married the gap would give me %50 discount’. Kurt convinces Blane to make his song confession with the Warblers. It’s ‘when I get you alone’ but his crush doesn’t seem so into it. It turns out he’s not interested.

Santana laments on how she is single for Valentines Day and notices that Quinn and Finn seem to have something going on. She kisses a kid with mono (see seems to be immune due to having it so much ‘its turned into stereo’) then kisses Finn.

Puck continues to woo Lauren in the library (a place he has never been before) and finally convinces her by proposing with a candy ring to go on predate (because on Valentines Day they will be too busy kissing.)

Quinn meets up with Finn passing on the mono.

Blane turns sour on Valentines Day over his failed confession. Kurt confesses that he though Blane wanted to ask out was him. Blane confesses this time that he isn’t good with romance. Caring for Kurt a lot, he didn’t want to screw up a good thing. They decide to make it like ‘When Harry meet Sally’ with Kurt as Meg Ryan. Cute.

Puck makes out with a waitress after being stood up at Breadsticks.

At glee club Finn appears sick and so does Quinn.

Tina sings her valentines day song to mike, ‘my funny valentine’ but breaks out in tears. It’s not pretty.

After the song Finn and Quinn ask to go to the nurse. Santana suggests that they have mono ‘the kissing disease’ spread by tongue… (when her first kiss with Finn was just a peck)

At the nurse’s office Quinn sighs over her cheating ‘I’ve cheated twice in my life. The first time I got pregnant. The second time I got mono’ Quinn decides to call it off until they sort out their love life.

Puck confronts Lauren about being stood up. She says that they are going take is slow.

In the sick bay Rachel looks after Finn, but complains Quinn is prettier than her. She thanks him for choosing her over Quinn before, and asks if she kissed Quinn like Santana said. Finn says yes, but only to get it out of his system. He says he saw fireworks with Quinn but not with Rachel, but this allows her to peace.

Inspired she sings ‘Fireworks’ by Katie Perry for Glee club. She has dinner with the glee club at bread sticks for a ‘lonely hearts club’ where Kurt sings with the warblers ‘Silly love songs’ dedicated to all singles.

Comments:

If only I could watch this before every Valentines Day, or at least the ones alone. It gave me warm fuzzes on how this episode emphasised that Valentines Day wasn’t all about romantic love and giving gifts, its about the all kinds of love around us. The love between friends and family, but also the love we need to give ourselves Truly we are never without someone to love on valentines day. All we need to do is a bit of song and dance to help us remember that.

Japanese Drama Ratings

Stars are given out of 5 in one score for enjoyment and another for quality.

‘Watch it?’ is for whether I felt the series was worth the time invested.

1 Litre of Tears: oh such a tear jerker! An innocent and sweet love story that pulls on your heart strings. A sad story you are warned!

**** Enjoyment

***** Quality

Watch it? Yes

Absolute Boyfriend (Zettai Kareshi): This romcom drama explores what it truly takes to love and if we really need to be human to give and receive love. Ahhh so cute!

***** Enjoyment

***** Quality

Watch it? Defiantly

Atashinchi no Danshi: a very light and enjoyable plot that is full of surprises! All the characters are extremely adorable in their own quirky way with a cute love story thrown in.

***** Enjoyment

***** Quality

Watch it? Defiantly

Attention Please: I feel the life of a flight attendant is slightly over hyped, but it does install a respect from them I didn’t have before. A good watch.

*** Enjoyment

*** Quality

Watch it? Yes

Atsu-Hime: a historical drama worth watching. It has a gripping plot and is well directed, full of political and palace politics during a turning point in Japane’s history.

***** Enjoyment

***** Quality

Watch it? Defiantly

Buzzer Beat: A decent love story in the midst of ambition and professional success. Touches on some content you don’t normally see in Japanese drama and has a very good kiss scene.

**** Enjoyment

**** Quality

Watch it? Yes

First Kiss: enjoyable and fun with a slow paced love story.

*** Enjoyment

***Quality

Watch it? If you have time

Gokusen: very funny and filled with famous actors this drama is enjoyable and fun to watch. Not much else can be said

***Enjoyment

*** Quality

Watch it? if you don’t mind the absence of romance

Hana Yori Dango: Probably the best Japanese drama of all time. I will never forget its heart warming cuteness with the funny and conflicting love story of Domyoji and Tsukoshi (also an amazing soundtrack with Planetarium by Ai Otsuka ).

***** Enjoyment

***** Quality

Watch it? Defiantly

Hana Yori Dango season 2: equally good as the story continues. Worth watching on as the plot thickens and more becomes at stake.

***** Enjoyment

***** Quality

Watch it? Defiantly

Hana Kimi: Hilarious cross-dressing antics unveil as Ashiya Mizuki tries to hide her true gender. It is cute and innocent but carries a deeper story line as Sano Izumi with the support of his fan girl-in-disguise Ashiya returns to high-jump.

***** Enjoyment

***** Quality

Watch it? Defiantly

Hotaru no Hikari: I feel this is the story of my life! A story about work, love and being a complete slob at home (teehee). Uplifting and feel good, a more mature Japanese drama but still delightful!

***** Enjoyment

***** Quality

Watch it? Defiantly

Hotaru no Hikari 2: The sequel had more momentum than the first series where there is more of a love story and a love triangle in the plot. Though it is slow it doesn’t detract from the drama being very charming and enjoyable.

***** Enjoyment

***** Quality

Watch it? Defiantly

Love shuffle: a darker, deeper more intense romance in a quirky situation. Enjoyable and different from normal Japanese drama.

****Enjoyment

****Quality

Watch it? yes

Kiina: Its soso, at the end it felt unfinished, but it was entertaining. The downfall was the lack of romance that was suggested but never really followed through.

*** Enjoyment

** Quality

Watch it? if you have time

Kimi wa Petto: a very unique story about an unusual relationship that forms between a successful but lonely woman and a young man. Its endearing to watch and easy to relate to.

**** Enjoyment

**** Quality

Watch it? Yes

Mei-chan no Shitsuji: light and comedic, though bordering on ridiculous, this is an adorable drama about young ladies and their butlers?? Very good, but seemed to come to an abrupt end.

**** Enjoyment

**** Quality

Watch it? Yes

Mr. Brain: A crime fighting neuroscientist? It has me questioning how much is actually true, but none the less it is entertaining to watch.

**** Enjoyment

*** Quality

Watch it? Yes

Nobuta-no-Produce: Again an alright Japanese drama. Nothing special but entertaining.

**Enjoyment

**Quality

Watch it? yeah, nah. If you feel like it, it’s still good to watch.

My Boss, My Hero: A feel good comedy, with hilarious incidences about pudding and yukaza?? It has a original plot and some very lol moments. A good watch.

*** Enjoyment

****Quality

Watch it? Yes

Ohitorisama: I don’t find the plot plausible, but it is mildly entertaining. However it wasn’t able to hold my interest.

* Enjoyment

***Quality

Watch it? give it a miss

Proposal Daisakusen: A generally nice romance with an original plot. All round very good, but man he wastes a lot of time!

*** Enjoyment

*** Quality

Watch it? yes

Real Clothes: Fun to watch, but doesn’t pay of on the romantic build up. Nice if you want something short and entertaining.

*** Enjoyment

** Quality

Watch it? if you like fashion, yes.

Tokyo Dogs: A sound plot and a good cop drama. The romantic undertones are lacking in development and it is kind left in the open. The chemistry between Mizushima Hiro and Shun Oguri is what holds it together.

*** Enjoyment

*** Quality

Watch it? yes

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge: Addictive and quirky the main characters feels a little like the F4, but still original. More for fun than anything deep.

**** Enjoyment

**** Quality

Watch it? Yes,

Sorry for mistakes, i'm up late doing this. Will tidy up in future

Korean Drama Ratings

Stars are given out of 5 in one score for enjoyment and another for quality.

‘Watch it?’ is for whether I felt the series was worth the time invested.

2010

My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (Nine Tailed Fox): This was an extremely cute and adorable drama, but also extremely well executed. The story line is incredibly unique and refreshing.

**** Enjoyment

*****Quality

Watch it? YES

Sungkyunkwan Scandal: This fusion, cross-dressing, romantic sageuk was truly addictive, making me marathoning the series into the early hours of the morning to finish it.

**** Enjoyment

*** Quality

Watch it? YES

Prosecutor Princess: The beginning was upbeat and extremely funny as the diva Ma Hye Ri comes to terms with the serious and professional work of a prosecutor. It did drag a bit in the middle and had me rooting for the wrong guy all the way through, but all in all was a good drama that was left under the radar.

*** Enjoyment

*** Quality

Watch it? If you have free time

Secret Garden: This starts off cute and comedic but develops into a very intense emotional rollercoaster, but well worth the ride. Though the body swapping is not so essential to the plot this drama is well worth it for the sizzling chemistry between Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin) and Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won).

***** Enjoyment

**** Quality

Watch it? Defiantly!

Personal Preference (Personal Taste): The enjoyment value was more than the overall quality of this drama. The plot was unique as pretending to be gay led to all sorts of funny incidences, but however I did still find the same drama clichés being used.

*** Enjoyment

*** Quality

Watch it? Yes

Playful Kiss: It took a long for the characters to fall in love, with feelings reciprocated. Though cute and enjoyable, the pace was extremely slow and the plot only gradually progressing each episode. Albeit it had some truly cute moments and I never felt like dropping it.

***enjoyment

**1/2 quality

Watch it? yes, but only almost worth it

Mary Stayed Out All Night: The only good bit was the middle and then after peaking it fell (hard). It the plot and characters lacked continuity and though it tried to revive itself by changing script writers half way through it did still fail to meet expectations. (and the repetitive soundtrack was starting to drive me crazy).

** enjoyment

**quality

Watch it? Maybe if you like the actors

Coffee House: Some found it enjoyable and different and this drama started out well with eccentric author Lee Jin Soo and the crazy things he does to his assistant Kang Seung Yeon. However hoping for the wrong couple and not a fully developed love triangle (or square) made it disappointing.

*enjoyment

*** Quality

Watch it? if you have time to spare

2009

You’re Beautiful: Sweet and cute, left me envious and wanting to dress up as a man so men would fall in love with me (in accordance with Sungkyankwan Scandal that’s apparently what happens). My first and favourite Hong Sisters Drama.

***** Enjoyment

***** Quality

Watch it? Defiantly!