As I write this, I just finished this show today (December 4th) so I think my enthusiasm about it is genuine. This show was not only a political drama - but it was also about family. More specifically, motherhood. This show truly dives deeply into the absolutely batsh!t things mothers will do for their children. Or what they ‘think’ is ‘best’ for their children.

Kim Hye-soo excellently portrays Queen Im Hwa-ryeong, a dedicated, loving, and absolutely spitfire of a Mother. In the beginning, her goal is to turn her four unabashedly troublesome sons - the Grand Princes - into dutiful, filial pious children. The Queen Dowager -played by absolute legend Kim Hae-sook- is a ruthless and cunning woman who does not like Queen Hwa-ryeon to begin with, thinking her unworthy of her son King Yi Ho - played by Choi Won-young. Tensions begin to mount, as the Queen Dowager begins to use her influence to try and pull the strings of change - and pit all the sons of the King against each other in the process.

**Spoilers Below**

Queen Im Hwa-ryeong had her hands full of very boisterous and mischievous sons - but I love each of them, and so does she. She went to desperate ends to protect each of those boys, her biological sons and their half-brothers as well. On top of that, she also truly wants to help them live as happily and authentically themselves as possible. She did this without sacrificing a shred of her morals either! What an absolute BABE.

I think the best part of Queen In Hwa-ryeong's methods - in comparison to the other mothers on the show - is that she did not resort to backhanded tactics. Yes, she uses information and she manipulates situations, but never does she resort to harm. In fact, she spends a lot of her energy trying to find a solution that benefits the most number of people. This doesn’t mean that she doesn’t revel in some righteous justice. [spoiler] She spends a good part of the show trying to find out the truth of what happened to her son and the previous crown prince. [/spoiler]

She does deliver punishment, but it is always calculated to match the crime. She is also merciful - with her punishments most often about teaching a lesson that will benefit the receiver in the end. She is not without fault; she makes mistakes and learns from them - best of all she apologises! Which is wholly satisfying as a viewer - she was the star of this show truly.

The other cast members were fantastic in their own right.. Kim Hae-sook is a veteran actress, and she’s excellent in everything. Her portrayal of the Queen Dowager was so devilishly wicked. She used others - [spoiler] even her own son and grandchildren [/spoiler] - to get what she wanted. She was the definition of a manipulative b!tch, caring only for her own wants. So easy to hate - but so well portrayed.

Choi Won-young as King Yi Ho was also very well done. He originally comes off as secondary, spineless and a puppet king to his mother’s wishes, but grows into a more complete version of himself in the end with a load of support from his wife, Queen In Hwa-ryeong. They never have a single intimate moment on screen - and he has like… easily seven wives - but you can tell that they truly are friends who trust and cherish each other, and ultimately love their sons.

Speaking of the boys - what a troupe.

My personal favourite was Prince Seongnam (Moon Sang-min) - for obvious reasons - I love a stoic boy with a hidden warm heart (a tsundere, if you will). I can't say more for spoilers - but what a good boy!!!

I felt so bad for Prince Bogum (Kim Min-gi) and Prince Simso (Moon Seong-hyun) - they definitely had the worst luck.

**major spoilers below**

[spoiler] How their respective mothers approached them and their upbringing was so interesting to me - they both cared so deeply about their children, but it showed up in the most brutal, even horrific ways. Both of their mothers sacrifice everything - but mostly their morals and own sense of self - without ever actually speaking to their sons about what it is they want. They bulldoze and manipulate and eventually all parties are deeply harmed because of it. What an excellent narrative choice as a comparison point for our MVP mother Queen Hwa-ryeong herself. [/spoiler]

I liked Grand Prince Muan (Yoon Sang-hyun) and Grand Prince Gyeseong (Yoo Seon-ho) getting properly developed storylines as well, though I didn’t find them as grounded in the setting of the story as the rest of the brothers. I could see the intention - but I doubt that their stories could happen in actual history as happily.

**major spoilers below**

[spoiler] Muan starting off as a thirsty horny kid, and having repercussions of that, resulting in him growing into a concerned, but still dumb af, young adult. Gyeseong was completely anachronistic, and therefore from a modern lens - absolutely tragic. Trans people have existed throughout history, and so I really just felt for them. Happy that their mother accepted and loved them for them, but utterly devastated that they would have to leave the only home they ever knew and the people they loved - literally never to return for fear of being discovered and then KILLED - in order to be able to live some semblance to their true selves DEVASTATED ME. I will cry forever. [/spoiler]

Ultimately - I have written far too much - but this show was amazing!!! I would highly recommend if you like Sageuks - and all the frustrating politics that come with them - but also enjoy a drama that truly is about family, and ultimately motherhood.