I Love Lee Tae Ri Episode 1

With all the new spring releases coming out in kdramaland, I have heard absolutely nothing about I Love Lee Tae Ri or The Chaser. They just got lost in the shuffle. This just makes me curious as to why no one has paid any attention to these programs. Are they really, really terrible? You know that old saying: Curiosity killed the cat/Satisfaction brought it back.

Geum Eun Dong is a middle school student and rising star on the boys' swim team. He takes all the medals he's won and has them melted into a ring. But outside of the jewelers' store he's set upon by a roving gang of nerds. What's the world coming to when Poindexter beats up the hero? In order not to lose the precious ring, Eun Dong swallows it. Does he not realize what he'll have to do to get it back?  Apparently he does as later that night we viewers (all 2 of us) get to see the young boy sitting on a chamber pot, straining until he's red in the face. Oh, thank you, Korea.  :P

Lee Tae Ri has returned to Korea. She's a member of a wealthy and powerful clan and a president of a museum. She's also considerably older than Eun Dong. She's returned home from Milan with a 200 year-old sundial that is set to be restored. I have a feeling this sun dial will be the magical element in the storyline. At the office, Tae Ri is unhappy to learn that she'll be having to work with Choi Seung Jae. They appear to have a bitter past between them.

Eun Dong's family has betrothed him with Ha Soon Shim, a young girl who is a member of a music act called The Apple Heads. (Don't ask. I'm not the one who came up with the name.) Eun Dong rides Soon Shim on his bike to the museum where her group is set to perform at the live broadcast of the opening ceremonies. Eun Dong is sweet on Soon Shim but he's about to have his little world come crashing down. He overhears Soon Shim talking with Seung Jae. They've had a secret relationship but now the older man is dumping the young girl. Soon Shim goes stomping off into the dark corridors of the museum. Eun Dong tries to follow her. He sees someone standing in front of the sun dial and thinks it is Soon Shim. He runs up to the person and throws his arms around her, asking her not to cry and that he'll protect her. The woman turns around and it turns out to be Tae Ri. (Honestly, she doesn't look a thing like Soon Shim. They're not even wearing similar outfits. How could he not tell this wasn't who he thought it was? Oh well, the writers had to throw them together somehow.)

Tae Ri notices the boy has been crying and asks him what's the matter. Eun Dong explains he's sad because the person he likes doesn't like him back. Tae Ri scoffs at this and gently scolds Eun Dong that he's too young to worried about heartbreak. Eun Dong argues that just because he's fourteen doesn't mean his heart doesn't race when he thinks about the girl he likes.

As the flashy concert begins (because when you think of museums, you think of kpop), an ominous shadow starts to fall over the countryside. On the mysterious sun dial, a piece that represents the sun is glowing. The power goes out and the Stargate sundial begins to rotate. As an automatic security measure, steel bars start to drop around the sun dial, trapping Tae Ri and Eun Dong together. Tae Ri admits she's afraid of the dark and the surprisingly-sensitive-for-a-teenager offers to hold her hand. Now the entire sun dial is glowing, although only Eun Dong sees it.

Then... the lights come back on and the shadow on the world recedes. That was kind of anti-climatic. Choi Seung Jae and his men find the duo and raise the bars to free them. Eun Dong gives a teenage glare at Seung Jae, who wants to fuss and yell over how a kid got into a restricted area. Tae Ri comes to the boy's defense and even gives him her business card, saying if ever he has any trouble in the future to come to her.

Eun Dong goes to his coach to unload his troubles. Coach (who is not much help) pulls up an app on his smart phone where you can make a wish. Since you only rent beer, Coach goes to return it. While he's gone, Eun Dong speaks into the phone that he wishes to protect his love. The app says his wish has been accepted. I am not making this up. The iPhone now grants wishes. Is there nothing Apple can't do? Is Steve Jobs God?

Tae Ri goes to where her beloved grandfather's ashes are stored. She apologizes to him for not coming back to Korea sooner. She asks him if he'll grant her a wish, just one. She would really like a friend.

Eun Dong is set to leave for Australia to train for the season but before he goes he hunts down Soon Shim for a confrontation. She doesn't realize how he really feels about her. He asks her why she agreed to the betrothal but she never really gives an answer. Eun Dong goes to the pool to do some laps and work out his frustrations. There's that sun dial moving again. When Eun Dong emerges from the water, he has now been aged up to an adult, witnessed only by his coach.

No wonder no one is talking about this show. It isn't funny. It isn't cute. It isn't, well, anything. It's just tvN's attempt to jump on the bandwagon of this year's crop of younger men/older women story lines in dramas. The other fad this year is time travel. Now if somehow I Love Lee Tae Ri manages to slip in some time travel as well as cougar love, I will give the show extra points.

Three Kingdoms Episode 15

Lu Bu is enjoying life and poor Chen Gongtai has to literally drag the young warrior to the battlefield to save Xiaopei. Lu Bu invites Liu Bei and Big Fat Ji Ling to a feast. Boorish Zhang Fei invites himself to the shindig. Lu Bu makes a wager with the combatants: if he can hit a far target with his bow and arrow, then they'll call the battle off. Naturally Lu Bu hits the target. Even Loud Mouth is impressed.

Big Fat Ji Ling must return and report to his boss, Yuan Shu, that the war was called off. Yuan wants to immediately mobilize and march directly against Lu Bu, but Old Man With No Name (what is his name??) jumps in and cools Yuan's down. Just then it is announced Sun Ce has come to visit. Remember Sun Ce from way back? Oh my gosh, he's got a horrible mustache now. Yuan Shu wonders why Sun Ce is here since Yuan had ordered Sun to go and conquer the far away city of Lujiang. Sun Ce answers that he's already conquered the city and here is the head of the governor to prove his story. So suck on it, Yuan.

Sun Ce goes to pray at his father's tomb, relating to the dearly departed how the family had fallen on hard times, forcing Sun Ce to submit to serving Yuan Shu. Suddenly a man throws a sword at Sun Ce. This is Zhou Yu, an old friend (who happens to throw swords at his friends). He wants to join up with Sun Ce and urges his friend to cut ties with Yuan Shu.

Sun Ce receives word that his hometown is under attack. He goes to Yuan Shu to ask for permission to leave and to borrow some troops. Yuan hems and haws and finally allows Sun to go, but he can't spare any troops for right now. Sun Ce offers up that gosh darn ugly Imperial Seal to his master. Yuan is beside himself with joy and asks Sun how many men does he need. Sun just asks for four, all former retainers of the late Claude Rains. Yuan Shu agrees to let them all go. Old Man With No Name looks distressed.

Yuan Shu just can't get enough of his new precious. (Why don't you just marry the damn seal?) He's not getting any younger, so since he has the Jade Imperial Seal, why not declare himself emperor? Old Man With No Name tries to talk him out of it but doesn't succeed.

When a graying Yuan Shao gets word of what his brother has done, some of his courtiers urge Shao to assume the imperial throne. (Well hell, since everybody else is doing it, I declare myself emperor!) Thankfully, a few level-headed ministers are able to talk Shao down and just wait for Yuan Shu to shoot himself in the foot.

Lastly, we get a shot of Cao Cao (who has taken to gluing wool to his face) reacting to Yuan Shu's declaration. Honestly, the episode ends with Cao Cao in mid-sentence. Why can't Chinese TV get an ending right?

JIN Episode 4

OMG, I love you, Bridal Mask, but did you really have to show Kang San and his crap?!? I'm emotionally scarred for life. Let's see if Jin will make things worse by performing graphic brain surgery. If I'm (un)lucky enough, maybe Creepy Baby in a Jar will show up as well.

Not only has Sakimoto Ryoma joined up with Katsu, but Tachibana Kyoutaro has become his secretary. This Katsu guy is pretty popular. Even after Jin's confession that he's from the future, Saki acts as if it never happened. I'm still not sure if she believes him or not. Jin begins giving lectures at the medical school as well as designing surgical tools. Sakimoto fishes. Things are moving pretty fast.

Jin is testing out a hand-cranked drill on a piece of board. He explains to Saki that this tool will help open up a person's skull. Jin offers to teach Saki how to do it. As she's (rather shakily, IMO) using the drill, she looks up at Jin, who is bending over her. Their faces are very close. You know what that means. Of course you do, it means the same thing in all Asian dramas. Just then Moma T shows up and puts a damper on anything by announcing Sakimoto has come to visit.

Sakimoto drags Jin out for a visit to the brothel where Sakimoto has a lifetime's free pass for helping the owner out back in Episode 2. Jin is uncomfortable and wants to leave but Sakimoto literally tackles him to the ground. Sakimoto has his eye on the top courtesan, Nokaze, and he's heard that she's been looking for a doctor. Just then Nokaze arrives and Jin sees the resemblance between her and Coma-girl. Jin messes things up by asking too many questions ("Do you have a child?") and Nokaze refuses to waste any more time on the duo.

As the boys are leaving, the proprietress comes up to apologize for Nokaze's behaviour. Sakimoto asks after Hikosaburo (the owner) and she relates that the bossman has fallen ill. Sakimoto immediately volunteers Jin to look the man over. The proprietress remembers that a few weeks earlier her husband had fallen and bumped his head. Jin wants to break in that drill on the old man. However, Jin also admits that the problem could be more serious, like a stroke or tumor, and making a hole in the head would do nothing. A rival doctor urges the wife to not allow the surgery. Sakimoto urges that the surgery should be done. Jin waffles. Suddenly Nokaze makes a grand entrance and announces Thunderbirds are go, and Jin should do the surgery.

Tachibana receives a letter from Jin requesting the tools needed for the operation. Saki eagerly volunteers to take the supplies to him. Reluctantly big brother explains she can't go because Jin is in the red light district. The womenfolk are shocked. As Saki is gathering up the tools she happens upon the photograph of Jin and his coma-girl.

In quick cuts we see a group of men sitting around gossiping about Jin and where he learned his skills. Another shot shows a sweaty, heavy-breathing man using a scalpel on someone. Serial killer? Wannabe doctor?

Jin commences brain surgery and I commence to not watch. Without modern x-rays or CT scans, Jin isn't sure where the blood clot (if any) is. His first hole comes up dry so he has to drill a second. Thankfully the show then shifts focus to Nokaze as she tells her life story to Sakimoto. It's the usual hard luck scrabble story. Finally Jin hits paydirt. The surgery is a success and Jin now has a new admirer in Nokaze, which cockblocks Sakimoto.

In the morning, as the men are leaving the red light district, there is a figure that crosses behind them. Sinister music plays and the scene is repeated in slow-motion, the not-too-subtle way of telling viewers to pay attention to this mystery date.

Back home, Jin wonders if getting involved with Nokaze will help or hinder Coma-girl's timeline. He checks the photograph (which Saki put back) and we see that although the date stamp in the corner is the same, the entire picture is different. Instead of Miki being in a hospital bed as she awaits surgery, the picture shows a relaxed and smiling Miki and Jin sitting on a couch.

Jin plans a follow-up visit on Hikosaburo and this time Saki is determined to accompany the doctor. At the brothel Nokaze asks Jin if he can examine one other person before he goes. Saki immediately recognizes the courtesan as looking like the same woman in the photograph. Nokaze takes them to a back building where a sick woman resides alone. As Jin looks upon her he is shocked by what he sees.

And then the episode ends. Ah, damn cliff hangers. What's wrong with her?

I should mention by now that I've been watching Jin at Dramacrazy.net



Three Kingdoms Episode 14

Liu Bei calls for a conference with his "brothers". I guess I should now call them the Four Musketeers as Zhao Yun has been adopted into the clan. Once again Zhao has just one line. I told you to get a better agent! The brothers all agree the secret orders from the emperor are really from Cao Cao. The discussion is whether to obey the orders or not. Liu Bei decides in the end to attack Yuan Shu. He uses some reverse psychology on his younger brother, Loudmouth, in order to get him to stay behind and guard the city.

Yuan Shu receives the message from Cao Cao about Liu Bei plotting against him. One of Yuan Shu's advisers (I don't catch his name) sees right through Cao Cao's plans, but he advises Yuan to attack anyway, for the advisor has a clever plan. They'll bribe Lu Bu to attack Liu Bei.

As soon as Liu Bei is out of the city, Zhang Fei is breaking out the wine bottles and beating up Cao Bao, a cousin of Lu Bu's.

Lu Bu and Chen Gongtai receive Yuan Shu's letter with the bribe offer. While Chen Gongtai still doesn't think the time is right to seize Xuzhou, he sees no reason for them not to take all the silk and gold Yuan Shu is offering. Cao Bao has managed to finally get away from the drunkard and comes to tell his cousin about the beating. Wanting to avenge his cousin, and learning that Liu Bei and the boys are out leaving the city with a skeleton crew of soldiers, Lu Bu marches on Xuzhou. Loudmouth is forced to flee.

A remorseful, and probably hung over, Zhang Fei has to report what he has done. Zhao gets a handful more lines (yeah, Zhao!) to announce Yuan Shu's army is moving towards them. Liu Bei decides his demoralized army is in no shape to face Yuan, so they'll go back to Xuzhou. To Liu Bei's way of thinking he's done nothing wrong to Lu Bu, therefore Lu Bu will deal kindly with them. They'll let Lu Bu keep Xuzhou and the Four Musketeers will go to that ever-mentioned Xiaopei.

The Three Musketeers (where's Zhao?) stand outside the city gates and Lu Bu invites them in. Lu Bu offers the city back to Liu Bei, but Liu Bei refuses, saying all this is the Will of Heaven. He asks for and gets the station of Xiaopei.

Yuan Shu is back to scheming with his unnamed old advisor and a beautiful house as a backdrop. This time Yuan Shu will send Lu Bu double the provisions Lu Bu asked for. Lu Bu gladly accepts the bounty, but Chen Gongtai is not happy. Now Yuan Shu will expect Lu Bu to help attack Liu Bei. If they lose the city of Xiaopei, then Xuzhou is left vulnerable. Lu Bu decides he'll just not help anybody. Poor Diaochan is overhearing all this but she only gets one line. She must have the same agent as Zhao.

Yuan Shu asks for a volunteer to lead the army against Xiaopei. Big Fat Ji Ling steps up to the plate. Liu Bei sends Zhao to beg Lu Bu for help. If that doesn't work, Zhao is to go talk with Chen Gongtai.

Three Kingdoms Episode 13

I continue to be someone who is standing on the outside looking in. Everyone is falling all over themselves to laud Queen Inhyun's Man to the roof, while I see no reason to force myself to finish the first episode. It just didn't grab me. I am who I am, I watch what I watch.

Let's get back to that letter that had Cao Cao and his men looking so concerned. A couple of Dong Zhuo's underlings were able to take over Chang'an, which means they took over the young emperor. Naturally the two had a falling out and it was all out war. The city of Chang'an is a mess. The young emperor was able to sneak out of the city and is heading back to the old capital of Luoyang. He's in poor shape and is requesting all his loyal lords to come to his aid. Cao Cao knows an opportunity when he sees it. He's planning to intercept the young emperor and gain control of the boy himself.

The show's producers have allowed the child emperor to age up to a teenager. Doesn't mean he's any better at being an emperor. He and his ministers make it to Luoyang but remember, it was burned out by Dong Zhuo many episodes ago. The royal palace is just an empty shell and there's no food and water. By the time Cao Cao shows up, the emperor's just grateful for the supplies.

In a symbolic scene, the dirty emperor and his ragged ministers hold court in the blackened ruins of the palace. Everyone pretends it is like the good old days. As tribute Cao Cao gives a tureen of chicken broth which the emperor tearfully gulps down. Cao Cao convinces (re: threatens) the emperor to move the court to a new city. A city that just happens to be deep in Cao Cao's territory.

In a very clever and crafty move, Cao Cao petitions the emperor to bestow titles and lands upon people like Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and Liu Biao. Basically his enemies. Why the benevolence? If these lords accept the decrees, they are in a sense saying they are okay with Cao Cao being in control of the emperor. If they refuse the decrees, then Cao Cao can argue that they are defiant vassals and should be taken out. His frenemies can do nothing but thank the emperor for his gifts.

Cao Cao is back to hungering after Xu Province and comes up with a plan. To Liu Bei, under the guise that it is from the emperor, Cao Cao sends secret orders. Liu Bei is to attack Yuan Shu because Yuan is planning to declare himself emperor. At the same time a message will be sent to Yuan Shu saying Liu Bei has asked for permission to attack Yuan because he claims Yuan is planning to set himself up as emperor. Then after these two wear themselves out in war against each other, Cao Cao will march in.

I Do, I Do Episode 2

I watched the first episode and thought it was cute with just enough LOL moments for me to want to see the next show, although I can't seem to make myself be all "SHOES!!!!" like everyone else. Dramabeans recapped the first one but so far I haven't seen any more from them. They may still be trying to decide whether to follow this or not. Just in case they aren't, I'll try and ride in on their coat tails and give an abbreviated recap without the high quality you always get from Dramabeans.

In the alleyway, Hwang Ji An runs into Park Tae Kang, making him spill his sack of toys knock-off shoes. When the two recognize each other, Tae Kang takes off like a rocket. Ji An takes off her high heels and pursues him in her bare feet. Ouch, ouch, ouch. Just like in the first episode, we see that Ji An is a much better runner than the younger Tae Kang. Dude, you need to go to the gym more often if an older woman can outrun you.

Ji An takes Tae Kang to the police station. Ji An demands to know who and where the knock-off artist is, as Tae Kang is claiming he just picked the shoes up and knows nothing. When Ji An challenges him as to why he was running away if he's innocent, Tae Kang snaps back that he was running because she has a scary face. Who wouldn't run? The police officer tries to convince Tae Kang to save himself by giving up the name of the real criminal, but Tae Kang can't sacrifice his abusive dad and so goes to jail.

Ji An starts to worry about the fate of the young boy and asks to speak to him alone. Is he afraid to say who is really behind the knockoffs? Will someone hurt him if he spills? Tae Kang attempts to claim all responsibility that he made all the shoes himself, but Ji An doesn't believe he has the skill she recognized in the works. She gives up on the boy.

Meanwhile, Daddy Park got away and is sitting and waiting at friend Lee Choong Baek's restaurant, worrying about why he's not heard from his son. On the television is a news report about a crackdown on sellers and makers of knockoffs. A recently arrested criminal is shown on the screen. His face is blurred out and his voice changed to sound like Alvin the Chipmunk, but they all know it is Tae Kang. Aww, Daddy Park turns himself in to free his kid. When Tae Kang returns home he finds his old man had made dinner for him before the old man turned himself in. Aww, Daddy Park!

At the airport we see a young woman arriving. This is Yeom Na Ri, who has returned to Korea after 15 years. Her uncle must be the owner or at least a higher up of the company Ji An designs for, because when Na Ri mentions to him she would like a different office, Ji An is unceremoniously cleared out of her space. (Commentors at Viki brought to my attention how "uncle's" eyes keep straying to Na Ri's chest, so I'm not sure if he's a real blood uncle or just a dirty old man she calls uncle.) Ji An's minions gossip about the upstart and we learn that Na Ri is the daughter of the Chairman's mistress.

Speaking of Na Ri, she's here to be introduced to the designing team. As an obviously pissed-off Ji An carries a box out of her former office, Na Ri attempts to be friendly and apologises about taking Ji An's office. Ji An isn't having any of it and honestly admits she's upset. Na Ri holds out her hand for a shake but Ji An first shrugs it off, indicating her hands are full. Interestingly, Na Ri steps closer and sticks out her hand, insisting on a handshake. Reluctantly Ji An puts down her box and gives a rather limp shake. When she picks up her box and starts to walk away, a pamphlet falls out to the floor. Na Ri picks it up and loudly reads that it is about menopause, revealing Ji An's secret. Oh, it is on.

Ji An gets a call from her mother concerning the recent blind date with Jo Eun Sung. (I like him.) Eun Sung was supposed to reject Ji An as they planned, but instead he's expressed interest in seeing her again. When Ji An calls him to ask what the deal is, he suggests they go out on a couple of dates to keep their parents off their backs. There's some playful banter between them as Ji An turns him down. I really do like the chemistry between these two. Now I want young Tae Kang to blow off and let this couple get together.

Daddy Park is out of jail only to learn that Tae Kang sold his beloved Beyonce bike and the house in order to get enough money to pay the old man's fine. So he's free and homeless. There is a montage of Tae Kang going through a variety of jobs, including nude model.

Meanwhile, Ji An and Na Ri continue to butt heads over business. Ji An overhears her minions complaining about how hard she's been working them. She takes pity and invites them all out for dinner. She goes on ahead to a fancy restaurant and waits and waits and waits. Finally one girl from the office shows up because she got volunteered to carry everyone's excuses to their boss for not coming. (It's a free steak dinner! Who skips out on a free steak dinner?!?)  Ji An does the Korean Walk of the Lonely down a crowded street. She calls the one friend she seems to have in this show only to hear her BFF is with her SO.

Tae Kang is having drinks with Choong Baek at the restaurant when in walks Ji An. She orders the Korean Soju of the Lonely. Tae Kang thinks she's here because of him. She calls him a loser because he's not doing anything with his life. He points out that she may have money and a successful career but she's the one drinking Soju of the Lonely so she's the loser. They go their separate ways, reflecting on their lives as sad music plays.

Ji An is giving a business presentation to the company. She's suggesting they host a contest, basically Korea's Next Top Shoe Designer. Tae Kang is out hitting the pavement for a job when he sees the advertisement for the contest. Daddy Park, the real talent in this family, isn't interested in getting involved with the contest, so Tae Kang throws himself into trying to come up with a design himself.

Ji An and Na Ri look over the shoes submitted for the contest, as well as have another Bitch-Off. The shoe chosen as the winner is the one Tae Kang put in. (I'm not sure if he actually did the shoe or his dad.) Tae Kang comes to the office building to accept the reward. Bored with waiting he goes out to get a drink from a machine that, as all machines do, takes his money. He begins beating it up right when Ji An is walking by. She goes to confront him about abusing private property just as Tae Kang gets his canned drink freed. He opens the shaken can and the contents spew all over Ji An.

Oh yes, and Ji An is starting to experience the Symptoms of Pregnancy.

Three Kingdoms Episode 12



I've had to listen to hippie music all day at work today. And why does my coffee taste so bad? Ancient China, take me away!

Cao Cao is stuffing his face with the longest pair of chopsticks I've ever seen when he receives a letter from Liu Bei. Then my internet connection gets flaky. Argh, why must this day be so trying??  Liu Bei tries to convince Cao Cao into forgiving old man Tao Qian and withdrawing the siege of the city. Cao Cao replies that when his men take the city, every man, woman, and child will be slaughtered. Elsewhere, as Cao Cao has been away busy with Xuzhou, there's trouble back at his home base of Yanzhou. Trouble in the form of the flowing Fabio locks of Lu Bu. This is when Cao Cao learns that his old buddy, Chen Gongtai, is the brains behind Lu Bu's brawn. Having to chose which city is more important, Cao Cao changes his message to Liu Bei and agrees to a truce.

Inside the city walls the Xu leaders are literally on their knees thanking Liu Bei for saving them and begging him to take over the province. Once again Liu Bei respectfully refuses and attempts to leave. Tao Qian, desperate to keep Liu Bei nearby in case Cao Cao returns, offers a border city of Xiaopei for the Three Musketeers and their men to garrison in. Tao will provide all their food and supplies. Liu Bei at least agrees to this.

Later (it doesn't say how much time has passed), Liu Bei is called to the side of the dying Tao Qian. (He's probably dying from the smoke coming from all those candles. Can you say fire hazard?) Tao has heard that Cao Cao was able to defeat Lu Bu and the old man worries Cao Cao will return to take the city. With his last gasp Tao Qian orders Liu Bei to become the protector of Xu Province.

In the middle of funeral rites the alarm bell is sounded. Lu Bu and his army are at the city gates, wishing to speak to Liu Bei. Lu Bu wants to join up with Liu Bei against Cao Cao. (And, if the opportunity arises, Lu Bu/Chen Gongtai will take over Xuzhou.) Say, I just noticed that guy playing Zhao Yun ain't bad looking. Liu Bei is willing to consider an alliance. After all, Lu Bu did kill Dong Zhuo. Loudmouth and Longbeard aren't too keen on the idea. Lu Bu can't be trusted. Zhao Yun looks on, saying nothing. Don't you have any lines, Zhao? Wait, he does have one line. Zhao, you need to get a better agent.

Liu Bei  allows Lu Bu into the city. They have a little dinner party where Lu Bu gets totally shit faced and starts bragging about how he's going to conquer the world. Longbeard slyly asks if Lu Bu is so great, why was Cao Cao able to defeat him. You go, Longbeard. Nanny Chen Gongtai is finally able to get the young drunkard out of the room and remind him to straighten up and act right. For now.

Cao Cao is still stewing over Xuzhou and plans to immediately try another invasion. He's talked into waiting, for surely Lu Bu and Liu Bei will eventually fall out with each other, presenting a better opportunity to attack.

Lu Bu has settled into Xuzhou and invites Liu Bei over for lunch. Diaochan dances and sings for entertainment. (Is that the actress actually singing? Whoever it is, she has a lovely voice.) Elsewhere in the city Guan Yu and Zhang Fei fret that Lu Bu is using the legendary beauty Diaochan to seduce their brother. (Liu Bei does have that dreamy, love-struck look about him at the banquet.) Hilariously, Loudmouth crashes the party and challenges Lu Bu to a fight. Liu Bei is embarrassed and scolds his brother away. Lu Bu, restrained by his wife, says he must leave the city. Liu Bei still has use for the young general and so offers him the exact same proposal Tao Qian offered Liu Bei earlier: to garrison at Xiaopei and let Xuzhou pay for everything.

Meanwhile, Cao Cao receives a letter from the emperor in Chang'an. After silently reading the letter, Cao Cao and his people exchange somber looks. And then the episode ends. Ah, darn you, show! Any other time your endings are rather lame. Finally you succeed at a cliffhanger. What did the letter say?