*Some spoilers for episode 39.*
Here we are, at the end of The Duke of Mount Deer. Overall, I’m pleased with how it wraps up. I’m glad I finally took the time to watch this series, because it was a lot of fun and a nice early display of Tony Leung Chiu-wai’s acting.
Last episode, the emperor gave Wai Siu-bo one final chance to cut ties with Heaven and Earth Society to prove himself loyal, but Siu-bo was forced to reaffirm his allegiance to the rebels almost immediately after they backed him into a corner. The emperor sees this as the last straw and has Siu-bo arrested. Although people on every side have an opinion about what he should do about it, it ultimately comes down to him and Siu-bo.
As we come to the finale, even the scenes Wai Siu-bo aren’t in are still about him. Whether it’s the empress dowager urging the emperor to make an example of the “humble slave” who made a fool of him or the courtiers pleading for clemency, everyone is in the emperor’s ear, and he’s wrestling with the monumental task of how to deal with this. “A just emperor will not tolerate traitors,” he insists, but at nearly every moment, doubts creep in.
Most of the best scenes here are between Wai Siu-bo and the emperor. There’s a great confrontation at the start of the episode where Siu-bo is of course trying to save his own skin, but he’s also trying to rescue his friend from his intractable hardness. As furious as the emperor is with them, Siu-bo argues on behalf of Heaven and Earth Society, insisting that they’re simply “fools” rather than “bad.” He says that, “A good emperor should win the rebels over. Make them give up the rebellion.”
Where before, Wai Siu-bo would immediately roll over when the emperor got harsh with him, bowing and denigrating himself as he begged for mercy, he abandons that tactic in the finale. Instead, he openly argues with the emperor, and they even trade insults—at one point, Siu-bo actually points his finger right in the emperor’s face as he angrily warns, “I dare you to call me a bastard again.” He’s kind of done with all the bowing and scraping. It’s a “put up or shut up” moment for the emperor—if he really considers Siu-bo to be his friend, it’s time for him to prove it.
Not that Wai Siu-bo has no fear in the face of what is happening. Leung does so well navigating the quick shifts in his emotions throughout the episode. He’s at times angry and affronted, treating the emperor like he’s never been treated before: as any other person. There are moments where he has a calmness, a quiet, about him, keeping his cool and holding to his dignity because he has little else left. When he thinks the emperor might be turning a corner, he’s elated, immediately untensing and letting himself breathe. But when the emperor makes it clear that he’s really in for it this time, he turns frantic, pleading like a frightened child. All of it makes sense in the moment, and Leung takes Siu-bo, and us, on one final roller coaster.
And there you have it! That’s The Duke of Mount Deer. Final thoughts:
Recommend?
In General – I wouldn’t say this series is for everyone, but for what it is, it’s pretty entertaining. It’s a kung fu story mixed with class satire and a dose of farce, and if any of that sounds appealing to you, I think you’ll have a really good time.
Tony Leung Chiu-wai – Yes. Leung is a lot of fun in this and displays early flashes of his raw unvarnished talent. I’m obsessed with the offbeat choices and little bits of business he infuses the character with throughout the series.
Warnings
Violence, sexual references, mild language, drinking, able-bodied actors playing disabled characters, and some unpleasant humor that’s dismissive of consent.
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