S01E09 - [PLEASE DELETE]

“Prisoners” begins with a foreboding ringing of a bell, and perhaps the bell finally tolls for Marco, the obvious scapegoat for the military fiasco at Xiangyang. But might it ring instead for others? Or is it Kublai’s entire empire that is on the verge of collapse? Kublai has transitioned from the shocked and numb commander of a vanquished army to a vulnerable leader intent on damage control and political consolidation. New soldiers are being conscripted from the distant northern territories in order to secure Cambulac from attack, and Kublai presides over a kangaroo court to mete out Marco’s punishment. Technically, this is Marco’s last chance to plead his case, or at least plead for mercy. But Kublai isn’t even listening. He’s no longer interested in Marco’s actual guilt or innocence. There simply needs to be a reason—an excuse—for his own colossal blunder, and the white devil is an awfully convenient fall guy. Marco, to his credit, is a stand-up guy. ”I will not plead for mercy,” he tells the court, “but I will defend myself.” He bats aside each of Jingim and Ahmad’s trumped-up accusations, one after another. Byamba sticks up for his friend, but he also sees the writing on the wall. The great warrior’s frustration bubbles over and he belittles his half-brother in front of their khan: ”How does your body stand straight without a spine?” That should go over well. In the end, the charge of suspicion that sticks has nothing to do with Xiangyang, but the crucifix Marco wears that reads, “All kings shall fall before him.” It opens the door for Marco to speak recklessly—if honestly—to lecture Kublai about what awaits in the West. “Respectfully, we reap what we sow,” he says. “You must be prepared for the resistance of the lionhearted, and the West is not weak.”