Is it possible to rule both effectively and humanely? Queen Seondeok begins with the premise that it is only possible to achieve and hold power with the help of others. To be effective, leaders must be able to win people to their sides and keep them there. And yet, paradoxically, gaining the backing of “the people” often means sacrificing any semblance of normal relations with individuals. While this show uses many of the conventions of the biopic, it never strays far from these fundamental themes, making it less the story of a single ruler and more of a meditation on clashing political philosophies. It often deviates wildly from historical fact, but it provides a smart, nuanced look at the mechanics and costs of power. From a production standpoint, the show is often uneven. This is very much a writers’ show, and at its best, it’s tightly plotted, with thematic depth, complex characters, and powerful payoffs. It’s not perfect - the initial episodes are exposition heavy and awkward, the action lags in places, and the set-up presents a giant structural challenge that the writers are never able to fully overcome. The directing is functional, but not particularly distinguished. It’s also a show that is far more fortunate in the casting of its antagonists than of its protagonists. On the plus side, Go Hyun Jung and Kim Nam Gil are fabulous, and their performances alone are worth the 62 hour investment in the show. On the down side, this skews the dramatic structure and emotional impact of the story in ways that become particularly problematic towards the end. Issues aside though, this remains a powerful show, one that for all the political games, epic battles, and over-dramatic close-ups keeps returning to three abandoned children and the cost of breaking human bonds. And how often do dramas of any type provide both a strong, smart female protagonist and a strong,smart female antagonist (and surround them with gorgeous guys)?