Marco faces a death sentence, while Jia Sidao takes the Emperor under his wing.
But might it ring instead for others?
Or is it Kublais entire empire that is on the verge of collapse?
Credit: Phil Bray/Netflix
Technically, this is Marcos last chance to plead his case, or at least plead for mercy.
But Kublai isnt even listening.
Hes no longer interested in Marcos actual guilt or innocence.
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 Ahmads trumped-up accusations, one after another.
Byamba sticks up for his friend, but he also sees the writing on the wall.
It opens the door for Marco to speak recklesslyif honestlyto 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.
In Xiangyang, Jia Sidao has complete control again after his triumphant military victory.
Well, almost complete control.
Jia can play this game for only so long.
He can outmaneuver her if need be, but that takes patience, effort, and time.
Or he can just blow her away with a hand-held cannon.
It seems like such an inelegant weapon for Jia, like Darth Vader wielding Han Solos blaster.
But its effective, for sure.
Question: Was the shrapnel he used to blast her from something notable?
So it is Jia, and not the Empress, who takes the boy Emperor under his wing.
He brings a gift, to soften the blow that his mother is dead: a pet praying mantis.
After all, the female mantis has been known to get hungry while mating.
In Cambulac, the night before Marcos execution is a long one for everyone.
Kokachin is also enduring a night of great anxiety.
But is she implying even more than that?
Is she also implying that she also came to power by the same fraudulent route?
But there was none of that from either side.
Hundred Eyes is also feeling the burden of Marcos fate and Kublais poor fortunes.
Lord Khan, years ago, you took my eyes, he says.
Today, I offer you the rest of me.
Kublai had blinded the monk as punishment for killing 25 of his best soldiers.
But now, it is Kublai who cannot see wisdom.
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It is left to Yusuf to make things right.
Yusuf, the humble war minister who once said, Egonot armiesdestroys empires.
Marco confirms that yes, she was part of the reason he stayed.
Marco tells Yusuf about Alexanders siege of Tyre, the walled island fortress, in 332 BC.
This is Marcos ticket to vindication, if not freedom.
Im not afraid to die, he says, but Im terrified to do so while branded a traitor.
Well, thats where Marco and Yusuf differ.
In many ways, they are spiritually similar.
In fact, they might be the only two men who tell Kublai the truth about important matters.
But while both men are willing to die, Yusuf doesnt share Marcos qualms about being branded a traitor.
To secure the verdict, Yusuf sent his signed confession throughout the kingdom, forcing Kublais hand.
So it is Yusuf, not Marco, who gets the not-so-magic-carpet ride: death by stampede.
But I am truly free.
Obviously, Yusuf is not really guilty of hiring the Hashshashin or the battlefield failures.
Those traitors still lurk in the shadows (Ah-ah-ahh-MAD!
), and the show is stripped of one of its strongest characters.
He deserved a better death, though, no?
