Marco Polo Season 2 Overview: Challenging Kublai Khan Is A Really Bad Idea

In season 2, Kublai Khan continues to expand his empire. Treachery is around every turn. Ahmad (his Finance Minister) conspires with various parties to take the Khan down. He goads Kublai's cousin Kaidu into challenging the throne. Kaidu's mother Shakana is more than happy to whisper in her son's ear. She has a long history of ill will against Kublai (since he killed the rest of her family). Kaidu's children Khutulun and Orus try to talk their father out of his ill fated plan but to no avail. This conflict is even more troublesome because Khutulan is betrothed to Kublai's illegitimate son Byamba.

Some of the Mongols have converted to Christianity (including Khan's cousin Nayan). These Asian followers are known as Nestorian Christians (never heard of it). Ahmed later tries to use Nayan against Kublai. We also see a reappearance of Marco's loser daddy Niccolo. He has been working for Pope Gregory X all along. He plans to help the Christian army defeat the Khan. This causes major conflict between father and son (since Marco is still loyal to Kublai).

Hundred Eyes girlfriend Lotus reappears. It turns out both fought for the South (Song Dynasty) against Kublai. Lotus escaped while Hundred Eyes was captured. They have some pact about fighting to the death if they cant be together. She eventually leaves without him. Great fight scenes!

After convincing Kublai to travel to Xanadu for the Kurultai (a meeting of all the tribes to determine the Khan of Khans), Ahmad has Karakurum all to himself. He also has control over Kublai's army. Everything is working as planned. Why does Ahmad hate Kublai so much? His mother was sold into prostitution (he thought she was dead). He ends up having sex with her in a brothel (and kills her afterwards). Eeeek!

In other courtly news, Kokachin is married to Prince Jingim. She learns she is with child. There are several problems with this: 1. Kokachin is not actually the Blue Princess. She took her place after the real princess committed suicide. The Blue Princess haunts Kokachin throughout her pregnancy. 2. The child is not actually Jingim's. It is some stable boy's (who was later killed). I thought it FOR SURE would be Marco's. Kokachin calls for Marco while giving birth (to twins) and tells him the truth. Empress Chabi watches the entire uncomfortable scene unfold. Problem solved because Chabi helps Kokachin drown herself in the lake. I especially enjoyed these scenes. Even though everyone knows Kublai is in charge, Chabi will do whatever it takes to protect her family and secure it's legacy.

But there's more... Ahmad also knows this secret and tells Kaidu. Kublai must either give up the throne or everyone will learn the truth. Kublai concedes to Kaidu publicly but tries to poison him in private. Kaidu is hip to the plan and doesnt drink from the cup. He almost succeeds in strangling his cousin. Marco arrives in the nick of time. Kaidu is killed. Marco tells Kublai they must leave immediately. Another army is approaching.

Jingim, Byamba and Hundred Eyes arrive in Karakurum and convince a general that Ahmad is a traitor. They wound him but Mei Lin delivers the death blow. Remember Ahmad attempted to sell her daughter Ling Ling (after promising he would help protect her). Luckily the child is saved and Lotus takes her South to hide. Mei Lin is set free so she can join them. Hundred Eyes leaves with her so he and Lotus will be reunited as well.

Things Didnt Work Out As Planned After All

Ahmad should have know better than to screw with Mei Lin. Too bad we didnt see more of her bad-assery this season. Her naked fight scene is season 1 was quite memorable. Ahmad's body is hung above the entrance gate in Karakurum-- just in case anyone else thinks about challenging the Khan.

The season ends with Jingim and Byamba returning to Xanadu. The village is empty. All that remains is a bloody cross. We assume it's the work of Prester John (who might be the big villain should "Marco Polo" get a third season).

Remember Nayan said he encountered Prester John the desert years earlier and thus converted to Christianity. Marco's father also runs into him after the Pope's army is defeated. I must confess I didnt know anything about Prester John before the show-- he's an interesting character.

Grade: 3 3/4 Monsters (out of 5). The cinematography is beautiful. The sets are expansive. The fight scenes are well choreographed. The title credits and music are some of the best I've seen. They better be given what NetFlix paid for the series. Per Wikipedia "Marco Polo" is the second most expensive show on TV-- second only to "Game of Thrones".

A number of actors are standouts. I would DEFINITELY watch a show with Benedict Wong as Kublai Khan and Joan Chen as Chabi chatting. They are both stellar. Mahesh Jadu is quite compelling as Ahmad. Michelle Yeoh's brief appearance as Lotus is a great addition. Lorenzo Richelmy as Marco Polo is unfortunately still a drag. Everyone else is more interesting then him. Luckily in season 2 he is (rightfully) relegated to traveling the roads and hanging out on the periphery of Khan's court.

The pacing of the show continues to be a major issue though. Season 2 starts off VERY slowly-- so much so that I barely finished. I later revisited "MP" and the last few episodes are much more interesting. This show would have greatly benefited from fewer episodes and a tighter structure.

Is "Marco Polo" worth a watch? Yes, if you like shows loosely based on historical events. I also cant recall another show depicting the Mongol empire (so many people may not know about Genghis Khan and his offspring). I would suggest watching a few episodes at the beginning of season 2 though and then several at the end. Otherwise you may be frustrated.

Should "MP" get a third season? I think the story has been adequately told at this point. If they do have a season 3, the story needs to be tightened up greatly. I'm not sure how many viewers stuck it out till the end.