Disclaimer: this article contains spoilers

Episode 8 of the K-drama "Queen Woo," released on September 12, presented an escalation of the situation as the queen gets ready for war with powerful enemies within the kingdom.

In the beginning, there is a flashback to the 18-year-old reign of King Go Na-mu when he severely punished his brother for treason, and now the crown prince wants to get back his lands. Meanwhile, her guards decide to back Queen Woo up and start preparing for the battle.

In an emotional scene, Mo-chi pledges his life to Queen Woo, who grants him a special pardon, allowing him to rejoin the Wangdang as they strategize for an impending conflict.

Despite Eul Pa So's skepticism that they will manage to win, Queen Woo is sure they will do it and will not go extinct. She even agrees to leave the capital so that everyone can stay alive and safe.

The next action involved sending a letter to the five clans with their ancestral swords to remind them that they owe their loyalty to King Chu Mo as well as informing Jwa's family about their daughter's death caused by Baeki. The queen succeeded in earning their trust and support.

Seol Joo is also on Queen Woo's side because of her marriage with Yeon Woo, which he believes will solidify the alliance.

The episode reveals shifting loyalties as Bal-ki gains support from mounted warriors and the Hae family, even as many citizens rally behind Queen Woo.

The Fifth Prince, Go Gye-su, vows to protect his brother's legacy by supporting the queen, despite his reservations about her marriage plans.

As tensions mount, No-eum captures Gye-su's family, offering them to Bal-ki. In a display of rage, Bal-ki kills one of the White Tigers after failing to capture the queen, further complicating alliances. Eul Pa-so uncovers a potential betrayal from Song-woo, leading to his arrest and revealing his past connections with the royal family.

The episode culminates with Queen Woo breaking free from patriarchal constraints and pledging to fight for her people.

Armed with a bronze sword repaired by a blacksmith, she prepares to lead her soldiers into battle.

The episode concludes on a cliffhanger, leaving fans eager for answers about the war's outcome and unresolved character arcs.

Critics have expressed disappointment over the lack of an actual battle scene in this highly anticipated episode. One reviewer noted that despite the buildup over seven episodes, the finale felt incomplete.

However, they praised Queen Woo's character development as a strong female lead determined to assert her power in a male-dominated world.

With lingering questions about alliances and character fates, viewers are left hoping for a second season to explore these unresolved plotlines.

The production company has not released an official statement yet on whether fans could expect a season 2.

What can you say about the story? Share your comments below

Kdramastars own this.

This article was written by:

Rovelyn Barba